Winter RADS 2012 Club...Please come join the fun!

susancats

Thanks to the kind ones who replied to my pain woes. It's still very raw & sore. I don't know if I should go see dr? Or she'll say "stay home" and let it air out. That's not an option for me. I need to work. Every day, I walk in the door and beeline to my closet to take OFF the sports bra, slather on the silvadene, and rest. The location at 6'oclock right under the breast is the WORST place for this sore. I need to hire a tiny gnome to hold it up all day and fan it to keep it dry. That's the ticket!! *wincing in pain as I smile*

fgm

Susancats-Sorry you're in such pain. These ideas from my rad techs and doc may help:

I wore a man's sleeveless undershirt under my bra near the end of my treatment. Also, I bought bra extensions at Joanne Fabrics.  That way the bra wasn't rubbing directly on the sore spots. I used aloe and Aquaphor under my breast.  My doctor gave me Dombero solution and gauze pads.  I would soak my sore spots twice a day and then lay on my bed with a fan to dry it out.  

Hope this helps!

Loafer

Thanks all. Now that I've reached the finish line, RO wants me to lube up every day. I guess there was concern it may impact clinical trial results if i used lotion during treatment.



This clinical trial - phase 3, was easy - no pain, blistering or fatigue! if you are interested, check out the clinical by typing in RTOG1005 for more info. It's offered in many states.



Have follow up in a month with RO to check breast. Also told, no exposing this breast to sun all summer. Must wear a cover up.



Off to celebrate and enjoy life!

Energy_isme

Hi ladies,



PatMN, I was wondering why did they tell you to stay off antioxidants and what kind of antioxidants?



I have just finished 10/25 treatments...so far, so good. I do have a sore rib cage, chest and it sometimes hurts to take deep breaths but nothing serious. I am using almond and coconut oil daily and it is keeping the area pretty soft.



I have tried to keep up on reading the posts but have not been home much. I made it to the gym a couple times this week to keep stretching out my chest and back and working at trying to get some natural endorphins going to help with my low moods lately....anxiety and very emotional...



So happy for those who are finishing up, congratulations!!



Energy aka Liz

PatinMN

Energy/Liz, I think the antioxidants are trying to heal stuff while the radiation is trying to kill stuff...or something like that! Anyway, they told me that antioxidants would interfere with the effectiveness of radiation. So no fish oil capsules, no extra vitamins A, C or E. Vitamins B and D are OK. No green tea (not that I drink it anyway). I take a multivitamin and they said that was OK. At my final RO visit before I finished rads I asked when I could start up my fish oil and she said give it two weeks, because the radiation is still acting in your body for a couple of weeks after your final treatment.

Annette47

Loafer - congrats on finishing!  I'm right behind you as I finish on Monday.    I was told the same thing as PatinMN about the anti-oxidants.

Energy_isme

Hi again,

Thanks for the information....nobody told me that and I drink green tea almost daily and do take vitamins!!! The last thing I want is to interfere with the effectiveness of the radiation......I will give my oncologist a call....



Energy

PatinMN

Energy - don't worry too much.  I've learned from reading these boards that doctors have very different ideas about things, and yours might not have the same opinion about antioxidants.

Energy_isme

Hi Patin,

I did see a nutritionist today and she advised me to not take vitamins A, C or E and no green tea extract until a couple of weeks after I am finished radiation. A couple of cups a day of green tea is ok as with any other antioxidant foods as they are very low in their concentration levels.



Thanks again...

cider8

Big hugs to the ladies in pain!  Thankfully the healing is quick once treatment is over.  I did not have much skin damage.  The worst was my supraclavicular node area, it got red, thick peeling and was raw, but only for a few days.  

Doesn't it crack you up a little when they tell you no sun on the breast for a year??  Well, my breasts do not see the sun anyway.  I do need to sunscreen the supraclavicular area.

I had my 6 week followup with my RO this week.  All things look good.  She was quite pleased with my good skin condition.  I don't have a breast surgeon following me so I will see her in 6 months.  I also asked her what specifically she looks for.  She looks for any skin disruption and asks about physical discomforts that might relate to bone mets, headaches upon waking and that don't feel better when lying down.  So I brought up the fact I'd never had a bone scan and she decided it would be good for me to have a baseline.  I think that will be a good reassurance for me.  

I did start physical therapy due to the rads and surgery this past fall.  My ribs are so tight and it's causing a domino effect on my back.  The crazed muscles are causing some of my lingering fatigue.  I'm eager to get things back to where they should be.  

schoolmom

Finished 25/33 today.  Just have 8 boosts left.  The skin underneath peeled a little this weekend and the whole breast is pink but it does not burn or hurt.  Nipple area is darker and a little tender but not painful.  Will get 2 boosts this week then the last 6 starting next Monday.  I just keep putting the Aloe Force on 3-4 times a day.  Went without a bra today for the first time and it was painful......the skin kept rubbing underneath.  going to go with the t shirt and bra over it tomorrow. 

Hope everyone is well.

Annette47

I am DONE as of today.   Today was the worst one though since my breast has gotten swollen enough that all their calibrations and settings were off so that they needed to get the entire team in to figure out what to do about it.   It took 45 minutes or so, as opposed to the 5 minutes that the previous boosts had taken!   On the plus side, my skin has held up "amazingly" well - just a little pink in the boost area.

No bell to ring or diploma, but they did give me a nice necklace through a group called Operation Bling ... it will make a nice memento to have.

fgm

Congratulations, Annette. Sorry it took 45 minutes but happy your skin held up!!

BUNKIE10

CONGRATS ANNETTE!!!!!

Lisa1637

Going for my first appointment with RO on Thursday. 

Thanks to everyone for the advice and support.  Well wishes to those going thru it and congrats to those who have fininished!!

melmcbee

Congrats Annette. It feels good to be done.

Good luck Lisa. It will go by quick.

Lisa1637

Thanks, Melmcbee!

Question for everyone...

For work I travel to different locations each day and my schedule varies depending on meetings scheduled.  Have any of you had flexibility with each day's visit?  This may be pushing the envelope...any possibility of calling beforehand and dropping in?  I'm forseeing time management/travel issues as work thing come up which is making me even more anxious.

schoolmom

My location was the same time every day .  My onc did allow me to take off 2 days this week for a conference but it has been prearranged since I began the end of Jan. 

Lisa1637

Thanks, Schoolmom.  I hope you'll be done with this part soon....Best, Lisa

5LuvBugs

So happy for you Annette - and glad that you have no serious skin issues... Hope everyone else is doing good tonite..As for me, I am going to load up turbotax and try to do our taxes once again,.,Probably be at it for days.. Anyone else attempt to do their own tax?

SwgeeWi

Congrats Loafer!!!

Congrats Annette!!! I was supposed to finish today, but that bitch Mother Nature gave us a snowstorm instead. Soooooo, tomorrow I'll be done!! YAY! I'm red, swollen and peeling, but no open areas, which I'm thankful for!

5LuvBugs

Swgee hope you were able to plow through all that snow and by now your are FINISHED!!!!  Yay..

Destina

SwgeeWi, I started my rads yesterday in that snow which did not make for a stress free drive, though I was determined to get started. Roads weren't great this morning driving in either for that matter, but much better within a few hours. Congrats on finishing up! Really good to hear your skin has held up and I'm hopeful that mine will, too. Two down, fourteen more to go.

josie123

My first treatment is history.Do you ever get used to laying on that rock of a pillow?My neck was so stiff when I was done.Anyone else have trouble wearing a sports bra?Can't get the darn thing over my head without hurting my shoulder.My DH bought it for me but I don't think I'm going to be able to wear it.I guess I could wear my under wire until I get a new one.My shoulder hurts so bad tonight.I'm not so sure I will wear that bra again.I have problems with that shoulder.

stride

DONE WITH RADS!!!!!!!

Spookiesmom

WOOOO HOOOOO!!!!!



Yea you!!!!!

Do something nice for your self

josie123

Congrats!!on finishing rads Stride!!!

PatinMN

Josie123, I've heard there are sports bras that zip up the front, although I didn't find any in my brief search. I think someone mentioned finding them at KMart - ? I quit wearing bras altogether in about week 3 of rads, and just wore a stretchy camisole. It worked just fine for me especially since it's winter and I'm usually wearing a sweater. With your shoulder problems how are you handling the arms over the head thing for rads?



Stride - congratulations!

melmcbee

Congrats Stride on finishing rads.  Josie my rad team didnt want me to wear a bra. I agree with Patin you can find zip up sports bras maybe in a bigger size so it wont hurt your skin. Good luck.

Lisa1637

Congrats, Stride!!