Spring 2014 Rads

travlmom

HI ladies - I just finished 7/33 rads today.  Yesterday they took xrays and this morning they adjusted my treatment area due to movement when breathing.  I asked if I should hold my breath when the zap starts and he said no.  I do try not to breath once the buzzing starts.  Today is the first day I feel a little discomfort in my boob.  to top this off I am getting a UTI - so cranberry juice all day!! Everyone have a good weekend and moisturize!

Redheaded1

Vintage Gal--someone else suggested to me that I get 100 percent cotton "wife beater" t shirtssss at Target and put them on between the lotion and my bra.  So I started rads yesterday---felt warm and itchy after I got home so I put the cotton t shirt on, then a sports bra onesize bigger over the top--It will keep the lotion off your bra/clothing and gives moderate support if you are slightly big busted.

Click chick--good to meet another fair skinned person at the same point I am at---I am using Calendula cream from the health food store and my Xclair should be here today.  Looking forward to comparing skin results with you.

To all who post here--Thanks for the lovethat has sustained me and the good done by otherss here-it has lifted me when my spirit has been low during this C experience.

TB90

Travlmom:  Do not worry about the breathing.  I felt inclined to hold my breath too and then suddenly I would sort of gasp and take a deep breath.  Probably worse to do that than just breath normally.  Although you are getting rads to the left side, the latest studies show no more chance of cardiovascular complications than to the right side and the breathing techniques are generally no longer being used due to radiation therapy being so much better and more precise.

Another study that I recently read recommended Calendula cream for those of you in the states.  FYI

Anonymous

Thanks for the info., Flagirl. I hadn't thought about plastic wrap--that sounds like it will work well. I've had a UMX and hope I can wear my bra and prosthesis through the better part of rads.

You're almost halfway there, that's great!! Enjoy your weekend break.

MaryFox

Had 10/33 today.  My skin is getting red now and getting a little sore right at the outer end of my MX scar.  I've been using Aquaphor and today the nurse gave me samples of Miaderm and 100% aloe.  I'm already starting to feel the fatigue that I didn't expect for at least another week.  Saw my MO yesterday and blood work is good.  In general, things are good.

StillRunningNLM

I am one week out from 33 txs with 7 boosts at the end.  The redness and itching is subsiding slowly, but I am feeling very drained physically.  I feel more tired then I did during my treatments.  I think it is as much from emotions as it is from the treatments.  I also re-started my daily Tamoxifen on Monday.  I had a tough time with the SEs when I stopped for the rads so I was dreading taking it again.  I really have to work on being in the moment and not wasting energy on worrying about when the SEs will hit again.  It has been a long week, I can't wait for some quiet time this weekend.  I hope everyone is progressing nicely, has minimal SEs and a restful and restorative weekend 

VintageGal1111

Thanks RedHead

 I had a BMX last month, LOL so no worry on needing support! I do have camis & stretcht bralets that should work, thanks!

inks

I had my dry run today and will start on Monday. I'll be getting IMRT which makes me happy since I hope it will damage the skin just a bit less. I can't wait for it all to be over already. This has been a long 8 months.

BigDBeatingBigC

Hi Ladies, just checking in tonight.

I had my 4th boost today, my last tx is Monday!  And I am going to celebrate by having a brain MRI - haha.  I know, I am crazy, but wanted to get it over with.  The MRI is not related to my BC, I am seeing a neurologist and he is testing me to see why I have fallen a couple of times in the past.  Anyway, getting that done and seeing my PCP next week too.  I am taking few days off next week and am going to enjoy them!

I am a bit more sore today, and I noticed some "freckling" under my arm.  We are renovating at my office and it was hard to work full days this week and pack up my station as well, but I got through it.  Just know that you can do this ladies.  I was worried about SE's, burning, pain, fatigue, etc. but I had a pretty easy time of it.  The shortened protocol of 16 whole and 5 boosts went very fast for me.  Not sure what I will feel like the next couple of weeks, but I am planning some luncheons out with friends next week and hope I will continue to feel good enough to go out an have a good time.

My skin never got red, not even pink, and I used both RadiaGel and Aquaphor and will continue to use them over the next several weeks.  I will schedule a followup appt with my RO within the next 6 weeks.  So I am at that point where treatment is done, I am on hormone therapy for 10 years and will see my doctors 4 times a year.  Feels very strange to be at this point.  Where do I go from here?  Hopefully, onward and upward!

I hope you all have a blessed and happy weekend and good luck to everyone going through rads in this thread!

flagirl

BigDBeatingC Good luck great to hear you are almost done and doing well. I am sure you are glad to be moving on and getting back your life.  ENJOY your time off and your break, you deserve it!!

flagirl

Trvlmom I am getting 33 tx to my left breast.  Just finished 15/33 today. Just breathe normal, I try to take  a few deep breaths before they start and then just try to slow down and ] breathe shallower.  Good luck with your tx.

faerywings

BigD! Awesome!!!!!   I am doing a 4 week/3 boosts compressed schedule so it is great to hear that you are doing so well!

Do you ever feel that if you got paid say, $1 and hour for every hour you spent in some medical situation you would be a millionaire by now? I know I do! LOL!

Anonymous

Inks- I have said those exact same words many times. The last 8 months it feels as if 2 or 3 years have passed.

It's good to see people finishing up rads and moving on with their lives. It gives me some hope that there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Hang in there!

BigDBeatingBigC

Thank you, flagirl!  I am still pretty sore -- I took two hydrocodone that I had left over from surgery during the night last night, was up and down all night.  Once I get settled it is fine, but it hurts for sure.  However, it is not debilitating pain.  I got up today and ran errands, cleaned a bit, but have stopped for awhile.  I do not want to overdue and make it more painful. 

Inks hahahahahahaha -- boy, I sure could use that dollar an hour, that would be a nice little chunk of change!  I am sure it would be for all of us.  I have seen so many docs in the last 4 months that I am excited to have a month of no appointments after this next week.  It's funny how you appreciate the little things like that.

clickchick, there is indeed a light at the end of the tunnel.  This is one of the most difficult things I have faced in my life, maybe the most difficult, and I live alone and have no family here, so there have been many evenings of tears.  But if I can get through this, I promise you, you all can! 

We all have a deep appreciation and empathy for everyone in this forum because we know how it feels.  We are going through the same fears and concerns, the pain and recovery, but we at least live in an era where there is so much more help and support for this disease.  I do not take anything for granted anymore.

It is a beautiful, sunny, warm day in Dallas, but tomorrow night we are getting storms and the temperatures are going to drop drastically -- typical Dallas weather!  I am enjoying this amazingly beautiful day.  And with that, I am gonna fix a light lunch and take a nap!

Hugs to you all.

keepthefaith

BigD, So happy for you that you are almost done!

I am at #9/33. Getting some pink.

I had my port removed yesterday and had a reaction to the tape they put over the steri-strip. Woke up with red cheeks and red under the tape; used aquaphor and it's looking better.

Have a great week-end ladies!

 

 

Pam358

I am at 23/33....two more in my lymph node area, three more whole breast and then 7 boosts! It's red in my lymph node area and some dark pink on my breast but the pain is not quite ibuprofen worthy during the day - I did take some for sleeping. The nipple area is the most sensitive....but then I remember some wish they had that sensitivity to deal with, so in my book it's a small price to pay. 

BigDBeatingBigC

Hang in there Pam and keepthefaith!  You are doing great and it will be done before you know! 

Just got up from a nap and feeling a lot better.  I think I way overdid yesterday.  Rest is more important than you may think!

Notbuyingit

looking for advice - 20/30 treatments - post reconstruction with an implant - 15 nodes removed so my underarm is kind of concaved which makes it hard to keep it dry - it got really brown & now is peeling to a pink - just started happening last nite (of course it's the weekend) yeooow!

wanting to quit again...this shit is ridiculous

simplelife4real

Hi All, 

Just checking in.  I've done 9 of 33 rads so far.  I'm surprised how tired I suddenly got on Friday and I've been tired all weekend.  I'm sleeping much more all the sudden too.  I like what someone said about our cells healing faster while we are sleeping.  Makes me feel like I'm doing a good thing instead of being lazy.  My MO doesn't believe in putting any creams on until there's a problem (of course he's a guy....and never had rads so I'm thinking he doesn't really care).   I see him on Monday.  Like others, I've felt a little pain and tenderness in the radiated area, but nothing horrible.  For a while I was having a lot of nerve tingling, but I realized I was working out too much at the fitness center and that was what was creating the problem.  I've backed off of so much arm moving (during aerobics) and weight lifting and I feel a lot better now.

It's so nice to see so many people here from the Sept. chemo thread!  We can do this!

Hugs,

Kay

flagirl

Pam358 Hang in there you can do it!  I just figured out I have 13 more whole breast tx and five boosts.  It sounds less when you break it down like that.

BigDBeating Glad to hear you are hanging in and coping.  It's tough what we are going through, I am too alone in that my family is not close by, and I don't really share too much with my husband about my feelings because he is a wreck.  To make it easier for him I keep things on the down low, so I get how you feel.  Just think when we are done with this stage of it we will be really able to get our life back and move forward.  I can't wait to get my energy level back and be able to exercise and enjoy the outdoors like I used to.  Time feels like it has stopped for some reason and like we are in limbo. Atleast that's how I feel.  I have peeled all weekend and still have so many tx left.  I hope my skin can tolerate it.  I am on my second tube of aquafore now.

simpleife4 Hang in there.  Your body is trying to heal itself from the surgery, anxiety and RADs.  It's a lot to go through.  Take this time for yourself and allow your body to heal. There will be plenty of time when you are done to catch up on the many things you missed now.  I am tired of being tired, but I know that it's short lived.  Its less than thirty days left for all of us.  Short time considering we have all been doing this for probably six months to a year for some.  We can do it and will because we are strong.  Girl power!!

keepthefaith Congrats on getting the port out.  One more check off the done list.  Soon this will be behind us and we can move on with our lives.  The light is a the end if the tunnel, can you see it?

Hugs to all

BigDBeatingBigC

Thanks, flagirl.  You are right.  I felt at the beginning that time had literally stopped.  The stress with the waiting for this test and that test was absolutely horrible.  You know how it is, then, with no family near.  Yes, it is going to be much better to not have to see a doctor every week, every day, but I am not sure I won't always worry -- I have to find a way to get to the new normal, if I can.  I am sure that when it is time for my next scan or blood work, I will always worry about results.  But it will be nice to get to feeling like myself hopefully, and exercise.  I have weight to lose so I do have my work cut out for me.  I had lost some weight prior to rads, and then was told to stop trying to lose weight during rads because it changes how the energy goes through you, which makes sense.  So now I can get back to it and I am looking forward to that.  Your RO will tell you what to do if your skin continues to change.  You will get through this.

Notbuyingit:  DO NOT QUIT.  You can fight through this period.  10 treatments left, count them down.  You will be done in two weeks so do not give up now!

simplelife:  Yes, you can overdo.  Exercise is not bad, but lifting weights might be a bit much.  You use a lot of energy during rads.  I overdid last week and boy could I feel it.  You had chemo too, so I don't think it is unusual for you to feel it more than those of us who did not have chemo. 

I do see the light at the end of the tunnel -- you will too.

Notbuyingit

it def does feel like time stopped at DX and life has been in limbo - the holidays have gone by one by one but not really celebrated, always the thought - "this time next year..." I remember saying early on to my Onc -" i used to have a life - now i have cancer"

this IS the last big step - the last destructive/constructive step towards a life where we will talk about & think about something other than BC and, God willing, we will never be here again!!

talked to the doc on call - said the peeling was nothing to worry about - old skin dying, new skin taking it's place (isn't it too soon?) &  that i should still be good to go tomorrow

still would LOVE to quit ( my husband would love it too because he's sick of my rollercoaster!) right now my side hurts so bad i want to scream! but i have 10 zaps btween now & getting it done...most of the damage has already been done, and i truly truly do want to say I DID EVERYTHING I COULD     

BigDBeatingBigC

Notbuyingit:  Yes, the peeling is the new skin and everyone is different as to when or even if it happens.  I have not had any peeling yet.  But it could happen after rads are over.  If the pain is that bad, you should ask for pain meds.  And you just get through these next 10 treatments the best you can.  And you know we are here for you through the ups and the downs. 

faerywings

Just a quick pop in to say Happy Monday and good luck to everyone as we start a new week.

Notbuyingit

on my way! #10 will be done

LidzyWidzy

Hey there - heading over soon for 9/33 - DD's & their beaus are home for Passover & the girls are coming with me to rad tx today :-)

Happy Passover to all who celebrate!

flagirl

Well, Got a call the computer down and they are working on it.  I called this morning to find out status and they will be in touch.  I will probably be rescheduled for later in the day.  I have 13 full and 5 boosts but gonna hang in there.  I had peeling all over but no blistering.  Just continue to put the aquafore on every couple of hours and no bra when home.  WE CAN DO THIS!!

Good luck to all of you still continuing on with TXs and kudos to those finishing up.

StillRunningNLM

Notbuyingit - make sure you let the nurse on your team know.  They do have ways to help you heal,even during treatment. I had a large irritation under my arm on the last week of full treatment.  The nurse loaded me up with treatment options and I made it through.  It was uncomfortable, but I did not want to give up or take a break that close to the end.  You are close and you can do it!

Lojo

So - an update, hopefully the last! I'm now 14 days post treatment, and finally, I'm almost healed (intact skin). I still have a small area that looks just like a bad cut on my chest (again I'm post MX, no recon). My worst days were about days 5-10 after rads, when I had, at its max, an open, weeping area of about the size of my first two fingers - and similar shape, running vertically on my chest across the scar line. I think this is about where the tumor was, so it might have gotten a higher boost there. Anyway - I used the vaseline gauze all the time on days 5-8, then began letting it air out about half the day afterwards. I'm thinking last night was my last use of the gauze. I've been off percoset since about Thurs (ran out and decided I didn't need any more) and just been using Advil. I think the remaining small area should be completely healed in the next two days, but it's not too bad now. Just restarted tamoxifen today, so 5, maybe 10 yrs to go on this phase. Best of luck ladies!

Girlstrong

Hi girls...today is number 24 for me.  I have a lot of skin darkening, especially under my armpit.  2 tiny blisters under the breast but no open areas.  I feel really "tender" under my armpit and so I keep just wearing loose clothes and lots of aquaphor.  I am really trying to hang in there...I am almost done.  My treatment plan was for 25 whole breast and 5 boosts.  So the way I see it, tomorrow will be my last day and the boost will be easier??  I truly hope that this is the case.  One MO told me that our skin really does heal up rather quickly. Lets keep our fingers crossed for that.  Love