Winter 2013-2014 Rads

Anonymous

I finished my radiation treatment today - 30/30 which included 5
boosts. My skin has held up very well so far. Unfortunately I'm
suffering from a pretty nasty upper respiratory infection (nothing to do
with rads). Sending encouragement to all that are still in treatment,
and those getting ready to start. The anticipation for me was far worse
than the treatment. Best wishes to all!

RedReading

Pocket party for Slow!!!! Dah Dah Dah Dah Dah duh! Can you feel us doing the conga line in your pocket? Congrats sweetie!!!

Sure hope that bronchitis let's go of you soon. Hugs'n'kisses. 

Deb

Anonymous

Thanks Red! Feels so good to finally be finished!! Big hugs back at ya!!

Lilyluv

Can you develop cording from armpit radiation if no nodes were removed?  My PT said she feels cording and my shoulder, arm and hand are continuing to bother me.  If she presses by my armpit, my whole arm hurts and fingers go numb.  Anybody hear of that?

MinusTwo

Lily - I think you CAN develop LE and/or cording from radiation apart & aside from node removal.  Hopefully someone else will jump in.

Slow - add me to that conga line if I won't slow everyone up too much.  Otherwise I'll sit on the side & bang a tambourine and drink margaritas.  Congrats.

Anonymous

Oh Lily, I just sent you a PM - and here you are - WOW. My RO said you can develop problems without the SNB, but it's not supposed to be as common. I didn't have the SNB either because I wanted to limit lymphedema and cording. I also didn't care to know my true stage. Did you ask to see a LE specialist? I haven't had any problems so far.

MinusTwo, join the conga line!! I'm sure we are all moving a little slow these days. Sign me up for a margarita too!!

checkers

Just got back from Florida. Spent the time building sand castles, drinking wine and sitting on the beach. I've recovered from rads but still have a tan on the boost site.  Many thanks to all of you for your support I'm moving on but will check in periodically to see how everyone is doing.  Many gentle hugs. Stay strong radiant ladies!

Lojo

hi all,

Feeling a bit better today •• still hurts (now 9 days out) and still oozing, but the area is smaller now, about the size of my thumb instead of two fingers, and the drier parts are now peeling big chunks (sorry for the image!). I might still call the RO, but I'm a little more hopeful now. A nurses' guide to rad burns that I was reading last night really emphasized that reactions peak 7-10 days after and that yellow ooze is a good thing as it helps the epithelial cell migrate after they divide. I wish the doc had given me that info pamphlet!

TB90

Lojo:  I wish I had had that info as well.  I know what you mean about chunks.  I felt like a reptile.  All gone now and soft and smooth as a baby's butt   You are almost done with the painful part. 

TeamKim

Congrats Slow -- I am tagging on for the Conga line!

Lojo, hang in there.  It sounds like you've turned the corner.  (((Hugs)))

Lilyluv

Thanks MinusTwo and Slow Deep Breaths.  A super big congrats on finishing rads Slow Deep Breaths!!  Just you just gotta kick that cough to the curb now.  Hope you feel better soon!  Yes, the two therapists at the hospital PT are part of the breast cancer program.  I'm learning more from them than the RO or nurse. 

flagirl

hi all had tx 14/33 today. Bumps starting to appear on upper inside of breast and slight itching. I want to get this under control quickly if possible. Any suggestions? Hydrocortizone cream I think I read about. Any particular brand? Glad the weekend is here. Enjoy ladies

Miminiemi

Flagirl. I loved Domboro compresses to relieve bad itching if that happens to you.  It is over the counter usually for poison ivy dermatitis.  The Pharmäcy can order it.  My nurse recommended it.  Many others here have also liked it, but haven't seen much talk about it in the past month or two.

MinusTwo

Flagirl - My RO said OK to use 1% hydrocortisone over the counter and also the Domeboro 3x a day.  I didn't end up using that but they had it behind the pharmacy counter at WalMart.  I'll send it to my son who get's wicked poison oak each spring.

flagirl

yea this morning I have tiny blisters that look like a pimple ready to pop. They are itchy its above breast toward center. I wasn't as applying aquafore there of course. Thanks will get domobore and hydroc today after treatment. Bought the hydrocort today after tx.  When I got home the itching began.  Starting to peel already.  I hope I am not going to get too bad and have to stop.  I am halfway done 15 of 33.  Glad for the weekend and gonna apply the aquafore all weekend to try and get it back before Monday.  Going braless all weekend not going anywhere.  Feeling whipped, no energy. Catching up on some movies this weekend   Happy Friday to all, enjoy

AndreaJ50

just finished fifth week of Rads!! Only 3 more full breast and 5 boosts left. I got very pink at the start of week five, but no sores or oozing so far.

I use Udderly Smooth lotion (as per RO suggestion: from Dollar store) and also Aquafor on nipple and underboob.

Tech said my skin was holding up extremely well. I'm not complaining. Just hoping it doesn't get any worse.

Gentle hugs for everyone going through Rads right now.

flagirl

Well, I have peeled lightly pretty much all over.  The tiny blisters were peeling skin and I put Neosporin on the first day I peeled because it was very sensitive.  The rest just had a light peel like a sunburn but has calmed down quite a bit.  I hope enough to get through 13 more full breast tx and five boosts.  I put on a lot of aquafore then load it up with pure cornstarch powder which helps keep it dry and keeps the rubbing down when wearing clothing.  Ready for another round, hit me! Let's get this over with...

Good luck everyone with your tx next week. Hugs

RedReading

Flagirl and Andrea, in addition to what you are doing, perhaps a daily bath with Epsom salts would ease the pain. I know it sounds like salt would be terrible for it, but I found it very soothing. In my final week of rads, I was taking two baths a day. Also lost the bra at week 3, I wore men's sleeveless undershirts 1 size too small for the rest of it. It didn't support them but it kept my boobs from wobbling.

3 Week Post Rads Update

My breast is almost normal again. Still burnt and raw underneath but getting better everyday. I was able to wear a bra again this week, but I am still using sports bras as I am afraid the under wire will dig in. Energy level is getting a tiny bit better. Not as quickly as I'd like though. 

Keep smiling girls. You'll be done before you know it.

AndreaJ50

Red, thank you for the advice. (Fellow Canadian here).

I will try Epsom salts tomorrow. So far my skin is doing remarkably well......hoping it stays that way.

flagirl

Redreading thanks I will continue to march forward until my journey is through.  I know I can and will do this.  I have 13 full and 5 more boosts remaining.  Epsom salts sounds good I will try.  Appt got postponed til later in the day computer problems.  Maybe I will get lucky and not have to do one today and give my breast another day of recovery :-)

Wanted to address another issue-got my credit card stolen by restaurant worker.  Do not sign the back of your cc card, write see ID on the back and black out the security code so they can't get it.  Follow the server to the computer to ring up and then hand them the card so they have to do it right in front of you.

flagirl

RedReading Curious, did you have any boosts?  I would like to know what to expect if you did and you are willing to share.

msmaples516

walmart.  I bought the big tub. Also had rx for lidacane for later. Good luck! U got this girl!!!!

RedReading

Flagirl, I had 4 boosts. They are easy peasy. No problem at all. But of course, since they are concentrated on the surgical site, that becomes redder and a bit more uncomfortable. Its definitely doable though. I wouldn't worry over it. Between 7-14 days after you are done, the radiation in your body peaks. So keep taking soothing baths and using your cream (I used Glaxal Base) for that two weeks. 

Everyone is different so no guarantees but that worked pretty well for me.

flagirl

Redreading thanks for the info. Looking forward to the weekend break.  Hanging in, not too bad so far. Just one more tx this week.

Mayanne

Enjoy your weekend, Flagirl.  I always loved the change of routine on weekends, too.  And I would almost be able to feel myself healing over those two days,.  

flagirl

Mayanne I finally feel like the fatigue is getting better. Trying to get my energy level back. I too enjoy the weekends and the energy level. Only 8 full and 5 boosts left. Have a nice weekend.

flagirl

 I just found out today I will be having five proton boosts consisting of five axis positioning.  Anyone else have that? My regular treatments are external beam rads.

RedReading

Flagirl I only had 4 but yes the positionals were there and preparing for them wasn't the greatest as I spent a bunch of time on that very uncomfy bed/guerney. But again, it's doable. You'll be fine. ((flagirl))

Omg. Has it really been a month since rads. My breast is fine. No redness or weeping. It is a bit cockeyed now - stares off to the right. Lol. I still take my daily baths with Epsom salts, but I don't feel I need for 2 any more. I still sleep with a pillow to elevate my arm but I often don't use it. Life seems to be returning to normal.

Hugs'n'kisses deb

flagirl

redreading thanks the epson salts is really helping. Started boosts today three this week two next and then back to six regular tx. Bought alovera plant switching to that to try and keep the markings for boosts. Will start back on aquafore Tues when I start full tx again. Looking forward to the end down to 10. Yey! Does the glaxal base cream take off markings?

RedReading

Flagirl, I have no idea - in Canada they tattoo the markings on. I will have mine forever, so I didn't worry about whether the Glaxal Base would erase them. I will say though that Glaxal Base was wonderful, it isn't thick and goopy, it eventually works its way into the skin and doesn't mark clothing. LOVED IT!!!!!