tips for better mammogram?

[redrhodie]

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.

[OakLeaf]

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.

[indysteel]

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.

[Crankin]

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.

[margo49]

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!

[szsz]

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.

[redrhodie]

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?

[indysteel]

Champion, victor, vanquisher, winner?

[redrhodie]

Thanks Indy! Maybe defeater. I like how "I defeated cancer" sounds.

[maillotpois]

Great news! No more rads for Red!

[goride]

Red - thank you for sharing your very personal experience with diagnosis and treatment. It is both inspirational and educational.

[emily_in_nc]

red - thank you for sharing your very personal experience with diagnosis and treatment. It is both inspirational and educational.

+1!

[redrhodie]

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.

[redrhodie]

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?

[Blueberry]

((((((((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.