SEPTEMBER 2009 RADS

Today is #14 for me and so far, so good. The middle of my chest is a little more pink than the rest and itches a little and the rest looks tan. I am no more tired than I was before and the SE's are much better than chemo was. I am scheduled for 25 and maybe 5 boosts. I will see the doc today and I am going to ask if I will get the boosts or not.

Well, it is official I start my Rad treatment on Monday. I went this morning for the CAT scan, for them to map out everything and avoid any major organs that don't need to get zapped. It wasn't bad, just laid on the table and let the machine do the work. Hopefully radiation is this easy.

Sandy, I like you am just minutes away from my treatment center. I am doing a lunchtime date with my rads. I am nice and close, so that should be perfect and if it doesn't work out  I am sure I can switch times.

I also need to go shopping to get lotion and a comfortable bra.

Take care all!

Jen

#12 for me today....33 total..7 boosts...just like you Betsy!.   I did ask the rad onc. about the boosts.  He said that they concentrated only on the high risk area...so that area gets zapped and the rest of the breast does not...he said that this would have less se's than the whole thing getting zapped.

So far, I'm feeling great doing rads....so much better than chemo...I look back at the chemo time and wonder if I could ever do it again..I just don't know!   I never really had any side effects from chemo except for losing all my hair but it still was freaky!  Right now I have tons of energy, only get a little tired once in a while...the staff at the rads center are awesome...and I'm eating, eating, eating...things are good!

The rad onc always asks me if I have any questions and I really don't..I have to think hard to come up with one..with chem there were a million questions...with rads there just aren't as many issues!   Just show up, be zapped, and leave...and keep the area covered and moisturized...easy!!!!

I just had Rads # 17 today, and I'll put a few details for comparison (for those in the middle of their treatment like me) and for preview (for those in their first and second weeks.)  My skin is doing great so far.  No jinx, please.  It is about 3-4 shades darker, but not bumpy, burned or itchy.  I do feel a soreness on the inside, like a deep bruising without anything turning purple; and in the past day or two I have a bit of tenderness over the ribs, just if I press there.  I have had about 6 days off and on where I felt tired enough to nap.  I've also had about 3-4 days where I felt hyper.  It's been mixed throughout.  I also took vitamin B-12 some days when I knew I could not rest, and that gave me good energy for the rest of the day.  I would recommend that to anyone, especially if you are trying to work through your treatments. 

I really benefitted from having the 3-day Labor Day weekend extra day of recovery, so I just asked my doctor if I could have another 3-day weekend.  He was fine with that. I think it will revive me and allow me to make it to the end easier.  I just don't believe I have to wait til I get open blisters to get a day off.  I'm seriously trying to avoid that. Let's see if I can.  (Oh yeah, so far have only used some cheap Walmart aloe on my skin, 2-3 times a day.)

My total is 33 Tx, and the last 7 will be boosts.  I heard that is pretty easy.  My question to all of those ahead of me (or finished) is ARE THE BOOSTS THE PART THAT GIVES THE BAD SKIN-BURN?

#12 done!  This goes alot faster than chemo too!

 Not sure why everyone's treatments are different....Lynn..I'm sure if you asked them they would be more than happy to zap you THREE MORE TIMES!  Hee Hee!  

HI everyone!  I had #21 today.  After #19 I just didn't seem to rebound after a little nap.  I get so tired during the day.  My skin is beginning to break down; especially under my arm.  The doctor gave me a new cream Biafine (prescription) and I'm going to start doing Domeboro soaks which the doc also recommended.  The nurse gave me some non-stick pads to place in my bra and under my arm. All the back and forth movement is making the breakdown under my arm worse and my nipple has been bleeding.  I have 7 more regular Txs and then 6 boosts.  The nurse said the boosts would be concentrated to the insicion area giving the rest of the breast "a break" .  Can't wait.  I see a light at the end of this tunnel!

Take care and stay strong.

Chris

I had treatment #5 today and all is well. I have to admit, I'm not really liking radiation. It's not bad, and I haven't had any SE's yet, but its so impersonal.  And I really dislike my treatment time this week. Next week I get to go a bit later, but right now I'm dropping my kids at school and sitting in rush hour traffic trying to get to the hospital by 9:15am, which can be tricky.  Next week I'll start later so after I drop off my kids, I can take my morning walk and then drive the 6 miles to treatment without the traffic!

I'm exhausted, but I'm just 2 weeks from finishing chemo and my kids just started school which means getting used to a very busy schedule. All the moms I know from my kids' school are exhausted! 

It's so helpful to read about those of you ahead of me. Thanks for posting your updates, it gives me a peek into the future.

Pam

I finished my rads on August the 7th. I was told that the burns (plus yeast infection  under breast) would "worsen" for two weeks. Thought I would not make it through the recovery . Then ther were the flash nerve pains that at times almost took me down ...those are now fading and are referred to as "my tazer going off". My breast has gone from dark brown and red burn spots back to almost white. However my normal DDD is now a D. I am thinking maybe all those shoulder pads from the 80's may come in handy for padding and add protection from the bumps that sometime seem to add a jolt of pain.

I feel I am lucky for the early dianoses but will shoot the next person that says radiation must be a breeze next to chemicals.  I have never been so tired in my life. Just when I thnk I am on my way back to normal I fall on my face again. I am giving myself  two more months before I hit the panic button. I feel so alone at times and am so glad to find all these comments from gals that understand me.  Thank you all for sharing.

Hi - today I finished the 16th out of 33 rads (28 plus 5 booster). I will be thrilled that I will be over the hump by this time tomorrow. Also, I was told today that I'll have to have another SIM for the booster due to Seroma that has either shifted or shrunk or something along those lines. I'm pretty pleased that I have no real SE's other than having some of the deepest sleeps in recent memory.  I suppose the only new event might be the fact that half way through the day my bra band starts feeling too tight. Is this the same problem that everyone has with the bra and what's the best fix. 

ljh58 -  As ccbaby's doctor told her, there is a study (albeit a small one) that shows that Calendula is more effective than Trolamine, which is the active ingredient in Biafine. For those interested, you can find that study at : http://jco.ascopubs.org/cgi/content/abstract/22/8/1447 or simply google: calendula trolamine, and the Phase III study should come up. 

I personally have opted not to use Biafine and am using a combination of : (1) pure aloe (100% or 99% pure w/our coloring or alcohol), (2)calendula and (3) Miaderm. The aloe and calendula are relatively inexpensive,  available at health food stores and, based upon what I've read here as well as the above referenced study,  should be quite effective. The third one, Miaderm, is probably overkill but in addition to aloe and calendula contains a 3rd active ingredient called sodium hyaluronate. The downside is it's kindof expensive - about $23 a 4 oz tube.

sandy425 - Nice to meet you and have "company" thru this journey. I'm a former Joisey Girl myself, grew up in North Jersey and still have the majority of my family there. I'm thankful there's the ferry to and from; I cant get used to all that driving everyone on your side of the Hudson has to do. I even walk to my rad appointments.

Thanks MTG for finding the study about calendula. I am going to click and read about it tonight when I get back from work and rads. Like I said, it has been working (so far) for me.

Sandy425 - Boy have I got a wine alternative for you...any anybody else thinking about doing the glass a day / reservatrol thing !!!!  Although I like a good red with the ocassional steak, I rarely eat red meat and so a glass a day isn't so appealing. However, I do like my cocktails and was especially into frozen martinis and margaritas this summer. So....... take a large can of pears in heavy syrup and about an equal portion of red wine, add some ginger juice (or cook some ginger in sugar water or the pear syrup to infuse), blend and freeze. It makes a killer cocktail, or you can eat it as a tasty sorbet. Gorgeous mauve color; great taste. FYI,  if it gets too frozen, microwave for a couple of seconds.

Betsy--my appetite is weird too-- I have been ravenous since starting rads--and have gained a couple of pounds but trying so hard not to eat everything I want--but seems like what ever I eat i am gaining weight--and i havent started on arimidex ( postmenopausal) yet so scared i will gain --surprised that your appetite has decreased--peach pie yum!!!( you can see i am in trouble) you are about a week ahead of me so I will let you know--right now I am stressed so when I get stressed  i eat everything--My daughter is in arizona with 3 little ones and just broke her foot and has to have surgery--she does have a good support system but she has been here for me and now i cant be there for her to help her out--dont want to risk traveling and dont think I have the endurance to do all that she will need plus could only go during the weekend  so i dont miss any rads--want to get them over with-- i have 20 more rads to go and dont think I should push it--so I am stressed--anyway let me know what happens with the appetite--hang in there!!Laura

Betsy - my appetite too has changed.  Food doesn't seem to interest me lately.  I even have passed up on ice cream (a personal favorite of mine).  I've lost 3 pounds in two weeks.  I think being so tired has a lot to do with it. 

 I'm using the Biafine and non-stick pads under my arm and in my bra.  They've really made a difference.  No more friction and that's helped a lot.  Why is everyone so against the Biafine?  I haven't really heard anything bad about it.

 Next week I'm starting to take a couple of weeks of medical leave.  I'm in a classroom and there really is no down time.  The last week has been overwhelming.  I am so exhausted especially after noon.  My treatments are scheduled to end Oct. 5.  I just finished treatment #22.

Sometimes I feel so alone too, but reading and posting here has helped.  A lot of people just don't "get it" because they can't see what's wrong.  It gets frustrating trying to explain that rads make you tired. 

Hope everyone has a great Friday!  Take care.

Chris

Responding to some of the BetsyBuzz issues...

Size - Had slight surgical swelling that lasted 2 whole months (in other words thru' the second week of my rads) then I got almost normal sized for a few days but then got slightly larger again when the rads inflamed the tissue slightly.  So I am hoping I "shrink down"a little when rads are done, just so I have a matched set.

G.I. - Had some reflux on the first 2 days of rads.  Was told it was my "nerves" over having treatment.  Don't think for a minute I bought that one.  Now in week four I have noticed it again, where I know I'm making some extra stomach acid.  I used Maalox 2-3 times so far.  I didn't even mention it to the doctor because he'll deny.  He told me the rads are not hitting my esophagus.  Whatever.  Maybe it is the scatter, but they won't mention that.  That is what has put my appetite off the last couple of days.

I'm having a 3-day weekend, at my request.  My skin is good, but the soreness and tiredness make me want an extra day of recovery going into the home stretch.  I'm glad I didn't have to force the issue--my doctor was just fine with that.  (Take note ladies who just FEEL like having an extra day off.  Just ask for one!)

Overall, I'm good; just fearing the boosts will burn me.  That's not for a couple weeks, but I will tell that tale when the time comes.  Have a restful weekend everyone.