July 2011 rads

kshav6

Second to last day of rads today yippee!!  Then have three boosts and I am DONE.  They did the prep work for the boosts today and drew a circle to mark the spot.  Now I have X's and O's on my chest   Gotta love it!

cbharvest

Congratulations on making it through. I'm done next Wednesday. Can't wait! My skin is falling off, but we're doing it!

cbharvest

Radiation for me was very difficult emotionally. My doctor prescribed xanex, which I take before each treatment. My skin is falling off in my cleavage, but I finished full breast today, so I'm hoping to see an improvement soon. Five boosts begin tomorrow, and I'm done next Wednesday. Absolutely not a walk in the park, but I'm making it. I read of everyone's different experiences, and I think we are awesome!

Elizabeth1889

cbharvest:  I certainly understand the emotional part.  You are not alone.  Congratulations on being almost done.

coraleliz

mamaoftwo & Lena, They are also using the rubbery, gel-like sheet on me. This started with #10. Ever since, I've been itching. Today was #13. Cortisone cream worked for about a day & now everything I try seems to trigger itching. The rubbery,gel-like sheet is suppose to concentrate the rays more superficially, so I wonder if it's the cause of this darn itching.

Yorelh, Are you experiencing LE? Or are you taking measures preventively? I think I might be getting "truncal edema". I can get a free "LE screening" thru the cancer center where I recieve treatment. So I'll probably start there.

LindaJanette

kshav Yeah your almost there-!!!!!!!!!

How are you feeling today Lena? 

CBHarvest so close but it still seems far -just remember in two weeks you wont have to do this everyday and you can begin to start your life again..

I have to really push to go today had my cat scan for boost setup yesterday -piece of cake with a small scoop of anxiety on the side..one more step-- done.

Today is 19/33 and I have to try to mantra what I said to Cb In 4 weeks I will be all done with the daily rads part and trying to get back to some a normal pattern of life..

Want to thank you all again for your support I really don't know how I would do this without you.. 

Elizabeth1889

LindaJannett:  I feel so blessed to be able to support you and everyone else and to receive support in return.  You and I are truly in this together since we have the same schedule.  I just hope I will remember what "normal" life is when rads are finished.

mamaoftwo

Coraleliz - did you ask the RO or nurse about the cause of the itching?  I've been using it since my first treatment and just finished #12 and have no itchiness, so it could be that you have an allergy?  On the other hand, radiation is supposed to cause itchy skin, so it could be coincidental that your itchiness started at the same time as they started using the cover and maybe it has nothing to do with the rubber.  Anyway, regardless of the cause, I hope you get some relief.   Laura

Lena

LindaJannett -- Tired but otherwise mostly OK at 14/33 (just got home). You? 

Maybe484

I'm thinking of you all and sending good wishes your way!

LindaJanette

Elizabeth yes lets get through this and I would like to either start an after rads thread for all of us

to keep supporting each other - I would also be happy to give out my emails..But for now yeah us

Friday and 20 is  upon us  three more weeks, after this one.....

Lena glad to hear your doing a little better.

And to all of us blistery itchy types may the corizone be with you.... 

pejkug3

Hi to all my rads friends.  I hope the SE are mild for you and the days pass quickly.

27/33 treatments complete!  I have a weird situation on my armpit that looks terrible but is completely painless.  It looks open, weeping and groos but it doesn't hurt a bit.  Tomorrow is my last treatment before beginning 5 boosts. 

My RO said that is women who have severe skin reactions are given a 10 and women with no skin reactions are given a zero - I would be at a 4.  I can deal with that. 

When I was browsing rads forums before starting rads, someone sent me a pic on my cell phone of the rads damage to their armpit.  It's helped me a lot to compare to her and know what I'm experiencing is normal.  I can take a pic of my armpit and send it if anyone wants to see it.  Just send me a PM with your number.

coraleliz

Laura, I ask about the itching in relation to the beginning of the "boost" rubber sheet. Thought to be coincidental. I was thinking it might be an allergy to lanolin. It comes from sheep & I get contact dermatitis from wool. I googled this, it seems wool & lanolin allergies are controversial. Lanolin is in aquaphore & maybe some of the other samples I've been trying. Not all the ingredients are shown on those very small tubes.

I quit using everything! I'm doing soooo much better. Nothing in the past 48hrs. My only significant "itch" came when I dried my self off after showering. The towel felt good & I gently rubbed the area. That was a mistake! No blisters though.

I got 2 more samples. Regenecare & Regenecare HA. They both have Lidocaine & marine collagen instead for lanolin. So I'll give these a try. Also told to take Advil or Aleve. Which I was taking anyway for cramps, so maybe that's what did the trick. Today was 14/28. I thought I was in for 30 but the RO told me today just 28. I guess that's something that can always change.

Since I'm on the west coast & my appt is at 4pm each day, I feel like I'm bringing up the rear. Last to get zapped. Last to post. Goodnight everyone.

kittymama

Good morning, ladies!  Sending you all thoughts of an uneventful last day of rads before the weekend!  Today will be 16/25 and I am so looking forward to being able to wear dresses again.

coraleliz, that's interesting about the lanolin.  I had no idea that it is sourced from sheep.  Wool itches like crazy, but some people are not bothered by it at all.  congratulations on being halfway done!  

pejkug3, my armpit is also bothering me way more than my breast skin.  my armpit isn't even supposed to be in the radiation field so I don't know what's going on.   I think of you whenever I'm eating my greek yogurt!  You were the one who gave me a list of protein sources.

lindajanette, "may the cortizone be with you." - that cracked me up!

lena, hang in there.  I'm glad to hear that your treatments are going well!

Elizabeth1889

20 down/13 to go.  Getting close to the end.  Happy SE free weekend, everyone!

kittymama

 Elizabeth1889, you're well past the halfway mark!  That's great.  Have a relaxing weekend!

LindaJanette

Kitty glad to make you smile

Liz We are 20 down yeahhhhhhhhhh !!!!!!!! almost didnt go twice this week now I am glad I did

Really grown to feel close to all of you-

So I hope its a good weekend for everyone..... 

DenimBlue

23 down, 10 to go! Yea, here comes the weekend!

Lena

15/33 today. I'm tired, can I go die now please?

GiGiL

14/33 today.  Fatigue is pretty heavy.  I am so glad the weekend is here.  Hope all of you ladies have a restful weekend with no SE's.

katehudson25

Hi,

I had re-excision lumpectomy Monday. I will need to take radiation. What is mapping?

Elizabeth1889

Hi Katehudson25,

Mapping is also called simulation.  Basically, it is a CT scan with your arms above your head.  The techs also use this time to make a mold to hold you in the same position for all your rad treatments. The procedure takes about 45 minutes.  Expect the RO and techs to make a lot of marks on the breast area with sharpies.  They also tape wire markers onto you to enable the RO to find important spots when he reads the scans to plan your treatments.  At the end, the techs will either do very small tattos or make markings covered by tape.  

My experience with mapping was not physically painful, but it was very difficult emotionally.  Try to have it at the end of the day so that you do not have to return to work afterward.  If possible, bring someone with you.  They will probably have to wait in the lobby, but seeing a friendly face at the end helps a lot.  Finally, plan on doing something nice for yourself that night like going out to dinner.  It is definitely a time for self-pampering.

I hope you are healing quickly from your re-excision.  Good luck with everything. 

LindaJanette

Hi KateHudson,

Everything that Liz just said- good description and advice

It's scareier not knowing mentally what is going to happen, it's not even close to what I built it up to be in my mind, did not really hurt except keeping your arms raised from the node surgery--make sure they put one of their cushions under your shoulder area, the more comfortable you can make it to lay still the quicker it will go. Best of Luck..

mamaoftwo

13/28 done today.  Still nothing major skin-wise.  I went swimming after work and realized my left arm doesn't stretch straight above my head anymore - I wonder what that's about!  I'll have to start doing stretching excercises.  I'm so happy for a weekend without radiation.

LeeLee3

@pejkug3 - WOW!  I became tired just reading your post of 8/2/11.  You are a better woman than I am - LOL!  I cannot imagine having to take care of 4 children during this ordeal.  I now feel guilt about complaining and feeling sorry for myself.  I'm not working (fortunately and unfortunately) and my only child is 19 and my husband works second shift and is able to drive me to radiation everyday (although I told him he did not have to).  You are definitely NOT a "wimp"  Same thing goes for yorelh.  Like gigil said you're (all of us) fighting like a girl and kicking cancer's butt - LOL!!

I too am starting to experience armpit issues, extremely burned and starting to peel.  One of the therapist gave me some Aquaphor on yesterday, which really gave me some relief!

Well, today was 24/28, then 3 or 5 boosts.  I can finally see the light at the end of the rads tunnel...

Wanted to share the words from a beautiful card I received early in my diagnosis from a friend.

The card read:

 You are a survivor, a women of faith and strength.  You are a tough opponent for any challenge.  Even the "big C" is no match for you because you belong to an even bigger "C"...CHRIST.  He is with you and many prayers are for you as you fight this battle.

To All - Blessings and a great weekend! 

LucyLane

14 down,14 to go....  1/2 way mark for me.  Not doing too bad.  Just a little pink. 

Lucy 

kshav6

16/16 and one boost down.. two boost to go.. I have to say that last week drug me down energy wise bigtime.. By Thursday night I was so worn out I could not think straight and Friday was no better.  I do feel a bit better today, but plan on taking it easy to rest up for tomorrow.  I have to drive a couple of hours to take my son back to the base he stationed at and then drive back.  Only two more boosts to go and I will finally be done.  I feel for those of you going the full 33 rounds.  I am glad I was allowed to do the double doses and get it overwith quicker.  Although, I am told it is the same side effects, they just come on quicker doing it this way.  My skin got kind of red.  My nipple was sore pretty much the whole time, but not as bad toward the end.  It is more like the inside of my breast is sore then the skin on the outside.  When I first sit up in the morning I have to hold my breast and let it down gently because it hurts to just let if fall.  The nurse said it must be from some swelling and irritation going on in the inside.

I loved the line "May the Coritsone be with you!"  Too funny

GiGiL

KateHudson the mapping or simulation was nothing near what I imagined it to be. I worried about the tiny tattoos they gave me, and they were painless. The rest of the process went quickly, and I was out of there in about 30 minutes. I laid on the table, they placed me in the right position with arms over the head. They inflated the pad under me and it became my mold. They did the two small tats on the sides, measured and marked the middle, put tape over that one, then they took me for the CAT scan which is done without contrast, so it is done with you lying on a table with a semi circular band going over you. Painless, and not tight or claustrophobic. Then it is finished. They did the middle tat after my first treatment. Again, just a small dot and painless. The treatments have been short and tolerable. The biggest part for me is the daily schedule and the driving. My skin turned a little pink the second day. Gma Foley from this board told me it wouldn't necessarily get worse, and so far so good. Her words were very welcome to me at first. Hope your experience goes smoothly. Take care and know the rads are tolerable.

LindaJanette

Well it's Sunday and I am having a rough day

I dont even want to say it to you guys - my sisters - that I laid in bed all day today and yes, felt a little sorry and scared again... gosh I want to come thru this with "she was so brave and didnt complain about anything" so at home I just hide when I am upset and Sundays are hard for me

I know I am lucky but damn .. sometimes I cant bring the old optomist to the surface, please god girls tell me I am not alone and - not horrible for  just ......being weak...

I am having a real lack of energy and some trepidation about this week my skin is not good and even bleeding a little where some blisters are.. I feel a lot of hardness in the whole left side - arm is not getting better and I plan to get to a PT this week- bad day... 

I hate feeling like this - just cant find my positive today- somebody tell me that's ok 

Lena

Uhhhh, OK. Enough already -- on top of recovering from kidney issues and rads fatigue starting to set in, I have to get a cold TOO???????

Been horizontal all weekend, no energy to do anything but lie on the couch watching Star Trek DVDs or surf the net with my iBook.

I gotta go OUT tomorrow, to get more rads. Sheeesh.