APRIL Rads Anyone?

susan13

Hey Ladies!

Well thankfully I am feeling much better today.. so far!  I can't believe after tomorrow I'll only have 5 left!  My skin seems to be doing better today, maybe the old dry burnt skin needed to peel off ?  But I'm still pretty darn red and assuming that's only going to get worse.

It's almost Friday!  As my rad team says .... Happy Friday Eve!

Sue

eadsla

Woohoo!  Way to go, Elaine!!!!!!!  One more completion of rads!!!!!!!

Britt

Congratulations, Lainey, on your completion of rads - and a VERY happy birthday!!!!! What a wonderful "double celebration!"

And I can commiserate about root canals - been there, done that, NOT a fun thing!

Thanks for all of your encouragement and your consistent upbeat attitude!

Maria 

Anonymous

Congratulations to all who have finished the course!

Today was #21, 7 to go.

Have a big tan rectangle on my skin, which is starting to get red and sensitive around the edges. My rad onc said they will be checking my skin twice a week now before treatments.

I am still dizzy, and my oncologist is going to send me to a neurologist if it continues after rads.

Had a checkup at the breast clinic at Johns Hopkins yesterday and all was well. Got a referral for a mammogram, my first since Dx last June. I am praying for no surprises.

April went quickly with all the Tx, and now I realize we are halfway through May. On May 28 last year, I found the lump in my breast while doing BSE in the shower. 

On returning from my appointment in Baltimore, DH gave me a cuddly teddy bear to hug while he is at work. I am taking my dizziness and my bear to bed.

Bette 

Lainey64

Bette, I was dizzy for a few days too.  Don't worry too much.  My oncologist told me that there is no way of knowing how our bodies are going to react to all of the things were putting in them and doing to them!  How sweet of your DH to get you a teddy.  I hope the both of you have a very nice nap.

Susan, I'm glad you're feeling better.

TGTIF!  (Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday!!)

bethaib

Congrats Lainey and Robin...."celebrate good times, come on...." 

Had my next to last regular tx, and today they marked up my boob with a blue sharpie. Have this nice circle, they put 4 small circular clear tapes on and said to try not to wash off the marker. They also told me they would re-draw it every day as needed. Came home today and the camisole I was wearing is ruined. Luckily it didn't "bleed" through my shirt. How the H___LL am I supposed to wear anything to work and not get it ruined for one whole week? I washed out the camisole and am going to re-wear it tomorrow and I guess I will continue to do so as I do not want to ruin all of them as I suspect I will be wearing the camisoles for a while, until I can tolerate my underwire bras again. I think I am going to have to use a gauze pad or something over the area so it doesn't show through my clothes. The blue showed through the camisole like I was wearing nothing and I am sure will show through the lighter spring color clothes too if I am not very careful. I know it sounds pretty petty at this point, but I have spent many years buying semi expensive clothes to build up my wardrobe (I love Jones of NY, Ralph Lauren, etc...what can I say?). I can't afford to get them ruined...yikes!

Not only that, but I am worried about it going through and getting on the couch or in my bed and ruining the sheets that are pretty new (have no old ones). I can put a blanket on the couch (have to lay down at night cause of my back), but I'd die of heat laying on a blanket in bed. Have to figure something out....

Doc said my skin is holding up pretty good for 5 weeks. She gave me some info on over the counter Domeboro Soaks. Have some peeling at the bottom of my armpit...who knew I had to put lotion there? so I haven't been until it started to get red...the process sounds like a pain though, so hope I really don't need to use it.

Tired, had to have my son to school at 6am this moring for his school trip to Boston. And Sat is a full day with my daughter (prom night).

 Ok...one more week, I can get through .....lol    Wow is it really almost 9:00?  Time to go....night ladies!

Jane_M

FYI - I finished rads April 8 and I am still very tan.  I don't expect my skin to look normal colored again for a long while.

BonnieK

Congrats on finishing rads Lainey and Robin, and to everyone else who is getting close to the end!

Most of you are way ahead of me, so I'm following your posts and feeling very lucky to be able to learn from your experiences.  Today was rad #12 with 16 more to go.  I feel pretty decent and have no skin issues other than a rash that doesn't hurt or itch.  The remedy is hydrocortisone cream 2x a day and no Vitamin E oil on that area until the rash clears up.  

My DH went with me to the lymphedema therapist yesterday so he could learn the manual lymph drainage techniques and help me out with some of the exercises.  What a sweet guy.  The therapist is talking about ordering a glove and sleeve for me, but that hasn't happened yet and probably won't until after rads.  Maybe the LE will settle down by then.

Take care everyone.  Happy almost-Friday!

Bonnie

EleanorJ

Bonnie, what a great idea, never thought about taking DH there! If you need sleeves, try to get them through www.lymphedivas.com they have great colorful sleeves that makes it a little more fashionable if you're stucked wearing them.

Bette, can't believe you drove all the way to Hopkins for tx, I stuck with our local Cancer Center. Hopkins wanted me on Adriamycin, there's no way I was putting that stuff in my body! Maybe I didn't get a good Onc. there but I DID NOT like the guy at all, no way he was treating me.

One more week behind us, one week closer to end of tx Have a great weekend gals!

Lainey64

TGIF!  Another Friday is here and that means another week behind us!  I finished this week but I will still be cheering all of you on.  I'm certain the time is going to fly.  I am very happy for the weekend because I really want to take it easy and get some rest.  I'm doing ok "fatigue-wise" but am looking forward to some relaxation.  I am going to happy hour after work today with a couple of work friends.  I can't wait.  I feel almost normal again!!

Beth, they did the same thing to me when getting me ready for the boosters.  I had a little square drawn around my scar and the round plastic thingies.  I didn't scrub it when I showered but the corners that weren't covered with plastic did start to fade.  I noticed it leaked through to my beige bra but not a huge biggie.  They never re-marked me though.  Hopefully they won't have to on you either.

Caroline, I love your picture.  You are looking very cute with your little hair style!

Bonnie, who did you  initially see regarding your lymphedema?  My arm is always bothering me.  I see my breast specialist on Monday and they will do my quarterly lymphedema test but it still worries me.  I think it's awesome that your DH went with you and learned the massage techniques.

Have a great Friday everyone!!!

susan13

TGIF!!!!!!!!! Wohoooo!  
Here's to a relaxing weekend!

EleanorJ

Thanks Elaine Our hair looks about the same lenght, it's growing

BonnieK

Hi gals,

It's finally Friday -- YEAH!  I'm leaving for my rad treatment in just a few minutes and wanted to pop in and say hello first.

Lainey -- My radiation onc noticed the lymphedema (my hand is a little swollen) and wrote an order for therapy.  I saw the PS and my primary doc first and they both noticed it.  The PS sent me for an ultrasound to rule out a blood clot and the primary doc told me to come back if it got worse (I don't think she knows anything about lymphedema).  

My DH went to therapy with me because he wants to help and also because one of the techniques is sweeping fluid across my back and I need a partner to do that.  Ed has been amazing through all of my treatments -- I'm very lucky.

I'm going to attempt to take a pic of my new hair and post it soon -- it's about the same length as yours, Cebula, and it's a completely different color than I expected.  I've been blonde for years and years, but now am growing dark brown hair mixed with lots of white. 

I'll be back later.  Take care everyone.

Bonnie

busymomof5

Lainey and Robin CONGRATULATIONS! It must feel so great to be done. Belated Happy BirthdayLainey!!!

I will have to get one of my children to take a picture of my hair. I think that it is growing pretty well but it blonde so I do still look a little bald. I actually took my wig off at a lacrosse game yesterday to show my hair to a couple of friends. They both think that I can "lose" the wig in another month.

20 treatments down, 8 more to go Yippee!!!So far my skin is fine, it almost looks tanned!

Have a great weekend. Lainey and Robin Celebrate Celebrate Celebrate............... 

Lainey64

Busymom, thanks!!  When did you finish chemo?  I am now 9 wks out and have decent coverage but there are some really blonde spots on the top (well, actually they are more silver but I will call them "blonde" lol).  This week I discovered that if I lightly rub some dark gray eye shadow on those areas it makes it look better.  It's so funny because the last couple of days a few people at work have told me that they really notice it growing a lot more!  So funny!  I didn't tell them it was the eye shadow. 

Anonymous

Lainey, That sounds like a good trick with the eye shadow! My hair is primarily dark brown, and I actually have used mascara on the gray. Looks pretty good.

Twenty two treatments down and six to go! My chest and armpit are an angry looking red. My armpit hurts because of the skin rubbing. I will see the rad onc twice this week.

Very tired now, and still having dizzy spells. I am so glad this is my last full week. Next weekend is a three-day break before my last Tx.

Right after Memorial Day I am starting my summer course at college. It is exciting to return to school after taking two semesters off for bc. I was diagnosed during summer session this time last year. I only hope I have the energy to do it. Tuition is paid, and I have my book, so I am committed.

Have a great Sunday, everyone. I am going to rest up for the week ahead.

Bette 

EleanorJ

You guys both have great tricks, never thought about using make-up on my hair! I'll have to try this week.

Bette Try pure cornstarch on your armpit, it will remove the moisture and prevent from rubbing and irritating your skin. My rad tech gave me that trick, she said to even put it over my whole breast. She says it's the only thing I'm allowed to have on my skin before rads. Now make sure it's pure cornstarch, no baby powder as it have alum. in it and other stuff.

I'm going to be in trouble tomorrow... We had a Yard Sale yesterday, it was cloudy all day so didn't wear any sunscreen. Well, I got such a bad sunburn.. oops! I smoothered it with Aloe Gel last night, will do again today. I'll try to cover myself real good tomorrow.. LOL

bethaib

Well made it through Saturday.

Rained all day/night here...felt so bad for the girls after spending all that time getting their hair done and then to have the humidity/rain try to undo it. Even with the ton of hairspray the salon used I could see my daughter's hair starting to friz up a bit. My daughter's boyfriend's mother provided "dinner" to (enough food for an army!) , I want to say 8-9 couples at her house. Between the parents and the kids she had a ton of people in her house.  The girls all looked so pretty in their dresses. Between the hair and makeup and dress, I have never seen my daughter look so beautiful. Had to laugh when we got in the car to head to her boyfriend's house, she was commenting how hard it was in her dress/heels...I said just wait till some day when you get married and you have a really big dress on lol   Thought ahead to what a pretty bride she will be someday....

Son got home from his trip and unfortunately had a few things that spoiled the trip for him. He'd left his Dramamine in his hotel room accidentally and the teachers wouldn't let him go back upstairs for it. So on the boat for the whale watch, he missed everything as he was sick. He was pretty mad at the teachers as he knew he would be sick. he always does when traveling. And the one thing he'd bought at the science museum they went to, someone stole. But on the whole he had a good time.

I've developed a pretty nasty sore spot in my armpit. Started a little yesterday, but is very sore today. It's raw looking and hurts like heck when I lift my arm. So how I am going to do that during treatment without being in agony I don't know. Think I will be visiting the drugstore today to get that domeboro soaks stuff and try it.

Off to pick up my daughter and hear about her night at the prom, a bunch of them stayed at one of the girl's houses last night.

Hope everyone has a good Sunday!

Anonymous

Cebula, thanks for the tip about the cornstarch. I just put some on, and it feels better. Hope your sunburn heals quickly.

Bethaib, I remember my daughter's prom. Such fun. Then two years ago she got married and was a lovely bride. She did complain about the wedding gown and shoes. I caught the bouquet at her wedding and actually ended up being the next bride in the family. Tom and I  have been married for six weeks now. 

This is my last full week of rads. Woohoo!

Bette 

marlenet

Today is my last tx!   yeeeehaaaa!!!

Anonymous

Yayyyyyy marienet - mine too!!!!!!!

dkerler

Today starts my last week.

5 boosters and I'm done.

Yippee!!

caligrlof68

ugh.. i still have 3 weeks of rads....but at least i am more than half way done...skin's so far holding up pretty well too. I'm a little itchy.. but that comes and goes. freckles... but those will eventually fade.  oh well...life goes on, right?

stacy 

susan13

Happy Monday!  It's my last week too!!!!

Marlene&Patoo- CONGRATS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bette-The skin under my arm and breast is an angry looking red too!!  I saw the rad nurse today cause I was worried about some raw spots.  She told me to use aquaphor and gave me some special bandages and some kind of wrap thing to use about my entire chest so that the skin under the arm doesn't get too much friction.  They told me the bolus will make you burn more. Wonderful!;-)

Friday can't come soon enough.

Sue

Lainey64

Hi April rads gals.  Today I had my first 6 mth follow up visit with my breast surgeon since surgery.  Everything looks good!  I will see her in another 6 mths and have another diagnostic mammogram done at that timel.  I had my L-Dex test done on my arm and as I suspected, my number has increased since February.  It's a procedure to test the lymph fluids in my arm.  I am going to see a lymphedema therapist on Thursday.  I'm still in the "normal" range but since I increased from 3.1 to 5.5, they want to keep an eye on it.  It's also been giving me some pain lately so I want to be proactive and hopefully catch it.

Pattoo and Marlenet, Congratulations!!  Susan, you're almost there.  Only 4 more days!  

I hope everyone is having a great start to the week! 

manger18road

Hi everyone,

I have not posted on this board before. I am in Northern California.  I started rad on 4/27/09 and I just finished 2 out of 6.5 weeks. I wanted to ask how people are handling the physical symptoms besides the skin irritation. I am feeling very funny.  It feI feel like my body is weighted down and I am light headed. Sleeping doesn't make the feeling go away.  My rad onc. said he doesn't know what this  is about  and he expects I would be tired.  It doesn't feel quite like fatigue. Has anyone felt "funny" with the radiation?

Anonymous

FINISHED!!!!!!   Marlenet - let's party.

33 tx - s/e only very minor fatigue; skin darkening that is now peeling in crease; no pain; no itching.  Using Aquaphor.

Lainey64, L-Dex test, was that done because of so many nodes removed?  My BS never mentioned having it.  Is that a ? I need to ask her on my end-rads follow-up Thursday?

dkerler and susan13 - whoopee! 

caligrlof68 - those 3 weeks will be over b4 you know it.  Hang in there.

CanItBeTrueNH

Hello Everyone-

I am on treatment number 17/33 just over the 50% mark!    Getting ready to take Tamoxifen and moving forward.

It's been a long road and I am so looking forward to a great summer.

God Bless!

jrgolomb

Where do you get Aquaphor?  I am starting this week and I hope to keep my thin soft and will do stretches as many have suggested.  I have an expander in, so that is a worry.  ANy advice?

BrandonMom

JR, most stores have Aquaphor.  Target is one store that carries it.

Patoo and Marlenet - CONGRATULATIONS!!!  It feels so good, doesn't it!

The skin under my arm is really hurting today too (week past finishing rads). My chest is still really red.  I'm going to try putting some cornstarch on, but it feels a little like muscle pain, as my skin is pretty numb in that area post surgery.  I'm going to try some advil and/or tylenol and see how that goes..  I've heard two weeks out, things really start to improve.  I'll give you an update.