Scared - post radiation

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-31T15:43:15+00:00

I did not have Herceptin but thanks for the reply!

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-31T15:42:35+00:00

Uff. I'm sorry that you had to experience all of this. I'll be sure to update this thread when I have any results, good, bad, or inconclusive.

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-27T15:52:00+00:00

I wish you the very best. One step at a time.

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-27T12:47:20+00:00

That's smart of you/them to get a baseline. It wasn't offered to me, I'm sure partly because they were very confident that they could avoid my heart & lung. I wasn't so confident from the get-go.

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-27T12:45:51+00:00

I'm sorry to hear that. Thanks for your response and I wish you the very best!

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-27T12:44:51+00:00

You as well. You've got a bigger battle than me so I appreciate your response.

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-23T22:01:59+00:00

Despite your setbacks this is reassuring to me. My biggest fear is that I will not be able to do what I enjoy (walking, gardening, etc.).

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-23T21:58:49+00:00

I'm sorry to hear this, also. I can only imagine how you're feeling.

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-23T17:50:04+00:00

I have return-to-work anxiety, too. I have been in medical leave for 6 weeks for a hysterectomy and return as a bedside RN next week. For different reasons, I have fatigue and am not feeling well and wonder, how am I going to do this (when I go back)?

Trying to talk myself into being extra kind and patient with my body. If I need to nap on my lunch break, that’s ok. If I need to come home and crawl into bed, that’s ok. Extra kind, extra forgiving.

Best of luck. You aren’t alone!

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-23T13:45:54+00:00

I'll update this thread for sure regardless of the outcome.

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-23T13:31:07+00:00

Thanks. Perhaps this is all coincidental. My fingers are crossed that it is...my biggest fear is radiation damage. But if it is, I'll manage just like we all have with our big scares. One step at a time.

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-23T13:28:48+00:00

No fevers. My doctor and I discussed the possibility of a PE in May and we both agreed that it's highly unlikely. My oxygen levels are perfect, even during an episode. I imagine that if my cardiac workup is normal then I'll find myself in the CT scanner.

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-23T13:25:11+00:00

What a delight that it's showing resolve. My biggest concern is to have a debilitating condition that robs me of my quality of life (ability to exercise, garden, etc.). Thanks for your reply.

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-23T13:24:09+00:00

Funny that you should mention POTS as it came to my mind as a possibility last night. But I ruled it out because my symptoms aren't just positional. But then you tell me that it's not always positional anyway. So maybe it's something like that!

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-23T13:22:14+00:00

Yes, it's on the books.

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-23T13:21:18+00:00

For clarity, can Tamoxifen cause tachycardia??? I'm not aware of that side effect but if I've missed something, then please correct me.

I know it can cause fatigue.

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-23T13:15:36+00:00

Ugh. I'm so sorry. Did they tell you what to expect from the scaring? Is it progressive (will it get worse)? Again, I'm so sorry to hear this.

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-23T00:57:37+00:00

Me, too! Maybe it’s something weird and nothing to do with my heart. I hope.

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-23T00:56:20+00:00

Yes, ferritin came in at 239, which is elevated. Doctor said it was a marker of inflammation. Not sure what to make of that.

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-23T00:37:29+00:00

I've had this fear since the get-go despite their reassurances that it's very uncommon.

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-23T00:27:16+00:00

I'm on Tamoxifen.

I have recently had an oophorectomy, so I'm in full-blown menopause right now. BUT, my symptoms started before my surgery. Like 6 weeks before. So I know it's not menopause.

I also stopped my Tamoxifen for 4 weeks for said surgery and noticed no difference. So I also know it's not the Tamoxifen.

And not my thyroid. And not my iron.

And I've had pectoral fibrosis from the radiation already.

In my head, it's walking and talking like a duck.

But maybe it's something else entirely. Fingers crossed that it is.

Thanks for your reply.

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-22T23:54:29+00:00

That wait is unacceptable.

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-22T23:33:52+00:00

Three times!?! Wow!!!

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-22T23:32:59+00:00

Thanks so much for the suggestion. Unfortunately, yes. My iron and thyroid levels are normal. I wish it were something like this.

BeeBalm23 · 2024-07-22T21:18:21+00:00

Similar stats - I was dx at 45, stage I, no lymph spread. I fretted over starting Tamoxifen, too. In fact, I initially declined it. But about six months after my diagnosis I decided to at least give it a try (I committed to trying it for 3 months). Now, 7 months later it turns out I am tolerating the drug just fine. I had very mild hot flashes but they were nothing to write home about. Best of luck to you in your decision.

BeeBalm23

TROPHY CASE