Spring 2014 Rads

Macy187833

Hi ladies, as I read through the latest posts I'm so amazed that so many of you have finished or are finishing very soon! A big congrats to you. 

I was supposed to have #10 today but drat, the darn weather has kept me home. I drive 100 miles and the weather looked bad for at least half of it. So, I decided to not risk it. Another treatment to be added to the end...after I go back to work. Big sigh, frustrating. 

Simplelife4...our experiences seem similar and we are about at that same place in rads. I've also been very tired, more tired than when I was in chemo. I'm not as achy but with having the weekend off I totally expected that to go away. That's interesting that you've had nerve tingling while working out. I've been keeping up with working out but it is more exhausting to me than normal, have you found this to be true for you?

BigDBeatingBigC

I AM DONEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!  Yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!  I received a colorful Graduation Certificate today hahahahaha.  I am still having pain and the nurse told me to contact them if it does not go away.  Apparently the pain I am having is not normal.  But it is not too bad so I will just hope it vanishes soon.  I never had any skin issues.  I have been told to use up my RadiaGel, then start using Aquaphor or Aloe Vera Gel, with no alcohol in it.  Made a follow-up appointment and now I am leaving for my brain MRI - ugh.

They told me not to remove the pieces of tape.  Nurse said there is a chance that I could pull off skin if I pull them off myself, so just to let them come off in the shower or use some baby oil to loosen them.  I did buy some Emu oil which I will use now.

Geez it got chilly here overnight.  Supposed to actually be down to freezing tonight!  April in Dallas -- go figure. 

I am seeing my PCP on Wednesday morning, so think I will stop and get some nice breakfast pastries for the rads crew from my favorite German bakery and drop them off after my morning appt.  I wanted to do something today for them, but overslept.

To those starting and those continuing, believe me it goes by fast.  The fatigue I felt was not bad and today I have plenty of energy, just soreness on my R side.

Have a nice day everyone!

keepthefaith

BigD congrats! Happy Dance for you!!!

girlstrong, my RO told me since the boosts target a smaller area, the rest of the already treated area will start to heal while you are getting boosts. So, you aren't getting as much radiation when the boosts start!

going in for #10 now. So far, so good!

 

QuirkyGirl

finished 18 out of 30 today and my skin is doing great.  Just like a mild sunburn.  I'm swearing by the twice daily calendula cream applications.  Happy Konday to all! This will all be over before you know it.  I'm still amazed that three months of chemo are already behind me.

keepthefaith

QG, good to hear from you and glad you are doing so well! Will you be on HT after rads?

flagirl

BigDbeating congrats on finishing. Wishing you well on your journey. You are brave and we are so proud of you.     Cheers, friend 

GraceB1

Finished up today  28 rads with no boosts. My skin over my upper chest is really red , itchy and sore along with some sores on my back. The rest of the treated area is just tanned. Dr prescribed silver sulfadiazine for the sores and a low dose ativan for my nausea. I've been nauseated for about a week. They said my skin looks pretty good out side my upper chest and two spots on my back.I took in a tray of brownies and they were being eaten before I left. The staff was great.

But I'm done!

I realize I can get worse over this next week but the end is in sight. Next up is the HT starting in a week. Have a visit with my PS next week, he wants to see how the TE held up during rads and then a recheck with the RO in a month and the MO in 5 weeks to see how I'm handling the HT. And most important, a new grandson due in two weeks! Facing forward, taking one step at a time.

Anonymous

Congrats Big D and Grace B1. How exciting to be finished! I just had my simulation today and it was a breeze. Probably 15 minutes total for the CT Scan and the tattoos. I medicated myself for nothing! Rads start Wednesday.

Pam358

Congrats Big D & Grace on finishing!

Anneb1149

congratulations, Big D and Grace! I am only on day 3, but look forward to joining you and being DONE!

FightBC

I have question about bra and other clothing. 

Did you wear your regular bra or cotton or sports or any other special type during the radiation treatments? 

And how about shirts, t-shirts? Any specific material to avoid or deep neck? 

Did your pink skin show, how did people react if that that's the case? 

I told only few of my friends. so, wondering about how you face the curiosity. 

Thanks for all the informative threads! 

BigDBeatingBigC

Thank you, keepthefaith, flagirl, Grace, clickchick, Anneb, and Pam!!  I do not feel particularly brave -- I think we are all brave if we are going through this journey.  Even when we are nervous, fearful, crying, angry, in shock, whatever.  We are facing this disease and we gain a lot of strength in here to fight.

FightBC, I purchased three black and three white cotton tanks off of Ebay before I started my rads.  I am not very big on top and I felt it would be more comfy to not wear a bra during rads.  RMlulu suggested it -- she calls it "freeboobing."  That might be difficult if you are heavier on top.  I just wore the tank under whatever shirt or sweater I had and it worked well for me.  My marks might have been seen if I had worn anything with a super deep V cut.  In terms of material, no I did not notice that it mattered.  I did not have skin issues but even if I had, I do not think I wore anything that would have been very revealing, but it was pretty chilly during these last few weeks and I wore a lot of sweaters.  Yes, people where I work are curious about how I am doing, but I chose to let everyone know and I look at this as a chance to educate anyone who is curious.  Hopefully they see that I was able to work all through rads and did not have any soreness until right at the end.  I wanted the ladies in particular to know that I am doing just fine.  

Just be sure to treat yourself well, get lots of rest as you can, drink a lot of water, try and get a little exercise in, eat protein, and use whatever moisturizer that has been recomended to you!

I am going to hang out in the Radiation Recovery room in here but I will keep an eye on how you all are doing and will continue to post on how I am doing these next several weeks.  Before you know it, you will be done. 

{{{{{{{{{HUGS TO ALL}}}}}}}}}

GraceB1

My RO didn't want me to wear a bra and honestly it would have been very uncomfortable. I used a light weight camo from fruit of the loom, soft and stretchy. A few people noticed the pick chest but they knew about my radiation. To avoid stares at the grocery story I wore higher necked shirts.

Notbuyingit

another day down, fellow Rad -icals - i did have the nurse & the tech take a look at my peeled underarm before treatment - the nurse gave me the next step lotion - a topical emulsion called Biafine - for the peeled area. I am like a lotion fiend - waiting to break out in all kinds of pimples when i'm done

what bothers me is the tightening i'm feeling - not sure if it's the lymph removal site or the implant/pec muscle - or both - I just pray when i'm done it will loosen back up & feel more normal ...as promised

my acupuncture-ist (is that a word?) said to me today that if i've made the decision to continue I need to mentally embrace the radiation as a healing tool - because if my mind consider it poison my body will react to it that way - food for thought

Pam358

Macy - I sure get the weather thing.  More snow headed our way this week and I'm going to stay overnight again to make sure I get to my treatment.  I'm currently scheduled to end on a Friday and I'm trying not to go into the next week.

Clickchick - glad to hear your simulation was a breeze.

Fight BC - I wore my regular bra for a couple weeks and then switched to a stretchy sports bra.

Caking0923

I finished week 1 on Friday. 7 more weeks to go!! I'm walking to and from treatment 12 minutes each way. I find myself very tired at night. I wasn't expecting it right away. Does anyone have any tips for fatigue? I live alone and my daughter is at college so taking it easy isn't too hard. 

Thank you to everyone! We got this! 

FightBC

Thank youBigDBeatingBigC, Pam358, GraceB1  and all for your replies. 

Yeah, no bra is not an option for me due to bigger size. I will have to get suggested camisoles. I am already using sports bra from fruit of the loom which are soft and stretchy. I guess, I should get one more pair. 

I am really worried and just crossing my fingers for smooth ride.

Good luck with your treatment and recovery everyone.

 

faerywings

OMG, what a treat to read this today!!!! So much positive energy here, I Love it! I am 6/23 down. I noticed that the top of my boob is looking a little pink.  You know how when you are in the sun, you can press your skin and it turns light, then back to red? That is what its is doing. I am using lots and lots of lubriderm and aquaphor and cornstarch. I hope it doesn't get too much worse.

I have been using tank tops, no bras. My only issue is that I can't wear the usual tighter t-shirts that I usually do. My treated nipple is huge and pokes out of everything. Its kind of funny, but I don't want to be walking around shop rite with one "headlight" on. The kids will all point and shout "Pididdle!!"

StillRunningNLM

I had 33 txs, with 7 boosts, that ended on 4/3.  My skin is finally starting to look less pink, but I can still see the boost area clearly.  My fatigue seems to be subsiding, but I still don't have my normal energy back.  I am also feeling more tender under my scar/boost area then I have in days.  I am not sure why, maybe it is just part of the healing process.  I hope you all are managing the SEs ok and that you stay strong through the treatment.  It is hard, but it is doable!

FightBC

Thanks for your feedback StillRunningNLM. I am hoping that I get just about that side effects, no peeling, no burning, etc.

faerywings, I may end up buying nipple concealer. Even if I don't use tight shirts, as I can't use padded bras, I think I will need those. It is available in Target, I think I have seen them in Macy's too. Not too sure about Macy's/ . Hope they are not too sensitive not to handle concealers. 

Getting ready to see radiation oncologist. Have sim appointment on Thursday. Will let you know how it goes.

Redheaded1

I am off to treatment 4 of 28.  Found out I am getting a total of 5040 gray and 180 gray per day for my total radiation.  How does that compare with the rest of you?  Had a slight panic attack yesterday---when the machine moved away from my right side and rotated across, I felt so exposed on the right side of my body, I thought I was going to roll off the table......Course, the time had got away from me, and I was 15 minutes late and I did the OJ thru the airport run from the parking lot, so I guess I wasprobably stressed when I laid down.  Machine is supposed to measure my breathing and only zap me when my boob moves away from the chest, but I am sure I was breathing faster and shallower than when they did the simulation (tumor was on the left).

It was 80 degrees here Saturday and sunday, and it snowed last night--but is melted off but cold today.  Life in Central IL, what can I say..... 

Redheaded1

FightBC--what is a nipple concealer?  I am busty too and am curious. I've never heard of it.

Gramof2boys

Hi everyone, well I went last Monday for my simulation for rads, they said I would hear from them on Thursday or Friday to start on Monday.Well I never heard from them and called yesterday, they said it was in progress but my plan was not ready yet! WTH! Finally got the call this afternoon and I start my rads tomorrow!!! Can't wait to scratch another to do off my list!! Hope everyone is tolerating their tx well! I will check in soon!

flagirl

fightbc I bought sports cotton bras larger than my size they shrink Walmart. The markers will ruin bras and the lotions so don't wear anything nice.  I bought a few cheap large t-shirts to freeboob around the house. Aquafore ruins clothing so wear old clothes you can ditch when done. Make sure you apply creams all the way up to the collar bone.

flagirl

had my 17/33 today. Itching blisters getting worse above and between breasts. Dr gave me two prescriptions itching and antibiotics creams. Hope they help. Bumps getting larger.  I have 12 full and 5 boosts left. No pain to speak of. Fatigued but seems to not be getting worse.  Hanging in. 

flagirl

redhesded1 I get 1x4544 per day which is two zaps about 18 seconds on each side. Curious anyone else getting 28 full and 5 boosts like me?

flagirl

caking9023 fatigue is common. Give into it. This is a time for healing. Don't over do it. Sleep is important and rest. It's doable, pick priorities and the rest will be done at a later time. Good luck

VintageGal1111

Good for your Gram! I have a rad dry run on Friday, then the real thing starts Monday. They put me off 10 days after the simulation because I wasn't a month post BMX.

Pam358

Today I had my mapping/simulation for my boosts which will start on Thursday.  When my RO came in to  check the position he used the words "we can use the nipple as a landmark".  After he left the room I mentioned to the therapists that nobody has ever called my nipple a landmark before and I was appreciative that he didn't call it a historical landmark.   They cracked up and told me I had to tell him my comments when I see him and thanked me for the laugh.  I had my last treatment for my lymph node area, one more full breast and then the 7 boosts.  I have a nice circle of marker and some tape around the boost areas.  Happy I only have to be careful of that area until next Friday instead of the whole time like some of you. I can already tell it's going to be a bit annoying but they said they will redraw it every day if needed.

FightBC

Thanks flagirl. Shopping is on my list now. 

Redheaded1,   it is http://www.amazon.com/Nipple-Covers-for-the-Dancer/lm/R10E1T8YFU93TM

Quite useful. But then you can also use small Gauze Pads.