MAY 2009 Rads

Options
1…5681011…54

Comments

  • Puppers
    Puppers Member Posts: 59
    edited May 2009

    Hey everyone!  I had my 3rd radiation treatment this morning, and so far so good...although I'm already feeling a skin tightness in my breast, and a burning sensation in my underarm area after the treatments.  May just be my imagination running wild.....but at least my appointments are first thing in the mornings so I get them overwith quickly and then I can start my day! 

    Please know I'm praying for ALL of you - this is such an awesome group and I'm thankful for knowing other ladies understand what I'm going through.  I had surgery and therapy for thyroid cancer in 1986, and I didn't know anyone at all with cancer who could even begin to relate to what I & my family went through.  I was alone - but thanks to God I am NOT alone in walking through this cancer this time!

    Bless you all today!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pringles1
    pringles1 Member Posts: 59
    edited May 2009

    HI

    Will be starting Rads May 18, 33 sessions with 8 of them boost.. so I will be finishing up the first week in July.... before the hot days of August come in..

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Puppers
    Puppers Member Posts: 59
    edited May 2009

    Welcome Pringles!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 425
    edited May 2009

    Hi All;  Iwas told any deoderant without aluminum - or metal in it is OK.  I use a crystal - works ok.  I was also told I could use a combo of cornstarch and baking soda.  first treatment today - took about 30 minutes.  they did xrays first, then the treatment.   Found out I will get 25 rads to the whole area with 5 boosts.   that will be 4200 miles! 

    He was able to shield my heart and almost all of my lung so I am happy for that. Tomorrow my DH is coming along and we will go out for an early dinner...nice variety of palces to eat in the city I travel to.  I will work during this too.  Only missed a few days pwe reound of chemo.  The travel time is inconvenient for workin g - but can probably get a 6 hour day in -- and I can work from home.   

    Lisa / texas; my fingernails are problematic too.  I have six ridges -- one for each round and most of them are not connected to the nailbad halfway from the tip -- feels very weird.  I finally put polich on them - just to cover up the ugly.........

    Take care everyone -- 1 down 29 to go.....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited May 2009

    Good news...I am getting my port out tomorrow...at 11:50PST...Yeah...one more thing to be done with....and then a PETSCAN on Saturday....all needs to be done before Rads start next week.

     Yes, I am curious about deodorant...I won't be in there until Thursday of next week...but my instructions that were given to me are listed below:  Keep in mind they handle all types of cancer radiation at the center.

    1. Use a mild soal such as Ivory/Dove in the treatment area, lukewarm water, and pat dry.  Do not rub or scrub the skin in the treatment area.

    2. Do not use perfumes, powders, ointments, sunscreens, deodorants, bandages or tapes in the treatment area unless instructed.

    3. Protect the area from direct sun exposure by wearing a hat or clothing to cover the area.

    4. Wear loose fitting clothing to prevent irritation from rubbing to the area.

    5. Do not swim or use a hot tub while receiveing treatment as this may irritate the skin.

    6. Do not apply heat or compresses to the treatment area.

    7.  You may be advised by your doctor or nurse to use cornstarch in the area for dry itching or to absorb moisture.

    8. Patients being treated to the face are permitted to use an electric razor.

    9.  Your doctor or nurse may suggest certain creams or topical prescriptions to be used if indicated.  If the skin is red you may use pure aloe vera gel to the area lightly after treatment.  It is recommended no creams or ointments to be used on your skin several hours before your treatment.

    10. If you have skin reactions or breakdown you will be instructed in daily care by your doctor and or nurse and it may require close observation, even on a daily basis.

    11. You will be seen once a week by your physician when your skin will be checked and recommendations will be made.  If you develop problems in between visits with the doctor, please bring these concerns to the therapist who will have you seen.

    There was more information provided as well as information on side effects.  I am sure most of you got the same information when you had your simulation.

    Its great to compare notes....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • idaho
    idaho Member Posts: 1,187
    edited May 2009

    I only have 9 more treatments!  YAHOO!  I am very "sunburned" but other than that I am doing ok.  I thought the 6 and 1/2 weeks would last forever, but has actually gone pretty fast.  I probably won't know what to do with myself without having to drive 2 hours everyday!  Maybe I can get some housework done!   (or not!!).  Tami

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pringles1
    pringles1 Member Posts: 59
    edited May 2009

    Puppers- thanks for the welcome!

    Update to my last post-

    R/O  called last night, she added two more sessions   my new total is 35.. good thing is I only travel 15-20 minutes to get there..Smile

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited May 2009

    I"m allowed to swim as long as the pool is salt-based not chlorinated. Mine's got a salt system so when it's warm enough I can swim in it.

    After my first treatment, the area was warm to the touch a few hours later. Should be interesting to see how I tolerate 33 total.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rachel_BC
    Rachel_BC Member Posts: 1,386
    edited May 2009

    nurlaw - you make my day :)

    texas- if you read the tips I posted you'll see that you dont need to have visible tattoos, they can use fluorescent ink like mine did- can't see 'em without a special light

    I am not sure if i mentioned that you should ask for a surgical pen instead of a sharpie, sharpies are not approved by the FDA for use ont he skin.

    Hugs to May RADS from March RADs 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited May 2009

    Morning Ladies...

    Texas...I was told that I could swim in chlorinated pool as long as I washed off the chlorine really well after swimming.  From what I am hearing ...we may not want anything touching our boobs after treatment..

    Its been really nice and warm here in Northern CA ....I sure hope none of our CA gals are in the way of the Santa Barbara fires...our fires here in CA can be pretty nasty.

    Today I get my Port removed...heard it hurts like heck...but will be glad to get that Alien Boob out of my chest...Cool

    Happy Friday Ladies....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited May 2009

    Cruise,

    I'm in SoCAl but south of LAX.  Santa Barbara has been hit hard!  weren't the last fires only about 6 months ago?

    It's really warm here too.  I actually got a sunburn yesterday!  that hasn't happened in YEARS!  My son had his b'day party from 3-5pm and I was in/out.  The boys were in a video game truck parked in front of our  house.  I was sitting in the shade for the most part.....but, that tells you how fair I am.....just in/out and I got burnt on my chest!  I put suscreen on my face but forgot to do my neck and chest (v neck tshirt). 

    Woohoo on the port Cruise.  I'm keeping mine till I'm done with my phase II reconstruction surgery and till I get my ovaries out.  I won't forget my mastectomy surgery....I ended up with IV's in my feet.  No chance that is happening again!

    Welcome to all the new people on the thread!  I can't keep up!

    Lisa

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited May 2009

    Welcome to all that are new!!!!!SealedEven the new people are ahead of me in treatment. I will bring up the rear. Sis any ones Rad Onc. recommend node radiation even if you were node neg?

    I have a pool also. It is not a saltwater pool. I am going to ask if you put Vaseline on effected area if you can swim. It is my favorite form of exercise, I would be sooo sad not to go in.Cry This is the first summer that I have not had to worry about my hair getting damaged.Yell

    Congrats Cruise!!!!!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited May 2009

    DING DONG the Alien Boob is OUT....GONE...OUT A HERE...

    It stung when he shot me with the local...like a bee sting and then he took out the little purple mouse that has a long tail....well its out and thats a good thing.  Just can't swim for a couple of weeks until its healed.

    Tomorrow..I go in for my PETSCAN...can't eat or drink anything after midnight...then next Thursday I get my first Rad...

    Have a great Friday ladies...and welcome to the newcomers....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 1,092
    edited May 2009

    Oh good, glad it's OUT !!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Genia
    Genia Member Posts: 1,335
    edited May 2009

    Yaaay cruise......glad it's gone sweetie!!!

    Finished my first week of RADS.  Hope the next weeks go as fast as this one did.......still somewhat tired....but I think my body is adjusting to it.....because I haven't been as tired the last couple of days.

    hugsss to all

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited May 2009

    I am hoping to get some energy back before rads...doesn't sound like I will...Thanks for sharing Genia...good luck and keep it going for us....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    Good morning, everyone - or should I say, GREAT morning!!  Cindy, my port was removed yesterday too.  Woo hoo - even though it hurts where the stitches are and I have to remind myself not to do too much with that arm today, it feels GREAT to have that darn port out - I tell you, I felt it every day and it never stopped being tender or sore.  Now, it's gone and I am doing as much of the happy dance as I possibly can!!  Stitches come out Tuesday morning and first rads on Tuesday afternoon, so it will be the big day for me.  Otherwise, I feel great - the rash or whatever it was on my head is getting better - I've been using the fungal cream my chemo onc prescribed for the "diaper rash" I had with the first treatment, and it seems to be helping a lot.  And, I think I actually have some fuzz growing back - its very fine and no color (could it be gray???), and when you look in the mirror it looks like baldness, but you can feel them.  Yeah, hair!!

    To everyone who is a mother and to those who are not but still are wonderful women and deserve the kudos too - Happy Mother's Day tomorrow!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited May 2009

    Congrats on getting rid of the port, Cruise. That's another milestone!

    Two rads down, 31 to go. I also had hoped I'd be back up to my normal exercise level before I started but my muscles ache so badly that it's not going to happen. I'll just keep moving forward.

    Rad onc has said nothing about antioxidant supplements but I'd heard that elsewhere. Don't want to screw things up so I'll wait to ask before I start taking anything.

    Bold, good luck on the swimming question!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Genia
    Genia Member Posts: 1,335
    edited May 2009

    Thanks for the Mother's Day Wishes Chele......glad you got your port out.   Baby steps......that's all we can do!

    hugs

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited May 2009

    Morning Ladies...Yep...another thing done and off my list!!!!

    Chelev...great news on the port removal...Another checkmark off on our lists....wha whoooo!

    Going in this morning for my PETSCAN...can't wait to eat something on the way home.  Its funny how you think about food when you can't have any...geeze...

    Have a great Saturday Ladies....should be a warm and wonderful day here...hope it is in your areas as well....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited May 2009

    HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY LADIES.....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited May 2009

    Hi all, 

    Today I walked the Revlon Women's Cancer walk at the coliseum in LA.  It was AMAZING!  My team was called "Team Mom", Moms on a Mission.   There were 45 of us.  I raised over $1,500 and all together we raised over 15 THOUSAND DOLLARS.  I walked with 2 friends who are survivors too....Ellen, who is a 4 yr survivor and Bryn who is just a few months ahead of me. They have been "real life" support and it was so great to cross them finish line with them!

    I got my first survivor hat....though it is REALLY ugly (it is greenish grey....not pink.  Whatever!  I met some AMAZING women on the way.  The hardest part was seeing KIDS walking with signs on their backs saying their were walking in memory of their moms....or seeing people with "in memory" of signs with birthdates after my birthdate.  omg.  TRAGIC.

    But, overall it was an AMAZING experience and I'm doing it again next Mother's Day weekend.  We got medals from gorgeous firemen afterwards, snacks and even a concert...Michael Bolton, Melissa Manchesters and others.

    So, I'm EXHAUSTED.  It was only a 5K but lots of other walking from the parking lot and then up/down the stairs of the coliseum, etc.  I'm SO out of shape!

    Off to bed.  Hope all the Moms on this thread have a WONDERFUL MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

    hugs,

    Lisa

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Genia
    Genia Member Posts: 1,335
    edited May 2009

    Lisa....sounds wonderful sweetie.  So glad you had the opportunity to be there and participate......

    Happy Mother's Day to all my new BC Sisters!

    lotsa love

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 1,092
    edited May 2009

    Good luck ivory!   Lisa .. sounds like a wonderful walk and so sad at the same time.  Just remember, YOU are a survivor...JUDY

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    Lisa - that sounds like it was such a great day!!   One of my oldest friends from high school lives in Pasadena and he did the walk on my behalf.  I can't wait till the walk comes to our area in Florida, usually around October or so.  I'm gathering up a group and we're doing it too.

    Ivorymom - good luck tomorrow!!  Mine is Tuesday.  Gotta go out and buy the aloe vera lotion.

    Cindy, glad the petscan went well - isn't it funny, how when you have to fast for those tests, ALL you can think about is . . . when can I eat???  I was the same way after the port removal on Friday, after they released me, I told my DH, "I don't care where we go, but let's go get breakfast NOW, and it was only 9 a.m., like I hadn't missed food for THAT long or anything, but because I was denied it, I really wanted it!!"

    Happy Mother's Day to everyone - have a wonderful day!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited May 2009

    Good Morning and Happy Mom's Day...

    Ivorymom...good luck tomorrow we will be there with you!

    lisalisa....I didn't go to our event in Sacramento...but the news covered it and there were many who walked and ran for the cure.  It was very touching to see little kids with those signs in memory of their mothers.  YOUNG women...who are survivors...BC really touches so many.  This is a disease that needs to be stopped.

    Remember to give every mother/woman you know a card or note today and throughout the year that includes the words..."Don't forget to self exam and make your mammogram appointment today!"

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ddlatt
    ddlatt Member Posts: 448
    edited May 2009

    here are some informative links about radiation and antioxidant supplements. 

     http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080527193200.htm

    http://ict.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/6/3/281

    http://abcnews.go.com/Health/OnCallPlusTreatment/story?id=3644716 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PrincessKauai59
    PrincessKauai59 Member Posts: 288
    edited May 2009

    Happy Mother's Day!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited May 2009

    HAPPY MOMS DAY!!!!!!!!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 425
    edited May 2009

    Cruise and chevlev:  congrats on getting ports out.   Can't wait to join you in 12 days! 

    Lisa:    5K -- way to go!   I bet it was a very rewarding experience.    

    Getting organized to do 5 days of rads this week.  3-4 hours on the road sure takes time out of the day.  I have drivers 4 days this week -- only one day on my own.    I was really wiped out after the first two -- am hoping that is because I had a crazy busy work week and not radiation fatigue.

    Hope all you Moms had a nice Mother's day! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories