MAY 2009 Rads

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  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited June 2009

    Hi all,

    Debonthelake...sorry to hear about your SIL...I wish her a successful surgery and treatment...she did it once, she can do it again...I know, easier said than done..take care...

    DDlatt...my rad onco prescribed silvadene after the hydrocortisone...it seemed to work better than the hydrocortisone...

    Bold...love the avatar...wow, sounds like your entire family is into movies...sorry to hear about your internal pains...hope you feel better...

    Bkokie...sorry to hear about your neck pains...hope you feel better...I get neck pains too...not sure though if its from the rads or the wig...although I like the second wig that I got (straight and shiny, my own hair pre-chemo is frizzy and the one that's sprouting out looks like it will be as frizzy if not frizzier...eeek), I'm so ready to toss it...I've only been wearing it at work...have to have hair with a suit, I guess...any other time, bald is OK as I live in LA where everything and anything goes...all I need are tattoos (the ones that I've got for rads don't count) to go with my bald to look like a bona fide gang banger...LOL...what a difference a hair makes...

    As far as exercising is concerned, I decided to restart after rad treatments, just to be on the safe side...really though, I'm just milking this BC thing...LOL...

    #27 of 28 regular treatments for me today...one more tomorrow and then on to five boosts...I'm scheduled to get the first boost on Wednesday...the Lakers parade...Go Lakers...

    I don't mention the internet to my doctors...they do sometimes seem surprised that I know a lot about BC and SEs...

    Take care everyone...

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  • barbiedahl
    barbiedahl Member Posts: 119
    edited June 2009

    Debonthelake so sorry to hear about your SIL. Prayers your way. May all the research into BC help us all.

    Bold Holy Toledo girl! If I ever looked like that, oh my! I love it as I feel like a warrior these days ( only not as cute as your photo!) a bald warrior. I don't like walking through the hospital either. I have to pass my previous chemo floor and boy do I hurry up as I go by!

    Genia It stinks that you have to wait, but you're almost there!

    I am so creamed up it's ridiculous but my skin is okay so far. My nipple seems  a little sore and the nurse said extra cream to keep it from cracking (ouch)

    Someone at a party over the weekend questioned my whole treatment plan and suggested that I was being over treated, she had BC a few years ago that was nothing like mine. I told her I had complete faith in my doctor. But really who has that conversation with someone still dealing with BC and wearing a scarf on a hot day to boot! You would think she'd be a bit more sensitive.

    Another day down! 13 more to go

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  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited June 2009

    Hi Ladies...

    Debonthelake...so sorry to hear about your SIL...I know you will provide her with ongoing support.  Love your avatar....looks great!

    Bold...I bet it was fun growing up in your household......

    Genia...sorry that you are feeling the burn. Hope you are better soon!

    I had number 22 today with 11 more to go...I told my techs that today was my last time...and they laughed and said ...we know where you live...so it's not going to be your last time.  I have an open sore under my boob...its oozing and I am trying to let it air dry...DAMN RADS....

    My question is.....22 boosts or 32 boosts...and can 11 make that much more of a difference??????

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited June 2009

    debonthelake - so sorry about your SIL.   it's so hard to deal with a family members' diagnosis when you have your own to deal with.  hugs!

    bold - love your new avatar! 

    Genia and Cruise - sorry about your burns and oozing sore!

    today was #23 for me.  I am SHOCKED that i'm doing ok.  Met with the rad onc and he thinks i may make it thru relatively unscathed.  I have no sores and only redness.  He says i'm doing a good job of greasing up LOL!

    i have had some internal breast pains this weekend and asked him about it.  he says that my nerves are regnerating after my reconstruction.  i hope he's right!

    5 more regular and 5 more boosts.  total of 10.  the countdown is on!  i finish june 29th.

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  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited June 2009

    Hi Cruise,

    Sorry to hear about your open sore...what are you using now? Silvadene and hydrocortisone helped me a lot.

    I'm with you on the 22 or 33...I guess we'll never really know...but probably best to follow the treatment plan...

    Take care.

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  • margo1
    margo1 Member Posts: 56
    edited June 2009

    Hello all you May Ladies- I started up again today with my Zaps and I am due for 6 more.

    Deb-So sorry about your SIL 2nd DX-this is my 2nd DX as well, but thankfully not as bad as the 1st-which was Lumpectomy, Mastectomy, Port-A-Cath- Chemo-Bald-Wigs-TE, Recon-Tamox, Femora, the usual.

    Bold-LOVE that Avatar!!Cool

    Genia-Thinking about you and remember a cool, damp washcloth and a fan do wonders.

    Who knows what factors make you burn?  I have used to go in the tanning bed AND lay out in the sun in my late 20's & early 30's and eventually became tan.  Had an in-depth talk with my Dr today and he said after my long break my skin should not have the "reaction" (aka BURN) like before.  My treatment is 3 Dimensional Plan Forward Segmental IRT, and he is following the same plan for my DX as they would use at Sloan Kettering, NYC.

    Biafine 3 times a day and crossing my fingers.  Night ladies

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

    Today is #28 for me. I finish next Tuesday. I am exhausted!!! It's been in the 90s around here, and yesterday I looked longingly at the pool, but was just too pooped to take a swim even though I know it's good for my lymphedema.

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

    Good morning, everyone.  On the final countdown now, 2 more regular tx, 8 boosts - I should be finished by the end of next week.  Onc looked at my skin yesterday, it's holding up so we're going ahead with the last 2 to get them done, and so hopefully my tenderness and swelling will start getting better.  Can't bump or brush into or put pressure on my boob, and laying down on that side?  Fuggedaboudit! 

    Bold, I had rib pain about midway through, the onc said it was because the skin that surrounds the ribs were getting a little swollen.  Hopefully you'll feel better soon.

    Cindy, sorry you are busting out with sores!  Genia, how are you feeling?

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  • LynnVA
    LynnVA Member Posts: 174
    edited June 2009

    Bold, I saw my rad/onc yesterday about sharp intense pain that comes and goes in the rads breast (the right) hard to describe almost like a clenching pain or a shock or jolt of pain.  Started getting worse after treatment #12. I have expanders and was worried something was going on with the one on the right.  She said I was describing a very typical radiation induced pain that is brought on by swelling and inflammation from rads.  She said not everyone has this type of pain but it is very common and hard to treat as it comes and goes so quickly.  I asked if it would get worse, I'm on #15 of #28, she said it very well could and we will address the pain if it gets worse.  So thats my docs 2 cents worth!

    Lisa

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  • ddlatt
    ddlatt Member Posts: 448
    edited June 2009

    LynnVA  - i have also had those shooting sharp pains.  for me they started around treatment #15. i will be having #21 today. 

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  • Bold
    Bold Member Posts: 692
    edited June 2009

    LynnVA Interesting. I See my Med Onc. and Rad Onc today as I have Herceptin infusion as well as radiation. Yikes. They are on the other side of the world to.One in Duarte which is in the San Gabriel Valley and the other in Beverly Hills so I hope there is something good on the Radio.

    I LOVE THIS GROUP!!!!! So much compassion and insight. I hold you all near my heart.

    Well off and running. I can't believe so many are so close to being done. Did we establish who is last yet?

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  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited June 2009

    Good morning ladies,

    I am on to boosts...just finished my 28 of 28 reg TXs...yay...my skin is all dark red but no sores...so far so good...I heard it gets worse before it gets better...I continue to slather silvadene and hydrocortisone (alternately) and aloe vera...

    I am supposed to have five boosts so I finish-finish next Tuesday...barring machine breakdowns...it doesn't look like it'll be a problem though as it only broke down once in the last five and a half weeks...wow, I can't believe it's been five and a half weeks...

    I wish you the best ladies...take care...

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

    barring any unforeseen problems with machines, skin and whatever else, I finish July 13, but I don't believe I am the last one.

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  • barbiedahl
    barbiedahl Member Posts: 119
    edited June 2009

    Hi Rad Girls,

     #21 down today getting closer to the end. After next Monday I start boosts. I'm not sure what to expect????? I should be done July 2nd is all goes well. We are invited to a huge 4th of July party with fireworks and everything so I will really be celebrating independence this year! Independence from procedures and doctors!

    It's actually going by quicker that I had thought it would and so far I'm just a tad pink.

    Cruise are you healing okay? Can they still give you treatments with the sore? I think the whole radiation plan is in a state of flux. There are studies done with shorter twice a day treatments and implanted radiation, but the "state of the art"  right now is the treatment plan we all seem to have. I have a feeling in the future doctors will look back at all of this, the chemo the radiation, like blood letting and they will wonder why doctors did that to people. 

    Next year at this time, when we all have cute short hair cuts and are plucking our brows we will have faint memories of the daily drag we have right now. 

    Hoping to make it to the end of the week with all my skin intact!

    Hugs everyone, gentle hugs because we're all a little sore.

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  • ajlive
    ajlive Member Posts: 134
    edited June 2009

    Hi everyone.  Had 19 of 33 (including 5 boosters) today.  Going down hill from here.  Saw nurse today instead of doctor.  She said all looks well.  Skin holding up good.  If I remember right my last treatment is June 30th.

    barbiedohl: in response to you being questioned on you treatment plan, my cousin also made a weird comment to me saying she had breast cancer 10 years ago and all they did was the lumpectomy.  I told her you now a lot has changed in 10 years with cancer treatment and that she is lucky she hasn't had a recurrence.  I also asked her when was the last time she had a mammogram.  Would you believe she said oh about five years ago....  I told her she needs them annually and please get one scheduled.

     Hope everyone has a great week.....

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  • Cruise4life
    Cruise4life Member Posts: 394
    edited June 2009

    Hi Ladies...Radettes...

    I had 23 of 33 with only 5 more regular rads and 5 boosts...YEAH...the rad techs said that my sores under boob look normal and like all the other patients. They also noted that the boosts are less harsher on the boob than the regular rads.   It does get worse before it gets better ladies.  I will finish June 30th...so I won't be the last one.

    ivorymom...same here...the rad techs said to lie on back with boob exposed to get air and dry out.  Also sleep with no top on and expose the boob...You know it works and the area is already healing.  I quit using creams...they kept the moisture in...Also taking Advil to help with the inflamation.

    Here is the countdown list....(let me know if there are any errors to this list)

    • americanpinay - June 23rd
    • Texas357 - June 23rd
    • margo1 - June 24th
    • Ivorymom - June 25th
    • Princesskaui59 - June 25th
    • lisalisa - June 29th
    • Cruise4Life - June 30th
    • chelev - June 30th
    • Genia - June 30th
    • barbiedahl - July 2nd
    • LynnVA - July 3rd
    • ddlatt - July 6th
    • Pringles - July 9th
    • debonthelake - July 10th
    • jrgolomb - July 13th
    • Bold - July 15th
    • Deb-Ohio - July 20th...I think you might be the last Radette...
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  • jrgolomb
    jrgolomb Member Posts: 1,236
    edited June 2009

    LOL- ivorymom.  I have to admit I am craving licorice of all sweets.  I looked on the package and found a bit of protein. 

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  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 425
    edited June 2009

    Cruise:  I'll be done on June 18 -- two more to go. 

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  • Snappygoddess
    Snappygoddess Member Posts: 91
    edited June 2009

    I think I am the last...I started rads today and finish July 30th.  I did feel a tugging/heaviness in my breast today right after my treatment. I know they say it will take 2 wks to feel any effects but I have always been the different one when it comes to some things. I plan on taking good care of the "girls".. want to keep them around for a whileLaughing

    Best of luck to everyone going through treatments!!

    ~Belinda~

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  • lisalisa
    lisalisa Member Posts: 824
    edited June 2009

    Cruise - thanks for typing up that list!  we can cheer for each of us rads girls as we finish treatments!

    I was also told that boosts would be easier.  So, for me 4 more "regular" sessions.  I can do it!  We can do it!

    Also, protein does help!  It helps the body heal...I've been eating high protein after surgeries, during rads and I think it does work!

    Can't wait till rads is over so that I can get serious about losing some weight! 

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  • ddlatt
    ddlatt Member Posts: 448
    edited June 2009

    cruise, thank you for that list!

    ivorymom - i don't know about haagen dazs, but i found a surprising amount of protein in M&Ms. LOL

     had #21 today. doc said i should be able to have all 35 treatments, and he's giving me 8 boosts instead of 7 because the tumor was 1mm from the chest wall and the surgeon could not get clear 2mm margins. 

    we had a really interesting discussion about the future of treatment. he said he foresees patients having chemo and rads at the same time--but with much easier doses of each so that it isn't unbearable. that makes sense to me, since chemo kills the cancer cells in the bloodstream and rads kill the cells in the tissue. it's very possible that while i was having chemo, the cancer cells were spreading in the chest area. i'd prefer chemo and rad simultaneously if they could figure out how to do that in a realistic manner.

    i was told that after radiation is over, the whole chest area will be tightened and feel hard, that it will last about 9 months, but will go back to normal in about a year. 

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

    Well SnappyGoddess, I won't be the last, we can cheer each other on! I've had 6 treatments so far, and so far, nothing has turned red.....I am getting more tired at nite, although that could be from running there everyday.......

    As for Boosts, no one has said anything to me, is this something everyone gets or something I should be asking about?

    M&M's' have protein? WOW I"m going to get a bag! I figured the Strawberry-Rhubarb pie I ate a piece of had protein in it.........

    Edited for spelling mistakes! Can't see with the glasses, can't see without them!

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

    Thanks for doing the count down Cruise......at the rate I'm goin I'll be up in July too.....but as of right now June 30th is correct.   I can't even tell you all how exhausted I feel.  I'm taking my vitamins that the Dr. told me to take....but not feeling any better as far as my energy level.  I slept 3 hours this afternoon.  And I still feel like I haven't slept in DAYS.  From talking to others that have been here.....the fatigue is pretty normal and common.  I'm sure the level of fatigue varies from individual to individual. 

    My blisters are healing.....and the only thing I'm putting on them is hydrocortisone cream.  I have had a lot of swelling today  under my arm.....and  I go back tomorrow to get more boosts.  

    Good to hear everyone is doing good........glad your sore is getting better Cruise.

    hugs

    Genia

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  • ddlatt
    ddlatt Member Posts: 448
    edited June 2009

    deb - about those M&Ms - i think i might have the same kind of glasses you do. :)  funny, i *thought* i saw a lot of protein in those M&Ms! LOL

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

    LOL @ M&M's!!! 

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  • FACECRAFTER
    FACECRAFTER Member Posts: 1,092
    edited June 2009
    You forgot me :(  (just kidding)  I am supposed to finish on July 3rd.  The whole country will celebrate my finishing!!  With fireworks even!!  JUDY
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  • Debonthelake
    Debonthelake Member Posts: 244
    edited June 2009

    Hi Radiant Gladiators,

    Today was session 15 of 33.  I'm almost half way there.  I talked to the doc today.  I asked him if it was ok to loose a few pounds.  He said you've lost a few already haven't you?  I've lost 3 pounds since I started radiation.  He asked me if he was going to have to fuss at me.  I told him no I was ready to stabilize.  He said "stabilize".  Next week I make maintenance at weight watchers any way.  I'll wait until radiation is done and perhaps take off a few more pounds but I'm in the 22 BMI range.  That's pretty good.  Because I only had 1 lymph node removed he said as long as I'm just toning my arms and not using excessive weight I can lift weights.  He said if I start to swell I'll have to stop.  So tonight I had dairy Queen Ice cream cake at a Birthday party.  Well of course ice cream has protein, it's dairy isn't it? ;)

    Cruise thanks for the list.  That will make the graduations fun.  I complained to the doc about the redness and tenderness to the incision under my arm where the lymph node was removed.  All he said was that it was going to get tender there, that was a high radiation area.  I guess I'm doing fine.  My energy is pretty good so far this week.  Hopefully that will hold out.  If not the weekends help out a lot.

    Genia  may your skin heal quickly and may all of us recover from China Syndrome soon

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  • PrincessKauai59
    PrincessKauai59 Member Posts: 288
    edited June 2009

    Cruise, You're awesome!  I've been thinking my last day was 6/26, but YOU are right it's Thursday the 25th!!  yeah! 

    Rant alert...  I took an antihistamine and some generic Tylenol last night to sleep.  The peeled area hurts.  Forgot to bring my usual lotions to Rads today, so bought some Aquaphor at the medical center.  It's greasy and it wrecked my shirt, but I was more comfortable with it on.  I've had a little bad attitude about this whole thing today; I wore the ski cap that I used during chemo to work today and looked more like a chemo/cancer pt. again.  Between the cap and the grease-stained t-shirt I am a sight today, no make-up either.  It's hard to buck-up to professional appearance right now and I guess I want folks to understand that I'm still in active treatment.  I feel a bit like folks are thinking "WTF?"  because it's taking so long...  Probably not, they're great people, but work demands are intense right now.

    This too shall pass; may it pass quickly!  Love & Light

    Cool

     p.s., maybe i need some peanut M&Ms

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  • kt57
    kt57 Member Posts: 425
    edited June 2009

    Had a snack size bag of almond M&Ms on my way home from rads today.  Protein Protein!!

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  • margo1
    margo1 Member Posts: 56
    edited June 2009

    Cruise-Thanks SO much for putting together the countdown-somehow seeing it in writing makes the ZAPS ending all the more REAL instead of SURREAL-if ya know what I mean....

    Yeah I am doing the topless thing at night too- I agree more cool air & less heat is better. Which I why I do not mind the cooler than normal temps we are having here in the Northeast.

    Meg & Jess-I had my protein too tonight-Good Humor Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bar!!! 

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