Fall 2013 Rads

Kruise

I'm enjoying my first rad-free weekend. One week down - five to go :-) I have ended up with a bit of an itchy neck but I think it's a reaction to the cream I was using and overheating at night.

Congrats Graceforme on finishing.

Thanks MsPharoah - I will ask about the breathing.

I had a mini breakdown at the end of my chemo treatment - I just kept crying for no reason. Have done ok so far coping with starting rads but it all is a bit freaky and it is a huge year. We have put our bodies through an awful lot - and it's going to take a long time to recover. So vent all you need to ladies - what better place than here where we all understand completely.

Some great advice from my naturopath, especially for those nearly finished rads, start taking a couple drops of pure iodine in water everyday. It's the natural antedote to radiation. Also google 'astronauts diet' or something like that on food and diet that helps flush the radiation out of your body.

goingforward99

I have finished 22/33 so only 11 left! I have been doing great, with mostly redness under my arm but now my underarm and breast are really starting to hurt…no peeling, bumps or itches so far just pain and tighness. I am using a cream my RO gave me called Elta Lite.

As far as working, I had to stop during chemo. I don’t know how anyone can work during four rounds of Adriamycin/Cytoxin two weeks apart followed by 4 rounds of Taxol 2 weeks apart. I wish I could have worked because 4 weeks before I was scheduled to return to work I received the news that my job could no longer be held for me. I had used up my Family Medical Leave Act time. I was devastated. The irony is I work as a registrar in the hospital where I have had all my diagnostic work, surgery and the Cancer Center where I am treated is part of the same hospital.

I had my last chemo on August 1st. I was going to return to work on August 26th but HR told me to change it to early September so I wouldn’t loose my health insurance until the end of September. They did say they would do their best to find me another job but no guarantees. I ended up being offered a job in the same department but on second shift (3:30 to midnight when I used to work 7-3:30). What choice did I have...I needed my insurance. So I went back to work and started radiation the same week September 2nd. I couldn’t tell if I was tired from the radiation or from working until midnight. I like the people I work with but I feel so isolated from my family. When I am at work they are together cooking and eating. When I get home they are asleep. When I get up they are gone. Enough, you get the idea. Pity party going on here.

I continue to apply for day jobs. I just want my life back.

ItIsWhatItIs2013

I'm so sorry... Goingforward! That sucks! I didn't think they could do that when you are gone for med reasons...

I worked as much as possible during chemo... There were a couple of 10 hour weeks tho. I have an amazing boss & now his wife is in chemo for BC.... Jewish! I don't have insurance, so I tried to go as much as I could in order to keep up on my monthly med pmts.... I'm glad to be able to work (so far) through rads, but got a wave of chemo SEs last week. Weird! The aches & pains.... With rads I just seem to get waves of extreme exhaustion... I've tried to explain it to others as almost feeling dizzy with being tired.... If I get up and move around, it seems to get a little better, but if I were to close my eyes, I'd be out like a light!

tkjjjw

day 4/35, chest pain and fullness in chest, anyone else experience this soon? Only allowed to use Destin paste..

Imamom

Today is 6/28! Last week started out ok, but by the end of the week I was so tired from the long drive there and back. And the wait for my turn is up to three hours! I started out by bringing my computer and working, but by the end of the week I was too tired to work. During chemo I had trouble sleeping and needed to take a pill every night, now- I'm so exhausted that I collapse to sleep at night and sleep through the morning med free! And I'm only one week down!

Good luck to everyone this week- I hope everyone is feeling rested up and ready to face another week!

GrammyR

Imanin- yes you may have some chest discomfort. Mine I would describe as if yiu had badlly wrenched your chest while twisting. I finished all 29 last week. Now the real burning starts. Red raw upper chest and neck.It huts to put on. clothes. Using lots of Aloe whuch does not help much.Sill able to swallow OK so that is good. Not supposed to go back for a month but may need to call if burning gets worse. Hang in tbere ladies.This too shall pass.

Imamom

Grammy, sorry you're not feeling well an I hope it heals quickly! Have you tried something other than aloe? Maybe something with lavender would help?

I noticed my hair is starting to grow back! You have to look with a magnifying glass to see it, but I definitely have some light fuzz! I hope it grows back normally, this fuzz is not what I expected...

Jo6202

GrammyR,

My SIL who hab been through this journey too said she got relief from the burning by putting on the aloe and then laying in front of a fan with no top on. She spent hours in her room so be prepared with a tv, books, iPad etc. unless you want to shock your family, friends or co- workers! :-)

Annie54

GrammyR,

A trick I learned one summer years ago as a short order cook. Wet a tea bag (regular-not herbal) and rub on the burn area. Amazingly it takes the pain away very quickly) One of my grill co-workers taught me this and I've used it all these years for every type of burn imaginable. Works every time! Something about the tannins in the tea....worth a try!

Annie

rrefresca

I'm 20/33 and starting to have pretty bad burning sensation and lots of redness. I cried on my way to radiation on Friday...called my hubby and told him i just don't feel like myself. I'm back at work trying to be all normal and I just feel detached and...i don't know..hard to describe. I feel a little bit like I'm losing my mind. I mean I'm still functioning, but coming to the end of all this, when I think about the past 6 months, I just feel so overwhelmed and exhausted emotionally and still feeling bad physically. Skipped church this morning (which I NEVER do) and slept until 11 with the hope that a little extra sleep would help perk me up. Not so much.

I'm just a big debbie downer over here. geesh.

Only 2 weeks +3 days to go..and five years of tamoxifen...don't even want to think about that. Still having hot flashes from chemo-induced menopause.. Anyone know how long that lasts? I have a follow up with MO tomorrow and trying to gather my wits and a list of questions I should ask...any input?

canuck46

L2girl- I agree w/your feelings about rads - every time I hear the zaps I'm visualizing any stray cells exploding!! I too ask the techs many questions - reassures me that they really know what they are doing!! LOL. The techs are great and I feel fortunate to be here.

Cider8- You are a very awesome lady - going to rads 2x a day and not being home with family. I am sure your DH and kids can't wait for your return so everyone's life including yours can go back to some semblance of normalcy. We are in your pockets and when your rads are done we will all celebrate you.

Hugs, M

Jo6202

rerefresca, it's ok to be a Debbie downer here. We all have our days and the doctors expect it. My MO just asked me if I was losing interest in things I normally enjoy. She is obviously looking for signs of depression. If you do feel depressed, don't hide it from your doctor. They can help you.

JWoo

jbdayton-

Thank you so much for your story. The more I think about it the more I think I will just be canceling my recon till I know for sure. I don't want to go through all of the DIEP surgery just to have it endangered by rads.

The saying in my family is " If it can happen to anyone, it will happen to Jeni." haha. Better safe than sorry with this.

To all of you ladies- Thank you for sharing everything. Although it makes me apprehensive about rads, all of the info and tips you put on here will be great if I have to do it. It is wonderful to see so many people that have never met support one another this way.

I wish you all health and happiness!

4sewwhat

Hi Jeni,

I am weighing in late here but I had 2 PS and my breast surgeon tell me not to radiate flaps. Since you only have one shot at those surgeries and that "fresh" tissue, they don't take any chances that radiation will do damage. I had one very cocky PS say she would do lat flaps and they would radiate "beautifully". Then she said they would need revisions and "tweaking".

SophiaMarie

Cider8, I can't imagine going twice a day! I was just feeling like I needed to get psyched up to start week 2 (and I only had two treatments so far) - at 1x a day. My life has been on hold since this all began this summer.

honeybair

Radiation no 1 for me tomorrow. This is my second time around. I did this 12 years ago this month. Last time after a lumpectomy; this time after mastectomy and chemo, same side of body. Hope to get another 12 years cancer free.

vwbordelon

JWoo,

I was told by my breast surgeon that I might not need chemo and won't need radiation. My MO put me in the "gray area" for chem so we did it then MO Said no radiation. Saw RO and once again in the "gray area". Had a second opinion and now have 19/28 rads down. Very frustrating as I am not a "gray area" kind of person-I see things very black and white. I am now considering reconstruction and I am sooo conflicted as to what procedure and when. It is nice to see the end of treatments is near. I can only pray that Tamoxifin will work it's magic!

Hope everyone has an uneventful week!

CarlaK

One week down, five and a half more to go...

I found it interesting that several people talked about losing it emotionally during their first week even though no physical side effects have really cropped up yet. It happened to me too. Maybe it's because you have to be a patient every damn day? At least with chemo you have days you don't have any appointments and can at least pretend you're not a patient.

I've decided to hit Starbucks after rads on any day I feel down. Salted caramel mochas are great medicine, and soon it will be peppermint mocha season!

Hang in there everyone.....Carla

SophiaMarie

Carla, that sounds like a wonderful idea except that this whole thing has made me get super paranoid of sugar and refined carbs that I can't enjoy those things anymore! Maybe when I'm on tamoxifen I can find a balance..... Maybe.

Teachersbc123

rrefresca,

I don't think we can be too good to ourselves at any point in this process. Whatever we feel, whenever we feel it, is never inappropriate. Show your doctors what you posted. It's honest and they should know how you're feeling. The beginning and end of treatments are beginnings and endings. They are filled with emotion. Thinking of you!

Jo6202

vwbordelon-I am going for my radiation simulation tomorrow but then I can't start because I am in "a gray area" as far as chemo and MO is waiting for more tests on my tumor to make a decision. I had been told all along I would'nt need chemo by BS but MO has other opinions. Waiting for oncotype test to come back so she can give me her opinion. Hurry up and wait again!

GrammyR

HoneyBear- I was not aware they could do RADS again to same area. I had it this time because I was in the " grey area " first time and we went w/chemo. I feel emotionally its just so draining 6 weeks + travel time. I think I made the mistake if losing too much weight too fast. Stopping all dairy, meats .sugar and sat fats and alcohol. . Very tough too do in your 60s. So I will agree with other poster who sez pamper your self until at least getting done w/rads. At my age who would think I have too much Estrogen.My last period was age 45, If I can go totally Almond Milk at this age the anything is possible. I made a good lentil soup last week.

As far as sitting topless w/a fan, the northwest is already getting cool, so a few nice fall days would be nice.

4sewwhat

I've mentioned this before so please excuse the repeat, but for anyone that didnt see it my lymphedema therapist suggests taking a cut up old t shirt or soft cotton flannel and soaking it in aloe, chilled if you want and draping in over the radiation site. That way you don't have to rub where it hurts!

Hope that tip might help.

bikergirl

Hi girls-

Will be popping in here. Finished last chemo 12 days ago. See rad oncologist this week. I keep saying to myself, "I know radiation is no walk in the park, but I am hoping it is not as bad as chemo." I have to admit I am scared.

SophiaMarie

Bikergirl, I didn't have to have chemo so I can't comment from experience, but I don't think it's easy to really compare. I've only got 2 days down and I'm dreading tomorrow. The treatments themselves aren't really anything - it's the emotions that go with it. If you have a grip on that, you'll probably do fine. I swing one way and then the other. Unfortunately right now I'm back in the depressed side. But then I also have a friend dx at the same time with terminal brain cancer, and I just found out that another friend has dcis - and she's a divorced mom with 3 beautiful daughters. It's too much. And I keep letting myself look at dx here, and that majorly depresses me when I see someone with a similar dx - and they now have mets. So hopefully you're a more positive person than I am and you'll be able to keep your head above this!

carla53

CarlaK doing a Starbucks here and there sounds good to me. I am supposed to start radiation next week and doing something special after may help with anxiety or feeling bad. Pumpkin spice latte w nonfat milk and 1 less pump is good also.

When I found out I had the big C, I changed my eating habits almost immediately. No sugar, little fat, vegies, fruit, seldom had meat. Didn't want to feed those tumors. As soon as I had my mastectomy I let up a little. When Chemo started I let up a little more. Still eat better than before but food is somewhat comforting during this time. Before cancer I would have had Pumpkin Spice latte w whole milk and with as much whip creme as I could get also would have gotten a vente vs a grande.

4sowhat thanks for the tip. Sounds soothing.

Cider8 my heart is with you. Twice a day ugh. Also being away from your family. Do you get to go home on weekends?

Hoping for a good week for all of us - Carla

carla53

CarlaK doing a Starbucks here and there sounds good to me. I am supposed to start radiation next week and doing something special after may help with anxiety or feeling bad. Pumpkin spice latte w nonfat milk and 1 less pump is good also.

When I found out I had the big C, I changed my eating habits almost immediately. No sugar, little fat, vegies, fruit, seldom had meat. Didn't want to feed those tumors. As soon as I had my mastectomy I let up a little. When Chemo started I let up a little more. Still eat better than before but food is somewhat comforting during this time. Before cancer I would have had Pumpkin Spice latte w whole milk and with as much whip creme as I could get also would have gotten a vente vs a grande.

4sowhat thanks for the tip. Sounds soothing.

Cider8 my heart is with you. Twice a day ugh. Also being away from your family. Do you get to go home on weekends?

Bikergirl from what I've read it isn't as bad as chemo. Although I'm still not looking forward to it. Deep breathes. We will make it through this too.

Hoping for a good week for all of us - Carla

MsPharoah

Bikergirl, hello. Everyone is different so it is subjective about whether rads is easier than chemo. Having had 6 cycles of TC, for me, rads is definitely easier and I did very well during chemo with minimal side effects. I am 22/34 and my boob is red, a little itchy and sore. It will probably get more sore, but I know that I can deal with this. Don't worry, Hun. You already made it through chemo, so deep down..you know you can do this!

Hugs, Sandra

honeybair

GrammyR.....My RO explained to me that since my breast has been removed, the radiation will be going to my chest wall, previously untouched by my former radiation. Also, my right armpit will receive radiation, which it did not receive before, though it did burn after the previous radiation and now hair no longer grows there. I really am concerned about radiation there and what it might do to my skin there.

Thanks to everyone for sharing ways to keep our skin as comfortable as possible. Since I did radiation 12 years ago, I know that pain and soreness are a side effect of radiation and for a while afterwards, no one will be able to hug us because of the soreness which will linger for a while. My skin returned to normal previously and there are no signs that I ever had radiation years ago.

Sending out painless hugs and wishing everyone the best possible outcome.

canuck46

Honeybair - wishing you the easiest time in rads! Hopefully things have changed for the better in the last 12 years.

bikergirl - some people just sail thru rads - everyone who has bravely undergone chemo then had rads have said they would much rather do rads Hope that will be your experience too.

Saw RO today and she said that I am scheduled for 25 rads and 6 boosts but it was my choice whether to do the 6 boosts as the difference in MY CASE of not doing it would lessen my chances of reoccurance from 3% to 5%. I really need to think about this. Has anyone else foregone the boosts?