Winter 2015-16 RADS

marijen

Probably, it's very tough on the body

KateB79

My RO says that radiation to prevent loco-regional recurrence (chest wall, breast, lymph nodes) doesn't lower blood counts.

No one has breathed a word about immunizations. The last mention was in October, when I was in the middle of hard chemo and was told that a flu shot wouldn't do anything, since I didn't have the immune system to make antibodies

HappyHammer

So my surgeon's office did I must say...but, for a variety of reasons I did not get a flu shot....when anyone sneezes or coughs, I head for the door...and, I mean that!

keepwalking

El_Tigre - I just started back on Tamoxifen 6 days ago after a 2-week break. It is the norm here to start hormone treatment with rads. I actually started the tam before rads, but had some SE's after 2 weeks and my MO suggested taking the break to reboot my system.

Shopgal2 - I also have experienced some indigestion since starting rads - sometimes sort of feels like something stuck in my throat, and is worse if I haven't eaten for a few hours.

Completed 9 of 21 today. As of yesterday the fatigue hit - I feel like I am walking through molasses! I am also getting dizzy spells - don't know if from tamoxifen or rads. Staying hydrated, especially mineral water, and making sure I eat regularly seems to help. My skin is doing well - just a little redness and nipple soreness that is helped with the cabbage leaf. Also some swelling and weird twinges off and on, but not a big deal as yet.

lindab142

Can't keep up with the thread ... you all are so chatty, but it's great.

I finished my regular treatments and only have 5 boosts left. I can't wait. I'm red, swollen and clothing hurts a bit. I'm using aloe and taking Advil per my Dr. I do use ice sparingly.

Since Thurs. I've been depressed in addition to dealing with this. I got my review at work and I'm pissed. Boss wants me to produce "error-free" work and I'm not sure I can do that. I don't want to get into it now or I'll get angry and sad and think the worst.

Please pray for me.

Linda

JerseyGirl22

Prayers for you, Linda, right now!!!

Shopgal2

thanks keepwalking. I had a really hard time yesterday with indigestion. I did take Advil which helped, but stopped short of taking Pepcid, which I used during chemo. I also had pretty tough chest pain in the am which felt like burning. Almost felt like a heart attack. Thankfully It eased a lot. I do think it is residual effects from chemo, when I had severe reflux and needed a prescription med to manage the heartburn. I will mention it to my ro when I see her on Tuesday.

El_Tigre

thank you keepwalking. It's been a dilemma whether to start tamox ot not. I've been on lupron since the beginning of chemo and would like to do everything possible.

mapagail

Prayers lindab142. Im in the same boat. Kinda hard to be error free when we have had all of this stuff going on.

marijen

What I learned this week: I thought my BS had removed ALL my lymph nodes in level I and Ii. But no, my RO says they never get them all. I suppose that's because they are lost in the fat and hard to see

KCinMN

Linda - praying for you!

This is hard, isn't it?!? Thankful for all of you ladies... Who understand!!!!!

El_Tigre

lindab142, no one produces error free work. We are human not machines. Prayers for you.

Marijen, good to know since I was told all my nodes were gone on my left side. Maybe it'll help keep lymphedema away.

marijen

The information came about when I asked her how the lymph was drained from the area. She said it still works because of the nodes left behind. It is good to know, less worry. El Tigre. I believe our minds can manifest symptoms and everything else. The body is amazing how it works without us as well

El_Tigre

I totally agree Marijen

JerseyGirl22

1 down, 29 to go!!!!! Now if I could just get rid of this bit of a cold and the vertigo it brought with it...

Warrior On!

justmaximom15

Another week of radiation started! In the beginning, all I could think was 6 1/2 weeks was going to take forever. Having them every day seems to actually make it fly by though. Today was 12 of 33. SO was watching football this weekend which I detest and I thinking football is almost over, the Superbowl is Feb 7th and then my favorite show returns the following Sunday (The Walking Dead) and then it hit me I'll only have one more treatment after that!! It made me smile.

It's the little things

ctgal48

I do agree that the time does fly by. My skin has improved since I started to use the Vanicream in place of the Lubriderm. Now I only have 2 treatments left. I read yesterday that some doctors are now recommending that patients with a tumor smaller than 5 mm can safely forego radiation. Wish I had read that 3 weeks ago. Actually, these treatments have not been too bad. I do feel more confident knowing that I have done everything possible to keep the cancer from returning.

At my treatment center it seems that for every person that finishes, there are 2 more to take their place. I have meet some very nice caring people over the past 3 weeks. The support from the members of this board has been extremely helpful.

I'll be starting Tamoxifen on Thursday. Then I will have a whole new set of worries.

Jabe

I have two more boost treatments and I'm done with rads. Very itchy and today it feels kind of prickly. Lovely. I'm trying to think of something to give the Rads team as they've been so great. Ideas

TallnTerrific

I know what you all mean about so many people seeing your breasts. Has anyone else started having dreams where they casually take their shirt off for everyone at a party or in public? Well I just figured out from reading all of your posts why I might be having these dreams! I just hope it does not affect my actions while awake

Cubbie2015

Tall, I have not had that dream yet, but I bet I will eventually!

I am getting pretty red in the armpit area, the area they are most concentrating on. It's getting hard to sleep on that side, because the skin sort of pulls and hurts. Mostly it looks worse than it feels though. I'm wondering if there is going to be enough Aquaphor in the world for my armpit next week!

Peachy2

So funny how the subconscious works while sleeping! I have not yet had a dream of taking off my top in public, though may now that you've mentioned it. My standard stress dreams involve not being able to find my car in a parking lot, missing flights because I haven't packed, and the long time favorite, I'm in college and the final exam is tomorrow, but I haven't been to class all semester and can't find my books/ class schedule/ the building on campus where the class is held.

TallnTerrific

keepwalking I agree with with you about the nausea and dizziness. I am a little over a week into this and every night when I lay down in about 15 min. I get nauseous. I have to take Tums or something and I am not sure it even works. I don't know this is caused by the radiation but it seems to have started concurrently. It actually seems that eating anything after about 6:00 pm is dangerous.

The dizziness comes and goes but it is the worst at night! I didn't even have chemo. Do others have these SEs?

HappyHammer

Jabe...happy for you that you only have 2 to go! I finish tomorrow (yay) and, also wanted to do something for the staff. They have been so wonderful.

Talked with the office manager and am having a local deli deliver lunch for the staff on Wed. They are giving me a great deal after I explained what I was wanting to do and why. Nice folks!

Also, noticed beautiful flowers back in the area where the techs work the other day..when I commented they said it was from a patient who had just finished treatment and said how much they were enjoying the flowers. I think anything you do will be very appreciated!

HappyHammer

Quiddler- you are right up the road from me. Glad you found someone to talk with and compare notes with at rads.

Natejordlee

Fastest moving thread I have ever seen ..love it ! I have headaches right after and slight dizziness but by far the worst is the nausea right after and later in the evening, RO had me fill a prescription from Chemo for nausea I never used. I drink a TON of water so hydration wasn't an issue for me , she said sometimes it radiation can get to the stomach area depending on positioning etc and since I have digestive issues its even more sensitive. On the dreaming about taking your shirt off , no dreams.. I had a good laugh the other day when I walked into an appt and started to lift my top, doc laughed and stopped me as it was just an information appt, just my natural reaction now. !1 days down and 14 to go ! Good Luck All.

Lee Anne

HappyHammer

So funny, y'all...haven't had that dream but, because I have treatment about an hour up the road...tell my friends all the time...people in 5 counties have seen my "bad girl"....prior to BC, not so much!

Cardinal

good morning all you fine ladies - I finished last treatment (boost) yesterday, and was strangely emotional when I said goodbye to the wonderful techs; what a whirlwind this journey is! My skin has been holding out quite well, and I will keep fingers crossed that the 7-10 day 'peak reaction after last treatment' is on the calm side - the tech mentioned after checking, that the SNB scar might open up. Happy to report that the rib tenderness that I experienced about halfway through has almost completely resolved, and that my Houdini straight jacket compression bra really helped . Had all my questions answered well with reassurance from MO on going ahead with the Arimidex, so day 5 on that down (opted for brand name vs generic with hopes of less SE).

I'm another fortunate person in our big range of experiences here who overall did very well through this treatment with minimal problems - we are all so different. Congrats to all those finishing up with me and courage and support to those in the midst or about to start treatment. This group has been so helpful and supportive all the way through - hugs and prayers to all. Deb

Peabrain

Headed in for my first rads this morning. I don't know why, but I have a much worse attitude than when I started chemo. Maybe I wore out my good attitude.

See you on the other side

marijen

Cardinal how did your bra help and what brand is it please

octogirl

Yay for finishing Cardinal!!! Congrats!!!

Peabrain, I think my attitude was a bit poorer as well. Fatigue, probably, just wanted to be done.

Hugs to all,

Octogirl