MARCH 2010 Rads Group
Comments
-
Congratulations CTMOM1234.....I'll be starting my 5 boosts tomorrow too so I'll be thinking about ya. My onc told me today that the boosts would be much easier than the whole breast so YEAH.....he also said that the next couple weeks after might be a little worse but then everything should start to be normal again (can't wait for that......hopefully I'll know what NORMAL is when it finally happens again).......We're almost there.
Hope everyone else is still doing ok........
-
One week out-no further side effects. I'm still experiencing fatigue, but that could be that I have pretty much resumed my normal life....meetings, housework, etc.
I seemed to have most of my skin SE's in about the 4th week of my treatment and they subsided gradually as I was receiving my boosts. I still have a tan boob, and the outline of the treatment area is very distinct.
Some of you have mentioned your SN incision bothering you-I agree, that was one of the worst things. Mine turned almost black, and then peeled off. Now you can hardly see it at all.
Mary
-
Treatment 14 was yesterday. Despite 10 hours of sleep on Friday and Saturday nights, I was a little tired so I cheated on my walk up the hill and took a bus part way. In the long run, I think that wasn't a great idea as the walk down was the only exercise I got---weather is too drizzly for this baby biker to go for a ride.
I am seeing some more side effects mostly in the form of blisters towards the cleavage area. At first they looked just like a little zit and I thought it was from using so much Calendula creme and all but now you can definitely tell they are blisters. The last time that I counted there were about 12 of them, all very small. The ones that have popped sting in the shower. Interestingly enough the general area is not that pink.
I see the nurse today so I will see if they want me to do anything special.
edited to add: Treatment 15 is now over and done. Saw Nurse who says that the rashy thing is a rash caused by irritated hair folicules [sp] and that it may get worse. She recommended benedryl creme or cortisone cream when I do my lotion stuff and even tabs of benedryl at night before bed to deal with any itching. B-Creme is to be applied BEFORE other stuff. As far as tabs at night, I am already on allergy meds so maybe thats why its not particularly itchy.
One more thing: People have noted that at times it seems like the treatment is longer. I asked about this today and was told that it is always the same amount of radiation but how fast you receive it depends on how the machine is running. Some times, the machine runs quickly so it seems like the Zaps are shorter. Other times, the machine runs slowly so the Zaps are longer. But in every case, until you get to the boost period, you are getting the same amount of rads and that, not the length of the buzzy noise, is the important part. Hope this information is useful.
-
Oh boy, I'm getting red! and stingy! Had to sit through an excruciatingly long meeting this morning, wanting to strip off the very loose bra that I've been wearing. Now that would have caused some raised eyebrows - but might have added to my ability to provide any valuable input. So I guess I'm back to going bra-free until the swelling annoys me again.
Interesting about the ZAP length - I thought it was in my head that they change in duration.
Way to go! to those of you who are finished.. and/or onto the boost stage. It's impressive how tough everyone has been through this huge mental and physical energy drain. It keeps me plodding forward, one pastry and one slam-dunk at a time thinking of you all doing it with me.
-
AndreaS....I'm with you on stripping off the bra wish I could at work, but I'm too large breasted and
several men also. I have had 28 rads now and 5 to go..no boosts...they will
all be the same. I have lots of redness and burning.....
I got some NU-GEL pads today from the rad center. I'm trying one now....
she told me it would make a difference in just a couple days..here's hoping!
-
CTMON - Congratulations! It does feel strange to be 'flipped' from the prone position to lying on your back. I found that I was more tense, and had to work harder at relaxing. I was glad that it was just a quick zap.
The radiation tan is fading, just dealing with itching.
Hang in there all - you're getting close to the end.
-
Hello ladies,
So, 12 more treatments for me. So happy to get to the final countdown. A question for the group. Though I do feel fatigued in the evening and I do tend to sleep harder now, I haven't had the level of fatigue I was anticipating. Anyone else notice this, or anyone with major fatigue sympoms. I keep wondering if it will hit me like a whallop in the next two weeks. I felt a little run down at first, but now it's a different story. Is anyone further along that can guide me with how they felt?
I will be happy if I don't get too tired.As for me: just hanging in there. Went in for treatment today, but must've consumed too much caffeine, as I felt as if I wanted to jump off the table. Could account for energy?
Had 2 cups of coffee and an iced tea at lunchtime. Perhaps that is a lot of caffeine..... I'll be up late tonight, I can tell.Peace and good vibes to all of you!! SLAM DUNK IT!
-
Today I had the 16th and final full breast radiation treatment and tomorrow I will have the first of five boosts. I am getting quite red and was starting to get itchy last night. I was told to start doing saline compresses twice a day for 15 minutes. Then continue with my Glaxol Base cream as usual. So far, so good! I'm not sure how the boosts will be. I guess I'll know tomorrow. I wonder if the rest of my breast will be worse or if it'll start getting better now that the full breast part is done?
-
Yes, June, they almost seem defensive in insisting my symptoms are not from the radiation, but others on this board have noticed them with the start of their radiation as well. Today was the 17th of 25 whole breast rads and then I'm scheduled for 8 boosts. I hate Mondays for bringing the start of a new week of rads and feel almost euphoric on Fridays with the thought of two days off. I'm half way there and if these are the worst SEs I will be very happy. So far, my skin is fine. Only slightly red and swollen, but I know that can change quickly. Hope you and the other ladies on this board are feeling well.
Kathy
-
I have 8 left to go, 4 reg., 4 boosts Can't wait till I'm done. Burned under my arm and the rest is red dots all over and between my breasts the itchy bumps they say are from the zaps irritating the hair folicles. all is managable, I hope it stays that way. Then on to the med onco. Max is going with me every friday. Sounds like they will miss him more than me once I'm done. I don't have a gown to dunk or I surly would be. They give BC paitents a short smock with a tie at the waist and you keep it for the duration. You can tell who has BC because of the smocks , every one else uses the gowns. I will dunk it solidly a week from this friday. Have a good evening ladies
Flo
-
Sherri: my full breast radiation treatment (before boosts) got worst over two weeks (so this may or may not happen with you - I guess it is different with everybody.
Charmaine
-
Thank you so much, RAILI, CABMOM, and CAROL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SLAM DUNKED BOOST GOWN 1, 4 MORE TO GO!
Carol, completely agree with you. I'm not used to seeing the techs and the machine so much, had to shut my mind off and just pretend that I wasn't really there -- funny how comfortable we get with even creepy things like rad treatments and the routine of lying prone, facing right, and watching the machine arm swing around for the second zap.
Good luck Cabmom and Sugar77 with boost #1 AND CONGRATS. on being done with full breast! I actually cried with happiness after my last full breast treatment, because even though I knew I still have 5 boosts, it's a huge milestone! I'd been so brave and holding it together, guess it was time to cry. Am sure you'll find it easier than the full breast and it's even shorter (just 1 zap session, rather than the zap from the left, the arm swinging around and then the zap from the right).
To Everyone: Keep checking those days off and slam dunking the $#%$ out of BC (literally and figuratively).
-
Congrats to all that have finished and to all that have begun the boost stage. You are almost there. I will have my 26th full breast treatment today - with 8 boosts to go. Usually by Monday my breast recovers from no treatments over the weekend but not this weekend - after treatment Monday the breast is really red and itchy, really sore at the incision of the lymph node - I was also given the gel pads and they do help. I'm finding that I need to really lather on the XCLAIR creme before bed. I'm also sore - I can feel it during the night.
Hope everyone is getting good weather and are enjoying your days.Kathy
-
Sherrie - How exciting for you to be moving onto your boosts tomorrow! You're ALMOST done! I still such a long way to go that I can't even imagine how good it must feel to be almost through.
I'm going in for number 13 today - so I still have a ways to go. No problems yet except for my weight creeping up. UGH! I guess I can't really blame rads for that, although I'd really like to!
Kathy - I think Wednesdays are my least favorite day - I'm ready to go on Monday and Tuesday but today...I'd rather stay home and skip my appt. No luck with that though.
Grama5 - I must have missed out on Max....is that your dog? I always enoy it when there are dogs at my center.
Hope everyone has a GREAT day!
-
Hello! I am new to the boards and am currently going through radiation. I am on # 15 of 33. After my surgery and chemo...or as I refer to as "my lost 5 months" this part seems to be the "easiest" so far...I just want to say hello. It is nice to know I'm not alone...I just wish I would have found this site 5 months ago....I will definitely come on often to see and share with everyone who is at the same point as myself....I could use the helpful advice!! I hate not knowing what lies ahead..
-
Hello all.....my first boost went very well just LONG. They had to retake shots and line up everything again so I was there for a while this morning. Only 4 to go.....YEAH........tomorrow should go much more quickly than today. Hope everyone is doing well.........
-
Today will be treatment 16. Was a bit tired in the afternoon but forced myself to go home and do a bike ride with my kids and it was worth it. I felt much better afterwards.
Tomorrow will be treatment 17--the hump treatment as I approach the end. I confess, I want a holiday. Its not so much the going to treatment every day [I keep reminding myself of my monsters] but I just want a break to do fun stuff. And I don't know why I think I want it---I feel like I have been a complete slacker, taking off an hour early each day, not concentrating as much as I should at work so not working very efficiently, sleeping more than usual, but still, I just have this desire to miss work. I'm thinking tomorrow would be good because I'm already going to miss the morning--- in addition to my daily visit to Zapland, I have another doctors appointment in the morning which means I can't get to work until 12:30 at least. On Thursday afternoons, there is a knitting cancer support group meeting at my hospital. I sort of really want to go---you are all wonderful but a part of me wants to see some faces
if that makes sense. If I go to the support group, I will have to miss the whole day of work---can't show up at 3:30 and leave an hour later can one?Would that be a bad thing? After all this, am I entitled to play hookey for one day? Unlike some people, I have adequate leave and a very supportive work environment.
vote early! vote often!
-
MariannaHBI too have 12 more to go with 5 of them being boost......I so far have been feeling great a little itchy and some redness more under the arm than anywhere, but the techs told me my tan is getting much more noticeable......I too haven't felt too tired until this morning when I could not for the life of me get up....I too feel like I am sleeping much more solid at night. I am waiting for the SE like everyone keeps talking about, but so far none.....well they tell me my complaints are SE......who knows! I am going in for 19 and so excited as I just want this all behind me.
Good luck to all of you and congrats to all you fine ladies out there who are done with rads.....
-
Sugar77- What is the saline compresses approach? I am starting to get itchy as well, could use some help with that.
-
3monstmama- Go to the knitting cancer support group! You are entitled to take some time for yourself. I have a friend who told me to *allow* myself to skip a workout, sleep a little longer, leave a little early. It's all part of being good to yourself while you're going through a very stressful time. If you can allow yourself some leeway, you are paving the way for a healthy recovery, not stressing yourself out (we all know cortisol plays its role in BC). Allow yourself to go!!!
-
3monstmama-
I also vote for taking a day or 2 off. I took a couple off in the middle of my rads treatment, and I took 2 days off after I finished. if you can't take sick days when you are getting cancer treatment, when can you????
Mary
-
3monstmama,
I made it through 4 weeks of rads with a normal schedule except for leaving work a little early to get there. After that I took one sick day a week just to chill out. I felt like I could have gone to work, but honestly I was not energetic or very productive. I also took a week off on a relaxing vacation shortly after I finished rads. My husband insisted on that and it was a good idea. I think he realized more than I did that I was dragging.
-
The first boost was a flop. Apparently "the plan" didn't match my anatomy so after one hour of laying still on the table with my arm above my head...they determined the plan needs to be modified before boosts can begin. So, they took a lot of pictures and it's now back with the Physicist and the Rads Onc. I was sent home with no treatment. If I don't hear from them today, I'm to go in on the basis that all will be set to start boosts tomorrow.
Marianna - the saline compress conststs of bottled saline squirted on a 4 x 4 sterile gauze pad and placed on the breast soaked. It really feels better afterward. They said I could make my own saline mixture if I wanted but I couldn't be bothered sterilizing water, etc. Besides the bottle of it at the pharmacy was under $4.00. Ask the pharmacist for the saline. Note: it's a special kind of saline and not the kind used for contacts.
Sherri
-
Zap Sixteen crossed off the list!
Sugar77 I'm so sorry to hear about your delay. Thats so frustrating when I'm sure, like the rest of us, you have that final day circled in red ink on the calender. I hope all goes well tomorrow.
Saline Compresses: This is so interesting to me. When I go to the beach and don't wash off well, the salt in the water makes my skin dry and eventually itchy so I can't imagine it helping me with itchy zapped skin. I was told that benedryl creme would work for itchy skin as there is apparently a histamine componant. At this point, I haven't had any issues but the ZapNurse said that my nightly allergy meds might be keeping them down.
On sleeping, I read somewhere on this board that taking the calcium and vit D and magnesium at night before bed helps with sleep. I did it last night and had a really great night's sleep even though my 10 year old daughter was having a rough night and ended up in our bed in between my husband and I. Did I mention we only have a double bed and he's 6 ft tall?
Anyrate, I thought I would mention my antecdotal support for the combo helping with sleep.Zap Flashes [because I am so not ready for the other kind] I have noticed what appears to be a link between ZapFlashes and things with lots of sugar. This includes the various goodies brought to Zapland this week by those who have completed treatment as well as that darned Sees Chocolate Easter Egg. Shortly after consumption of the sugar overloaded item, I get errr, flashy. The more sugary items I have gorged on, the flashier I seem to get.
On the bright side, consumption of high end very dark chocolate does not provoke a similiar reaction.
As for tomorrow, you have all convinced me. Here's hoping its a sunny afternoon!
-
3monstmama, I'm glad you've decided to go to the group! You need to take care of YOU these days (well, all the time, but especially now).
I must have bad machine karma. A couple weeks ago, the computer froze in the middle of my treatment and I had to lay there until they could get it up and running again. What are the odds of something like that happening twice? Apparently for me, they are high odds - today, the machine went down right when they were about to begin treatment. Ugh. But at least I wasn't laying there for an hour, wow Sherri, you'd think they would have all that figured out by now!
Take care everyone,
Shelby
-
Sugar77....I am so sorry to hear about your boosts being delayed. We all understand how important it is to get these behind us. Praying that they will begin tomorrow with NO MORE DELAYS!!!
-
sorry i haven't checked in.....today was rad #11 for me. I'm starting to notice a slight tan on my right boob and i'm noticing that i'm yawning more often....could that be the fatigue setting in or the fact that i'm getting up earlier to go for rads and then to work. who knows? anyway, i'm praying my skin doesn't get crazy and i'm doubly praying that my implant doesn't get f'ed up.
11 down...17 more to go
-
Mommaof2, Yes max is my 4 lb parti pomerainian. He is white with chocolate and tan. If he had a squished nose he would look like gizmo in Gremblins. He goes with me every friday, as fri and sat are my days off, otherwise i go straight to rads from work. He runs down the hall to my tech team way ahead of me. They say he brightens up their fridays. Next friday will be my last day so he will be there with me to say good bye.
I am red, irritated and itchy but is doable. monday is my last full zaps then 4 boosts. I'm feeling tired now and taking a 20 min. cat nap after taking Max for a walk when I get home. Yes like others here I am wanting to play hookey too.Maybe I will once I'm done and don't have to leave the house if I don't want to.
Flo
-
Hello Ladies, I am now 16 days post radiation and I have noticed today that along the right side of my breast and upwards to my underarm and in area of my underarm the redness is all gone and I have like a very, very dark tan... personally I do not like this color (almost looks dirty like as I have never tanned that very, very dark). I so hopes it fades over time.
Charmaine
-
Sugar77 & Cabmom - May today's 1st and 2nd boost sessions go very smoothly and quickly!
Grama5 - Congratulations and good luck with boost #1.
This afternoon will be boost #3 of 5 -- yeah, hump day and another SLAM DUNKING THE CRAP OUT OF BC! Surprised that only 3 days out from my last full breast zaps how quickly my entire left breast has now changed from lobster red to a dirty tan. It's an itchy and colored square than spans from arm pit to cleavage, from collarbone on down but minimal problems, except my poor underpart of my hangy-from-nursing breast is raw raw raw, the thought of wearing a bra gives me goosebumps (yikes!) with dead skin peeling and new skin underneath is red (and unfortunately this raw under section is part of the boost area so I fear it is going to get worse before it gets better, with nurse using words like "weeping")!
Met with the nurse after yesterday's boost and she suggested the saline compresses and gave me a little boobie bath tray, gauze, and a bottle of saline. Such is this process, we just keep taking it on the "chin" (aka breast).
Please keep posting with updates, everyone, we're all in this together.
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team