Sept 2011 Rads
Comments
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Everyone reacts differently, but for a lot of us it is the radiation that causes us to feel fatigued. I was tired throughout the second half of rads and my treatments were just two miles from home during midday. Three weeks after rads I still get tired easily. My energy level does seem to get a little better each day though. Hang in there, Leighsa and good luck with your skin issues.
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Stormy, I had that burning and warm feeling too and called the doc on call since it was only the first week. He told me that it was an inflammatory response that some people get and to take Advil if your doc approves it. It was better by morning so I was kind of embarrassed. #13 or 33 today so far so good.
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I talked to the tech that does my rads and she said I was too early into treatment to have fatigue, so she told me to tell my dr on Monday when i see him, that he may need to check my blood count. I seriously feel so awful.
Good luck girls! Tomorrow is Friday!
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Changing the subject here, but wanted to tell you about my mixed results from my thyroid scan. I saw the RO and he just took a peek at my breast, answered a few questions and was going to let me leave. So I asked him about the ultrasound. Oh, yeah! Well, he looked in my file and I know it was not there just by the way he was flipping pages. He said it was there and told me he was going to go make a copy. He left for a bit and came back with it. Did not show it to me but said the ultrasound basically just confirmed I had those two small nodules and he saw no point in any further action. Okay. Then I went to see my primary doc. He had a copy of the report and made a copy for me. It mentioned the right lobe having multipe tiny nodules, and one that measured 13x13x7mm. It was described as "solid". Another one like it was also in the lower pole. The conclusion was a fine needle aspiration was suggested if clinically desired.
My doctor wants this done, so he is going to arrange it. My mother had her thyroid removed when I was young, but I have no idea why. My doc felt with some family history of thyroid (unknown) and the fact it is solid and not producing hormones, that it needs to have the needle biopsy. He said it presented him with just mild concern, but felt it was best to get it done. So.....not sure when but they will call when it is scheduled.
He also finally talked me into having a colonoscopy so they are going to get that scheduled too. More fun than humans are allowed, huh?
Sorry for the hijack, but thought you would want to know the latest.
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justmejanis I'm sorry you have to go through this. Troublesome when doctors disagree. Hope it's no big deal.
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Janis: I hope everything will be all right with the results of the needle biopsy. Also, good luck with the colonoscopy.
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Hugs, Janis, for one more thing to have done. It just seems like so much sometimes.
I had my fourth treatment today and could barely move off the couch all afternoon, felt like my bones were too heavy for my body. I hope it was a fluke, but I'm having bloodwork done tomorrow, so we'll see. I'll be so glad for the weekend off!
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Hi ladies,
Tx #2 today and I am so tired. My breast is getting pink already. I am seeing the doc on Tuesday and will ask about blood work then. I really do not want to be this tired already, I have 28 more to go. I am walking in the Relay for Life on Saturday in honor of my mother and 2 sisters I lost. Hopefully I will have some energy by then. Going to try and work only a 1/2 day tomorrow. Hope everyone has a good night. I will check back in tomorrow.
Sleep well.
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Patty - I had #8 today, also.
And it's the younger men and women I feel badly for, at chemo and at rads. I've had 60 excellent, healthy years...it's so unfair for you younger women.
Not saying it's okay with me; bc has changed my life in ways I could have done without, but nonetheless, I made it to 60 without this nonsense. -
I know what you mean jackifp. I have not seen any young people where I go, but the man who gets his treatment right after mine has pancreatic cancer. He is 61 and was so cranky when we met, but now we talk daily and it seems to cheer him. He is 61 and divorced and has a very poor prognosis. He is bitter...but I see fear more. I feel so badly for Jerry. He knows his days are numbered.
Steph and Asherlee, so sorry the fatigue is so difficult. I sure hope it gets easier for you. Just rest when you can.....thinking of you!
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DIVINE and KSMATTHEWS, and others, sorry you guys are feeling so very tired, I am expecting it to arrive in a couple weeks, which mine just started. This is why I put all my chores to finally catch up for the first three weeks of rads, so I can rest the last three.
I went to rads at a diff time than will be my normal time, and I was talking to "Norman," funny old fellow, and when I left, I wished him well. But sitting a couple chairs over was a solitary younger man, very good looking, was gripping his cane and holding back the tears. I wished him well, too. He reminded me of a boyfriend I had when I was very young and was killed in a car accident. Life is one long survival struggle, that's for sure.
I have my lotion now to put on my skin, it was prescribed by my rads doc, it has aloe from the plant in it, felt good to pat it on after my treatment yesterday. I noticed my left shoulder in the back is pretty sore and needs lotion, too. They have been shooting from the rear, one of the zaps is that way. So, gotta reach and reach to get that spot. All the best to my sisters, GG
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dogeyed......I really have only one guy in my little waiting area i talk to daily. His name is Jerry and found out he is 61 and long divorced. Pancreatic cancer. He seemed so bitter and angry when I first met him, but he has softened so much. I am taking him some peach crisp I made the other day. He knows he is on very borrowed time and I feel so bad for him. He told me his docs only gave him a few months and he was diagnosed in June. He looks terrible, very thin and pale. Someone always has it worse...
Happy Friday everyone! No treatments for two days. Celebrate!
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I start boosts today and will be finished Wednesday, but I am crawling to the finish line. My skin is now red and itchy, but that isn't the problem. I have a cold that I caught on Monday that I can't seem to shake. Is something going around? Anyone else in the Los Angeles area down with this?
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Janis: You are so kind to be thinking of someone else when you have so much going on in your own life. I am sure the gentleman will enjoy your peach crisp very much. Thanks for making the world a better place.
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Janis-You are such a sweetie .
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Ahh...you guys are so sweet. Thank you so much for cheering me on! It means so much.
I tossed a few of home grown tomatoes in the bag too. When I got there Maria, my tech, approached and said they were super busy (lots of new people in the waiting room). She apologized and said it would be awhile. No problem! I gave Jerry his peach crisp and tomatoes and he was so touched. I think he is very alone. I also visited in there with Marie, a thryoid cancer patient. They took Jerry ahead of me today for some reason. When I went back, tech Maria said she had no idea what I was doing, but Jerry went on and on about the dessert and she said he was so talkative. She said he has always been so grumpy. She thanked me for keeping everyone company and spreading cheer. She said I am always so upbeat and it was working on Jerry. LOL. She told me to keep it up and said I ought to be hired there as patient social director! I got a kick out of that. I used to volunteer for an organization the did advocacy work for the mentally ill. I love trying to make people happier, even if only for a brief time.
I hope all my sistas here are doing great. I was busy all afternoon doing yard work and a bit of house cleaning too. Still feeling great buy my nipple and incisions are sore. Otherwise no problems.
Have a great and happy evening all of you. I think of you bright and brave woman all the time. Hugs!
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I am almost done, 3 boosts to go. I am red and a little itchy, but no blisters. Udderly Smooth Body cream has worked well for me. My doctor prescribed Mometasone Furoate for the itch and it seems to be working. I should be so happy to almost be done, but I am feeling depressed tonight. I am doing all of this alone. I am separated from my husband, and I guess that is why I am depressed. Have a great weekend everyone.
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Kate you have really had a tought time doing ths alone. I am so sorry you had to do this. I know how difficult this must be for you. I know you have a nice trip planned after you finish. I hope you can focus on that and the great time you will have. Do you have family or friends in Tennessee? Hang onto the happy times ahead! HUGS!!!
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Hi Janis, Thank you for the encouragment. I have friends in Nashville so that will be fun. I usually am very positive, but tonight I am down in the dumps. it happens sometimes.
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You are so sweet Janis!
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Hi everyone,
Janis, how great that you can cheer up people that're having bad days. I told a woman who was just leaving as I was coming in today to have a good day and she stopped in her tracks and said thank you in a very grateful manner. I think she is alone and I felt sorry for her. Another woman I got talking to was on her second to last treatment today and my schedule varys so I won't see her Monday and she gave me a big hug and wished me well. We are all sisters in this and I think I'm in good company.
I finished number 3 today and found out I don't have to have 38 sessions but rather only 31 or 33, and it feels like I've gotten a big reprieve!
Ashleere, my breast is also turning pink in the evening but is clear by morning. I had "doctor day" today and he says its radiation induced inflammation and that it frequently resolves itself as time goes on and, more importantly for my piece of mind, that it doesn't mean I'll have more skin issues than anyone else. That made me feel better. I too can feel the fatigue, so this afternoon I forced myself to take a second walk. Only lasted about 15 minutes doing the hills here, but I feel better.
Onward and upward and everyone have a great weekend
Peggy -
I feel so blessed I only have 3 treatments left, and I have never felt fatigued. I am naturally hyper so I guess that is why.
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MostlySew....It is amazing what just a gesture, a kind word, a touch, can do for the human spirit. I try to remember that every day. Working with the mentally ill, even as a volunteer, taught me so much. Sometimes people are really at the end of their rope and just need somethng, anything, positive to happen. You really never know when you could actually safe a life by just being kind to someone. It sounds like the cheer you passed on today made a difference. That is all it takes! If I can make a sad person smile, even for a few seconds....then it is so worth the small effort it takes.
My incisions are puffy and sensitive Peggy. Yesterday the RO told me the inflammation is normal as all the surrounding tissues are being irritated. I have completed 18 treatments and am pretty red, but no real pain. Except around the incisions and the nipple. It smarts!
Kate I have not had any serious fatigue really. A couple of afternoons I have crashed and burned for a few hours. Not often and the next day I usually have a lot of energy. I get up very early (about 5:00) and if I am busy I think I just poop out some days. It hasn't been really bothersome at all. Most of my days have been very good.
I wish all of you a wonderful evening and a happy weekend!
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Well, #7 was today. Noticed that my nipple and incision are darker and tender, no other skin problems. While I was having treatment I had this mental flash of my nipple bursting into flames, lol, I think its time to start doing some meditation during treatment! Then I seen the RO. Asked about the chest pain and fatigue. The chest pain, he said "according to the AMA, radiation does not cause ANY pain; however, it is a very common complaint." So, I said, according to the AMA, I'm not having pain? He said he is not dismissing what I am feeling, just reassuring me that radiation does not cause pain. My inside voice...WHAT EVER! As for the fatigue, the AMA believes that, so he does too I guess. He recommends, taking a nap. Which I do when I can...on the weekends, lol.
Ksmatthews - Hang in there. I think your poor body just hasn't had enough time to build back up after your chemo. I hope you have a lot of support from family and friends, thats what they are there for, use them! You have come so far and your almost done. Keep your
on, you WILL get there!Janis - Wow, conflicting reports! I'm glad your regular doctor said he wants to move forward with this. I kind of think the RO's are really into treating what has already been DX, they seem to blow things off a lot. My husband had his thyroid nuked 20 years ago, so it would stop working. He should have had it removed because the radiation dosage they gave him really messed up his joints. My youngest (15) has been on thyroid med. for 5 years now and is doing great. For sure it is better to look into it, the thyroid does a lot of things and can be easily regulated with meds.
On another note, I love how you like to talk to people and cheer them up. I try the same thing. That bi---y tech that I mentioned at the begining of treatment is now very talkative with me and smiles every time. I just started asking her about HER and she just lit up. Even the other tech told me she looks forward to my appt. time because she knows that for the rest of the day there seems to be a more upbeat tone in the room.
Kate - I can't imagine doing this alone. I know we are all not THERE with you, but we are all HERE for you. It's so awesome that you are almost done. I must say I'm a bit jealous that you have a trip coming up, I hope you continue to post with us when you are done with treatment, I would love to hear about the vacation! Oh, yeah your comment about being naturally hyper gave me giggle!
Hope you all have a restful weekend! Remember to keep
ing, it makes people wonder what you have been up to... -
Stormy123 thanks for your support. I am very resilient and positive, and if you need a shoulder I am here for you, but hopefully you won't need it. Be well and have a great weekend.
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WE LOVE YOU JANIS!!! Hearts and hugs. Family is so important, and here's this poor fellow with nobody. Makes me appreciate what I have, that's for sure. Your heart-warming story, I have a picture in my mind of the old man sitting at his kitchen table, digging into his delicious desert and then carefully returning it to his refrigerator so he can have some more for breakfast! When I used to live with my folks, it was early morning and I was talking and following my mom into the kitchen, and she goes straight for the chocolate cupcakes from the night before and started eating one, and I stopped my jabber midstream and said, "Mom, you can't do that!" And she goes, "Who says?" and kept right on "sinning" like the wonderous person that she is. Smile.
STORMY, well, I can tell you this about your pains and fatigue, there's just too many dang women who have those exact problems whilst having radiation. I have quite the achy shoulder, that's for sure, and many of the women here have described just how tired and sleepy they are towards the end of radiation. So you can always talk to your breast surgeon or regular doc about your discomforts and difficulties if you need some extra help with that stuff. If I could put a shot of morphine into my shoulder, I would!
Enjoy the weekend, all!!! GG
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Stormy, I have noticed that my incisions are very red and sore. Also they are puffy. My RO did say this was from rads and should go away a few weeks after treatment is over. LOL on your nipple bursting into flames! Amazing what our minds can conjure up! I alos love your RO quoting from the AMA about the SE's such as chest pain. Since my chest pain was sos severe I had to go to the ER, I would have to argue that the AMA doesn't have a clue what they are talking about. I researched here and found entire threads going back a couple of years written by women having often severe chest pain during rads. One even had to take an ambulance to the ER as she was sure she was having a heart attack. maybe the AMA should do some more homework. Good job Stormy on getting the cranky gal to lighten up! Kindness is contaigous!
dogeyed, love the comments about your mom and her chocolate cupcake for breakfast! You saw her in a different light and I love the way you described her. She made her own rules and it worked for her. I love it, and it is that very thing which makes each of us unique.
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HI Kate, I hope today is a better day for you. So sorry to hear you are doing this alone. I used this board during treatment to get answers in between Dr. appts and to know that other people had the same situation, SE's etc made me feel better. I recently returned to this board because I want to give back what I got from the women and men on the board when I was getting treatment. It feels good to be able to answer a question. I also like to see people come back years after treatment because it gives hope. Here comes a big hug (but not the kind that smash your chest and hurt)!
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Pscheer1 thank you so much for your support. Most people leave this site after treatment. It is no nice of you to stay, and give others encouragment,
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Hi everybody. I'm new because I'm in the final weeks of chemo, but it's time to start thinking about radiation. I have been asked if I would take part in a clinical trial comparing standard WBI followed by boost with accelerated WBI with a boost included in each radiation session. Has anybody been on the accelerated schedule? My RO said it was common in Canada but the boost is the new thing. Any comment, suggestions would be appreciated. Thx.
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