MAY 2009 Rads

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  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited June 2009

    Deb -- I'm sure you must be getting very impatient with all the measuring and picture taking, but  they are probably just being extra cautious and will get you started in the next day or two.

    Bold -- I hope driving through rush hour(s) won't be too hard on you.  I did that just once during my treatment and it sucked.  Our traffic in Portland is NOTHING compared to yours, but I decided not to do the rush hour thing again unless it was absolutely necessary.

    Today was my last radiation treatment -- I'm done!  It feels really good and really weird at the same time.  I got lots of hugs and a nice card from the staff at the radiation clinic and will go back for a check up in a month unless there is a related problem between now and then.

    Take care everyone.  You'll be done before you know it. 

    Bonnie

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  • Deb-from-Ohio
    Deb-from-Ohio Member Posts: 1,140
    edited June 2009

    Crack, ya KNOW I didn't pay that much for that creme...told them uh never mind....That's ridiculous for a creme, wonder if it has gold flecks in it? LOL....I don't think I will burn that badly..I'm fair skinned kinda but when I went tanning, I burnt twice, then started tanning, so hopefully this will react the same way....

    Chelev, I personally think they just like my boob! LOL

    BK...my gawd, they oughtta have the count of how many hair follicles are on that boob by now! LOL, I keep telling them that too....but tomorrow is the real day, least they told me it would be..so it better be....

    Hugs!

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  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited June 2009

    Hi everyone...

    Zap 22 for me today...rad tech asked me to come later in the day tomorrow for TX as they want to do a CAT scan in preparation for the boosts...

    Cruise...thanks...the prescription-strength hydrocortisone helped a lot with the burning/redness...it's kinda of dry though compared to aloe so it's a little bit trickier to apply...i'm assuming the house/carpet cleaning went well...

    Aloha...thanks...I'm with you on a great second half 2009 and an even better 2010...we'll all get through this...

    Margo...welcome...

    Princess...where do you get "filet" aloe?

    Genia...sorry to hear you're not doing well...hang in there...this too shall pass...

    Deb...sorry to hear about your "wait"...it took me two weeks to get an initial appointment with rad onco but things do get better...

    Bold...good luck with the traffic...

    Bkokie...congrats on completing rads...yay for you...

    Take care everyone...

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  • Debonthelake
    Debonthelake Member Posts: 244
    edited June 2009

    Lisa -Nuke a boobie camp.  Too funny.

    Deb -  I had to wait 2 weeks for various doctors to look at my CAT scan to do "planning"  It drove me crazy.  But, once they got started, finally it's been going really well. 

    Barbie - I got the same comment in the chat room about staying positive.  When I said so far so good.  Personally I think that's a pretty positive statement.  Especially when everyone is telling you that it usually takes a couple of weeks to start to cause problems.

    I had session # 9 today.  Just 24 more to go.  No redness or itching yet.  But, the inside of my breast definitely feels much more tender.  I have a kitten and I'm starting to experience that Me-ouching I laughed about last week.  Only it's not as funny when it is happening to you.

    Well, Hang in there all.  We will get through this.  There is definitely light at the end of the tunnel

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  • PrincessKauai59
    PrincessKauai59 Member Posts: 288
    edited June 2009

    BKokie - - Congratulations!!  Wow now you can really let your body heal! I'm so looking forward to that day for myself.

    Americanpinay - - I get the aloe from my local grocery store.  The brand is Lily of the desert; they have a website: I buy the dietary supplement gel inner fillet and use it topically: http://www.lilyofthedesert.com/10016.html 

    Genia - - Hugs

    Today was day #17/30 for me.  I'm pretty red under the arm and along my collarbone.  I caught myself scratching at my collar bone the past two nights. Will have to be careful and use more lotion, maybe some hydrocortisone at bedtime.  Have made it to the second half...  Cool

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  • Genia
    Genia Member Posts: 1,335
    edited June 2009

    Glad you are finished Bonnie....congrats!!!!

    Thanks for the hugs and well wishes.  

    Nite all

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  • margo1
    margo1 Member Posts: 56
    edited June 2009

    Genia-BIG HUGS to you!! I just about cried when I read about your "black dirt" spot. 

    I have been pretty crispy myself-you know there was a post from Nelia48 who was very burnt and she said she healed just fine!!  You will too!!

    Cruise4Life-Thank you-I just got a post to my thread "RADS with an implant" today that was VERY helpful.

    Good night.

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  • Genia
    Genia Member Posts: 1,335
    edited June 2009

    Thank you Margo....I just keep telling myself it will be over soon......and I HAVE to do this.  I really did pretty good until my 20th treatment.  That's when my skin started breaking down. 

    I appreciate all your kindness and thoughtfulness!!!

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited June 2009

    Today was day #18 for me.  And....I got measured for my boosts.  And.....I thought I was having 8 boosts but I'm only having 5!!!  I just got 3 days knocked off my schedule!  So, I'll be done June 29th rather than July2nd.   It sounds a whole month earlier LOL!

    Genia - I'm so sorry about your burns.  I'm scared....tomorrow is day 19 for me.  So far, so good.  but, another real life friend was fine till day 22 and her skin looks horrible now.  ack!

    Bonnie - congratulations!!!!  so happy for you to be done!

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

    Genia, you poor thing!  I hope your burns start healing faster - and that you're not in too much pain from them.  I'm thinking of you.

    Bkokie - yeah, you made it to the end!!  Congratulations!  No more laying on the little table letting your arms go numb!

    On the downward count for regular tx - 6 more and then start the boosts, which nobody really knows how many - between 5 and 7.  Wouldn't that be 6?

    Forgot to put the aloe gel on yesterday and woke up this morning still bright pink.  Ooops.  Princess - I'm getting a little itchy near but not on the breast area - found myself scratching this weekend and had to stop.  Went to work on my head instead - I swear, as those little hairs poke through my scalp, one at a time, it itches sometimes!  Skin seems to be holding up okay - the nurse was positive I would blister this weekend, and I didn't. She's sometimes a real downer - not what you need in an oncology setting!!!

    I've had people say the same thing when they ask me how I am - when I say, Oh, doing okay, I guess, or so far so good, or worry about my hair (or lack of it), they are surprised that I am not as bubbly as they expect me to be.  But you look so good!  Well, that's great, but sometimes I don't feel so good, or I'm tired of daily treatments or my hair, or well, cancer!  I just smile and say, thank you, and move along. 

    Deb, good luck on your first treatment today (it IS today, right????) - I almost spit my coffee out at the boob hair comment - got me again, you funny lady!!! 

    Everyone, especially Genia, have a wonderful, S.E-FREE day!!

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited June 2009

    Ouch! This morning is #22 and I've got one very sore spot on my side. Of course it would be where my arm rubs against it constantly. Today is doctor day, so I'll see what she says. I'm also about as high and tight as I can get, thanks to the TE. Just 11 more treatments -- and I'm starting to worry about my skin holding up.

    Today I run by the hospital to take care of all the pre-surgical paperwork for the tear duct surgery on Thursday. I'll drive 1.5 hours from radiation to the surgery -- all without breakfast or even a cup of coffee.

    Thank goodness this will all be over soon.

    Bonnie: congratulations! I hope you celebrated a lot. You've accomplished something huge!!!!!

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  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited June 2009

    BONNIE!!!!!!!!YOU DID IT!!!!!!! WHOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!! It must feel sooo good to be done with active treatment. What a long road to get here. Take a deep breath and then rejoice. Hope that you never ever ever have to go through anything this scary again.

    Made it through traffic no problem. They were so far behind still had to wait 30 mins after I arrived. I fell asleep in the chair.zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. I needed the rest.

    What a great group everyone is getting through this pretty well. Genia your in the final stretch.

    Princess: What kind of supportive supplements are you taking. I am taking my B6, fish oil, coQ10, Calcium, D, Natures trinity,baby aspirin. Same as I took trough chemo. When I was working as a P.A. I was a great advocate that Doctors should be diagnosticians and pharmacist should prescribe meds. I to this day feel that they are more qualified. Thanks for all you do.

    I bet most of you have hair!!! I don't.Cry CCCCCome on hair!!!!!

    #8 today!!!

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  • Deb-from-Ohio
    Deb-from-Ohio Member Posts: 1,140
    edited June 2009

    Well Gang 1 down, 29 to go.........OH BOY!  Didn't even know they were doing it, I thought they were still takin films! LOL

    Bold, I don't have that much hair..it's finally laying down on the sides, but the top resembles a flattop and even that hasn't filled totally in...and my last chemo was the end of March..I had taxol and read where if ya take the taxanes, your hair takes longer to come in.  Another OH BOY!

    Well off to check if this creme ,*I* and I repeat, I not the insurance company just paid $56.99 for has any gold in it......it must.............LOL

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  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 1,092
    edited June 2009

    me too!!  JUDY

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  • barbiedahl
    barbiedahl Member Posts: 119
    edited June 2009

    Gee Ivorymom, I understand preparing the patient but sometimes I think doctors just throw out TMI about what may or may not happen.

    Genia Hope your doing a little better

    Bold I have hair, sort of. I think it's a lot, but that's because I saw my shiny bald scalp before. All my hair, head, brows and lashes are sort of colorless. I do the brows and lashes with mascara but the head.... Don't worry about being the 2% I'm sure you're not! It just takes different amount of times for people. I've heard that when it comes in it really comes in. That's what's happening with my brows and lashes. I don't have the heart to pluck brows yet, I sort of feel sorry for them!  How is you SIL doing?

    A little pink today, but it seems to be fading. #16 so halfwayish (33) I'm trying to rest as much as possible because my doctor said the skin doesn't really react like it would in the sun ( I would have burned up by now I am VERY fair) but it's more about how the skin cells rebuild so don't forget to hydrate, eat well and rest all you radical girls. We are almost done!

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  • ajlive
    ajlive Member Posts: 134
    edited June 2009

    Hi everyone!  #14 today and day to see rad onc.  He said skin looks good.  Seeing a little pink under the breast and chest area.  Got to force myself to drink more liquids.  Yuk....

    Little bit of fatigue appearing.  Rad onc said to get Centrum?  One more pill to take.Frown

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  • Debonthelake
    Debonthelake Member Posts: 244
    edited June 2009

    Today was #10 for me.  Nipple looking a little pink but, I'll say it again.  So far so good.

    My last chemo was the 27th of April.  My hair is now about 1/4 of an inch long and mostly soft white fuzz.  I used to have mostly dark hair with a few grays sprinkled in.  Now it seems it's going to be the opposite.  But, It does appear like it might be pretty full.  I've had the luxury of being off this summer.  I miss the pay checks but, the time to work out and nap when I need to have been wonderful.

    We can do this.  Yes, we can!

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  • margo1
    margo1 Member Posts: 56
    edited June 2009

    Hey Genia-A little background about myself-I ask a million questions & do tons of research & still keep challenging my Dr & the RADS techs to make sure everyone is "on the ball" when I am getting RADS....or NOT getting RADS. The nurses & techs say I am a rare patient, most just shuffle in and out and don't ask questions. With that said I researched the 4 stages of skin damage that the RADS can cause-2nd stage is "dry desquamation" where I am, 3rd stage is "wet desquamation" -which my RAD techs say NONE of their patients get to, because of that my Dr is known for his "cosmetic results", and stage 4 is Necrosis(we won't go there...)  So I guess that is why I am on extended break to let my skin heal.  Couldn't hurt to ask your Dr why you don't have any breaks.  Maybe due to your DX? 

    By the way I am the blonde in the photo -it's two Christmas's ago with a co-worker who's ONLY 29, hence the wild woman laughing!!!

    Bonnie-CONGRATS!!! you are done!!- Thank you again for your helpful post.,

    Chelev-Yeah I hate the "But you look SO GOOD's" as well.

    Take care all and stay strong!!!!

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  • ddlatt
    ddlatt Member Posts: 448
    edited June 2009

    had tomotherapy radiation #16 of 35 today. skin is fine, no redness or any evidence of radiation. but my breast area where i'm being radiated and the area where i had my sentinel node biopsy is becoming tight. i notice that when i stretch both my arms above my head, the radiated side is clearly much tighter. anyone else experiencing this? i will be having 7 boosts on the tomotherapy machine the last week of rads. so far, no fatigue. 

    i finished chemo on may 1st and my hair is growing in pretty quickly now--brown but lots of silver! 

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  • Deb-from-Ohio
    Deb-from-Ohio Member Posts: 1,140
    edited June 2009

    Have a question for you "experienced" ladies....did any of you have pain in your breast and swelling after your first radiation treatment? Mine is swelled up and hurting in two different places.....didn't think it was supposed to do this.

    Hugs

    Deb

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited June 2009

    Hi rads girls,

    I'm pretty excited!  I applied for a spot in a Casting for Recovery retreat a long time ago and I was chosen to attend (random...not based on anything).  So, I'm going to Skytop, PA in late August to learn to fly fish with a bunch of other breast cancer survivors!

    If you're interested, check out www.castingforrecovery.org   There is not a location near me, so I go to skytop.  But, some areas have retreats in their own states.  Check it out.  Its free except for tranportation there and back.  I'm going to go a few days early and hang out in NY with some east coast girlfriends!

    Finally....something to look forward to!

    lisa

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  • Genia
    Genia Member Posts: 1,335
    edited June 2009

    Margo....thanks for explaining all that you did about the stages of skin damage to me. 

    My Dr. did give me a week off after I burned.  I was officially off for 3 days....then the other 2 days were spent setting up my boosts.  It did help a lot....but this burn was already starting and I guess radiation is cummulative.....so it just kept getting worse.  I will have boosts this week and next and then go back to my 5 regular tx's that I didn't get to finish.

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  • Genia
    Genia Member Posts: 1,335
    edited June 2009

    ddlatt  I have a lot of tightness now.  Sometimes if I reach really high it almost feels like my skin is gonna rip.

    Deb....I can't remember well.....but I don't think I did after just one tx.  You should tell your Dr. so they can check it.

    Lisa.....good for you g/f.  I checked on the trip.....but then forgot about it.  Not sure I could afford to go financially.  Even if it's just paying my way there and back.  Things are kinda tight around here right now.  Hope you have fun, you deserve it!!!

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited June 2009

    Genia - what # rads were you on when you started to burn so badly?  today was #19 for me and suddenly i'm redder and itchier.  it's starting to look like i may peel.  not on my breast but on my chest!  and, my "sunburn" is now appearing on my back.  scary that it goes straight thru my whole body!  really....what else is being fried!?!?

    i'm starting to not like this very much!  i have 9 more sessions and then 5 boosts.  if it gets bad i'm going to ask to intersperse regular sessions with boosts.

    this sucks.  i'm so tired of it.  and tired of driving back/forth everyday.  and tired of avoiding the sun (hard to do in so cal).  and tired of having slimy lotion all over me.  yuck!

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  • PrincessKauai59
    PrincessKauai59 Member Posts: 288
    edited June 2009

    Hi!  Treatment #18/30 today.  Slathered extra aloe and lotion on tonight.  Very red under arm with white spots.  My hair is very very thin on top and sides, but thick by ears and in back.  All still pretty short.  I don't feel like I can be seen (uncovered) in public like this yet; I"m worried that it looks so bad compared with a hat or a wig...  I still wear a hat every day, including all day at work right now.  My colleague asked me if I had hair "under there" tonight.  DH said I just don't have the follicles per sq. inch and reminded me (oh thanks honey) that it was v. thin before chemotherapy.

    Bold, Thanks for your nice words about pharmacists.  I've been into eating healthier, but not so much into supplements.  My big thing is eating more greens and eating organic as much as possible.  I should be taking calcium and vitamin D and will start soon.  I was taking a tumeric & milk thistle supplement after I had a liver enzyme level spike during chemo - that's all normal now. I want to keep eating tumeric, but need some new recipes.  I've switched from coffee to tea, will swich further to green or white tea.  I'll still have a coffee for special occasions, but have to stay off it for a bit. 

     Thanks for being here everyone!  This to shall pass; may it pass quickly!!  oxo 

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited June 2009

    Good morning ladies: I've got one very sore spot on my side. Feels like a bump -- probably the TE. Other than that, I'm red and very tight but doesn't look like it will peel. I think my doctor was smart to stop my regular treatments at #18 and start the 8 boosts. That was the plan all along. I finish up the regular treatments starting this Friday.

    The trip back and forth is probably beginning to wear us all down. Patience! This is just a few weeks compared to the months of chemo. We can do it!

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  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited June 2009

    Hi everyone. 

    Lisa-What a wonderful idea.  Maybe I'll get picked as well and meet yo in PA!!!!  Wouldn't that be great!

    Right after tx, I am itchy underneath the skin.  I am only at zap 10!  Undecided

    Bold-  You are so good to keep on the proper diet.  I don't know if I could forgo coffee.....That would be like major withdrawl symptoms for me!!!!

    I am six weeks out from chemo tx and my knees still ache.  The rad nurse said the taxotere takes forever, but it could be arthritis. That made me feel sooooooo old!  I am going to really start the glucosamine and chondroitin (sp?).  Gotta get better at the vitamin thing.  When I took it before, I had a hard time tolerating the type of vitamin.  I was going to go to the powder form you mix in with juices, but was so shocked at the price. 

    I go for tx 11 today.  I will switch to an earlier time next week and I have to say i will miss the others I have befriended in the rad waiting room. 

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited June 2009

    Jess, it took me forever to get my stamina back without the aches and pains. I have used glucosamine/chondroitin in the past and it is very effective. It takes a couple of weeks to build up in your system but if you're in pain it's worth the price and time.

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  • Genia
    Genia Member Posts: 1,335
    edited June 2009

    Lisa....# 20 was when the itching turned into a burn.  Started with a little white blister and grew from there into a full fledged burn.  The blister reminded me of a pimple.....but it wasn't.   The outer part of my breast area and under my arm are getting very swollen.  I guess I should tell them today.  This is just so much fun!!!

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  • Genia
    Genia Member Posts: 1,335
    edited June 2009

    My Dr. did blood work on Monday and told me I needed to get a multi vitamin with iron because my hemoglobin was a little low.  Now I'm just trying to figure out which one is best.  There are SO many to pick from.  Any suggestions???

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