July 2009 rads group

Susantc

LoriL- I've been using calendula ointment and so far so good..I read about it on another thread here called "If you knew then what you know now". People recommended aloe vera gel and calendula ointment so that's what I decided to do. My rad nurse recommended Jean's Cream but said if I saw it here, I should do it. It's been very good so far, but know it is early. The funny thing is that my dog got several hot spots from the hot weather and allergies. I put the calendula on, and his problems got better right away. I too feel lucky in many respects. I had a lumpectomy and was back in my yoga class by the end of the week. The mental stuff has been more to deal with than the physical for me.

kim40

Good morning Ladies!

I would like to join this group.  I finished 6 rounds of FEC-T on June 17th and is starting rads tomorrow.  I will be having 16 zaps which gives me a finish date of August 4th.  I'm kind of nervous but not as much as I was when I started chemo!  Glad that's over with!  Looking forward to another chapter of this breast cancer journey being over with.

Leah_S

My goodness, only a 20-25 minute wait today. I'm almost afraid to post it - don't want to jinx it!

Saw the doc today (resident, not regular doc).Very sweet lady, but not much going on yet with me (only 4 tx so far, so hardly any se's).

My dh is not the type to look at women's bodies a lot. Today he said about the doc "I think she's pregnant".Ladies, I doubt if she'll still be around at the end of my treatment. Well, she might be at the hospital but in another department! 

Leah

ikat

Hi Ladies, 

I would like to join this group too. I go for my CT scan Monday, and start rads on the 20th.

LoriL I have a lump where my lymph nodes were removed.  I had a infection before my last round of chemo.  I still have a small lump with some soreness  because of the location. I think rubbing of clothing (bra) doesn't help. I also have some swelling of the breast itself. I am checking in with my surgeon again and also letting the rad nurse/tech (who ever I see on Monday)  know about it. 

kathy 

earthandie

Hi - I too would like to join this group - I start rads tomorrow - although I've been coughing and have runny nose (no nose hair?) all weekend, so we'll see if they proceed.  Scheduled for 25 treatments, finished chemo - 4 rounds A/C, 16 weekly taxol, on 6/4 (YA!!), was very luck, minimal se's, although a week from the end started experiencing peripheral neuropapthy in feet - still dealing with this.  Leah have you found anything to help your feet?  B complex and alpha lipoic acid help - but ALA is antioxidant and i have been told not to take any antioxidants during rads.  Anyone know if allergy meds - claritin or something similar OK with rads? 

My stregnth (whatever i have lol!) goes out to all of you ~

Leah_S

Yup, I jinxed it. 2 hour wait today.

The wait is not as bad as it had been, since a friend of mine is having rads at the same time. She has mets, and her onc had ordered an MRI of her head to check why  she was having trouble moving her head (wanted to check bones of her neck). Cancer was found in her brain. It's asymptomatic, and they wouldn't have known about it if not for the MRI. She's having rads to her brain, and they're hopeful this will take care of it since it's so early. She's an amazing person, and doesn't let cancer stop her from living her life FULLY. She says cancer is a chronic illness and that she has learned to live with it. She has three kids, teaches swimming, and somehow finds tome to help other people when they need it. It was terrific to be able to have that time with her while we waited.

Earthandie, thank you for the suggestion about the B complex. If I have the strength to get to a pharmacy I'll try some!. I don't know what the story is with the allergy meds and rads - I used to take very large doses of Vitamin C for my allergies (it's a natural antihistimine) but since it's also an antioxidant  I stopped it with the chemo and rads. So what do I do now for my allergies?, Oh, I sneeze a lot, rub my itchy eyes, use Ventolin for the asthma more often...

Has anyone heard anything about reiki and rads? Is it helpful, contraindicated, doesn't make a difference?

Leah

carollynn79

3 down and 30 to go.  All went well today, tommorrow after treatment an ultrasound to check a swollen lymph node in my neck, hope all goes well.

dkhancock1948

Leah:  I haven't heard anything about reiki and rads. I get a massage for my neck and shoulders and I also get my back adjusted.  I had acupuncture right after I had chemo each time.

14 down and 14 reg. rads left + 5 boosts.  YEA!

Carollynn:  Let us know what you find out.

Debbie

Leah_S

Carollynn, I said a prayer for you for b9 results.

Leah

nwood450

Hi all ...

 I remember seeing a thread here regarding dizziness.  Today I had my 8th rads treatment and about an hour later was extremely dizzy.  We are talking staggering, bump into the wall dizzy.  I had to lay down to let it pass.  Took the better part of the afternoon but feeling better now.

Anyone else?  I know if I talk about this wth the onc nurse she will dismiss it as usual.

Nancy

dkhancock1948

Nancy: I haven't had any dizziness, but I remember reading about different ones having that.  How is your water intake?  Do the techs say anything when you told them other than "rads shouldn't be doing that to you".

When I read your post, all I can say is wow. Was anyone with you to help you when it happened?  

I will be so glad when we get done with all of this.  They tell you rads don't do "whatever we are experiencing".  I am tired of hearing that statement.  Like you, I don't tell them all of the problems I feel because of their answer that is always the same.  They must all have the same textbook.

Debbie

hrf

I"ve had 6 out of 25 treatments so far. The machine is being serviced tomorrow so I get a day off but it gets added at the end. So far no side effects. Sorry to hear that you are having dizziness, Nancy. I hope it doesn't happen again. Stay strong, everyone ... it's still better than chemo. I picked up my prescription of Tamoxifen today ... don't know when I'll start but it scares me.

nwood450

Debbie,

I will try to increase my water intake.  Thanks that's a good idea.  Will broach the subject with the techs and the rad nurse tomorrow ... we'll see how that goes.  I was having a manicure when the dizziness hit.  Don't know how I drove home, but I did.  Tomorrow I'm going to just stay home and see how it goes.  I know this sounds ridiculous, but after two surgeries and chemo, radiation is the light at the end of the tunnel .... but I find myself feeling more and more anxiety as the days go on.  I can't figure it out.  What happens after all these treatments are over?   We just hope for the best, right?  It scares me.

N.

carollynn79

I start my tomax tonight not looking forward to it.  Does anyone know is it best with food or without or does it matter?  I know the brochure says is does not matter but but wonder what others see.

hrf

It was suggested to me that taking Tomax with food was a good idea. I am just waiting for the go ahead from the rad onc in order to start

ibjennifer125

10 down...24 to go. All is going well so far.

kim40

Good MOrning Ladies

 I have one down and 15 more to go!  I actually got in early yesterday, and like Leah, I probably jinxed myself!  I see my medical onc. today and he is giving me the perscription for tamoxifin.  I guess he will tell me when to start.  And like other ladies on the board, I'm scared too. 

Carollyn - I pray your results are B-9.   We can all use a little good news out of this.

Have a great day ladies - stay strong and stand together.  We will get through this!

carpediemocc

Hi,

Started Rads Yesterday. Already freaked out not knowing what to expect. All I can think about is injury to my lungs and weak bone marrow all the bad stuff. I almost went into a panic attack the first time when the technicians left me alone in the room. I was thinking, " HEY! Take me with you!! Jerks!"

 I've done really well with the Chemo, Surgery all the scans and stuff. I don't know why this is affecting me different.

LoriL

7 treatments done, 23 to go. All is well so far! My skin is just a very very faint pink, and physically I don't feel any different.

Today I got the results of that lymph node biopsy that I had done last week and it was NEGATIVE! Woohoo!

It is gloomy/doomy thunderstorming outside, but there is much joy in my heart right now.... :-)  

carollynn79

Ok now I am jinxed, they have been struggling with the program and have decided to do another manual one tomorrow and then do a new Sim on Thursday so no treatment Thursday and Friday start back on Monday.  Should have ultrasound results Thursday.  It is just frustrating.

HRF Thanks, I will take with food and see how it goes.

MsDebS

I need some guidance from anyone who can help.  I just had my second treatment.  Yesterday I was dizzy getting changed at the hospital after my first.  I thought maybe I was just scared and then today the same thing happened only worse and when I got to work an hour later I started throwing up and had the dry heaves for about an hour.  I was nauseous for at least 3 hours and then it subsided.  This is not my imagination.  Anyone else have this reaction? 

Irishred

Add one more to the group,  I have my simulation this thursday and will prob start the next thursday.

I have already been told 5 days a week for 7 weeks.  I am just thankful my Petscan was clear with no spreading etc.  Thank God.  Cause I had already decided NO CHEMO.  When I see the oncologist on Friday this week I am sure he won't be happy but oh well, I am.  I do have a lot of questions about radiation, from those who have experenced before.  How long does it take for the "being tired" to hit you.  after each treatment, after a few weeks, ??????  I do deal poker a couple times a week so I want to get my treatment at a time that allows for a nap if necessary.  Guess someone out there will let me know.  See you all here soon.

dkhancock1948

LoriL:  Again, congratulations!!!

MsDebS:  I personally have not had those problems, but have read where many others have - dizziness and being sick.  I just don't remember where I read it.  It might have been in the June Rads thread or on this one.

15 down 18 more to go.  The Rad doc told me today that since they are doing the rads above my clavicle bone, that the radiation is exiting out my back.  He said that since it was going in through my front, the exit will be a greater dosage.  I just love all the "good" news that we get.  I am glad he told me.  This way I can put Aquaphor on my back - that is, if I can reach it.  My shoulder are back to pre-surgery range.  I do have pretty good range of motion, but the exercises they gave me don't touch where my shoulders hurt.

Becky613

I have been taking it for about 6 weeks and have taken it both with food and a couple of hours after a meal and seems to not make a difference for me.

Becky613

Today while shopping I also had some mild dizziness with mostly an overwhelming desire to lay down.  Could have been due to dehydration.  This happened about 3 hours after treatment.  Was fine yesterday so don't know if it's related.

dkhancock1948

Don't you wish we had all the answers to the problems "not caused" by any of the treatments we go through?!

Becky613:  I hope you are feeling better tonight.  The told me when I was in chemo to drink 1-2 gallons of water a day.  Now since I am in rads, they told me to drink a lot of water.  Is there anything on your prescription info that says to drink an extra amount of water?  I know I do not drink the amount I should since I am not getting chemo.  My goal is to drink about 100 oz. a day, but I am doing good to drink 60 ounces. 

Have a good night all.

PackerFan

Hi Irishred,

   I am on the last leg of my radiation journey.  Tomorrow is #26 of regular treatment, then one more of those and 6 boosts to my tumor sight.  I have used Aquaphor Cream and pure LaBri aloe vera gel every day since treatment started.  The radiation nurse gave me the Aquaphor, and she suggested I start using it right away.  (As she says, we don't wait to get a sunburn and then start using sunscreen).  Made sense to me.  My skin irritation just started on treatment #24, and it's mild skin redness, itching and a few bumpy spots.  I feel fortunate that I've done this well.  She did say with the boosts, the machine is very close to the breast and I will probably have more irritation.  I felt very good up yesterday, and then fatigue set in.  I could hardly move off the couch all day.  Today was better.  I took Aleve it has helped.  Being on Arimadex, I'm not sure if the aching and joint discomfort is that or the radiation.  Hope this helps.

dkhancock1948

PackerFan:  Where do you get pure LaBri aloe vera gel?  I am using Aquaphor and Essential Oil of Lavendar, but wanted to get aloe vera.  YAHOO on being so close to the end of the radiation phase.  That is great! Thanks.  Debbie

jdeking

MsDeb - sorry you are experiencing the dizziness. I also heard someone else complain of this and I think it was on the June rads board, she started vomiting at about her 8th dose. Are you getting plenty of water? At least 96oz per day? Sometimes dehydration can cause those symptoms.

IrishRed - I think fatigue sets in about week 2 or 3, and it is usually by the end of the week. Then you recover over the weekend, and start all over again! So probably by Fridays you will be needing that nap.

LoriL - congrats on your negative biopsy! Woohooo!!!!

 I am doing well so far, thought I do already look like I have a sunburnt boob. Still using aloe vera, and have no irritation or itching yet. Hope everyone else is doing well!

Janine

MsDebS

Just got back from 3rd treatment and was told that rads do not cause nausea or dizziness.  Will see how it goes at work today.  I have a whole day of court hearings and it will not be cool if I have to run through the defendants and their familes to get to the bathroom to throw up. Only 30 more to go.