Summer Rads 2014

Amelia123

I'm pretty new to these boards, but am glad to join this group.  I go the RO for a simulation on June 27th.  After that I guess we will schedule my rad treatments, and will need 25.  I just had my exchange yesterday, so not sure how long it will be before I start the actual treatments. I am feeling pretty good.  That was an easy surgery and it feels so much better than having the TEs.  

I wish everyone the best of luck on their journey.

mripp

Well I now have my ONC and Rad consults scheduled for 6/19 and 6/24. still nervous. My followup with BS confirmed my pathology after Lx and SNB (negative...yeaah!) said my ER and PR were negative. I dont know if this is good or bad and what I read doesnt tell me. They didnt indicate my HERS2 by what I read says they dont always do this for DCIS. Should I ask if I can still get it? I am afraid of triple negative if they do. Really dont know if I should wait until my ONC appointment and I'll ask then. pretty sure I'll be doing 5-6 weeks rad this summer. Anyone have any help on the -ER -PR?

Lisaj514

mripp, look up info on TN breast cancer so you know what to ask as you will have lots of questions. Also go on triple neg forum here. You'll find lots of info and support there as well. If it's TN then tamoxifen is not effective for hormone tx so chemo might be indicated but all cases are different. Good luck. Waiting for results is the worst part

jbokland

Just got back from being deported in the doctor's office! The removal was about 10 minutes and I was in no discomfort whatsoever....(other than the little stick and burn from local anesthetic).

Sunshineinky

Woohoo Jbok!! Great pictures!! Does this mean you're free of treatment till you start rads in July? 

rettemich

Congrats jbok!!!          Must be very freeing after all this.

Rosiesride

Jbokland....woohoo!! I get mine out tomorrow!!! But I asked for a Valium cause I am nervous about it!!! I think it's more just going back to where it all began maybe???  I got my tattoos today to start rads Monday...pt starts on Wednesday!   Busy week but just means it is getting closer to being done!! Glad port removal went well!! Rosie

jbokland

Rosie,

You go ahead and use that valium if it helps!  I was so psyched and ready to do this, I almost jumped out of my skin when they said the front office didn't schedule enough time for the appointment, (a mix up).  The surgeon took pity on me and made the time!

Rosiesride

jbokland ....so glad surgeon made time for you!  I feel better about the procedure after your post....but I still may take 1 pill...I can't wait to get it out now!  

Geosomin

Just had my 5th radiation today. 20 left! So far so good. Rubbing my peach fuzz of a head and wondering how the rest will go...

Sandrac3

Hi all!! Had number 3 of 25 today. What is everyone using on their skin??  I started putting aloe and miaderm on a week before treatment started. Just want to make sure I'm doing everything I can. 

lyzzysmom

Congrats JBok!! and Rosie for tomorrow, well today now!!

Sandra, I got some Eucerin, Shea Butter and Aquaphor ...for starting 6/24. I hope the RO does not complain when he sees my tattoo. I am an obsessive picker, tend to break out a little and it looks like a blackhead on my chest. I keep wanting to touch it so its a little red. Fortunately the other one is on my side where I don't notice it.

The long sleeved tees arrived from amazon. The sleeves are so long I can roll them up or actually cover my hands which is probably a good thing! I may get to go swimming with my little dog this week so will wear them as starting rads with sunburn does not seem like a good idea!

Jodi040812

Do the swim shirts block chlorine?  If so, please tell me which one to get!  My RO won't let me get in a pool because of the chlorine. 

Four down of 33 for me. Seeing RO tomorrow for the first time after starting up.  I know to take it day by day, but #%*++ this has been a long road since November!  Anyone else feel like that lol!  I just look back now and laugh at myself because I had no idea it was this long and this involved.  Very sheltered of me..but now I know and I'm definitely a different person because of it!  

DDOL

DDOL wrote:

Hi ladies I will be starting radiation June 18 I was looking to get a little bit information it will be External 33 treatments( face down ) is there any special cream that I should use? If so when an how long ? The possible side effects? They really don't give you too much information at the oncologist said to use dove soap don't shower facing the shower don't shave :you may blister : I am Polish so I'll probably blister lol oh yes I'll be a little tired any other advice I would really appreciate it thank you

Blessing

Diane  

PinkCarn

I just started my second week of 6.5 weeks of rads. After the first treatment I felt burned and got red. The area has stayed red but the burning feeling is less. I got an app for my phone that is a simple counter. After each session it is my reward to count one more down. I have a very early stage 1 with DCIS and a small 2mm invasive tumor. I had a segmented mastectomy aka a lumpectomy with a breast reduction in both breasts. 

PinkCarn

My radiologist has me using 100% aloe vera gel on my breast 2-3 times a day. They also say if you store it in the frig it feels good on the burned areas. 

ohiofan

Today is 15 of 22.  The doc suggested using Aquaphor 3 times a day.  So far, the skin is fine.  A little pink and tan, but no pain or itching.  A little goes a long way and one tube of Walmart  generic should be enough, although the nurses did give me sample tubes.

DeeC

Anyone else RO told them not to go in pool because of chlorine?  My water exercise class twice a week is my favorite thing!  I have been missing it because of SEs from Taxol.

Rads start end of July, first appointment July 21st.

Dee

lyzzysmom

Jodi, I would not think they would block Chlorine as they are just loose fitting, not waterproof.I guess the ROs have different oppinions. I still have to ask mine as I forgot last time  although I would be swimming in a lake so no chlorine. 

Sunshineinky

Dee mine actually told me I could as long as I had no open areas and took a shower immediately after and then applied my aloe Vera.  I also have to keep the entire treatment area covered.  So I've been in the pool more in the evening hours.  

I'm also swimming in my home pool so I'm not sure if that makes a difference or not.  

Just ask them! Mine initially said no swimming but after two weeks of treatment I think she thought it was better I swim versus being so depressed about not swimming lol! 

DeeC

Thanks.  I read some other posts here about chlorine and rads and seems most swam anyway and did fine.  It is an indoor pool at my Y so I can take a shower right after and put on whatever cream I will be using.  It is the only exercise I enjoy and would not want to give it up.

Dee

rettemich

PinkCar, keep that aloe going. And yes but it in the frig feels so good. I found a travel size at Target, I think. It was the exact same one. I take it with me. That goes on before I even get dressed after my session  It's all natural and use it as much as you want. I use a torn cotton tee shirt and cover that boobie, before I put my bra on to reduce irritation. You can also use a product called California Baby cream, Target has is in the baby section it has Calendula. I believe it is a yellow label. And lots of air. Like you I too had a reduction. I don't know when you had yours but be aware you are probably not healed and you will probably get a little inflamed as it's already tender. I just did #15 of 30 today.

Sunshineinky

I officially have an open area under my arm.  I'm so stinking sad about it too because I think it's my fault.  I was shaving before church Sunday and boom shaved that under arm before I knew it.  It looks like I took some skin off. Anyhow I have 7 more whole breast and 8 boost.  I just hope it doesn't get any worse.  

Oh and I have an MRI tomorrow on my right shoulder.  Is it bad that I'm praying for a torn rotator cuff as opposed to something far worse?!?! It's on my BC side as well.  So it just makes me nervous.  

Rett I wish I had got a reduction when I had my surgery.  I could kick myself for not getting rid of some of this chest!

jhodro

Reduction...Me too! I didn't even know that was an option!! Sorry to hear about your open area. I have been waxing since this all happened…is that permitted? I haven't had to do it often lately (chemo) but I'm hoping I can still do something under that arm since it's summer? 

rettemich

Oh Sunshine, that sounds awful.I must admit last week when they doing the weekly xray, I could see the reflection of my underarms and the hairs  so next day I very lightly shaved. Had to do it. Don't think I'm going to do that again. I'm surprised you even had hair. You should let the nurse know.

Sunshine and jhodro, yes having the reduction was the Best decision I ever made. They didn't really offer it I just asked for it, they brought the Plastic Surgeon and he said that with the lumpectomy, and the other issues they were causing, it will be covered by my ins. So I went for it. My BS wanted me to do the Brachytherapy radiation. But because of the reduction I had to do external. I wish they had the IORT thingy.

I have heard of this being done after rads but I believe you have to wait for a year or so.

Now I tell people I'm half the woman I use to be and Loving it LOL 

Unfortunately, I still need to get the rest of the body to match.

jhodro

Rett - I was told that I could have reconstruction to make the sides even (DD one side barely D other - I call it my baby bird LOL) but the BS assumed I wanted to make them both the bigger size with an insert, when in reality I have often thought about going down to a C or so. And back then, I was still in shock or whatever so I didn't pursue it. Of course, the rest of my body matching would be a huge benefit - but my eating habits have gone to the birds during all this chemo, that's something I'm going to address in the fall. LOL. But I'm not sure after all this I'll be up for more treatment or another surgery. Maybe I'll live with it for a while. I guess insurance will cover the reduction, I wonder if there's a time limit? Funny going through all this shiiz and we're worried about body hair. It was one of my main questions - can I shave or wax? So I've been waxing as needed, which is like once a month - when before by week three I look pretty man-like.

Sunshine: have you had a PT look at your shoulder? Mine was messed up from the scars pulling on both sides and got everything to of alignment. I was able to go and in about a month they had me back to normal with a bunch of exercises to do on a weekly basis to keep my range of motion. Good luck with your MRI!! 

rettemich

I have heard that you need to wait about a year after rads. But if your facility a has a Plastic Surgeon on staff, I would at least look into it. Maybe you can schedule it down the line. Never hurts to ask. And after everything you have been through it would probably be  a breeze. I was huge they removed over 1200 grams . . . .each. My family was laughing at me when I came out of surgery my first words were...Look I can see my toes

Same for you too sunshine ask about it.

Sunshineinky

Jhondro I'm hoping to get some PT and a cortisone shot after this MRI! I actually injured it in February when I reached into my back seat to lift my way to heavy purse out of the floor board.  It's just got much worse since my surgery.  

My breast are now a D and a DD to! I'm going to have a reduction hopefully to a C.  I'll just ask my BS when I can do it and  I'm ok with waiting but I'd eventually like it done. I did not know it was an option at the time of surgery either (I was to panicked to really know much of anything) but my surgeon mentioned that if I wasn't happy with them after rads a "law" requires our insurance to fix them!

Rett my body will certainly need an adjustment to accommodate smaller breast I'm just going to have to adjust my mind first.  

rettemich

Sunshine, Sorry I also want to wish you good luck on your MRI. Hopefully working with a PT can help the situation.

And I believe the ins. thing is true. When I had mine done they sent us a letter saying it was denied as it wasn't covered. A few days later we looked up our ins payouts online and they payed it. 

DDOL

That's a great idea to keep it in the refrigerator I'm sure the cold is going to feel great and the hot skin thank you for the advice have a blessed night 

Diane