APRIL Rads Anyone?

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  • sdavis
    sdavis Member Posts: 96
    edited May 2009

    Well I get a week off of Radiation as my underarm is completely raw. It backs up the end of this process a week but I am so glad they didnt want to make this worse for me. I am in constant pain and have ruined half my shirts with the goo they have me slathering on my chest.

    Hope everyone else is doing well. Yippeee to those who are done and can move on.

    hugs all

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  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited May 2009

    sdavis - sorry about that :( how many rads to full breast do you have left?

    Bette - congrats on being done as well.. woohoo..

    2 more to go :)

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  • BrandonMom
    BrandonMom Member Posts: 412
    edited May 2009

    Susan, that's exactly how mine looked, and it has peeled now too. I also had a spot on my back.  I think that was probably an oops on their part as they were going for the nodes.  Things are starting to turn around, though I still have some tender, red parts.  My onc nurse today said it takes about 4 weeks to be all healed.  My skin is starting to be less red, so that's a really good thing.  Let's hope that any little bad cell that was lurking got zapped!  And let's hope that the good cells, will not revolt :)

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  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited May 2009

    BrandonMom-That spot on your back was no oops.  I was told that I would get a spot on the back that will slightly burn, because they zap the nodes thru the back. Thankfully it's no where near as red as everything else! 

    sdavis-I feel for you. If last Friday was not my last treatment I do not think I could have gotten anymore after that cause of how bad my underarm is. I actually took some tylenol with codeine over the weekend for the pain. Maybe ask for something light to relieve it for you.  Hang in there!

    Sue

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  • eadsla
    eadsla Member Posts: 217
    edited May 2009

    bethaib--thanks for the info on tamox.  I'll admit, I haven't even begun to do the research on it, just been too fatigued, and I won't be starting it until next month.  But if hot flashes are a common se, then I guess I'll be staying on the megesterol which has kept my previously insane hot flashes in check.

    Bette--Welcome to the COMPLETION CLUB!!  WOOHOO!!!!!!!!

    Yeah, I had my last period in January, and my onc said that I shoud give it 3-6 months before my cycle starts again, so...with my last chemo on 3/6, I figure that three months from the end of March (which would be the end of June) is when I should be looking for signs of my period coming back.

    Jeez, hot flashes and periods...that's just sucks!

    Catherine

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  • bethaib
    bethaib Member Posts: 125
    edited May 2009

    Speaking of periods...I haven't had a "normal" one in months. I had several in Feb and the heavy bleeding, go to the doc to see what the heck is happening in March, a couple days of minimal spotting in April and then nothing since. I was actually liking this no period thing : )  

    Guess the question to ask now would be, what is normal when it comes to periods and radiation (but no chemo) ? I suspect the body is totally wacked and will take a while to calm down, but a part of me also wonders if I am starting the menopause symptoms instead? 

    And then I wonder how effective the Tamoxifin would be as it is not offered to post menapausal women if I remember correctly?

    sdavis- sorry to hear you are in so much pain. Hope things start to heal up for you soon.

    Lainey- your hair is looking good!

    Went to a dematologist today to get two moles taken off my neck/face. He ended up taking a piece of the one on my face and sent it off for a path report (though he assures me it is not cancerous). And then I go back next week to see what happens with it next. I've been concerned about this one as it is new (within the last year) and it keeps getting bigger and uglier! lol

    The one on the neck is gone. Talk about looking like I was beat up! Had this big gauze pad over the one site with a ton of flesh colored tape, and a smaller version on the one they removed. I never imagined I would look like I did and seriously considered going back to work! lol   But I ended up just telling folks "you should see the other guy!"

    So now having removed the bandages, I now have a hole in my neck instead of this big mole. Not the result I expected, though I guess I didn't ask enough questions. I am a bit conscerned now about the other one on my face. I don't need to replace the mole with a hole.

    Guess I have some questions for the guy when I see him next week.

    Dinner has arrived...my poor husband will have to go back out, he doesn't know it yet, to get me some vaseline to put on the hole & remainder of the face mole. Have to keep it wet and moist I'm told.

    So I get to slather my boob, my neck, and my face lol  Ok, not slather, but...

    bye all!

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

    FINISHED! When I came out, Tom presented me with a pink rose, and announced he had taken this special day off work, just to spend it with me!

    Saw my onc today, and she put me on Femara, since I am post-menopausal. Tomorrow is the first of five years of pills. I also have to get a Dexa-scan, as it can cause bone loss, and must take calcium plus D twice a day.

    The skin on my chest cracked and split open today. Ouch! I will call the rad onc tomorrow and ask what to put on it.

    I am thinking about coloring my hair as there is still a lot of chemo gray. But won't the roots show really fast with it still very short?

    Lainey, you really must post a pic of your new hair!

    Now I must do some homework. School started last night. My professor is nice, and I don't think it will be too difficult if I keep up with the work.

    Bette 

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

    Yea Bette - congratulations!  Still waiting on the rest of our April sisters so we can pick a date and sync our time to celebrate together.   I'm figuring we should all be done by mid-June?  Ice cream for everyone?

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  • marlenet
    marlenet Member Posts: 345
    edited May 2009

    Bette congratulations!  How sweet of Tom!   That was very sweet!

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  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited May 2009

    Bette-Congrats! wohoooo! your husband is a charmer!!!

    My co-workers surprised me with a nice chocolate cake and a gift certificate for a spa to celebrate my completion of treatments!  I really cannot pick another great bunch of people to work for!

    On the periods... you know what, I hope I do get mine back, that way it'll kinda make me feel normal again!  Being 43 and no periods... just doesn't feel right to me.

    Good day ladies!

    Sue

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  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited May 2009

    Sue, might not feel right but sure feels nice ;) This is the one SEs that could last that I don't care.

    2 more :)

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  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited May 2009

    Ok please don't think I am nuts... but I just had to take pics of what my skin looks like.  It still does not show the intense purple color, (I took them with my cell phone:-))).  Anyone else look like this? Seems as though every day this week it has gotten darker and darker.  Now starting to peel chunks under my arm!  Aghs.  Hope the pic isn't offensive, but heck we are all in the same boat, just curious if anyone else got this badly burnt.


    (7 days since last treatment)

    Sue

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

    Wow.  The good news is that you're finished so only the healing part now.  The chunks are probably the dead areas so as long as you keep it moisturized it should get better. 

    Makes me wonder if my rads were effective at all (sigh) as all you can see on my skin is  a rectangle from middle of chest to middle of underarm.  Mine got darker for a couple days out.  A little over a week out now and I'm seeing some fading except where the boosts were done. 

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  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited May 2009

    My rad onc. said the bolus will give a good burn.  Anyone else get a bolous and NOT burn that bad??

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

    Sue, my skin is about the same as yours, perhaps even a darker red. I am two days out and my skin is starting to crack and open, particularly in the creases under my Mx scar and under my arm. It stings in the shower!

    Patoo, I am hoping for fading to begin soon. I guess I have to be patient.

    I just finished my homework and am all prepared for class tonight. Now time for a nap so that I don't fall asleep during the lecture!

    Bette 

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

    Bette, what are you studying?

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited May 2009

    Bette - Woohoo!  All done :)  I think Tom is just the most wonderful guy ever! 

    Susan - Ouch, that looks really painful.  I hope it will go away soon for you.  The gift from your coworkers is soooo nice.

    Patoo - Ice cream is always good for me!

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  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited May 2009

    Susan, mine got pretty red but not that bad, well, not as big. If you check my blog, I posted a pic last Friday. It's all peeled now, feeling much better.

    Isn't the bolus plastic like? All I got was a white sheet. And now that I'm inot the boosts, nothing is covering it.

    1 more :)

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  • shan1171
    shan1171 Member Posts: 138
    edited May 2009

    I am so done!!!!  Hot d@mn!  I practically floated out of that place today!

    I haven't posted in awhile, I caught my sons horrible cold, so I kinda felt like sh@t on a stick for a week or so (but I didn't miss a treatment)!

    I'm thrilled to be joining the ranks of the done and well cooked, girls.  My skin actually held up pretty good all the way through, just looks like a little sunburn with a side of rashiness.  I've still got another month of reprieve from work, although I'm sure they'd love me to hurry back immediately.  My wonderful oncologist preferred I get a month, treatment free to recover and filled out my paperwork accordingly (love that woman)!  My long-term disablility will pay me through so why would they think I'd even consider it?  Hmmmmmm.

    Anyone have any idea the average wait on permanent implants?  These expanders are miserable!!  Still wake me up in the night when I'm rolling around trying to get comfortable.  

    I'll be taking Tamox., too.  I don't mind the absence of a period, but these hot flashes suck major!

    I'm finally getting a cover of fuzz, nothing to write home about, but at least there is some activity up there.  I'm so jealous of you all with enough hair to actually color.  It's gonna be weird having hair, seems like I've been bald forever and a day!

    Gonna catch a nap with little man!  Catch you ladies later!

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  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited May 2009

    Yeah Shan!!!!!!!  Feels good doesn't it!?!?!? 

    My PS told me at least 2 months to get the permanent implants in after rads.  My expanders are a misery also especially when lying down. They both have shifted, the left is near my armpit and the right which I had radiated has shifted down and now lower then the left.  I start tamox. next week.

    Caroline-I checked your blog, you might get as red as me seeing that you are not even done yet. The underarm is just THE worst part isn't it!   The bolus I had was a big square gel-like piece. You'll be finished tomorrow... great way to start the weekend!

    The parts that have peeled so far do feel better, but now the underneath of my boob is raw, aghs.

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  • eadsla
    eadsla Member Posts: 217
    edited May 2009

    Susan, you are not nuts.  That looks painful.  I've heard that the bolus intensifies the burn effect, so that's probably what did it.  I hope you heal quickly.  I'm sending out some healing thoughts to you.

    Bette-Congrats on finishing.  Why am I not surprised at your Tom?  He's been amazing throughout.  I hope yor skin doesn't get too far out of hand, especially now since you're done.

    I'm with you Patoo--I got off relatively easy skin-wise.  Even my rad onc and nurse were impressed at the end of it.  But having that square is enough to convince me that whatever they did, it worked.  And for whatever luck I had with the skin, I'm making up for in fatigue.  This week, most of the day is spent in Zombie-land.

    Caroline...ONE MORE!  That's awesome!!!!  I have to agree about the periods.  That's been one of the upshots to all of this for me.  but The bouts I had with hot flashes were not fun either.  I need to ask my onc  about the tamox/hot flash thing since I've been on a progesterone based med for the hot flashes since chemo ended, and it has worked really well.  I wonder if the tamox will cancel that out.  Okay, I'm meandering a bit...part of my fatigue leaves me a bit unfocused.

    wait...Shan!  Way to go!  And hell yeah, take the month off!

    Ice cream!  I'm up for that!  It's really cool to read of people finishing up.  Remember when we all started this in April?  That time thing...it just keeps passing along.

    Catherine

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  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited May 2009

    Susan, my last rad to entire breast was last Monday (10 days ago) so it won't be more red, it's all peeled now. The underneath of my breast, now, that's all pretty red & raw.

    No tamox for me.. woohoo :) My hot flashes were bad at first but now it's just once in a while. I can't complain much.

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  • sdavis
    sdavis Member Posts: 96
    edited May 2009

    thanks for the good thoughts all. I have 9 more treatments to go. I restart on Monday. Congrats to all who are done and I hope to join you very soon. Its good to see that most are getting more hair in also. Mine is growning like a weed but its totally gray. Guess this second time around it was shocked into staying that way. Oh well at least I am alive.

    TGIF tomorrow and very glad of it.

    Sue

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  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited May 2009

    TGIF!!!!!!!!!

    Caroline-Congrats on finishing today!

    Have a good weekend everyone!

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited May 2009

    Hi gals!  Shannon, congrats on finishing!  I'm glad to you see you feeling better and posting again. 

    I've noticed that the past few days I've been feeling more tired than before.  I didn't know that the rads fatigue would hit me AFTER it was done.  Anyone else feeling this way?  My hot flashes have definitely disappeared and I am feeling crampy off and on throughout the day with nasty headaches.  This is exactly how I used to feel just before my period would start.  I don't know if I'm happy or sad about it.  It would be nice to get back to normal for a bit but as Caroline stated in an earlier post, I think maybe no period is one SE I like.  Oh well, who knows what is normal anymore!

    I've been off from work all week and today is my last day of official vacation.  It's been awesome and I don't want to think about going back to work on Monday.

    Sue, your last 9 will fly by! 

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  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited May 2009

    I have heard of the post rads fatique. My rad nurse told me to mark my calendar that 10 days from last treatment will hit me like a ton of bricks. I'm not looking forward to that as I have been tired every day this week and after dinner I'm ready for bed!  If it does happen I hope it goes away quickly!

    Elaine-Love your new avitar, you really are looking fantasitc!

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited May 2009

    Thanks, Susan!  I tried to take a pic this morning of my darker hair but it just isn't looking right.  It looks like I have a cap on my head.  I'll get my boyfriend to take one this weekend. 

    Well, I'm off to Curves to work out with the ladies.  It's funny, the morning group of ladies who workout are so different from the ones that I usually exercise with in the evenings after work.  When I got there yesterday morning at 10 a.m., there were fudge brownies and apple juice on the table.  LOL  Who in the world would ever think you'd walk into a gym to workout and see a plate of brownies!  I cracked up.  All the little ladies were chatting it up, eating brownies and "kind of" exercising.  I've been religiously following Weight Watchers the past couple of weeks and being successful so I was able to resist otherwise I would have been all over those brownies! 

    Have a great day gals. 

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  • busymomof5
    busymomof5 Member Posts: 25
    edited May 2009

    Hi. Well I have had a crazy couple of weeks! I have not been able to read any posts, never mind posting myself. The radiation machine has been breaking down since I started rads. I had to wait up to 3 hours for some treatments. There have been women sobbing in the waiting area, especially the women who work and have families. Very stressful! The macine finally seems to be consistently working but schedules have fallen behind due to cancellations and delays. I am happy to announce that I FINISHED RADS yesterday at 7:30 am. YAHOOOOOOOOOOO!. I was so stressed driving in that I let out a primal scream....I had to be on time because my daughter's graduation from high school started at 10 am. Well, it all worked out, she graduated and I did to. I had a glass of champagne with friends and family at the luncheon following the graduation. My daughter bought a cake for me to celebrate when we got home. It was a great day!

    My other stress came from my Dad. He had quadruple bypass open heart surgery last Thursday. He is in Florida, we are in Massachusetts. My husband arranged for the surgeon. Because he was so high risk, he had to be taken to a major heart center 5 hours from the hospital he was in by ambulance. All of my siblings flew down to be with my mother before and after surgery. I could not go due to radiation. I was  on the phone several times a day. I am happy to say that he is doing extremely well, much better than anyone expected. I just have so much guilt because I could not be there. I will most likely go later this week.

    Sue- I did have a bolus every other day but I did not burn. Your burn looks horrible. I hope that it heals quickly. I am so glad that you are done. Yippeee!!!

    Now what???? that is my big question.

    Congrats to all who have finished! 

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  • marthamm
    marthamm Member Posts: 16
    edited May 2009

    Sue - My skin is looking like yours and I didn't have a bolus.  My rad onco gave me silvadene and it really has helped. 

     Congrats to everyone done. 

    35 down 3 more to go!

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  • Lainey64
    Lainey64 Member Posts: 740
    edited May 2009

    Busymom, Geez what a nightmare at your rad center.  Like it's not difficult enough already but having to worry if the machine is working or not!  I'm so glad you're done now.  I'm glad your dad is going to be ok too.  You should not let yourself feel guilty for not being there.  It's definitely not your fault and I'm sure your father would not want you feeling that way.

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