Summer 2015 Rads

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  • wpmoon
    wpmoon Member Posts: 270
    edited July 2015

    Today was my 10/30. I've been fatigued since about day 5. Sore and tender, especially the nipple, but doesn't appear to be red yet. Maybe a little pink, and somewhat itchy.

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  • MaryJC
    MaryJC Member Posts: 350
    edited July 2015

    Hey MarksGirl! You know what's funny in the ironic sense, last Friday I had two MOs each tell me that neuropathy was a rare SE of Taxotere. And I told each one that EVERY lady I know on Taxotere has neuropathy including myself so how can that be? From each I got a blank stare back. Now with this sore muscles issue, the nurses said no, not from treatment. RO emailed me said- no, not from treatment but let's talk about it. I did a search of this forum with the words 'sore muscles' and came across an angry post saying same thing I just did about the neuropathy. This is an international industry! And it's not until someone puts up money to research the muscular affects of radiation on bc patients will they give any credit to our concerns. Meanwhile it's comforting to come here and be able to say 'whew, it's not just me'! I agree w/you possible chemo SE resurfacing. Perhaps THATS the source of fatigue bec they don't really know why fatigue sets in. I wonder if rads stims the chemo still in our systems. I do recall my knees aching during chemo and didn't assume it was a SE until it subsided after chemo.

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  • MaryJC
    MaryJC Member Posts: 350
    edited July 2015

    Hi Hope & Queen! Thank you for your replies! I do strongly suspect hormonal changes too. Especially after my epic meltdown Monday. My eyes were bloodshot red. I went off on the ROs stupid sounding assistant. I should post his number so u can hear this woman's tone of speech. No one talks like that. She's doing it on purpose. Anyhoo- plus I've been over eating a lot. MO said next bloodwork will take my FSH and lsh levels to see where my cycle is.

    As for massage I def have on my to do list. Meanwhile when I have time and I need to make more time, stretching helps. I also have a home massager that helps too. The nurses told me to take Advil for my achy knees. I did but not sure if it helped bec I fell asleep and rest helps.

    I can't wait for this tx to be finished. Although I have to complete Herceptin and take tamoxifen which I'm not feeling at all, I'm anxious to be feeling better so I can get back into my mojos like my juicing, supplements, etcetera. The nurses said I have to wait a month but to confirm with the doctor. That was disappointing :(

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  • MaryJC
    MaryJC Member Posts: 350
    edited July 2015

    meant to add that bc has made me 100% uninhibited. I readily whip out my boob even if no one has asked me to. So a full body massage by a stranger is easy for me nowadays

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  • live_deliciously
    live_deliciously Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2015

    hi duramama. Glad you are just about finished and doing well

    My leg and ankle pain/stiffness is getting much better.

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  • dragonista17
    dragonista17 Member Posts: 50
    edited July 2015

    Oh Hopeful, you've described this so well - homesick for the way things used to be:(

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  • dragonista17
    dragonista17 Member Posts: 50
    edited July 2015

    Bayoumama- I started feeling a lot of fatigue around tx 5. . I didn't have chemo, and was surprised that fatigue set in so soon. Staying hopeful that this will pass, as it has for others here. Just got home from tx 12/21. I'm actually getting used to it now. Was extremely emotional the first couple of weeks. Hang in there


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  • Marksgirl
    Marksgirl Member Posts: 65
    edited July 2015

    MaryJC - I think measureable neuropathy with weakness is a less common or even rare side effect of Taxotere but like everything, there is a spectrum with weakness/neuropathy being at the far end and.    I think that milder or less complete attacks on the nerves cause muscle tightness or increased tone.    So when the MOs say that neuropathy is rare, they are talking about weakness with constant tingling, have to use a cane etc.    People have described cramping, curling of toes and tightness that describes neurological insult.   If the MOs ever walk in our shoes, they would verify the muscle tightness/mild neurological symptoms I am sure.    Nerves heal extremely slowly (like a mm a month!)     I am confident that eventually the muscle tightness will cease as the nerves heal (so it may never be listed as a measureable SE - but it is there!)

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  • Gatomal
    Gatomal Member Posts: 483
    edited July 2015

    Okay! Finally! Done! 360 days after diagnosis. Done with active treatment.

    Walked home even though exhausted. In bed, watching Real Housewives, my guilty pleasure.

    Thanks for the details about the next few weeks slothaboittown. Hope it's not bad for me

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  • pboi
    pboi Member Posts: 663
    edited July 2015

    Congrats Gatomal!

    13/25 for me today. Starting to get a little pink, was instructed to use hydrocortisone at bedtime (along with the aloe 3x/day). Anyone else using hydrocortisone? Wonder if I really need it, it's just a tiny bit pink and not tender. Guess I should comply...

    PB

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  • queenmomcat
    queenmomcat Member Posts: 3,039
    edited July 2015

    Getting my ducks in a row for rads (At the moment, planned to start on August 31.) Unsurprisingly, the RO is recommending Aquaphor, even before we find out how irritated my skin's going to get--I'm totally on board with this, but how much am I likely to need? I'll be getting the Canadian protocol so 17-18 treatments.

    Next up, going to talk to the bra lady at the local cancer supply shop for suggestions, though I've already gathered "soft" and "affordable" from these boards.

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  • MaryJC
    MaryJC Member Posts: 350
    edited July 2015

    hey MarksGirl, thanks for clarification. Most that I know including myself have the tingling but not the weakness. I'm not sure why they don't refer patients to a neurologist. I already had one who specializes in neuropathy although I was seeing him for another issue. He told me it can take a year for the nerves to heal- I suppose similar to rate you mentioned. Meanwhile RO said I finish rads 7/31 and I can resume my juicing and supplements 8/1!

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited July 2015

    Congratulations, Gatomal!! I am so happy for you. You've definitely earned yourself a season or two or three of Real Housewives! (Preferably while reclining in a bubble bath - non-irritating, of course - and sipping a taste of champagne.)

    Good luck with your skin these next couple of weeks. Hopefully it, too, got the memo that treatment is FINIS.

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  • fmmbw
    fmmbw Member Posts: 41
    edited July 2015

    Though I finished rads 7/7 never had any pain, but every Tuesday was my worst day of fatigue. Every other day was fine, but darn those Tuesdays! I did start on a Tuesday, so maybe it was every 5th treatment. Anyway, as an AA female, medium complexion my breast is like burnt toast. Doesn't hurt, or burn just looks burned. Only using aloe vera gel, and only once a day.


    Only problem I had, developed sore throat around week 2 or 3, felt like I was swallowing rocks. RO and techs, realized treatment was to close to throat, made adjustments and no problems after 2 days.

    All experiences are different, and I wish you all minimal.

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  • Darumama
    Darumama Member Posts: 135
    edited July 2015

    queenmomcat - I've been using Aquaphor since the start of my tx. I found it most cost effective to buy a large container of it. I bought a 14 oz tub on Amazon for $13 and change. Maybe Walmart would be cheaper? Anyway, a tub is a lot more economical than buying by the tube. I finish my 28 treatments on Monday and I've used one tube (which I happened to have in the house), several tiny free samples from the RO office, and one 14 oz tub. I bought two tubs before starting and will have a lot of the second tub left. You could probably do it with one tub given your tx is shorter. Of course, it all depends on how often you use...

    pboi - RO advised me to mix hydrocortisone with Aquaphor (I can't get away from this stuff!) when my skin stared to get itchy. It has helped.

    Congrats Gatomal!

    LiveD- Glad your pain and stiffness is getting better. I've been suffering with that the past few days and there are just too many possible causes to try and figure it out. I'm hoping it will just go away

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  • Midgiemoon
    Midgiemoon Member Posts: 174
    edited July 2015

    Yay Gatoma!!! So happy you are done!!

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited July 2015

    Hooray for those of you who have finished!

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  • queenmomcat
    queenmomcat Member Posts: 3,039
    edited July 2015

    Darumama: OK thanks! I think I'll start with ordering one 14 oz tub from Amazon and save the little tubes for when I fly out to visit my father. (Stupid TSA limitations on fluid and gels.)

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  • Gatomal
    Gatomal Member Posts: 483
    edited July 2015

    glad you finished up fmmbw. Yes the fatigue is so strange. I did better than expected throughout, hoping the next week or two is okay. It's like a wave that hits. I'm usually feeling stronger after about 36 hrs. Some brain fog too after some treatments.

    It's surreal today. It feels like the last day of school. When you come home, there is no homework, it's quiet, and you start figuring out plans for your first summer party.

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited July 2015

    Congrats on making it through, fmmbw. I hope your skin starts returning to normal SOON.

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited July 2015

    MaryJC - if they referred pts. to a neurologist they'd be admitting the reality (and extent) of the SE. We can't have that now, can we?

    I'll bet you're looking forward to 8/1 and getting back to the juicing, etc., again!

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  • Marksgirl
    Marksgirl Member Posts: 65
    edited July 2015

    Woot woot Gatomal!!!!    I am right behind you for the finish MaryJC, 8/5 - can't wait!.   Just started peeling and one crack.   I am really hoping this doesn't progress rapidly, I was fine a week ago.     In the dumb comments department, I told my Mom that I was no longer able to wear a bra.   She actually expressed concern that I would get used to going freebird.    I couldn't even respond!    That type of comment is what gives Moms a bad rep - along with Mom jeans.    I know my kids will think I am an idiot too (or do think that -  LOL) but I really hope I can avoid saying such stupid things!    Like that is my biggest concern!    Please oh please let me be a cooler Mom!!!!!

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  • Midgiemoon
    Midgiemoon Member Posts: 174
    edited July 2015

    Oh Marksgirl, I think I love your mom! About 7 years. ago, my sweet mother in law told me that I turned out to be a good wife after all! Now she's in s nursing home and I miss her dearly since we moved away from Massachusetts 5 years ago...


    Cool moms are over rated :)

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  • queenmomcat
    queenmomcat Member Posts: 3,039
    edited July 2015

    (wide eyed innocence) There are side effects of cancer treatment? I thought you all just liked bathing in Aquaphor. (runs away very fast, giggling...but in a black humor way)

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited July 2015

    It puts the lotion on its skin or it gets the hose again....

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited July 2015

    Sorry...couldn't help it...

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  • Marksgirl
    Marksgirl Member Posts: 65
    edited July 2015

    Love your positivity Midgiemoon!     That was the best answer ever!    Have a good day at camp tomorrow!

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited July 2015

    Littleblue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSa9mkAAWsg

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  • queenmomcat
    queenmomcat Member Posts: 3,039
    edited July 2015

    (bursts out laughing) No need to apologize. I wouldn't have been able to help it either...but now how to face the oncologist and techs without giggling.

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited July 2015

    My brother makes me t shirts for each treatment. My first one for radiology says " kiss your medical physicist". Im kind of excited to find a Stargate themed shirt for my sumulation...such a nerd. Such an unregenerate nerd...

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