Fall Rads 2014

PontiacPeggy

Thanks, OneLump!  So far no zingers.  Hope it stays that way.

jhodro

I thought it was longer for a reaction too.

But, sadly, I've already got the fatigue going on. It could be left over from chemo? I also have a super sensitive nipple. They said that usually will go away after a few more days.

PontiacPeggy

jhodro, at least they said it will go away soon!

ncollett

I hear you ladies on the zinger pains. Wow those hurt! Hope everyone is having a good day

MakeLemonade

Hello all.  Haven't been on the boards for two weeks ... Life got busy! 

Finished chemo 3 weeks ago.  Head is feeling nice and clear most of the time, but the energy is only coming back slowly.  Have peach fuzz growing on my head!  The start of hair re growth!  

Also started radiation yesterday.  It was the dry run.  My RO starts treatment right away if everything checks out and it did.  So am now done 2 out of 30.  Will get 23 whole breast treatments in total and then 7 boosts. 

Am getting arc radiation treatments ... It gives constant radiation as it arcs across and adjusts where the beams are going as it moves across to maximize treatment while avoiding heart and lungs as much as possible.  

Also got another tattoo for a total of 5, plus they drew on me with sharpie marker and put clear stickers on top.  

Only 28 more to go! :-) 

mortmain

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?

mortmain

Jhodro: Like you, I have the sensitive nipple thing (sensitive in a bad way). The fatigue thing bothers me that it's starting so soon. I've had two days of it and not in a row. Maybe I'm just adjusting. Hope it improves for you!

jhodro

mortmain: i am getting some gel tomorrow for the nipple sensitivity. It is pretty annoying. I was able to make it without a nap today, so hoping I will have more days with energy than not. Best of luck to you!!

Generation3

writinghelps, I, too had the same sore muscles exactly as you describe. Just like I did a major workout for the first time and my muscles hurt. It was so bad that just rolling over in bed would wake me up from the muscle pain. I could literally feel an ache in every muscle in my arms and legs. Mine started about 2 weeks after finishing chemo. I was pretty sore for about 2-3 weeks and then it got better a little every day, just like a true workout, until it was gone completely. Hope yours gets better really soon.  Wendy(too)

Blownaway

Ncollet - I had to have a re excision also. The surgeon did not get enough clear margins the first time. My husband was mad but apparently its pretty common in "breast conserving" surgery. Next, the pathology report came back with HER2+ cells in the clear margins so they threw the book at me after that. My 4th and last TCH infusion is Sept 2. After that, I start 4-6 weeks of rads,  along with a continuation of Herceptin infusions every 3 weeks for a year, then 5 years of anticancer drug. Hope your margins are clear.

PontiacPeggy

Blownaway, what challenging time you've had of it.  Obviously no fun, but at least there is something that can be done for this awful disease!  Glad you're almost done with the chemo!  Stay positive!

PontiacPeggy

Got my x-rays done today to put the finishing touches on the metrics for my rads starting Tuesday.  All set to start my rads!  The therapists showed me around and I met several women so I felt very comfortable (and I already was cool with having rads).  

Blownaway

Im new to this discussion. I came over from the July chemo thread. Hope to get to know everyone, meanwhile what is cording? 

jhodro

blownaway - I also had a re-excision and the second surgery was much much easier than the first. I think because they don't reopen the lymph node site and that seemed like the worse of the two sets of stitches.

Good luck & hope you find that one easier too!!

Psalm34-4

New here as I am expecting to need Rad txt. I had second lumpectomy/ excision today & am relieved to hear others have been there! I was torn on whether to go w/ mast. or try excision, but my surgeon is big on breast conservation, said he has not ever HAD to do mastectomy because of repeat unclear margins, but...

But if margins are not clear I will have to do mast. I had 2 tumors same breast. I am assuming u repeat excision ladies had same anxiety awaiting path reports for margins. 

I don't know yet about chemo, awaiting oncotype & appt w/ Oncologist. I was thinking radiation would be before chemo ( if I need chemo) but sounds like I have it backwards? Gosh you hear so much so fast... I was diagnosed 8/1/14 & life has been such a rollercoaster.. you ladies are awesome & such an inspiration! 

Looking forward to healing along side of you all

Puffin2014

Psalm: if you need chemo you'll get the chemo before the radiation.

PontiacPeggy

Psalm, there IS a lot to learn and for my money, this is the best place to learn it.  We have had a wide variety of diagnoses, treatments, side effects and what the hell to do with all of them.  

Here's hoping the new margins are pristine!  Time for you to call it a night and rest.  We're in your pocket!

MommyQ

Blownaway: Welcome! Here's a link to an explanation about cording, also known as AWS or axillary web syndrome:

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/aws

Workingmom42

Third treatment on Friday.  My nipple area is very sore and hurts when I rub it against something.  The whole area feels a bit sun burned.  Is anyone else having these type of SE's, especially so early in on treatment?

PontiacPeggy

WorkingMom42, I start my rads tomorrow but my nipple is extremely sensitive.  I asked my BS about it and she said that there are tons of nerves to it and it will take several months for them to calm back down. So that may contribute to your discomfort.  Sorry you're having SE

jhodro

i have a very sensitive nipple as well with only 8 treatments complete. The nurse gave me these gel things that i can wear for 4 hours and you can cool them in the fridge. Very helpful!! Don't know what they are called though? 

Workingmom42

Good to know PontiacPeggy, I will keep that in mind.  

I will ask my doctor about the gel things when I go in tomorrow, apparently tomorrow is a doctor day so good timing.  thanks jhodro.

ncollett

I go see my RO on Wed. I am anxious to see what he is going to tell me. 

PontiacPeggy

Nancy, from what I've seen here and on the lumpy forum, you probably won't start your rads until at least 4 weeks after your surgery on the 10th.  However, as the kids say, "Your mileage may vary"

ncollett

My BS did tell me it would be about 4--6 weeks after surgery on 10th unless we didnt get clear margins again  then it would be longer of course. This is just my first meeting with my RO so basically I think he will just let me know about how many treatments I will probably get and what to expect.

PontiacPeggy

Nancy, I had my first meeting with the RO before I was positive I wouldn't need chemo (though everyone was pretty sure I wouldn't).  And they got me all prepped.  Made the mold, tattoo'd me and various other things.  It's possible they might do that for you.  

clarrn

Hi,

Joining this group too! Hi to my April chemo buddies  and looking forward to getting to know the rest of you!  My SIM will be Sept 18 and to start rads beginning of October.   Last chemo is Wednesday!!!

Anyone here with truncal/arm lymphedema? I am so worried about how radiation will effect it.  Also tired already and hoping for an easier time with rads but as we all know SEs are never the same for all of us.  Anyone know if we can take antioxidants between chemo and rads?

Puffin2014

clarrn: since the chemo is still working between chemo and rads, my guess is that they would not want you taking antioxidant supplements.

ncollett

Peggy just curious how do they make a mold?

PontiacPeggy

Nancy, you just lay on the "table" and then they "inflate" (I guess) the mold until they decide it fits you.  It just goes around the back and up your sides a bit.  Watch how you hold your head because that's how it will be for 15 minutes every day  Nothing hurts if that's what you were wondering about.