Summer Rads 2016

gardengypsy

Karen~ I gained 20 lbs. Unbelievable. I am looking for the motivation to get on my bike; it feels great once I go at it. Now that the rads are over, there is NO EXCUSE!

hanley50

Thank you ladies! Took me several hours but I have read every post on this thread!

I had my simulation (finally...was toying with the idea of not doing it plus my PS was messing with my mind) on 08/09/16 and had my dry run today 08/18/16. I will officialy start RADS on Monday, 08/22/16.

Long story short...had MX of right breast (after chemo that didn't work) with tissue expander and was getting fills that hurt like crazy so I stopped them (PS not happy...but it is my body afterall!)

I'm done with recon for now. Not sure what direction I will take but that is that for now.

The information I have read from all of you is invaluable! Thank you all for sharing!

Maryann

PJSFW

I finished radiation on 8/9 and am still experiencing fatigue. I am so frustrated. I need to catch-up on so many things. Anyone have remedies for fatigue recovery?

ejmann44

Just two more whole breast sessions and I'm done! Can't wait 'til Tuesday!

My fatigue isn't too bad unless I sit down and start watching TV then I'm asleep in 10 minutes. I think one of the keys is to drink lots of water and then to also eat protein. The Propel water seems to help replace the electrolytes.

Valstim52

The propel water is a god send for me. I still want to just pass out around 2pm but I"m napping less and less. Burns are getting better but it's slow.

gardengypsy

PJSFW~ Most everyone agrees on these things 1) Eat well - non processed foods, lots of veggies and fruits, little sugar, alcohol. 2) Rest when you need to; it's early yet 3) Exercise.

Read about herbalism.

Opt4Life

Did I say 5 more treatments left? Well my new RO, who BTW looks like a high school junior wants to add 8 boosts. He caught me on the wrong Friday to tell me that as I proceeded to chew him up and spit him out. How dare he when I could see the light at the end of the tunnel and was looking forward to starting September without daily hospital visits. And I really hate the attitudinal part of my personality as once that side comes out its hard to put it back under lock and key--something my kids know too well.

So after I got RO sufficiently told, I proceeded to schedule the boosts in my calendar. BIG SIGH...Oh well, whattayagonnado. Thank the good Lord, I feel pretty good and skin is holding up.

Have a great weekend all

gardengypsy

Opt4life

<Not cool>

It sounds like he did not prepare very well.

He deserved as much grief as you gave him.

Carlsoda

just make sure you are getting enough sleep. I am still tired and sleep longer than before all this crap, but it is better. Our bodies have gone through a lot

Boston2015

Monday is my last radiation, 30 in all. These forums have been so encouraging throughout my treatment. I started chemo last December and now finishing radiation. Next step, on to tamoflaxin for 10 years. Rads have exhausted me but I was still able to work through them but it was tough at times. I hope the fatigue gets better soon.

Valstim52

Congrats Boston2015 on finishing rads.

heidi16

Is anyone here getting the short protocol, also called the Canadian protocol or hypofractionated radiation consisting of 15-16 treatments? If so, what is your age and did you have prior chemo?

KarenInCanada

I am in Canada and had 16 wholebreast, and 5 boosts. I had chemo before my rads and now I am just on Hercepton until April. I am 53.

fightergirl711

Opt4life why does he want to add 8 boosts at the last minute? I don't blame you for losing your cool. I have 4 whole breast sessions left, and I am dreading them, although my skin has been pretty good. I'm just so done with radiation and the lack of accountability and care this place offers locally. I also think it's affecting my stiff neck and headaches, and they won't own up to it. Yesterday I could feel swollen lymph nodes in my neck and behind my ear on the rads side. I think its a result of lymphatic fluid build up, but not sure. Also have had a sore throat for 3-4 weeks. My MO ordered a brain MRI a few weeks ago and everything checks out. I'm just done with rads, it's so long.

LoveMyVizsla

I'm trying to plan for my RO appt and rad sim tomorrow. My neighbor is going to let our dog out for us. How long does the rad sim take? Thanks in advance

Carlsoda

lovemyvizsla, mine was super fast. Probably 45 minutes tops for the sim and ct scan. I did however have to wait forever to get started. So maybe plan 1 1/2 hours to be safe. I think every office is different too. Good luck tomorrow, it's easy peasy!

LoveMyVizsla

Hmm. My sim appointment isn't until 3, so they could very well be running late by then.

Beebazboob

Hi all. I'm new on this thread. I'm 8 sessions down with 25 to go! My skin is still fine but my nipple is swollen and really sore and sensitive. Anyone else experience this? Even just cotton material against it hurts.

VLH

Heidi16, I've delayed radiation since I'll probably have chemotherapy, but did have a preliminary consultation with the RO and he mentioned the Canadian protocol as an option. I have a badly encapsulated shoulder so anything that reduces the number of sessions is appealing. I just turned 62 years old and my lymph nodes were negative.

blamoms

finished radiation today. My armpit is very sore and underneath my breast is very sore it's starting to open. Doctor prescribed flamazine. It now starts to hurt to sleep on my right side. It went by very fast I had some great technicians who made it easier. Looking forward to my skin recovering. I go back oct 31 for a follow up with radiation oncologist. I don't go see my oncologist til March after I have a mammogram. It's going to be weird having no appts every day

Boston2015

hi blamoms - I finished radiation today too. I have a follow up with my oncologist this Friday for my start on Tamoflaxin and a later follow up with my RO. It does feel weird not to have any other appointments scheduled

KarenInCanada

BeeBazBoob I had the same thing. That was the first part to feel affected. I am a month post rads now and I have cleared up but my nipple is still sensitive, not like during rads though. Also have to watch what I wear or my clearly darker radiated side shows through!

Cancerpickedthewrongone

Boston2015 & Blamoms congratulations on finishing!! I too finished today, it seems so surreal that the finish line is here, I too feel weird that I won't be going to the hospital everyday and won't be under the watch of my ONC. But I guess that we all must march forward and try to live this new normal. You all have given me so much hope and inspiration don't know what I would have done without this site to help me through!

Beebazboob

Thx Karen. Glad to hear the pain gets better. Oneheadlight on 24/7! And congrats on being done with rads

Greyt2mphrn

VLH - I have started the Canadian protocol. I have almost a week to go and I'm finished. I am burnt and in pain but I am looking forward to being completely done. I have to do 19 sessions ( including boosts). My new RO gave me the research papers so I understood her rationale and almost all of her patients are on the Canadian protocol.

Valstim52

congrats to all finishing rads. I'm 3 weeks out and finally see a difference in my burnt skin. Just like others said, it suddenly heals. I still have a couple of open spots but I'm going on vacation anyway.

VLH

CONGRATS to those who are done with Rads!

You're almost there, Greyt. Heal up quickly.

hanley50

Congrats to everyone finishing! I just started today 1/25 done!

Valstim52

We are with you hanley50. In your pocket.

Kechla

1 week post rads today!! My skin decided to get red and angry again over the weekend from the boosts that ended last Wednesday. Just starting to heal today. Very nice to not have the daily appointments and not be in a hospital gown daily. Starting chemo on Thursday...

Hanley, you will be done before you know it! Use your creams often and early on to help your skin recover from the treatments. I primarily used organic coconut oil (the kind you buy in the health food section of your grocery) until the skin got bad. Then I added Aquaphor, triple antibiotic ointment, and OTC hydrocortisone cream (for itching). I also had a corn starch sock to put under any weepy areas that helped to dry things up. When things start to get tender, I recommend cami's in place of bra if you can. Especially the kind that are loose (not much elastic) under the arm without a shelf bra. Good luck!!!