July 2010 Rads

Houndmommy

9 down and 19 to go! 

Donna - I think it is awesome that you can walk to and from treatment.  Wish I could do something like that.

Sonia - I'm getting thesame tan lines!  Not tired and no irritation, just sore and a bit swollen.  Glad you are having a good visit.

Eileen - I'm encouraged that after 15 treatments you don't feel tired!

Have a great day! 

LuvRVing

One down, nine to go!  The Mammosite radiation treatment is quite a spectacle. It takes about 45 minutes to get everything set up, then 10 minutes and it's over. It was rather interesting when the Physicist came out first with a geiger counter!  I guess he's the one that's sacrificed if the radioactive seed doesn't go back to its proper slot...LOL!

Gotta be back at the Clinic for 3 p.m.  Luckily the place is just slightly more than 10 minutes from home.

Michelle

spendygirl

Hi all - saw my rad onc yesterday and was bragging about how good I felt....wow, this morning I felt like I was hit by a truck.  Could hardly drag my behind to work and then layed down for about an hour after work.  I'm hoping it's just a one-off and tomorrow will be better.  For those of you who have had fatigue, how far into treatment did it occur?  I had #11 of 33 today ( a third of the way done - yipeee).

 Healing wishes to all.

MagPag

Hi-

Sonia, I've been raspy too.  Seems plenty of water makes the difference.

Houndmommy, yes, the walking is great.  About 30 mins each way to/from my office so I made my appt around lunch hour.

Good luck with the 2-a-days, Michelle.  Keep us posted on how it's going.

Have a good Friday everyone!   Donna. 

changes

Hi all,

 One more day to the weekend! I am having burning underneath my breast - will probably quit wearing a bra VERY soon. Treatment # 13 today.

 spendygirl - I was fatigued early on, but blamed it on Tamoxifen and heat. Once I increased my protein intake, I did fine until today. I'm not super fatigued, just a bit blah. I'm hoping I rebound with the weekend break.

LuvRVing - your comment about the physicist was hysterical! I pictured the rest of the team hiding behind the steel door and peeping out to see if he was "safe".

Have a great Friday!

Karen

waltersren1

#18 today.Some redness but not to bad and slightly sore.I do feel tighter today.I was more sore last week and really thought by this week I would have peeling or blistering.I started taking ibuprofen before going to my treatments and I think it has helped some.I am however really tired after my treatments.I usually take a nap in the afternoon and kind of get a second wind later in the evening.I just feel really blah...anyway I am over halfway through now so I see the light at the end of the tunnel.Almost the weekend so our 2 day break is coming up!

Houndmommy

Hi spendygirl,

I hope you are feeling better today.  Twice, once last week and once this week, I woke up feeling bad and was scared it was tiredness form the rads but by the next day I felt fine so maybe it is just a bad day for you too.  Hang in there!

Kim

eileenr56

So far so good.  I'm not tired yet, but I have been sleeping better at night and waking up a little later than normal.  My husband work me up at 8:30 this morning.  16 down.

Chicago1018

Wow. . .I haven't logged on in a while and this group blew up!  Good to hear everyone is feeling well for the most part!

bailey1958 - I had the raspy throat feeling too.  It almost felt like reflux for a while.  Did you ask your Dr?  I keep forgetting to bring it up when I go in.

I too have the square "tan lines" that a lot of you mentioned.  For the most part my skin has been OK.  I've had some itching but the Dr. gave me a prescription steroid cream that is doing the trick.  I had a mastectomy in May and my biggest complaint is that it feels like my skin is crushing my TE.  My breast feels very tight and I'd swear it is migrating toward my collar bone with each treatment. 

I have 13 total treatments left and the last 5 are boosts.  I've heard they are "easier" which, I have to admit, sounds pretty great right now!

Best to all and enjoy your 2 day break from rads. . .I know I will!

MagPag

Hi and Happy Weekend Everyone!

Chicago1018,   Had first 2 boosts this week and I have to say they are easier.  Even in the two days, the rest of my skin is feeling better.  Still really red, but not as hot.  I was surprised because the doc warned it would get worse before it got better following the regular treatment  Finally a nice surprise!!

 Pamper yourselves this weekend ladies....

bailey1958

Hey Ladies,

Long weekend in Canada - so three days off from radiation - YAY! I am definitely much more tired than usual - feel like I really start to drag mid-afternoon. Skin feels fine today but raspy voice thing definitely related to rads.

Chicago1018) - the technicians asked how I was today and I told them I am experiencing raspy voice everyday in the morning, they (very RELUCTANTLY) said it's possible a very small area of my throat is being affected -  it does seem to improve after I talk and warm up the vocal cords.

Otherwise 9 down - 11 to go. Have a great weekend everyone.

Sonia 

LoveCranes

Hi everyone, just decided to take a little break.  I must be one of the lucky ones to have the fatigue hit me.  It wasn't bad, but there were a couple of days when I just had to take a nap in the afternoons -- or maybe it's because of my active 8 year old twins.  I guess I can also join the 'sore nipple' club too.  Strange that that's the only part that hurts so much. Dr prescribed Vigilon and so far it seems to be helping.  Maybe I should try that EMU oil or something.  Aside from that there's an area that's red but it doesn't hurt...thank goodness.  Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend...  

rocknesmom

Sonia, I am having terrible throat issues! My doc explained that my esophagus is swelling from the radiation to the lymph nodes in my neck. I spent the week wondering if I was coming down with something and finally asked the tech Friday if it could be from the radiation. Hope yours doesn't get this bad! I am having trouble swallowing even the tiniest pieces of food. I guess there is medication that I will discuss with my doc tomorrow. So much fun! 

 My skin is so sore. My Irish heritage gave me very fair skin and green eyes, which my doc said is a bad combination! Great! I am covered with blisters already and have only finished 12 of the 28 treatments. 

In spite of everything, I am determined to continue, and look forward to August 20th, which will be my last day (if all goes according to plan!).

I hope everyone is having a great weekend off!

Linda 

changes

Hi All,

Kind of dreading going back to treatment tomorrow. On Friday, I took my bra off and a bit of skin came with it - the area underneath is burnt. I still have 19 treatments left, so have to hang in there for longer than I would like. Had a decent energy day yesterday and felt totally wiped today - slept until 2:00 p.m. and feel like I could sleep all day.

MagPag - I've VERY glad to hear the boosts are easier!

Linda - sorry to hear you're blistering already. I also have very pale skin, and fear that blistering is going to happen this week. Maybe I'll get lucky and it won't get any worse than it is.

Hope treatment goes well for everyone this week,

Karen

eileenr56

Karenlen,  I'm sorry you had a bad time on Friday.  We are on a similar path.  I started my radiation on July 9th, so I have number 17 tomorrow (will have 23 full treatments and 7 boosts).  First, I had a lumpectomy and what is left is not large (maybe a .  I have an Irish heritage (redhead and blue eyes, very pale skin, but I don't burn in the sun, just stay white).  So far I am feeling very fortunate, but keep expecting the shoe to drop.  I use Udderly smooth a couple times during the day and Aquaphor at night.  I also go topless when I'm home most of the time.  I just think air is good for the skin (but no one told me to do that).  I never where a bra and only where large T shirts.   I'm also am trying to make sure that under my breast and under my arm are cool and dry.  So far so good.  Only very slightly pink.  But I just think I'm on the verge of the shoe hitting the floor.  Not tired yet (but I don't work at the moment).  I hear that Emu oil is great.  I havent gotten it yet, since I am doing so well, I don't want to change anything.

MagPag

Hi All,  so sorry to hear that SE are effecting your weekends.  Seems like summer is whizzing by while I sleep on the couch.

 LoveCranes, I'm going to ask for the Vigilon because I can't even stand to have anything touch my nipple today.  That's were my boosts are and also still have a little scab from my open incision that looks like it's weeping a bit.  Hope it keeps working for you.

Rocksmom and Sonia, sorry to hear about the soreness in your throats.  I'm sure there is something they can give you.  Hang in there and let us know what they say.

 Karen,  I had a burn like area under my breast after surgery.  I think it was from how they immobilized me, maybe pulled off the tape.  I took a really soft thin t-shirt and cut out a square.  Put it on top of the skin tucked underneath the breast and put the bra over.  It really did a great job keeping the skin on skin rubbing to a minimum.  Also allowed me to glop on a really thick layer of Aquaphor without it getting on my clothes. 

It's kind of hot, especially in this weather, but aside from going topless and standing on my head for reverse gravity, it was the only thing that gave me any relief.

Positive energy going out to you all.   Donna.

spendygirl

OMG - the itching!!!  I have little bumps that itch so bad - using cortisone cream, it helps but doesn't alleviate it.  Any suggestions anyone?

Healing wishes to all.

LuvRVing

Hi all,

Four Mammosite treatments down, six to go.  Nice to know I'll be finished with this part on Wednesday afternoon.  So far, no side effects.  I'm a little tired, but that could be from the cumulative roller coaster ride of  the last two months with fitful sleep.

Karen - your description of how they enter the room is pretty accurate. Because of the position I have to stay in for the treatment, my head is turned away from the 8 inch rad-proof door.  So I hear something that I now realize is the door open, I turn my head, and there he is, the mad scientiest aka physicist, geiger counter in hand.  He looks at me and announces "you're OK" and the rest of the team appears.  They say it's a "triple" check because they can monitor radiation levels within the room.  In any case, it reminds me of old movies of the 50's and 60's when we really worried about nuclear war and you saw enactments of what it would be like in an aftermath...guys in white radiation-proof suits with geiger counters measuring fallout levels.    And they told me they do have a "pecking order" for who goes in first, but so far it's been the same older guy each time. 

I am grateful that I will not likely suffer any of the skin irritations many of you are experiencing.  But with what will end up being 13 CT scans and 10 treatments, I wonder if I'm getting "less" total rad exposure than the rest of you.  At least they figured out that if they massaged my boob first, it would make contact with the balloon and they'd only need one scan. 

My heart goes out to those of you suffering burns and other SE's...ouch, ouch!  Sending positive healing thoughts to all of you!

Michelle

NotAgain2015

Hi SpendyGirl, I had the itchy bumps too - the nurse had me buy Lotrimin and Cortaid and mix them together 50/50 and it worked.  After about 3-4 days the bumps subsided almost completely.  I'm still applying it to the problem area whenever I feel a twinge of itchiness.  They told me once the skin becomes compromised, it can't fight off what is actually a yeast infection.  So the Lotrimin is for that part and the CortAid is for the itch.  Seemed to work.  I've had 22 full breast, one more to go tomorrow, then I switch and do 7 to the surgical site.  The end is in sight!

bailey1958

I feel so bad for everyone. I'm so sorry to hear so many of you are having itching and soreness and really feel bad for you Karen. I hope you are doing ok tonight and can mange your treatments this week with such tender skin. I continue to be super tired and am grateful for the three day weekend - though I have a bunch of out of town  company and have been feeling like just going to bed. My skin is definitely tingly and numb - but overall I seem to be managing ok. Hang in there ladies - we will get through.

Sonia 

Houndmommy

Hi Everyone!

I am so sorry to hear that it is getting rough for so many of you.  I guess this could be the week for me.  I have finished 10 of 28 treatments and so far still feel good (actually, yesterday I felt better than I have in a long time and I started worrying that it was my last "hurrah" before the shoe dropped and I find myself exhausted) and my skin is pink but doing okay.  My biggest issues (and they aren't a big deal really) continue to be soreness (nurse told me it was inflammation caused by the rads) and tightness like I had after surgery.  I am using Emu Oil twice a day so hopefully that will help delay any skin issues.

Linda and Sonia - I hope your docs can give you something to help with your throats.  That must be so uncomfortable!

Something I am curious about and keep forgetting to ask when I have my treatment - How come they don't cover our bodies (or at least the most vulnerable places, ie. thyroid, reproductive area) with some kind of protection like they do when you get dental xrays?

Hang in there everyone!  I'm thinking about all of you and sending good thoughts and prayers your way.

Hugs, Kim

bailey1958

Good-Morning

Kim - I know that the type of radiation(electron) I am getting is only treating a specific area according to the technicians. As I understand it - this is not a systemic treatment - so other than the area being treated - the rest of our bodies aren't being affected??? Look forward to what you get as an answer. Hope everyone has a symptom free day.

Sonia 

rocknesmom

Happy Monday, everyone!

My doc took a little pity on my raw skin today and will remove the bolster from now on! Yippee! Unfortunately, the swollen throat I have to live with. He thinks I should start on a liquid diet in the next few days. yuck. I tried a milkshake today and that did go down better than even the smallest bites of food. Maybe I will lose a few pounds, too!

Spendygirl, my nurse today suggested corn starch to relieve the itching. She said to use the regular corn starch that you would use for cooking. Dab a dry cotton ball in it, then just sprinkle it over the itchy areas. She warned that it will be messy, but it really helps. Obviously, this is just a treatment for times you are just staying home since it will turn everything you are wearing white, but even a little relief helps!

 Wishing everyone a good, side effect free week!

Linda 

marilyn7

Kim - The way the techs have explained it to me - they build a computer model based on our individual bodies.  They build the individual "blocks" specifically for our situations, along with the settings on the machine and the angles of the radiation rays, so the radiation is only going to very specific parts of our bodies, so the other parts of our bodies aren't exposed.  If that makes any sense.

8 down - 27 to go.  

Marilyn 

spendygirl

Hi all - thanks so much for the suggestions for these gosh darned ITCHY bumps.  When I went in for treatment today they took one look at me and send me over to the clinical side and gave me an rx for 2.5% cortisone.  So I put it on as soon as I got home, let's see if can get through the night without wanting to scratch these bumps right off!

Seems like many of us are having the same symptoms at around the same time.  Tightness, tenderness, just like after surgery.  It is so very helpful to read everyone's posts and suggestions, good wishes - and to know that we're all in this together.  Ooops, getting teary....don't know if that's cancer or Tamoxifen

Good night all, we can do this.

Houndmommy

Sonia and Marilyn,

Thanks for the input.  I figured it had to due with how specific the radiation is BUT then why does everyone leave the room for treatment?  I do realize that my exposure per daily treatment to any random radiation that escapes is much less than what a tech would receive if they stayed on the room for every procedure during the day but I'd still like a little extra protection if it isn't safe for others in the room.

I was REALLY pink after todays treatment.  Doctor said I'll probably start seeing more redness, etc. over the next 2 weeks.  So I guess the fun is really starting now!

Spendygirl - hope you have an itch free night!

Kim

bailey1958

Hi Everyone,

I've had a houseful of guests off and on for the last week. Said goodbye tonight to most and my sister leaves tomorrow. Feeling very PMS ish today - really on the verge of tears with a big anger ball inside. I feel as though I have to be normal or everyone starts looking at me (when I'm being honest or say anything about my treatments)  like I might die at any moment - they all have those eyes that say how sorry they feel for me. Makes me feel like crying so it's easier just to act like all is well. - but have to say - feeling a bit vulnerable tonight - me and my cancer - hope this radiation is killing it all - don't like feeling this way. Feeling pretty alone - even in a houseful of people. Glad you're on this board. You make me feel more normal.  Sleep tight!

Sonia 

rocknesmom

Oh Sonia!

I know exactly how you feel! Had a couple of good friends over tonight and they both commented at different times how glad I must be to be done with treatments, meaning chemo. Hard to convince them that radiation is still a treatment, and not too fun so far!

You are most definitely not alone! We are all here for you, and all fighting the same battle, in one way or another. I am sure we will all be around to look back with wisdom at this time in our lives. Stay strong, cry when you feel like it, but know that you have many friends here who are willing to support and love you!

Sleep well!

Linda 

bailey1958

Thanks for the kindness and support Linda. It's funny tonight I realized how "present" I feel in my body. Everything is so in my face - my health, my future, my mortality, every ache and pain - it all is so a part of what I have going on in my head. I feel like so many people in my life are so distracted by their lives - and inside my head I feel so intense and life seems so immense right now. Saw a little girl today - about three wearing a t-shirt that said "It's All About Me" god - I feel like I am so self-asorbed but that t-shirt is a reflection of my inside life even though on the outside its business as usual - taking care of people, cooking, entertaining - being the good "girl". Not rocking anyones boat or causing any discomfort. I see these beautiful women at the Cancer Centre everyday, little kids, old people and so many are sick and struggling - those of you who have had chemo - god I am stunned by your courage, I just don't know how you've managed this, I just feel so bad and mad at myself for feeling sorry for me and so I just push forward and try to ignore just how huge this is and how hard it is to know that it will always be a part of my life - waiting for the next check-up. I know it gets better because it already has  - but the realization that so much in my life has changed and the people in my life really have no idea how difficult this is - and some days like today, I just feel so mad at everyone for having their life of distractions when no matter how hard I try, I just can't be/nor do I want to be distracted by the things that used to be important to me. I feel like I am in the middle of this huge life change and I am doing it all alone - kinda scary. I realize I'm probably being a bit melodramatic and should probably go get some sleep. Goodnight ladies.

Houndmommy

Hi Sonia,

Sending a big cyber hug to you!  I am sorry you are feeling so down but I think it is normal to feel the way you do.  Cancer is a huge life changing event and unfortunately we do go through much of it alone, despite having loving and supportive folks around us.  THe only people that I think really understand are those that have also gone through it.  Thank goodness for this forum! 

 I can really relate to much of what you said.  I find myself working extra hard to NOT talk about cancer and my treatments to others (including my DH who is very supportive) even though it is all I think about.  We have only been dx'd recently and it is a lot to wrap our brains around.  I get angry when I realize that my life won't go back to "normal" when this is all done.  I have to find a "new normal" and that takes work (most of it mental I think).  A cancer dx is a life changing event just like death of a family member, moving to a new city/state, having a baby or getting married (the last 2 usually are happy changes so easier to adjust to but still an adjustment) and it takes time to adjust to these things.  I think it is a process and it is healthy to talk about the good (pretty sure there is no "good" with cancer), bad and the ugly relating to it.  Anyway, I guess I am rambling.  I just want you to know that you aren't alone and that we are here for you!

Hugs!  Kim