MAY 2009 Rads

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  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 1,092
    edited May 2009
    DebontheLake:  I actually had my last and final check today, so I start tomorrow also.  We're rad sisters..!  Here we go!  Catch those rays !!   JUDY
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  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited May 2009

    Well I loved reading all your happy post upon coming home from more mapping today. No tats as the Dr. was not available for final check. But here is the pisser I get SIX TATS. I thought everyone just got 3. WTH! Did anyone get 6. I am so not looking forward to this. I hope that it goes smoothly and I have no secondary cancer, no scaring to my lungs, no esophagus issues or thyroid blow outs. UGGGGGGGG! That why they call us survivors huh? I think I am cranky because I only have duck fuzz and no real hair and no signs of it coming either. GRRRRRYell.And my fingernails are hanging by a thread and crazy glue. I am sore all over like I was hit by a mac truck. My hips and sciatic are making me walk like I am 108 years old. Anybody else have this. I go for herceptin tomorrow morning. Then Rads on Thursday. JOY!

    Forgive my Radical thoughts

    Get thee behind me Satan.Innocent

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    Bold, don't feel bad - I have 8 tats!!  Three are so small, the rad techs have to mark them sometimes with pen to see them, they were done by another tech.  I think a lot of our sisters only have three, but for some reason, where I go, they really like to mark you up.

    Found out for the measuring that will be done for the boosts, I won't be getting pen that has to remain on - my rad onc told me it's just to mark for the template he'll make out of film.  That's a relief - here in hot Florida, I would sweat that ink off and onto my clothes in a second!

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  • PrincessKauai59
    PrincessKauai59 Member Posts: 288
    edited May 2009

    Bold, I'm having weird aches in joints and the bottoms of my feet are stiff when I wake up in the AM too. It takes me a minutes to straighten up?!!   I think (??) this is related to my chemo-induced menopausal estrogen level.  I feel better after I exercise, even a long hike, but am really stiff in AM.  Odd feeling and I'm not certain what I can do about it since I can't take estrogen/progesterone or herbal substitutes... 

     Cool Rad tx #8 down today, #22 to go.   Best to all!

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited May 2009

    Princess - I'm having the same aches in joints....mostly in my hips.  I didn't have a chance to exercise today (I'm truly trying to avoid the sun and it was too sunny today).  So, I just got back from my walk this evening.  I feel MUCH better after exercise.

    I'm in for it if things stay this way.  I'm going to have to walk every single day to keep me from turning into an old woman at 46.  ack.

    rad #9 down today; 27 to go. 

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  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited May 2009

    Ladies...

    Genia....OMG..so sorry didn't think about that...I hope I didn't offend any of you sweet ladies...

    I have both BOOBs...in addition to hanging low - they are fried eggs when I lay down on the table...my left one has the nipple missing and thats the one they zap.  But still I am not sure if they are zapping the BOOB or my ribs...eek.

    lisalisa...you know...I should ask to have my ass fat put in my BOOBs...I have plenty of FAT back there.  Then I wouldn't worry about my ribs getting zapped.

    Bold...the tats are not noticeable at all...lost my toenails and I have duck fuzz too...after 5 weeks post chemo.

    Hi deb-ohio.....glad you had fun with that one...CRACK

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  • Genia
    Genia Member Posts: 1,335
    edited May 2009

    Bold...I have 4 tats.  I don't think 3 is the standard or anything.  Depends on how many areas they have to zap.  The machine moves 5 times tho.....the last time is to the bottom of my breast where I still had cancer after chemo and my mastectomy.  I don't have a tat there.....they just mark it everytime I get my tx.

    My hips and lower back still hurt and it's been over 4 months since chemo ended.  

    Hang in there sweetie....it does get easier after a little time......

    I have Herceptin tomorrow.....but that has been a piece of cake compared to everything else.

    hugsssss

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  • Genia
    Genia Member Posts: 1,335
    edited May 2009

    Cruise you surely didn't offend me.........I laughed.  I'm getting very used to the idea I don't have a breast on that side anymore.  At first it bothered me........a lot.......even had a melt down in the hospital after surgery.  But then the realization hit me.....that boob was my enemy.  It almost killed me.  So after that thought I was glad it was gone.  The other one is going too.......after I heal from radiation.  Not gonna chance another cancer in my good breast.

    hugs to ya my sweet sister

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  • ddlatt
    ddlatt Member Posts: 448
    edited May 2009

    today i will have tomotherapy radiation treatment #7. i get 4.5 minutes of radiation each time. the tomotherapy ring is directly above my chest and then moves down slowly during the 4.5 minutes. i have been told that the radiation gets nowhere near my neck or face or underarms. but who really knows. it's just so weird to get treatment you can't see!  yesterday i started getting lots of little red spots all over the radiated area and lots of itching. my onc told me that aquaphor is best to keep the area moisturized because it's petroleum-based, and aloe vera gel is good too especially for itching, but it doesn't stay on as long and needs more applications because it's not petroleum-based. 

    bold - i'm cranky about my hair too. i thought it was duck fuzz and now i realize it's growing back GRAY!!!!! 

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  • LynnVA
    LynnVA Member Posts: 174
    edited May 2009

    I didn't forget you ladies!  I go for treatment 1 of 28 today.  I will keep you all posted!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    Good luck, LynnVA.  You will see it is a pretty simple and mostly non-se affair!

    Had #11 today, plus a blood draw, which I guess I will be getting weekly.  anyone else out there getting weekly sticks? 

    Just got back home and found ants in the kitchen and on the porch.  Ugh - I thought I could take it easy today!  Nope, after spraying and then cleaning the kitchen, now I'm off to vacuum and mop, just to make sure I have all the bugs out, spray off of eating surfaces and where the doggies walk.  Fun!

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  • ddlatt
    ddlatt Member Posts: 448
    edited May 2009

    chelev - i had finger pricks every two weeks the day before chemo to get an indication of my RBC and WBC counts. i had a blood draw when i started taxol, and the liver enzymes were very elevated, so from then on i had to have a blood draw before every chemo treatment to check those. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    ddlatt - I too received them with every chemo, usually the following week.  I didn't realize with rads that we would be getting blood drawn as well.  Just when my arms were getting unbruised!

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  • PrincessKauai59
    PrincessKauai59 Member Posts: 288
    edited May 2009

    Hi Chelev, My weekly blood checks stopped when my chemo ended.  No labs on Rads to date.  You might want to ask why they're still ordering them, "Do I still need these?"  I'm convinced that sometimes things are continued in error/unnecessarily. 

    I had treatment #9 today, #21 to go.  I'm starting to feel a little warm and irritated on the Rads side, especially the supraclavicular area and under arm.  I'm going to up my aloe/lotion regimen to three times daily from two times daily now.   Went to the store after Rads and bought another big bottle of Aloe.  The sell, certified organic "Lily of the desert Aloe Vera Gel (inner filet [which means it's only the gel from inside the leaf not the whole leaf]) www.lilyofthedesert.com  It's actually ok to drink but I've only done that a couple of times. 

    Cool Best to all!  -C

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  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited May 2009

    Hello ladies...

    CRUISE...I always enjoy your hilarious posts...

    Zap 15 of 33 for me today...nothing much to report as far as SEs are concerned...tech said rad beams from the first two positions do not go near the neck...have to have chin up for the last position since it does go near the bottom of the neck...

    Chelev...did your onco say why you need a blood draw?

    Take care y'all.

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited May 2009

    No blood draws so far with the rads, but my radiation oncologist did say that she would monitor me for certain things so I'm expecting she'll order some lab work in the future. I never used my port for the weekly blood draws during chemo, so my good arm has some needle scars.

    One thing's for sure: If I started out with any kind of fear of needles, BC sure would have gotten me over that quickly!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    Nope, they never mentioned why - I am going to ask tomorrow when I get the results.  I honestly thought that while it was required with chemo, because of the chemicals, it would be maybe a once or twice thing.  Maybe my bs / onc group is very cautious?

    I'm with you, Texas - I definitely did not care for needles prior and was almost fearful, but now, while it is unpleasant and sometimes painful, it kind of goes with the territory of bc.  Just another inconvenient pain!!

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  • ddlatt
    ddlatt Member Posts: 448
    edited May 2009

    chelev - sorry if i was confusing. i don't get any bloodwork done having to do with radiation. i only get bloodwork now every three months with my medical oncologist. 

    princess - i'm on treament #7 today of radiation. i find that aquaphor is much better for me than aloe gel. it's petroleum-based, so it stays on longer and moisturizes much better. my rad onc said aloe gel is best for itching, but not for moisturizing. they are very different textures, though. some people don't like the aquaphor because it's so thick, but i like it because it stays on all day.

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  • barbiedahl
    barbiedahl Member Posts: 119
    edited May 2009

    Chelev I haven't had any blood work done with rads but I've seen the doctor twice (once a week) I'm sick of needles too. You should see me run by the chemo floor on my way to rads! I feel slightly nauseous on the landing.

    #7 down all seems okay. I get a tingling in my feet after each treatment but the doctor says it really isn't related although she never says never. Well it happens each time so I'm just saying.....

    It's a large amount of energy being pumped into our bodies every day, it can't be good but it's the best they have :o{}

    They gave me Jeans cream and I just purchased a big tube on-line this morning so I could use it with abandon and not ask for more freebies

    I waited over 30 min for the doctor today, basically for nothing since I'm fine so far. Hurry up and wait!

    This is a short week and it's already feeling long, oh boy......

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  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited May 2009

    Hi Ladies...

    Had number # 9 this morning...and nothing seen yet...feeling good.

    No blood drawn for me either...not sure why chelev is..could be that she was low in white blood count and they are trying to watch her.  I will be getting some drawn in a couple of weeks before I meet with my Med Onco as he wants to put me on the 5 year pill .  He mentioned that he is having me tested for cholesterol and also a bone scan.

    Americanpinay...glad I can bring some humor to this crazy world of ours...

    I bought some Calendula Cream and some Aloe Vera made by California Babies...it was recommended by the nurse and can be found at the baby section at Target.  It says its for scars, burns and diaper rash...OH MY....never thought a diaper rash would get to your boobs..I haven't used anything yet...but have it just in case.

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  • PrincessKauai59
    PrincessKauai59 Member Posts: 288
    edited May 2009

    Hi Ddlatt, I apply the aloe as a base and then put my (very thick) lotion on top of that.  For now, this is working for me.  I'm avoiding petrol products...

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  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited May 2009

    Had zap #1.  I did feel warm after it was done.....Either the heat of good ol humid Michigan weather or just nervous, or early signs of rad effects.  don't know.  I will ask doc/nurse when I see her on Thursday.  I put aloe on and that felt good.  Then during my hour long trip home, I let the air conditioning blow on my shirt.  That felt good too. 

    Barbiedahl--what is jeans cream? does it feel good.  I can see how the rubbing from the arm to the side could be a drag.  

    I am happy to say I planted some flowers yesterday.  It felt good to be outside. No one has said anything to me about avoiding the sun.  And I have a convertible and I love going to the Michigan Lakes......irgh.  

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  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited May 2009

    Today was #20 for me -- just 8 more rads to go!  I started out alternating Vitamin E oil and pure Aloe Vera gel, but after the folliculitis developed, the doc told me to use Hydrocortisone on the red area and cover the whole radiated area with Aloe 3-4 times a day.  So far, so good.  The red area is not better, but it's not worse either.  The rest of the radiated area looks a little red after the treatments and then turns tan.  --bonnie

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  • ajlive
    ajlive Member Posts: 134
    edited May 2009

    Hi everyone!  I had my fifth rad today.  Techs make sure each day that I turn my face away.  Haven't said anything about chin up.  Will have to ask about that tomorrow.  Our center doesn't do tatoos we get marked up.  Tech yesterday refreshed my marks.  When I came back today she marked up more.  I only have 2 taped spots the rest is lines from my back to under my arm pit across then down between the breast then under the right breast.  Thanks goodness I bring a T-shirt to wear on the way home.  The markings does get all over your clothes.

    Question for those that had lumpectomies:  Since you started rads has the boob that is getting radiation became very sensitive to cool air?  I have noticed the last couple of days if I go into offices that keep their air cooler the minute I walk in it feels like a raw nerve shoots from the niple up.  The sensitivity continues until I leave the room.  It also does it with the air conditioning in my car.  I have to make sure the vents are blowing away from me.  Anyone else having this problem?

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  • Genia
    Genia Member Posts: 1,335
    edited May 2009

    I have had two blood draws since I started RADS May 4th.  They did my second one yesterday.  I just thought it was standard procedure for my tx.  Gonna have to ask about it.....cause I HATE needles.  Didn't mind them so badly when I started all this cancer crap....but now....I hate them and almost cry when I get poked.  I have really bad veins....and they have a hard time finding them which usually requires at least two sticks....sometimes a lot more.

    hugsss to ya'll and glad everyone is doing good with their treatments.

    Genia

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  • ajlive
    ajlive Member Posts: 134
    edited May 2009

    ivorymom:  thanks for the response.  After my 3rd zap that was the first thing I noticed was an indention where the SND was done and at and below the incisions.  The incision felt tight.  I have been using udderly smooth which has helped with the tight feeling.  I have been told that RAD will firm up and reduce your breast size along with indentions where tissue was removed.  Thankfully mine is on the right side of right breast so will not be that noticable.

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  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited May 2009

    ajlive...haven't experienced that cool air sensitivity...but like ivorymom, i've also noticed that the scar tissues seem more pronounced after I started rads...but then again the entire rad treatment area feels tight...surgeon did say that after all BC treatment is done, I may even mistake scar tissues as lumps...ewww....hate that feeling...truth be told, except for the breast exam by med onco and rad onco, i haven't been doing thorough self breast exams on the bad boob...

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  • Debonthelake
    Debonthelake Member Posts: 244
    edited May 2009

    Hi Rad sisters,

    One down and 32 to go.  They didn't tat me here in Kentucky.  But I'm maked up like a treasure map.  Tonight my breast feels a little bit itchy but other than that I guess I'm doing well.  I'm just glad that this show is finally on the road.  My Doc told me that the radiation may cause my breast to shrink a bit more.  I'm hoping not, I'm already slightly lopsided.  I started out left smaller than right prior to lumpectomy.  Now left is slightly bigger than the right breast.  lt certainly is a strange process.

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  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited May 2009

    Good way to put it debonthelake---a strange process.  I just finished one today too.  We  can be RADS buddies!!!  I really fought tears today.  32 to go.....Are the rad techs taking off july 3rd?

    I also felt a bit itchy and my breast was warm soon thereafter. 

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  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 425
    edited May 2009

    To those who started today :  one step closer to being done!!! 

    Bold:  Six tats  . . . . . .    consider them your badge of courage.    

    Today marks 14 down and 16 to go.  Stopped at a great organic food store today and took my "Wednesday chauffer" to dinner at a Thai restaurant.  A nice mid-week treat.   Can't believe tomorrow I'll be half-way....Friday I start counting backward from 15 -- somehow counting 1 to 15 then 15 to 1  seems shorter than 1 to 30.......

    Take Care May Radiators  Cool.

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