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Last zap tomorrow! I can't believe how fast this has gone by. I'm pretty red but it doesn't hurt. Rode 30 miles today, and I'm not that fatigued, so that's getting better.
Fri I meet with my oncologist. My next phase is to start Tamoxifen, which is an estrogen blocker, which I'll take for 5 years. I feel lucky to have it as an option, so I'm hoping for minimal side effects.
I just want to thank you all for being here for me, and for all the hugs and well wishes. It's really helped.
That'll be a relief to have that done with I'm sure.
You've been amazing. I'm so glad your side effects have been tolerable.
Good luck with the tamoxifen.
Congratulations, Red. I'm so glad you're nearing the end if this phase. It's really been an honor to share this experience with you. You've shown a tremendous amount of grace, strength and good humor. I admire you greatly.
I am really amazed at your attitude, Red. Especially the fact that you rode to treatment!
The way the weather is going, we may be going on that ride soon.
Nothing on earth like the Last Zap!
As for my Last Zap...I got someone at the Rads Hotel to paint my face - we had had a make-up workshop the day before and got free things not that I knew what to do with them - and I told her to make me a "fierce and strong jungle fairy" and she did a great job with swirls and leaves. I wore it all day incl to the hospital . It was a great celebration!
You have beaten it Red, join the club!
Very, very, VERY awesome!
Tamoxifen is basically a breeze although there are some side effects. I've been on it going on two years, so let me know if I can help.
I really wanted confetti to fall from the ceiling.
I want a new word for "survivor". I'm open to suggestions. Conqueror? Where's Zen when we need her?
Champion, victor, vanquisher, winner?
Thanks Indy! Maybe defeater. I like how "I defeated cancer" sounds.
Great news! No more rads for Red!
Red - thank you for sharing your very personal experience with diagnosis and treatment. It is both inspirational and educational.
+1!Quote:
Originally Posted by goride
I'm so glad that someone has found this helpful. If I hadn't known someone who went through it, it would have been way more scary, especially based on fictional portrayals of cancer which were mostly all I knew. I think my experience is pretty typical of early stage cancer, so, if you find a lump, don't freak out, but get it checked out sooner rather than later.
And yes, Crankin. We'll be able to ride soon.
I did the lbs ride this morning, and for the first time, I really felt the effects of the treatment. I was dropped for the entire ride. A sweet guy who also had cancer stayed with me, so I wasn't alone, but it was really clear I have been through something major. I'm a little freaked out by it, because what if this is permanent? I know it's probably not, and to be doing 30 mile rides at this point should be proof that I'll be fine, but it was a hard wake up call.
Now I'm exhausted and crying, which is not like me, but I bet this is normal. Some kind of PTSD, maybe?
((((((((redrhodie)))))))))
I am not a doc - but I just found a couple of journal abstracts that say fatigue is the worst in the last week, and usually resolves within 3 weeks to 3 months. Hang in there, and be gentle to yourself! You are amazing, no matter how far or fast you can ride right now.