Started Radiation FINALLY (update)
I haven't been to this site for a bit. I've been busy to say the least. I saw my RO and MO after the PET scan and both seem pretty certain radiation and HT will take care of me for now. I can't do HT while doing radiation treatments (which started on Monday).
Both docs still can't say for certain that the lung nodules are not cancer. My MO says she is praying and hoping they are benign. The only way to find out just what is lurking in my lungs is to do a biopsy. My MO does not want to have my chest cut open because of how major the surgery is. So I will wait until after the radiation treatments are done. Just 30 more to go!
I will be examined by the RO every week and have blood work done as well. Right now, I am in a good place. I had a surprise visit with my daughter this past week which kept me feeling so happy. I just wish I didn't have 2 appointments every day!
Here's praying for all my pink sisters and wishing for good health!
xoxo
Mary
=====================================================================================
I have started feeling the fatigue already. The RO said "1 outta 3 women will feel this fatigue". He said that most do well but after looking at me he said I was going to have a rough time with it. I am actually sporting shiners! My eyes tell the whole story. I am getting 8-9 hours nightly but don't nap during the day. My skin is PINK and my nipple itches like crazy. I have to say "I don't want to go anymore". *sigh* I really don't want to do much of anything these days.
I decided that the shiners might be from allergies. I have constant issues with them. SO I started taking something to help with that. Hopefully, the shiners will go away and I won't look so sickly.
This thing sucks! I mean, breast cancer! I was in the waiting area at the treatment center yesterday there was a woman who was waiting for her friend to finish her treatment. She looks at me and says "is everyone here for chemo and radiation?" I thought that was a dumb question because the sign on the building says "Cancer Treatment Center". I said "yes". She says, "there are people lining up to come in here." I say "it's sad isn't it. All these people suffering from cancer." She just mumbles and says "it must be the environment". I thought it kind of rude to make such statements but I know it was ignorance than anything. She tells me her friend (for whom I have talked with many times) is just doing what the doctors tell her to do. She seemed a bit frustrated with her friend doing this. I wanted to shake her. On the one hand, here she is being the good samaritan and on the other she shows total ignorance.
Anyway, I will make the hour round trip again and continue until done. I honestly cannot wait til it's over. Going for radiation treatment has made the fact that I have breast cancer really hit home! I am not just going to a doctor for a sprained ankle. I am going to get treated for cancer! This, for me, is mind blowing! How did I get here?
Just thinking out loud.
Love to all ....
Mary
Comments
-
Why not HT during rads?
Why not HT during rads? Both my chemo Dr and rads Dr wanted me on Femara ASAP so I started it a week after starting rads which started 1 week after last Taxol. I had no signs of possible mets. It would seem to me that as you may have mets, they would want to start starving them of estrogen immediately just in case.
Susan0 -
I KNOWRague said:Why not HT during rads?
Why not HT during rads? Both my chemo Dr and rads Dr wanted me on Femara ASAP so I started it a week after starting rads which started 1 week after last Taxol. I had no signs of possible mets. It would seem to me that as you may have mets, they would want to start starving them of estrogen immediately just in case.
Susan
My RO said something to the affect that if I have side effects he wouldn't know which treatment was the culprit. I guess I am OK with this right now because I am going to have blood work every week. It's scary because of the fact that I may have mets. The PET scan did not light up on the other nodules. The 2 that are in question were out of spatial resolution on the PET. The radiologist could not tell if they were lit up or not. Knowing that the others did not light up is giving us all hope that there is no mets. The only reason I had the PET scan is because the thoracic surgeon said they were semi solid. It scares me but I am not the expert. I keep my faith in God that He will guide my doctors to do the right thing.
How are you now? I pray that you are on your way to being happier and healthier in this new year.
xoxo
Mary0 -
Even if an area lights up onMsGebby said:I KNOW
My RO said something to the affect that if I have side effects he wouldn't know which treatment was the culprit. I guess I am OK with this right now because I am going to have blood work every week. It's scary because of the fact that I may have mets. The PET scan did not light up on the other nodules. The 2 that are in question were out of spatial resolution on the PET. The radiologist could not tell if they were lit up or not. Knowing that the others did not light up is giving us all hope that there is no mets. The only reason I had the PET scan is because the thoracic surgeon said they were semi solid. It scares me but I am not the expert. I keep my faith in God that He will guide my doctors to do the right thing.
How are you now? I pray that you are on your way to being happier and healthier in this new year.
xoxo
Mary
Even if an area lights up on a PET does not mean it is malignant. I had an area along my jaw light up on the PET. The ENT did not think there was anything there but biopsied it to be sure - nothing showed up.
Nothing was ever said to me about not knowing which SEs might be caused by which - just start it.. I've had none from Femara and had none during rads but did burn bad after - it still keeps 'cooking' for a while. While I had no mets, I'm IBC and learned later that my Drs all thought I be doing good to make it a year after DX. Well, I was DX'd Aug 8, 2009 and I'm still here and doing great. Some minor inconviences that are not cancer related but TX related but all are handliable. I will be very happy if the coming year is as good as the last 2 1/2 have been - I'm alive and can do anything I want to. May you also.
Susan0 -
We'll SeeRague said:Even if an area lights up on
Even if an area lights up on a PET does not mean it is malignant. I had an area along my jaw light up on the PET. The ENT did not think there was anything there but biopsied it to be sure - nothing showed up.
Nothing was ever said to me about not knowing which SEs might be caused by which - just start it.. I've had none from Femara and had none during rads but did burn bad after - it still keeps 'cooking' for a while. While I had no mets, I'm IBC and learned later that my Drs all thought I be doing good to make it a year after DX. Well, I was DX'd Aug 8, 2009 and I'm still here and doing great. Some minor inconviences that are not cancer related but TX related but all are handliable. I will be very happy if the coming year is as good as the last 2 1/2 have been - I'm alive and can do anything I want to. May you also.
Susan
I am just happy to be getting any kind of treatment. I was dx'd in August and just started the rads. It's been like running a marathon and there is no finish line. I know .. that's a tad dramatic but I don't understand how it could take so long to get started with treatment.
My MO says she will stay the course of treatment if the nodules turn out to be cancer. My bc is ER/PR+, stage II, Her2 negative. So I understand why she would keep me on Arimidex with lung mets. I think I will ask about chemo IF this is mets though. I don't want to take any more chances than I have to. What is IBC?
Thank you, Susan, for being here with me.0 -
Hi MaryRague said:Even if an area lights up on
Even if an area lights up on a PET does not mean it is malignant. I had an area along my jaw light up on the PET. The ENT did not think there was anything there but biopsied it to be sure - nothing showed up.
Nothing was ever said to me about not knowing which SEs might be caused by which - just start it.. I've had none from Femara and had none during rads but did burn bad after - it still keeps 'cooking' for a while. While I had no mets, I'm IBC and learned later that my Drs all thought I be doing good to make it a year after DX. Well, I was DX'd Aug 8, 2009 and I'm still here and doing great. Some minor inconviences that are not cancer related but TX related but all are handliable. I will be very happy if the coming year is as good as the last 2 1/2 have been - I'm alive and can do anything I want to. May you also.
Susan
I agree with Susan, just because an area lights up on a PET scan doesn't mean it's cancer. My thyroid lit up like a Christmas tree and after doing a biopsy ( which was quite painful) I was told its just a nodule. Also, after my mastectomy I had another pet & there were 2 spots on my liver, several on my left kidney ( my cancer side) & several on my throat. My onc said we would do another pet after I completed rads & go from there. Long story short, nothing lit up on the next pet. I, like Susan am IBC & my onc told me that he was very worried that he was going to have to tell me that I was in mets, but so far I'm still stage 3.
I am praying for you & sending a big cyber hug. Take care & get plenty of rest.
Hugs & God Bless,
Dawne0 -
length of time for treatment to start.....MsGebby said:We'll See
I am just happy to be getting any kind of treatment. I was dx'd in August and just started the rads. It's been like running a marathon and there is no finish line. I know .. that's a tad dramatic but I don't understand how it could take so long to get started with treatment.
My MO says she will stay the course of treatment if the nodules turn out to be cancer. My bc is ER/PR+, stage II, Her2 negative. So I understand why she would keep me on Arimidex with lung mets. I think I will ask about chemo IF this is mets though. I don't want to take any more chances than I have to. What is IBC?
Thank you, Susan, for being here with me.
Hi!! I'm new to all of this!!! Just wanted to say I understand about waiting so long for treatment to start!! I was diagnosed the end of Sept 2011 with stage I breast ca! Had 2 surgeries (Oct.2011 & Nov.2011). My oncatype test came back with a low number so doc said I only needed radiation (thank God) which started Dec. 13th, 2011. Right before I found out about whether I needed chemo or not I had the worse palpatations that lasted a long time & had them again the first few days of my txmt. Never had them before!!! I just had my 22nd out of 33 txmts. The stress of being in limbo with what stage, did it go anywhere else, do I need chemo & radiation, what about working... I was sooo stressed!!! Seemed like they would never get started with treatment and I worried about it getting worse in the meantime!! 2 weeks after I am done with the rad-I will start the pill tamoxifen & take that for 5 years!!! I am getting more tired every day...but I am almost done with this part!! Do you always worry about it coming back or showing up other places-even though you have gone thru txmt or are in txmt??0 -
Inflammatory Breast CancerMsGebby said:We'll See
I am just happy to be getting any kind of treatment. I was dx'd in August and just started the rads. It's been like running a marathon and there is no finish line. I know .. that's a tad dramatic but I don't understand how it could take so long to get started with treatment.
My MO says she will stay the course of treatment if the nodules turn out to be cancer. My bc is ER/PR+, stage II, Her2 negative. So I understand why she would keep me on Arimidex with lung mets. I think I will ask about chemo IF this is mets though. I don't want to take any more chances than I have to. What is IBC?
Thank you, Susan, for being here with me.
IBC is Imflammatory. Breast Cancer. It is the most aggressive form and can literally not be there one day and Stage IV the next. It is rarely (if ever) DX'd at lower than Stage III. The stats say that 1 out of 4 IBCers will make it to 5 yrs post DX. Only between 1% and 5% of all BC is IBC.
IBC also does not form a 'lump'. It nests or bands taking over. It is sometimes mistaken for mastits. Chemo has to be done before surgery is a possibility. On chemo it can be shrunk and margins can be gotten - that's why chemo is started quickly. In my case, I had A/C which got very good results and surgeon was able to get it all with clean margins. Then I had 12 Taxol before rads. Some will have 2 different batches of chemo before surgery.
Susan0 -
PHEW!!!!Texasgirl10 said:Hi Mary
I agree with Susan, just because an area lights up on a PET scan doesn't mean it's cancer. My thyroid lit up like a Christmas tree and after doing a biopsy ( which was quite painful) I was told its just a nodule. Also, after my mastectomy I had another pet & there were 2 spots on my liver, several on my left kidney ( my cancer side) & several on my throat. My onc said we would do another pet after I completed rads & go from there. Long story short, nothing lit up on the next pet. I, like Susan am IBC & my onc told me that he was very worried that he was going to have to tell me that I was in mets, but so far I'm still stage 3.
I am praying for you & sending a big cyber hug. Take care & get plenty of rest.
Hugs & God Bless,
Dawne
Thank you thank you thank you Dawne!
And Susan!
It's nice to know that lighting up doesn't always mean cancer. The MO said that the spatial resolution meant that the PET could not pick up on the 2 worrisome nodules. Anyway, the thoracic surgeon said these nodules are semi solid. I read up on these and have gotten myself scared silly. It says that 70-75% of semi solid nodules are malignant. I did talk to my MO and she is just hoping my cancer did not metastasize.
I have FAITH in God and have laid my worries in His hands. One step at a time. Like you, Dawne, I will have a new scan after radiation is done.
I pray that you come through this with flying colors (but not on the PET)
Love to my PINK sisters ..................0 -
PHEW!!!!Texasgirl10 said:Hi Mary
I agree with Susan, just because an area lights up on a PET scan doesn't mean it's cancer. My thyroid lit up like a Christmas tree and after doing a biopsy ( which was quite painful) I was told its just a nodule. Also, after my mastectomy I had another pet & there were 2 spots on my liver, several on my left kidney ( my cancer side) & several on my throat. My onc said we would do another pet after I completed rads & go from there. Long story short, nothing lit up on the next pet. I, like Susan am IBC & my onc told me that he was very worried that he was going to have to tell me that I was in mets, but so far I'm still stage 3.
I am praying for you & sending a big cyber hug. Take care & get plenty of rest.
Hugs & God Bless,
Dawne
Thank you thank you thank you Dawne!
And Susan!
It's nice to know that lighting up doesn't always mean cancer. The MO said that the spatial resolution meant that the PET could not pick up on the 2 worrisome nodules. Anyway, the thoracic surgeon said these nodules are semi solid. I read up on these and have gotten myself scared silly. It says that 70-75% of semi solid nodules are malignant. I did talk to my MO and she is just hoping my cancer did not metastasize.
I have FAITH in God and have laid my worries in His hands. One step at a time. Like you, Dawne, I will have a new scan after radiation is done.
I pray that you come through this with flying colors (but not on the PET)
Love to my PINK sisters ..................0 -
Wellluv4Life2 said:length of time for treatment to start.....
Hi!! I'm new to all of this!!! Just wanted to say I understand about waiting so long for treatment to start!! I was diagnosed the end of Sept 2011 with stage I breast ca! Had 2 surgeries (Oct.2011 & Nov.2011). My oncatype test came back with a low number so doc said I only needed radiation (thank God) which started Dec. 13th, 2011. Right before I found out about whether I needed chemo or not I had the worse palpatations that lasted a long time & had them again the first few days of my txmt. Never had them before!!! I just had my 22nd out of 33 txmts. The stress of being in limbo with what stage, did it go anywhere else, do I need chemo & radiation, what about working... I was sooo stressed!!! Seemed like they would never get started with treatment and I worried about it getting worse in the meantime!! 2 weeks after I am done with the rad-I will start the pill tamoxifen & take that for 5 years!!! I am getting more tired every day...but I am almost done with this part!! Do you always worry about it coming back or showing up other places-even though you have gone thru txmt or are in txmt??
I have been going through pretty much what you are going through. Stage II, ER/PR+, Her2 negative, 2 surgeries, Oncotype, CT scan, PET scan and now, finally, radiation. Drove me nuts!!!!
I have the additional scare of possible mets. However, I am giving my life over to God and asking Him to help guide my doctors to the right decisions.
Your palpatations should be brought to your doctor's attention. Personally, it could be a result of stress. It seems you've had a lot to worry about. I was having anxiety attacks until I discussed so many things with the RO and MO. Those attacks have subsided now that I have a better understanding of what is going on in my body.
Try to relax. You are getting the treatment you need. The meds after radiation is normal. I will be taking Arimidex for 5 years. I don't like the idea of putting poison in my body but it sure beats the alternative.
Slow down ... breathe ... LIVE, LOVE and LAUGH!
xoxo
Mary0 -
WOWRague said:Inflammatory Breast Cancer
IBC is Imflammatory. Breast Cancer. It is the most aggressive form and can literally not be there one day and Stage IV the next. It is rarely (if ever) DX'd at lower than Stage III. The stats say that 1 out of 4 IBCers will make it to 5 yrs post DX. Only between 1% and 5% of all BC is IBC.
IBC also does not form a 'lump'. It nests or bands taking over. It is sometimes mistaken for mastits. Chemo has to be done before surgery is a possibility. On chemo it can be shrunk and margins can be gotten - that's why chemo is started quickly. In my case, I had A/C which got very good results and surgeon was able to get it all with clean margins. Then I had 12 Taxol before rads. Some will have 2 different batches of chemo before surgery.
Susan
I am so sorry you are going through this. You must be one strong person!
I've read posts on this site that make me cry. Yours is one of them. I have stage II bc and feel as if it's NOTHING compared to what my sisters are dealing with.
All I can do is cry and send prayers to you. I am at a loss for words.
Cyber hugging you from the east coast ... Please keep in touch. I want to be here to listen if you need an ear.
xoxo
Mary0 -
Prayers always welcomed-MsGebby said:WOW
I am so sorry you are going through this. You must be one strong person!
I've read posts on this site that make me cry. Yours is one of them. I have stage II bc and feel as if it's NOTHING compared to what my sisters are dealing with.
All I can do is cry and send prayers to you. I am at a loss for words.
Cyber hugging you from the east coast ... Please keep in touch. I want to be here to listen if you need an ear.
xoxo
Mary
But tears aren't. (For me anyway!) You asked what IBC is - so I told you. I'm doing great at this time other than some 'inconviences' from chemo and rads that are all handliable. Texasgirl10 who posted in this thread is also IBC (a lot younger than I am) and going through issues now. There are several other IBCers (some TN) here who are dealing with mets at this time. Only between 1% and 5% of all BC is IBC so many do not know how different it is than the other types.
Susan0 -
lung nodules
It sounds like the lung nodules would be a whole seperate case (or a whole seperate scare, and let's hope for scare) since you are only stage 2. One good thing. In the unlikely chance that the nodules are cancer then having the radiation is going to help by shrinking them. So at least you have that on your side.0 -
Mary ... Phew, is right!laughs_a_lot said:lung nodules
It sounds like the lung nodules would be a whole seperate case (or a whole seperate scare, and let's hope for scare) since you are only stage 2. One good thing. In the unlikely chance that the nodules are cancer then having the radiation is going to help by shrinking them. So at least you have that on your side.
So much information, or what ifs to contemplate. Sounds like you have a solid plan,
trusted doctors -- and support from your daughter, our Lord, and all of us Sisters
in PINK. A solid boost in your arsenal in fighting the beast.
Prayers, luck, hope and positive vibes during your radiation --! Thrilled that
something is finally going to happen regarding - treatment.
Keep smiling, Mary -- you are adored, cherished and loved.
Stay strong, dear WARRIOR!
Strength, Courage and Hope.
Vicki Sam0 -
Wishing you good luck withSIROD said:Radiation
Keep us posted on how radiation treatments are going.
Best,
Doris
Wishing you good luck with rads.
Hugs, Jan0 -
2 weeks down!SIROD said:Radiation
Keep us posted on how radiation treatments are going.
Best,
Doris
It's gonna be a loooooooooooooooong winter. I am already a bit tired but I think it's the drive. I have to travel 30 minutes for a 15 minute appointment. It feels like a long ride for me. Even my jobs were closer than that. HAHA ...
I decided to keep my brothers and sister at a distance. It seems they don't get it and I don't need people who don't get it telling me how I should feel. When I first told them about breast cancer, I was beginning to feel I couldn't get cancer right!
Well, my sister is somewhat persistent. We were on the phone the other night and I felt the need to tell her about the worrisome nodules. BIG MISTAKE! I ended up telling her I couldn't talk anymore and hung up. Then I cried for 2 days. I don't need to go to that dark place and telling her only brought it back to the fore front.
Yes I am still worried about what is going on in my lungs but I was keeping buried until and IF I had to deal with something new. Not sure what to think when someone says "only stage II". I think she meant that cancer probably wouldn't metastasize at this stage. Funny because the radiologist and doctors all seem to thing that is exactly what is going on.
Anyway, I need to keep moving forward and finish rads. My breast is very sensitive right now. I mean it truly hurts at the softest touch. My nipple is now football shaped and brown. I can feel some burning. And I am starting to feel very tired.
OH .. to add to this, I may have torn my cartilage in my left knee. UGH! It hurts like holy hell. I can't put full weight on that knee or straighten it without grimacing in pain. I have an MRI scheduled next Friday. IF I need surgery to fix it, I will wait until radiation is done.
Do you have hobbies? I like to decorate. I was going to be an apprentice at a very prominent decorators building in NYC before cancer. I am still in touch with the VP of Marketing and am hoping to be able to get back on track with my interior design. I love doing this kind of work. I just never thought anyone would care about my designs. I am also an accomplished seamstress. I pray that I can have my cake and eat it too. What have you done for work/fun? Do you have children? Are you going to watch football this weekend? I am a New England Patriots fan! I am from Boston (now living in the metro NY area)
We should have a category for people to talk about their lives before cancer and after. The women on this site are so courageous and strong. Dontcha think????
xoxo
Mary0 -
thank Youlaughs_a_lot said:lung nodules
It sounds like the lung nodules would be a whole seperate case (or a whole seperate scare, and let's hope for scare) since you are only stage 2. One good thing. In the unlikely chance that the nodules are cancer then having the radiation is going to help by shrinking them. So at least you have that on your side.
I've that too. But my onco has been using the word "mets" and as has the radiologist. I find it interesting that they would use that word because my Oncotype score was a meer 4! How could I have mets?
For now, I am not sweating it. Just doing the radiation and moving on. Last one is Feb 22 and then I start Arimidex.
Can't wait to say "I'm a rad grad!"
Again thank you for the time to talk to me. I don't think I would have any sanity left if it weren't for my pink sisters.
xoxo
Mary0 -
Sending you all the bestlaughs_a_lot said:lung nodules
It sounds like the lung nodules would be a whole seperate case (or a whole seperate scare, and let's hope for scare) since you are only stage 2. One good thing. In the unlikely chance that the nodules are cancer then having the radiation is going to help by shrinking them. So at least you have that on your side.
Sending you all the best with rads too. There is a great post on here that has lots of hints if you want to read it...I can bump it up for you.
Sue 0 -
I'm praying for you Mary andTexasgirl10 said:Hi Mary
I agree with Susan, just because an area lights up on a PET scan doesn't mean it's cancer. My thyroid lit up like a Christmas tree and after doing a biopsy ( which was quite painful) I was told its just a nodule. Also, after my mastectomy I had another pet & there were 2 spots on my liver, several on my left kidney ( my cancer side) & several on my throat. My onc said we would do another pet after I completed rads & go from there. Long story short, nothing lit up on the next pet. I, like Susan am IBC & my onc told me that he was very worried that he was going to have to tell me that I was in mets, but so far I'm still stage 3.
I am praying for you & sending a big cyber hug. Take care & get plenty of rest.
Hugs & God Bless,
Dawne
I'm praying for you Mary and wishing you good luck with rads. Be sure and get lots of rest as rads will exhaust you.
Hugs, Leeza0
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