End of week one of treatment - YouLookFab Forum

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End of week one of treatment

Tanya

Veteran

So week one is over. So far everything is fine, maybe some minor throat
scratching, but I am not sure if it is real or a product of my
imagination. Also feeling tired, but I was feeling that even before it
started, so not sure if it is a real side effect. I am starting taking some unconventional pain medications tonight.
I have also been seeing a cancer counselor.
Results of some tests are that my stress and anxiety levels are through
the roof and there is moderate depression as well. I guess that
explains my inability to concentrate at work and feeling that my brain
is foggy.
All in all, not too bad, but I was told that weeks one and two are typically fine, it is after that real bad side effects take place.

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53 replies

Latest reply was from Isabel

DonnaF

Veteran

We are here with and for you. I hope you can try to take one day at a time without worrying about Week Three and beyond. Yeah, easier said than done. [My brain is foggy and I get easily distracted but I have no excuse.] {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

Classically Casual

Veteran

Yay for having one week down!! My unsolicited advice is to be really kind to yourself during radiation. For me, it really paid off to be super vigilant on skin
care.
Several months later I saw a naturopath re my training woes for a charity bike race. It turns out that there's a supplement concoction that helps rid the body of radiation after it's over. Had I known about it, I would have taken it (a one month course) sooner. I look forward to seeing your WIWs.

Anonymous

Yey! week one is over! That is an achievement. Hang in there. You will get thru it. I do admire your courage a great deal. Dittoing Classically Casual with the skin care and the unsolicited advice, my grandma was prescribed a calendula cream for the skin exposed to the radiation ( she had palliative radiation for stomach cancer a bit ago) and she did really well. I can find out what it was and PM you the name. She literally had nothing, not even a bruise. Try to keep your mind busy and hopefully that will make the time go faster. I'm sending you a million hugs!

velvetychocolate

Veteran

Sending lots of love and care your way!

Not sure how many radiation treatments you have to do, but here's hoping there aren't too many.

Stress, anxiety and depression - these are a totally normal response to an abnormal and highly stressful situation. I hope that the counselor can help you work through this aspect, and that as you get through these treatments - you start to feel better and better about getting past the whole thing.

You're in my thoughts Tanya. Best wishes for speedy healing and lots of TLC throughout the treatments you're going through.

Tanya

Veteran

Thank you ladies! Feel free to let me know the info on various creams/supplements. I was given a skin cream from my oncologist, but from the label i can see that it is nothing special, just aloe vera and vitamins.

There are total of 30 treatments, or 6 weeks of 5 days each. They are skipping Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday though. So the last one is scheduled for December 10th.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yay!! One week down. That's fantastic, Tanya. And some stress and anxiety are perfectly understandable. It seems to me that you are coping incredibly well. I love that you are posting outfits (and fabulous ones, too!) It gives a bit of structure to a difficult day.

Here's hoping that you sail through the rest of these without too much pain or difficulty.

Anonymous

Tanya, my mom just sent me pics of the creams. See below. She says the first one was given by the hospital ( We take grandma's to NYU's cancer center in NYC) and the second she got from a health store, but you can get it online too. She says they are both good, but she likes the first one a bit better (pic#1). She says the one in pic #1 is new and never used (Grandma usually gets extras of everything) and that you can have it. We will mail to you if you want to try it out.

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Sharon

Veteran

Glad it has not been too bad so far. I hope it continues to go well.I know it is frightening and overwhelming. You are walking through this with so much strength, even if some days you don't feel it. I think maybe a little virtual party is in order for December 10 as I am sure everyone here will want to celebrate you getting through this. xx

Tanya

Veteran

Thanks again everyone!
Zap, that is very sweet of you! Let me first check with my oncologist next week, they do not like you to use anything without getting green light from them first. Especially since it is a prescription item. I guess I can always ask them to write me a prescription too.

Anonymous

True, good point! Neither one is by prescription and ETA: I am not suggesting that you go experimenting with stuff, of course, I know better, just passing along my mom's message I'm so glad you seem to be in such good medical hands. For us, that was 90% of the battle. We were told to take her home and just wait for the end to arrive, but we kept on looking. We then found compassionate care and she is still here, still happy and enjoying life. Her cancer is not curable but our goal is not to look for a cure, it is to give her the best quality of life possible.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Pleased to hear the first week has been uneventful. I hope you can do some that replenishes your strength and spirit this weekend. I know it must be frustrating not to feel "at your best" during the workday.

Anonymous

Tanya, sending you a million good thoughts.

Adelfa

Veteran

Thanks for letting us know how things are going! Glad you have a cancer counselor!

Classically Casual

Veteran

Tanya, my radiation oncologist, who is German, wanted me to use the calendula cream too. (Mine was cream, not gel). I bought it on Amazon, because that was easiest at the time, and went through several tubes. I eventually found some supporting research stuff on the Internet about it...the research was done in Germany. It's a homeopathic treatment. I was surprised because my doc was very by the book on everything else ( and also very compassionate I should add.). But the stuff worked. I did exactly what they told me to do. Not a time to experiment...

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I am glad to hear the treatment is going well, Tanya. Try to manage your stress though. I know it is easier to say that do but you can try breathing exercises and yoga, it really helps to relax.Calming down should help the overall healing process as well as you body will be able to use all strength in one direction.
Hugs!!!

nancylee

Veteran

One week done! That's good. So glad you are talking with a cancer counselor. We are thinking of you with love. xoxo

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

Senging Hugs and hoping the anxiety and depression symptoms ease in the coming week.

Diana

Veteran

Glad to hear the treatments are going well. You are 1/6 done already! I think it's probably normal to have some depression and anxiety about something like this - I hope that we can help alleviate that in some small way. You know we are always here to listen!

(((big hugs)))

Alecia

Veteran

Tanya, I'm not around the forum as much these days so just caught wind of this news. I am sending you love. There are so many wonderful women on this site, but I share a special affinity for those who are a part of my "ylf class," those women who were most active when I first joined ylf. You are one of them. You were such an important part of my style growth, which truth be told was growth that extended far beyond just style. I can't help but have a special place in my heart for you and the other ladies who gently coached me through some pretty ghastly WIW posts. I am glad to read that you have such good care and I hope you will say yes to help - both the virtual support here and the offers from people who are near you physically to help carry the load. Hugs.

Peri

Veteran

Hi Tanya,

It sure is no surprise you are stressed, anxious and a little depressed. Like who wouldn't be? Try to treat yourself like you would treat your most loved friend in the world. Take all that kindness and send it inward.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for the updates, Tanya. You are going like a Boeing, being vey brave, and we couldn't be prouder of you. We are always here for you. xo

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for update. Calendula is very good for the skin.

Aquamarine

Veteran

Remember to be very, very gentle with yourself. Try not to think ahead, just one day at a time. Sometimes one hour at a time. You WILL get through this...you will find the strength....there is no Plan B!

tarzy

Veteran

Hi Tanya. I'm adding my support to the pile and sending you lots of love and healing vibes!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thinking of you and sending lots of calming, healing vibes! One of my BFFs since elementary school finished all her rounds of treatment for breast cancer and is now doing great. You will get there! Big hugs to you.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Tanya, you are so strong. Thank you for this update and please keep them and the WIWs coming. They are more than just WIWs and mean a lot for those who care about you. Thinking of you and your family <3

Debra

Veteran

One down, great to hear from you, xxx

Anonymous

Thinking of you Tanya. It's amazing what medical professionals can do.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Hang in there My thoughts are with you.

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