MAY 2009 Rads

ajlive...I haven't experienced the cool feelings that you are referring to.  Since my nipple is gone..there is a difference on feelings although I have phantom nipple sometimes.

As for scar tissue...no change there for me...I think because the nipple area was already indented from the lumpectomy.

debonthelake and facecrafter...great job..one down..you are on your way ladies....

Hi, all.  Glad to hear everyone's holding up so well. I'm about halfway through now and surprised to be feeling better overall than the 2nd week, though I did hear rad SEs can sort of come and go.

Ajlive and ivorymom -- my SNB scar is definitely more sensitive and red now, and aches at times. I can't wait to get my bra off in the evenings so no fabric will even be near it!  I haven't noticed as much change in my lumpectomy scar; the sensations there tend to be odd, brief, shooting zings every one in a while.  My rad onc said that all of that is normal -- the effects of inflammation, etc. from the rads.

My oddest thing is waking up sore and heavy-feeling on *both* sides (not just the side being radiated).  I have it every time I get out of bed in the morning, and then it mostly goes away.  The rad onc nurse thought it might just be stretching on the non-rad side caused by the swelling on the rad side, but wasn't sure and didn't seem like she'd ever heard anyone having it before. I'll be a bit nervous until I talk to the rad onc herself, as of course I worry it could mean something more ominous happening on that side...ugh!  

Take care, everyone!

Bold....did they tell you not to shower before your tx???

Hi everyone...

should have been zap 16 for me today but the machine is down...oh well...rad tech tells me one zap gets added at the end...rad onco checked the skin and looks fine...as far as turning neck and stuff during rads...he said as long as chin is out of the way...

seagan...i also had that sore/heavy feeling on both sides on Saturday/Sunday but it went away...med onco says aches and pains all over to be expected from chemo...he said it should get better in time...

bold...good luck today...

Take care y'all.

Good Afternoon Ladies...

I had number 10 Rad this morning which means I tomorrow I will be a third of the way done....only 23 more to go...No burning on the boob yet...so that is good.  I heard that another patient in the room next to me this morning just started to get some blistering and she is 5 1/2 weeks into the radiation...hopefully I will slide right through it all.

The nurse gave me a sample of a new cream they have made especially for breast cancer radiation..its called Xclair Cream...its made by Align Pharmaceuticals...I told her I haven't put on anything yet...but if I need to will try it.

Bold...what do you mean you can't shower????...My goodness why don't they put you into a plastic bubble...I was told to use DOVE or IVORY soap...

Chelev...I thought he was checking your WBC...and with all that you have been through it is a good idea they are paying close attention to you sweetie...

Its still warm here in Norther CA...so I am heading out to the pool with my hubby...we are celebrating our 20th Anniversary today and he is taking me out to dinner later....

 Hello everyone.  Hope you had a good day.  6th rad today.  Rad Tech ask if I had started using aloe.  Of course.  He said to start using it everyday.  He's the one that told me at the 1st treatment not to use anything until the third week.  I thought I knew my skin better than him so I started moisturizing the area before treatment started.  Sure glad I did.

Seagan:  sounds like you are have the same sensations as I.  I spoke to the rad oncs nurce today.  She checked to see what angle they were giving the treatments.  She said from the Steroeotactic Biopsy , the SNB and lumpectomy probably a lot of sensitive nerves.  The rad treatment is making agrivating it a bit.  Just said to take advil.  I noticed today during the treatment the angle in which i have to hold my arm back behind your head starts spasing before treatment is over.  I have a feeling this is what has agrivated it.  Guess I need to do more exercises to get the scar tissue broke up.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY CRUISE AND HUBBY!!! 

Twenty years.....I never made it there with my two ex's....only 13 with both of them.  If I total up all my married years......it is 29 years......woah!  I never did that before...lol

Ajlive -- thanks so much for this add'l info -- that makes complete sense.  And I hadn't even thought of the biopsy sites (I had four!), but it follows that they'd have funky nerve stuff still going on, too.  I get the arm spasing thing, too!  All of this has me back to doing the "nerve flossing" (!! I love that term!) a PT suggested after my surgeries -- it's kinda like doing an exaggerated Miss-America-in-the-parade wave, with your arm outstretched to your side.  That helped so much after my surgery, and now again.

If only there was nerve flossing for the nerves in my mind!  Oh wait, that's called red wine...

Seagan: Thanks for the tip on the exercise.  Yes, I would much rather have a glass of red wine than an advil.  Total relaxation...

 Cruise:  Happy Anniversary!

I'm ALIVE!!! I lived through #1 no tats as the doctor has not given final approval.

Happy Anniversary Cruise!!!!

I was aloud to shower they just want the marks to stay on till they tattoo me.they ask me not to put anything on radiated area tonight. Hope that it will not end up hurting me not to.

I bought some new bras they are no under wire mostly cotton and Lycra. They are real comfortable now! Hope they stay that way. I am a 36 C. They are by Hanes.

Wine hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

I promised myself I would not drink except on the weekends and special occasions. The special occasions gives me a lot of latitude. I have to loose weight and that was the first thing that goes.

32 2 go.................

Oh Brokie, I hope that you do not have an infection. I hope you are drinking cranberry juice. I'm sorry you have to go through that.

2 down 31 to go.....I have 4 or 5 boosts included in that.  What are ses of that? 

Lisa...I'm sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my prayers. Take care.

Lisa, I am so sorry to hear that.  Even though your cousin had a different kind of cancer and knew she was going to succumb to it, still doesn't make it any easier - from the standpoint of you lost a dear family member, and to "that" disease.  Take it easy and hope you are doing okay.  My condolences to you and your family.

Lisa, so very sorry to hear your news.

I'm #15 out of 33 today. Almost 1/2 way done! I'm a little sore from the tightening of the TE, and my eyes are heavy most of the time, but so far this is still very easy.