APRIL Rads Anyone?

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  • adenacb
    adenacb Member Posts: 89
    edited April 2009

    I have my first radiation treatment in about 1/2 an hour. Wish me luck!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009

    Shan - you gave me a great laugh - thanks.

    Fleecewood - yes, I think my scar has also flattened altho it's a little red. 

    Eadsla - your friends are right - we don't "crack" LOL as easily but we can burn.  My rad area has started to get darker and my rad onc says it will be very dark before this is all over.

    Scarp - love it - just watch out for those blue suits with the flashing light on top of the car.

    Later!

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  • shan1171
    shan1171 Member Posts: 138
    edited April 2009

    Okay, Cam is napping fitfully, so hurry I must!

    Number 2 down.......skin actually feels okay today (maybe part of it was in my head?)  We've already established, I have one outrageous imagination!  HA!  

    I did stop by local pharmacy yesterday and pick up some Radia-guard that one of my chemo buddies told me was great.  She didn't have any reaction at all to radiation, and had more treatments then I'm in for.  I'm applying it in the car as soon as I get out of treatment (someone is ALWAYS in the bathroom outside the "spaceship"), so instead of hunting down another bathroom........At this point my lack of modesty is laughable.....I also applied it before I went to bed. 

    Lainey-I've got tons of animal stories, growing up we practically ran a wildlife refuge (birds, snakes, squirrels, chipmunks, even a groundhog I raised who thought I was "Mommy"). 

    Might explain my attraction to "damaged" men, hmmmmmmmmmmmm.  THAT is another story entirely.....ha!

    Got to see my doc today, yum.  He wants to see me once a week during treatment, so there is my motivation!  God always finds some way to make the negative a positive, gotta love the Big Guy!

    Hugs to all, may check in later if my mini-tyrant goes to sleep easy tonight..........

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  • shan1171
    shan1171 Member Posts: 138
    edited April 2009

    Patoo - didn't even see your post till I was done...........you are most welcome.........you just gotta laugh your way through this mess.  Everyone always tells me what a great attitude I have, well what's the alternative?  I used up all my "miserable and moody" during my teenage years..........ha!

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited April 2009

    Shan - I must have missed your post about your doctor.  He's hot, huh? Lucky you!  My doctor is about 5 ft tall and everytime he sees me says "hello there gorgeous" in his strong Chicago accent. It cracks me up.  Last week he commented that I look so much younger in person than I do in my file picture. I sure as heck hope he was referring to the picture of my face and not my poor shrunken boobie. lol

    Adenacb - Good luck!!!

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  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited April 2009

    You guys are too funny! Mine looks like he's straight out of the late 70's-early 80's, hair cut, big glasses & all. He's actually a little creepy. But that ok, because if I had a cute onc. I would be very selfcontious with my scared boobs and my extra 20-25 lbs! LOL!

    Week 2 - 6 down, 27 to go... I did find out that my over-salivating & funky metallic taste in my mouth is a normal SE but somewhat rare so they don't usually warn you about those. Nice eh? Although, unlike the fatigue & redness, it's not cumulative and might go away before the end of tx.

    It's not that I'm so fatigued from rads, my energy level is down to 0. It took me about an hour to get any desire to make myself a grilled cheese for lunch today (rads are at 11:30). I've been back home for 3 hours, with cleaning & laundry to do, but can't kick myself in the behind to move and get it down... sheesh.. 6 more weeks of this...

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  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited April 2009

    #2 down. wohoooo!  todays session went so much quicker then yesterday's for some reason.

    I'm handing in my "medication list" tomorrow, so I'm going to see what they say about the vitamins and antioxi's. 

    Just got home from my pet scan. My last weeks ct and bone scans just came back CLEAR! a big wohooooo!   Now I just need to sleep better and stop having hot flashes.... oh and some real hair.

    Good week ladies!

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited April 2009

    I have to see my doctor every Tuesday after my TX.  I hate that.  I'm usually in and out so quickly but on Tues I have to sit and wait for my smooth talking doctor to come and see me.  At least I get called "gorgeous".  Then all he asks if I have any problems.  I say "no" and he says "ok beautiful, c'ya next week!".  What in the world?! LOL  Maybe I should come up with some really good questions to ask him today.  Maybe I'll bring him a list of my vitamins and give him something to do. 

    Sus - I hear ya on the hair and hot flashes.  It's like clockwork... every morning at 4:30 a.m. or so I wake up and then realize that my head is on fire.  Congratulations on your scan results!!

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  • eadsla
    eadsla Member Posts: 217
    edited April 2009

    adenacb, good luck on the first tx!

    Shan, what's Radia Guard?  Did you need a prescription?

    Elaine, LOL!  I'm sure he was referring to your face...although either way, it's still a great compliment when you think about it.

    Caroline, that is a funky side effect with your mouth.  I hope it goes away soon.  Just one more thing to make you not want to eat, which then adds to your fatigue because you're not eating enough.  I spent two weeks on that cycle.  I started drinking Carnation Instant Breakfast first thing in the morning, and then having an Ensure drink later in the day to help to have something in my stomach that was easy to make.  It's helped.  I felt this weird sense of accomplishment in preparing tuna fish sandwhiches yesterday.  I wouldn't have had the energy last week.  And I've noticed an increase in both my energy and appetite.  Hopefully this will happen to you.  Frickin' exhaustion!  It's so...exhausting.

    The one thing about my rad onc that always makes me laugh is his name.  It makes me feel like I'm on General Hospital:  Dr. Rex Hoffman.

    And isn't it funny how acclimated you get to just shaking hands with another medical person and BOOM, out come the boobs.  It took me two drunken nights and the allure of some really cool beads at Mardi Gras to make me flash them once.  BC has made me "gone wild!"

    Catherine

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited April 2009

    Eadsla, My rads oncologist hasn't asked to see my boobs...thank GOD!!!!

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  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited April 2009

    Lucky you, Elaine. Every doc I see wants to see my boobs! oh and touch them!!! I actually was quite surprise that at my weekly visit yesterday all my onc did was asked if I had any SEs or questions. Didn't have to show him my boobs.. woohoo. I thought for sure I would be having a see & touch session every Monday ;)

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited April 2009

    LOL Caroline.  Not even my regular oncologist ever asked to see them.  I would put on a gown and he'd just feel around my stomach and liver and my neck.  I was soooo relieved.

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  • Cali4
    Cali4 Member Posts: 101
    edited April 2009

    You ladies are too funny!

    Had tx #5 of 33 today, and it seemed to go okay.  My skin isn't looking red, but it feels really tight, the radiation onc. said it's probably due to some swelling caused by the radiation.  That's fun!

    Julesd - I just started Arimidex yesterday.  Today I have a terrible headache that is making me feel sick to my stomach, don't know if that is from the Arimidex or not. 

    Take care everyone!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009

    You ladies are sooooooooo funny.  Great that we can enjoy ourselves throughout this ordeal.  I appreciate you all.

    Cebula - I also have some fatigue but nothing critical.  Like you though my energy level is 0, zip, nada, non-existent, and has been for weeks.  I just have no motivation.  Laundry doesn't get done until the underwear is gone and then I may just go buy some more.  I have my gym bag warming the back seat of the car and just nod at the gym as I fly past to come home after work and sit in my lounge chair.  Exercise dvd already in the player; just need to push a button or two.  Ha!  Good thing there's no little kids here or child services would definitely have to be called.  It's even hard to pick up the phone right next to me to return calls - how sad.  Depressed, not really, just no motivation to be bothered. 

    Cali, I'm on Arimidex.  Only got a headache the one time I forgot to take it.  Maybe you should try at a different time of day.  Also, meds should be taken with nothing other than water.  You never know how another liquid may react with any medication.

    14 down / 19 to go!

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  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited April 2009

    Oh my Patoo! Am I with you. You described EXACTLY how I feel, difference is that I have a 5 & a 6 y. old to make sure my tolerance of ANYTHING is also 0! lol! I'm just glad I don't have to work though this or I'd be yawning my way out of work everyday.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009

    5 and 6 - I hear you.  And I do yawn all day long at work.  Ready for a nap early afternoon and I'm getting 8-9 hours of sleep  a night.  Yes I get up 2-3 times to potty but have no problem falling right back to sleep so it's almost straight through sleep.  If I had to chase little kids around... My hat's off to you.

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  • Cali4
    Cali4 Member Posts: 101
    edited April 2009

    patoo - I took the first Arimidex at bedtime, figuered that was the best time.  I haven't had a headache in awhile so I don't know if its the Arimidex or not.  Of course San Diego being in a heat wave 98 degrees yesterday, maybe I'm just reacting to the heat.  We're wimps here...if the weather isn't between 70 and 80 degrees our bodies don't know what to do!  HA!

    It's wierd about 2 hours after radiation I almost always feel nauseous.  Of course the techs and now the rad. onc. swear that it has nothing to do with radiation.  The rad. onc. said that she thinks it's just anxiety and perhaps they need to sedate me if it keeps up.  Anxiety...after everything I've been thru with diagnosis, chemo, surgery, etc., I have a hard time believing that I could possible be that anxious over stupid radiation that they need to sedate me....BIZARRE.  After I posted earlier I was in the bathroom worshiping the porcelain god.  Haven't been that sick since a couple of times with chemo.  Thank heavens I still have the nausea pills left over from chemo.

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  • BrandonMom
    BrandonMom Member Posts: 412
    edited April 2009

    Cali,

    My rad onc said the same thing today.  I've been extremely nauseous for over a week now.  Today is doctor day at radiation so I told him how I had badly I had been feeling.  He proclaimed that wasn't due to radiation.  He asked if I had a fever. I said I hadn't checked it.  Note that there was a thermometer within his arms reach. 

    He proclaimed me fine, and said "Let's keep on keeping on". I could have hit him. As I was leaving he asked me if I was ok.  Was he kidding??? I had just told him I felt pukey for over a week?  He reminded me of the people that have NO short term memory.  I said, "No, I'm not ok. I have felt nauseous for over a week".  Again, not that he did a darn thing.  Idiot.  So maybe the brightest people don't get a medical degree, maybe it is just those that can afford it. 

    Let's say my nausea has absolutely nothing to do with rads.  Wouldn't you think he would at least want to take vitals to make sure I'm healthy enough for rads???  I guess not.  I'm hoping for projectile vomiting tomorrow, so I can take aim!

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  • tawdry
    tawdry Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2009

    Well # 5 down today it is much quicker now those first three I thought my arm was going to fall off!!  Now about this nausea stuff...I swear I am nauseated due to the radiation..the techs keep telling me it has nothing to do with it, I have no fever, dont feel ill till a couple of hours after....

    I am thinking the techs are not to impressed with me as I wouldnt let them give me "just one more tattoo" on the upper part of my chest in plain view, I let them know three was enough that and all the scars. They were wanting to avoid having to mark me with a sharpie everyday I said mark away!!

    Cebula I gave up worrying about kicking myself in the butt to do things, I figure right now things can wait, now if I am still not moving after all this treatment is over then I will have a good long talk with myself.

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited April 2009

    Good morning ladies!  Gosh I'm sorry to hear that a few of you are experiencing nausea.  That is really weird.  I got really nauseous yesterday but it was because I took my vitamins before eating breakfast.  I'm sure you have your doctor's perplexed on this one.  I hope it passes soon!

    I saw my doctor yesterday after my rad and asked him about what I can and can't take right now.  He said he's ok with me taking, eating or drinking whatever I want except for soy.  He said something about phyto estrogens?  I probably spelled it wrong.  I'm not taking anything with soy so I'm good.  He didn't call me gorgeous... what's up with that?  :)

    I hope everyone has a fantastic day and treatments go well.

    Elaine

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  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited April 2009

    Good morning all you beautiful ladies:-)

    I see my rad onc. once a week too, so on my first treatment Monday he examined me and asked a ton of questions. And yes he examined my boobs... well my expanders I should say, or as I call them my Foobs... why does he do that?!  Even my med. onc. doesn't, but only did while I was going thru neoadjv. chemo to see if the tumor was shrinking.  Aghs.   Off for a walk, it's finally beautiful over here, then off to #3!

    Have a nice day everyone!

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  • BrandonMom
    BrandonMom Member Posts: 412
    edited April 2009

    I remember my rad onc said they couldn't really determine why we get so tired from radiation, but still acknowledged it was side effect. I kind of have a feeling nausea is the same way, except they haven't officially recognized it as a symptom yet.  It is probably less common than exhaustion, but I find it hard to believe that we all got the nausea as rads started a pretty big coincidence.  I guess we will know for sure if once the rads are done, our nausea stays away.  1/2 way done!

    BTW, maybe it is just me, but all my doctors now examine boobs at each visit - even my good one.  Now I have to admit, I thought it was a bit weird when the podatrist wanted to do it (just kidding :)).

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  • busymomof5
    busymomof5 Member Posts: 25
    edited April 2009

    Eadsla, My kids are my comic relief through this. I started radiation yesterday, closed on Monday.The first week my schedule is crazy. I had to go in at 6:30 pm yesterday. I told my kids and my youngest daughter said "wait, who is going to make dinner?" So, cancer treatment has become a normal part of life for them. They love rubbing my new fuzzy head and make a point to tell me that it has definately grown longer overnight!

    My first treatment was fine. I have had to show just about everyone my fake boob. It really does not bother me anymore. It might be harder if I had a gorgeous doctor, no offense to my wonderful doctors!

    1 down, 27 to go. I go in at 5:30 today. My 17 year old volunteered to make dinner thank goodness! 

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  • caligrlof68
    caligrlof68 Member Posts: 323
    edited April 2009
    Ok... 2 down!!  My shriveled up boob appears to have a sunburn already!!  I got some Emu Oil and started slathering it on several times a day. Let's hope it doesn't get much worse.....Frown
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  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited April 2009

    My first week, I was definitely feeling all queasy getting out of there, not enough to be sick though. This week seems ok. My onc says the first week often has funky SEs that go away right away.

    My 6 y. old is the same way, he's always rubbing my head!

    So I spoke with my MIL this morning, she's coming over later to clean up my house. My parents will be here this week-end and I can't kick myself hard enough to be able to clean and finish up laundry, so she said she would come over & help. I haven't once asked for any help during chemo (my mom was coming every chemo week though) so she's figuring out that if I'm finally asking is because I need it. I'm telling you, rads is harder on me than chemo was. I actually *almost* breezed through chemo since I had a lot of relief in between each tx. THIS, is just getting worse each day! I'm seriously thinking about shipping my kids to Canada with my parents when they leave next week! LOL!

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  • Britt
    Britt Member Posts: 731
    edited April 2009

    Ok, ladies, I completed Zap #16 yesterday . . . have developed a bit of a rash - like little bumps resembling sun poisoning.  Rads onco says it is normal.  Rads onco nurse advised to put hydrocortisone 1% on the bumps and continue with the clear aloe vera gel.  Itches a great deal,

    Has anyone else experienced or are experiencing these s/es from rads?

    Also feel queasy and VERY tired . . . . and yes, the rads onco team pooh-poohed that the queasiness is from the daily rads - which I tend not to believe.  Must do some research on this, which I will share with you all . . .

    Maria

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited April 2009

    I forgot to mention that yesterday after my TX the tech told me that I'd see the doctor and if I wanted him to examine my boobie that I could leave the gown on.  I asked her if there was a problem and she said there were no problems but sometimes patients like to have their boobs checked.  LOL  I said "No, I think I'll pass".  hehe

    During my first week of rads I told my tech I was tired.  She explained to me that it wasn't from the rads but probably from my schedule change, stress, etc.  She said that the fatigue is caused because during radiation both bad and good cells are damaged.  The cancer cells cannot replicate themselves but the good cells can.  As more and more good cells get damaged through rads, our bodies work harder to repair them and thus we get tired and fatigued.  That made so much sense to me.  I've posted it before but thought it was worth mentioning again.

    Oh one more thing.  I started rads 2 wks after my last DD chemo.  I am on my 4th week and so far I have no fatigue and feel better than I did during chemo for sure.  I'm working out at Curves 3x a week.  I've read a lot in these forums that exercise can help a whole bunch.  So even if you don't feel like doing it, just walking can help. 

    Caroline - that is so awesome of your MIL to do that! 

    Britt - I've had a little bit of itching but no bumps yet.  They told me this could happen and was told that Cortaid might help.  Hope it gets better for you!

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  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited April 2009

    Tomorrow is my rads simulation and the real deal will start next week.  I have some swelling in my hand and up towards my elbow -- hope it doesn't change the plan for rads.  I just want to get this treatment over with as soon as possible. 

    It's been great to read your posts and get a good idea of what to expect.  Thanks.

    ~Bonnie

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  • scarp
    scarp Member Posts: 104
    edited April 2009

    When going thru chemo, I would be nauseous by association so maybe that is what some of you have?  I would get queazy looking at hard candy cuz that s what I sucked on during treatment?  I can't look at the large insulated cup I brought to chemo?  Weird......

    I've had tireness and try to nap during the day when I can and it does help.

    Anyone here from NJ going to MMH?

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited April 2009

    Scarp - I totally know what you mean!  I had to hide my biotene toothpaste and mouthwash under the sink because just looking at it makes me queasy!

    Hi Bonnie.  What is the swelling from?  Good luck with your sim tomorrow!

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