Radiation September 2018

odat4me

I had to laugh a little at myself today. Actually getting into position every day for treatment is uncomfortable. I am on my stomach and my breast has to fall into this open space and every day they move me left or right with the sheets, I scoop my left breast ( the health one away ) and hope we get the correct position. I wanted to see if I could just flip on the table in the best way so it would perfect. I told the technician this today to which they replied it would be impossible and we all laughed. I said #radiation goals!

flag6818

Odat4me- I think the same thing when I’m in there! Today I came close to getting it right, minimal rearranging

13 down, 8 to go!!!

kmajor

Hi everyone, I have 6 more radiation treatments to go and hopefully all of this will be behind me. I had my very first chemo treatment on Aug 8, 2017 so I’m excited to be done but on the other hand I think I’m starting to get some separation anxieties....is that weird?

duffyzmom

kmajor- Not weird at all. I think for most of us leaving treatment can be scary because at least during treatment we feel like we are doing something to stop the cancer. Once treatment ends there are more worries about recurrence.

Today was my #11/20. I've started to notice some "breakdown" breast is pink and almost has a sun rash look to it. Tomorrow I have my simulation for the boosts. This week has felt really long but lots of issues at radiation center. Monday was a long day because not only did I see my RO I also had my 6 week MO appointment and he wanted a repeat of a Doppler ultrasound because of my left arm swelling (I had a jugular vein clot and have been on Xarelto for that). Unfortunately ultrasound showered another blood clot so now I'm trying Pradaxa. Tuesday issues with computers at radiation ( I guess their cloud is in NJ and the rains from Florence were causing issues). Then I had my Herceptin infusion. Wednesday was another long day at radiation because of mechanical issues. I was actually on the table for almost a half and hour. Thankfully today was just a normal radiation but I'm definitely ready for the weekend off.

odat4me

I am glad I am not alone with the position issues lol. DuffyZMOM you are going through a lot right now. Thinking of you with the chemo. I hope you don't have too many side affects. I had chemo for bone cancer as a teen it was rough on me back then. I wonder how I will feel when this is done. The guy that I initially did the cat scan with and 2 other woman are there every day. Thankful there is something to take care of any cancer left behind. For some reason I feel sad thinking about my dad who had radiation for prostate cancer that came back. Here I am 10 years later getting zapped. He died this year from ALS. You never know what life has in store. Trying to find the silver lining.

NJmom2boys

Hi Duffyzmom,

Hoping you have a nice weekend for sure! Hang in there. I am having the same redness and now very itchy. RO prescribed a different cream today. Will see how it goes.

Question for you. My techs put a mark on me for the boost. They used a marker to outline the area that will be getting the boost, and theyused these round circular stickers to put around certain parts of this line.

Problem is, the marker washes off in the shower almost immediately. I am not allowing the water to hit directly. The stickers have the marks under them, but now stickers are sliding off due to cream. Ugh. How is your place handling marking you for the boost? Not sure of the type of marker my tech uses, but it is well...useless.

Good luck to all! Stay strong

NJ (7 more to go)

odat4me

same to you NJ. 7 down 15 more to go. Happy it’s the weekend

NJmom2boys

Odat,

You are an inspiration and a warrior. One of my boys is what I call a heart warrior. He has had 3 “big” surgeries to date. He will be 13 soon. You would never know, we are blessed with amazing doctors and an equally amazing boy, the athlete of our family as well. This boy made me stronger and so proud. And all of these obstacles in life make us stronger. Your family must be so proud of you. You will find the silver lining. Hang in there. You are doing awesome.

NJ

duffyzmom

NJ - X marks the spot. Tech gave me a blue sharpie mark and then place stickers over it. The stickers remind me of the plastic wrap they used over move incision from port removal. So far so good on them remaining. I have been careful not to lotion over the spot and haven't showered yet but I'll let you know. I'm glad I'll be on my back for the boosts. I have a cervical fusion in my neck and all the laying on my belly with head turned to the left has started to bother my neck.

Anonymous

NJmom2boys, My markers aren't coming off, except one started peeling off last night but it's still hanging on.

Question, when you apply moisturize, do you put it on the actual markers? I was told I should not, just apply within the markings. They said they would have to reapply them if they came off. I shouldn't try to do it myself.

I've had six treatments so far.

duffyzmom

viewfinder - I'm also not supposed to do anything with my markers. She told me techs will handling any remarking if needed.

NJmom2boys

Hi Duffy & Viewfinder,

I was told to do like Duffy, cream around the markers. I was so careful and first time in shower 2 just slid off. I had my back to the shower and hadn’t even touch them. Tech said no worries. And that she can remark if necessary. She touched it up for the weekend and again 3 off in the shower. They are called tagaderm stickers I think. And the marker underneath washes off immediately. They do not use sharpies. Some kind of other marker. Anyhow, once the sticker falls off, and the marker is exposed to the water, gone.

I hate being on my stomach as well due to neck pain, but they give me these instant heat packs as soon as I’m done and it helps. Ask for one.

When they did the boost simulation I thought that was more uncomfortable because I will be on my back for that one and the board is metal. So hard on my back. I have back issues.

Talk soon

Nj

flag6818

Welp, ladies, I’ve developed a pretty nasty rash and what almost look like sun spots under the crease of my breast. Anyone else have this? Sometimes my breast is itchy, but most of the time it’s not bothersome. It looks terrible though! I have 2 more whole breast radiations, then 5 boosts. Hoping that will help give the crease a break after Tuesday!

Hope everyone else is hanging in there!!!! Enjoy the weekend

14 down, 7 to go!!!!!!

odat4me

Sorry Flag6818. I was hoping we would all get through this with no visible reaction. It must be true that they say the se come on mid way. I have 15 more I wonder when mine will show up. Remembered to moisturize tonight! Enjoy Sunday. Back to Rads Monday

NJmom2boys

Hey Flagg,

I had a rash in a different spot, as well as on and off itchiness. I showed the rash immediately to my RO, didn’t wait for my weekly check in. She gave me a cream, didn’t help much. She checked in on me a day later to look and issued me a different cream. Both prescription. Anyhow the second cream did the trick. I still have that pink look to my breast, but overall looks good. Calendula for me all day long...lol. And the cream twice a day. Rash is gone.

I am step in step with you. 2 more whole breast, 5 days boost. My rash area isn’t within the boost zone, so if yours isn’t either that will give it a break as well.

I found a nice article here on this community site about rashes and how to treat. I will try to find it. When I ran out in the humidity one day I sweat so much and that is when my rash started. So I think sweat didn’t help my radiated skin. Anyhow, AFTER creaming up, this article recommended putting pure corn starch on the area of the rash. To absorb moisture. I used a cotton ball to apply it to the rash prior to my runs, dusted the area with baby powder (cornstarch) and it helped with the sweat.

Since yours is under your crease, moisture may be the issue for you as well. Go bra less in the house and try dusting it with cornstarch to reduce moisture. Remember to cream first. I let the cream soak in and then I apply the powder. I’ll try to find the article that told me this. This was not from my RO, but I feel it helps me on my runs.

Take care,

NJ

Anonymous

Sorry to hear about the rash. I haven't had the need yet, but I have cornstarch in a knee-high stocking. Read that tip somewhere.

odat4me

Thank you for saying that NJ. I am sorry to hear that your son is going through some surguries. I never felt too bad about what I was going through because I would see kids in Columbia Presbyterian going through so much more. I will be thinking about your son! It is hard that you are both going through something. 💛💚💛 You definitely learn important lessons when you are dealt something when you are young.

duffyzmom

I hope everyone has enjoyed their weekends. I know I have. Only 8 more to go for me and I'm so looking forward the end.

Flag - yes I have a slight rash. Like you describe it mine looks more like heat rash or sun rash. I've been using cornstarch on my armpit and breast crease areas so maybe I'll try it there too.

LIFE1963

Hello ladies. I started radiation September 4th. I have to do 33 treatments. I had to stop last Thursday due to a cold. Back at it again today and had a flipping anxiety attack. I'm not even sure why. I felt dizzy and my heart started pumping out of my chest and I was thinking are you kidding me? Have any of you ladies experienced anything like that? I feel so silly. The nurses were all great they asked me if I wanted to continue and I said of course I have no choice. They did tell me that I did really good because even when they're having the attack I didn't move so they didn't have to reposition me. Ugg. How embarasing!

duffyzmom

Sorry to hear that LIFE - I haven't had a true anxiety attack but I will say the one day the machine was acting up and I ended up laying there for almost a half and hour l really had to focus on my breathing and mediate. Maybe try a little mediation or focused breathing.

grandmaadams

Hey ladies, I went in today for the set-up. I was told by my RO that I would have three tattoos ... one on my sternum and one on each side of my body. I went in today and the radiotherapist marked me (tattoos will be done when RO ok's xrays and set-up) for two tattoos on top of my right breast just on either side of my aureola and one on top of my left breast. Has anyone had tattoos actually on top of their breasts? I've done a lot of reading and would like to know if anyone else has experienced this. I have a call in to my RO and am waiting for him to call me back. Thanks.

SunnyInSummer

I would like to start by saying thank you to every one of you, whether or not my experience has aligned with yours does not matter. You have shown me strength & knowledge with your words and actions, and I will be forever grateful. I whizzed through surgery on August 17th, absolutely amazed at the low pain level. As a teacher, I started the school year as normal! I started radiation the day before my 51st birthday on September 18th.Thankfully, I have read very few entries from people who have encountered the breast pain that started on this day. Not good! So many of you suggested Miaderm, but I was following the doctor’s protocols, keeping in mind all you’ve taught me. After the first three treatments, I ordered Miaderm w/lidocaine, and it has made a HUGE difference in my pain levels. Thank you for sharing!!! My next concern is that I have not been scheduled for a boost, just 16 treatments. I don’t want to do ‘this’ again if I can help it, so navigating through the whys of no boost next. Although, there is a part of me that just wants it all to end as soon as possible.6 down, 10 to go...maybe.?.?.

Whome08

And that's a wrap. I'm done!!!

Kind of emotional. Staff was so very sweet in wrapping things up. Biggest disappointment is I can't shave my underarm yet. I have to wait until my follow-up appointment next month. My skin looks okay and a little itchy. Dr. said it will probably get worse and not to worry.

Now onto my knee replacement.

Best of luck to all the wonderful strong women in this groupl

flag6818

Congrats Whome08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You did it!!!!!!!!! 🤗

Good luck with your knee replacement, I’m sure you’ll do great with that too

duffyzmom

Congrats Whome08! I hope you do something fun to celebrate.

Today I start my boosts. But I did successfully complete a perfect belly flop this week. On Wednesday I got on the table and didn't have to move at all. I wanted some type of award but alas they don't give out gold medals

LIFE1963

hi ladies. I have 18 more to go. Believe the last 8 will be boost. Just wanted to ask you if any of you felt like a burning sensation in your breast and yet your skin looks okay, or pain in your arm shoulder or armpit. I'm also struggling with my arm hurting at night and aching and feeling heavy. If any of you have experienced any of this what did you do to alleviate?

Also did are any of you ladies just feeling completely exhausted? It seems every treatment I have I'm more and more tired

Anonymous

LIFE1963, to reply to your questions:

I have some pain under my armpit but it's primarily from where they removed the nodes in July. I had it before radiation started. A few times I've felt some brief pains in my left chest but was told that was normal. Nothing that would indicate I was having an heart attack.

Some of my breast skin is getting pinkish-red (after 7 treatments) but and it recently started itching but not too badly yet.

I was told fatigue could start setting in about the second week but it started after my very first treatment. Most days I'm overwhelmed by the fatigue. I had to leave two functions early because of it. Now I just don't go out unless I need to drive for food or something like it. But church and other meetings, no go. The fatigue takes over before meetings end and I have to leave. So now I just don't go.

odat4me

Hi!

Thankful for the weekend! I usually do get tired in the afternoon before getting breast cancer. I have been tired in the morning which is weird for me. Still running around a bit after treatment but I really want to nap. I have some other family stuff going causing some stress.

The paper in my county does a monthly feature on a breast cancer survivor. The cancer place and my surgeon suggested me. I had a little phone interview today. I hope it gets someone else like me 2 months ago when I wasn’t concerned about b-cancer to go!

odat4me

Duffyzmom do it is possible to get that perfect flop! I had a couple bad lining up days! Can you come down an inch and inch more...

Congrats lol!!!

kmajor

Today was 19/19....I am finally done!!!!