APRIL Rads Anyone?
Comments
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BrandonMom - yes, it feels great. Hope I remember to come home from work tomorrow and not go to the tx center by mistake.
My rad onc did say it's about 2-weeks for s/e's (if you have significant ones) to subside. Do you have a follow-up appt?
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Well made it through day one of the 5 boosts....the machine where I normally go was down, so back to the other place. Between fitting me and having to get the machine all programmed for me...I was there an hour...not too much fun. Don't know why, but the boost scared me..seemed to go on forever. I've had a little trouble "breathing normally" through all this, but have managed pretty well due to the quick breaks in between the rad positions. But today there was no break, so I didn't get the chance to "catch my breath", as I really am not breathing normal even after 5 weeks. Guess the whole thing freaks me out on a much deeper level. Have to hope tomorrow goes better lol
Forgot about the aquaphor. Maybe that would work better on this raw spot. Have to try that. Bought the soaks, but forgot to buy gauze pads to soak in it to apply to my skin and too tired to go back out. Feels better with some type of cream on it. Problem is I have to go so long with out it...from when I first put it on before work at about 730am and then not again till I get home which can be anytime between 4-5pm. So I think the skin dries out again. Didn't use deoderant today, not that what you can use works very well to begin with lol, but didn't want to irritate the raw skin more. Poor techs...hope the smell wasn't too bad lol
Top of breast is now starting to peel a little, not bad, like when I've had sunburn before. So hope that doesn't change much.
Thought the techs might get mad at me as I basically sweated off two of the sticky circles they put on as well as much of the marker. Found one of them stuck to me about 4 inches from where they paced it when I woke up this morning lol Sagging, sweating, and just skin to skin contact does not make for keeping this stuff on lol But the techs were pretty nice about the whole thing. Just marked me back up and gave me more sticky circles to replace the ones that I lost.
Congrats for 6 weeks Bette! Going to celebrate anyway special? Ok besides s_x...lol
Last weeker party!!! Yeah!! WooWooWoo!!! Congrats!!! Way to go girls!!! Yehaw!!! ....that's for any of the girls who are from the South ; )
I can't wait till I am on my six month follow up for anything. Glad everything looks good Lainey. Sorry for the pain, but hope the lymph fluids stay where the docs want them to be!
Manger- Welcome- I haven't experienced anything like that so I can't help, sorry. Maybe someone else can....
Time to get some food and veg...I am too tired to do anything tonight...back has been getting worse and is more painful, so I am off to the couch soon. Night ladies!
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FIVE to go! I finish the day after Memorial Day.
Saw the rad onc today, and she said that my skin is right where it should be for this stage. It is really red. Cornstarch seems to help the raw rubbing feeling under my arm.
As we were about to leave for rads today, there was a bomb threat in my building. We were evacuated for three hours, and it turns out it was a real BOMB! On our hall! WE are thankful to the bomb squad for taking care of things and that nobody got hurt.
I am still light-headed and dizzy. Hoping this will go away when rads are finished.
Bette
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Congrats Patoo and Marlenet on completing rads! It is nice not having to go there everyday. Good luck to the others finishing up this week.
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Hello ladies
Haven't posted for awhile. Just want to let you know I finished my 30 on Friday! Yahoo! But the time did go by fast. At Mayo they have a bell you ring 3 times to let everyone know you are done and now getting on with your life. yippee!
I've a sunburned back where they treated my nodes. My underarm and under my boob are peeling. I'm doing vinegar soaks followed by Xeroform gauze- a little tricky to keep on the area- til I found a great stretchy "sleeve" that slips over the affected area and your torso. Like a fishnet. Now that treatments are over- I have energy for only 1/2 the day. They say it will hit you for the 2 weeks following your finish since its cumulative and still in your system.
Good luck to those of you still in progress. .Keep up the good fight- you are almost done. This too shall pass........Can't believe its already May- cancer sure sucks up all your time.
anyone here taking Femara?
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Patoo and Marlenet--WOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Way to go. I am so psyched for you. YESSSSS!
dkerler and Susan13--I'm on your schedule. This is my last week/five boosts. We are sooooo close.
caligirl and Canitbetrue--You're getting there! I remember when I crossed that point, then I stopped counting and before you know it, I was left with the just this last week of boosts. Just think, now you're in the "reverse countdown" mode! Everyday the number of days just gets smaller and smaller.
Elaine--I hope all goes well with your lymphedema therapist and that you're able to take control of what is going on with your counts.
Manger18road--I've had fatigue that seems to set in as the day goes on, but nothing like the weighted/lighteheadedness that you describe. Have you had your bloodwork done recently? Also, have you been eating and hydrating enough? I only ask because the diet/water were an issue for me, but once I was able to correct it, the fatigue level got much better.
Barndonmom--I've heard that Advil helps since it also acts as an anti-inflammatory from someone on the March Rads forum.
Jess--You're starting this week? Why am I confused by this? Granted it doesn't take much for me lately! I got samples of aquafor from my rad onc, but haven't used them. I have only used Udderly Smooth twice a day. Also have been wearing camisoles with the shelf bra built in. I have really lathered the lotion on and let the cami absorb whatever wasn't immediately absorbed by the skin. So far, with just the boosts left, the skin had done pretty well. Just a brownish red and freckled square, but no pain or folliculitis. I'm still knocking on wood because there's still that window afterwards where the radiation is still affecting you. But yeah, you can buy Aquaphor OTC.
On a bit of a bummer note, I had to take my cat to the vet where he is staying overnight for tests. He has a high temp, so I'm hoping he just has an infection, but still, he was such a touchstone for me during all of this, and I was so looking forward to this "final" week being just that. Also, can't help but be nervous at the mention of tests...for anything.
Here's hoping for a fast week for everyone!
Catherine
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PARTY PARTY PARTY! ALL DONE !!! YEEEEE HAAAAA CONGRATS TO EVERYONE WHO IS DONE OR NEAR DONE...
Lainey64~ CONGRATS ON YOUR 6 MONTH FOLLOW-UP....
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Congratulations to everyone who has finished!! Yaaaay, Fleecewood, Marlenet & Patoo! It was strange for me not driving to the cancer center the day after I finished. It's like "what do I do with myself now???" Well, I'm sure we'll all find something!!
Catherine, I'm sorry your kitty is in the hospital. Hopefully he's just under the weather and the doctor can get him back in good health again. We have an old kitty (she's about 15) and I worry about her alot. Our pets are our family members so I know how you're feeling.
Patoo - The L-Dex test is still fairly new. My BS had it done on me prior to my surgery so they could get a baseline # of where my counts are normally. I have it done every 3 mths now to get a measurement.
Have a great day everyone!!!
xoxo, Elaine
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Started my boost today. Had my last regular rads yesterday and they did the position and everything right after, she said they did what they usually do in 2 days yesterday so that I could start my boost today. How's the fatigue thought the boosts? same, less or more tired than through regualr rads? I'm just curious, I have found that I didn't get THAT tired, I got a few bad days where I was completely sluggish, but out of 25 rads so far I get sluggish about once a week or every other week. Hoping for it to be the same with the boosts.
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today I started my first of 7 boosts. One more week, and since they are open on Memorial day I will finish on the 27th!!! Will celebrate with lunch with my friends who have been there for me every step of the way and who brought me my special lunch when I was doing chemo!!
tomorrow I will see my oncologist for my 6 week visit after finishing chemo. then I will rotate between seeing him and my surgeon every 4 months. It will seem strange to not have some doctor to see for a while but will see my radiation doctor in a month!
My skin looks pretty good red/tan but not sore or tender. I guess I am one of the lucky ones, but I also know that where I go they have the latest machines. My treatments don't last long..and they say the boosts are shorter. It was weird having that machine so much closer to my body . They just opened this facility in Jan so it has all the newest things, but they have the same old hospital gowns!
They removed some of my circle things, I found they had to replace them ever so often, but they were nice about, just replaced them, marked me again and said it was common to have to replace them.
Congrats to all who have finished. I can't complain as I feel great! So far no radiation fatigue.
On another note, I have a friend who will starting this in a few weeks. I hope she only has to do radiation after her surgery. She will have the same doctors I have/had!
Sally
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jrgolomb-I have an expander also, so far so good. Thankfully I had alot of extra skin on the side that is being radiated cause it's now getting tight, but not unbearable.
My underarm is RAW! They have me using aquaphor for now, if it gets worse they'll give me a script for silvidene(sp?)
Marlene&Patoo-CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!! Wow.... so many of us are almost done. Tell me these weeks didn't go by fast!
I posted some pics of what my skin looks like now on my blog (www.suesbadboobs.blogspot.com), for those just starting. It actually might look worse then it feels. I find when I wear a tight shirt or a "tefla" pad under my arm, it feels much better cause there is no friction.
FRIDAY HERE WE COME!
Sue
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Fleecewood - I'm taking Femara. I started the beginning of April.
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Wow Sue, I can't believe your hair are so dark! Mine are still so full of the white fuzz. It's about 50/50 right now. Everyone keep saying they're not seeing any white. I told hubby today that when they finally get chopped, he'll say "yeah, you were right!"
We're all getting so cute with hair, aren't we?
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Congrats fleecewood on your finish. I say for all of us April rads finishers we choose a day and time that we all do something at the same time to celebrate - maybe all have an ice cream sundae at the same time or step outside and shout "Yippee", or something.
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Hi everyone,
Congrats to everyone who is done with rads!! I'm only halfway there -- will finish up on June 8th.
Patoo -- I really like your idea of doing something at the same time to celebrate when everyone in the April group is done.
Today I saw the LE specialist and was measured for a sleeve and a glove -- yuck! My LE is pretty minor, but I HATE it so much. Wearing those compression garments all summer should be lovely, especially when accompanied by hot flashes that come and go at will. Enough complaining.
Take care.
Bonnie
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Catherine- I know how much pets can help us emotionally, hope it's nothing serious and your cat will be feeling better soon.
Boost #2 today. back to my normal place. Still not liking the boosts. I know they say you can't feel anything, but I imagine I do...it's kinda weird really. I will be glad when this is over.
Armpit more painful and raw. Slathered on the Aquaphor when I got home today. But just had to reapply more just a few minutes ago. Wish it wasn't in an area that is constantly rubbed against other skin every time I move my arm...
Bette- Glad no one got hurt. What is wrong with people??? I just don't understand. Let's give them a dose of cancer and see if their outlook changes any, shall we? Maybe they would appreciate life more???
Kudos to the cute ladies with hair : )
Time to go veg. Had dinner a little earlier tonight, going for ice cream later if I can get up again lol
Three more days!!!! Three more days...see how it runs...see how it runs... ok, so it's not blind mice I'm talking about
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Oh my armpit is killing me too! I'm so glad to hear I'm in good company. I can hardly lift my arm anymore, it hurts so very badly. One week post rads, I hear it can take two weeks from rads for things to start turning around. So next Monday at 2:45PM EST, all should be well.
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Good morning gals! My left arm has really been bothering me too. I have to see a LE specialist tomorrow... yuck! It seems like everyone is having some pain in their armpit area. I hope mine isn't related to LE.
Bonnie, what symptoms were you having that prompted you to go to the LE specialist?
Caroline, I was never really tired or fatigued either. In the evening I was pretty tired and was definitely ready to get to bed but that's nothing new!
Wow Susan, the difference in your hair in just 10 days is awesome!! I can't wait until I have a little more in the front like you do!
As for the boosts, my rads tech me that they are easier on the skin than the regular treatments because the boost just focuses on one area and not the entire breast.
Have a great day ladies!!!
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The past few days I have "hit the wall" with fatigue. Hopefully I will not sleep through my class next Tuesday night!
THREE to go. My skin is getting raw, so they may skip the bolus tomorrow. The doc will check my skin before Tx and make a decision.
My facility is closed on Memorial Day, so I will be finishing on the 26th.
Going to a cancer survivors reception sponsored by the hospital oncology department tonight. I hope all of my chemo buddies are there.
Time for a nap
Bette
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Sue, Your hair looks fantastic. What did you use to cut down on the friction?
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Two more to go!!! Yeah!!! (imagine a mini dance going on here...)
Can't imagine if the armpit continues to get worse for another week though...yikes. I am so thankful the boots are all that are left so I don't get more burned in my armpit. I shouldn't as the rads are directed elsewhere now.
Today had to be a record. Appt time 330, and out in the car by 334! lol Ok, so I got there a few minutes before my appt, but today was sure quick! See the doc tomorrow and they'll make my appt to come back. She told me last week that will depend on the condition of my skin when she sees me tomorrow.
Bette hope you have a good time at the party and get the chance to connect with your buddies.
Hey wanted to share a video I saw on MSN a little while ago. The caption is "Research shows promise in fight against breast cancer". It is under Health. They have a "decent chance" of curing bc. They talk about fooling TCells into thinking cancer cells have a virus infection. They would use TCells to fight metatastic cancer cells like it does influenza cells. Docs take TCells from the patient, manipulate them with gene therapy techniques and introduce them back into the patient to travel through the body to kill the cancer. Said they are ready for "prime time"- to be tested on patients. Wow...could they really have finally found something that may actually work? Let's keep our fingers crossed...and maybe a prayer or two wouldn't hurt...
Have a nice evening....beautiful and sunny/warm here today. Might have to go read in my sunroom for a little while, of course staying out of the direct sun : )
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beth, that would be great if it can work! Let's hope!
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Elaine -- the rad onc noticed swelling in my hand and referred me to an LE therapist. My LE is mild and mostly in my hand. The therapist told me that hands are "tricky" to work with.
Beth -- that would be amazing if a cure for cancer was on the horizon!
Bette -- sorry you are so fatigued. The 26th is real close, so keep on truckin'.
Sue -- your hair looks great. I finished chemo mid February and still don't have as much hair as you do.
Today was #16 for me -- 12 more to go. So far, my skin still looks decent, but it is starting to get a little sensitive and itchy.
Take care....
Bonnie
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Hey all. I've been meaning to post, but have been hit with fatigue this week. Napping helps for a bit, but it doesn't take much for me to enter that fogged zone.
I did want to mention to everyone to go to Lifetime.com and sign the petition about legislation pending about mastectomy and hospital stays. They are trying to pass a bil making a mastectomy an outpatient procedure. That seems crazy to me. I had a lumpectomy, so I can see that being outpatient, but with ports and LE issues, this bill seems ridiclulous to me. I believe the petition is to require a mandatory 2 day hosptital stay covered by health insurance.
Also, thanks for the response about my cat. He had an infection and 3 of his liver enzymes were off the chart. So, like me, he's on medication for a month. I'm just lucky that he didn't try to make me take my meds the same way I have to give him his.
I've got two more boosts and then I'm done. I was hoping to end this part of the ride as quietly as possible, but both mornings are now filled with errands and favors for people. If I can just get through the morning before the rads, then I'll be fine...exhausted, but fine. Last night I took an ambien and still couldn't get to sleep until 4am. What's up with that?
Okay, gotta take a neighbor to the airport early tomorrow, so I'm going to head out.
Catherine
Pass the word around on this one!
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Hello ladies,
I "hit the wall" yesterday myself. Didn't even make it into work. First time I had to take a day off! But I was just zonked out... dizzy and nauseas and zero, I mean ZERO energy. I laid on the couch from 11 in the morning until 10 at nite! Today I feel better, but still zonked a bit. My underarm is horribly burnt and raw, but tomorrow is the LAST rad!
Jess-My underarm feels better if I wear a tight shirt that is snug under the arm so there is no friction. I made a "tube top" (remember those from way back?!) from some soft material, so that the friction is lessened, it does help. The rad nurse gave me some "tefla" pads, I put some aquaphor on it and put it right in my pit and that helps also.
Bonnie-I have been using a "Biotin shampoo", and I gotta tell you my hair growth is greally taking off! Not sure if that's helping, but ya never know!
One more day one more day one more day..................
Sue
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Congratulations to everyone that has finished radiation or close to finishing! I'm happy to join the group as I had my last one today!! Yippee!!! Happy Dance!! I wish I could say I'm all done active treatment but it's kinda up in air right now as I had a little setback. I went into congestive heart failure and had a blood clot in my lung so I was in the CCU for a couple of days..not fun! So I'm on blood thinners and seeing a cardiologist and will find out whether or not my med onc will try putting me on it again...she's thinking NO now, so I can only pray that the 9 weeks of herceptin was enough!
But enough of the down side, the up side is no more daily trips to the cancer centre! Yaahooo!!
Hugs,
Linda
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I have to tell you ladies that I too am feeling the fatigue they said I would. This past week has been an effort to get to the hospital but tomorrow is my last and then I can rest.
I'm spending the Memorial weekend visiting my grandchildren. That's all the rest I'll need.
Congratulations to us all!!!
Debbie
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TWO treatments left. Today they examined my skin and proclaimed it "well done", so no more bolus.
Today the radiated skin started itching like crazy. I knew scratching would make it worse, so I found some hydrocortisone cream and put that on, and it helped quite a bit.
The fatigue was a little better today, but I still need to rest this weekend as my community college course starts Tuesday night, same day as my last tx. I think tonight I will start the reading for the course.
Congratulations to all who are finished! I will be joining you soon.
Bette
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My arm feels a little better today. So maybe I'm over the worst.
eadsla - as surprising as it may sound, I went in for my mast and lymph dissection at 5:30AM on Weds, and by 1PM the next day, I was home. That was with having an expander placed. I really didn't need to stay longer. I was truly amazed that I felt so good, so quickly. Rads a whole different issue. I'd rather have surgery any day that go through rads. I've hurt more, and longer with rads than I every did with surgery.
Congrats to all those who are finishing! Happy dance!!
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BrandonMom--It's good to read of so many women who had a positive mastectomy procedure...well, as much as it can be, right?
dkerler and Sue and bethaib--ONE MORE DAY is right!!!!!! And Bettelou, you are right there with two days! Wow, Susan...TODAY was the first day you took time off from work? That's impressive.
Linda--WAY TO GO on finishing your rads!!!! I'm so sorry to hear about your trip to the CCU. How frustrating. You certainly deserve a long weekend of rest!
Gonna take a nap...Want to rest up for the LAST DAY TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Catherine
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