Sept 2011 Rads

MostlySew

Thanks tamcathtech, it is better today. Interestingly it is nerve inflammation in my torso/lungs as opposed to full pleurisy. So, it was good to see my doc. Treatment is the same, 3 ibuprofen every 8 hours for 5 days to give it a chance to heal. He then asked if I'm sleeping well, and I had to admit that I really can't sleep since all this started. And I used to be the best sleeper there was! He's prescribed ambien for sleep and wants me to try that to also give my body a chance to heal/rejuvenate.



Damson, I didn't try any creams befor start of radiation, but I do put aloe Vera on in the changing room right after tx instead of waiting. It seems to help keep the inflammation down. I don't think starting early can hurt, just may not particularly help.

SAB

Hi Damson I also put the aloe vera on right there in the dressing room, and then alternate between aloe and calendula through the day, usually applying stuff at least 4 times. Just started using Miaderm.  It is nice and light but expensive.  I did moisturize with regular moisturizer before rads.  Didn't seem to hurt or help to be honest. 

justmejanis

mostlysew...I am so sorry to hear the pleurisy flared up again.  Having had two events, I know exactly how you feel.  I hope this evening you are much better and the worst is behind you.  Yes, pain meds helped me and do not hesitate to ask for them.  My RO did prescribe them.  I hope you can find some relief very soon.  Gentle hugs.

tamthetech, I am so glad you are getting a break from the rads for awhile.  Hopefully by the time they resume you wil be much better.  My underarm really is bad and it sounds like yours is as well.  Take it easy this week and enjoy the break.

Kate, you were really lucky not to get the burns.  Yippee on that one!  I did plenty of prevention but still burned, and I am not fair skinned either.  So strange how some people burn and others don't.  I am just waiting for this to heal.  Very painful.

My PCP called today and had my thyroid biopsy results.  Basically there was no definitive diagnosis, it listed three possible things it could be.  Number three was cancer.  So, he is  referring me to a thyroid specialist as this is not his area of expertise.  He did say he did not think it is cancer.  That part is good, but I still don't know for sure.  Anyway his office will schedule my appointment sometime this week.

I hope everyone is healing just a bit more each day.  We will get through this! 

neecee

I am at 19 of 33 today, and noticed Saturday that I had a rash over part of the radiation area.  My techs today told me to start using aloe in addition to my cream, with hydrocortosone cream as a backup if it starts to itch.  Not what I wanted to have happen with 15 treatments left!

justmejanis

neecee.....I am so sorry about the rash, but it may very well not get worse.  Just take their advice and use the aloe and cream.  I never used hydrocostisone.  The itching wasn't a big problem.  Hopefully you won't burn but if you do, they will likely prescribe a topical ointment.  The one with sulfa is really supposed to be good, but I am allergic to it.  I hope it all goes well for you!  You are over halfway through!  Gentle hugs to you.

bev1116

katehudson25, I posted about my hesitency to take the Arimidex in the "Radiation Therapy - Before and After forum, "Choosing not to take Arimidex? topic. http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topic/752119

All of the data I've read, and everything I've been told is that papillary carcinoma is rare; it accounts for 1 - 2% of all breast cancers, it's a well-behaved form of cancer, and the chances of recurrence is 4%. Since I've had surgery and radiation, breast cancer is no longer the biggest bulldog in the yard for me. I have other medical conditions to consider that I discussed in more detail over on that thread, so it's going to take a lot to convince me that 5 years of Arimidex to cut my risk of recurrence from 4% to 2% is worth the risk of exacerbating my current issues from the possible side effects.

If I had any other form of cancer than papillary carcinoma, or my stage/grade were any higher, I would probably reconsider.

dawmson, I think it's impossible to over-grease your boob before, during and after radiation. You risk more by under-treating that you will by being aggressive with the creams. Once you start, I would recommend at least 4 times per day - even though you won't show pink for a couple of weeks. The rads are drying your tissues just the same.

Ceeztheday

Hi ladies. #22 of 35 today. A little itchy, but not very bad. I am burping and burping however, and I smell myself. Yuck. My husband (and the rad techs) say the smell is not bad, but my nose disagrees. I hope all this weird stuff goes away when these treatments are over. Hang in there everyone. Onward and upward.

bev1116

Hang in there, Ceeztheday! You're over the half-way mark!  It'll soon be in your rear view mirror.

Ceeztheday

Thanks bev!...and congrats on being all finished with your rads without bad burning. That gives me hope!

katehudson25

Bev116 thank you for letting me know.

MostlySew

Janice, thanks. I'm better already. Guess I'll just have to hit it with this ibuprofen hard enough and strong enough to do some good this time! I do hate taking meds. I'm so sorry they didn't just come back with a diagnosis on your thyroid. I will say, having had thyroid surgery, it isnt the worst thing in the world. Just a bit strange until your thyroid meds get adjusted properly. After that, it's just a pill a day and you're good to go. Hopefully that's not your path but thought I'd try to ease your mind a bit just in case.



Neecee, sorry about the rash. Hope the aloe helps. It does the best job on my inflammation.



Ceeztheday, that is one strange SE. I'm hoping not tom get that one!



Bev, your decision about arimidex makes complete sense to me. My numbers aren't as good as yours so I will be taking it. I did take it for a month before quitting during radiation and no SE's for me durning that time. Hopefully it will stay the same long term.



Ok, going off to lube up and take my new sleeping pill.

katehudson25

Bev, even though my odds are not as good as yours I think I will opt out of Tamoxifen. My size, stage, and grade are exactly like yours. My doctor said that I only have a 1% chance of the same breast cancer recurring, but my odds of getting a different breast cancer are 8.9%. Tamoxifen would only drop that percentage to 6.4. Instead of a breast reduction I am getting implants and lifts in December.My quality of life, naturally is very important to me, and I think Tamoxifen would deteriorate it.

jackifp

My RO is on vacation, and today - 19 down - I saw a different RO (mostlysew - Dr. David from Redwood Cancer Center?). Very interesting, and first I've heard this - he said that my breast will continue to tighten and change shape for up to 6 months after rads are done, and to plan to do pec stretches for that period of time in order to keep mobility and control stiffness in the shoulder and chest. Anyone else hear this?

jackifp

My RO is on vacation, and today - 19 down - I saw a different RO (mostlysew - Dr. David from Redwood Cancer Center?). Very interesting, and first I've heard this - he said that my breast will continue to tighten and change shape for up to 6 months after rads are done, and to plan to do pec stretches for that period of time in order to keep mobility and control stiffness in the shoulder and chest. Anyone else hear this?

DivineMrsM

5

That is the amount of treatments I have left out of a total of 33.  These will be boosts. Mild discomfort to the radiated area, especially right in the crease of the arm/armpit.  And I feel less fatigue than when I was in the middle of treatmentments.  I think it's because I know by next week at this time I will be done. 

God bless to all of us on this thread.  We are getting thru it. 

llm005

Hi all

Can't seem to keep up with the posts!  Leaving soon to have number 11 of  23 and will move over to the October thread.  The pinkness is still there in the other breast but hopefully the changes they have made to my positioning have fixed the problem, if in fact the radiation was hitting the other breast.  Other than pinkness, all well so far.  Was able to do the Run for the Cure on Sunday, a 5 km run for breast cancer research here in Canada.  Not fun getting out of bed on Monday however!    

Mostly Sew I hope the pleurisy episode has subsided.  Re the eyebrow thing, I RAN to the mirror to look, but as they had fallen out in chemo and are just coming back, I can't tell if they are taking another bashing in rads. 

Justmejanis.  Man, it's got to be tough waiting to find out about your thyroid.  My thoughts are with you. 

TheDivineMrsM.  Yay, that's great you're almost done! 

Elizabeth1889

Justmejanis:  I hope you get good news from the thyroid specialist.  Sending hugs to you.

justmejanis

Elizabeth...thanks!  I don't even know when I am going.  My doctor said his office would get it scheduled sometime this week. 

My last boost is tomorrow!  Not soon enough as this burn is so painful.  The nurse looked at it today and said if I want my RO to look at it Thursday he can.  I see no point unless it gets worse and looks like it will infect.  I have everything I need to treat it so will just keep on doing what I have been doing.  I have my consult for my colonoscopy in less than an hour, so have kept my bra on today.  NOT comfortable.  The worst had been the nipple and underarm, now under my breast is starting to peel.  Just great.  This by far has been the worst and I just want it over.

I hope everyone is having a good day.  Hang in there, every day in treatment is one less in the big picture. 

SAB

#21 out of 25 regular rads today...then they x-rayed and marked me up for my 8 boosts.  I wish I could make the days spin by faster, just for 2 1/2 weeks :-)

 Hang in there Janis, you've been so strong and an inspiration...almost done, done, done! 

MostlySew

Hi jackifp,

I have heard that the breast conti use to change shape for several months after rads are over. I think that will be true in my case, since I'm still bruised from the surgery and I'm swollen agin from the rads. Someday I'll get to see what the "new me" is really like! Lol



I have met dr. David. He seems quite mp nice, did my initial set up and was the RO for a friend of mine. I think you're in good hands up there. How ya been? I do hope the daily drive isn't getting to you.



14 down, 19 to go and the nerve inflammation is responding quite nicely to the increased ibuprofen.

justmejanis

SAB....thanks!  I am hanging and will make it through my last boost with no problem.  Then onto other things.  I went for my appointment today for the colonoscopy.  They scheduled that for the 27th so a few weeks yet.  Still waiting to hear about the appointment with the thyroid specialist.  You are almost there too!  Not too far to go.  I'll be here with all my August and September friends!

Sew I am glad to hear the ibuprofen is helping with your nerve inflammation.  You are almost halfway there! 

MostlySew

Janis,

HIP HIP HURRAH, you've only got tomorrow and that's CELEBRATION DAY, right? The techs and ROs and front desk people all bring you drinks and lunch and flowers and sing to you, right? All the people in the waiting room cheer, and the people in the hallways all smile and clap as you go by, right? Have I got this right? That's what I expect anyway!



Anyway, good for you with just one more. I'm so sorry your poor boob is finally objecting to all that it's been thru, but now you can just take care of it instead of inflicting more damage daily. Don't forget the high protein meals......that's my latest mantra.....protein, protein, protein....



The DevineMrsM

4 left......AllRight! A walk in the park....congrats. Janis is doing the trial run on the celebration party so we'll have it just right for your turn.



A side note: my Mom is 93 very active and still living on her own. She thinks I should celebrate the end of my rads by getting, as she terms it, a "discrete tattoo saying Ms Trouble" on my offending boob! I may have to do it. The tattoos they give you aren't enough of a statement of what we've been thru.



14 and counting.......

katehudson25

Janis Congrats! A colonoscopy is no fun either. I had one a few months ago. The colonoscopy itself is no problem, because you will be asleep, What I had a problem with was the drink to clean you out. It made me gag so much I could almost not get it down. You need to get one every 10 years, but mine showed non maligant polyps and because of the polyps I need one every three years. I can't wait for all of this medical stuff to be over with. I have one procedure left, breast implants and a lift in December. Right after that I am going to take a trip to Chicago. My family lives there.

katehudson25

Mostly Sew how wonderful that your Mom is 93 and lives on her own. God bless her. On my last boost day there was no celebration party at my hospital. They did say we hope we never see you again for radiation, and I pray to God that they are right.

Ceeztheday

#23 of 35 today. A little itchy, but not too bad. Thanks to everyone in this group for all the information and inspiration. Onward and upward!

jackifp

Mostlysew - My commute is just to and from Ukiah, with an hour north to get home. I couldn't do it if it were to Sta. Rosa. Dr. Joseph is my usual RO and is on vacation this week; Dr. David is commuting to cover for him, and yes, I think he's good.



Sorry to hear the rads are causing swelling. I know what you mean about wondering what the new me will look like...such a curious ride we're on...



And hilarious contribution from your mom - you just might have to do the tattoo, lol.

MostlySew

Ah, Kate, I'm sorry they didn't send you off with good cheer on your last day. I'm sure it's unreasonable to think PARTY, but I can always hope. Hopefully your trip to TN made up for the lack of an office party! Yea, my Mom is something all right. The Funniest part is that if we had ever mentioned tattoos or even ear piercing as children she'd have had a fit!



How's your booster area? Healing now I hope.

katehudson25

MostlySew my trip to Nashville was fantastic. I hope you do get an office party, and go out with your adorable Mom to celebrate. My non boost area is all cleared up. My boost area is still red. I am hoping that in another week that it will be cleared up too.

pam53

Katehudson,

Your reports are very comforting.  Glad to hear you are doing well.  I am at 7 out of 34 and things are going but I am anxious, wondering what will happen each day.

I know you were worried about Tamoxifen.  I am like you,  Never take meds, didn't take a thing with the lumpectomy and SNB.  Last time I took an aspirin was in 2002.  I reluctantly am giving Tamoxifen a try.  10 days so far and no SE.  Wouldn't even know I was taking something.

katehudson25

Pam53 I am so glad you are not experiencing side effects from Tamoxifen. Do not worry, hopefully you will have minimal side effects from radiation. Moisturize, moisturize, and moisturize and you will be fine. I hope the next month flies by for you.