APRIL Rads Anyone?

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  • tawdry
    tawdry Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2009

    Okay so yesterday I had a slight itchy rash, so I use the betamethasone as prescribed, this morning I wake up to an horrendous rash that has taken over my entire breast, my upper chest wall and under arm, all the places I put this cream. There are small water blisters EVERYWHERE!!!!! Today I suggest to the rad tech that perhaps I am having a reaction to the cream, I am fair skinned I dont use any cream normally as it just burns, the response was no no it is not the cream!!!!!    I feel like banging my head against the wall some days. Anyhow I am stopping the cream for today and tomorrow to see if there is any improvement.

    Oh in regards to the nausea, I was poking around on the net and found an article, cant recall where now darn, but apparently you can get reflux or a lump in your throat feeling if getting your lymph nodes radiated. Hmmm I wonder if that is sort of what we are experiencing. Ill go search out the article again and site it here if I find it.

    Today I returned to work...I felt like a fish outta water, could not even remember my passwords, where to find files or how to operate the copy machine!!  Argh I have been away far too long, but it felt good to be back! 

    PS the boss bought me a beautiful bunch of flowers to have on my desk!

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  • shan1171
    shan1171 Member Posts: 138
    edited May 2009

    9 down 19 to go!  Tomorrow is Friday, thank goodness!  At first the drive was nice, as it was my only "alone time" in awhile, since my aunt and grandmother are staying with me (loooooong story).  Now it is just getting to be part of the drudgery of it all.  

    Sometimes I think my little Tasmanian devil (with his toes buried in my ribs this very moment) is all that keeps me sane!  Imagine that!  Ha!

    Debbi - Definitely worth a few aches to be alive and kicking!  I've started stretching exercises to help with back and hips......we'll see if it helps....

    Lainey - you go girl!  It's funny, yesterday I took Cam walking in his stroller, got hot and sweaty, thought to H with this and jerked off my scarf.  One of my neighbors saw me and glanced away quickly, probably not wanting me to think she was staring (she's kinda an odd bird anyway).  I stopped and talked to another neighbor who is always friendly, didn't phase him a bit.  Takes all kinds I guess.  It was a strange mixture of self-conciousness and self-empowerment that I felt as I trapsed down the sidewalk.  What is hair anyway?  Like beth said, men shave their heads purposely (work with two guys that do).  Yet another example of the ole double standard that still lives and breathes even in this day and age!  I actually had a guy tell me once (long before this), that a woman's hair was her crowning glory and she should never have it cut short.  What an a@#hole!  GEEZ!  (Okay, reminding myself of Bette's Tom, not all men are evil incarnate.)  HA!

    If I was still having blasted periods, I'd think I was premenstrual.  I feel like such a beeee-auch.

    Oh, well, I'm going to watch a tasteless, mindless comedy in bed to improve my mood.  You guys have a great night! 

    Night all!  

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited May 2009

    Hi gals!  TGIF!  Woohoo, hurray!  Oh my gosh, this has been a long week.  I've been busy at work this morning and have read all the posts but I don't have time to respond to everything.  Grrr I hate being busy but it makes the day fly by. 

    This is the end of my 5th week.  25 down.  My fatigue is hitting in the afternoons, so far no skin problems.  *knock on wood*.

    Have a great day everyone!!!!

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  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited May 2009

    Hey Ladies!

    2 weeks down, 3 more to go! This week was a fly by!!!!!!!!!!!

    TGIF, everyone enjoy their weekend! NO RADS FOR 2 DAYS WOHOOOO!

    Sue

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  • caligrlof68
    caligrlof68 Member Posts: 323
    edited May 2009

    woo hoo!! It's friday!! Gotta love the 2 day rad holiday every week, huh?  

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  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited May 2009

    Yeah -- it's Friday and I bet we are all looking forward to a 2 day weekend away from rads!!  I've only had 3 treatments so far and today was the first short appointment -- it was great to be in and out of there in just a few minutes.  The radiology center I go to also has free chair massages so I signed up for one on Monday after my treatment.  Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

    ~Bonnie 

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  • caligrlof68
    caligrlof68 Member Posts: 323
    edited May 2009

    Oh Bonnie... that sounds like a sweet deal...I'd love a free chair massage right about now.

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  • shan1171
    shan1171 Member Posts: 138
    edited May 2009

    Fridays are just lovely when they are over!  HA!  I started my morning out right, got a fourth of the way to center, stopped to get gas........no wallet.  I had to turn around and go all the way back home.  I'm just glad I always pay @ the pump or it would have been mighty embarrassing..........I don't think the "chemo brain" excuse would have worked too well!  The fun didn't end there.  I had to stop at the store on the way home, ran into three people I hadn't seen in forever.......had to do the whole spill about my diagnosis, surgery, chemo................blah, f@#@ing blah blah.  Don't you just get tired of it?  I think I'm going to get a t-shirt with print on the front and back that simply says.......breast cancer in bold black letters.  I'd wear the damn thing every day!

    Bonnie - That is a killer perk, I think I'll suggest that to my doc.  All they offered me were some really strange hats the auxiliary women had made (I'm not being mean, I swear........they were weird)!  You know, they removed our boobs, not our brains!  HEY, maybe I should have THAT printed on a T-shirt!   HA!

    Everyone have a great weekend, slather that skin up!

    Shan

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  • caligrlof68
    caligrlof68 Member Posts: 323
    edited May 2009

    OH Shan.. You are too funny!!  I love what you said about boobs and brains. Yes I will agree that it does get old spilling all about the cancer and treatment. Then... the dreaded.."are you in remission?" I have never heard "cured" referred to as remission.... i think remission is just a temporary state, isn't it?? as if I had Leukemia or something.

    Grrr 

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  • eadsla
    eadsla Member Posts: 217
    edited May 2009

    Woohoo!  Happy May Day and two days off from the grill!

    Elaine...25 down, eh?  And no skin problems...  I'm looking at my boob and pointing at the computer:  "Now, THAT'S what I want for YOU, l'il boob!"

    Free Chair Massages!!!  Hell, I'd take mine standing up, and if they showed up on my doorstep as I type this, I'd pay for it as well.

    Shan--Love ya!  We definitely need shirts.  And there have been times when I've just wanted to direct any inquiries as to how I'm doing to this website. "blah effing blah blah"  LOL  I'm am sooo with you on that!

     HOLY CRAP...we just had an earthquake...just now.  Not huge, but definitely shook the house.

    Anyways...see how blase bc has made me?  Caligrl--I was just thinking that that you never hear the term "remission" anymore.  It seems more of a dated reference, but I'm sure that there must be a relevant medical definition  But so weird that you should mention it. 

    And Swine Flu has been downgraded a bit in terms of it's potential, so that's a good thing.

    Have a great weekend all!

    Catherine

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  • Jane_M
    Jane_M Member Posts: 1,549
    edited May 2009

    That's what my onc told me - I was in remission.

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  • PattiB
    PattiB Member Posts: 421
    edited May 2009

    Question  - I will be finished chemo on 5/13 (4XTC).  I have been working every day except chemo week, I take Wed,Thurs,Friday off.  I have contacted my rads onc and will get a CAT scan on 5/18 then start rads around 5/26 for 5 or 6 weeks.  I am trying to decide on my rads/work schedule and am wondering how most of you fit this into your daily work routine.  My facility is 20 minutes away from my home and work.  Thanks, for any feedback. 

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited May 2009

    Hi April rads gals.  It's Saturday.  yay!  

    25 down, 8 to go!  Yahoooo!  I can't believe it.  Skin is still good. 

    I hope all you gals have an awesome and restful weekend!

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  • Britt
    Britt Member Posts: 731
    edited May 2009

    Hi, everyone -

    Glad everyone has more or less a Good Rad Week!

    I am happy to report my my rash is virtually gone . . . just taking a "radiation vacation'" and applying the hydrocortisone three times daily on the affected area.  No more itching and it looks practially normal.

    Of course, when I resume on Monday (and lucky Lainey, only 8 more to go!  Damn this rash!) I will wear NOTHING on the affected area.  I am also going to tell them that I truly believe that exacerbated the skin reaction.  So we shall see . . . now I have 14 more to go, and will finish on 5/21!

    My best wishes for a wonderful weekend and Rads Respite to all!

    Maria 

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  • marlenet
    marlenet Member Posts: 345
    edited May 2009

    PattiB

    Hi  I work full time and have been able to change my work schedule.  I made my appts at 4..  It works out nice.  I work my 8 hours, go get rads( my hospital in about 15 mins away from work)and head for home.  I have 11 tx left. 6 reg and 5 boost.   I CAN'T WAIT!  I can say it went fast tho and the ladies who treat me are wonderful...WOOOHOOOOO ...

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  • kjbell
    kjbell Member Posts: 974
    edited May 2009

    Lainey-I too have only 8 more to go! My skin is discolored, but no open areas. YEAH!

    Britt-Glad you are feeling better! I hope your skin holds up for the rest of the tx.

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

    22 down 11 left (3 + 8 boosts).  Skin discolored but no significant se's; just a little tiredness.

    PattiB, I was going at 7:30 am then went to full day of work.  Then switched to work full day and go to rads 4:30 which is 10 mins from home.  Not a problem working full time because of no significant se's.

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  • Debbi5108
    Debbi5108 Member Posts: 182
    edited May 2009

    Hello All,  7 down and 23 to go. Lainey I am so happy you are almost done, I can tell you for me this is going fast compared to Chemo. And Shan You are so right aches and pains are nothing compared to the alternative.  I drive 45 minutes to treatment and 45 home but, I guess it could be worse LOL.  So far nothing bad SE wise unless the aches are one, however that being said my family seem to think its making me hateful , I tend to think its their stupidity causing that!!!  What do you all think???

    Hugs, Debbi

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  • eadsla
    eadsla Member Posts: 217
    edited May 2009

    Patti--Wow, kudos to you for working through chemo!  Your biggest problem with radiation will probably be in the scheduling.  Once you get started after all the mapping, sims etc, the actual tx takes no time at all.  I'm the first one on the schedule at 8am, and I am out of there by 8:15.  So, you can always try to schedule before, after work or during your lunch hour.  And just by reading from others, you can always change the times if one time of day works better for you.

     Yay Maria!  So glad you got better with your week away from rads.  You obviously needed it, and I hope it helps you to get through the second half.  I just finished 18 of 33, so we'll be on schedule to finish at about the same time.

    Ealine, kjbell, patoo--You guys are so close to done.  I'm really happy and jealous of all of you!   And so far it seems that you guys have been spared somewhat in terms of side effects.  I hope that's a growing trend!

    Tonight I'm going to my first "night out" since chemo started in January.  And I'm just wearing this little cap of a hat.  I"m a little excited/nervous since I haven't seen alot of these people in person since I was diagnosed, but it's just a small party with maybe 15-20 people going to be there.  Personally, I think my hair has grown a lot and is now more in the Sinead O'Connor vein, but I'm sure it'll still be a shock to some people.  Also been a little tired today and vascillated back and forth about going or not.  But you know, to be preoccupied with those type of thoughts are a nice change.

    Enjoy the weekend!

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  • PattiB
    PattiB Member Posts: 421
    edited May 2009

    Thanks for the feedback on your time schedules.  My facility has appointments from 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM, I was hoping for an end of work day appointment, so that is my dilema.  Since I am not a morning person and I am an attendance clerk at a school my busy time is in the AM.  I really wanted a PM appointment.  Anything between 11:30 & 2:30 will interfere with lunch schedules, etc.  and leaving at 2:00 for the day for the remainder of the school year may not go over big.  One thought was to work 1/2 days for the remaining 3weeks of school, then the school hires a sub to cover my time off.  Anyone not working or doing less hours?  AAGH, I thought the radiation would be easier, but just this scheduling decision is making me crazy, and how to present it to my supervisor is causing me anxiety.

    I

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  • Rachel_BC
    Rachel_BC Member Posts: 1,386
    edited May 2009

    Hiya April RADs-I should probably have been here all along, but I joined the March RADS train, and just posted this for a newbie, when one of the gals said I really should post it in April and May RADS... so if the forums allow me to post all this, here goes...  I hope it helps:

    FWIW- here's what I wish I knew before I started:You're going to need some bras and some shirts you can sacrifice, either to creams and potions or to ink markings.  If they are underwire bras, you'll probably want to pull the wire out- unless you can go bra less. At the end of treatment you will want dark shirts that wont mind ink stains.The areas that are most likely to hurt from burns and blisters are any place you have skin- on- skin (and remember those places are different when you lie down to sleep than when you stand up) like underarm and under boob and between boobs, and any place that rubs, and any place that gets missed when you are slathering on creams.I *think* we are basically agreed that you want to use pure aloe and calendula cream.  If and when it gets bad you'll want these petroleum antibiotic bandages and covers, and finally you will want the silver sulfadine cream- which is limited in how you can use it.  Some gals found the silver sulfadine cream easier to use by putting the cream on a bandage first, then applying the bandage with the cream already spread on it.  Be aware that your skin will probably come off with the silver sulfadine. Advil is the pain med of choice, stopping inflamation and possibly easier on yoru stomach.Get a surgical pen for them to mark you up with instead of the sharpies they generally use.  Sharpies are not FDA approved for use on the skin, of course surgical pens are.In my case, i was able to get fluorescent tattoos instead of little black specks.  Fluorescent means they dont show in nornal light.Cut a soft t shirt into LARGE swaths to cover your skin when you have the creams on, and if you collect boob sweat, use swaths instead of any kind of powder, or even corn starch.If and when they get to boosts and want an outline drawn on your body for their beam, see if they can use smaller marks, just to minimize the ink mess for you.I found vests useful. (nelia found tight men's t shirts to be useful for same thing, keeping the bandages in place)The fatigue is weird, and all the symptoms are weird in that they are not exactly consistent- at least for me.  I'd be great one day, crap the next, great again, and now at the end its really crappy burns for 5 days so far.  I'm also the only person anyone knows who had a BIG reaction the FIRST day- that went away the second day.  ::shrug:::At my center I can bring my own music during treatments, nice people both patients and techs.I also wear my fancy velvet gloves to hold the handle bar during treatments, partially because  I dont like the idea of grabbing a bar that may have other peoples cooties on them, and partically because its kinda funny and fun It doesn't hurt or anything during the treatments, but its really weird especially if you think about what they are doing.As much as it can burn and blister and all that - and some people it just DOESN'T, they have no problem like this- it seems that once it starts to clear up it happens really fast (or seems to) .

    Me, personally, I am waiting and hoping for that last part. 

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  • JeanneM
    JeanneM Member Posts: 47
    edited May 2009

    Lainey:  I too am having nausea issues and acid reflux problems, after completing my treatments on April 8th.  It was so bad that I actually woke me up gasping.  I had 30 treatments to my left breast.

    I met with the rads oncologist on Friday for a follow-up, and she explained that this IS a side affect for some patients. It's called 'esophagitis'', where the lining of the esophagus can become inflamed from the radiation.  If it continues, she recommended that I contact her or my PCP, because  they can prescribe an inhaler to relieve that discomfort and eliminate the problem. 

    Hope that helps.... Just wanted you to know that you're not alone with this problem. 

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  • JeanneM
    JeanneM Member Posts: 47
    edited May 2009

    Oh, and one other thing..... I thought I was back to normal with the fatgue problem (and doing crazy things); however, when I arrived at work after my follow-up appointment with the radiation oncologist on Friday, I looked down and noticed that I was wearing 2 totally different sandals! 

    All I could do was laugh at myself.  Guess it takes longer for the fatigue to subside than I had assumed! 

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

    Spent most of yesterday in the ER feeling light-headed and with chest and armpit pain. CT scan and EKG showed no abnormalities, but my blood enzyme for clot risk was elevated.

    Has anyone else felt light-headed from rads? It is bothering me today as well, even when I lie down. The chest pain was on the rads side.

    Tomorrow is # 13 out of 28. On Tuesday I will be halfway done! Woohoo!

    Skin is still OK, which is a good thing because in the ER they put on and pulled off the EKG leads twice, right over the radiated skin. OUCH.

    My DH has ordered complete rest for today. I am bored with staying in bed, so am up on my computer.

    Wasn't it nice not having rads for 2 whole days? I wish we had chair massages where I go!

    Bette 

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  • caligrlof68
    caligrlof68 Member Posts: 323
    edited May 2009

    Bette..i am sorry to hear you're not feeling well. Did they tell you to take baby aspirin or anything for the elevated clot risk? I have heard of gals on tamoxifen taking daily aspirin due to the increased risk of forming clots. I will be picking up a bottle today myself as I've been on the tamox for a month now. Light headed from rads? not yet for me. Is your blood pressure low? You might try drinking extra water/juice to increase your volume if you're a little dehydrated.  It sounds like they hospital checked you for a pulmonary embolism(blood clot in lungs)...If you feel short of breath with chest pain....definitely go back!!   Are you using special lotions or creams on your rad skin? I'm using emu oil and aloe....2 weeks and i'm doing well so far.  I'm wishing for chair massages too!! how lovely that sounds.

    Stacy 

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  • shan1171
    shan1171 Member Posts: 138
    edited May 2009

    My little fella is napping, FINALLY!  His nap schedule is so screwed up with my radiation treatments!

    He's determined to wait for me to get home before he will take a nap.........that blows his 10:30 A.M. nap all to hell.  I come home and he's miserably sleepy.........bless his heart.  Schedules are so wonderful when they work, but now on the weekends he is still off schedule.

    I'm feeling pretty good, haven't taken on any more projects this weekend (although, I've got to finish sanding and refinishing my kitchen cabs.)  There just isn't enough time or energy for me to get everything done, and once I go back to work.....oh, well.  I already dread returning.  I'll miss Cam, I have a high stress job, as well as a real pain in the ass mgr.  I just don't think I'll handle her as diplomatically on my return as I have in the past.  At this point in my life people blowing up over trivial things and taking it out on those around them is really not going to go over too good with me.  I'll probably have to end up asking for a departmental tranfer and that sucks, because I love working in the department I'm in, just can't deal with her nonsense.  She also is one of those hardcore, terrifyingly ambitious sorts who puts her job before her husband and her son (so not going to be me) and spends more time at work than home (and expects this of her support management.....that would be little ole me).  The last day I worked before my surgery which was scheduled two days later, we had a little confrontation, because she started and I was so not in the mood (wonder why?).  Funny thing was, SHE of all people had the nerve to start tearing up and crying when I told her about my diagnosis.  I told her straight out, if I could hold it together and not fall apart at work, then she better, too.  Give me a break.........maybe if I felt that it was genuine concern for me.........she was probably just thinking about all the extra work she was gonna have to do with me gone...........HA!

    Having gone through bc and all it brings really puts things in perspective.  What is really important in life; family, health, happiness, peace of mind........ Hell, I better work on my resume.

    One thing I REALLY worry about is health insurance.  After bc, if I leave my current job and take another one, could I be turned down for health ins. because of my past diagnosis and if it (heaven forbid) came back, could they refuse to cover?  It really sucks being a grown-up......lauzy.

    Sorry to be a dark cloud on everyone's weekend, just had this junk on my mind lately......

    Gonna try to do some reading while the dickens sleeps............

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  • marthamm
    marthamm Member Posts: 16
    edited May 2009

    Hello Everyone -

     I'm so happy for those of you that are so close to the end of all this and I really find it helpful to read everyones posts.

     So I had #16 Friday and my skin is really really red, darker in some areas than others but now it's stressing me out since I will be doing between 36 and 39 rads so I'm not even half way done :( Does anyone know if red skin at this point will definitely turn into blisters or is there still hope that I may not blister? I am using aloe vera 3+ times a day and I have XClair and hydrocortisone for when it itches.  I don't mind being red but the idea of blistering and such is really scary.  Any advice or words of wisdom?

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

    Stacy, They gave me aspirin at the ER, and I take a low dose at night. Tomorrow I see my rad onc, and will ask her what to do. I am still light-headed today.

    I am using Udderly Smooth and aloe vera gel on my skin. It is slightly pink. Tomorrow is # 13. Fifteen to go.

    Bette 

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  • JeanneM
    JeanneM Member Posts: 47
    edited May 2009
    Bette:  Yes, I experienced that lightheadedness, as well, during my treatments.  It lasted a few days, including when i was lying down.  Hopefully, yours will pass quickly.  I was told to increase my protein intake,  Ironically, the protein drink I purchased was called "Boost", which seemed to help quite a bit.
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  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited May 2009

    Happy Monday everyone... one more down for all of us!

    Well I'm on the nausea train myself. Started yesterday for a little while, then this morning on the way to rads and sitting in the waiting room.  Saw rad onc. after treatment and I told him, and of course he said "well I don't know what that's from".... aghs.

    11 down 14 to go.

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