AUGUST 2009 RADS

Anxiousmama

hello all,

I haven't checked in for awhile, but it was nice to see everyone's posts. 

To everyone who is having nausea, I am also and I read in the pamplet I got from the onc that nausea is a common symptom for people who have radiation on the chest or abdomen, so I don't know why so many doctors are saying it is not. My radiation oncologist said that it's fairly common, but just try to eat foods that don't upset my stomach, etc.  I'm not having any redness, but some itching on my breast. Also a wierd sensation - when I scratch I can't really feel it on the skin but it hurts underneath.  Hard to describe but wondering if anyone else has that. I had no. 18 of 33  today and I'm getting soo tired of it all. 

Not too much fatigue, but I've been taking better care of myself than I normally do. Sleeping more and not doing anything I don't really have to do.

cakeisgreat

Hiya guys!  I just found this thread.  I started rads two weeks ago on 8/17.  I'm doing 6 weeks total.  I thought I was nuts about the mild nausea I was feeling...but of course, that didnt stop me from eating which is my favorite thing to do.    The other SEs I'm feeling is pain at the incision site, and the hardening thing there as well.  No pink skin, but since I'm ghost-like fair, I'm sure I'll get some sunburn stuff. 

This website is so amazing that we can connect with so many folks around the world who are experiencing the same **crappy** thing together.   It's so great to read, laugh and give/get encouragement from y'all.  Thanks!

kawee

Welcome cakeisgreat, we started rad the same day!

Alyad

cakeisgreat- I like your name! 

I had 20/25 today- the end is near! the last couple days have been kinda rough- I feel like the rads is catching up with me. I feel hungry and nauseous at the same time. I eat and it doesn't really help. I was really looking forward to mexican dinner with friends tonight and I ate a bunch of chips but- when the food came , I could not bring myself to eat hardly any of it.

I have been having itching on my upper chest and armpit- to be able to get comfortable to sleep - lying on my "good" side with a body pillow- another pillow jammed under my "bad" arm.

I am not sure how much of my lung is getting hit- I will ask next week.

ChrisC433

I just finished 11/35.  Going O.K.  I am really fatigued...just want to lay down when I get home.  I also get a headache??

Does anyone else have carpal tunnel?  I had it prior to all of this, but I could manage it when it would flare up.  Now with the Arimidex, it is flared up all the time and the Motrin and wrist braces are doing no good.  I am up at least 10 times a night with shooting pains down my fingers.  Any ideas??

 Take care all...some are getting close to the end...congrats!

Chris

ccbaby

I have a question for all of you....I have a co-worker that had breast cancer 7 years ago and she has been telling me things about her radiation treatment that really doesn't make sense to me....First of all...I was working with her at the time and I remember her shaving her head because her hair 'fell out' during treatment (she DID NOT have chemo).  I don't remember seeing her hair fall out, I just remember her shaving her head. Ok, what I have learned recently about radiation is that your hair only falls out when you have radiation on your head, not your breast. So, that is one thing I don't understand. Secondly, when I told her that I was having 33 treatments, and that I will go in everyday for 6 weeks, she said she had 35 treatments and went in only once a week for them. I have never heard of that either. That would be 35 weeks of treatments, over half a year! I didn't question anything she said to me, but am I wrong in thinking that something doesn't look right in this picture?? Honestly, she has been known to 'fib' about things in the past to get sympathy,sooo....who knows? I am going to ask my radiologist about this when I see him on Wednesday, but I am curious to see what you girls think.

cakeisgreat

Alyad, awesome, "only" 5 more treatments!  I'll do a jig on Friday for ya (after my nap ha ha!).  I'm sorry you're not feeling so well.  I LOVE to eat (hence the "cakeisgreat" thing) and am morning that I have to eat more healthy now.  waaaa.  Looking forward to a Mexican dinner and then not being able to enjoy it SUCKS!  I hope you're starting to feel a bit better... Hugs!!!

Keep us posted on your lung involvement.  

BTW guys, think and pray for me on Tues...I'm going for an MRI of both breast to see if there's anything else lurking around.  Ugh...stress stress stress!!!

ccbaby...what your friend is describing sounds an aweful lot like chemo?? maybe she's confused??  Or maybe I'm wrong since this is all new to me too

ccbaby

cake...I know it does sound like chemo, but I know she didn't do chemo....like I said, it just seems strange to me??

Alyad

Christy, I would say your coworker is either lying about having had treatment and doesn't have her facts straight- (tho shaving your head to get sympathy seems pretty extreme!) or she just doesn't remember it was every day not every week- I would think weekly rads wouldn't often enough to do the job. maybe the doc could answer if rads were ever done as a weekly treatment and if people ever lose their hair on their head from breast radiation. (I'm thinking no).

how were your first treatments? What time do you go in? I'm at 6pm.

ccbaby

Yes, I am definitely asking Dr. Nathan about it Wednesday! I go in at 3:30. I have only had 2 so far. It was miserable when they did my mapping and markings...I was there for 2 hours! They let me get up once to stretch my arms. I am so glad that you are almost done!

kawee

Alyad - I asked the Dr. about my lung and he pulled out all kinds of pictures and showed how it was hitting the edge of my lung, but it was a very low dose.  They really have some technical "stuff" in those charts.  I was impressed.  Also skimming my heart.  Great, huh.

elimar86861

I have one place that hurts now.  It is my bullet-hole indent of a scar, that was from my failed attempt to have the balloon catheter radiation.  That turned out to be a big mistake for me.  So now although it is indented, it is bulky with hard scar tissue around it and it hurts and itches in that spot I wish I didn't even have!   Signing off, I''m transitioning to September Rads group.  Adios or Hasta la Vista, as the case may be.

ikat

ccbaby it really sounds like your co-worker had chemo and may still have chemo brain. Unfortunately the effects of chemo are long lasting, and chemo brain is just one of them. I don't think anyone would wish cancer on themselves or pretend they have it (at least I hope not). Your co-worker may just think that chemo is now called rads. Or she may be misremembering.

pinkdove10

Hi gals

havent been around for sometime now.  i have finished 18/30 rads.

The rads area has become darkish red.  its very sesitive. the lower neck area , where the nodes are, is itching like mad.  my arm feels like lead, and also ache a bit. also the lower breast ares has become sensitive.  they have started blocking that area from radiation. that has helped.

Uma

O3132W

Unless there are more surprises, tomorrow will be my last radiation treatment.  I have optioned for the shortened 3 week radiation treatments (16 in total) and as today have no regrets.  Not sure whats next but Im sure they will tell me.  I have a little light tan look but my back is quite painful from laying on that hard table.  I will be glad it will be over tomorrow.  Cathey from Indiana

cakeisgreat

Monday rads done for today woohoo!  starting to have a bit of under arm pain, but so far, so good.  I know i'm still early, so I'm sure to get slammed soon. elimar, so sorry you're dealing with this scar issue! 

pinkdove, sorry you're itchy today and all around yucky it sounds.  I hope you feel better soon!!

fmakj

Hi All!  Today was # 23 for me.... 2 more left and then 5 boosters.  I was told today that I needed to get some prescription cream ... I just thought that all the walking I did yesterday had made under my breast irritated!  No such luck... probably didn't help, but now I have to apply Flamazine cream under the breast and around the nipple as my skin has decided to start breaking down!  It HAS been irritated, and of course since they told me, now I notice the small stinging sensations!!  Was also told that this will get much worse before it gets better... Yay!  Oh well, this too will pass!! Hope all are doing well, Congrats to those finishing up!  Can't wait to join you!!

Be Well All!

kawee

Ladies, I have little red bumps on my breast, could it be the rads (I'm on day 11) or could it be an allergy to the aloe vera?  Anybody have these?

fmakj

Hi Kawee, I too had them, have the radiation therapists check them out, mine were from the rads.  I also had some outside the tx area that they said was an allergy to something the I ate or came into contact with (laudry soap).  They will know if it is from the rads.  They told me today that my skin was breaking down, and I didn't realize it!

ravenruth

Hey beautiful people. I hope all is well. I had my 1st radiation today and it took about 30 minutes due to extra pictures. I agree it is a pain to raise your one arm up and keep it there for awhile while my head is turned to the left. It gives you a pain in the neck. She said tomorrow and 4ever it would be about 15 minutes from start to finish at the most. They are wonderful though and thanks to you all & God I couldn't do this without you all. 33 treatments and 1 down, 32 more to go. I will keep you all in my prayers. I go at 8:45 am everyday. (except Monday is a holiday)

peg119

Number 5 of 30 completed today.  So far I am doing well.  Hungrier than usual though but don't know if it is the rads or tamoxifen.

jancie

Did #11 out of 30 today.  Still doing ok other than major fatigue!  At least I am on week #3 out of 6 weeks so I feel like I am getting somewhere!

kawee

I'm hungry too, ravenous, which isn't like me.  All I want to do is sleep and eat.  I don't, but I'd really like to.

Alyad

I have been really hungry often in the last 4 weeks while getting rads. I had 21 of 25 today. Itching in my underarm and upper chest has gotten really bad- so I asked for rx stuff. Doc said my skin was starting to break down. Its really red and blotchy but I don't see any blistering so far. I got stronger hydrocortisone and  silver sulfadiazine (generic name- some used the brand name the other day- starts with a C? ) the cream is considered a sulfa drug tho and I am allergic to those- had a reaction to antibiotics 20 y ago. so I put some on my other arm to see if I react before I put it on the treated skin. I have to keep a pillow jammed up in my armpit -  comfy soft cotton tees, no bra. I was wearing camisoles but even those bug me now.  4 more.

I am pretty tired all day, easily distracted at work.

kawee

Thanks for the info on the red bumps - I'll ask the Rad Onco tomorrow.

Oh, my gosh, day 12, i woke up this morning feeling like I've been hit my a mack trunk.  Anyone else out there not only really tired, but really achy?  What's that about?

cakeisgreat

welcome to the club, Ravenruth!  Isn't it just thrilling .  I'm getting blasted at 9:15 every day

I had small bumps started...I thought it was the calendula gel...but now I'm thinking maybe it was the rads.  Interesting.

I'm also starving...but I'm always starving which stinks, so maybe that's still me, LOL.

Alyad, thinking of ya lots this week! 

I've been getting tired on and off but I have started to walk in the morning which has been helping since I was a couch potato (and shocking...overweight!) before the bc. 

13 rads down as of today, woohoo!

kawee

I checked with my onc today.  He said the red bumps were pretty typical, they are inflammed hair follicles.  If they itch he said to use either Benadryl cream or cortisone cream. 

 13 down for me today, too, Cake. 

 I take 5 mg prednisone a day cause I have lupus.  The onc said I need to take additional during this time because rads tax your adrenal system.  Since mine don't produce much on their own the increase should stop the achy and really relieve the fatigue.  Thank goodness!! 

cakeisgreat

Hiya, kawee!  My mom used to take prednisone for her rheumatoid arthritis and I remember her saying she was starving all the time, LOL!  (So what's my problem, ha ha!)

Started the itchies tonight!  I was at a sports practice for my kids and all of the sudden I started scratching and then I realized....bummer!  I put some calendula gel on it.  I have to remember not to scratch it!!  Also...I'm lookin a little sunburned...yipee (did I mention that I also had a melanoma 4 years ago.  Awesome!!!  Yeah, right.)

Alyad

two more to go! I'm very red and itchy but the silvadene cream is helping. I got to meet another bc.org'er tonight- Gramof3 came to a monthly drum circle at the cancer center (funny DH has been going to this drum circle for ten years- way before we ever met or even thought having cancer at 35 was possible!) Nice to have much happier memories associated with the cancer center!

I think I can I think can I think I can.....

Oh BTW, I finally asked my onc what % of my heart/lungs was being hit- my overall dose is 50 (grays? WTH are those?)  and about 5 % each of my heart and lungs is getting an overall dose of about 20 grays. He said it was considerably less than if I had regular rads.  So it takes longer each time, but I do get done in a few less treatments than the regular as well. 25 total. 2 more!

cakeisgreat

Awesome Alyad!  Last day for you today, woohoo!  Yep, I just LOVE that I'm only 37 and have had two cancers so far (bc and melanoma), even when no one in my family history (save one) has had any cancer whatsoever. 

Welp, dem's da breaks I guess.  I'm looking out for bc.org-ers in my area and hopin to find one just for fun!

Off to my rads...3 weeks down...3 weeks to go.  You too kawee!