Spring 2015 Radiation Sisters

JJOntario

I go for my US today before my rad appt. I thought this bump was just scar tissue (and maybe it is??) but it has gotten bigger and it is sort of tender. I will be just be glad to know. Has anyone else ever developed a seroma 4 months after their lx? Maybe it's just another cyst. I'm trying to stay upbeat about everything but all I can think about is that after rads I will be going back to work...back to hectic ...back to no time ...high heels and long days as well as my DD coming home from University (she is 19 and not overly pleasant all the time) along with us selling and buying another house. I feel so bloody overwhelmed...I just want life to slow down

---

Jknee54

NY2Txbaby ~ I bought Calendula cream from Amazon & also at the hospital pharmacy. GL!

popssee1

Rosyworld,

Agree with mhenz, the treatment is not perfect and with a similar diagnosis feel good that there are resources to treat, but it feels very "canned". But I read everything I could find and got a second RO opinion, and feel like the rad recommended is the right path for me. I'm sorry that the rad comment was made to you to make that impression - that comment might be one you remember but weigh it with everything else you know to be true, then it might become more of a feather than a boulder. More importantly, it sounds like you made it through the first couple of treatments and that's great!

popssee1

Redhead01 - I wish I had read your posts earlier about the prone position treatment, thank you for sharing information. And you seem to be doing well. I'm envious that you are two weeks ahead of me. Hopefully, close to 1/2 way?

Georgia 3 - Congrats on the 1/2 way point!

LM68 - Wishing you the best as it looks like you're very close to 1/2 way!

You all inspire me to keep on after my measly week 1 of 6 weeks in this prone position. So far, so good. I wonder when I will have to ditch the underwire. And I have no creams, none ordered, none waiting....only ideas (and some names) at this point.

KimmerB

Hi Spring Rads Sisters! I've never joined a discussion group before and haven't started yet - simulation scheduled for 4/23/15. All of the discussion boards have been extremely helpful in navigating this new chapter. I had a lumpectomy on 3/2 - turned out it was 3.5cm - larger than first thought. Received an oncotype dx of 23 and just decided yesterday not to go the chemo route, just rads and hormonal therapy. I have no idea what to expect so thank you all for posting. It gives me a glimpse of what the next month will hold. As I always say, make today the best day of your life!

kathy7

All of the thoughtless remarks will let your appreciate when someone is truly kind.

I too have had moments where everything is overwhelming, and I cry.  Those are lessening and I am moving on...... I pray you can soon. 

 One of the topics at another discussion is STFU (Shut the F....UP0) - which is what you want to say when someone says something disconcerting.    Keep your head up!

Redhead01

Popssee1... Ditch that underwire and ANY bra now....before they cause your skin damage. I bought a 3-pack of cheap camisoles/cotton at Walmart, which I wear instead. I tuck some up under the breasts to keep skin on skin to a minimum.

I've read that we are not getting "burned" in the sense you'd think. Our skin stops producing NEW skin in the radiated area....like its stoping the cancer from producing. So what is emerging is fresh new skin without several protective layers we normal have to wear off as everyday skin flakes....or able to take rubbing bra's, etc.

I'm almost done with 3rd week...only slightly pink. Using California Baby calendula cream ( Target...but $30 a tube!) in the morning, 3 hrs before rad, putting Aquaphor on after rads, then the calendula at bedtime.

I'm a fair skinned, sensitive skinned, redhead....and am very pleased with results so far! Dear Lord, keep me well. Hugs to my fellow Tittie Toasters

BC2015

Hi all Spring Rads Sisters - started treatment today. 29 to go! This feels real now. Thru out DX, surgery, starting hormone treatment I have been pretty up. RADS and the tattoo that is in the middle of my chest and quite visible is Making me mad!,

MombieZombie

Checking in. Sounds like everyone is getting through.

Jean--Almost there!

Been done for about a week. I still have bleeding and skin falling away from the boost area. Mine is in the fold under the breast. I suspect this may be a tough area to heal under the circumstances, but I stopped needing vicodin after Easter at least. I am having some trouble with scar tissues. Going to see my lymphedema specialist on Tuesday and I have to start wearing my compression sleeve.

Keep taking it one day at a time. You can do it ladies!!! Hugs

zjrosenthal

You go Mommie, glad you're feeling better. Prayers going up for all of you. Love, Jean

CassieCat

Just checking in... good luck to those just getting started, and hoping it all goes by quickly and smoothly!

ElaineTherese

Mombie -- when did you first start noticing the lymphedema? That's a big worry for me, as I had 20 lymph nodes removed. Glad to hear you're recovering well otherwise.

Redhead01 -- I've ditched the bra, too. It's been a challenge finding clothes to wear to work without a bra.

Best wishes to all -- hope your treatments are as uneventful as mine.

zjrosenthal

My echo is done. Thankful it was pretty easy. Love, Jean

Curlykat

Elaine - there are some bra suggestions here: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topic/...

I'm still very happy with the ones I ordered.

MombieZombie

Elaine--So far I don't have any actual lymphedema. I talked to my therapist and made an appointment to see her today. From what I described to her, she thinks I've got more ropes of scar tissue going from the axillary scar to my elbow. It was a problem for me right after my surgery and it's resurfacing I guess. She'll put it through some special massage and stretching and give me exercises to do. I'm wearing the compression sleeve because it helps it feel a little better. I'll report again after I see my therapist. Since you had a lot taken, have you been referred to a therapist for prevention and education? I was surprised and pleased with what I learned from mine.

I stubbornly wore my underwire bra until the last week. Then I had to go without and for one week after. I am driven back to wearing it now because I have too much pain from pulling scars, both from lumpectomy surgery and on my port side. That's a neat link Curlykat.

Jean, glad to hear the echo went OK. My skin hurts thinking about that. LOL Do you have the results yet?

Redhead--sounds like you are doing great.

BC, so sorry about the visible tattoos. I found out about invisible ink for that and made my tech do invisible ones for the three down my chest. Wishing I had asked for all of them to be invisible. My kids think it's cool that I have glowing dots when you shine a black light on me. LOL I think you can get them removed, but I don't know what is involved. I might look into it. Mine continue to itch.

CassieCat

Jean, glad the echo went off without any problems.

I find I don't mind my tattoos, really. They're like little tiny badges of honor.

popssee1

Redhead - Okay I ditched the underwire sadly and read what others are trying for the work situation, bras but soft with some padding (liners, washcloths, something) to buffer skin.  Thank you all so much for sharing the suggestions. 

And I've made a list of the skin creams/treatments that people have mentioned and thought I would ask the pharmacist and my doctor about them, and do some on-line research:

• Cornstarch
• MyGirls cream
• Sween24
• Miaderm
• Hydrocortisone
• Aquaphor
• 100% clear aloe gel
• Desoximetsone
• Vanicream
• California Baby Calendula Cream
• Homemade: coconut oil, sweet almond oil, emu oil, calendula oil, 100% aloe vera, and maybe panaway

Everyone probably has to find the one that works (or is prescribed) for them, but it seems most need something along this crazy rad journey. Don't think I'll be any different on that count. The MyGirls cream sounds fun - I really just like the name   

Best thoughts and wishes to all my rad sisters. 

MombieZombie

Poppsee, youalmost sound like you are having fun! love your attitude.

CassieCat

I used Boiron brand calendula cream - one more option for your list.

vallerina

I am suffering with problems breathing and I believe it's a result of the tightness from my latissimus dorsi flaps I think that it is form great deal of scar tissue has anyone ever had this problem I had it in 07 and just in the last 2 years and has gotten progressively worse where I'm having difficulty getting deep breath. I am told there's really nothing anyone can do they can't even see the scar tissue which I can feel.I had previously had both breasts radiated at different times I had right breast in 93 and left breast in 2000.I have been to physical therapy and doesn't seem to help does anyone know what to do about this it seems like it's hard to get people to understand and it's a real problem especially upon exertion I have stream difficulty breathing.

zjrosenthal

Vallerina, have you spoken to the surgeon? If so did you ask for a second opinion? Love, Jean

Iowawoman

I go in for my simulation tomorrow morning and will find out if I'm prone or supine. I'll be happy to get rid of one set of marks. The sticker between my breasts came off yesterday morning, so I had the hubby touch up the mark. Then I noticed it was a little smudged before bed. So I had the bright idea to stick a Kleenex in my bra while I slept. I thought it would protect it. Epic fail. It's a mess this morning. I feel pretty stupid and am not looking forward to explaining it tomorrow. So I'm hoping to be prone, I guess.

Lisa

BookLady1

Iowa Lisa - dont you worry about what the Rad THerapists have to say! Tell them you had an exciting weekend with your DH and melted the damn stickers! Seriously, that is their job, and let them try to keep stickers and marks on while trying to treat the burn and pain and sweating! I'm glad you are getting the sim out of the way and getting started so you can finish.

Spring Sisters, I am done with Rads. Finished 4/8/15. The Radiation Therapists tossed confetti on me as I left the treatment vault. One apologized that the confetti was still in my hair after I dressed. I told her I was happy to have hair for it to stick to! It is true: eyebrows, eyelashes, and hair on head are all coming back. Slowly, but thats okay. Rads treated me pretty well. No broken skin or peeling. Burned, rash, sore - the usual. I'm spending the weekend inside slathered with Aquaphor. Yuck.

I am starting Teva brand Arimidex this week AFTER my breast heals some more. I had a bone density test last week and they have my results from 2 years ago to compare. Follow up appts with MO and RO next month and we will work on my personal Survival plan.

I'm taking lots of deep breaths, and going to stop researching everything to death, and remember to enjoy and be proud of being done with the slash/poison/burn part of treatment. I'm seeing a nutritionist this week (insurance paid!) who works with post-chemo patients and starting the Livestrong program at my YMCA next month to get my strength back. Good luck to all of you, and thank you for sharing and teaching us all. XO Linda

NurseShark

first radiation treatment tomorrow .incredibly anxious but so happy to be in this final step.

BookLady1

You got this, NurseShark! Be good to yourself - wishing you the best, Linda

Iowawoman

Congrats, BookLady1. And there might have been a little truth to what you suggested. : ) I'll try it out on the techs.

florida2015

Gulp ... I start simulation tomorrow and dread the tattooing. I hate the scar and my breast is a tad smaller than the other. I am assuming Rads will start in about a week. Thats when all of this will become very real...will be checking in hear for support from all of you.

florida2015

Hi Kimmer,

I also had my lumpectomy on March 2 and will get my simulation for radiation tomorrow. I was less than 1 cm and an oncotype of 19. I am getting radiation and will take the armistazole when finished. I will be posting how my experience goes and hope the tattooing will not be too noticeable.

florida2015

keep us posted on how it has been.

florida2015

question....has anyone been able to skip a day at all? I have a graduation I need to attend in another state and it is being held in the late morning and I won't be able to make it back the next day? Anyone have these issues?