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I hope you are doing much better now. I wish I can always log in but its been hard since I started working. I makes me feel normal reading everybody's comments/inputs and worries. I kinda know how you feel. Ive had anemia (when I was younger and again due to chemo and low vit d ( have osteoporosis and im only in my 40s). I lost weight during radiation. I was around 95 lbs and I wasnt gaining weight for months despite having apetite. Of course I was scared and the only thing that took my worries is that I had scans done and they came back negative. I also lost all energy to do anything. If I could sleep all day I would but I have kids. I went to Dr and was told that maybe I am depressed. Instead of taking anti depressant I thought maybe I should go back to work and be "normal" again since I have been out of work since chemo. It did help until I got sick and it took weeks to get over it. Now Im startingto feel more energy but I still wish I could nap now and then...I am on Vit D but no iron. I think it helps. Not sure if your Dr checked you potassium level, that can also affect energy level. I usually eat banana and drink electrolyte water when I am weak and it seems to help. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon!View Thread

Ive had left breast mastectomy, chemo and radiation. My plastic surgeon had suggested the same recon for me because I can not do just the implants due to radiation and I cant do the stomach ones either due to lack of fat (i think i have enough although chemo and radiation did take my appetite away). So we are pretty much in the same boat. I am in southern Ca and my surgeon is really great but not affiliated with Kaiser - he is the south bay/torrance area. Its good that you are wanting to know more before going into the surgery. I would also like to suggest going to support groups and looking for people who had gone through the same. I have actually seen women who had both Diep and latissumus recon and it helped a lot to actually talk to them. I just now need to make up my mind and have the surgery scheduled.
I wish you (both of us) luck!View Thread

I tried the cold water on wash cloth and noticed that everytime I do that, my skin starts to peel. Is that supposed to happen? I have 2nd degree burns on most of my breast and my arm pit. So I I stopped for fear that I will start peeling some more or get more blisters.
Gauze with aquaphor and burn ointment from doc works since it keeps the ointment on, I have not gotten the ab pads (thanks Michelle, I did google) so I just use surgical tape to keep the gauze on but I can only put the tape on the unaffected area so I can only cover so much. Have a hard time on the arm pit area.
I have been using Ivory as directed before I got burnt. Now I am just afraid to get the area wet so I have not taken a full shower for a day now.
I just take tylenol/motrin at night for the pain. I still wake up itchy and in pain once those wear off.
Yes Pat, I agrree, itchiness is the worst!
Haylen, Im in CA and not enjoying the 80 degree weather much... my poor kids too! Im hoping that the weather stays like this til next week so I can celebrate my end of treatment next weekend!
Michelle- Im also done with treatments now. Please let me know if you are having any reconstruction done?
Thanks again everyone!!!!View Thread

I did stop wearing a bra. I havent done the ice pack because it was on the "not to do list" they gave me but maybe just not to put directly on the skin.
I was given the cortisone cream but they said it was too late becuase all the blisters are starting to open up and I cant apply on open wound. I will have to try the gauze with aquaphor but not quite sure what is an ab pad? Ill have to google that one along with EMU oil! I almost did "RO"...Ha Ha! I think once the creams fade thats when it starts getting painful again. I just never thought to cover them.
Thanks so much again! I cant wait for my last boost!View Thread

I am on the last leg of radiation (3 more boosts to go) and I was told that it gets worst before it gets better. And they were right, my breast up to my arm pit are burnt, toasted - I think to a point of 3rd degree burn. I have blisters that are opening up and they are itchy and painful and they keep me awake at night. I was given radiaderm, aquaphor and Prutect ointments but they only give tmeporary relief..Please someone let me know if this has happened and how long did it take the itchiness and skin breaking to stop and heal? And is there anything else I need to try? I did aloe vera but it does not help either...View Thread

Im starting rad next week and would like to ask how it was for you. I am about to start working because I was told that it wouldnt be too bad compared to chemo. I just had surgery last month and I am still tired and fatigued. I am afraid the rad will make it worst. I did ask Onc Dr why I am more tired now than when I was on chemo, he said bec I had steroids during chemo.View Thread


Yes, we can survive this just as these wonderful women did!View Thread

My concern is that I was just told by my surgeon that I wont be seeing her anymore and PS told me I wont have to see him for months until I decide to do the recon and onc dr told me I wont have to see him for 3 mos. After all the DRs appt and treatment schedules that I have gotten use to, I am a little scared and worried that I am not seeing these Drs anymore. Also, I wanted to ask how soon did one get PET scans, MRI etc since finishing treatments? My DR told me after a year then he said maybe in 3 mos? So Im a little confused.View Thread
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