SEPTEMBER 2009 RADS

kawee

Today was my first day w/o rads.  It felt so good,  I went out, ran errands, did a little shopping (got a little overtired), but I felt relaxed and free knowing the worst is over.  What a wonderful feeling!  You all have this to look forward to! 

ccbaby

Betsy.....Congrats, Congrats, Congrats!!!!!

I will probably cry when I ring the bell on Thursday. As with all of us, this has been a painful journey. Even though I will continue on with Herceptin every 3 weeks until March and will finish out my breast reconstruction in 3-6 months, I think all of the hard part is finally over with now. Surgery...done, Chemo...done and now rads....done in 3 days!!

BetsyBuzz

Hey all...thanks...don't worry I'm going to be sticking around too making sure everyone rings that bell. It has been a long haul and for some of you it's not over especially those facing reconstruction...my heart goes out to you. Hang in there!

BetsyBuzz

Hey all...thanks...don't worry I'm going to be sticking around too making sure everyone rings that bell. It has been a long haul and for some of you it's not over especially those facing reconstruction...my heart goes out to you. Hang in there!

Titan

Betsy!  are we repeating ourselves now!  Must be the taxol giving us the itchy finger! 

Anyway, first booster zap today..no big deal..quick..saw the rad onc..nice guy, very quiet..always asks me if I have any questions...no not really,,just not alot of questions for radiation...is there?  Think I have learned most everything on here! 

So..anyway..dug out the fall/Halloween decorations tonight..weird..thinking that back in March I wasn't even sure I would be around to put them out..but I am...here I am crying while I put out ghost and witch decorations...!   simple things..but they are so special!

Tomorrow is pink day at my work..if we donate we get to dress down...there is sooo much I want to say to people but I don't know if I can do it....I want to send the obit. from BCO's Heidi Ho who just died from breast cancer...I just want them to be AWARE that people still do DIE from breast cancer...not that they can do anything...just want them to know that someday..it will touch them too....!

BetsyBuzz

Ok...Miss Titan..I deleted my dup...not sure what happened other than I posted it while at work and maybe I had trigger finger. Yah..sure...it was Taxol se's...

My dh and I just got back from our celebration dinner. Last night after the final boost I was so sore and swollen, I said I didn't want to go out. Which is truly a shocker as I'm a very lazy cook especially during the week. I was just so tired after work and with all the emotions of the final treatment day I was drained...I just couldn't celebrate yesterday. Tonight we went to a new restaurant and the food was fabulous. We ended up liking it so much we bought a gift certificate for my neighbors boyfriend who cooked dinner for me all summer long. He is an incredible cook...too bad I couldn't eat anything. My dh really enjoyed it - he actually gained weight while I did chemo.

Tonight I'm feeling better but my boost area is extremely red, nipple is begining to turn black...aargh..and I'm still very tight. But I'm done...and I can deal with anything at this point. Plus the choc tort really helped...oh the glass of vino too!

Hope everyone is doing well. Amy, Elimar and Christy (I hope I didn't miss anyone)...Friday's your big day!!!!! WooHoo!!

Titan

The one thing I have learned is that whenever I make a mistake I blame it on the chemo!   Works every time! 

Today is Pink day at work..alot of people have on pink and I have on black!  There is pink EVERYWHERE..in fact someone just gave me a pink ribbon cookie...

Good attitude Betsy..you will start healing now...My rad onc. said that the rest of my breast will start healing now that it is no longer getting zapped. ..it was getting a little red but nothing like you are describing...you have really been through it!

peg119

I am done today.  Yeah.  It is a great feeling.  It will feel weird showing up to work on time tomorrow but nice not to have to go to rads.  I am very itchy under arm and breast and my nipple area is raw from the boost.  My doctor said to use the silvadene for two weeks until start to get healed.  I see them in 6 months.  She said I will be having a cliinical exam every 6 months which I assume will either be by them or my onc.  At least that way someone is keeping a close eye on everything.  I have been forgetful of my other breast through this whole process and haven't been good about self breast exam.  For those of you still getting rads, hang in there and be strong.

caphan

Hooray peg119!  It is a great feeling to be done!  Good for you and I'm celebrating with each of you as you finish.  Tomorrow is another big day for those of you who are finishing up.  I had mixed emotions; I think relief was the biggest.  Now I have all this "free" time, not driving back and forth to treatments.  It's a little weird not having weekly doctor visits; I'm scheduled for six weeks from now to see the rad onc.  Under my arm is healing nicely and I'm still bright red where they did the boosts but I find that I'm not using the cream as much, which feels great that I'm not a slave to this regimen so much anymore.

You are all a little closer to the finish line - hooray.  Stay strong.    Chris

Titan

Betsy..forgot to congratulate you on finishing...!  IF you would have posted it TWICE I would have seen it I'm sure (just messing with you).!...Ok..you people that are done..what will you do NOW...do you feel just a littel lost?  I have 5 more...I have been so used to leaving every day at 12:45 to go and get zapped...it will feel weird! 

I see the Rad onc 3 weeks from now...supposed to see the BS for a follow up this month but haven't made an appt. yet...I will, I will..and the the Chemo onc the first day of Dec...so I guess I will have some free time!   Oh and my hair "cut" on Nov 5th...it's getting closer!  I have about 1/2 inch now..hopefully there will be a total of an inch in 4 weeks...!

Congrats to Peg119 too!  Yay...!

nas14

Congrats to those of you just finishing--or almost finishing!!! I only have 5 more boosts to go, & then I can join the group. I started my boosts on 10/1, & already I'm noticing an improvement in the rest of my skin issues. The itchy rash is getting better, the yucky-looking nipple is beginning to soften some, & since the rad onc told me on Mon. to get some Telfa nonadherent pads to put under my boob, then the raw area is not quite as tender with not having raw skin rubbing on raw skin. I've been using Silvadene on the area for a little over a week,& it's really helped. Can't wait to celebrate next Wed.!!! Met with the med onc yesterday, & he plans to put me on Femara for 5 years. BTW, anyone know if the areola will stay dark brown & rough-looking? Not that I expose my areola all of the time...but would like to know. I keep forgetting to ask the doc.

elimar86861

I'm pretty sure that is just a layer of tanned, dead skin on the areola.  Don't forget, we have been applying the lotions and creams all this time that it didn't just slough off normally.  I had a leathery top layer on my whole treated side, then after one tub soak I gently rubbed away the surface skin and underneath was softer and almost normal.  (I did this because my skin was not broken down.  If you are still healing from blistering or cracked skin, you probably won't want to do that.)

ccbaby

Congrats Peg!!!!

Tomorrow is my big day and I can't wait!!!  My skin in the middle of my chest looks horrible. I had blisters form and break open over the weekend and now it looks like yellow/brown thick scabs (sorry, I know it sounds gross)   The doc today gave me some vaseline pads to put on it tonight and if it doesn't get better in a week, to call him.

lollys

Well I am oneday behindmany of you 5 days more people--i will be done in 6--tomorrow will be mapped for boosts--5 in all and will be done next thurs--we are all counting the minutes-- has anyone approached there docs about the flu vaccine-- some are saying to get that but not the h1n1--I usually dont get the flu vaccine--but maybe i should this year--my wbc is stil sorta low- will call my med onc and see what he says --but think I will hold off on the h1n1--has anyone had the flu shot yet?? 

hang in all

betsy if you are checking in--have your wbc's come up --mine still are on the low side--Laura 

elimar86861

My Gyn doc, and then my Med-Onc were both "recommending" both the regular and the H1N1 flu shots.  I didn't even have chemo, just radiation.  I don't feel at particular risk for either virus, but I am planning to get the regular flu shot and pass on the H1N1.  I'm just going on instinct.

kawee

I got my flu shot Saturday.  Finished rads on Friday.  Usually I get a little achy and yucky from it, but this year I didn't feel a thing.  Maybe because I was already achy and yucky. 

aris

Congratulations to all who are finishing this week or have just finished. I am so so happy for you all. I am just about 3 weeks behind all of you. I remember from the chemo board, I was also one of the last ones to finish too. I guess I'm just a bit behind everyone on this one!

It is truely inspiring to hear how all of you are faring with the treatment. I have had 20 treatments so far and despite being tired, I'm feeling a bit stronger each day. I think some of the chemo fatigue is going away. My skin is doing okay so far, no real problems yet, but I have cream and ointments waiting!

I did get a flu shot today and will probably get the H1N1 shot when it becomes available. I think it's safe and would really like to avoid any sort of influenza this year.

I hope everyone is out celebrating finishing up.  I"m off to bed. I had rads this morning followed by Herceptin, Zometa and my flu shot. I'm tired!

Pam

simonsh

I finished rads a few hours ago.  (Only had 20) No side effects.  Happy to be done with this!

Anonymous

Congratulations to those who have finished rads!!!!  I have 7 more to go (had 25 so I guess I have done 18).  I have to say that it has gone by quickly - but I am now burned and it does hurt.  I have religiously and liberally used the creams but my nurse and techs said that each person has their own reaction and boy have I had a big one.

I am just happy to only have 7 more.  My radiologist did prescribe a lidocaine cream that has helped numb the pain a bit in case anyone is having pain issues.

Susan

peg119

I definitely recommend getting both flu shots.  I work in public health and a very high percentage of the flu that is currently circulating is the H1N1.  Neither of the vaccines should be harmful and we are all more vulnerable from the stress our bodies have been put under.

Titan

peg119..thanks for the advice..my onc. said I should get both shots also...I have never had a flu shot...hope I don't get sick from it..yuck..I still shudder when I think of that darn Neulasta shot..I had blood taken yesterday and I thought that if my wbc was low..what would they do..give me a neulasta..well NO WAY...I hated the feeling I got that from that stupid shot

Way to go simonesh!

Aris..we will stick with you until you are done!  Rads seem to go quickly!  Agree with you on feeling better...Chemo seems to both MENTAL and physical...Rads seem to be just some physical effects...felt so much like a cancer patient during chemo...hours and hours of drugs, taking drugs, side effects..just the whole weird feeling of it....

Good for you Kawee ...I think!

nas14..you and me are both DONE at the same time!  Yay..I will be thinking of you next Weds.....where are you..lets do lunch!

Betsy...how are you doing?   Are you healing some!  Hope so..your descriptions of your aching boob made feel pain for you...! 

MTG

Congratulations to Everyone Who's Put Rads Behind them!!!!! I've only got 15 under my belt with another 18 to go. Today I felt ultra nauseous and spiked a fever of almost 101. I'm hoping it's a bug (never thought I'd say that one) rather than rads. Will talk to nurse tomorrow.Do any of you have ideas/suggestions ? Is this a wierd SE ?

BetsyBuzz

Congrats...Peg & Simonsh!! It sure is sweet being done. Christy...woohoo tomorrow is your big day.

My skin has begun peeling in the axilla area and my boost area seems slightly better today. I want to heal fast... but can't help but feel strange, I don't want any of those cancer cells to kick in again when the cells growing. All I can say is they better have gotten every single one of those little buggers.

I spoke to my onc about the flu shots, he recommended both. I think I'm getting my regular flu shot this weekend. My dh is going to get one too...so he doesn't expose me.  I wanted to wait until rads were over. I've gotten a shot for many years (sick lh) and never got sick from them. I do plan on getting the H1N1, when it's available.

Lolly, I don't have a blood test to check my wbc until mid-Nov. It's sort of nice not to even think about it. I feel so much better since chemo ended other than the skin inflammation due to rads. On my last day of rads they asked me how my fatigue was, I said...I feel better each day and way better than when I started rads.

Mtg- I did not have any kind of fever, just localized heat (hot boob)...sounds like you might have a touch of the flu. Definitely call your doctor tomorrow. Hope you feel better soon.

ccbaby

I have a question...do they offer the flu shot free to us cancer patients? If they don't, they sure should because we have to pay so much for everything else. I have never gotten the flu shot before, but I need to get one this year.

Route53

Please do be careful if you've had implants.  My wife was in for an appointment today and the nurse said they have seen a few cases of infections after having received the flu shot.  She said she also saw an infection that occurred after a spider bite.

Erik (Route53)

http://route53.wordpress.com

MTG

Update on the VINEGAR - So far, IT WORKS !!!!- takes out the sting, the itchiness and seems to keep the red down (although may be too soon to tell, only 16 treatments). But LESS pink then before. No soreness anymore....And I have my rad onc's blessings.

I'm using 1 part Apple Cider Vinegar to 9 parts Water (so 10% ACV). Soaking a washcloth in it and putting it on the breast/chest with part tucked into the underarm. Be be careful if your skin is broken, I think it would sting and not be worth it.

PS - Found many studies showing Vinegar is used for decontamination of the skin in instances of accidental contamination by radioactive material so if there is any radiation residue left on top of the skin from the rads, I'm removing it.This may be helping. If anyone wants to see my research to show to their rad onc, let me know.

Still feeling a touch of the bug but happy that my boob is fine !

elimar86861

The pH of surface skin is 5 (slightly acidic.)  The pH of vinegar is 3 (more acidic,) but a dilution would be weaker, of course.  

Soap is alkaline, and removes the acid mantle that protects to the skin.  Normal skin glands replace this without much problem, but the glands are pretty much out of commission after taking a hit from all the radiation.  Eventually the glands do recover, and then your skin won't be so dry. This explains why my Rad-Oncs just told me to keep moisturizing for up to a year after treatment ends.  Or keep using the vinegar.

[I'm no scientist; & did have to look up the pH numbers.  I remember hearing this before about sunburn damage and vinegar though.  I use a vinegar rinse for dry scalp same reason.]

MTG

Eliminar - Cool info, thanks. Although I've found a ton of anecdotal evidence about vinegar's effectiveness on sunburn (it draws out the heat, prevents peeling and helps turn a sunburn into a tan) and even contact burns from something hot (it takes away pain and apparently prevents blisters), I didn't know any of the science behind it. Do you have any idea how pH differences help to draw the heat out? I swear, these days, I really wish I were a scientist !

elimar86861

Don't know about the heat.

I never did have extra heat in my radiated breast.  Even when it was kind of puffy in the beginning, it seemed the same temp. as the other.  (One person posted that someone felt her heat through the clothing when they hugged.  Wow.)

AmyIsStrong

Tomorrow is my last rad.  I find myself much more emotional than I would have thought I would be.  Bought a big bouquet of fall-themed flowers (NO PINK!) for the rad techs area and will write them a thank you note. They surely made a tough road so much easier with their kindness & support.

Today was a HUGE day. I went to see THREE different clients without wig/hat/scarf.  Two of them didn't know about the bc. One I told and we spoke in detail - a woman about my age. The other was a young guy and I just said I had a makeover and laughed. He didn't say anything. And then my other client (who is a hospital) - they knew about this but hadn't seen me 'topless'.  It was really exciting to go in as the new me.  They were all really happy and positive. I feel like bit by bit I am reclaiming back the things that cancer stole. Very happy.

A good day! I hope all of you had a good day today as well.

Amy