Summer 2015 Rads

Hopeful82014

LB - Yes - you'll be glad to have those photos!

Susan, congrats on wrapping up the WBI tomorrow! I hope you start seeing quick improvements in your skin at that point.

littleblueflowers

Yes! Good advice. I'm gonna get them to draw the fields on me and take pictures on my phone hopefully. Ksusan, good work on powering thru! May the Chicken man be with you...

Have any of you lovlies used any Bodyglide products to protect your radiated skin from chaffing? I'm planning my non-compliance with the upper body exercise ban already. Well, not so much non-compliance as....well..yeah. non-compliance.

wpmoon

This is my last week! 5 boosts, and Friday I'll be checking out of camp! can't wait!

Nipple and underarm are peeling and SUPER itchy. Glad those areas can start to heal while I undergo my boosts.

Hopeful82014

Hang in, WPmoon - With luck the itching and peeling will settle down quickly once those areas are no longer being treated. A word of advice - my boost area got pink very quickly, possibly the first or 2nd day. However, it did NOT get itchy, sore, painful, etc. So don't panic if yours gets pink a lot faster than you'd expect. Of course, we're all different, but I hope yours will handle it well, too.

LBF - I did a fair amount of upper body work throughout RT. I think it helps to keep the lymph moving and it keeps the tissues oxygenated, which is important. I did NOT do heavy weights but I did do free weights and resistance bands. Also push ups. I did a LOT of yoga and stretching with attention to the breath. That felt very good and helped to release some of the internal tightness. When I asked, my RO specifically said push ups were fine as long as there wasn't any real discomfort.

The only thing I used to prevent chaffing was the approved baking soda/cornstarch mixture (I refilled a powder dispenser with it), skin lotion and very, very soft clothing.

SistaC579

Hi... I finished radiation on July 28. I started Tamoxifen on August 5. I have been feeling tired in the afternoons since the 3rd week of radiation, but in the past few days it has gotten far worse. I feel such severe fatigue almost all day long. I have a 5, 7, and 10 year old and they are constantly wanting to do something fun with me, and all I want to do it lay in bed. I feel so bad, and I'm hoping this is more of a temporary radiation-related fatigue. It would be awful if it was from the Tamoxifen... I feel like I'm 100 years old, and I'm only 44. I've also been dealing with my mom who has lung cancer and was in the hospital/rehab for a month while I was undergoing radiation. Well, I'm trying to remain positive and optimistic... Just worried about feeling this tired all the time...

CAMommy

3/20 today. Talked to the nurse about nausea. She thinks it's a coincidence but if I still have it tomorrow she will have the dr give me zofran. Longer session today. Not sure why, they were taking some X-rays first. Thought my arms would fall off from going numb from their position.

sailorbev

I had my first boost today. It took 45 minutes!!  Ugh!  First they thought the bolus (which had been cut the first session five weeks ago) didn't fit right. Then they took about eight x-Rays and said I wasn't lined up quite right. My arms where in the air so long my left shoulder was really hurting again and even my right shoulder began to hurt. I had an urge to start screaming and jump down from the table. I hope tomorrow will be better. Has anyone else has trouble lining up after several weeks?

CAMommy

I hate it when they say, just 1 more minute. I want to scream you said that 20 minutes ago! As my arms have gone completely numb. I know they are doing what they need to, but a woman has to b@&$) somewhere.

123JustMe

Did anyone ever see this warning about Calendula cream? I learn something everyday!


Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with CALENDULA
Calendula might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking calendula along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.

Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.

bluefin

I had my first treatment today. I'm getting chest wall + nodes. The techs placed a bolus over my incision to "increase the skin dose." I thought that was only for boosts? I'm scheduled for 25 treatments and 5 boosts. I didn't think to ask about why we are already using a bolus before I left. I could ask tomorrow but thought I'd ask you ladies to see if you knew why?

6doggies

Hopeful, I'm a little late but congratulations, that is awesome!!

lemonadehk

Hopeful82014, thank you! I will mention it to the technicians today! Lemonade

Hopeful82014

Thanks, 6doggies! It felt strange to change my routine today and NOT go to radiation! My body is not complaining, however.

Bluefin, I think the bolus is used more post-mastectomy than lumpectomy. Each of us has a different treatment plan, so I can't help you there. Write a note in Sharpie on your wrist so you don't forget to ask tomorrow.

Sailorbev & CAMom - I'm sorry you're so uncomfortable. My techs were pretty quick about everything and my arm position (resting on my head) wasn't bad. At the risk of sounding like a broken record - speak up as many times as you need to!

Sista - You've got so much to deal with right now, I'm so sorry, especially about your mom. Try drinking even more water and getting more protein and rest (right - as if!) I hope you're just experiencing lingering radiation fatigue and that it will start wearing off SOON. But don't hesitate to talk with your MDs and let them know you NEED help.

123 - Thanks for sharing that info on calendula and medications. That was completely new to me. As you said, we learn something new every, single day!

6doggies

Lemonadehk, I didn't have bone pain but more of muscle pain in my hips, legs and shoulder from having my feet bound together and from being so stiff while on the hard table, my shoulder was from having it over my head for so long. I asked my RO about that last week and he told me it was normal but it should subside as my body gets used to being in that position and I have to say that he was right, I don't have pain anymore, #15 was today. But it is still best for you to ask you techs.

123JustMe

Sista,

I am sure that it's cumulative for all that you've been through! Take care of yourself and I bet you feel your energy coming back slowly.

CAMommy

my RO rx me lorazepam for my nausea. Crossing my fingers it helps. I know it's an anti anxiety med so now I'm wondering if he rx it because he thinks I'm crazy. I'm not. I know the rads are giving me nausea. The nurse said that happens when they get your esophagus and they aren't getting mine. But they mark the area they irradiated every day so I know where to put lotion (or maybe they have some other reason why, but for me it's where to put lotion) and they always get my esophageal area.

Darumama

bluefin- I had a bolus every other day and no boosts. I had 28 tx. I can't really give an explanation other than it's a result of the strange calculus they use to dose you properly. Not only does it increase the dose to the skin, but my techs told me it keeps the radiation from going too deep into your body. I don't think I encountered anyone here who was getting the bolus every other day like me when it wasn't an end of rads boost.

Today I'm three weeks out from the last rads. The skin is so much softer and looks a lot better. Peeling is pretty much done but there is still a little sore spot under my breast

KBeee

Bluefin, My friend locally who just finished rads had a bolus every day. I have the same RO, and have my sim Friday, so I'll find out then what I'm in for. I do know her bolus area was the most burned at the end, so treat the area gently

littleblueflowers

I will be getting a bolus every day, as long as my skin holds up...

ksusan

I've had bolus every other day.

123, are you sure that's for topical creams? Calendula can also be taken internally (for instance, as a tea), which is where I've seen interaction cautions.

sophie14

Good Morning Ladies ... I hope everyone is doing as well as can be expected ... I have my first appointment with the radiation oncologist today. And by reading your post I can tell I am going to get a crash course in radiation treatments today. I was told by my oncologist I would be getting 6 1/2 weeks of radiation. It would be a nice surprise if the RO reduced it some. Oh well, I can wish. I am sorta nervous about today, but I know I have to finish this journey. I have been reading the post and wanted to say thank you for all the information. Take care everyone.

Keys-Plez

I had my first rad of 28 yesterday. Yes I was nervous as hell. Since I go after work, I was armed only with a list of questions and my digital voice recorder. My RO said I wasn't listening to her. How do you absorb everything when your brain is going 90 mph (160 kpm to my friends over the border 😊)? I knew I could go home right afterwards. So I didn't bring any lotions or anything.

Anyway, I kept my head in a good place. I tried to keep my eyes closed, but my curiosity got the best of me. I'm proud to say I'm a bit Geeky. I didn't physically feel a thing. After a bit, I started thinking of the machine as ET, the terrestrial. I couldn't see the whole thing cause I had my head turned to the side. But the little alien head kept popping up in my field of vision and staring at me. First it pops up on my left side. Then it disappears from my view and I'm waiting to see where it's going to pop up next. I felt like the alien was as curious about me as I was about it. I was expecting it to raise a crooked little finger, point to the sky and say, "ET Phone Home." I can't stop laughing about it now when I think about it or tell someone...like now. 😊

Bottom line, I kept my head in good place, I didn't feel a thing. I'm getting a few more twinges in my boobie. Or maybe that's in my head too. I still get occasion twinges from the surgical site. But it seems like a little more than normal.

I must say that as I was leaving the facility, my team said. "See you tomorrow". That kinda hit me and took the wind out of my sails. I hung my head and replied, "Oh yeah". This isn't just another appointment, it's my new norm. Crap!

ksusan

Keys-Plez, it sounds like a positive first appointment. One down! And your little ET friend will be happy to see you tomorrow.

live_deliciously

hi ladies. I am officially done with camp tomorrow. I met with the nutritionist yesterday and she shared this site for breast cancer wellness foods. It has the science behind each item to prove it so she likes it best

http://cancer.ucsf.edu/_docs/crc/nutrition_breast....

ksusan

Thanks for the reference!

CAMommy

4/20 today. Dr gave me lorazepam for the nausea works like a charm. I feel normal again, or as normal as one can feel having to travel to the cancer center every day.

I am beginning to feel soreness in my breast, mostly in my nipple so I guess it's doing it its thing. im tired today, but that could be the lorazepam

ksusan

Good news, CA Mommy. I'm glad you're getting relief.

Alibeths

I get the bolus daily. What does it do?! It's only day 2 for me and I'm tired

Midgiemoon

Hi Ladies,,

I have 3 boosts left and today was my last visit with my RO while in treatment. As much as he was a hard ass, I am so grateful for his watchful eye these past 7 weeks. I wanted to share a photo we took today. The lovely young lady is his medical assistant. I will miss them both! This was taken in the simulation suite...

The end is in sight!

Hopeful82014

I'll bet it's hard to believe you're almost done, isn't it? Your simulation area looked a lot like mine, except for the ceiling.

Bear in mind that you'll have follow up appointments over the next few months, so it's not good bye forever