SEPTEMBER 2009 RADS

Hi! I'd like to join the group and journey along with my sisters. I had my sim today and will begin the first treatment tomorrow morning. So far so good. I'm being treated at Stanford in Palo Alto, CA. I live about an hour's drive away.

I don't think it antioxidants have to do with the foods and beverages...i think it has to do with the vitamin types that you may wish to take....the antioxidants and vitamins that you eat or drink are ok...because they are natural not man made like vitamins. I was told not to take any vitamin c or vitamin d while on radiation...kind of not taking man made folic acid while on chemotherapy,

Welcome Jenniferb--I am in SanJose--and my Doc said also the man made vitamin supplements are what you need to stay away from --vitamins from food are ok--I had my second rad today--but being treated close to my home in the San Jose area--

I had to have 3 days of sims plus an extra x-ray today did any one else have to have so many pre treatment sims-- Laura 

Thanks, I'll look at Kohl's.  We have one nearby.  My bumps don't itch, but I see the Dr. tomorrow.  I live in Santa Maria, Ca.  We have a large breast center here.  I feel for all you ladies who have to travel for rad.  It's enough just doing it.  I only had one sim with an x-ray, and I have to have an x-ray every week.  Maybe everyone does?   They said it's quality control.  

great body cream for cancer patients.  name: Boscia Jujube Rejuvenist Whipped Body Cream It is PH balanced, alcohol-free, preservative-free, 100% natural fragrance and color  

Also I have some information on some skin products a while back for individuals who may have skin side effects from chemo or radiation.       The website is  www.lindiskin.com

My Battle - My Victory

Yesterday I fought a Battle, But I did not fight alone-

I had a Protector - A Guide, I was never on my own

This enemy came to me suddenly, No warning as to prepare-

And before I knew what happened, this enemy was everywhere.

I felt so overwhelmed; Did no one know my pain?

How could this be happening to me, How did it know my name?

Today I fight this battle, The enemy with me still

It has not yet taken control, Nor has it broke my will

It is hurtful and it is cruel, It doesn't care the damage it causes

It is wearing down my defenses; I can soon count my losses.

It is ruthless and emotionless, Its purpose to destroy

I can not, must not let it, Will not let it have control

Hear me when I tell you, Please listen when I say

I have many scars from this battle; I do struggle from day to day

It takes many things from me; Within my body it has much power

It affects loved ones around me; The battle has become a war

You may not know by looking at me, Then again maybe you can,

That this enemy shows no mercy, I fall when I can no longer stand

It does not care what age you are, or your status here on Earth

It doesn't count your income, or what you think you are worth

This battle that I speak of, CANCER is its name

And because I continue to fight, I will never be the same!

Tomorrow may never come for me; I live only in the present

My life is right here, right now, What I have is this very moment

But I will continue to fight, For I learned down on my knees

is where I fight this battle, It is where God gives me the victory.

Hi

I am finishing up with rads only have 5 more treatment left.  

I noticed that there was a question regarding the bolus. The bolus or purpose of the bolus is for pinpoint radiation (meaning not to the entire breast, it is usually given at the end of treatment, with a shorter number of treatments, to the area of the breast that the cancer was removed), it can be given several different ways.

The rad office I have been going to was  going to try and do it with a machine like a mammogram, flatten and squish then radiate the area from one direction then the other...I was not a candidate for this (my cancer was located quite near my chest wall) so we are doing it on at CT type machine. I do know that different rad centers do things differently because of the types of equipment they have. What is done in one area may not be done in another.  Also the course of treatment depends on which breast your cancer was in and the location of the cancer in that breast. Ask your rad onc (they love to answer questions, mine showed me my chart with thermal scans of the breast really interesting).

kat

I'm on Rads # 9 today.  There have been a few days where I felt like napping so far.  Yesterday, I laid down for about an hour, did feel groggy getting up, but after 15 min. or so was able to go about the rest of my normal daily routine.  Not that I was in a Triathalon or anything.

On a couple days when I knew I could not rest, I took a B-12 tablet and it seemed to give me an energy boost.  I'm not too much of a coffee drinker, and I don't know if that is recommended with Rads or not.  I guess I have more fatigue coming in the near future, will just play it by ear.  I've always been a fan of the 20-min. power nap.

Hello all

 Had treatment #12 today.  I'm sore under my arm and at incision site.  I've been using the Aquaphor at night and the Fruit of the Loom Bras have been a godsend.  I didn't get fatigued until today.  After my treatment, I came home, sat down and fell asleep. . . for two hours!  I just couldn't shake it off.  The doc had mentioned that usually people feel fatigued when they just sit down and take a few minutes to relax.  She was right on; I've been working through it until today and I just needed a break.  I'm hoping this isn't routine for me now.  Once I got up, I felt a bit groggy and then spent the rest of the afternoon doing my normal routine.  I didn't get everything done that I had wanted to, so that's a little annoying.  I'm a third of the way through.  Yeah!

 Holligoog - your poem was beautiful!  Thanks for sharing!

It is what it is, ladies.  Stay Strong!

Chris 

I just had #21 of 33 today. My appt is at 7:24 a.m. I am only 10 min from my facility so I come home, change clothes and go on to work! I'm an office mgr which makes my daily activities varied but I have been able to work with no problems. However, when I get home, I am sleepy...not really tired just sleepy.

Becky, you will be able to work and walk the doggies!! Your body will tell you if you need those naps at noon.

I like that vitamin B-12 idea. I might just try some! New habits forming here....daily glass of wine and vitamin B-12! Wheeee!

Hugs to all,

Sue

Brookside, my rad onc said no vitamin D.  Don't want to take any antioxidants during rad.  It keeps it from working as well.  Ask yours about it first!

Well 5 down--looking forward to no rads for 3 days--although the more off days the more on days--but need the break!! trying to use biafin and sween cream 3 times a day--I know it is too early for the side effects but trying hard to keep them away--I havent taken any vit. D since this whole process started --I did just have a vit. D level and calicium level drawn to follow up but dont have results yet--figure once everything is done Iwill have a bone density and further labs to see what to do --will probably need something as I am 61 and will be on arimidex anyway--one step at a time I guess--hope everyone is doing well and has a great long weekend--stay strong--if you get a chance go to this link--this a friend of mine who just celebrated 15years from second diagnosis--she has a strong family history and her second daughter was just diagnosed she was interviewed on a tv station in Cleveland--she is a pretty amazing lady!! www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=120985&catid=3

Oh, my gosh, and I complain.  How many do you have to have?  I get really tense too.  When the machine starts buzzing, it scares me and I jump a little.  After 15 you'd think I'd be used to it.

 My breast is fine so far.  But I'm really getting tired.  Have to watch what I do.  Went shopping today -- wiped tonite.