Summer Rads 2014

charusa

Swissmiss, we started almost at the same time. I started on the 11th and will finish 9/24 so I am almost at the half way point also. So far no big issues just getting more and more tender but I stay lathered up in the cream they gave me. I don't rub that side with nothing other than my hand when I shower and only pat dry with the towel. I haven't worn a bra just a camisole and sleep with nothing on at night. Whether any of this is helping I don't know but it is all gleaned from what I have learned here and from what the nurses tell me.

Char

Sunshineinky

Mortmain it's not totally unusual! We all had fatigue at different times.  Walking and lots of hydration will help more than you can realize.  Hang in there it'll be over before you know it! 

Rest anytime you feel you need to. 

lyzzysmom

Do we have anybody finishing tomorrow? I know we have some bell ringers next week.  

Rosie, sounds like one busy day. I guess its good they start on a Thursday  and then with the holiday weekend you get 2 shorter weeks to ease back in (except that really isn't the right word for having 21 kinders and their parents Lol). Wonder how the MO would feel if told their leg pain should may be gone in 6 months. I certainly hope you get some improvement soon. This is probably a stupid comment but do you have or is it something that support hose would help with?

Sunshine, Its good to know you're not in jail!! My breasts were quite small so the asymmetry is probably only noticible to me. They look quite harmless but I don't trust them

Trina, fingers crossed that you skin holds up well and the last half of rads are uneventful!

The tamoxifen has been ok so far (day 9). My eyes have been sore and runny but the same happened to DH when he came indoors and it turns out that a lady that came in to do some cleaning had put scented dryer sheets in her vacuum cleaner. I noticed the house smelled especially nice but I think they did a number on us.

I have had a little diarrhea and a few warm spells the last few days but very mild. The only odd thing is I feel like I am a little "off" but kind of in a good way.I noticed driving too, all week,not as cautious. I have to watch my judgement. Something is going on with me and I know tamox can have effects on mood so I am curious to see what happens next.....

Rosiesride

lyzzysmom...I am wondering if leg issues could be circulation...I hate the thought of support hose as I am a flip flop kind of gal and that would be yuck!! But it's a thought...I do have lots of long skirts though...what kind of doc would you go to for circulation issues?  Not sure all our cancer docs really know it all!  Thanks, gotta get ready to face the crowds!, Rosie 

MomMom

Swissmiss & Charusa,  At today's treatment I'll be exactly half way through my 34 treatments, including boosts. Since #7 or so, I've had a rash more in the upper middle. At RO's advice I dab cornstarch on with a cotton ball. Its very soothing and keeps the itching at bay. I've read that some suffer badly from constant itching. I think once you start scratching, you get into a cycle where it's hard to stop. There is some pinkness and I'm worried it will get worse. I've been told to use nothing but Calendula cream during day and its ointment at night.

You are both at the same point. What cream are you using, and are there any changes to your skin?

Louanne

Hello ladies, congrats to all who have finished, or are finishing this week. lyzzy, yes my job is stressful, that is why I haven't posted for a few days. It seems like when things go wrong it isn't just one thing. I work in website content management so when things hit the fan, it is very stressful!

I'll be two months out next week, and feeling pain in that breast, that I haven't felt before. Especially when I lift things, or, put my arm over my head, or someone hugs me. Has anyone experienced this? The only area that was painful before was where the nodes were removed. Also feeling pain in the shoulder blade on and off on the same side, this just started too.

Sunshine, so glad you're not in jail! :-) I gained almost 40 lbs in the last 8 years. I've lost 20 lbs since I found the lump. That is my nature though with upsetting news, like deaths, sometimes even arguments, I just cannot eat and the weight just starts falling off. Let me tell you though I would rather be eating and feeling well, then emotionally and physically drained and not being able to eat. Even with the weight loss I'm still a D, carrying my weight there, and in the stomach.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Also, those who are still doing RADS, have a great three day weekend rest! 

jbokland

my RO explained that the fatigue is from the skin and cells trying to recover.  Much energy is spent with that process.  I hit the wall about treatment  12.   Best thing to do  is rest, Hydrate and eat healthy to support the body's healing.  

Swissmiss

MomMom....I am only using Aquaphor at the moment.  My doctor said to use it twice a day, and so far I think I've only used it on average once a day...but I have virtually no skin changes whatsoever.  I thought about getting some calendula just in case, as my doctor hinted that skin changes will accelerate the last half of my treatment.  I have vitamin E oil for my lumpectomy scar, as well.

Wishing you the best!

mripp

Saw RO yesterday and I had to quit using the hydrocortizone as I think I was having a reaction from it. RO said to continue Aquafor 3x day especially on the sites where skin is breaking down (2 now that have peeling like areas). Also using Miaderm rad lotion on the rest. RO gave me some cooling gel packs to try too. I put them in frig, can reuse putting in sterile water in a ziplock. Trying it!  She said I could try some vit E cream too. Anyone used it and what did it do? No weepy areas yet so keepjng a  close eye on it. RO said Silvadene next if this happens.

Glad to have a 3 day weekend! Have a great TGIF!

MomMom

Swissmiss,  Awesome that you're half way through and no skin changes!  I was asking techs today about boosts, which are the last 8 treatments.  She said these are more superficial to the area of the surgical scar, so cause less damage.  Good to know.

vettegirl

5 more left for me....counting the one this afternoon.  I will be done next Friday...CANT WAIT.  I am sore, burnt, itchy, and exhausted...ready to get this chapter behind me.  Worried about my one and only nipple-it is puffy and looks like an albino-lost all my brown pigmentation...hope it comes back soon.

Debster

Rosie I sure hope our legs start to improve soon because I know mine hurt to the point some nights I can't sleep. It is like it is in my bones and joints even the bottom of my feet hurt sometimes.

lyzzysmom I am on day 10 of tamoxifen and I have started having some nausea. I seem to be so thirsty lately but I can't decide if that is from the meds or if I am not drinking enough water. I don't think I have let up on my water intake but just seems odd for me.

I hope all of you have a great holiday weekend !! Rest and enjoy :-)

rettemich

Mortmain, no it's not unusual everyone is different. Just go with it. Mine always seem to hit me really hard on the weekends. I think because of the build up of rads.

sunshine, my biggest fear is that the side with rads will continue to shrink. So far I'm only a cup size different. Have a fu with PS next week. I'm going to ask about that. You should qualify for surgery, as it was due to the cancer. If I get get some of this weight off I may look into something more drastic also. In your pocket with ya girlfriend!!!!

rosie, Just rattles my chain when the Dr. say stupid things like that. Tell him/her that it is effecting your QOL or see if your regular Dr. can help you out on the leg pain. We shouldn't have to just suck it up. Glad to see you back with your kiddos. I miss helping out at my dd school. Yeah she's almost 21.

Izzysmom, did they give you Effexor with the Tamox, the Effexor can have some weird side effects.

swissmiss,my IO recommended Black Cohosh for the evil hot flashes. Me, I was just constantly hot. he has me on 160mg a day. You can get it in 40mg, take one in the am and one in pm. If that isn't strong enough take 2 both am and pm. I found it extremely  helpful. I am not sleeping in a puddle anymore. LOL Oh it OTC most drug stores carry it.

Louanne, I still have pain in my breast. It's been almost 2 months, my poor nipple I think will be swollen forever. I wish they would get with it and come up with some way to protect the nipple more. It's crazy. My RO said it was from the surgery, uh....no.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Amelia123

I saw my PS this week.  When I told him I was one week out from rads he was surprised and said my skin handled it very well and I was "top of the class". That really surprised me because I had very red, rough patches and my scar got really dark.  I felt like my skin got worse the week after rads was over.  Seemed to be redder, more tender and more burnt.  

The Silvadene is helping, thank goodness.  Now I feel like I've made it to the maximum redness, and am slowly going back to normal.  Very slowly.  Sometimes my left breast is so itchy and I'm carefully scratching it through my shirt.

I'm so tired at the moment, I can't remember most of the names I was just reading about. But shy, I had the opposite reaction you did.  Turned out I didn't need the 5 boosts, so I was done early. They told me while I was on the table it would be my last time. I almost wanted to come back 5 more times just to make sure they zapped that thing all they could!

jbok - I want to see that show. thx for all your pix, very entertaining!

A wonderful Labor Day weeeknd to all of you.

lyzzysmom

Rosie, I think circulation is probably something for the primary care initially. I know what you mean about support hose. I have a few pairs of socks and maybe 1 or 2 pairs of pantyhose at the back of a drawer somewhere. They tried to get women to wear socks or hose at work for years but nobody ever paid attention apart from socks in the winter!!

Louanne, oh boy, yes your job sounds stressful! I have worked in IT for years, mainly batch programs that go bump in the night and have learned some web related stuff more recently but when it hits the fan it sure does. I have often lost a few pounds during oncall weeks then gained it back afterwards. Take care. You need to put yourself first at the moment.

Rettemich, I am just on the Tamoxifen on its own. When I realized I felt a bit odd I checked out some things about it and found that it had been tested in a study on people during the manic phase of Bipolar disorder and it appeared to work better and quicker than the regular treatments. It must have some potentially strong effects on mood to do that! I have been trying to do with less sleep aids as I don't want to keep taking ativan all the time, as I will run out and don't want to get too dependant,  or OTC all the time  due to interactions. Last night I barely slept and have not been sleeping well at all so that may be adding to the effect of the tamoxifen. Hopefully I will get some sleep over the weekend. Will definitely take my sleeping pills tonight!

Debster, hope the nausea resolves quickly. My tummy has been just a little off but not bad.  Still eating though.... Not overly thirsty. I suspect there are a whole lot of weird things that may happen as we adjust. So far everything has been very mild so keeping fingers crossed for all of us starting these meds.

Everyone have a great 3 day weekend and for those still in the midst of rads, a 3 day break yeah!!

Rosiesride

well....took my first dose of tamoxifen....I have been avoiding it the past week and made a plan to start on this 3 day weekend....I read that Benadryl interacts with it so I stopped taking that as I would take 1 at night to help with sleep.  What other OTC interacts or lessens the effects of tamoxifen?  I will try melatonin instead! Have a great weekend! Rosie

lyzzysmom

Rosie, I am taking melatonin just because I heard it was good for us BUT for sleeping not. My MO says I can take my UNISOM gels (same as benadryl) with the tamoxifen.He checked the ingredients and interaction but was not unduly concerned. I think some MOs don't mind as long as its as needed. In my case as needed is every night unless I get by on the ativan. I am cutting back but will be taking my Unisom , and Tamoxifen tonight as last night was 2 hours sleep max. 

Rosiesride

lyzzysmom...my dose is 2 x a day...I almost want to take only 1 x a day for the first week then start 2 x after a week?  Did anyone do that or take morning and evening dose?  I thought it was only one dose but script says 2 x per day

lyzzysmom

Rosie, what dose are your pills? Mine are 20mg once a day but they also come in other doses incl. a 10mg size

Rosiesride

20 mg!  I thought most of the ladies had it one time per day...hmmm....

Sunshineinky

Rosie you may want to check that out! Potentially an error? 40mg used to be a dose they gave but my understanding is that dose is no longer given.  

I take two 10mg's a day.  I started one at night and one in the morning.  Did that for a couple of weeks.  Switched to both at night (that was horrid for me!) now I take both in the am. 

When I saw my MO I asked to continue the two 10mgs.  Only because my pharmacy said Teva is their supplier for 10mgs and Watson (which has now changed their name) supplies the 20mgs

jbokland

I am on day 5 of Tamoxifen. I have achy calves and elbows.  😔

Does anyone else feel a "warm" sensation internally below the radiated breast?   It's weird. 

Swissmiss

rettemich...thank you for the suggestion.  Black cohosh is on my shopping list for sure.  I took my first dose of Efexor two nights ago and was violently ill for the entire night.  Obviously, I won't be taking it again!  Crazy I did chemo for four months and managed to not vomit through the whole thing, but I take medication for hot flashes and I'm sicker than I ever imagined.

I spent the entire day sleeping yesterday...wow, the radiation really caught up with me!  Giving myself permission to rest...my job right now is to get rid of this cancer, and resting is a priority.  

Wishing you all a great day...three day weekend means we all get an extra day off, right? Enjoy!

vettegirl

I bought some Black Cohosh today and took my first one.  Will let you know how I come out.  The hot flashes with the very warm boobs is not working for me-makes me very dizzy headed.  Hoping the Black Cohosh helps-thanks for the tip.

Rosiesride

thanks sunshine....I will check it out and maybe just take 20 mg...I took the 2 yesterday one in am and one pm...my entire body ached so bad...couldn't sleep but not sure if the effects could happen so fast? Unless it was a huge dose and I am sensitive to meds...so I will only do 20 mg in am until I call MO on Tuesday. 

Ok...so the script says : take one tablet (20 mg total) by mouth 2 x per day...the bottle says 20 mg tablets.... Wonder why it would say 20 mg total? That's confusing....I will definitely call my MO!  Really really bad achiness last night...like chemo days! Uggggg!

jbokland

Rosie.  You could start by calling the pharmacist who filled this.  40 mg is the Mac dose and not typically used without a justification. 

Rosiesride

thanks jbokland...I was going to do that tomorrow...just sort of freaked about that med anyway, like everyone I guess...I really don't want to be taking more than necessary!!

jbokland

Rosie. That label is confusing!  I think the pharmacy may have messed up here

aff

Rosie - I agree...too confusing. I take 1 20mg tablet once a day. I hope you get it straightened out quickly. 

Sunshine - I am on my 2nd bottle of 20mg tablets from Watson Labs and have virtually no side effects. I get warm flashes a few times a day. All are pretty tolerable. 

Rosiesride

aff ....my bottle says Watson labs but tamoxifen citrate, 20 mg tabs...then it says " equivalent to 20 mg of tamoxifen"....I will run ( drive...lol) to the drugstore today and ask pharmacist.   Like most docs, I think they may prescribe the max dose and then if we have a reaction or concern, they lower it?  

Bottom line is that we need to know our own stuff and voice our concerns...my MO is good but always stressed to call with any side effects or concerns and no question is a stupid question...thanks for your help my friends...jbokland , aff, sunshine, lyzzysmom...hate we are all here but glad we were on this ride together...looking at a pretty pink sky this early Sunday morning...heading for a walk on the beach...praises for a beautiful day!  Enjoy it ladies!  Rosie