January 2011 Rads

rachel5738

Omaz---I am definitely starting to feel pooped. It is strange---not sure if it is the rads or the driving/parking/undressing/dressing that starts getting to you. I met with doc today and he said that my skin looks great --- even though I am starting to feel a little sore. The skin is a little pink. They told me to just keep up with same skin care regime--no changes. Nurse thinks that I am going to get through with minimal probs....let's hope. Hope you are doing OK? Are you feeling tired?

I think that I see light at the end of the tunnel now........

oakley

Hi girls - sounds like everyone is moving right along.  I had my first boost today (my 24th treatment) and it was just fine.  Only 6 more to go - my last treatment is on Valentine's Day - how nice!  My breast is red but not burning, and my nipple is brown.  My underarm is tan/red - I know the RO told me she only had half of my underarm in the zone and I can clearly see the line.  I kept waiting for the hair to fall out or not to grow back, I kept waiting for my glands to shut down - no such luck.  I am pooped out, but the hardest part for me was not being able to use deodorant and just using corn starch!  My RO let me shave a couple of times, above the line, and it was heaven.  Today I couldn't take it anymore and I used deodorant above the tan line - I hope I didn't cause myself any harm.

I am so so tired and have been getting headaches.  I'll be so happy when this is done.  Like everyone said, it's tiring going every morning.  BUT WE ALL WILL BE DONE WITH THIS!  

Good luck to everyone and feel good - sweet dreams for all of you. 

Sherryc

Oakley if your boost are not close to your underarm now I don't know why you could not use deod.  I would.

oakley

Thanks Sherry for the positive thought - I agree!

Omaz

oakley - we have the same treatment, 23+7.  I washed with soap before I went today but they still didn't smell so fresh.  I apologized and the tech replied with 'don't worry, we are healthcare professionals!'.  Sticky pits part of the job??  I did get an appt with LE specialist next week for my arm.  I am very happy about that. 

suzieq60

Oakley and Omaz - I'm doing 23 regular and 7 boosts too. I'm feeling very tired too but it could be due to the extreme heat. Monday - I will be officially half way - can't wait.

Sue

oakley

Omaz - I smell so nice and fresh after the showers - I've been showering twice a day!  I have put deodorant on my other side the entire time at least. My techs told me they didn't smell anything - I know they were trying to be nice, how could they not smell anything!!  So sorry for your lymphedema issue - I don't have experience with that at this juncture (and hopefully won't, but I hear it can come on at any time).  Good luck with that - I think there's a LE discussion board somewhere here.

Sue - the heat probably adds to your exhaustion, but I am in freezing temps and am completely worn out!  I was doing great until about a week ago actually. Half way - great!  It really has gone quite fast.

So proud of all of us girls! 

suzieq60

Oakley - I use that crystal stick stuff - even with the heat here, I haven't noticed any smell.

oakley

Sue - I tried that once - you have to wet it and then roll it on?  It didn't do much.  But maybe I didn't give it a chance.  I think I'll try again.  This sounds like I am a big smelly person - I'm not!! It's just that I'm so sensitive to the smell!

suzieq60

Yes, you wet it. Of course I had heaps left from last time. It was recommended by the radiation place. I really haven't noticed me smelling at all and we are having 89 degree temps.

michcon

I'm so behind on these postings!

Anyone feel nauseous? I'm at 4 weeks complete today and started feeling queasy yesterday, but it went away. It's back strong today. I never know if it's an SE from treatment or if I'm getting a bug. I really don't want to get a bug. I go back to work on Monday. Wouldn't that be funny to call in sick my first day back? ha. 

Sherryc

Oakley I tried the crystal roll on and it did nothing for me.  I was so glad when my glands quit working.  I have heard that Toms of Main is much better, you might want to try that one.

Gingerbrew

I will finish in March  or June if I don't quit missing treatment. I am determined to get a normal sleep schedule so I can live in the daylight. I was feeling much more hopeful after chemo and before rads and somehow am in a mess with my sleep now.

Congratulations to every one who is nearly done! Good job! 

GInger

Victoria67

The weather seems to be causing significant havoc for us all on both sides of the globe!  Hope all of you ladies dealing with severe snow can get to treatment and I hope Suepen and I don't melt over here (current temp as I write this is 107 !).

I am so excited to be approaching the finish line, only 7 more to go, 5 of those will be boosts. Congratulations to all those who have finished or are just about to. I have to have two treatments on the same day on Tuesday, six hours apart, as they want to upgrade the software or something.. Not looking forward to having two in one day.

Michcon, hope you feel better soon, I haven't had any nausea but I have had a few headaches.

Regarding deodorant, I apply it very generously to the non bc side and just keep my fingers crossed that it will be enough for both sides!  But in this heat, I think I'm delusional.

michcon

I noticed a lot of you talking about deodorant. I had a hard time with the aluminum free kind, really don't seem to work. Thanks to Rads, I've been using Corn Starch mixed with Baking Soda and it actually works! I haven't done anything to really test it like a hot summer day, but it has been working great for daily use and 4 Kid Rock Concerts! I knew I needed something strong for all of that raising my arms in the air. ha. It's messy to apply, but I'm sticking with it for a while until I find something else.

oakley

michcon - I was nauseous the entire time, and still am, but not horribly.  It's just that little bit of nausea, then I would eat something and it would subside, and then come back.  You are not alone.  Hmmm...I've been using corn starch but without the baking soda - I will try to mix it and see if that's better.

Sherry - does the Tom's not have aluminum?  I think that's what the problem is.

Sue - you are lucky! 

I can't believe what's going on with the weather all over the globe.  Floods, cyclones, heat, freezing temps, blizzards, ice, what are we missing?  The good news is that the groundhog here on the East Coast didn't see his shadow and predicted an early spring.  Hard to believe, but I'm going with it because the other result is depressing!! 

FireKracker

Toms of Maine just put out a 24 hr.protection..i tried it....so far its working.the 12 hr worked if i put it on ever 12 hrs.i never put deoderant on the arm that im getting tx.tho.i think the tx.finally took the smell away...at least for now it did

good luck everyone.im lookin at the finish line.

jo1955

granny - Boy, are we gonna party on Monday.  You are so close I can see you coming down the finish line.

redninrah

my skin is  peeling now also.........but there is still one area where the skin has burnt right through and you can see the pinky fleshy skin underneath. I want new skin to grow quickly on this, as it looks quite severe. I am taking T3 to releive the pain

last radition is on Monday, but dr will decided if they are going to do it or not due to my skin being so so bad!

jo1955

I would go ahead and get that last one done and over with.  Then the healing can begin.

We can have a cyber party on Monday.  

Sending gentle (((HUGS))) 

Sherryc

Oakley I thinkTom's does not have Alumin. 

Redninrah-I was given the choice to stop with three left but I choose to take the pain pills and finish up and i do not regret it.  Was just glad to get it over with.

Eloise

Yesterday was #10 for me.  The morning of #9 I noticed a red blotchy area under my breast; it doesn't itch or feel different, but it's gotten a little bigger each day.  I'm putting more Cetaphil and aloe on it.  My RO said when he saw me on Wednesday that I could expect to see skin changes start this week.  I haven't been noticeably fatigued yet, though.

My last treatment will be Feb 28.  I'm planning a trip out of town a little more than two weeks later -- is that unrealistic?  Riding for a day in someone else's car, spending a few days in Arizona at spring training, taking an overnight train trip back to San Francisco.  

jo1955

Eloise - I don't think it is unrealistic.  You may have to pace yourself at times.   If you are riding in someone's car - try a catch a nap.  

Once you finish rads, just remember that the skin continues to cook for about 2 weeks and you will still have to use your creams.  I was about 6 weeks post rads before I noticed the fatigue going away.  I am now 2 mos post rads and don't need naps (but always did on weekends) and I am not going to be early anymore.  Everyone is different -thought I would share my experience with you.

Sounds like it will be a fun, well deserved trip. 

oakley

Eloise - I am traveling out of the country to the Dominican Republic SIX days after I finish treatment!  My RO said it was absolutely fine.  I'm definitely nervous, but I know for sure I will be relaxing.  I'm more nervous about picking up a bug or something like that.  You will be fine as long as you take it easy.  As long as you're the one watching and not participating in spring training...

Mariposa109

Hello Ladies

I am REALLY behind with reading the posts. Congratulations to everyone who is finishing! I started my radiation two weeks later than I was supposed to, so friday was the end of my second week (number 9) and I am already red under my arm and down the side. Also, I've been having headaches everyday after treatment. Has anyone else experienced this? The nurse said it is not from radiation because they are not radiating my head, but I'm perfectly fine on the weekends.

Michcon~ I am at 2 weeks and I have had a couple of episodes of nausea as well, one wich was really bad. I wasn't sure if that was normal either.

Mari 

Mariposa109

I forgot to ask.. for those of you ladies already finished... Did you have a follow up appointment two and four weeks after? And how important would  you say it was?? The reason I ask is because I was told I would have a 2 and 4 week follow up, but I am doing treatment in New York and my son is in Texas. I want to get back to him as soon as possible, so I'm trying to decide how long I NEED to REALLY stick around here for after treatment.

Mari 

jo1955

Mari - Seems each RO has a different view of follow up appts.  I had to go back in one week for a skin check and have not been back since.  Okay with me.  My RO is a moron.  I get much better care from my MO and BS.

I don't see the logic in going back much after maybe a skin check if you had some real issues going on.   I burnt bad and had an itchy rash.  They both healed nicely in a couple of weeks. 

oakley

Jo - now your RO is getting "burned"

jo1955

I already threw him in.  Good riddance to bad rubbage.

Sherryc

Mari, I will be 2 wks post rads as of Monday.  My RO has not made me go back for skin checks.  I had some problems at the end but he addressed them and he said as long as I was healing he saw no point in me coming back but if I had a problem by all means call them and come in so he could take care of it for me. So it was up to me, which I was OK with.  He is making me come back for a 3 month follow up with mammo's and then he will turn me over for good to my MO if all goes well.