JUNE 2011 RADS

GmaFoley

Mammalou I agree with beetlebum - hydrocortizone with aloe is what my RO gave me for red bumps. 

Newathis and Melanie Ann : I ended up with sternum pain and tendonitis in the arm next to the lymphnodes they are radiating... my physician assistant and sub RO told me that would stay with me until I am finished - they put me on Aleve and gave me prilosec for the burning stomach from the Aleve (I'm sensitive to anti inflammatories not everyone gets stomach issues)  - After 2 weeks on the Aleve, I am now feeling lots better and can handle the pain..

Huskerkkc That is awesome - I'm glad you like the other RO - I think it is for the best - you need to stay positive and if your RO isn't - it won't help you heal and get better.

I am 23/28(btw it is a higher dose because I'm not having boosts)  and have blistered under my breast (its a strip about 1" by 2" - not very big)- they gave me hydrogel - it works wonders on the burning feeling - I'm glad its friday and get a 3 day break (RO agreed that would be good for me).  Hoping it doesn't get any worse and they delay my last week like some others have had.... 

Everyone have a great Holiday for me (I have to work - big sale day)... !!! See you back on monday.

suebak

BlyDncr-Go and enjoy the day.  I spent the day on the beach last weekend.  Wore a bathsuit, just wore a t-shirt on top, covering my chest.  RO, said sitting on the beach would be fine as long as I used a high sun-screan and covered the area being radiated.  I did feel as if I was getting a little dehydrated.  I drank 5 bottles of water in a 4 hour span.  I started to get nervous because I couldn't quench my thirst, therefore we went home. Bring plenty of water, maybe see if you can find a tree to sit under for a little while and enjoy the music.

BlyDncr

NewatThis and suebak

Thanks for the info.  Just got back from #5 and I finally won on a scratch ticket!  Yaay! It was only a $1 but it's a win so I'm not complaining.  The rad techs were great and put dots on the area being radiated, so I can make sure that the area has lots of sunscreen on it and is covered well. I do have a long sleeve SPF50 shirt that I got years ago from Travelsmith to wear when I went to Egypt. I'll have to dig it out and take it with just in case. I will also make sure I get under a tree for awhile. Ironically, the roped off beer garden has plenty of shade.  Oops, guess I shouldn't have any of that either - well, maybe I can enjoy one cold one.  Otherwise, it will be lots of water for me - I'm not a pop drinker.

I did notice a little tightness today when I had to put my arm overhead in the cradle, so I will be lathering on the aloe vera and Aquaphor and working on arm exercises.

Everyone, have a great weekend and Fourth of July.

ann731

8/33 done   No wins on lottery yet (lol)  Thank You GMAFOLEY for explaining last week that the skin can stay pink/red for a while without getting worse  That was a big comfort to me  I thought it was going to get worse every day but it hasn't   I do feel slightly nauseous every afternoon- I need something sweet to eat   Go figure that one?  I went back to my gym this week (at my chiropractor's - he has a trainer there) I'm afraid to exercise too much  don't want anything to affect rads but I feel better after working out  No fatigue yet  Happy Fourth of July to everyone!

GmaFoley

Ann are they radiating your lymph nodes? From up above, it doesn't look like your nodes were involved, but if they are no lifting over 10 lbs to your treated side. If not - have fun with the exercising - I can walk and a few stretching exercises but no lifting for me. For the nausea I eat ginger snap cookies right after rads and it seems to head it off.

IllinoisNative

Hi guys!  I'm currently going through radiation (4 weeks instead of 6).  Started in June and I'll be done mid July.  I'm starting to get a little red but they said I'm right were I should be.  I'm just glad I get three days off!!!

Question about weights above.  I had 4 nodes removed and they were all negative.  I forgot to ask them about doing weights on the side being treated.  I've heard anything from 5 to ten lbs.  I don't have lymphadema...would lifting 5 lbs put me at risk?

Thanks.

GmaFoley

IllinoisNative: welcome.. What I understand from my RO is the reason for not lifting on that side is because you hurt that side it will put a strain on the damaged(radiated) lymph nodes and can CAUSE Lymphedema.  I wouldn't push it - I did and managed to get tendonitis in the arm.. I never lifted 10 lbs!! - just saying... Ladies, if I'm way off base let me know please...

mostlymom

I had 11/33 today - 1/3 done!!!!  Happy dance happy dance.  I am thankful for the 3 day break & so are the techs - I got there a little early (I usually do) which they were glad of since I was their last patient of the day!!  Have a good weekend everyone - enjoy yourselves!

Martha

Elizabeth37

Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful weekend

IllinoisNative

Thanks, GmaFoley!  I guess I'll have one toned arm and one that, well, isn't.  lol

Have a great weekend, ladies.

edwards750

Hi everyone...I have only 2 more RADS treatments to go! Yea! This week has been the toughest. Having the boosts done. I had a micromet in the SN and that area is really uncomfortable and painful. Dr gave me silver cream which is working great. Looks like a combo of a bad sunburn and a brush burn. Using aloe vera as well. I cant wait until I can ring the bell...apparently that is the tradition for your LAST treatment. I asked the techs what happens at the last visit other than seeing the doctor...like he wouldnt recommend more treatments and she said absolutely not. She also said if God forbid the cancer came back in 5 years they would have to do something else other than RADS because your body cant take this again. I had 33 treatments. Stage 2, Grade l, non aggressive, Oncotype score of 11. Good luck to all of you. Time passes very quickly with these treatments esp since you have them every day. Appt with ONC 7/15 for bone density and go ahead to start Arimidex. Yuk! Hard to believe this nightmare actually started last Dec with the suspicious mammogram..Happy 4th! diane

Huskerkkc

Where did you get the aloe vera? I've looked at Shopko and Walgreen's. i do not shop at Wal-Mart. Any other suggestions.

GmaFoley

Huskerkkc: Walgreens has it, just get the 100% (99.9%) stuff - usually is clear .

Anonymous

Husker, do you have a GNC in your area? I use their Natural Brand Aloe Gel and their emu oil. Both products are fantastic! I don't shop at Walmart either. Can't stand the place! Hope everyone is having a great 3 day weekend! Happy 4th!

suebak

I hope everyone is enjoying their 3 days off from rads.  Happy 4th to all my amazing new friends.  The strongest bunch of woman in the world.

GmaFoley

Suebak : Happy 4th to you! I am so glad for the extra day off being I'm so burned but have to work so the top goes back on I guess...  I only have 4 more days left --- I can do this!!!

mammalou

Happy 4th everyone!  I thought the 3 days off would help my redness and rash, but it seems to be getting worse.  The rash is spreading and painful.  I'm can live with it but I'm getting so worried about how bad it might get in the next 18 treatments.  It has gotten so much worse since I saw the doctor 2 treatments ago. 

duckyb1

Ladies.....................quick note.......................COUGH AND AN OCCASSIONAL SORE THROAT...............THE RO'S ARE FULL OF SHIT...................ITS RADS...............WE CAN'T ALL BE WRONG.......................................OK YOU CAN SEE I'M NOT HAPPY TODAY............................ALSO HAD A FUNNY TASTE IN MY MOUTH AFTER EATING THE PAST FEW DAYS.  NEVER HAD THAT BEFORE..........................GUESS THAT'S NOT RADS EITHER..................BULLSHIT....................

duckyb1

Footnote..................................never had Chemo, so let's not say its that....................at least they could be honest......................I never mentioned any of this crap cause you ladies were all told.........................NOT RADS................SO WHY SHOULD I BOTHER.................RIGHT.

BlazerFanC

GmaFoley      Hang in there, you are almost done!

Mammalou   I also thought the 3 days off would be great.  I wasn't really pink on Friday.  I don't know if it's normal to get more pink on days without treatment.

I thought I would be so smart since we finally got nice weather.  I thought I'd try shaving with an electric razor (OK'd by RO in instructions) and may have either irritated something or started something so now I'm a bit pink/red under my arm and it's a little tender.  It was just looking so fuzzy and I thought I was being careful.  We have a short vacation planned in a couple of weeks and may get some pool time.  I know I need to be careful with sunscreen and stay covered, but I guess now I've learned my lesson and will just keep a shirt with sleeves to cover if I don't shave again.

coni111852

Duckb1 - they told me I may experience a ticlke on the throat..... I just don't understand why the docs want to cover up side effects!! I told her I have nausea and sometimes I feel light headed... She was like we are not radiating the brain or stomach so is not rads, then I come here and see a few if us with same SE... So stupid ...

I hope everyone from the states is having a great 4th of July for all the Canadians we are back into rads today i hope everyone enjoyed Canada Day!! 14/25 just 11 more to go skin is getting sensitive I'm Latin so by nature I'm a bit tan, I had never got a sun burn only gotten darker so I figure ut would be the same with rads....I'm a lot darker where they are radiating, it's very sensitive and arm hurts too a bit....so tired too

Everyone enjoy day off !!!!

Fitz33

I completed 7/32 and have been glad to have this 3 days off.  I'm getting itchy on my chest now and only hope they don't turn into blisters.  I'm putting cream on twice a day now. 

GmaFoley

All you Itchy ladies: Hydrocortisone cream with aloe - works wonders

RO and SEs I truthfully think they don't tell us or deny they are SEs when we ask - is that maybe if we think its not an SE it will go away....NOT..... My RO has been good when I complain about something - first time he says it "shouldn't" be a SE but if I tell him again the next day he admits that it "could" happen... My sternum pain and arm tendonitis are both SEs for me...I have a slight cough but I think its my allergies grasses/hay are horrible in Oregon..

This weekend has been horrible I blistered under my breast and the blister broke!!! OUCHH!!!  My friend and her daughter moved out and hasn't called me or anything... then I found out today my hubby has a business trip - tomorrow... he's taking my car and leaving me the beater jeep.... and I don't have any shoulder to cry on... I will be all alone this week and this is my Last week of rads...DH and I have been married almost 37 years and we don't do well apart from each other... Guess I'm gonna have to buck up and survive this week alone...

suebak

GmFoley-ALMOST DONE.  Good for you.  Must be such a great feeling.  Can't wait to get there.  I am on the down slope.  Had 18/34 today.

 Mammalou-I too, am extremely burned and yes, it is very unfortable.  I also am very worried having 16 treatments left.  I can't imagine what this is going to look and feel like towards the end. I guess I will find out.  Hang in there, brighter days are coming, I hope (lol)

duckyb1

Ladies...........Gma is right.....................Hydrocortisone cream (over the counter) is what my RO recommended for the itchiness I got................It really helped, and stopped me from blistering at all................maybe 1 tiny blister, but I'm still not sure if that is what it was........................I am close to 3 weeks done, and at time my upper chest itches a little...................but nothing horrible................Honestly I think you feel more "beat up" after the Rads, then during..............but I was told that would happen..............mostly tired, and a little swelling...................oh well..............can't do much about it..............right.................at least we're not going through this completely alone............we have each other...............hugs

LovesChristmas-Barb

I had my 6th treatment today and for some reason, I cried when it was finished. I felt like an idiot. It was my day to see my RO and I was crying when she came in too. I just couldn't seem to help myself. She kept trying to reassure me about my prognosis but on the way home, I was coming to the realization that at this point, I'm more afraid of the treatments than the cancer. It may sound crazy but it's true. I hate the fact that the radiation is hitting my lung and my heart and that I'm going to probably be turning red soon and possibly being burned. I really hate the thought of the possibilities with the hormonal treatment.

I hate the fact that every time my husband has taken a day of vacation in the last two months, that it's involved a doctor's appointment for me. Boo hiss...

Time to stop my self-pity party and think about something else. Thanks for letting me vent ladies!

BlazerFanC

GmaFoley   I know it's not the same as DH but there are lots of shoulders here.  You are almost done and you've been an inspiration to me.  Lots of great advice.  thank you!  

Cindy

duckyb1

Vent on Barb...........we have all been there..........I didn't burn..........slight pinkish, into a pale red, but nothing major.............I was radiated on the right side, so in that sense we are different, and I can understand your concern...................The only time I actually cried during Rads was my last day..............when the techs made such a fuss over me "ringing the bell", and 2 of my 6 children were waiting for me when I came out of the dressing room into the waiting room was very emotional....................during Rads I did a lot of "Hail Mary's", a lot of singing catchy songs to myself............and a lot of "casing" the room to see what was actually in there................above me was a gorgeous picture of a forest, with trees and beautiful pink blossoms, and I thought to myself......................"if life could be that peaceful"................so much for that idea............................I got through it, and was very concerned because of being 76......I was actually told I didn't have to get Rads if I chose not too.............I thought....."added insurance", and if I can't do all 36.............I can always stop................

My concern now like you...........is the hormone therapy................have not begun yet, and may opt out of doing it.............its on my countertop, and I'm still deciding.................your gonna be fine.........all those thoghts and feelings are normal.....just keep telling yourself "I can do this"..............."it is not a lifestyle, it is just a treatment, which will soon end"..............that is how I got through it...........a day at a time................hugs.

NewatThis

Barb,

I cried each day for 5 weeks either when I walked in or when I was alone in the room.  You're not alone. It's scary. 

GmaFoley

Crying is part of the start of this..it is normal- I had major anxiety attacks in the beginning but that was because the position of the arms triggered bad memories from my teen years...I had a nurse that came with me and talked me through the treatments .. I was actually fine walking into the room - my anxiety was the actual pinning my arms into the mold that was my problem..  Everyone has their own baggage they carry during this time and sometimes it raises its head when you least expect it..

At our treatment stations, they have satelite radio - I just tell them what station I want and tell them to turn it up so I can hear it over the machine... I focus on the music and close my eyes... It really helped me get through this..  Wish everyone's experience and perks were the same but if your treatment area has the music - tell them what you like and go for it... BTW it took me 3 weeks before I stopped crying...