Finished my radiation today

[PennyK]

The skin is looking good...of course, there is soreness, but the area is dry and I think it'll heal nicely.
I ordered more My Girls cream; that stuff is wonderful!
I just have my Herceptin treatments to get through (7 more), and then on to the big finish: port out and a bright shiny new booby prize.
There will probably be more unforeseen complications, but it appears that the worst is past.

[alfredo]

1. Congrats! Here's to healing and a long happy life.

[Solly Mack]

2. Wonderful news! Stay strong, pamper and reward yourself!

Always unforeseen complications but you will get through those too.

[PennyK]

3. Thanks so much

It appears that breast cancer is an "easy" one.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Congratulations.

[Uben]

5. Great news!

Another bridge crossed. Congrats!

[PennyK]

6. Thanks, healing continues

I ordered more cream, enough so that I can use it more frequently, and I'm really pleased at how quickly my skin is responding. I go back to that office to see another doctor next week, and I'm hoping I'll have a chance to show my radiation therapist how well I'm doing.

It is very rewarding to see that my body is still able to bounce back and heal after all this crap.

The side effects from my ongoing Herceptin treatments are still pretty annoying...my doctor doesn't recognize that joint pains/cramps can be an issue. He even sent me for an X-ray of the area haha! But more annoying than anything is the crummy taste buds. Almost nothing tastes right, still. I think this is the Herceptin, rather than leftovers from the full chemo, as I had a break after that ended when stuff started to taste normal. Ah well, April will come eventually!

[Ms. Toad]

9. All of my doctors were amazed at how little skin damage I sustained -

and how soon it was that they couldn't even tell I'd been through radiation.

[PennyK]

7. Getting used to my new normal

Last edited Tue Dec 13, 2016, 08:03 PM - Edit history (1)

My radiation zone is still moderately uncomfortable, but not too bad. I wear loose tops at home and use my special cram and cornstarch powder when needed.
I still have joint pain from herceptin, but I'm finding helps. I read about putting a bar of soap in your bed for nighttime leg cramps, so I'm doing that. And I'm taking Epsom salt baths. Both of these things have magnesium sulfate, and it's easily absorbable through the skin. So far, it does seem to be helping.
I took a shopping trip today without the Hubber trailing along, and had fun. Now that I've gotten past the donut hole, my Symbicort was only $14! Got some beauty products and sewing supplies...the kind of stuff that = toys for me. And some lowlife treats of super-skinny stick pretzels and Jelly Belly Sours.
I am really looking looking forward to finishing up my treatment.

[Ms. Toad]

8. Yay!

I've been mostly off-line - so I'm a bit slow. Glad to see you're done (and that the My Girls cream worked!!)

[PennyK]

10. Yes, it was VERY appreciated.

I visited my surgeon this past week and he removed some fluid from the area. asked me whether I had talked to the plastic surgeon yet; I haven't ( I just figured I would wait until I got closer to the end of treatment).
After about two months of having to be careful with the area while showering, it is such a pleasure to be able to take a nice hot shower and not have to worry about washing off stickers or having skin peeling (which really didn't happen).

[Ms. Toad]

11. Yes - I remember the joy of being able to take a carefree shower!

And getting rid of all of those blasted stickers and Sharpie lines.