patm8848's Cancer Blog
April 2, 2010
Well I have finally hit the end of the road for radiation tx. Thank You God! Although I havent had full breast radiation for the past week just the boost the lovely lingering effects are still ravishing my skin, the skin has now started to peel going up the side of my breast. I now have raw flesh on the side,and it stings so bad but I know it will be healing soon. The top of my breast near my underarm is so brown it looks like it is painted on. What ever has happened will get better in a few weeks and I can deal with it. I now have to make the decision if I want to start the Tamoxifen or not.The side effects are really kind of scaring me. My sister in law is going thru Colon Cancer she was dx in April 2007 she has had so much chemo that it is the side effects she is having problems with. a few weeks ago she almost bled out from the side effects of the cancer treatment.So I have to think long and hard I just dont like the thought of a poss DVT or God forbid a PE. I have 2 weeks to decide if I am going to take it or not. Well I have to say my Oncology Center Is the best. After my last treatment I was given a nice Certificate of Completion stating I had completed the prescribed course of treatment of Radiation Therapy with a high degree of Cheerfulness, Courage, Tolerance and Determination in all orders given,and is awarded this certificate by Robert Boissoneault Oncology Institute this 2nd day of April 2010 and it is signed by the Dr and the therapy Assistant and the therapist. Then they gave a me a ziploc bag with the cutest litte saying and assorted Items in the bag were the following items and the saying .
An Eraser- So you can make all your problems disappear.
A Penny – So you will never say I’m broke.
A Rubber Band – To stretch yourself beyond your limits.
A Marble -In case someone says you’ve lost yours.
A String-To tie things together when everything falls apart.
A Hug & A Kiss – To remind you that someone love you.
(Hersheys)
I was also given the Poem WHAT CANCER CANT DO printed and matted in a 5X7 mat.
Then they also gave me a handcrafted Teddy Bear called a “SOJOURN BEAR” made by Hope Lutheran Crafters
250 Avienida Los Angelos
The Villages, Fl. 32162
It is this beautiful hand crafted bear that is called a Sojourn Bear it has a little card attached to it to explain what Sojourn means which is To Sojourn is to stay for a time or to reside temporarily. They go on the say It’s our hope and prayer that your time with cancer is a short sojourn with a happy ending. There is other information on the card and it is real interesting. The founder & director of Sojourn Bears was recovering from Breast cancer when she came up with the idea for the Sojourn Bear. It is such a caring thought I was brought to tears by it. I hope everyone else has good treatment locations as I have it has really made a difference. Well enought rambling on Hugs to all and Happy Easter
Pat
Hey Pat,
Congratulations on finishing your radiation treatments. I am both proud and impressed and am so sorry the side effects have proven to be so difficult.
But…you did it. Take great pride in this.
As for the Tamoxifin, knowing my personality, I’d take it. I’m of the “I want to do every single thing I possibly can to ensure this doesn’t ever even think about coming back” school, so side effects or not, I’d be doing it.
From what I’ve learned from others who have and are currently taking it, there are side effects, but not nearly as terrible as what the radiation did to you.
Whatever you decide, I know it will be the right decision for you.
Congratulations, again, on making it through.
You are a warrior, a fighter, and an inspiration.
Jill
Posted on Dear Pat,
Happy Raduation! What a relief to be done! And what a sweet and thoughtful sendoff you received.
As for tamoxifen, I’ve been on it for over a year now. At first, I seemed to cycle through every side effect on the list, but they all passed in a few days. After about 4 months, I felt that all that had stabilized. The only lingering effects I’ve had are an increased sensitivity to cold and occasional mild hot flashes. Everyone responds differently to meds, of course, but I just want you to know that tam is not necessarily a nightmare. I barely even notice that I’m on it now.
Get a lot of rest in the next couple of weeks. I was most fatigued in the 2 weeks after finishing rads, then I started to recover quickly. Be sweet to yourself and you’ll bounce back more easily.
Peace,
Kathy
Posted on Congratulations! I’m glad to hear that you’re through with that treatment. Good luck in making the decision about your next step.
Best,
Melissa
Posted on Thak you all for your support and advice. I certainly do appreciate all I can get. I hope you all have a very Happy Easter enjoy it to the fullest with your family and friends.
Pat
I have been on tamoxifen for a while, cannot remember exactly but it’s at least 6 months or so and I say go on it. Ja there are side effects but the consequences, of the cancer returning, are worse. I get hot flushes and have to watch my weight like a hawk. Have gained just over 3kg. Other side effects I am not sure if they are from tamoxifen or herceptin, which I am also on (have had 12 out of 17 treatments so far) but they include badly splitting nails. I still say: take tamoxifen. You just learn to deal with it and it’s not the end of the world.
March 26, 2010
I am so Happy the regular rad treatments are done now. Finally… I have raw flesh under my breast it is a horrible feeling it even hurts to breath (the flesh) Now the boost will focus on the top half of my nipple and surrounding area where the tumor was removed so I figure after this I will be half nippled because the top half will have been burned off. Oh well I dont need it anyway dont really care anymore just want this crap over with I am about done with the fatigue and the burning and the whole thing I just want to get on with my life and feel normal for the first time in a while. Hugs to you all..
Pat
Rad Therapy Over 1 week left of the Boost, 
6 comments)
Oh, honey, I’m sorry for your burned boob! I can’t imagine…are you wearing oven mitts so you don’t scratch? But just one week left, and then on to the healing! I hope it goes quickly!
XOXOLisa
Posted on Hey Pat,
I don’t have my boobs anymore, but I’m definitely feeling the sympathy pains for you.
Hang in there, fighter.
I hope this, too, shall pass…and QUICKLY!
Hugs,
Jill
airhugs & healing to you
Dear Pat,
I’m sorry the rads have been so rough on you. The nice thing about the boost is that it’s really focused, so the rest of your skin can start to heal up. I’m hoping you feel better and better every day!
Peace,
Kathy
Sending a hug back. Counting down the days with you.
Posted on Thanks for stopping in & for your kind words. I’m hoping that you have some relief soon from the discomfort. My sister had rad tx over the summer for DCIS, too – she talked about the fatigue to me as well as the burning.
The good news is that she bounced back really quickly – again, I hope you do too!
Posted on 
12.29.09 
Thanks for your support - 
