SEPTEMBER 2008 rads group
Comments
-
pdm--Sorry you're having such a horrible time. I didn't have any stomach upset due to the rads, but it sounds like your body has been through an ordeal and is in a delicate place right now. And rads can definitely bring up your anxiety level, which can affect your digestion. Hope you're feeling better soon.
NancyD--I had 16 today, too. Halfway! Every day after treatment I meet a friend at my favorite cafe for some coffee and conversation. Since it was my halfway day I took in some raspberries and dark chocolate to celebrate. It was really nice, and I was feeling good, but then I had this incredible wave of fatigue. That kind of fatigue that brings tears. It was weird. I hope your blisters are healing up.
Everyone around me remarks on how fast my treatments are going by, but it doesn't seem that way to me. I can't believe I still have 17 to go.
-
Good morning, y'all! 4 down, 29 to go! How's everyone today? I'd be doing a whole lot better if it wasn't raining, but it's all good!
Embmom, thanks for explaining the bolus better.
I saw my doc today, and got a prescription for triamcinolone 0.1% cream for itching. My nurse thinks I'm feeling itchy and burned because I had a case of shingles back in the beginning of June. I got really sick after my 4th chemo and was med-evac'd to Bethel for a week, so the nurse thinks my nerves may be a little bit more sensitive to the treatments. I feel like my skin is tight and burned, but other than that I think I'm doing allright!
I hope y'all are doing well!
Take care!
-
Emily, that's funny with the Get Smart. Wish I would have thought of that. At least it would have made me laugh. I only applied the Biafine once in the stall of the ladies room at work. It just felt too weird, almost creepy. So now I put it on after my 11:45AM treatment in the changing room of the radiation facility. Once after my morning shower and once before bed.
Yesterday when I saw the doctor after #11 they told me to add the Betamethasone Dipropionate Cream (cortesteriod) three times a day. I'm to put that on first, give it a few minutes to set in, then add the Biafine and dust the whole thing off with cornstarch.
What a set up I'm carrying around with me. Today was the first day I did the new procedure in the changing room, and it took me about ten minutes to get through the whole process. But so far, the skin looks good. I don't notice any burning. But today is the first day I felt itchy, and it was after putting on all that stuff. I'm really resisting scratching. I hadn't used the cornstarch at all before. Does that cause itching?
-
I decided to go and get the treatment ...I think it could have been a fluke yesterday...no nausea just tired..slept a little and feel ok...I have to remember I had a bad time last week and coming off the high dosage of steroids for the pneumonia....that could have done it...
Thanks for being here,,
-
Hi, Everyone. Sharon/TexanCupig, I'm glad you enjoyed my glowing boob & laughing cat! That cat card has made more people laugh in the last week. Anyone else who wants to check it out, here's the link again (or you can always check my profile): www.kksphotos.com/blog.html
PDM, let us know how you do after your next treatment. Pneumonia is a bear to recover from, really takes the starch out of you.
My rads are going okay. When I finish tomorrow, I'll be half done!!!! I am soooo glad I asked about & was allowed to do a shortened protocol. I wouldn't have known about it if it weren't for the women here on the forums. So, thanks again! And thanks for all the tips. I've had some mild redness & itching, but very fleeting & all the skincare tips have been helpful.
My big problem continues to be the lumpectomy incision. I am holding my breath that radiation doesn't make it worse & cause more problems with the scar. I got my surgeon's office to move up my November appointment to this Friday. I had a nurse friend of mine look at the incision today & she agreed 100% that it does not look right & needs to be fixed somehow.
I'm trying to get another nurse friend to go with me to the appointment because I've been upset by this whole thing. To recap, when the surgeon did the lumpectomy, she made the incision along the edge of the aureole. This had nothing to do with where the cancer was, but only her notion of a better cosmetic outcome. The first problem is that she never discussed this with me before the surgery. She didn't ask me about my priorities or tell me there were any options about where the incision could have been. I wouldn't have cared about having a small scar on the breast itself. But she never asked me. So, my nipple has been red & hypersensitive since the surgery. When the whole breast was still swollen, the incision looked like it was going to heal flat & look normal. Now that the swelling has gone down, the incision has tightened up, with my nipple & breast puckering on either side of it, & the tip of my nipple still red & sensitive. I am very unhappy about this turn of events.
Has anybody had any issues like this with their surgery? Anyone else with an incision around the nipple? I'm really frustrated & afraid now that I'm going to be told I can't get it fixed yet (if there is any way to fix it) & that I have to put up with this until the s/e's of radiation wear off, which could be months.
GRRRRR!
Kathi
-
hey everyone
Pat, I agree with Nancy, talk to your rad onc about the vomiting.
Julie - yes SilverDene is a prescription. With my insurance, it costs $8, so not a big deal. The redder I get, the better it feels. I am zipping through this second pot of it quickly, so will have to reorder it. My rad onc gave me a 10x refill -- I couldn't imagine what he was thinking but he was right on. It will go fast.
I use the Xeroform pads at night, but silverdene during the day. They looked at my skin t oday and said it would be a day by day decision as to whether to continue or give me a break. Personally, I want to get this done!
Haven't had any serious side effect, although I feel a tingling and sparks in my arm once and a while...either I'm losing it entirely or my nerve endings are getting touchy...let's hope the latter.
Countdown....25 down, 10 to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-
Hello ladies, since you have started rads, can I rack your brain... please oh please..:)
I am in chemo now. Will have Mast in Jan and then rads. I have been told I will need to be fully expanded before I start rads. ( expanders for implants down the road, no flap surgery)
Have any of you done this? Also.. what was you time line you were told you needed to start rads after surgery or chemo? Was there a "must" start rads within 6-10 weeks to be effective kinda thing.
I sure hope one of you wonderful ladies might have an answer for me. I have searched the net and cannot find a thing and I hate waiting until my PS appt to ask this.. I like to go in armed with info....hehe..
Thank you so much for reading!
Laura
-
Laura:
All I can tell you is that like you, I had chemo before my mastectomy. I start rads Tuesday which is approximately 9 weeks after the completion of chemo. I think I have a longer delay in between than most of the ladies here because of my mastectomy being right in the middle of chemo and rads (August 19th).
You are lucky to have expanders. I guess I dropped the ball in not seeing a plastic surgeon sooner. My doctors kept telling me it was too soon to look into. I wish I would have at least gone for a consult before my bilateral mastectomy. Oh well. I truly believe I have great physicians at the University of Michigan Medical Center. They have a fabulous nationwide reputation and I trust them.
Prayers with you and all in this sorority we did not chose.
Jane
-
Laura, I had also heard that the expanders had to be completely filled before radiation IF you are going that route to recon. The plan for me from the beginning was to split my chemo either 3/3 or 4/2 doses before and after my surgery. Based on that, I knew I wouldn't have time to complete the expansion before rads, so I stopped considering that method of recon and looked into the autologous methods (TRAM and DIEP).
I'll consult a PS in the early part of next year and hopefully have recon next summer.
-
Laura - My PS informed me that my expanders needed to be (completely) filled for 60 days prior to radiation. I had the mast surgery with reconstruction, chemo, then rads. They filled the expander throughout chemo - during the 2nd week. The PS also noted that the swap surgery cannot take place until a minimum of 90 days after rads.
Radiologist Onc indicated that he wanted to start rads 4-6 weeks after chemo. Hope that helps.
Thankfully all of you posted such useful information here. I start on rads on 9/30 and do the dry run on the 29th. Is that when they share all of this information???? They have told me nothing & they already did the tattoos.
Jean
-
Laura,
Like Jean, I also had immediate expander implanted at the same time as my skin-sparing mast, fills during chemo and now rads. I have 600 cc's and can't wait to ditch this thing! My ps is requesting 6 months for completely healed skin but I'm seeing him in November in case we can move it up. My onc wanted rads between 4-6 weeks. I would contact your PS for his thoughts. Good luck Laura!
Rads #3 today. I'm only getting 30 zaps and I notice many get 33, any idea what the range is?
-
Roxie, I believe there are some trials to see if less (15) are all that are needed. But I think they're for very early stage, low grade, lumpectomy cases. Other than that, 30 – 33 seems to be the normal range.
I'm getting 25. No one's mentioned boosts to me at my center, so I don't know if they're doing any. They haven't used a bolus, either, so that's another difference in treatment. I bet there are as many different protocols for radiation as there are for chemo, with variations for everything like strength of the xray, time of exposure, bolus application, frequency of treatments.
-
Hi Ladies,
I'm heading in for #8 this morning and then my boost this afternoon, i get it on Wednesdays. You were talking about # of tx. I get 16 reg and 5 boosts. I get only 16 as apposed to the 30's that others get because i am not doing reconstruction .... so the radiation can be a bit more concentrated. When doing reconstruction the radiation is spread out more so not to compromise the skin so much so procedures later are easier. Thats my understanding any ways. I also get the bolus every day for 2 of my fields, it's like a thick rubber mat they lay on my chest.
So far things are going fine, a little puffy under the arm similar to when i had the mastectomy, but can live with it.
Got to get ready to go....hope everyone has a good zap today !
-
Hi everyone,
Beginning rads soon. I have learned alot from this list.
JAP
-
Hi All,
I had my 13th tx today. Starting to turn pink and a little sore. I get very tired mid day, just when the kids come home from school. I'll survive.
I was told I would have 35 treatments. It wasn't until I asked about boosts that I was told I would get them as well. I didn't even know what the boosts were until I read about them here. See, we really do educate each other. So I have 25 reg tx's and then 8-10 boosts. I had breast sparing lumpectomy and no nodes involved.
Hope everyone is doing well. You are all in my thoughts and prayers!
-
Good morning y'all...5 down, 29 to go...and the boys (the techs) were full of it this morning! They made the treatment more bearable today? I thought I had 2 female and 1 male tech, but there's 2 and 2, and both the guys were working today...was a little awkward for me, but it's all good!
I started rads about 3 weeks after my last chemo treatment. I still have issues with getting the treatments, but it's getting easier for me. My rad onc said I'll be getting one boost, after all my treatments are done.
Roxi, my rad onc said that treatments range from 4 to 7 weeks?
GEEPERS! All that reconstruction stuff sounds scary! One of my friends is getting reconstruction, and she always wonders what she got herself into sometimes. While I'm still debating on whether I want to get a prosthesis or not?!?
Well, I hope y'all have a great rest of the week!
Sharon
-
Kathi, you definitely can't have any revision surgery while you are getting rads, and you'll probably have to give yourself some healing time after rads. I'm also not happy with the scar around my aereola and a pucker underneath. The first two times it looked pretty good, but after the second re-excision it looks bunched up. I was pretty upset after the surgical swelling went down and spoke to my bs about it. She said she could refer me to a plastic surgeon later to have it fixed. She said there is lots they can do to make it look better, and insurance covers it.
Makraz, we're on the same schedule. I just finished #13 today with 22 more to go. I have to ask about the boosts also. I'm pretty sure I'm getting them as I had a close margin against the skin, but they haven't mentioned anything about them yet.
-
Had treatment number 2 today and it was a lot easier than yesterday. Yesterday it took just over an hour for them to do what they had to and I didn't know if I could have held that position much longer. Was pretty stiff after. I have 28 treatments in total and should be finished Oct. 31. I haven't decided on reconstruction yet so we spread the radiation out so it would leave that door open.
Was given a list of creams that were recommended and that's pretty much it. My appointments are at different times each day this week and on Friday I'll get next weeks schedule. It certainly keeps me on my toes remembering when I need to show up. I honestly don't remember being that uncomfortable during chemo but my heart is just pounding during radiation. I get the bolus for two of the fields.
Saw someone at work today who didn't know I had cancer (she works at a different place now but was at ours on business). When I told her what has been happening the last six months the look of shock on her face was pretty much my look 6 months ago.
I don't think I could handle more than 4 hours at work right now. Really don't know how people work full-time hours. I have an hour commute and then stopping and getting radiation pretty much gives me a 8 hour day. I was pretty tired yesterday and today isn't any better. The good thing was I think I actually slept for 5 hours - haven't done that in a loooong time.
-
Roberta: I've seen that look of shock on people's faces when they learn of my cancer. Doesn't it make you think "dang, I must really be sick?". Older women in church Sunday just found out I have cancer. Her being upset was upsetting to me. Have to try and laugh about it. She was shocked at my new very short hairstyle. I should have told her I had it done at the University of Michigan Cancer Center!
Hang in there girls. I'm praying for you all and counting on you to be there for me when rads start next week. No leaving this blog until I'm done the first week in November!!!!!!
Jane
-
Roberta, start putting at least one of the creams on now. I'd recommend something that doesn't have petrolatum (like Vaseline) as the base, as they are greasy and stain a lot of clothing (I'm washing a couple of cotton shirts for the third time, as I type, trying to get the stains out). If they've listed a gel or cream lotion, start with one of those. The greasier ointments are better for later, if you burn.
Jane, don't worry. I have a motto: No one gets left behind!
Sharon...five down already! See, the time flies!
Makraz...13! You're flying through!
Angels...#8 - that's a nice even number!
Roxi - you're a tenth of the way through. I know that sounds like a tiny portion, but by the end of the week you'll be a sixth of the way through! and by the end of next week, you'll be a third of the way through!
#17 down. 13 more to go! Ladies, we're doing so-o-o-o good!
-
Nancy258, yes we are on the same schedule. We'll have to compare notes! I had a very close margin near the skin as well. I guess that's why I am having so many boosts. You should ask if you need boosts and how many you'll need. I'd be curious to see if we have the same number.
NancyD, you are an inspiration! Thanks for doing this for all of us!!! I too have stained a couple shirts from the aquaphor. It's really greasy. Now I slather it on and take a kleenex and cover the aquaphor with that. It sticks to the aquaphor and doesn't stain my clothes. I can still wear bra's with no wires or padding so the kleenex also protects the bras as well.
I'm even more tired tonight, but I guess that goes with the territory. Still a sore nipple and definitely turning pink. I just keep slathering myself with aquaphor and aloe vera.
Good luck tomorrow everyone. The weekend is fast approaching and we can rest our bodies then.
-
Estepp - I had chemo - then mastectomy - then radiation - didn't start radiation for almost 10 weeks after mastectomy - had complications from the surgery that kept me from it - rad onc didn't like it - wanted to start sooner but my breast surgeon insisted I should wait - I think rad onc have this certain "window" of time that they think you HAVE to start rads and if you don't fall in that window then DOOM will fall. The fact is - everyone is different and you can't treat each and every person the same way.
Think I'm way ahead of a bunch of you in treatments - just had number 23 today - 12 more to go. Have the bolus every other day - found out yesterday that I will have 4 more treatments like I've been having and then 8 Boosts. I'm burning really bad now - red red red and itches like crazy!! YIKES!! They gave me some kind of greasy stuff to put on the burns - some kind of concoction they make at the office and give out to their patients - so I have no idea what is in it. Seems to help a little bit. Starting to have some shooting pains also - any of you having that??
Thanks to all for your comments - I read every one - hang in there!! Stephanie
-
Good Evening Ladies,
# 17 today - I need 8 more plus 10 boosts - seems like alot of boosts to me
. So I'm way into mid Oct. when I'm done. Only two more days then the weekend!
We can do it !! -
Finished #16 today, 18 more to go. Getting a rash under my armpit. Because I teach a fitness class it's probably because of the mixture of sweat, bra, and friction meet. I use an old breastfeeding pad in between my bra and skin and apply the cornstarch. Makes a pretty good barrier for the time being. Not very tired yet. Just as 8pm approaches, I seem to be "DONE" for the night. But I was kind of like that anyway. Almost halfway there!
-
6 down for me (out of 33) so I wont finish until the very end of October or early November either. No SE yet, using Vitamin E cream every night to help the skin. I seem a little more tired than before but I also went back to work fulltime so I cant tell if it is from that or the rads or just the combination of it all.
Kristy
-
I had #12 today. I asked about the 5 boosts and they'll be after I finish tx #28.
I posted this question about swelling on the Lymphedema board and received some good info., but I'll ask you all since we're here- has anyone had swelling on the side that's being radiated?
I've notice some on my left side, but not the right. My arm feels tired, heavy and tight. I asked the dr. and they're taking measurements to watch it. He said it probably wasn't lymphedema because the treatments aren't for my nodes. I may seem more sensitive to my left side, but I want to be sure. I'm having whole breast radiation and my "pink" lines go pretty close to my underarm.
Trying not to be frustrated. I had just gotten where I could go on with my day after tx, but now I find myself looking up info. and watching for SE's.
Tomorrow's Friday!! I hope everyone has a good weekend.
-
I'm having my axilla radiated, and I haven't noticed anything in my arm, yet. I'm having tx #18 today. They're taking very careful measurements once a week.
The place I have noticed sweling is on my upper chest, under my arms, similar to how it felt after my mx (maybe it's truncal lymphodema?), but I won't worry about it until I've finished my rads. Then, if it doesn't go down I will seek out some treatment.
-
Good morning, y'all! 6 down, 27 to go...seems like KristyAnn and I are on the same schedule too! I'll be done with my treatments hopefully, on 3 November, barring any equipment malfunctions?!?
One of my techs noticed my skin turning pink. I think where I had shingles, the scars are turning redder. I was adviced to moisturize 3x a day. My skin feels more 'sunburned' everyday...YEESH!!!
I have a question for y'all...has anyone gotten their medi-ports taken out yet? One of my friends who is now cancer free, got her port taken out, and she's debating on whether she wants to bury her port, or go out and celebrate...I think she should do both!
Anyway, one more day of treatments until the weekend! I hope y'all had a great week!
Sharon
-
Makraz, yes on the consent forms they gave me it says 7 weeks, but doesn't break it down. I'll see the doctor on Monday and ask her about the boosts. My bs mentioned something to me about getting boosts because they still found residual DCIS .5mm from the skin after the second re-excision.
I get #15 Friday on my 48th birthday. Almost half way there. With my treatments that is, not my age. That's gotta be way more than half way there.
Just got a call from my best friend. She's been giving me lots of support through this. She just came back from the surgeon with some bad news. They found something on her mammogram and took some second looks with magnified views and an ultrasound and today they scheduled her for an excisional biopsy this Wednesday. I'm sending out all my positive thoughts and energy to her.
-
Nancy,
Happy Birthday to You!!!!
I will be celebrating 48 in mid-October - thinking of taking cake to my rads appointment that day!
Found out today that I need to do hormonal treatment but my body is a poor metabolizer of tamoxifen so my Onc wants me to get the ovaries out!
Kristy
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team