SEPTEMBER 2009 RADS

Betsy--I had implants --not the greatest idea for rads but oh -well--I also heard about shrinkage and i asked my PS what and when to expect it--first of all with implants there can also be hardening and contracting of the skin --not a good look to say the least anyway he said if it happens it is usually toward the end and after treatment has finished--I  was excited because I hadnt had any signs of it yet but when he told me that I was upset and now am waiting for it to happen(only have had 14 so far by the end of today) so in answer to your question maybe some shrinking after rads are done--guess it just keeps giving!! We have to remember why we are doing this--that is what I hang on to!!! Hope everyone has a good weekend--another week down!!! --we can all do this!!!-Laura

Today was #17/35 for me, the last 10 being boosts. Just this week I have started to notice some SE's. I've had trouble the last few days staying asleep at night--no pains, no weird thoughts, just wake up & can't get back to sleep for a while. I end up reading for a while, & then I'll get up for a while, & then go back to bed. Consequently, I keep pushing the snooze on the alarm when it goes off in the a.m. If it continues, I may try the Benadryl at night. I do rads at 9:45, & then I find myself needing a nap in the afternoon. Don't know whether or not it has anything to do with the rads; could be just plain laziness. The only breast issue I have so far is with my nipple. Last week it started getting really red, but only slightly tender. The rad onc prescribed Biafine, because she thought it might be starting to get infected. However, I haven't used it yet; have been using Jeans Cream since last week 3 x a day. It really is very soothing & absorbs really fast. This week when the rad onc checked me, she said the nipple looked a lot better. Doesn't look great to me, though. It's gotten a dark purple look--but still is only slightly tender. The sports bras I got that hook in the front are really soft & don't irritate me. I'm hoping that I won't have any skin breakdown like some of you are having. The one thing I've noticed is that the seat belt bothers my right breast when I'm driving, so I have to keep moving it so it doesn't hit in a tender spot.

Elimar and Betsy ~ I too have developed a reflux problem.  It's worse in the middle of the night and wakes me up.  I get this burning sensation in my throat.  Sometimes I "feel" the burn all day.  I haven't mentioned it to the doc because if I mention something like headache, feeling thirsty frequently, she shrugs it off and says it must be stress or something else.  Gets me crazy at times.  I know I didn't feel this way before rads!  Oh well, just wanted to vent. 

The Biafine has been working well and the non-stick pads too.  They work great in my bra and I don't get that rubbing all day.  I haven't tried to Domeboro soak yet.  Too tired to make the solution but it's on my to-do list today!

Got a flu shot yesterday.  Now my other arm is sore too so I have a matching set!  You gotta laugh. . . what's the alternative.  Another week down for all of us!   Be well, stay strong!

Chris

Betsy and Mary - I was intrigued by the seat belt issue. It seems to me that it would be a VERY common problem. I recall getting a seat belt clip for my mother when she complained that it rubbed her neck and I wonder if these could be rigged in some way. I've actually emailed one of the companies that makes them and asked if they have any suggestions; I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, I noticed that there is actually a thread here on the issue. The suggestions include using a pillow (or even a teddy bear) to pad the area and keep the strap away from the breast and one slight more high tech: 

"l82jem wrote: In addition to the pillows - take a medium sized binder clip and put it on the seatbelt just where it retracts into the car. Put the seatbelt on, pull a comfortable amount of slack, then attach the binder clip. This will hold the seatbelt slightly slack and (I assume) in the case of an accident would easily fall off. Works great for me."

And to you two and all who are Racing for the Cure - Good luck tomorrow. And please let us know how the day goes.

TITAN - Me too.  I am so hungry.  I just want to eat all the time -- not like me, either.  They told me at the rad place they don't want me to lose weight.  Well, they don't have to worry, I've gained 2 pounds. 

How low is low when it comes to the WBC?  My RBC is always a little low but my WBC has always been normal.  How do you bring up these counts? 

Hi all-- very tired tonite --busy weekend and seem to be pushing myself too much --feel ok in am then keep on going but by 5 I am so done-- need to nap in order to keep going--acutally feel sick if I dont -- worrried I am pushing to much--we all need to know we are dealing with a lot and take the time to rest--I keep telling myself that but sometimes I feel i should be doing more--must take the time and know it is ok not to keep pushing too much-- 

Betsy my WBC has stayed stable this week --was up once then down now abut the same--it is in normal limits  on the low end of borderline so doc is not concerned-- just will keep watching it--it must have been difficult for youat the memorial service --regardles of menopause, tamoxpause  etc. it is a sad and difficult situation. sorry for you and all involved--

hope everyone has a good week without SE --stay strong all !!! Laura 

Hi everyone

I am getting ready for my 8th rads treatment today. It's going by very slowly, but I'm grateful to be in the early stages of treatment for now. I was exhausted the first week, but had some good outdoor time this weekend and not a lot of errands, so I'm feeling a bit re energized. I think the exhaustion had nothing to do with the beginning of rads, but the beginning of school for my kids. Driving them around to various activities and everyone wants playdates during the beginning of the year. I was exhausted!  Anyway, I'm feeling better now.

Sending hugs to those who are tired or having skin issues. 

Betsy, I hadn't realized you lost your first husband. I am so sorry, I can't even imagine going through that.

Stephanie, have you started? Hoping if you did, all is well with you.

Oh one more thing, I am experiencing cancer fatigue. I named it myself, but I am just so so tired of cancer treatment. It feels never ending. I'm grateful for the advances in medicine, but I was diagnosed 9 months ago! It is an eternity getting treatment.

Pam

I have 5 regulars left and then 8 boosts.  I am doing fine so far. It has become a regular part of my daily routine. The ladies are so friendly and kind - we have become friends in a way.

My regular rads will end next Monday and then Tues they will do the sim for the boosts and then the boosts will go from next Wed to the following Fri and I will be done on  10/9.

Every day is one day closer!

Hope everyone is doing well.

Amy

Aris...I see that you and I were diagnosed on the same day. I know what you mean about the cancer fatigue... I am just sick of being sick...First, surgery, then chemo with Herceptin and now rads...then I will continue Herceptin till March and then in April I will have my reconstruction finished. It seems never ending.

I go in today for rad #17 and just last week I noticed a lot of red itchy bumps in the middle of my chest. I have tried everything (except Silverdine) to help them, nothing has helped yet. I think I better get my prescription for Silverdine filled. Has anyone else had these yet?

#14 of 30 today.  Tomorrow is half way .. yahoo.... !  My skin is holding up except on top -- I have started to get itchy little bumps ... thought the weekend would help but got more itchy.   Using aloe and calendula like crazy.  Saw the rad onc today for weekly sit down visit -- he seems to be happy with how the skin looks -- Congrats all on the Komen .. ours in on October 3rd.  I am going with a few friends and will have special meaning this year although my mom is a survivor and I'd run in honor of her many times.

Is anyone else having issues with wheezing and/or asthma during treatments?  My rad onc seems to think "no way"  but started with the 3rd treatment and only lets up on weekends...mmmmm seems quite coincidental. But trying to trust the process and everyone taking care of me.

Looking forward to getting to the over half way mark.....

Betsy you made me laugh out loud! Thank you! Sorry about the skirt incident, but it is funny. I once wore a jacket on a blind date with the price tag still on and another time I had a job interview and forgot the zip up the back of my skirt.  And this was long before I had cancer treatment!

Overall I'm trying to enjoy the early time of my rads. My husband finally asked me today (treatment #8) how my skin is doing. I can't believe it has taken him so long to ask.  He is a wonderful man, but really self obsorbed at this point. He's so so tired (or so he tells me).   If he would just sleep more, he wouldn't be tired, unlike the chemo or rads tired.

Sorry, didn't mean to rant about my life.

Pam

Elimar...I had horrible heartburn during chemo (never before then) and the only thing that helped me was Prilosec. So far, I haven't noticed any during rads, thank goodness. I keep my head turned way over to the side when I get my rads.

Had #24 this morning!  The Biafine has been working well on my skin.  The skin under my arm is the worst.  It just starts feeling gross after a few hours and then I reapply Biafine or aloe.  So far no peeling, just a clammy, then burning feel.  I'll be so glad when I can use regular deo again!  It really is the small things. . . .

Yesterday I was so tired.  I took two naps (for a little over an hour each) before 3PM.  Then at 3:30 I went to my daughter's high school soccer game, blah, blah, blah, and by 8PM I was ready for bed.  My eyes actually burned.  I'm just amazed at how tired I get.  Still having the heartburn.  That's annoying.  I'll be so glad when this is ALL over!

Chris

I see I'm not alone in the heartburn---did any of your doctors actaully admit it was a radiation side effect?  I took the Prilosec this morning, but I can't say it has helped yet.