September 2010 Rads

Teka

AlCa,

Your radiation oncologist already gave you more details then I had during boosts.

dutchgirl6

Congratulations Teka!  You're done, hooray.  Enjoy your nap.

Yup, I am in Bermuda right now.  It's beautiful here.  My sister is doing a great job as a tour guide, unfortunately she broke her ankle on Monday and is hobbling around on crutches, so she can't really join us in our activities.  But we are all enjoying each other's company.  I love our sister's getaways.  

nwshannon

ALCA My Rad Onc. explained it & so did the techs in great detail, I am so suprised that they did not answer your questions, shame on them! Basically it is still radiation however it is electrons & it is only aimed at the incision and the tumor bed where your tumor was removed in the breast since that is where there is a high risk of reoccurance he also explained that it does not go quite as deep into the breast tissue but I will still have some sensitivity but as far as the large area where the radiation initially was will stop burning as they are no longer treating that large of an area, thank goodness because my armpit was a bit pink and tender. It is also a bit different of a machine however instead of doing several diffent angles like our normal rad treatment it is in one position for me, a bit angled and it only takes about 30 seconds then I am out of there. I hope this helps you some, I am in my final 2 boosts he did 6 boosts total on me.

doggylover

Having to zip to the cancer center everyday after work has sure made the past 5 weeks go by fast!  Only 9 more days of this and I'm totally done.  This is going to fly by since every couple of days is another mile stone.  Today was my last Friday of regular radiation.  I get my new paint job on Wed.  Start the boosts on Thurs.  Then it's Friday again, my final Friday.  Then 4 more boosts.  Lots to celebrate!

jsmiley60

Sespe and Tica:  Congratulations on being done!!!

I have 5 more boosts - cannot wait to be done. My skin and under my arm is now burnt! Looks like a sunburn and under my arm has been very irritated the past two days. A friend told me she heard to put chamomile tea bags on the burnt areas. I asked today at rads and they said they had never heard of it, but try it. So I put the tea bags in boiling water, took them out right away and let them cool to warm, then put them where I was feeling burnt. It took the burnt, hot feeling away! So I plan to do more of this over the weekend. I am so hoping I don't blister and my skin doesn't break, but I know that would be a rarity.

Everybody rest up and have a side effect free weekend!

Teka

Hi!

Thank You Everybody, and we could all use a good weekend.

SharonNM

Congratulations to all of you that have finished!  I am excited about getting there - I have 23 down and 11 to go - which includes 6 boosts.  I kindof feel over the hump since I have not had any skin issues yet.  Several times after treatment I have gone home and directly to nap.  My skin actually feels less red than last week but there is significant pulling or tugging feeling in my breast when I have to put my arms over my head.  

The two ladies ahead of me on the schedule had to have another CT scan to plan their boosts.  I asked the tech if I was going to get another CT scan and she asked if I had chemo because there wasn't a CT scan on my schedule.  I said yes - and she said that they don't give the chemo patients another CT skin because ......blah blah blah - either I didn't understand or can't remember this part.  Has anyone else heard this?  What is it about?  I am happy not to have another CT scan as I really don't feel like I need more radiation.  Just don't  understand the connection between chemo and the extra CT scan.

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND EVERYONE!

SharonNM

Also - just in case some of you don't check in again - thank you! thank you! thank you! for all the good information and sharing.  I don't post much but read the messages every week.  It has been wonderful sharing this experience with all of you over the past few months and I am glad we are at the end of this part of our journey.  I will never forget what we have been through.  I will pray that medical institution keeps getting smarter and that our daughters NEVER have to go through anything like this.  I have seen too many beautiful young women in the waiting rooms and hallways and I know that they worry about raising their children.  None of us deserved this - This disease really must end.  As much as I want to just walk away from it - I feel that it is a responsibility to keep the mesage going that this disease must find a cure.  Best to all.

Alotte

I'm done. Got my diploma on friday. Good luck to everyone!!!

flopsy

Congrats and I am doing the Happy Happy Joy Dance for those that have finished.  I was able to continue my treatments through the week because my skin actually got better.  I started putting cortisone mixed with aloe vera on the rash and it has pretty much gone away and then I apply Biafine liberally over that.   My skin is very red like a bad sunburn and very sensitive but not too much pain yet.  So far, so good.  I have 7 more and then 4 boosts.  I,too, will be thrilled to finish with all of this because my clothes are starting to get more uncomfortable and especially at work.  It will be nice to not have to go everyday.

To answer the question about my family history and BC, yes, we have many with BC.  My great aunt had it, then my Mom, Sister, Myself, and now 1st cousin.  It must be inherited for us because I think that is a lot in one family.  I am on the list at chemo Oncs office for genetic testing but they say they are way behind on that so I am waiting for an appt.

Hope all have a great Sunday and itchy and pain free day.  Rest up ladies for those of you still in Rads and don't lose site of that finish line. LOL, Ginny

jdootoo

I finished rads a week ago Friday and my skin held up all the way through. I was using natural, lanolin based lotion that worked really well for me. Over the weekend, however, I developed a nasty burn under my arm an one on my shoulder... the one on my shoulder is still not healing. I wonder if they gave me a higher dose on my last treatment. 

How long should I wait before calling my radiation oncologist? Do the burns take more than a week to start to heal?

One love, Jackie 

sespebadger

jdootoo: I would call the office about your burns TOMORROW first thing. A nurse could see you and you may need a special cream prescribed for those burns. I got a special cream for burns and it felt great and kept away infection. I don't know if they changed the dosage for you, but I do know that I heard over and over from my nurse that with radiation "it gets worse before it gets better" meaning that even after a treatment is over, the effects get worse before they get better. Good luck!

BTW, my burned sore skin lasted about a week to 10 days. Then it got better and better, went through an itchy phase (again), and is now almost painless.

AICa

Gin2ca - With a strong family history, I wouldn't be too concerned about genetic testing. My Mother died of breast cancer; my oldest sister had breast cancer; my second sister died of ovarian cancer; this is my second bout with breast cancer. Both my second sister and I had a full panel of genetic testing and came out showing no mutations. Doctors say that our family must have a mutation that has not yet been mapped. Recently, another mutation was mapped, and my oncologist asked whether I would consider more genetic testing. I asked whether my risk could possibly be any higher, and she said no. I'm not doing further testing.

SharonNM

Alca - I don't know much about the burns but there should be a radiation oncologist on-call during the weekend that you can talk to.  I wouldn't hesitate.

As for a higher dose - my radiation techs told me that the dose was always the same - but I think they change the angle slightly over the course of treatment,

swiftbird

jdootoo, yep I had some burns sneak up on me days after my last boost.  Takes about a week or so for them to clear up. I am 5 days out and I started to peel in places, but not as bad as my earlier burns - definately tapering off though. I used aloe and aquophor from the beginning - can't imagine how bad it could've gotten had it not, but I've always had very sensitive skin.

I agree with sespebadger to go in and see the nurses, because they will give you stuff to help it feel better/heal and may be antimicrobial to prevent infection.  They gave me xenoform (sp?), it is great; that and advil were almost instant relief for me!

CELinVA

I just finished my 28th and final "full" treatment.  Tomorrow is set up day for boosts and I have 5 of them.  I can't believe it's almost over.

shells43

I'm DONE. 28 treatments, no boosts.  I think that goes with no boobs. Anyhow, I got a certificate and a rubber bracelet that says "cancer survivor". I was happy that is isn't pink. Also got a scrip for some burn cream. Hang in there ladies, the end is near! Now for a long nap.

nwshannon

Congrats to all the graduates! I to finished my last boost today.....YEAH!!!!! Got my certificate & a travel coffeee mug, too funny. God bless ladies & to those that are in the final stretch, hang in there! For me that was an exhausting 7 weeks, up early for rad treatments then work full time I am soooooo ready for a nap

DMS

Congratulations shelleyj43 & nswshannon!!!  It's great our September group is winding down.The end is in sight.

jsmiley60

Congrats to the "graduates"!! Only 3 more boosts for me.......I can't wait to be done!

Anonymous

congrats to all those who have finished. I have 2 more boosts and will be done.  My skin did really well up until this weekend. Under my breast is second degree burns with open blisters. The boosts are on my nipple and boy does it hurt.  Kinda feels like the first few weeks of breast feeding.  Not sure if my rad clinic has mugs or certificates but I will get to ring the bell. Can't wait. 10 months of cancer treatment and I'm getting ready for the whole s*it show to be over. I have weekly herceptin infusions until April but those just seem like my normal routine.  Doesn't cancer treatment especially radiation seem so 1900's. Really burning is state of the art?????

shells43

nkrun - you made me laugh! I also love your tag line. Ring that bell loud and proud!

sespebadger

Right on, nkrun. Over the past 11 months or so I have often found myself thinking, wow, is this what we have to do to get rid of this disease? Remove our breast? Really? I did it, and I'm living with it, but it seems awfully sever to me. I hope in a decade or so (or maybe sooner) they can avoid this. And then I will think, too bad they didn't know this when I went through treatment. But then again, if I am here in a decade, and I certainly hope I am, I will be happy just to be here. Sorry about your burns. I know they hurt. I hope yours heal quickly.    P.S. I'm kinda jealous of your nipples....I'm one of those amazing nippless creatures. But I look great in clothes!!!

doggylover

Way to go everybody! I'm so happy for those who have finished!  I have 1 more regular & 6 boosts.  I am mentally done.  It's been really good to have this site to go to.  Following all of your journeys has really helped me with mine.  Good luck to you all!

AICa

I have three to go then 8 boosts. I wonder why so many boosts? I started in Sept. and won't finish until Nov.

Congrats to all who made it through.

Bambaloos

I only have 2 more boosts to go, and I will be done on Friday (TGIF).  My skin is starting to get ugly, so I am relieved to only have 2 more to go.

 FYI girls, I had my Onc check my Vit-D levels as I was interested in what they might be and read so much recently about how important Vit-d is for breast health and immune system.  Well, it was a level 10 (should be 80-100)!!!! So they called in a prescription for 50,000 UI of Vit-D to the pharmacy to be taken once a week for a month and they will check my levels again.  Just thought I would put it out there if anyone is interested in checking theirs.

Hope everyone is doing well.

flopsy

Today my Rad Onc put my txs on hold until Monday so maybe my underarm can heal a little.  I personally think it will get worse and not better, but he's the professional.  I have 4 regular and 7 boosts to go and I really did not want to stop because it will be hard to start back again but they would not let me have my treatment so I have no choice.  We will see how things are on Monday.   I am going to try something similar to Silvadene that I got at the drugstore and see if it will help.  The Rad Onc told me to use Desitin or something similar in the underarm to keep it dry and protect it.  I also got something called Flander's Buttock Ointment.   SO IT IS OFFICIAL THAT I HAVE A BUTT UNDER MY ARM OR MAYBE I JUST NEED DEPENDS.  HA-HA!!!!!!

CONGRATS TO ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE COMPLETED THEIR TXS.  I DO ENVY YOU BUT HOPE TO JOIN YOU SOON.  I AM READY TO RESIGN FROM THE GLOW IN THE DARK CLUB AND TERMINATE MEMBERSHIP.  

Question:   Has anyone experienced a sensation like a bad burn to your tongue during the rad txs?  My tongue was very raw and sore during chemo but was better before rads and then  about 2 wks into rads it got sore and raw again and keeps returning.   Just wondering if others have experienced this?  

Bambaloos,  I had my Vit D checked before chemo and it was not too bad but after chemo it was at 16.  I have been taking the weekly 50,000 plus 5,000 daily for 5 wks and will be rechecked in January.   I also had a Bone Density because I have been taking Femara for 3 wks.  My Bone Density was still pretty good but I figure the Femara will lower that so I am doing Calcium with the Vit D to try to counteract that.   Boy, sometimes it feels like I am juggling about 6 balls in the air but I don't know how to juggle.  Well, that is all for me right now. 

Girls, Hang in there for we are gonna make it one way or other.

jsmiley60

sespe: yes I agree...the way to healing from breast cancer is to give me chemo that makes my hair fall out and makes me so sick I can't leave the house for 10 days, is to rip off my breasts, then give me radiation when we all know radiation can cause CANCER!! Grrrrrrrr!! If men had to get their things ripped off, there would be a cure by now! I hope in 10 years they have a vaccine that works for all bc and can be given to women at a young age.........

Gin: well at least you still have your sense of humor! hope your skin does better!

Two More Boosts!! 

AICa

gin2ca - I've had very good luck with prescription Topicort on my radiation rash when even prescription strength hydrocortisone didn't help. You might ask your Rad Onc about Topicort.

1marmalade1

jsmiley60:   AAAA-MEN  TO THAT!!!  You gave me my first chuckle of the day.  Thank you.  21 down, 4 to go.