Summer Rads 2014

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  • MomtoIrishQuads
    MomtoIrishQuads Member Posts: 128
    edited August 2014

    My RO's office gave me radioplex - haven't used much of it but I should probably start using it.....starting to itch.  I used corn starch under my arm today - thanks for that tip.  I'm going to pick up some aloe, too.

    Thanks all for your advice re: fatigue, etc.  I spoke to the nurse today and she said that it is likely due to dehydration (I'm trying to drink lots of water - but not always successful because I'm sleeping).  I also have heart palpitations today and I've been having shooting pains in my lymph nodes.  Feeling a bit better today....trying not to overdo it.

    I'll definitely look into the lapband.  Can't hurt, huh?  My only reservation is that a dear male friend of mine had gastic bypass and nearly died from sepsis.  I know that's more intrusive, though.  

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  • rettemich
    rettemich Member Posts: 369
    edited August 2014

    jbok, Loved your sign!!! Your Done!!!! Yeah!!!!!!

    And to you stephaniege Congrats!!!!

    sunshine, I met with my MO week before last and was telling her about the weight gain. She told me that we gain weight as we age. What? Really? I told her not like this. She just kind of brushed it off. Really irritated me. I know I need to exercise more, but I am heavier now than before all this sh*t started. Really started packing it on after rads. I too know it's the Tamox. I don't know if I would do an AL I might try DIM. If it comes down to it. I am almost a the 4 month mark. I'm so ready for it to get better. I know the feeling I just want to eat everything I see. Which makes me depressed and the cycle continues.

    Louanne, they just changed the verbiage from Lumpectomy to Partial Mastectomy same thing. My MO and BS both told me that. 

    I know I go in Dec for mammo but I don't think I see anyone else until then. Seems like they would want to follow up a little more. My BS I can see and after my reduction the scar went with it. So there is nothing there to look at. One RO told me 6 weeks the other told me 6 months so I'm all confused.

    I was going to tell my PS when I see him next week, that during the "touch up" surgery if he slipped and got a little lipo on the tummy I will be fine with that!! He didn't do that the first time....LOL

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  • lyzzysmom
    lyzzysmom Member Posts: 654
    edited August 2014

    Well it looks like work has agreed to let me go from 4 to 3 days a week with only limited out of hours work, No more calls in the evening, weekend or middle of the night unless its an immediate team mate that needs assistance which does not happen often. Being woken or called late was causing anxiety attacks. No more being stuck around the house on a day off or weekend in case there is a problem at work.Some are understandably not happy but I hope it works out as it means I get to keep my health insurance which was my biggest worry and have more free time that at this stage I just need.

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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited August 2014

    Just some fun stuff to share: 

    My local BC organization that I support (and they support me!) contacted me for an event where they are looking for brides who are BC survivors.   There is a tv show called 'Say Yes to the Dress' and they are sponsoring this with some local design students to design wedding dresses for us and debut them on a runway at the Southern Women's Show here in Florida.   The host of the show will MC and announce the design winners....we get to keep the dresses!  Even better, they want to my wife's outfit as well.  She prefers pant sets so they will have fun with our outfits.   - I have never seen the show, but I guess I better watch! 

    This is almost exciting enough to make me shave my head again, just so I can wear my Sassy Head designs!

    We were married in NY in June because it is not legal in Florida...yet.  We plan to have another wedding here when it is.  

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  • lyzzysmom
    lyzzysmom Member Posts: 654
    edited August 2014

    Rettemich, it is annoying to just be told we gain weight as we age. I thought that was true. I put on over 20 pounds then a couple of years ago I managed to lose most of it. I have been struggling to keep it down lately. I put on another 5 pounds during rads and its trending upward so it has to go!!!! I am so hoping the tamoxifen does not make it worse  because that is depressing and that in itself it starts a vicious cycle..

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  • lyzzysmom
    lyzzysmom Member Posts: 654
    edited August 2014

    JB, that is wonderful. You are going to have so much fun with this. Now is this just a local thing or could you get to be on the TV show? We want to see the photos or best of all see you on TV!!

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  • Lisaj514
    Lisaj514 Member Posts: 719
    edited August 2014

    tip about the cornstarch...put it on with an old makeup brush. Just dab the brush in, tap it off and brush on area. Much less messy and gets a perfect thin layer in a large area. Thanks to Michelle from dec 2013 chemo thread for this suggestion.

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  • RaiderGirl
    RaiderGirl Member Posts: 419
    edited August 2014

    Radiation kills cells, both cancer and kind. Fatique  during rads is caused by the toxins released from these dead/dying cells. This is a good thing , it means its working.  The same happens when a person has the flu and exotoxins are in the blood. Hydration helps because water flushes out the nasties faster.

    Fatigue during rads may also be remaining fatigue from surgery and/or chemo.

    If you have started homone therapy, that will also cause fatgue until you body adjust

    Add to all the above the stress of this diagnosis.

    Give me a break. Im tired and I have the right to be.

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  • 3rdtimenow
    3rdtimenow Member Posts: 256
    edited August 2014

    Hi newbies and those having skin issues, I just finished up on Thursday and am amazed at how much better my skin is, tan and peeling, but the discomfort is gone. Hope this helps some of you. Still fatigued but I guess  that will take a little more time. Hugs, Stephanie

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  • jhodro
    jhodro Member Posts: 240
    edited August 2014

    RaiderGirl: Thanks for that! I took a nap today and was annoyed with myself since I'm only on day 5 of 33. I was like, come on... I guess we just need to give ourselves a break and sleep for a bit. No worries. 

    I pressed submit too soon!

    Jbok: That sounds awesome! Is that the Say Yes to the Dress on TLC? I have seen many episodes. Wishing you the best. Can't wait to see the pics!!

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  • Sunshineinky
    Sunshineinky Member Posts: 461
    edited August 2014

    Jbok will they tell you when it's going to air so we can watch it with you? That would be so great!!!

    Rhett, I could eat a bear every hour of every day.  Why oh why didn't I get the weightloss side effect of tamoxifen that some get.  

    Ps ladies, if my MO calls me fat you may have to start one of those online things to raise bail money. It'll need to be titled, "help get Laura the BS survivor out of jail!" 

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  • ncollett
    ncollett Member Posts: 862
    edited August 2014

    Ok I will just wait and see what they say when I finally get to go see my RO. Not sure yet when that will be but I will try not to stress too much over it while waiting.

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  • DeeC
    DeeC Member Posts: 102
    edited August 2014

    The Girls of Summer Rads,  there is a book or movie in there somewhere!

    I am at 17/30 and that includes 8 boosts at the end.  Doing much better than I expected so far.  Just some redness.  I asked for some cream from my RO this visit in case I needed it.  It is called My Girls!

    On a side note I found out my guinea pig Zoe has inoperable cancer in her abdomen.  She is eating and acting normally so we will give her hospice care at home as long as we can.  Her daughter also has a tumor but the vet is going to try and remove it today.  It is much smaller than Zoe's.  This disease will not leave me alone!

    Dee

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  • shycat
    shycat Member Posts: 76
    edited August 2014

    I just found out that I will have six more boosts, not two as I thought.  I don't know if I had just misheard my RO way back in July (i.e., hearing "five boosts" when he actually said "nine boosts"), or misremembered (maybe he said "at least five").  Oh well.  So, my last treatment will be next Friday instead of this Friday, for a total of 37.  I'm a bit bummed.  Didn't realize I was so emotionally invested in being finished this week.

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  • Debster
    Debster Member Posts: 82
    edited August 2014

    Hello everybody, Congrats to all of the folks finishing this week and next!

    I have put on weight since all this started and nothing helps me so far to get it off. I have been walking everyday and eating much healthier again but nothing helps to this point. It makes me crazy! I started tamoxifen a week ago today and I hope it does not cause more weight gain. I have noticed some sleeping issues and some nausea since starting it but nothing to bad yet.  My joints still have pain and ache sometimes but MO said that is likely from the chemo.

    I am to see my RO in one month and my MO every three months.

    lyzzysmom, so glad that your job is working out for you.

    shycat sorry your last day isn't what you thought but hopefully the time will go by fast for you.

    Have a great day everybody! Hugs

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  • Louanne
    Louanne Member Posts: 101
    edited August 2014

    Jbok, that is so wonderful! Please keep us updated!

    Rette, the only difference I've read is they take the skin off the muscles of the chest wall.

    Iyzzy, great news about working less. My job the last few days has been somewhat stressful. I realized when I couldn't find something I was looking for and just broke down in tears, it was time to take a break.

     Sunshine, if your MO says that, instead of going to jail, let the tamoxifen brain take over, and plead insanity. 

    Dee, sorry about your guinea pigs! 

    shy, I had the opposite problem I actually got less RADS then I was initially told. Still was worried.

    Have a great evening ladies!

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  • dhustedde
    dhustedde Member Posts: 29
    edited August 2014

    Hi.  I start my twice a day internal radiation for five days tomorrow. I had the balloon device inserted on Monday and then Tuesday met with my RO on Tuesday. Unfortunately I have a three day holiday weekend in the middle of my treatment.  It's uncomfortable having this device in and sticking out of my breast. Any tips?

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  • Sunshineinky
    Sunshineinky Member Posts: 461
    edited August 2014

    Dhus, I only know one person that had that type of rads and she is my neighbor! She had DCIS.  I can't imagine having that type of rads but the good thing is your done very quick vs the usual 7 weeks!! 

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  • mripp
    mripp Member Posts: 106
    edited August 2014

    Izzy, good news they accepted your "demands" and you keep your insurance!!

    Dee, sorry for more "c", even if it is your pet :(

    Dhust, glad it'll go quicker, but sorry you have discomfort. Try a search on this site for your tx type.

    Jbok, waiting to hear more on your debut on TV!

    Shycat, sorry it's more. Hoping it will go by quickly.

    I did boost #1 of 7 today. Setup took a little longer, but went o.k. Skin still irritated, reddish & some brown patches, plus rash looking. Trying to (hoping) to hold out for this last bit! Nurse said to discontinue hydrocortizone and keep using Aquafor and Miaderm lotion. I tried the refrig aloe gel, but it was only cold for seconds.  Did anyone use cold compress? or ice packs? I put my cold hands on the sore areas and it feels goooooood! I' m going to ask about the miplex dressings tomorrow too. Countdown continues........

    Mari


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  • Sunshineinky
    Sunshineinky Member Posts: 461
    edited August 2014

    Mari, I didn't use ice packs because I was told not to but I did use a super cold washcloth and it felt amazing!!! I kept a bowl of ice water next to me and just kept wetting it.  It's amazing how much heat is in our breast!

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  • lyzzysmom
    lyzzysmom Member Posts: 654
    edited August 2014

    Dee, Sorry to hear about Zoe and her baby. My little cat Larry stayed with my ex when we split as he had a yard. He had to leave him at the kennels while he went on a business trip. When he got back he was all swollen. The stupid girl said Oh SHE's pregnant. Of course it was cancer and sadly he didn't make it but he was such a special little fellow. I still think about him and that was 20 years ago.

    Shy, sorry your end date is messed up. We have out little counters but it will still go over quickly

    Louanne, Sorry your job has been stressful. Are you getting to take some time off then now?

    Sunshine,Definitely an insanity defense there

    Mari, I heard no ice packs somewhere but brain can't remember where now.

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited August 2014


    I finished rads Monday and my skin held up right until the end. I am peeling, sore and raw now...quite painful. They gave me some dombero to mix with water and then I'm supposed to wet a rag with it and lay across my chest. Also was told to put Aquaphor on it after, but honestly the pain is not being helped with this. Any other tips or possibily what to ask RO for specifically to ease this?

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  • lyzzysmom
    lyzzysmom Member Posts: 654
    edited August 2014

    TangandChris, Congratulations on finishing! Some of the ladies have mentioned Miplex dressings to help. I have not used them but maybe that would be something that you could ask you RO about. Hope it gets better very soon!

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  • rettemich
    rettemich Member Posts: 369
    edited August 2014

    jbok, That is so Cool!! How Awesome!! Hope they air it! You HAVE to let us know the air date if they do. What fun!!! So excited for you.

    sunshine, Oh I hear you, I thought it was just me, I just get ravenous sometimes. My Dr.'s always just tell me to exercise more. I can relate if one more says that to me I will be joining you in the pokey declaring Tamox insanity. LOL

    Dee, you are so right. We could turn this into a book, or maybe a movie. LOL I'm so sorry to hear about Zoe, and the little one. My dd has 2 boys. Hahn and Anni aka Aniken. For Star Wars. I'm attached to the little buggers. They are so much fun.

    shycat, sorry your boosts have been extended. Hope they go fast.

    Izzysmom, Good news about your job, those that don't understand just need to suck it up. After all people don't have a problem telling us to when it comes to our dx or treatments. Don't feel guilty.

    Raidergirl, Good points!!!

    Louanne, that makes sense. 

    dhustedde, I almost had that, but had a mammoplasy and had to do external. Can't give any advise but Good Luck.

    Mari, I used the Domeboro soak a few times cooled in frig and used a wash cloth. It was very soothing. Domeboro is over the counter. At most pharmacy's.

    tangandchri. I would ask about the Miplex. I was having horrible internal pain and ended up back on pain meds for a while. My RO tried to tell me it wasn't from the rads. Nice try. Hope you can find something that helps.

    Good luck to all those those continuing.

    Be Well

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  • tangandchris
    tangandchris Member Posts: 1,855
    edited August 2014


    Thx ya'll....jbok read about your show...awesome!!

    RO's nurse called in a combo of radiaplex/lidocaine for me. I'm allergic to sulfa so no silvadene for me. Is the miplex otc?

    This crap hurts!!

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  • Sunshineinky
    Sunshineinky Member Posts: 461
    edited August 2014

    Tang it's not over the counter that I know off but call a pharmacy and ask its a bandage like dressing my RO just gave it to me.  It's normally used for bedsores and it healed me up with amazing speed!! 

    Lidocaine is your friend lol.  It stings when it goes onto to open areas.  I only used it on the none broken areas.  

    Hope you feel better soon! 

    My MO lived another day age she did suggest bariatric surgery lol.  I'm ok with that and will do it.  Perhaps someday I'll be skinny with two normal size breast! Or atleast I can dream about it.  Today she said," Laura, you do realize you have a DD and a B/C breast and that's not going to change without repair.  My response was, "I am just THANKFUL to have them even if they did try to kill me!"

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  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 513
    edited August 2014

    hi girls!  Back to the whirlwind of teaching after finishing rads 2 weeks ago! Wow...I forget how needy 21 five year olds can be....and how clueless some parents are about teachers having more than just their child in the room! Lol!  This was my first day with all 21...love being back but really love my couch at 4:00!!

    Debster....I finished chemo June 2nd and my legs are super achy and tired still!  I know I have some neuropathy in feet and hands but my MO felt like it's kind of far out from chemo to have leg pain...I start tamoxifen tomorrow and MO felt like I should go on that for 6 months and hope this leg pain is gone by then!  That is the biggest leftover symptom I have from all this and it's getting annoying! Limits me on getting on the floor with my kinders!! 

    Is anyone starting an after rads/chemo thread for 2014 dx peeps??  Questions pop up all the time for me and I am not quite sure where to post! Rosie

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  • Swissmiss
    Swissmiss Member Posts: 111
    edited August 2014

    Hi Ladies!

    Congrats to those who are finishing up radiation...I'm just now reaching my half-way point :)

    My RO warned me this morning that skin problems will start soon if I'm going to have issues...crossing my fingers that the Aquaphor does its job!

    I am 6 weeks PFC, and I'm still experiencing severe hot flashes.  The hot flashes started in June, and show no sign of letting up. I am literally drenched a minimum of 12 times per day.  I finally talked to my doctor about it, and he prescribed Efexor.  Anyone here experiencing hot flashes like this, or have any experience with Efexor? 

    Wishing you all a great evening!

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  • ncollett
    ncollett Member Posts: 862
    edited August 2014

    Swissmiss I took Effexor for my hot flashes before I was diagnosed with BC and have been on it for over a year. Im on 150 mg and I will say they are better then they were but not gone. I still get drenched sometimes at night. It will be interesting to see what happens when I start Tamoxifen.

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  • mortmain
    mortmain Member Posts: 63
    edited August 2014

    Don't know if I should be posting with the summer or the fall rads as I started the process last week 8/20. I think I'll post in both. Just finished my 7th treatment and already have been experiencing some weird fatigue. Not like being tired, I'm used to that, as I've never been a Viking at sleeping. This worries me a bit as I've heard that SEs get worse with more treatments. I've still got another 26 treatments to go and I don't want to miss too much work. 

    Has anyone else been hit with this wall of fatigue this early?

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