July 2009 rads group

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  • survivorsal
    survivorsal Member Posts: 12
    edited July 2009

    Thanks!  Today's rads were uneventful.  Yay!

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  • tara35
    tara35 Member Posts: 22
    edited July 2009

    Hi

    I just came back from my doctors appointment with the BS she told me basically I have 23 nodes remove 3 of them were postive. The incision under my my armpit is pretty long. It's  about 4 inchs long.  I still have the driange on. The doctor told me it has to be at least less than 15ml for all day. This morning when I did the measurement for last night fluid it was 20ml. I'm looking at the tube right now it look like its  about 50ml.  Do you ladies know how long do you have to keep the driange on for?????  I also made an appointment to see the Oncologist  to expalin the procedure for  chemo on 8/4/09.  and also I have an appointment with the Radiology  Oncology on 8/10/09. I ready to get started with the procedure, and get it over with.

     Thank you aso much for all the support you have giving me.....It mean so much to me:)

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  • kellyless
    kellyless Member Posts: 68
    edited July 2009

    Did you have mastectomy or lumpectomy?  I had my lumpectomy and full axillary dissection on a Friday, had one drain under the dissection, and got it out the following Thursday - so 7 days.  But everyone is different!

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  • dkhancock1948
    dkhancock1948 Member Posts: 433
    edited July 2009

    Good evening All:

    Tara35:  I had a mastectomy on May 19th with 6 nodes taken out and 3 were positive.  I had two drains in.  I just find it amazing that the amount of drainage differs so much from one surgeon to another.  The drainage amt. for me was 25 ml. or less per day per drainage tube. The one from the top of my breast came out 2 weeks after my surgery.  The drainage tube near my armpit came out 3 weeks after my surgery.  Both of the tubes were under 20 ml. by the time I went in for the removal of them. 

    I had my 18th rad today.  Only 2 more weeks of the routine rads and then 1 week of the boosts.  YEA!

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  • Linda181
    Linda181 Member Posts: 4
    edited July 2009

    Hello, everyone!

    I am scheduled to begin radiation treatments on July 27th and would love to join this group, particularly since I'm very confused about my experience of the "planning session".  I got marked up with a sharpie and had cellophane circles place on those markings I am supposed to preserve, and of course several pictures were taken.  I'm scheduled to return to radiology on July 23rd for simulation. In the meantime, my PCP left me a message saying my CT scan showed nonspecific densities and I should have a second one done in 6 months.  I'm confused about why my PCP would be delivering this message when he is only marginally involved in my treatment.  I know this sounds naive, but was that a CT scan I had during the planning session, and could these "densities" be somewhere other than the breast?  Otherwise, why wouldn't the radiologist relay this information to me at my next appointment?  I would truly appreciate any insight in to this process. 

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  • tara35
    tara35 Member Posts: 22
    edited July 2009

    I had A lumpectomy done in May 1.  An I had the Axillary lymph nodes surgery done on 7/9/09. How may of you lymph nodes were nagative???? Also how was your first tretment of Chemo? I'm will be 36yrs old in  3 months. And I'm so worry about later side effects about chemo.

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  • tara35
    tara35 Member Posts: 22
    edited July 2009

    How come you  are not doing the Chemo treatment?????

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  • LoriL
    LoriL Member Posts: 185
    edited July 2009

    Well, 10 treatments down, 20 to go! It's hard to believe that I'm already a third of the way done. These past 2 weeks have just FLOWN by! So, far, so good as far as SE goes. My skin is just a tad pink, but nothing significant. I put aloe vera gel on right after my treatments and after showering. At night I put Calendula cream on and then a thin layer of Aquaphor.

    Has anybody lost weight during rads? These past 2 weeks I've lost about 4 lbs. I'm not sure why- my appetite is maybe down a little bit, but nothing major. I'm working out everyday like I usually do, so that is nothing different. I wonder if maybe all of the internal trauma to the chest revs up the metabolism a bit?

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  • peigid
    peigid Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2009

    Seven treatments down - and I seem to be doing okay, so why am I so distraught and depressed?  I can't seem to get a handle on this.

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited July 2009

    peigid, I am at almost the same place as you in rads - 8 down. What I find the most distressing is going every day. I feel like every day I am told, "You have cancer. You have cancer." I feel like there is no break from treatment, from dealing with the reality of it. I didn't feel this with surgery or chemo. With chemo I went in only once every two weeks so I could feel like I had a life outside of treatment even though I was too tired and too ill from the chemo to do much. However I didn't have to GO anywhere to deal with cancer. I'm wondering if your feeling so bad is a similar reaction. I don't have any words to make you feel better (if I did I would use them on myself also) but just know that the women here know how you feel and sympathize.

    Sending you ((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))).

    Leah

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  • dkhancock1948
    dkhancock1948 Member Posts: 433
    edited July 2009

    I agree with Leah.  I will be so glad the rads are done so you can feel like you have a life besides making sure you have to get the rads everyday. 

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  • kellyless
    kellyless Member Posts: 68
    edited July 2009

    I told my husband I felt like my boob had a job - a crappy job - and I was stuck driving it back and forth every day.

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited July 2009

    kellyless - lol! Since I had a mast, I guess my boob was fired.

    Leah

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  • dkhancock1948
    dkhancock1948 Member Posts: 433
    edited July 2009

    Mine, too. LOL

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  • donnamariem
    donnamariem Member Posts: 27
    edited July 2009

    Leah - I totally know how you feel.  I am 9 treatments down and 25 to go.  I only have a 30 minute ride each way, but it feels like it takes up my whole day.  Dealing with the traffic is stressful enough and then trying to hurry and get back to work.  Some days I want to scream.  And then everyone wants to ask, "how are you?"  GO AWAY!!!!!  But today my Mom told me "it's only 7 weeks compared to having the rest of your life!"  I guess she put it into perspective. Thanks, Mom.

    As far as se's I am only just a tad pink.  This week they had me start using biafine 3 times a day.  Next week I'm to add betamethisone(?).  As far as fatigue, this past Thursday I couldn't get our of bed.  I slept for 13 hours.  Forced myself out to go and get zapped!  As far as dizziness, my middle name is dizzy!  Walls are always jumping out at me, so I can't blame it on the treatments.

    Well girls, I hope you all have a great weekend and thanks for being here.

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  • peigid
    peigid Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2009

    I think you've put into words how I have been feeling.  Every day the reality of the cancer is inescapable.  Even the most normal activities feel different now - let alone going to treatments.  Thanks for the support and understanding. 

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  • dkhancock1948
    dkhancock1948 Member Posts: 433
    edited July 2009

    I am just slower (but not as bad with chemo).  My strength does not seem to be as strong.  My hands feel tight.  I can't lift without pain with my non-surgical side.  I just don't understand it.  I am almost 9 nines after my mx on the left side.  Even exercising my shoulders doesn't hit the areas where I am sore and no strength.  I hope this make sense.  Have any of you had the feeling of weakness that you didn't have before?  I am getting a little tired, but I feel fortunate because I have had 18 rads with only 3 weeks to go.  Do we ever get back to normal?  Debbie

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  • kim40
    kim40 Member Posts: 904
    edited July 2009

    Hello All,

    I have 5 rads done and 11 left to go.  I feel the same way as most of  you - EVERYDAY is like a constant reminder!  Tomorrow is a long day, rads at 10 and then herceptin at 11 for 3 hours.  Tomorrow is going to drag on that's for sure.  I'll have to charge up my Ipod and download a movie or something because the day is not going to be able to get over fast enough!  I will be so glad when rads are over - then I just have to deal with herceptin for a year!

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  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited July 2009

    I've had 9 treatments ... 16 more to go. Fortunately, it takes me only 15 minutes to get to the hospital so the drive isn't bad. Mostly I'm scheduled for 8:30 a.m and usually they are on time so I'm out by 9 a.m. I'm fatigued and have been having afternoon naps. I have tightness and soreness on my surgical side which is a result of the rads. I'm trying to do my stretching to help. A little pink everywhere else. I'm still sore from where the port a cath was ... have had as much discomfort from the removal as from the insertion but I'm glad it's gone. Will be starting Tamox soon. Hope everyone is having a good weekend with minimal SEs.

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  • 7timewinner
    7timewinner Member Posts: 183
    edited July 2009

    ibjennifer: regarding your "downstaging"...thank God, indeed! So happy to hear!!!

    I begin my official rads tomorrow...28 on the breast, another 5 in the axillary region. Will be imaging white healing light myself during each treatment.

    Hope everyone is faring as well as can be expected.

    Blessings!

    Nadine

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  • tara35
    tara35 Member Posts: 22
    edited July 2009

     Just keep a positive thought and the radiation will go very smooth and fine with Gods blessing.

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  • bcamnb
    bcamnb Member Posts: 417
    edited July 2009

    I am about to begin radiation. As far as I am concerned, the surgery removed the cancer. The radiation is just killing the little cells (which we all have) before they get organized. I will have 16 Rx M-F. and then maybe Tamoxifen (jury's out on this so far - conflicting info)

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  • bcamnb
    bcamnb Member Posts: 417
    edited July 2009

    and I will be imagining healing light streaming with precision through a canopy of leafy trees.

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  • Artemis
    Artemis Member Posts: 759
    edited July 2009

    LoriL ~ I've lost 6 pounds since starting rads.  The nurse told me they don't like weight loss during treatment, but I'm not doing anything to cause it.  I mean, I'm not *trying* to lose weight; it's just sort of happening

    Artemis.

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  • 7timewinner
    7timewinner Member Posts: 183
    edited July 2009

    One Tx down...32 to go :)

    It wasn't bad at all. Quick, painless, not even very noisy. I am slightly bothered by a chemical smell, though, so I will put a dab of peppermint oil under my nose before each Tx. Otherwise, a piece of cake compared to chemo.

    Nadine

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  • LoriL
    LoriL Member Posts: 185
    edited July 2009

    bcamnb- That's how I'm looking at it, too. I honestly don't think of the daily trips as a constant reminder that I have cancer, because I don't have cancer anymore. I HAD cancer, but it is long gone now- it's property of the pathology lab now, not my body. :-)  BUT, I know that this is a different journey for all of us, and I completely emphathize with those that are having a hard time emotionally with the daily jaunts.

    Artemis- any idea why the weight loss? I'm not trying to lose, either- it just sorta came off. Seems to have stabilized now, and I'm watching it so that I don't lose more. Our bodies need all the energy we can get for healing. 

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  • rreynolds1
    rreynolds1 Member Posts: 450
    edited July 2009

    I love these positive messages.  I just had my 20th with 13 left to go.  I am into energy healing so I visualize a hand where the machine is and the hand is radiating healing energy.  I'm a little red but so far not too bad.  Thank God for my Aloe gel.  I don't leave home without it.  Several times a day I apply it and it really helps.

    Roseann

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  • nwood450
    nwood450 Member Posts: 110
    edited July 2009

    Need some advice .... just had rad treatment number 13!  Beginning to have a skin breakidown in the crease underneath my breast.  It is red, weepy and painful.  I've been using Aloe Vesta because that is what my facility recommended, however, in looking at the label, it contains alcohol and it stings like heck when you apply it.  Any suggestions?  They told me I shouldn't wear a bra either.  This is very difficult.  I work in a Catholic high school!  Hard to be "modest" like this.  My girls are size D ... I had reconstruction after mastectomy of lthe left breast. My current bra is not underwire and it's soft but I guess it's still cutting into me.  Should I try a sportsbra?  Camisole?  Don't know what to do.

    Nancy

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  • carollynn79
    carollynn79 Member Posts: 654
    edited July 2009

    Numer 6 today going well.  Received my ultrasound results on the lump on my neck, it is multple nodules on my thyroid in several places.  My oncs are trying to get me into a very well respected specialist.  they would like me to see her before they do any further tests.  They tell me not to worry, I have had a goiter on my thyroid in the past and thyroid cancer is rare.  Will let you know what I find out later.

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  • MsDebS
    MsDebS Member Posts: 36
    edited July 2009

    Kim, I had the same thing on Friday.   I felt like I was at the hospital all day.  6 rads down 17 to go but I feel good.  I was dizzy and had got sick to my stomach the first 2 days but now I am fine.  Feeling a few twinges but am not pink and am going to work after I am done.  Using 100% aloe at night and right after treatment.  This sure beats chemo even though I have herceptin for the next year as well.  I just keep crossing the days off the calendar.  Deb

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