MAY 2009 Rads

lisalisa

Fruit of the Earth is the brand that I bought too! 

I was told to apply it 3x per day.  I was also told that I could put a cream or lotion over it.  Aquafor is what was reco'd to me.

Lastly, I was told to keep well hydrated and to eat a diet high in protein. The same diet helped me after my surgery, so I'm going for it!

np312 - where in so cal are you and your Mom?  where is your Mom being treated?  PM me if you don't want to post the answers here.

Lisa

americanpinay

Thanks np312 and lisalisa.  Where'd you guys get the Fruit of the Earth aloe vera gel?

 Hope everybody is well.

Cruise4life

Hi seagan...glad you found us and are able to tell us about your rads...hopefully you will get your energy for those kids...eat lots of protein and drink fluids to help. I think lisa mentioned it as well.  My rad nurse said that it is best to eat well when going through rads.

I was also told not to put anything on the area unless it was to relieve the soreness of the rads and then only cornstarch or aloe vera gel lotion after being zapped.

Alohagirl...yes, agree the sternum tattoo was the big sting...

Debonthelake

Hi all,

Chelev,  I had a lumpectomy.  Pain wise it has done really well.  But, when I had a follow up with my surgeon he asked about pain and tenderness at the site.  He said chemo often causes that.  So, I guess you are probably within normal range.  But, it won't hurt to mention it to you Doc.

lisalisa

americanpinay - I got my Fruit of the Earth aloe at a small mom/pop pharmacy in Hermosa Beach.  I didn't check the big pharmacies as I love the one I go to!

Are you anywhere near hermosa? 

americanpinay

thanks lisalisa...i'm about 20 or so miles away from hermosa beach...the CVS nearest to where i work does not carry it...i'll check a couple more pharmacies...if not, i'll order online...thanks again...

Genia

I got my Fruit of the Earth aloe gel at Walmart.  It was where all the lotions are.....pretty big bottle too.  So far I haven't had to use it because I haven't burned yet.  I'm using a cream the Dr. prescribed every evening before bed.

PrincessKauai59

Hi!  I have my simulation verification appt. tomorrow at 10:30 AM, will go to work before and after.  I've asked a woman friend who does Reiki to meet me at this appointment.  I'm feeling a little down today.  We had too close an encounter with crime this weekend when my husband was mugged in front of our little boy.  Everyone is ok and the police actually were able to capture two of the seven youths.  Best to everyone.  -C

pringles1

Hi everyone,

Well I was all set to start Rads on the 18 may... but they called and it got pushed back two days  so my new start date is the 20th of May..its only two days but still.. it makes it two days further away.. and to boot they added two more boost - for a total of 10.. i can see the fibrosis coming now!..

.Does anyone know of any herbs/vitamins one could take to help lessen or prevent radiation induced fibrosis?   

Genia

Pringles....I will have 25 regular treatments and 10 boosts when I am finished.   Guess I will be on that fibrosis wagon with you!!!

Genia

Anonymous

Good morning, ladies.  Thanks for all of the feedback on the breast pain - I will mention it to my bs when I see him, but that does make sense about nerve endings and such - he cut a lot out of my breast and virtually reconstructed it with a long scar that runs across the breast and up and over the nipple, so that really does sound right about it healing and nerve endings starting to heal and regenerate.

First rad yesterday afternoon - pretty much a non-event except I was there for about an hour laying in position while they took x-rays and adjusted everything.  Got 5 more tattoos, and the one that hurt me the most was the one under my arm.  Youch!!!  They told me not to shave, and I told them, okay, well, I'd do my best to keep it deodorized for them!  Hurt to have my arm with the port removal scar over my head for that long, and I was rewarded last night by pain at the incision, but it wasn't too bad.

I am scheduled for 26 (well, now 25 sessions), which would end me right around early June, and they will decide as we go if I need boosts or not.  At least I've got my times set up - I can leave work every day at 3:30 and get there by 4 for my treatments and go straight home, so that is a bonus, especially with any fatigue I might get.

Lisalisa - I love Hermosa Beach!  I spent 7 days there last year while on press for my company's brochure - the printer we use in LA puts us up at the Beach House, so while we were not on press, we had plenty of time to rent bikes and go up and down the Strand and explore.  I would live there if I could - it seems everyone is outside and doing so many more healthful things than in Florida - we don't tend to have as many sidewalks in my area, so I have to drive to get to anywhere to do serious walking or jogging without worrying about cars sharing (or not) the road.

Hope everyone has a great, se free day!!

lisalisa

Hi Chelev -

I actually live in Manhattan Beach....one town north of Hermosa Beach.  But, my pharmacy is in Hermosa.  I know the Beach House!  I've stayed there before too....love it!  I walk on the strand almost every day.  I walked 5 miles there yesterday.  It's much easier to walk there than elsewhere.  I can look out at the beach or at all the cool houses....or just people watch.

I'm just a day behind you....I have my 1st treatment in about 3 hours.  I did my xrays yesterday and my tattoos last week, so my appointment should be short!

Lisa

Texas357

I love both Hermosa and Manhattan Beaches, having grown up in west Torrance, not far from the Redondo Beach border. Small world.

I'm lucky that I have rads at 8 a.m., and that I work from home. I get back, slather on the vitamin E lotion that I'm allowed to use, exchange the itchy wig for a soft cap, and get to work.

Treatment #5: I'm feeling a little sore and tight, and the skin is warm and red. It won't be long before wearing a bra will be a problem.

Anonymous

Yes, it's a beautiful area all around there!  We loved it.

Uh oh  - I hope that's not a standard reaction around tx 5!!  There is no way I can go to work braless.  I guess I'll find out around Monday or Tuesday next week how it's feeling.  Ugh!

Cruise4life

Morning Ladies...

Princess...so sorry to hear about your DH experience...and glad your little boy was not harmed.  And seven sounds like a gang related incident...these kids now days do not care for any human or life.

Pringles...can your rad doc or nurse refer you to some vitamins?

chelev...ONE DOWN...good girl...there is a light at the end of the tunnel....

Texas...so after 5 you are still wearing a bra?  Good news...I thought for sure I would be sagging right away...LOL

lisalisa...good luck today!!!!

I am going to see my GP today for some mole removals on my neck that have been sticking out and I have noticed them more after chemo. 

I start my first treatment tomorrow at 8:45am...I am sooooo ready...then the countdown will begin.

Puppers

Never a dull moment.....yesterday afternoon after my 6th rad treatment, I was in a car accident!  A driver turned left in front of me, and with no time to stop, I crashed right into him.  THANKFULLY I am fine, just shoulder pain (I've had it for a couple of weeks now, but today it is worse...) - so now i'll be having PT to see if that helps....radiation is going great though - my prayers are with all you girls making that trip every day this month!  Blessings!!!!

Cruise4life

Puppers...so glad you are okay...MY GOSH what else can we get thrown at us...Hang in there..girl!

Anonymous

Wow, okay, things are getting nuts!  Princess, so glad you are all okay - and sorry that had to happen in front of your son.  Kids are exposed to so much these days and like Cindy said, it seems there is little regard for people anymore - you see so many who truly don't care about others.  Puppers - glad you are okay!!!

I agree with Cindy . . . OKAY, Universe!!  We're dealing with ENOUGH right now not to have to go through other super stressful things!!!   Everyone stay well!!

Majanumba1

May I join in? I originally signed on with the April group but didn't start rads until 8 days ago. So far, so good and nothing to complain about except having to undergo 2 sessions of markings. Way too long and my nose always starts itching! I have 36 sessions scheduled so I won't be finished until the middle of June. By then I should know my technicians really well.

Sorry to hear about the mugging, Princess. Glad your son and husband were not injured. Puppers, glad you are okay.

Hey Bold, my TCH buddy.

i am finding rads much easier than chemo and for that I am grateful. Hope everyone else is finding it the same.

Maja

Genia

Eight down and a bunch to go....lol.  I'm feelin the burn tonight.....can't see it....but I sure feel it!!!  I put my cream on and it feels better. 

I go tomorrow for a PET scan......not lookin forward to that one.

hugs to you all

Debonthelake

Majanumba,

Life just won't stop for us will it?  Princes I'm glad you're family is OK and sorry they were traumatized.  Puppers I'm glad that you're OK.  Today I went to a funeral of a dear friend.  He was diagnosed with cancer about the same time I was.  His first symptoms were motor problems and when they diagnosed him he had large tumors in  his brain and lungs.  But, it's strange.  We graduated from high school together.  Really the funeral wasn't as difficult for me as I feared.  Either I'm carefully protecting myself or this disease has already forced me to deal with my own mortality.  Perhaps a little of both.

jrgolomb

I am a bit on the end of the May RAds group, but I would like to join the group.  I am in a bit of shock, though because the PS, BS and Oncologist said I probably wouldn't need rads, but I wanted to hear it fromt he horse's mouth and he said because I HAD multifocal cancer, he wants too make sure I never get it back!!!  I am VERy nervous because I had a tissue expander in.

At any rate---may I join you?  I will hav emy simulation May 20 and probably start asap because I am already 15 days out from my last chemo tx.  At least that's done!!!! 

Hugs and hi to LISALISA---a very sparkling January Jewel!

Cruise4life

Evening Ladies...

 Welcome manjanuba aka Maja and jrgolomb aka Jess...you are surely welcomed here....This is a great group who share their experiences and love.

Just returned from my GP office.  She removed 2 moles and did a punch biopsy on one that is located on my temple that she didn't like.  I am now scared...as this is the same doc that saw an issue with my breast and sent me to the surgeon.  She said she will know something in 5 to 10 days and will call me.  I told her and she agreed that I don't need anymore cancer.  I must be positive and hope this is nothing.

But we are more aware of our bodies now that we have been through or going through this process.

I get my first RAD treatment tomorrow...wish me luck...I will let you know how it goes...

Sweet Dreams Ladies....

lisalisa

Hi everyone!

I had my first rads treatment today.  They did xrays yesterday and the Dr. wanted them to re-do them....so, I was there for about an hour.  I'm being zapped in 3 different places.  They did 2 xrays today and 1 tomorrow.  Then, on Friday, I do blood/urine again for the study that I'm in.   Can you believe that they want to measure cell damage after just 3 treatments!?!?!?  That tells you how strong these rads are!  and, I have 36 total. YIKES!

Jrgolomb - welcome to the thread.  I'm so sorry that you're here!  I know that must have come as a big shock.  HUGS!

Majanumba - welcome!  I'm laughing as I read your post.  I was going crazy wanting to scratch my nose today when I was supposed to be "perfectly still".  ack!

Debonthelake - I'm so sorry about your friend.  I can imagine it was difficult to go to a funeral while in treatment!

Princess K - I'm so sorry about your DH.  that is horrrible!  how is your son doing?  how horrible for him to have to witness something like that!

PrincessKauai59

Deb, Sorry about your friend.  Thank you, Dear Ones, for the support.  My husband is on the mend.  Son's a little shaken up talking about battles and he got in trouble for making fists at school, so I need to learn how to best support him through this process and keep him safe and feeling safe.  He was so cute tonight; he opened the piano to play it for me and really comes up with some pleasing sounds.  He told me one song was the Steps of Spring.  Tonight he played some low notes and told me it was dinosaurs walking and then some really low notes and told me this is the music for the really scary parts of a movie. Finally, he played some medium tones and and he told me this is the sound for the "people."  I'm not a musician (DH is), but I think I need to get this five-year-old into a piano class!

I had my simulation confirmation today.  The Radiation Techs are all very nice.  I brought a woman who does Reiki with me today to set the energy for highest good healing, sending it both to me and to all the Rad machines, treatment rooms, and Staff.  I hold the center as a place of healing for me and all the other patients.  My friend suggested that I meditate on the machines as providing life sustaining radiant healing energy, like from the sun.  I have a lot of respect for the Staff and the complexity of the machines.  (They've also confirmed to me that the machines are assessed for quality assurance every morning and, since this is a new facility, the machines are new as well.)

First treatment tomorrow morning.   Will put on Aloe and lotion tonight.  

Love & Light & Healing all around!  - C

Bold

Maja: Good to have you here  friend. Let the adventure continue.

Yikeees! Princess:That is just terrible. Be careful of post traumatic stress syndrome in you DH. I am so sorry.

Cruise: I will say an extra prayer that everything is OK.

Deb:Although we come to terms with our mortality, we have a lot of life in front of us. You are amazing. I admire your strength.

Congrats to all that are underway. I have Sims next week. Can not wait to get started and get it over!

Welcome to the new. Wish we met under better circumstances.

I am going to leave early tommorrow early. See you all on Sunday!!!

Peace and Love

pringles1

Genia- you have the same tx plan as I do..

Princess-  glad your DH and son are ok and they at least got two of the buggers

Cruise4- I will ask about the vitamins when I start, but in the mean time I think I will hit the vitamin shops and see if they have any recomendations and good luck on the rads!

Puppers- glad your alright

Majanumba, jrgolomb- Welcome to both

Deb- sorry to hear about your friend

So far I only have three tatoos... I feel left out.. am I to expect more? 

Texas357

Good morning ladies and welcome to the new May rad girls!

I'm 5 treatments down and about to go to my 6th. The tissue expander is feeling a little tight, and I'm a little red, but so far so good. Radiation is a breeze compared to chemo.

Anonymous

Cruise - I am thinking positive thoughts for you and hoping these turn out to be nothing!!!!  Boy, the hits just keep coming, don't they?  Your first treatment will be breeze, especially after chemo!! 

Pringles1 - I received 5 more tattoos at my first treatment, which took about an hour because they had to get everything measured and lined up.  Tx 2 yesterday was a cinch - checked in with the front desk, went back and changed into the robe and they were ready for me.  I was 10 minutes early so I ended up finishing and being dressed and out the door at the actual time of my appt. 

I am having very mixed feelings of being both glad we're zapping any cancer cells and aprehensive about getting all of that radiation during the time the machine is zapping me.  One hand tells me it's helping me make sure I'm going to be okay, and the other hand is saying, these machines are scary, what is really happening in there?  I guess it's because we've been told all our lives not to have unneccessary x-rays, and here we are, laid out on the table every day for 25, 30 or more days.  I know the technology is very advanced and part of them spending so much time adjusting and measuring is to make sure just the tumor area is treated, but it's still a little nerve wracking hearing the machine buzz when it's running.

Otherwise, nothing major by way of se's except I did feel a little tightening on the side where I received treatment.  Went home and slathered with aloe vera gel and took off my bra to minimize rubbing.

Lisalisa - keep us posted as to your test results - it would be interesting to hear what they find about cellular damage after three treatments!

Welcome to all of the May rads ladies - hoping everyone has a great day!

jrgolomb

Texas---Did the PS or the radilogist say anything about the damage done to the muscle because of rads while a te is in place?