Unable to Face Radiation

> sage hen wrote:
>
>> downwinders. She did go over options, and said she'll have to look at
>> my rib scan to tell how careful my targeting can be. I mentioned the
>> two grandparents and two uncles who died of lung cancer. My mental
>> state is so bad; I can't walk in a doctor's office without bursting
>> into tears. The trips are wearing too. Highway construction makes
>> the trip an hour and a half one way.

take cool compresses to put on your forehead and inner elbows. keep them in
an ice bucket or something. Listen to Pachelbel's canon, or rock if that is
a better mood upper for you. try to focus on the beauty of the graders,
dozers, and flaggers, LOL! look upward and outward even if the sky is dark
with smoke. take lots of slow deep breaths. if your husband is with you,
touch his hand occasionally and pull strength from HIS noncancerous self.
inhale it. ingest it. use the olfactory too; keep good scents around and
within the car. cover the car clock and your watch so you aren't aware of
the time. Think about what an amazing thing an automobile is in the first
place; you just push on the pedal and the wheels grip the pavement and off
you go (in between delays).

hang in.
>
>

On Jul 14, 10:29*am, "pumpkin" <billowr...@att.net> wrote:
> > sage hen wrote:
>
> >> downwinders. *She did go over options, and said she'll have to look at
> >> my rib scan to tell how careful my targeting can be. *I mentioned the
> >> two grandparents and two uncles who died of lung cancer. *My mental
> >> state is so bad; I can't walk in a doctor's office without bursting
> >> into tears. *The trips are wearing too. *Highway construction makes
> >> the trip an hour and a half one way.
>
> take cool compresses to put on your forehead and inner elbows. keep them in
> an ice bucket or something. Listen to Pachelbel's canon, or rock if that is
> a better mood upper for you. try to focus on the beauty of the graders,
> dozers, and flaggers, LOL! look upward and outward even if the sky is dark
> with smoke. take lots of slow deep breaths. if your husband is with you,
> touch his hand occasionally and pull strength from HIS noncancerous self.
> inhale it. ingest it. use the olfactory too; keep good scents around and
> within the car. cover the car clock and your watch so you aren't aware of
> the time. Think about what an amazing thing an automobile is in the first
> place; you just push on the pedal and the wheels grip the pavement and off
> you go (in between delays).
>
> hang in.
>
>
>
> - Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Pumpkin,

Deep breaths are dangerous in this smoke. They say to only take
shallow breaths. It's hard to think or concentrate because of my lack
of sleep. I have dug up some good music to listen to on the long
drives. And my car has A/C, though I can't have it on going up the
steep grade home.

Les

On Jul 14, 9:22*am, Jette <bossl...@scotlandmail.com> wrote:
> FurPaw wrote:
> > sage hen wrote:
>
> >> Judy, I've had lots of poison oak; it's all over here and we get it
> >> clearing brush. *Rosemary essential oil is good to dab on when it
> >> first appears. *Thanks to having honey from my own beehive, we're
> >> pretty much immune to poison oak now.
>
> > How does the local honey affect your immunity to poison ivy? *I'd never
> > heard that.
>
> Perhaps the bees are using pollen from the offending plant, which
> means you get small amounts in the honey, which acts like a
> "immunisation" - same way local honey works for hay fever? (doesn't
> cure it, just makes it less of a problem)
>
> --
> Jette Goldie
> je...@blueyonder.co.ukhttp://www.jette.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/http://wolfette.livejournal.com/
> ("reply to" is spamblocked - use the email addy in sig)

Yes Jette and 'Paw, the bees are getting poison oak pollen. There's
also pollen from everything else in our honey, so we hardly have any
allergy problems.

I travel to that cold fish radiation doctor for the third preliminary
appointment Thursday. No doubt I'll cry the whole time; must make
sure I've got everything written down, especially with this mush brain
I've got from not sleeping.

At least the smoke is a tad better today. None too soon; my throat is
so bad that I can hardly croak or swallow any more.

Les

sage hen wrote:

>
> Deep breaths are dangerous in this smoke. They say to only take
> shallow breaths. It's hard to think or concentrate because of my lack
> of sleep. I have dug up some good music to listen to on the long
> drives. And my car has A/C, though I can't have it on going up the
> steep grade home.
>
> Les

Les - I can't remember where you live - are there wildfires near you?
I hear it's pretty bad in some parts of California. Maybe you need
a good old fashioned gas-mask/respirator to keep the smoke out!


--
Jette Goldie
jette@blueyonder.co.uk
http://www.jette.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
http://wolfette.livejournal.com/
("reply to" is spamblocked - use the email addy in sig)

sage hen wrote:
> On Jul 14, 9:22 am, Jette <bossl...@scotlandmail.com> wrote:
>> FurPaw wrote:

> Yes Jette and 'Paw, the bees are getting poison oak pollen. There's
> also pollen from everything else in our honey, so we hardly have any
> allergy problems.

That's interesting! I have a nickel's worth of allergies,
usually not much of a problem. I sometimes get honey that is
produced about 20 miles from here (similar plants, but about
1000' lower elevation). Now I'm wondering if there's a closer
source... (I am allergic to bee stings, so keeping a hive on our
1/4 acre isn't an option.)

> I travel to that cold fish radiation doctor for the third preliminary
> appointment Thursday. No doubt I'll cry the whole time; must make
> sure I've got everything written down, especially with this mush brain
> I've got from not sleeping.
>
> At least the smoke is a tad better today. None too soon; my throat is
> so bad that I can hardly croak or swallow any more.

Les, can you bring someone along (your DH?) to your appointment?
Even if you don't have mush brain from lack of sleep, this kind
of appointment is so stressful that it's easy to forget what you
want to ask, or say, or what you've been told. It usually helps
to have another set of ears, someone to take notes, someone to
remind you of questions you intended to ask, someone to provide
support.

FurPaw

--
The plural of anecdote is not proof.

To reply, unleash the dog.

Pumpkin,

Deep breaths are dangerous in this smoke.

suggestion retracted.

On Jul 14, 1:32*pm, FurPaw <furrealpaw...@gmail.com> wrote:
> sage hen wrote:
> > On Jul 14, 9:22 am, Jette <bossl...@scotlandmail.com> wrote:
> >> FurPaw wrote:
> > Yes Jette and 'Paw, the bees are getting poison oak pollen. *There's
> > also pollen from everything else in our honey, so we hardly have any
> > allergy problems.
>
> That's interesting! *I have a nickel's worth of allergies,
> usually not much of a problem. *I sometimes get honey that is
> produced about 20 miles from here (similar plants, but about
> 1000' lower elevation). *Now I'm wondering if there's a closer
> source... *(I am allergic to bee stings, so keeping a hive on our
> 1/4 acre isn't an option.)
>
> > I travel to that cold fish radiation doctor for the third preliminary
> > appointment Thursday. *No doubt I'll cry the whole time; must make
> > sure I've got everything written down, especially with this mush brain
> > I've got from not sleeping.
>
> > At least the smoke is a tad better today. *None too soon; my throat is
> > so bad that I can hardly croak or swallow any more.
>
> Les, can you bring someone along (your DH?) to your appointment?
> * Even if you don't have mush brain from lack of sleep, this kind
> of appointment is so stressful that it's easy to forget what you
> want to ask, or say, or what you've been told. *It usually helps
> to have another set of ears, someone to take notes, someone to
> remind you of questions you intended to ask, someone to provide
> support.
>
> FurPaw
>
> --
> The plural of anecdote is not proof.
>
> To reply, unleash the dog.

Am happy to report that the smoke is clearing out, though the radio
says the air's still unhealthy for all groups. I slept out on the
deck last night, actually got a decent night's sleep for a change.
The moon was blood red when it set, but at least we could see it.

Pumpkin, I have been wearing a mask with a wet cloth soaked in
rosemary oil on my walks. But it wasn't necessary today, hallelujah!

I can't ask anyone to go to my doctor's appointments. It's a long
grueling trip, what with the heat and the highway construction. It
would also be a distraction to have others there witnessing my
histrionics. Bad enough that the medical people have to see it. I'll
have my concerns written down and be ready to take notes. I took
Hublet along to talk to the surgeon about the tumor that vanished
between pathology and surgery, and all it meant was that he had to
suffer too. I'll probably get someone to accompany me to the first
radiation treatment, as that will be quick and only a half hour trip.

Les

I can't ask anyone to go to my doctor's appointments. It's a long
grueling trip, what with the heat and the highway construction. It
would also be a distraction to have others there witnessing my
histrionics. Bad enough that the medical people have to see it. I'll
have my concerns written down and be ready to take notes. I took
Hublet along to talk to the surgeon about the tumor that vanished
between pathology and surgery, and all it meant was that he had to
suffer too.

I agree utterly. I don't take people to my appointments either. I sometimes
take a tape recorder, I always take a notepad. But I agree, why make someone
ELSE suffer? I'd rather just tough it out alone. I went alone to the
colonoscopy and to all FOUR of my last breast surgeries....it's a lot less
stressful when you're not concerned about or distracted by a family member
or friend. why inflict that on them? The professionals are there to take
care of you (after you've made the decision to let them do their evil work).
And hooray you got a good night's sleep! isn't it a GIFT after weeks of poor
sleep!???? It's like MAGIC.

I thought you had already had several treatments. I must be confused.

sage hen wrote:

> Am happy to report that the smoke is clearing out, though the radio
> says the air's still unhealthy for all groups. I slept out on the
> deck last night, actually got a decent night's sleep for a change.
> The moon was blood red when it set, but at least we could see it.

While there have been forest fires near when I've lived a few
times in the past, I've never experienced anything close to this.
It sounds like pure hell!

> Pumpkin, I have been wearing a mask with a wet cloth soaked in
> rosemary oil on my walks. But it wasn't necessary today, hallelujah!
>
> I can't ask anyone to go to my doctor's appointments. It's a long
> grueling trip, what with the heat and the highway construction. It
> would also be a distraction to have others there witnessing my
> histrionics. Bad enough that the medical people have to see it. I'll
> have my concerns written down and be ready to take notes. I took
> Hublet along to talk to the surgeon about the tumor that vanished
> between pathology and surgery, and all it meant was that he had to
> suffer too. I'll probably get someone to accompany me to the first
> radiation treatment, as that will be quick and only a half hour trip.

I understand. I hate to ask people to do something uncomfortable
like this. But maybe you're being too kind to your Hublet and
friends. I figure that going through a little discomfort
sometimes goes with the territory of being a spouse or friend.

Hubster did it for me when I was diagnosed with EC, then surgery,
and then a year later more surgery to fix what radiation did to
my intestines. I didn't drag him to all the doctor visits, just
the critical ones where decisions were being made before surgery
and after, before I could drive on my own and when we were
discussing treatments. But I'd gone through it with him when he
needed kidney surgery the year before - the tests, the doctor
visits, the referral to the specialist, the GawdAwful hospital he
was in for 4 days after surgery (I stayed in a motel, since it
was 2.5 hours from home; there was no way that I would have left
him alone in the care of the overworked nurses and incompetent,
uncaring, sometimes cruel aides.)

For both of us, the extra set of ears caught information that one
would have missed. But just having someone there for moral
support was really helpful. And even if he didn't ask me to go
along, I would have wanted to be there, and I think he felt the
same way. He couldn't "fix" me, but at least this was something
that he could do, so he didn't feel so helpless.

You know yourself and your Hublet best, of course, but I'm just
thinking that if you ask, he might really want to help by being
there.

FurPaw
--
The plural of anecdote is not proof.

To reply, unleash the dog.

only today do I realize that Hublet is not a person's name.
all this time I thought it was.

"FurPaw" <furrealpawdog@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:SZ6dnfnW7cxl6-DVnZ2dnUVZ_o3inZ2d@comcast.com...
> sage hen wrote:
>
>> Am happy to report that the smoke is clearing out, though the radio
>> says the air's still unhealthy for all groups. I slept out on the
>> deck last night, actually got a decent night's sleep for a change.
>> The moon was blood red when it set, but at least we could see it.
>
> While there have been forest fires near when I've lived a few times in the
> past, I've never experienced anything close to this. It sounds like pure
> hell!
>
>> Pumpkin, I have been wearing a mask with a wet cloth soaked in
>> rosemary oil on my walks. But it wasn't necessary today, hallelujah!
>>
>> I can't ask anyone to go to my doctor's appointments. It's a long
>> grueling trip, what with the heat and the highway construction. It
>> would also be a distraction to have others there witnessing my
>> histrionics. Bad enough that the medical people have to see it. I'll
>> have my concerns written down and be ready to take notes. I took
>> Hublet along to talk to the surgeon about the tumor that vanished
>> between pathology and surgery, and all it meant was that he had to
>> suffer too. I'll probably get someone to accompany me to the first
>> radiation treatment, as that will be quick and only a half hour trip.
>
> I understand. I hate to ask people to do something uncomfortable like
> this. But maybe you're being too kind to your Hublet and friends. I
> figure that going through a little discomfort sometimes goes with the
> territory of being a spouse or friend.
>
> Hubster did it for me when I was diagnosed with EC, then surgery, and then
> a year later more surgery to fix what radiation did to my intestines. I
> didn't drag him to all the doctor visits, just the critical ones where
> decisions were being made before surgery and after, before I could drive
> on my own and when we were discussing treatments. But I'd gone through it
> with him when he needed kidney surgery the year before - the tests, the
> doctor visits, the referral to the specialist, the GawdAwful hospital he
> was in for 4 days after surgery (I stayed in a motel, since it was 2.5
> hours from home; there was no way that I would have left him alone in the
> care of the overworked nurses and incompetent, uncaring, sometimes cruel
> aides.)
>
> For both of us, the extra set of ears caught information that one would
> have missed. But just having someone there for moral support was really
> helpful. And even if he didn't ask me to go along, I would have wanted to
> be there, and I think he felt the same way. He couldn't "fix" me, but at
> least this was something that he could do, so he didn't feel so helpless.
>
> You know yourself and your Hublet best, of course, but I'm just thinking
> that if you ask, he might really want to help by being there.
>
> FurPaw
> --
> The plural of anecdote is not proof.
>
> To reply, unleash the dog.

On Jul 15, 3:16*pm, "fortunata" <pacif...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I agree utterly. I don't take people to my appointments either. I sometimes
> take a tape recorder, I always take a notepad. But I agree, why make someone
> ELSE suffer? I'd rather just tough it out alone. I went alone to the
> colonoscopy and to all FOUR of my last breast surgeries....it's a lot less
> stressful when you're not concerned about or distracted by a family member
> or friend. why inflict that on them? The professionals are there to take
> care of you (after you've made the decision to let them do their evil work).
> And hooray you got a good night's sleep! isn't it a GIFT after weeks of poor
> sleep!???? It's like MAGIC.

I don't like to take other people with me either, or to go with people
for their medical appointments. In my experience this can allow the
doctor to focus on the other, more "rational" person/spouse rather
than on the understandably upset patient. I do not like to blur the
lines of consent that way. That said, in a real emergency context (in
my case being placed on a respirator) I know that the doctor was more
comfortable getting consent from both me and my husband after we had
discussed it (quickly) privately. And I had to sign years ago for my
husband's vasectomy separately to be sure I understood what sterile
meant.

Linda

that's interesting about the vasectomy. my partner got his when he was 27,
and I drove/picked up, and I didn't sign anything. but I guess I can see it.

"Linda" <lindascheimann@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:88da1502-f242-4aee-8604-cfd588ae3a99@59g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
On Jul 15, 3:16 pm, "fortunata" <pacif...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I agree utterly. I don't take people to my appointments either. I
> sometimes
> take a tape recorder, I always take a notepad. But I agree, why make
> someone
> ELSE suffer? I'd rather just tough it out alone. I went alone to the
> colonoscopy and to all FOUR of my last breast surgeries....it's a lot less
> stressful when you're not concerned about or distracted by a family member
> or friend. why inflict that on them? The professionals are there to take
> care of you (after you've made the decision to let them do their evil
> work).
> And hooray you got a good night's sleep! isn't it a GIFT after weeks of
> poor
> sleep!???? It's like MAGIC.

I don't like to take other people with me either, or to go with people
for their medical appointments. In my experience this can allow the
doctor to focus on the other, more "rational" person/spouse rather
than on the understandably upset patient. I do not like to blur the
lines of consent that way. That said, in a real emergency context (in
my case being placed on a respirator) I know that the doctor was more
comfortable getting consent from both me and my husband after we had
discussed it (quickly) privately. And I had to sign years ago for my
husband's vasectomy separately to be sure I understood what sterile
meant.

Linda

fortunata wrote the following on 7/16/08 3:40 PM:
> that's interesting about the vasectomy. my partner got his when he was 27,
> and I drove/picked up, and I didn't sign anything. but I guess I can see it.

I held my husband's hand through his. I didn't have to sign anything, but
we had discussed it with the doctor together beforehand. I was almost
seven months pregnant at the time, and we were pretty clear that this was
going to be our *last* child -- which is what we had said about her older
sister. :-)

Karen R.

On Jul 16, 10:54*am, Linda <lindascheim...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Jul 15, 3:16*pm, "fortunata" <pacif...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > I agree utterly. I don't take people to my appointments either. I sometimes
> > take a tape recorder, I always take a notepad. But I agree, why make someone
> > ELSE suffer? I'd rather just tough it out alone. I went alone to the
> > colonoscopy and to all FOUR of my last breast surgeries....it's a lot less
> > stressful when you're not concerned about or distracted by a family member
> > or friend. why inflict that on them? The professionals are there to take
> > care of you (after you've made the decision to let them do their evil work).
> > And hooray you got a good night's sleep! isn't it a GIFT after weeks ofpoor
> > sleep!???? It's like MAGIC.
>
> I don't like to take other people with me either, or to go with people
> for their medical appointments. In my experience this can allow the
> doctor to focus on the other, more "rational" person/spouse rather
> than on the understandably upset patient. I do not like to blur the
> lines of consent that way. That said, in a real emergency context (in
> my case being placed on a respirator) I know that the doctor was more
> comfortable getting consent from both me and my husband after we had
> discussed it (quickly) privately. And I had to sign years ago for my
> husband's vasectomy separately to be sure I understood what sterile
> meant.
>
> Linda

Well, Hublet (his name is James) just said he wants to go along
tomorrow, to buy something he can't get locally. Since I have no idea
how long the final preliminary radiation appointment takes, he'll
inquire about that and come back later.

On tomorrow's agenda is a talk with a nutrition and skin person. That
should be good..."from one member of the food police to another".
I've been on an anti-cancer diet since my 1985 cervical cancer, what a
joke. Some people I know are saying why bother being conscientious,
considering what's happened to me.

Hublet did go to my two surgeries, where he was really needed. My
neighbor (10 year mastectomy survivor) said she'd go to my first
radiation treatment. That's okay because there 'll be no information
to concentrate on. For someone with social avoidance disorder, one-on-
one conversations are easier. Yes, the medical types are paid to deal
with upset people and are used to it. I still feel sorry for anyone
who has to deal with me lately.

My good night's sleep may have been a fluke. Back to the old 3:00
wake-up last night. I heard radiation makes you tired. It'll be
interesting to see if it can make me tired enough to sleep.

Les


Les

sage hen wrote:

Hi Les, I don't know if remember me or not, but I am the woman who we
thought was going into the Guinness Book of Records for being the oldest
woman still not menopausal. I am not 65 and it is almost two years since
my last period, finally!!

> Last night I got a call from a woman who headed a southern Utah
> downwinder group for many years. She talked to her radiation
> oncologist friend, who treats a lot of downwinders. He said we should
> get radation cancer treatment, but that we must be "more carefully
> targeted". He's willing to talk to my oncologist, so I'm hoping I can
> get that to happen.

I am so sorry that you(and the others here) are dealing with Breast
Cancer and I understand the extra concern of being a "downwinder". I
just wish your radiation oncologist was more friendly and willing to
talk with you and also with the oncologist who is familiar with treating
downwinders.

My husband was dx with prostate cancer and jjust finished 44 sessions of
IMRT, a very targeted form of radiaition. The staff there was so
friendly and kind, it made our lives a lot easier. I just wish you had
the same kind of people working for you.

> Judy, if you read this, are you getting tired yet from radiation? One
> hang-up for me is that the road to our house is so bad just now that I
> must park my car at a neighbor's, a half-hour walk away, then drive a
> half hour down the steep winding road to the radiation place. I read
> that the fatigue can take a while to set in.

Once in a great while I take a look at a.s.m. and when I saw the title
of this thread I was drawn to it. Kevin just went through 9 weeks, 44
sessions of radiation therapy and worked full time, just left work a
little early each day. At the beginning of his treatments he went from
work to his therapy, came home, ate dinner and had a good nap. The
fatigue does build up with time and about 25 or 30 sessions I could see
the fatigue getting worse for him. At that point I meet him near his
office and did the driving to and from his radiation sessions and that
helped.

The one bit of advice with the fatigue is to pace yourself and listen to
your body. If you push too hard when you are tired, you will just get
more fatigues. Keeping busy is good for you, as long as you don't push
too hard.

I wish you lots of luck and the same to Judy(I think).

sue

On Jul 17, 6:30*pm, Sue Mullen <kjmul...@comcast.net> wrote:
> sage hen wrote:
>
> Hi Les, I don't know if remember me or not, but I am the woman who we
> thought was going into the Guinness Book of Records for being the oldest
> woman still not menopausal. I am not 65 and it is almost two years since
> my last period, finally!!
>
> > Last night I got a call from a woman who headed a southern Utah
> > downwinder group for many years. *She talked to her radiation
> > oncologist friend, who treats a lot of downwinders. *He said we should
> > get radation cancer treatment, but that we must be "more carefully
> > targeted". *He's willing to talk to my oncologist, so I'm hoping I can
> > get that to happen.
>
> I am so sorry that you(and the others here) are dealing with Breast
> Cancer and I understand the extra concern of being a "downwinder". I
> just wish your radiation oncologist was more friendly and willing to
> talk with you and also with the oncologist who is familiar with treating
> downwinders.
>
> My husband was dx with prostate cancer and jjust finished 44 sessions of
> IMRT, a very targeted form of radiaition. The staff there was so
> friendly and kind, it made our lives a lot easier. I just wish you had
> the same kind of people working for you.
>
> > Judy, if you read this, are you getting tired yet from radiation? *One
> > hang-up for me is that the road to our house is so bad just now that I
> > must park my car at a neighbor's, a half-hour walk away, then drive a
> > half hour down the steep winding road to the radiation place. *I read
> > that the fatigue can take a while to set in.
>
> Once in a great while I take a look at a.s.m. and when I saw the title
> of this thread I was drawn to it. Kevin just went through 9 weeks, 44
> sessions of radiation therapy and worked full time, just left work a
> little early each day. At the beginning of his treatments he went from
> work to his therapy, came home, ate dinner and had a good nap. The
> fatigue does build up with time and about 25 or 30 sessions I could see
> the fatigue getting worse for him. At that point I meet him near his
> office and did the driving to and from his radiation sessions and that
> helped.
>
> The one bit of advice with the fatigue is to pace yourself and listen to
> your body. If you push too hard when you are tired, you will just get
> more fatigues. Keeping busy is good for you, as long as you don't push
> too hard.
>
> I wish you lots of luck and the same to Judy(I think).
>
> sue

Sue,

Thanks for the advice about radiation. Congratulations on finally
getting through menopause. I hope your symptoms aren't bad. Mine are
pretty severe; I took estradiol for two years, but had to quit of
course, just before summer. I feel like I'm turning on a spit over a
slow fire, day and night.

I only have to have 25 radiation treatments, starting Monday. I
really hope I don't get tired, because due to the condition of our
road, I have to park at a neighbor's and walk a half hour each way.
Then drive a half hour to town. So I'll have two hours travel each
day. I'm very energetic and accustomed to taking a hike every day, so
am hoping to come through okay. Four weeks of living through the
Butte County, California smoke nightmare isn't helping. At least I
don't have a job.

Thanks again for caring,

Les

Sue Mullen wrote:

>
> Once in a great while I take a look at a.s.m.

Hi, Sue -

Happy to hear your good news (almost 2 years!) and sorry to hear
about your DH. I hope the treatments do the trick for him.

Are you still taking lots of cruises?

FurPaw

--
The plural of anecdote is not proof.

To reply, unleash the dog.

"Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:6eaa14F4vvh1U1@mid.individual.net...
>
>
> sage hen wrote:
>
> Hi Les, I don't know if remember me or not, but I am the woman who we
> thought was going into the Guinness Book of Records for being the oldest
> woman still not menopausal. I am not 65 and it is almost two years since
> my last period, finally!!

and here I was always proud of not going menopausal, until I found out what
a risk it is for cancer ;-(....I had periods for 40+ years. so if you
haven't gotten breast cancer you are indeed lucky....I was the perenially
youthful one, the one who would defy all biology, LOL...I was getting
YOUNGER rather than older, it seemed. but not now!

anyway, good for you, and I'm sure your husband will be fine.
>
>
> The one bit of advice with the fatigue is to pace yourself and listen to
> your body. If you push too hard when you are tired, you will just get more
> fatigues. Keeping busy is good for you, as long as you don't push too
> hard.
>
> I wish you lots of luck and the same to Judy(I think).
>
> sue
>
>
>

"Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:6eaa14F4vvh1U1@mid.individual.net...

Hey, Sue - nice seeing you, and congrats on finally being (apparently, knock
on wood! <g>) menopausal! And best of luck to Kevin - here's hoping the
treatment totally zapped the nasty cells.

Cathy


> sage hen wrote:
>
> Hi Les, I don't know if remember me or not, but I am the woman who we
> thought was going into the Guinness Book of Records for being the oldest
> woman still not menopausal. I am not 65 and it is almost two years since
> my last period, finally!!
>
>> Last night I got a call from a woman who headed a southern Utah
>> downwinder group for many years. She talked to her radiation
>> oncologist friend, who treats a lot of downwinders. He said we should
>> get radation cancer treatment, but that we must be "more carefully
>> targeted". He's willing to talk to my oncologist, so I'm hoping I can
>> get that to happen.
>
> I am so sorry that you(and the others here) are dealing with Breast Cancer
> and I understand the extra concern of being a "downwinder". I just wish
> your radiation oncologist was more friendly and willing to talk with you
> and also with the oncologist who is familiar with treating downwinders.
>
> My husband was dx with prostate cancer and jjust finished 44 sessions of
> IMRT, a very targeted form of radiaition. The staff there was so friendly
> and kind, it made our lives a lot easier. I just wish you had the same
> kind of people working for you.
>
>> Judy, if you read this, are you getting tired yet from radiation? One
>> hang-up for me is that the road to our house is so bad just now that I
>> must park my car at a neighbor's, a half-hour walk away, then drive a
>> half hour down the steep winding road to the radiation place. I read
>> that the fatigue can take a while to set in.
>
> Once in a great while I take a look at a.s.m. and when I saw the title of
> this thread I was drawn to it. Kevin just went through 9 weeks, 44
> sessions of radiation therapy and worked full time, just left work a
> little early each day. At the beginning of his treatments he went from
> work to his therapy, came home, ate dinner and had a good nap. The fatigue
> does build up with time and about 25 or 30 sessions I could see the
> fatigue getting worse for him. At that point I meet him near his office
> and did the driving to and from his radiation sessions and that helped.
>
> The one bit of advice with the fatigue is to pace yourself and listen to
> your body. If you push too hard when you are tired, you will just get more
> fatigues. Keeping busy is good for you, as long as you don't push too
> hard.
>
> I wish you lots of luck and the same to Judy(I think).
>
> sue
>
>
>

sage hen wrote:

> Thanks for the advice about radiation.

You are very welcome.

Congratulations on finally
> getting through menopause. I hope your symptoms aren't bad. Mine are
> pretty severe; I took estradiol for two years, but had to quit of
> course, just before summer. I feel like I'm turning on a spit over a
> slow fire, day and night.

The worst part for me was that enough was enough and I just wished it
would go away.lol

> I only have to have 25 radiation treatments, starting Monday. I
> really hope I don't get tired, because due to the condition of our
> road, I have to park at a neighbor's and walk a half hour each way.
> Then drive a half hour to town. So I'll have two hours travel each
> day. I'm very energetic and accustomed to taking a hike every day, so
> am hoping to come through okay. Four weeks of living through the
> Butte County, California smoke nightmare isn't helping. At least I
> don't have a job.

At some point in your radiation treatments they will reduce the field
and I think that is when Kevin's fatigue got much worse. Of course it
might also of been the heat spell and his working, hard to say. It
sounds like you are in great shape and that will help you get through
the 25 radiation treatments.

> Thanks again for caring,

I just feel so bad about the way your oncologist acts, esp since I know
how much a friendly, caring staff helps. Kevin's doctor was kinda quiet,
but he was always more then willing to answer questions and deal with
the side effects that Kevin had which are different then what you will
have to deal with.

I hope that when you get started, you will find the radiation therapists
are friendly and helpful. There should also be a nurse there that is
available to you.

Good luck!!

sue

FurPaw wrote:
> Sue Mullen wrote:
>
>>
>> Once in a great while I take a look at a.s.m.
>
> Hi, Sue -
>
> Happy to hear your good news (almost 2 years!) and sorry to hear about
> your DH. I hope the treatments do the trick for him.
>
> Are you still taking lots of cruises?

Hi Furry,

Oct. will be two years and it is wonderful being menopausal.lol

Thanks about Kevin. In addition to the IMRT that he just finished, he is
getting Lupron shots and will continue with them for 2 or 3 yrs. In
early August he will get a PSA test and that should tell us if the
treatments have worked. His Urologist and Radiation Oncologist both
have been very positiive that the radiation will do the job.

Yes, we still cruise as much as we can, 2 or 3 times a year. We are
still planning on moving to Florida when Kevin retires. We "must" get
away from the NJ Real Estate Taxes and we want to be close to the cruise
ports so we can cruise more often.

How have things been with you and Hubster?

sue

fortunata wrote:

> anyway, good for you, and I'm sure your husband will be fine.

Thanks. All his doctors are very optimistic that he will be fine and he
has a great attitude which helps.

sue

Cathy F. wrote:
> "Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:6eaa14F4vvh1U1@mid.individual.net...
>
> Hey, Sue - nice seeing you, and congrats on finally being (apparently, knock
> on wood! <g>) menopausal! And best of luck to Kevin - here's hoping the
> treatment totally zapped the nasty cells.

Hi Cathy, been a long time.

This coming October will be two years for me!! I thought I had stopped
by to tell you all, but before Kevin's dx he had been traveling a lot
and life was hectic. We went from his traveling way to much, to our
dealing with his Prostate Cancer, I think I like his traveling much
better(grin).

Thanks about Kevin!! Both of us and his doctors are very optimistic that
he will be cured. Right now we are waiting for the first PSA test in
August that will tell us if the radiation did the job. When a Radiaiton
Oncologist tells you that he believe the treatment plan will do the
trick, I think you can count on it.

How are you doing these days??

sue

Sue Mullen wrote:
>
> Oct. will be two years and it is wonderful being menopausal.lol

So - did you make Guinness?

> Thanks about Kevin. In addition to the IMRT that he just finished, he is
> getting Lupron shots and will continue with them for 2 or 3 yrs. In
> early August he will get a PSA test and that should tell us if the
> treatments have worked. His Urologist and Radiation Oncologist both
> have been very positiive that the radiation will do the job.

That's good - all fingers crossed!

> Yes, we still cruise as much as we can, 2 or 3 times a year. We are
> still planning on moving to Florida when Kevin retires. We "must" get
> away from the NJ Real Estate Taxes and we want to be close to the cruise
> ports so we can cruise more often.

Yeah, those taxes are killers. Ours in NM are less than 20% of
what we paid in NJ, and our car insurance is about half.

What part of Florida?

> How have things been with you and Hubster?

Good. He's working on a teaching certificate for math, and
taught in a HS on a provisional certificate last year. I'm
teaching part time at a local community college and getting
involved in online education. And this summer I'm taking a
course in ceramics and having a great time with it. I don't
think I'll set the pottery world on fire, but it's great therapy.

We're down to one dog, now, since Chile died in May. Oppie is 12
going on 2, and had surgery for a breathing problem last year.
That slowed him down - since his airway is still partially
restricted, he can't chase rabbits anymore on our walks. He's
enjoying being an only dog.

How has your health been?

FurPaw

--
The plural of anecdote is not proof.

To reply, unleash the dog.

"Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:6ed6sqF6je5oU1@mid.individual.net...
>
>
> Cathy F. wrote:
>> "Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> news:6eaa14F4vvh1U1@mid.individual.net...
>>
>> Hey, Sue - nice seeing you, and congrats on finally being (apparently,
>> knock on wood! <g>) menopausal! And best of luck to Kevin - here's
>> hoping the treatment totally zapped the nasty cells.
>
> Hi Cathy, been a long time.
>
> This coming October will be two years for me!! I thought I had stopped by
> to tell you all, but before Kevin's dx he had been traveling a lot and
> life was hectic.

It's possible, but my memory isn't recalling it. Not that that means
anything. <g> I *do* remember you stopping in a few months ago, saying
you'll probably be back at some point, but that's all I am remembering.

We went from his traveling way to much, to our
> dealing with his Prostate Cancer, I think I like his traveling much
> better(grin).
>
> Thanks about Kevin!! Both of us and his doctors are very optimistic that
> he will be cured. Right now we are waiting for the first PSA test in
> August that will tell us if the radiation did the job. When a Radiaiton
> Oncologist tells you that he believe the treatment plan will do the trick,
> I think you can count on it.

Yes, I agree there; doctors have absolutely no desire to stick their necks
out re: opinion on prognosis - they want to be *really* sure they're
expressing their true opinion when it's an optimistic one. So, that's
great. :-)

> How are you doing these days??

Better since school let out at the end of June. ;-) Between my sister's
(untimely) & father's (at least his was timely) deaths, a schedule from hell
at work (seems silly that an elem. teacher would have a schedule from hell,
but it's all too possible), & a third of the class that was very difficult
re: discipline (the balance of the kids were okay to great, but that 1/3
tended to hide them) - it was a stressful year. So... school getting out
helped considerably. ;-)

Went down to NYC with an old college friend & met up with another mutual old
college friend, earlier this week. Saw the "Waterfalls" exhibition on the
East River, went to a neat little French restaurant on 14th St., & then up
to the Pierpont Morgan Library & Museum up on 36th/Madison. Nice time -
although it was a tad on the warm side (understatement).

Cathy

>
> sue

FurPaw wrote:
> Sue Mullen wrote:
>>
>> Oct. will be two years and it is wonderful being menopausal.lol
>
> So - did you make Guinness?

Being 63 when I had my last spot, I don't think I set any records.lol

> Yeah, those taxes are killers. Ours in NM are less than 20% of what we
> paid in NJ, and our car insurance is about half.

When we lived in Staten Island, NY, our taxes were more like what you
pay now, but car insurance was about the same as in NJ or maybe a bit
higher.

> What part of Florida?

We are thinking about The Villages which is about an hour north of
Orlando. We were going to visit our friends there in the spring and see
how we like it there, now I don't know when we will have time to go. At
least up there you have a slight change of season.

>> How have things been with you and Hubster?
>
> Good. He's working on a teaching certificate for math, and taught in a
> HS on a provisional certificate last year. I'm teaching part time at a
> local community college and getting involved in online education. And
> this summer I'm taking a course in ceramics and having a great time with
> it. I don't think I'll set the pottery world on fire, but it's great
> therapy.

This sounds just like the two of you. Glad you are enjoying the pottery.

> We're down to one dog, now, since Chile died in May. Oppie is 12 going
> on 2, and had surgery for a breathing problem last year. That slowed him
> down - since his airway is still partially restricted, he can't chase
> rabbits anymore on our walks. He's enjoying being an only dog.

How long had you had Chile? Sorry that you lost him(her). Oppie I
remember.

> How has your health been?

I keep going with my alternative treatments and keep seeing improvement.
Six months or a year ago, I would never of been able to drive Kevin
to his radiation sessions for the last few weeks. It wore me out, but at
least I could handle it.

sue

Cathy F. wrote:
> "Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message

>>I *do* remember you stopping in a few months ago, saying
>> you'll probably be back at some point, but that's all I am remembering.

That was probably before we got Kevin's dx, since then life has been
very hectic.

>> Thanks about Kevin!! Both of us and his doctors are very optimistic that
>> he will be cured. Right now we are waiting for the first PSA test in
>> August that will tell us if the radiation did the job. When a Radiaiton
>> Oncologist tells you that he believe the treatment plan will do the trick,
>> I think you can count on it.
>
> Yes, I agree there; doctors have absolutely no desire to stick their necks
> out re: opinion on prognosis - they want to be *really* sure they're
> expressing their true opinion when it's an optimistic one. So, that's
> great. :-)

Exactly, they are always afraid of lawsuits etc.

>> How are you doing these days??
>
> Better since school let out at the end of June. ;-) Between my sister's
> (untimely) & father's (at least his was timely) deaths, a schedule from hell
> at work (seems silly that an elem. teacher would have a schedule from hell,
> but it's all too possible), & a third of the class that was very difficult
> re: discipline (the balance of the kids were okay to great, but that 1/3
> tended to hide them) - it was a stressful year. So... school getting out
> helped considerably. ;-)

I remember stoping in here and finding out about your sister, but I
didn't know about your father. Did he die before or after your sister?
Whatever, I am very sorry about both and I hope your mother is doing ok
with all of this!!

> Went down to NYC with an old college friend & met up with another mutual old
> college friend, earlier this week. Saw the "Waterfalls" exhibition on the
> East River, went to a neat little French restaurant on 14th St., & then up
> to the Pierpont Morgan Library & Museum up on 36th/Madison. Nice time -
> although it was a tad on the warm side (understatement).

This sounds like a lot of fun, other then the weather. I saw something
about the Waterfalls Exhibit on tv and it looks very interesting. I keep
saying I want go to the city for a long weekend, but we haven't had time
yet.

sue

On Jul 18, 8:27*pm, Sue Mullen <kjmul...@comcast.net> wrote:
> sage hen wrote:
> > Thanks for the advice about radiation. *
>
> You are very welcome.
>
> Congratulations on finally
>
> > getting through menopause. *I hope your symptoms aren't bad. *Mine are
> > pretty severe; I took estradiol for two years, but had to quit of
> > course, just before summer. *I feel like I'm turning on a spit over a
> > slow fire, day and night.
>
> The worst part for me was that enough was enough and I just wished it
> would go away.lol
>
> > I only have to have 25 radiation treatments, starting Monday. *I
> > really hope I don't get tired, because due to the condition of our
> > road, I have to park at a neighbor's and walk a half hour each way.
> > Then drive a half hour to town. *So I'll have two hours travel each
> > day. *I'm very energetic and accustomed to taking a hike every day, so
> > am hoping to come through okay. *Four weeks of living through the
> > Butte County, California smoke nightmare isn't helping. *At least I
> > don't have a job.
>
> At some point in your radiation treatments they will reduce the field
> and I think that is when Kevin's fatigue got much worse. Of course it
> might also of been the heat spell and his working, hard to say. It
> sounds like you are in great shape and that will help you get through
> the 25 radiation treatments.
>
> > Thanks again for caring,
>
> I just feel so bad about the way your oncologist acts, esp since I know
> how much a friendly, caring staff helps. Kevin's doctor was kinda quiet,
> but he was always more then willing to answer questions and deal with
> the side effects that Kevin had which are different then what you will
> have to deal with.

Yes, about my oncologist's behavior: After begging her to miss my
lung and being told it would be irradiated, here's the reassurance my
doctor offered: "Any lung cancer you get from the treatment will take
at least 15 years to develop" Wow, thanks doc, for that wonderful
70th birthday present!

Les
>
> I hope that when you get started, you will find the radiation therapists
> are friendly and helpful. There should also be a nurse there that is
> available to you.
>
> Good luck!!
>
> sue

"Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:6eeoq0F69hmkU1@mid.individual.net...
>
>
> Cathy F. wrote:
>> "Sue Mullen" <kjmullen@comcast.net> wrote in message
>
>>>I *do* remember you stopping in a few months ago, saying you'll probably
>>>be back at some point, but that's all I am remembering.
>
> That was probably before we got Kevin's dx, since then life has been very
> hectic.

I can imagine...

>>> Thanks about Kevin!! Both of us and his doctors are very optimistic that
>>> he will be cured. Right now we are waiting for the first PSA test in
>>> August that will tell us if the radiation did the job. When a Radiaiton
>>> Oncologist tells you that he believe the treatment plan will do the
>>> trick, I think you can count on it.
>>
>> Yes, I agree there; doctors have absolutely no desire to stick their
>> necks out re: opinion on prognosis - they want to be *really* sure
>> they're expressing their true opinion when it's an optimistic one. So,
>> that's great. :-)
>
> Exactly, they are always afraid of lawsuits etc.
>
>>> How are you doing these days??
>>
>> Better since school let out at the end of June. ;-) Between my sister's
>> (untimely) & father's (at least his was timely) deaths, a schedule from
>> hell at work (seems silly that an elem. teacher would have a schedule
>> from hell, but it's all too possible), & a third of the class that was
>> very difficult re: discipline (the balance of the kids were okay to
>> great, but that 1/3 tended to hide them) - it was a stressful year.
>> So... school getting out helped considerably. ;-)
>
> I remember stoping in here and finding out about your sister, but I didn't