SEPTEMBER 2009 RADS

Amy, I have green sharpie marks with some sort of clear tape over it.  I look like I've been picked up by some sort of space ship and they wrote on my breast.    Anyway,  I wash and aquafor and everything.  The tape (or whatever it is) doesn't irritate my skin.  You don't have those sticky things?   By the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

MTG - thanks for the suggestion. I have no problem being assertive (which sounds much nicer than 'pushy').  I use Calendula anyway so that works great. Thanks again for the advice.

WHERE WOULD WE BE without these boards?

On a related note - a neighbor AND a client both called me today - BOTH their sisters just got dx, both in their 40's.  I am going to give them some suggestions and reassurances, among which are "SIGN UP FOR BCO!"  But it sure feels epidemic to me when I am getting these calls. It makes me feel so good to be able to offer help & support to other women, as so many complete strangers have helped me.

Amy - you're 100% right; assertive is a much, much nicer word. And when I think about it, since we're simply sticking up for ourselves, it is ASSERTIVE not PUSHY.

Also, if anyone wants is a truly gentle wash, look into getting Cetaphil Gentle from your local drug store. It's designed esp so that you dont have to wash it completely off; in fact you can use it without water. I put a little bit on then simply dunk like a tea bag in a bath.

Betsy..glad the boosts are going well for you!  You deserve it!  I have 4 more regular than 7 boosts..so I'm almost there...Radiation has gone extremely fast! 

I think we can be pushy or assertive or whatever we want to be...!

Betsy..whatever it takes!  Cartwheels do feel good don't they..all the blood goes to your head..maybe makes the hair grow..who knows.

I'm a little speckled today...they said it was normal since I'm so far along..11 to go..including 7 boosts...doesn't hurt..told me to give up the bra..so Miss Prude will be going braless pretty soon.

As of today, I'm celebrating the last of my 25 reg rads...only 10 boosts to go! Yea!!! Don't know whether or not it's just in my head, but I have been SO tired since yesterday--even with my naps. The rad onc prescribed Silvadene on Mon. when I saw her, because the skin is just now beginning to break down a little more--especially under my breast. I've been surprised that my skin hasn't reacted worse than it has to the rads, because everything breaks me out. Guess my several times a day of using Jeans Cream, Biafine & hydrocortisone has really helped. I was so excited today with finishing the last of the reg rads that you would think I was completely finished. When I finish the boosts, I'll probably be bouncing off the walls. Our cancer center doesn't have a bell to ring, but I sure wish it did!

I will have my last regular rad tromorrow, #25, and then I will get my sim for the boosts. I will get my first of five boosts on Friday. I can't wait for this phase to be over with.  I met with my radiologist today and he said that my skin is looking good, actually more than good, his words. I thought my skin was looking awful. The middle of my chest is very pink and has a few blisters, my arm pit looks almost black, but my breast area is just a light pink. He said if I didn't look pink, then the rads aren't doing the job.

Ten more to go for me..7 of them boosts..I have just started to get a little pink.  Glad to hear, Christy, that pink means the rads are working...I haven't had any pink until basically this week and it still isn't bad.. I was hoping that it wasn't that bad because I certainly don't want to have to stop them.  The Rad onc. said that everything is fine and that pinkness is to be expected and to really moisturize with the Aquafor...which I'm doing!

Ok..most of us are nearing the end of our rads..everyone is getting close to it...We need to plan the next step..we have all become close..but now it is time to MOVE ON...Where will we go next.?  Stay here and report weekly on how everyone is doing..we don't want to lose touch...we have all been through this together but we need to move on too. 

Well 10 more for me too--5 of which will be boosts--skin is very red and itchy--they said it looked ok but today she said it is really red and hopefully over the weekend will calm down--she really stressed using the cold ( not frozen) compresses--wet wash  clothes and put them in refrig in a plastic bag --then put them on for several minutes--they warm up pretty quickly-- wants me to do this several times a day--like i sit around all day with wash clothes on my boob--- but I do try to do it when I can in the evening--

we must keep in touch--i am going to try to post some pics. as I never have yet--it is nice to put a face to the names!!! hopeeveryone is ok--stay strong -Laura 

Laura..haven't heard about the cold packs..but what a great idea!  Since we are all going through chemo/meno pause now due to chemo it will probably feel good...We had our windows open last night..it got down to 39 degrees here and I was still HOT...lovely....

9 more rads for me...7 boosts..they are going to measure me for boosts tomorrow...

Aprilgril11...congrats to being an overachiever!  got to keep the rad oncs. on their toes...Everyone is different but I have only used Aquaphor and have only experienced a little pinkness.  It seems to work...but then I haven't tried anything else..just doing what they tell me to do.

Betsy that is my wig--it was taken Sept 2-- maybe i will get brave and figure out how to post a pic of me now--I only have abut 1/4 in of hair on my head--like you I seem to have a lot of facial fuzz--very light but what is that all about--is it supposed to go away??? Let me know how those pads work--

Congrats Kawee--carry on!!! 

another week almost done!!but who is counting(all of us!!!)

Hooray Kawee!  One more rad tx to go and then I'm done also.  Can't wait.

 Betsy~ the skin under my arm looks dirty.  Some of the skin has peeled and it does look gross.  Mine was red/purple for a while before it turned this horrible brownish color.  Doc said it's normal; to keep putting aquaphor on it. 

Hope everyone has a good weekend.  We're going to visit my son at college for parents' weekend.  Feels good to do something "normal" for a change.  Stay strong!