Sept 2011 Rads

MostlySew

Ashleere, bummer that you got cancelled tomorrow. At least they let you know early. Going bright and early wed morning could be ok if you get a treat to go with that latte!



Jackifp, hi to another almost neighbor. How can you be warmer than us? Guess you're more inland. Are you going to cloverdale for tx? Long drive but beautiful country. It would be fun if the tress of us meet up. Once Ashleere and I get our schedules all set we can look into it.



Justmejanis. The tattoo is beautiful. Does this mean you can't wash that arm? I would sure want to preserve it. How lovely for her to spend the time with you and create this too.



Hi Sab, certainly come join us. We'll be here quite awhile and the more the merrier I always think



Peggy

jackifp

Ashleere and Peggy - I get my rads in Ukiah, thank goodness. Had to got to Sta. rosa for the ctscan, as my RO works with the cancer center there on Fountaingrove, but the rads I can get in Ukiah. That's a half hour drive from the high school where I teach in Willits, and then it's an hour back north of Willits to our home in the boonies.



I don't get Sta. Rosa way often, especially with school in session now, but coffee would be good, plus bc friends. Let's see how your appts. line up. Have you two met already?



Today was #5; 28 to go,with no se's yet. Aloe Vera gelly twice daily, so far, so good.

jackifp

Ashleere - good grief, 7am??? I'm driving to work at that hour, but it seems an obscene time to go get rads.



Ashleere and Peggy - I get my rads in Ukiah, thank goodness. Had to go to Sta. rosa for the ctscan, as my RO works with the cancer center there on Fountaingrove, but the rads I can get in Ukiah. That's a half hour drive from the high school where I teach in Willits, and then it's an hour back north of Willits to our home in the boonies.



I don't get Sta. Rosa way often, especially with school in session now, but coffee would be good, plus bc friends. Let's see how your appts. line up. Have you two met already?



Today was #5; 28 to go,with no se's yet. Aloe Vera gelly twice daily, so far, so good. Good luck to all as the week unfolds.

DivineMrsM

justmejanis, beautiful tatoo!

I will be doing #14 of 33 this afternoon.  My breast is becoming a reddish-pink.  I see the doctor every Monday.  Yesteday he said it looks just like it should at this part of the process, and that was good.  The nipple is very tender.  I was told the skin may eventually tan and even break down on the underneath side of my breast.  I feel fatigue and have a mild sore throat.

For some reason, this past week I've been very weepy.  I'm not a big crier, even with all that I've been thru, but I've been shedding some tears.  Still on that emotional roller coaster.  I will feel up and down and up and down several times all in just a day, and then go thru it the next day.  

justmejanis

The DivineMrsM.....you are just one day behind me, i go for #15 today.  My breast is holding up well, just some mild sunburn appearance.  Like you though, the nipple is tender.  We are nearly halfway there, we can do this.  Sorry you have felt weepy.  I think you are more than entiltled!  This is tough, and it is okay to let our emotions spill out.  Roller coaster is normal.  Big hugs to you!!!!

MostlySew...her tattoo is on the top of her foot and it is permanent.  She said she did it for me as a tribute to my strength, to remind her to always find hers.  It says "Indomitable will". 

ksmatthews

I have only had 3 treatments, today will be #4, but I have noticed that about an hour after my treatment, that I am so sleepy that I cannot hold my eyes open.  Is this normal?

justmejanis

ksmatthews....I think it is different for everyone and there is no real "norm".  I have not had a lot of fatigue.  Mostly in the late afternoons.  I think many things can factor into the sleepineess you are experiencing.  I would not be too concerned....your body is telling you to rest.  If it continues to be bothersome just ask your RO.  Hoping it gets better hon.  Big hugs to you!  I will be thinking of you!

katehudson25

I start boosts on Friday and will be all finished Wednesday Sept. 21 YEAH! For itchiness last night I took prescription Benadryl. It worked like a charm by putting me to sleep and not feeling the itch.

Ceeztheday

Stormy123 and justmejanis - Thanks so much for your replies. It makes me feel so much better to know that I'm not alone!

DivineMrsM

ksmathews, I am very tired for a few hours after treatment also.  I go at 3 pm everyday, so it is after a 5 hour work day, but still, I attribute the tiredness from the rads.  My body also grows very warm just after treatment, it holds the heat for several hours.

Leighsa

I had #9 today. I go every morning at 7:20 before heading to work. Yesterday I was tired by the end of the day, but today I felt really tired all day. I hope this is not going to last or get worse because I have several weeks to go. Has anyone else felt fatigue?

ksmatthews

I have been so tired since my treatment at 2 yesterday.  I sure hope this isn't from rads, cause I have a long way to go. 

justmejanis

I was tired today, but I just completed # 15.  I really crashed and burned, took a long nap.  This is unlike me, but I am just letting my body tell me what to do.  I am unemployed right now Leighsa..I feel for all you ladies that have to work through all this.

stephN

My first post here...I had my second of thirty-six tx today.  The RO's nurse said I should be putting some kind of moisturizer on after treatment every day.  Aquaphor is what they use at my clinic.  But...I'm allergic to petroleum products.  Apparently, I'm the only person they've ever had who is allergic to Aquaphor! I was thinking I'd try shea butter.  Any other suggestions?

 I'll have my last treatment on Oct 31.  Can't wait to be done!

revmama5

 WELL I start on Monday they were booked, and tried to push me in very late. So it woulld be better to start Monday. I'm ready to get this over. All aboard I got my ticket to get on the  RADS TRAIN. No turning back.

justmejanis

Welcome steph.....I use calendula gel.  it is pretty soothing and absorbs into the skin quickly.  Welcome to the club.  Hope it all goes well for you!

 revmama welcome as well.  Good luck when you start.  Hoping you get through it easily.

stephN

Thanks, Janis.  I'll order some calendula and give it a try!

mollie4

Hi Everyone,

I'm glad I found you! I started Rads 9/6 after having to do the run through twice. (room was so cold I couldn't stop shaking after 30 minutes & the plan didn't match up, so had to go back the next day.) Today was #6 & so far, just a little discomfort. I was told by a friend, who went through Rads a few years ago to use Pure Vitamin E Oil, that's what her Doc recommended. I figured it can't hurt & so far it's working great. I've never been so moisturized. Also was told to use Olive Oil soap without fragrance,for showering, found that at Wegmans in the Natural & Organic section of the store.

Thanks to all of you, for being here, & giving so much support to all of us!!

neecee

I had #5 of 33 today. I have constant fatigue, but that started with chemo.  I worked full time through my chemo, and have never shaken the fatigue.  It has just become part of me.  I can no longer tell if the fatigue is from the radiation, residual from the chemo, or the fact that I work on my feet 8 hours a day.  All I can tell you is I spend most of my days off on the couch.

luv2trav

the fatigue seems to be increasing...is it from my early morning txs, going back to work or the radiation ?? Have no idea!!  Maybe all 3??? all i know is that I cant wait for this to be over...oct 17th if all goes well.  I seem to feel the worse about 2 hours after my treatment.

thanks all for listening

Anonymous

Janis,

The tattoo looks really awesome! How sweet it was of your niece to do that.

MrsM,

I am not a crier either, at least not in front of anyone. Today at work I lost it, my 20 year old called me crying her eyes out.  She has been going through a lot this year and I guess it's just too much for her. She called me to tell me she needed help, she is depressed and can't stand it anymore. Well, if your a mother, you know that it just broke my heart and I want to fix everything for her and I can't. She made a doctors appt. for Thur. so I hope they put her on something. I can't help but feel like I not have contributed to her problems because I know she is worried about me, but I feel like somehow I missed giving her the tools needed to just handle life. I don't know what else I could have done. I know that I can just be there for her to talk to. Anyways, I got off the phone and just started crying, right there in front of everyone, it was just the thing to make me lose it.  Then I was mad at myself for not holding it together. But, tomorrow is another day, the sun will come up and I will get out of bed and go on.

Here's to keeping my  on!

Hey, does anyone live in Illinois? I'm a little jealous of you's that live close and can meet! I love coffee!!!

Patty252555140415

Stormy123- I'm sending you a PM

MostlySew

Stormy,don't feel bad about loosing it at work. You're entitled and I'm sure all your coworkers understand. And I'm sure you did a great job raising your daughter, don't beat yourself up about that either. You have given her the skills to cope with life. She's reaching out to you and also seeking professional help and both things show she knows what's needed to cope. So, smile, hold your head up high and continue trucking along....using that indomitable will we all are using to get thru this.



Stephn, I just met with my NP before I start rads tomorrow and my office recommends aquaphor and also 100% aloe Vera gel. I found the gel at Trader joes if you have one of those near you. She said 99% is ok too, but less than that might have alcohol in it and that's what they want you to avoid.



I also was told I didn't need to start using the creams until my skin changes color in about 2 weeks, but I think I'll start earlier. It feels safer to me.

Katarina

I have my first treatment of 33 tomorrow. I was told to get MIADERM which is specifically for radiation. I also picked up some 100% pure aloe vera gel and 100% pure coconut oil. I have very sensitive skin that burns very easily so I hope any of these work.

Hugs,

Kat 

katehudson25

Hi Katarina. I have very fair sensitive skin that burns easily. I have only 2 regular and 4 boost treatments left and my skin has been doing very well. I use Miaderm and Udderly Smooth body cream.

DivineMrsM

Stormy,  I have an 18 yr old son who left for college last month, and that has added to the whole transitional process I'm going thru since the beginning of this year.  I can really relate to how you feel about wanting to make things right for your daughter and how not being able to do so had upset you.  As others have said, I also know that it's enough for you to be a sounding board for your daughter, she needed you to talk to, and you were there for her.  I'm proud of her that she's seeking professional help.  Do hang in there, will keep you and your daughter lifted up in special prayer this week!

ksmatthews

My dr gave me Miaderm told me to use it 3 - 4 times a day, starting at day 1.  So I have.

Fatigue is worse than with chemo.  I cant handle it!  I feel like I have took 3-4 benadryls at one time!

I will never make it 24 more times

Hope everyone has a good day!

dogeyed

MOSTLYSEW and others who started this week, I am glad we are on the same schedule.  I did my runthru yesterday, it took longer than the regular treatments will, I couldn't move when it was over from holding still!  Smile. They drew all over me and put a bunch of stickers on.  Then a nurse gave me a prescription for some stuff to put on my skin three times a day, and she noticed I still had my porta-cath and said she would clean it out for me, which erased a couple lines.  Hope it doesn't hold things up today.  I wonder how long I have to leave those markings on me? 

JANIS, wow, that is a beautiful tattoo, what an honor.

BLONDE, well, that's a bummer, having your rads put off.  I worried about giving myself an extra week off because I couldn't get it together, but the incision healed real good during that time.

DIVINE, I appreciated your experience with the sleepiness.  I'm disabled and don't work, and my treatments are at 1:00 p.m. daily, so reckon I'll come home and take a nap.  I'm big on naps anyway.  I have some chores to take care of a few mornings for several weeks, so that confirms I'll do those before rads.

It's good to hear from you others who are closer to the end than the beginning.  On rads days, I will be busy with chores, I have to visit dentist to get some teeth pulled, of course go by my mother's house, need to do a few hours of cleaning each week to get my house back in order since chemo wiped me out, car needs inspecting and oil change.  But once all that's done, first part of October, I'll just relax last few weeks of rads, will probably be very tired so that will work out well.  Love to my sisters, GG 

stephN

Dogeyed, the techs who did my run thru said I should leave the markings on, so I freaked out when they started rubbing off and called the clinic in a panic.  Turns out since I got tattooed, I didn't really need them to stay...the tattoos are what they line the machine up with, I think?

Stormy, I have had times when I've been totally fine with this whole process and then have had whole weeks where I felt like I did nothing but cry for no real reason.  I don't have any advice for grown kids, mine are still teenagers, but am just wishing you some rest and encouragement. 

 I'm listening closely to what works for y'all with the skin.  I ordered some calendula and am looking into the miaderm too.  (It has calendula in it!)  

Thanks for all the good advice.  Day 3 today!

All best, girls,

Steph 

MostlySew

Well, I'm ready to actually start today after the simulation yesterday. I like the office, the procedures, and the people who work there are all friendly and smiling.



I'm scheduled for 33 regular sessions and 5 boosts. Does that seem like a lot? I know lots of you have 28 or 33 but this will total 38.