January 2011 Rads

jo1955

sunangel - Although I don't know much as LCIS, I do agree with Omaz.  I would go to a MO that is not associated with anyone you have seen so far. Have that doc review everything that has happened so far and perhaps consult with your surgeon.  Before any more treatments, ask lots of questions. In particular, why Tamoxifen if you don't need it.   Don't do anything drastic at this point - keep what you have left for the time being.  When something like this happens we tend to go into panic mode and make hasty decisions.  I have done tons of research through out my journey and looked up everything.  Maybe that is what you should do and go with the information in hand.

(((HUGS))) To You.  Keep us posted

beacher4209

Thanks Bher, i feel less pain today, probably cause its Sunday. I will see how a whole 5 days goes this week last week its was just two,Maybe my skin has built up a little tolerance?? Thank-you again for your support. God bless

rachel5738

Polyana--the boost is radiation to the actual incision site from surgery. I am getting 5 boost treatments. From what I was told, the boost ensures there are no cancer cells remaining around the surgical site where perhaps they could "escape" when surgeon was removing the tumour. The radiation chamber area is pretty big where I am--there isn't any claustrophobic feeling at all. The first one is a little worrying because you don't know what to expect but you quickly get used to it--I am on #11 tomorrow and it goes by very fast. Good luck.

FireKracker

hello Pollyanna----easy does it now.im claustrophobic too...the area is very large and by the time you count to 25 the treatment is over.there is nothing inclosed.I did #23.i have 10 more to go.Good luck.YOU CAN DO IT.

suzieq60

sunangel - I don't know what to say. I'm glad you have seen someone else about this. I have extensive classic LCIS in my left breast, left after my lumpectomy last year. I freaked out when I read the pathology report but my onc assured me it is not cancer. A new surgeon agreed with him. A recent MRI shows nothing in that breast. LCIS wouldn't usually show up on an MRI.

You need to find out if it is pleomorphic LCIS - that does usually require some sort of treatment. If your MRI now shows any suspicious spots, you need to have them investigated. I had 3 spots in my right breast. Only one of those was cancer, but they removed the other 2 just in case. They turned out to be ADH.

I do hope you can get some answers from someone. Jo's suggestion of going somewhere totally different is a good one. Hey, at least they stopped you from having more radiation unnecessarily 

(((((( HUGS))))))

Sue

suzieq60

Sunangel,

I've posted a reply to your post on the rads thread but wanted to tell you privately that lots of women actually have bilateral mastectomies for nothing more than 1mm of LCIS. In my opinion they're crazy, but they do this to avoid the close monitoring that will follow. I do hope you haven't undergone this surgery for nothing. Tamoxifen is a good idea as it will hopefully prevent any hormone receptive cancers from forming. As I said in my post, you need to find out if it was classic LCIS or pleomorphic. I'm so sorry you have had to endure this. Just be glad they stopped you before you had more rads.

Sue

Sherryc

moyapeter-My RO actually told me to take benadryl, claritin or zyrtec whichever worked best for me for my rash.  At night benadryl is good because it makes me sleepy but during the day I fould claritin to work best for the itch.

Sunangle I would agree to see another MO.  I don't know much about LCIS but I do know that plenty of women with DCIS get a mx because there is too much spreadout in the breast.  From what I have read LCIS and DCIS are both stage O and considered cancer.  Good Luck with finding out more info this week.

Tomorrow is my last day and I wanted to tell all of you how much I have appreciated your support over my whining and skin sagas.  I wanted to update you from my painful last week that I have had.  I woke up Saturday morning please that my areola actually had developed and scab and was not near as painful.  I backed off of the pain meds during the day but took one last night.  This morning my breast did not hurt at all and I have not taken any pain meds and don't think I will need any tonight.  I finished my whole breast rads a week ago Friday and my breast skin looks so much better (still very tanned some of the rough spots are smoothing out) all except around my areol and nipple.  Anyway I actually wore a bra to church tonight and have not had one on since my second weeks of rads. My RO's nurse must have really felt sorry for me because when I went to pick up my pain meds I could not believe they had called me in 90 pills!!!!  I have never had a doctor do that.  Usually only 30 and no refills. I think I have a 20 year supply, haha!!!

Good Luck to those of you who are just starting.  Most people do not have problems so don't let my talk of pain pills scare you. 

suzieq60

Saw a substitue rad onc today!! Well, I really don't think they do much. He just sat there and smiled at me and asked if I had any trouble with arm movement. It was a really big nice smile but I'm starting to think they work out the dose and that's it. He didn't even ask me how my skin was going.

Sue

saturn

I created a new topic, but thought I'd also ask here... had anyone been instructed to eat or avoid any certain foods during radiation?  I found a website that mentioned a few things I have been steadily or occasionally eating, like bananas, yogurt, mangoes, turkey and chicken.  Seems some of the good properties of these foods may interfere with radiation's job.  My RO never mentioned any dietary limitations to me.  I will ask him this week when I meet with him. Yikes!

jo1955

lynda - I was never told to stop eating certain foods during rads.  Did not know there were any restrictions.  Of course, it is like anything else with rads,  all the rad oncs have different opinions on everything including supplements.

LuvMyLab

Hi Girls, can I join?  I started Rads today.  Had a mini meltdown before I went in but luckily a nurse was there who was very calming and reassuring.  I think I'm just over it and very tired and grumpy today.  Then I got lost trying to find the place..  Even after 1 session today I can slightly feel a stabbing pain where the scar is.  Could be my imagination.

jo1955

LuvMyLab - Welcome to the group.  Sorry you have to be here with us but this is a wonderful bunch.  Ask all the questions you like, whine, vent - do whatever you want to.  There is lots of good information and support here.

The stabbing pain is not your imagination.  It is part of the healing process.  We all have experienced it. 

suzieq60

LuvMyLab - welcome. I remember crying the first time last April. Even after chemo it is really overwhelming starting a new treatment.

Sue

Gingerbrew

Sun Angel,  here is a big gentle hug for you.

Ginger

Victoria67

#15 done today, half way through. My sensitive skin is not coping too well.  Am very red, blotchy and itchy. The nurse told me that she thought I'd have trouble as I am so fair and my skin went red from day 1 so she's given me a gel called Solugel for burns and wounds.  My areola is also going a strange colour (nipple removed in second re-excision surgery so at least that can't be burned, got to be thankful for something I guess) and she is going to check me out again tomorrow.  I am feeling a bit down to have these skin issues with 15 treatments still to go. I've been placing a cold compress on my skin today (just a small wet hand towel) which is quite soothing.

Sherry and Lexy have you had your last treatment yet? I am very excited for you to be finishing. Not sure of the time difference, I'm in Sydney so I guess you are just starting your day now. Is anyone else finishing today?

Pennythoughts, I hope the itching is under control. SunAngel, I'm sending you a big hug too.

LuvMyLab - welcome to the group, we'll all get through this together.

Lyndalynda - thanks for the article on foods during radiation.  I think the yogurt, bananas etc are on the acceptable list the way I read it? My rad onc said nothing to me about food except to say, eat a 'nourishing' diet... I think that means eat a lot which I'm doing!

raincitygirl

Regarding food  -  I met with my rad onc, then the nutritionist and the naturopath.  We covered food and supplements.  There wasn't a food that I shouldn't eat, everything in moderation.  Said getting protein was extra important during treatment.  We talked about soy/tofu - again, I can have it but not in great quantity, just reasonable.  The caution I had most clearly was that while I could eat anti-oxidants, they didn't want me supplementing with them at this time.  Also wanted me to hold off on turmeric supplement until after rads.   The only other food that was mentioned was to go easy on farmed salmon to protect against recurrence. There were many other measures mentioned to prevent recurrence but not specifically related to rads.

I know they are all different, kind of drives me and all of us crazy

LuvMyLab

Thanks for all your welcomes girls, makes it so much easier that you are all linking arms with me and each other.

Gingerbrew

Hi Raincity. you up too? I do number 6 later today and then a Doc appt, following? I am unsure when, I will just show up and be present. Our team is great, I haven't met with the nutritionist, perhaps I need to ask? Nurse gave me lots of info last week about radiation and how it works. I realize now that I knew nothing about the mechanism. It is interesting actually. 

I may still have the breast infection, Doc will check today. 

I hope you have a good week!  

Luvmylab, welcome there is a great group here. 

GInger

saturn

After rereading the article I think the bananas and yogurt (and the bottom list on the article) are okay.  Here's another one from Livestrong:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/353996-diet-nutrition-during-chemo-radiation-therapy/

I hope to meet with a dietician soon but the nurse for my MO hasn't called me back about it yet. 

sherryc- congrats on your LAST RAD!!!  YEA!!!!!  You'll have relief soon!

marjie

Hi ladies....I have my radiation planning appt this week but obviously won't be starting rads until closer to the end of February (my last chemo is Feb 2).  Just wondering what actually takes place at the planning appt?

Chemo has been really hard on me so I am actually looking forward to rads being easier!

jo1955

marjie - Welcome to the group - good place to hang out.  Lots of support and information.  

Your planning session will be very hectic.  Lots of things going on.  Should have scans done, tattoos, markings, etc.  Lots of people doing lots of different things.  It is going to seem overwhelming but try to take a deep breath and relax.  That is the time to ask lots of questions.  Once that is over, the rest of the appts are a piece of cake.  After #1 you will all into a routine and it will be over before you know it.  At your planning, I would definitely ask about creams to use during rads and try to start them from the beginning.  Good skin care is going to be the key to getting through.  They will probably tell you things like no deodorants, no scented soaps, no perfumes.  It you wear underwire bras, they are also a no -no.  I did not have chemo but I have heard that rads are easier.

marjie

Thanks Jo - After chemo I really feel like starting rads is turning a corner and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!  I think I have been through enough that I'm not really worried about it - but I also know what it's like to suddenly feel comletely overwhelmed by the slightest thing so we'll see what happens

jo1955

The biggest thing you will have to be aware of is the fatigue.  It affects people differently.  It hit me after 2 1/2 weeks and I would have to stop and take a nap and the energy level went way down.  But we all adjusted to it.

Wishing you well. 

raincitygirl

morning gingerb and other breast friends I was not a good sleeper last night but I am ready for another day. I am tired of having the daily trip to the hospital but I am grateful for those I come into contact with while there.

I have later morn appt and then the doc. Glad the nurse was helpful you didn't get to talk to Michelle as she went on leave but she is really top notch.

Still in good shape in terms of skin I have the expected discoloration and some fatigue but otherwise pretty darn good. Today is #23 so boosts will start next week. Yay!

See you soon and hopefully not when we should be sleeping.

rachel5738

Marjie--Compared to chemo, radiation is a little easier.....I am into my 3rd week of radiation and so far I am feeling pretty good. My skin is holding up good. In Canada, they recommend that Glaxal Base cream (you can buy at Costco in large tub)--I put it on a few times in the day but you cannot put it on around 2 hours before your treatment. I wash with that Dove unscented body wash. It seems like the routine of going to the hospital each day will get tiring.

Today, my radiation was delayed due to problem with machine--first time that I have had machine problems---I was on the table all ready to go when the imaging part wouldn't come down--had to get up--wait and then go again.

beacher4209

hi luvmy lab! i have a boxer and i love her too!! she is helping me get through this, i will try to post a photo of her she has medical issues too only 2 yrs old. i have to give her injections. we fight together! But i had my 1st 2 rads last thurs and fri. and on sat. i was in alot of pain!!! i have an expander in and i think that makes it worse. im starting my 1st full week today! i meet with my onoc dr today hoping she can see i got trouble already  very scared.... i will post what she says later today good luck sorry u too are going through this!!!!! all of this

oakley

Oh my gosh - I have so much to catch up on.  I spent the last two days NOT BEING ABLE TO GET INTO THE WEBSITE BECAUSE OF THE RIDICULOUS SURVEY THAT WOULDN'T LET ME OUT OF THE LOOP EVEN WHEN I COMPLETED IT!!!   Wow that was the most frustrating thing ever.  Sorry for everyone who is having issues - hang in there.  I'll be back - just need to read through A LOT!!!

HUGS! 

walker2222

Hi Lovemylab and marjie - as everyone said this is a great group with lots of information.  It goes real fast, I am halfway through and it seems like I started yesterday.

The only restriction my RO put me on was lotions, deodorant and supplements.  Multi vitamins were OK.  After my last treatment Friday, I noticed a real red area under my arm and then how it lined up perfectly into my breast area.  Thought I put lots of aloe on that area.  Seems I might be getting a rash too where they are zapping the lymph nodes.  Need to have the tech check that area.  Other than feeling fatigued when I get home, it seems I have no additional SE.  Which is good as I am getting enough of those taking Femara.

saturn

Hi Oakley, welcome back! I just saw your dog photo--they are adorable. I am posting from my iPhone, so I can actually enlarge the photo to see! Are you in Oakley CA?

Barbcard2

I crossed the finish line this morning! They even gave me an absurd "diploma," which I discarded the minute I got home.  Still have skin problems, alas, and I realize there will be lots of follow-up care.   To reward myself I bought a purple cashmere sweater and some gourmet groceries. I, too, want to thank all of you for your advice and support and wish all of you the best of luck.  It can snow like crazy now; no need to worry re making the onc center on time.   But I think the psychological healing will take a while.  Cheers!