July 2009 rads group

Leah, you are so right about keeping up with the skin care stuff. I finished my boosts yesterday and will start with the Med Oncologist this week. My Radiation Oncologist told me Friday to use lots of moisturizer for the next year as the oil glands are the last to come back. I do have some dry pink tight skin under the armpit (they have not radiated there for over a week now) I have been using my favorite creams mixed with Nutrogena sesame oil and it seems to be healing in leaps and bounds every day. I am fair skinned, however, my skin held up pretty well, no blisters or weeping. I only used aloe and cortisone morning and evening while having full treatments and then switched to my own recipe for the areas not being radiated during boosts.

We will see what the Med Onc has me doing to keep me occupied. So far he ordered a bone scan and blood tests for a baseline and I did those tests 2 weeks ago.  I know he was talking about Arimidex and aspirin, but for some reason I don't think that I will be let off that easy. We will see what he has in store for me.

I feel very fortunate that it was caught early and that I will be watched very closely for a while. The foster dog in my picture put her little pointy nose into my breast as I was parking the car one day. She froze in a pointing posture. You could not feel nor see any lump, no symptoms. The mammogram tech said the dog could not have smelled it as it was near the chest wall. (The surgeon had taken a piece of skin to make sure  that the skin was not involved so it had to be close to the skin as well) It was in a shallow part of the breast near the edge. I had to wait after the first mammogram for 6 mo because there was a suspicious calcification, because  I had no baseline film to compare. Sure enough after 6 mo, it had changed and they went in to get it.  I saved little Breezy the Chihuahua from the Euthansia list at the local shelter and she saved me from the "E" list in return. She was placed in a wonderful forever home. Maybe I should have kept her?

Take care,

Suzanne

Hi Ladies,

I haven't been on in a while and I've missed touching base and seeing how people are doing. 

I had my last treatment yesterday - wooohooo.  My treatments were for 16 sessions, the 3 week standard in Ont. and were pretty uneventful.  The staff at the hospital were amazing and made the experience a whole lot more "pleasurable" than it could have been.  I have some redness, some rash-like itchy areas and have had just a couple of blisters. My rad onc says that's the bonus of being an A-cup.  My poor little nipple is very sore and tender and is about 2x the size of the other, but it's manageable.  The rad nurse says the redness and tenderness may get worse over the next 2 weeks, but I feel so much better just knowing that this part is over.  The nurse recommended saline soaked gauze on the red and itchy areas to cool it down, especially in the hot weather.  I found a can of spray saline (called wound wash) that is really gentle and is easier to apply than the bottled.  It also does not expire (lose the sterility) like the bottled type does.  I'm not sure if anyone else has been told about this, but maybe it will help.  I am really tired but have taken off the next few weeks of work and will see how I feel before returning.

Somehow I can't get my head wrapped around saying "I had Breast cancer" vs "I have Breast Cancer" - kind of a weird feeling since it has been something that has been hanging around for so long. . My only concern now is that my rad onc says that nobody has to see me for follow up or anything.  That for me just feels wrong.  It feels like everything has been dropped and I'm left on my own.  I know that my case isn't seen as "Urgent or life-threatening", but I'm wondering if anyone else has had the experience of just being dropped by the medical system.  My treatment is in Mississauga, Ont. and up until now has been amazing.  Any suggestions?

I'm glad to hear that so many are doing so well.  Stick with it - there's hope yet. 

Be well - Peace

Lynn

So glad I have this place to go to today. I was all set to leave for my 18th of 30 zaps this morning when the phone rang. The machine is down at my treatment center today, and my appointment is cancelled. I know it is a small thing in light of all that has happened over the last few months, but it just reminded me again of how so much of this is not in my control. I am so focussed on finishing, it's hard to have anything get in the way. Oh well, it will happen sooner rather than later now. Thanks to you all for being here, and I hope everyone is doing well..

I also had #17 out of 25 today. Next Monday is a holiday here so the Cancer Centre will be closed and that puts my final tx off for a day.....I think I'll be finished on Aug. 11. So far everything is going ok...my skin is pink, I have tightness in my arm in the surgery area and I seem to need a lot of naps. Good luck everyone as we get close to the finish line. I will be starting either Arimidex or Tamoxifen when this is over.

Today was my 17th also.  Only 18 to go.  Halfway!!!  Leah, I know what you mean.  I feel like this has taken over my life and all my plans need to be around the treatment.  So looking forward to the end of rads.  Sometimes it hits me that this will always be a concern for the rest of my life.  Anyway, is anyone having a problem with dizziness or lightheadness?  My rad onc today told me that she is 100% positive that it is not from the rad treatment.  Wants me to see my primary physician.

Leah_S: Definitely ask for a prescription for Biafine if they will write you one. I have used it 3x/day since day one and I have had minimal problems. My breast is red - sunburned looking, but no major problems at this point. I'm in day 20 of 30 treatments.

Good Morning Ladies (at least it's morning here - lol)

Leah, thanks for your support.  I will be calling my Med onc and insist that we at least have a discussion about future treatment.  Previously she said that she didn't think I would need to go on Tamoxifan, but was willing to do anything if it put my mind at ease even if it meant ovarian ablation (spelling ?).  I am still pre menopausal and don't have the best record when it comes to cancer (have had Non Hod Lymphoma in the past) and am very concerned about recurrence of any cancer.

Lynnie, I agree with Leah, the fatigue starts when it starts.  My rad onc said for me to take the time when I needed it.  For me, I recognized that it was the emotional impact more than the rads.  It something you really need to take into consideration.  Take the time when you need it, you need to pamper yourself emotionally and physically through this.  I was told to use Glaxal Base cream right from the beginning of Tx to prevent major side effects, it has worked really well because it keeps the skin well moisturized.  I used it 2-3x per day before any symptoms and use it more frequently now that I have the redness, itching and minor blisters.

Nancy - have a great time at the game - sounds like a wonderful retreat.  What a great Guy.

Lollys - sorry you have to be here.  I hope we can help you get the support you need.

Gentle hugs to all.

Lynn

 Hi all--Thanks for your responses--still no insight into what i will do--hope you all are doing ok--just rest when you need to --as they say -this too shall pass--Lolly--will keep you posted--

Had #14 today, lots of energy yesterday but tired today; can't sleep.  Have some redness and a little swelling but not bad.  going to try to rest a bit.  I agree some days it is just hard to get excited, but this too shall pass!  Good day to all.  Lookign forward to the weekend, with no long drives and no treatments.  Hopefully go to local lighthouse festival and farmer market, hope others have some fun plans.

Sweet dreams

I'm also doing ok physically ...18 down and 7 to go. I'm emotional and find myself napping frequently. Today I woke up with what appears to be a cold ... runny nose, scratchy throat,.. I hope this goes away quickly.

25 treatments down, 8 to go - and my last zap to the supraclavical area was today so it feels good to say that part of it is finished.  I have to switch machines and tech for my last five boost treatments.

Skin was doing great - really only started showing significant redness at the end of last week - but yesterday I noticed peeling in the armpit and under the breast, and I am sore just behind my armpit.  We are having a record-breaking heatwave this week, and I don't have AC at home so spend lots of the afternoon and evening sweating like a pig - wonder if that is contributing to the peeling?  Oh well at least the treatment center is air conditioned, and I really don't mind laying there on the table for 15 cool minutes!

Tricia  

Hi Cathey ... sorry you have to go through this. I don't think I have a good answer for you but I'll tell you what I do ... I have a disk problem in my back so I ask for pillows under my knees. Is there anything that you do that makes it easier for you to lift your arms. The machine I'm on has rests for my arms so once I get my arms back, it is easier to rest them. The rads themselves don'e take long. I get 5 zaps, none of which exceed 25 seconds. It seems there are things they can do to adjust the table to make me more comfortable......hope your doc and technicians are able to help you to make this doable and pain free.  Helen

21 down and 7 to go! 

Cathey - the pillow beneath the knees helps a little bit.  Like Helen said, the zaps don't take too long so once you're settled it doesn't last too long.  I have a form that I rest my arms in and that helps.

The weekend is finally here!  Going to Baltimore, MD - Camden Yards - with hubby!  Looking forward to getting away!

Happy weekend to my BC friends!

Nancy

Has anyone had a problem with muscle spasms?  I dont think its the radiation, but the position during radiation (being held too long) I have now missed 3 days of rads and dont think I will able to take more for a few more days.  Most painful, from neck, shoulder and down arm.The Rad DR put me on darvocet and flexeril,  which means I am pretty useless for anything. But after being on these meds and using hot/cold as instructed, I would think after 4 days I should feel some relief,  but Not yet.  Let me know if anyone has had this problem??? Thanks