Radiation Graduation!

hopeful in tally
hopeful in tally Member Posts: 56
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Cannot believe I am a radiation graduate today! Wonderful celebration with my new friends in the Radiation/Oncology department. With diploma in hand the tears came as they did when this process began. What will I do on Monday at 2:30? How will I know that I am still fighting this horrible disease when I am not actively doing something to combat it? It seems that the radiation was a means of knowing there were rays of fire that was killing the bad cells. What now? I hate to complain because I truly am happy to be finished with this chapter. Am I crazy or has anyone else dealt with these emotions? If so ... what do you do??

Comments

  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    Congrats you Rad Grad!
    Congrats you Rad Grad! Enjoy your free time!


    Hugs, Angie
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    Hi Hopeful
    I totally understand what you mean. I have just finished my 5th radiation treatment of 35 (after 6 rounds of chemo), so I have a ways to go. I don't know how you get your mind around feeling "done." I guess, once we've done everything our experts have told us, that's all we can do physically--except, of course, continue to trust in God and pray, live a full life filled with positive energy and love, and be kind to ourselves. Congratulations on your graduation today! I wish you all good things.
  • GayleMc
    GayleMc Member Posts: 311 Member
    missrenee said:

    Hi Hopeful
    I totally understand what you mean. I have just finished my 5th radiation treatment of 35 (after 6 rounds of chemo), so I have a ways to go. I don't know how you get your mind around feeling "done." I guess, once we've done everything our experts have told us, that's all we can do physically--except, of course, continue to trust in God and pray, live a full life filled with positive energy and love, and be kind to ourselves. Congratulations on your graduation today! I wish you all good things.

    First, congratulations on
    First, congratulations on finishing rads. I finished last Fri. and I know how you feel. I'm so glad to be done but it does seem odd to not be "doing" something to fight the Beast. I will be seeing the onc. next week to discuss what hormone receptor I will be on. I understand it can be trying depnding on what side effects may appear. So, I guess that will be my next fight. I'm so glad you are finished!!! All the Best.
  • ms.sunshine
    ms.sunshine Member Posts: 707 Member
    1st of all congrats.
    2nd not

    1st of all congrats.
    2nd not crazy I have been having the same thoughts and feelings. I have 3 more weeks left of rad. I've been active in the fight, so it seems strange to just go on with life. It just seems to easy.
    I finish rad. 1 week before my birthday and I'm going to have one heck of a party.
  • ladyg
    ladyg Member Posts: 1,577
    Congratulations
    Congratulations on being a rad grad. Enjoy the extra time you now have.

    Hugs
  • greyhoundluvr
    greyhoundluvr Member Posts: 402
    Hopeful-
    Congrats on completing rads - what a great milestone! I haven't done rads yet but know that you are not crazy - I had similar feelings when I finsihed chemo. It was pretty mind-blowing that I could look forward to something for so long and then felt uneasy when I achieved it. But I adapted after a while and I'm sure I will when I finish rads, too. Take one day at a time - enjoy all the things you haven't had tme to do, and hopefully you will be able to wrap your brain around this change soon!

    Congrats again!
  • hopeful in tally
    hopeful in tally Member Posts: 56

    Hopeful-
    Congrats on completing rads - what a great milestone! I haven't done rads yet but know that you are not crazy - I had similar feelings when I finsihed chemo. It was pretty mind-blowing that I could look forward to something for so long and then felt uneasy when I achieved it. But I adapted after a while and I'm sure I will when I finish rads, too. Take one day at a time - enjoy all the things you haven't had tme to do, and hopefully you will be able to wrap your brain around this change soon!

    Congrats again!

    Thank you
    Thank you all so much for the sound advice. This is a milestone and I must recognize it as such! Continue to maintain the positive energy because there is nothing sweeter that the taste of accomplishment. We are all survivors.
  • hopeful in tally
    hopeful in tally Member Posts: 56

    Hopeful-
    Congrats on completing rads - what a great milestone! I haven't done rads yet but know that you are not crazy - I had similar feelings when I finsihed chemo. It was pretty mind-blowing that I could look forward to something for so long and then felt uneasy when I achieved it. But I adapted after a while and I'm sure I will when I finish rads, too. Take one day at a time - enjoy all the things you haven't had tme to do, and hopefully you will be able to wrap your brain around this change soon!

    Congrats again!

    Thank you
    Thank you all so much for the sound advice. This is a milestone and I must recognize it as such! Continue to maintain the positive energy because there is nothing sweeter that the taste of accomplishment. We are all survivors.
  • rm22111
    rm22111 Member Posts: 54
    after treatment feelings
    In my support group one of the ladies mentioned the book "After Breast Cancer" by Hester Hill Schnipper. It sounded great so I bought it and it has already been helpful. She is an oncologist social worker, two time breast cancer survivor and she is married to an oncologist. She addresses exactly what you are going thru. She suggests finding a special way to celebrate. She gives some suggestions that others have done like running over the pill bottles.

    Hope this helps.

    rm22111
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    rm22111 said:

    after treatment feelings
    In my support group one of the ladies mentioned the book "After Breast Cancer" by Hester Hill Schnipper. It sounded great so I bought it and it has already been helpful. She is an oncologist social worker, two time breast cancer survivor and she is married to an oncologist. She addresses exactly what you are going thru. She suggests finding a special way to celebrate. She gives some suggestions that others have done like running over the pill bottles.

    Hope this helps.

    rm22111

    Congratulations on finishing
    Congratulations on finishing rads! A huge milestone behind you now!


    Hugs, Diane
  • hopeful in tally
    hopeful in tally Member Posts: 56
    DianeBC said:

    Congratulations on finishing
    Congratulations on finishing rads! A huge milestone behind you now!


    Hugs, Diane

    How long before the energy
    How long before the energy returns after radiation?
  • jo jo
    jo jo Member Posts: 1,175 Member
    DianeBC said:

    Congratulations on finishing
    Congratulations on finishing rads! A huge milestone behind you now!


    Hugs, Diane

    Congradulations!!
    This is great no more Rads...i only had chemo but i felt the same way when the chemo was finished...kinda lost on what do i do now but mine only lasted for a short time and now im being overwhelmed again with the rest of it...just enjoy it!
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000

    1st of all congrats.
    2nd not

    1st of all congrats.
    2nd not crazy I have been having the same thoughts and feelings. I have 3 more weeks left of rad. I've been active in the fight, so it seems strange to just go on with life. It just seems to easy.
    I finish rad. 1 week before my birthday and I'm going to have one heck of a party.

    Congrats! Doesn't it feel
    Congrats! Doesn't it feel good to be finished with rads? Hoping you celebrate!
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    jo jo said:

    Congradulations!!
    This is great no more Rads...i only had chemo but i felt the same way when the chemo was finished...kinda lost on what do i do now but mine only lasted for a short time and now im being overwhelmed again with the rest of it...just enjoy it!

    Congrats!

    Congrats!
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    Congratulations Rads Grad!!
    Another rads grad................................welcome to the club!
  • KayNYC
    KayNYC Member Posts: 495 Member
    congrats on your Rad Grad
    Happy, Happy Graduation day. I celebrated my Rad Grad two weeks ago. I am now taking the Arimidex (day 6). I had a similar response to completion of my rads. I missed the Rad team but easily adjusted to my getting back to my usual routine and two hours extra sleep each morning. I had my Med Onc appt one week afer my Rad Grad and it gave me something new to focus on "doing". I also began participation in several BC research projects that are being done at my hospital. Last week, I met with a nutritionist as part of a Komen research study. I had many of my nutrition questions answered and I felt good about helping others by participating in the studies. It seems that there is growing interest in the needs of BC Survivors out there; new Survivor centers will be available to us and those who are treated after us.
    Enjoy the extra time and the opportunities you have for creating pleasurable moments.
    Hugs, K
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    KayNYC said:

    congrats on your Rad Grad
    Happy, Happy Graduation day. I celebrated my Rad Grad two weeks ago. I am now taking the Arimidex (day 6). I had a similar response to completion of my rads. I missed the Rad team but easily adjusted to my getting back to my usual routine and two hours extra sleep each morning. I had my Med Onc appt one week afer my Rad Grad and it gave me something new to focus on "doing". I also began participation in several BC research projects that are being done at my hospital. Last week, I met with a nutritionist as part of a Komen research study. I had many of my nutrition questions answered and I felt good about helping others by participating in the studies. It seems that there is growing interest in the needs of BC Survivors out there; new Survivor centers will be available to us and those who are treated after us.
    Enjoy the extra time and the opportunities you have for creating pleasurable moments.
    Hugs, K

    I am late in saying this but
    I am late in saying this but ----- Congratulations!


    ♥ KYLEZ
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    GayleMc said:

    First, congratulations on
    First, congratulations on finishing rads. I finished last Fri. and I know how you feel. I'm so glad to be done but it does seem odd to not be "doing" something to fight the Beast. I will be seeing the onc. next week to discuss what hormone receptor I will be on. I understand it can be trying depnding on what side effects may appear. So, I guess that will be my next fight. I'm so glad you are finished!!! All the Best.

    Congratulations!
    ♥ Kristin

    Congratulations!

    ♥ Kristin ♥
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    Kylez said:

    I am late in saying this but
    I am late in saying this but ----- Congratulations!


    ♥ KYLEZ

    Just wanted to send .. Congratulations your way ..
    even though I am a little late. You have completed a BIG milestone.


    Congratulations and best wishes for a speedy recovery!



    VickiSam
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    VickiSam said:

    Just wanted to send .. Congratulations your way ..
    even though I am a little late. You have completed a BIG milestone.


    Congratulations and best wishes for a speedy recovery!



    VickiSam

    Congratulations!

    Congratulations!