SEPTEMBER 2009 RADS
Comments
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I am so happy for those of you that are at the end of this part of the journey. I am halfway through and those of you who said that it would go by, it has. I am staying home today from work because I have just been pushing myself too much lately trying to be as normal as possible. Fall allergies and stress at work is wearing me out. I am going in for treatment but don't have to rush to get there after work. They were even good enough to give me an earlier time today since I am not working so I can get home earlier and have more of an evening at home with dh. I am not sore yet and not too pink. Using different treatments on my skin daily and the combination seems to be working for now. I use vitamin E cream in morning, radiaplex at noon and an arbonne gel that a friend gave me at night. The arbonne gel feels so good after the treatment. Overall, I have been doing good, just glad to have the day to not push so much. I am looking forward to a nice weekend with the grandkids and daughter coming to see me. My youngest son drove me to tx on Wednesday and middle son drove me yesterday. It was nice to have that one on one time with them. It makes me realize just how fortunate I am and it is such good medicine for the soul.
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Ok, now I'm worrying about this blackening/ discoloration under the arm but I believe that forewarned is forearmed. Can one of you tell me WHERE under the arm you're all talking about. Is it the actual Underarm ? Or the Side of the breast ? Or the side by our ribs? I'm only at #12 and still learning from you ladies.
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Hello ladies - thanks for sharing so much useful info.
Can anyone here tell me if they are having rads under the arm (axilla) due to micromets? I would bery much appreciate any info/thoughts you may have. I may choose this method rather than more surgery so would find ideas helpful - very many thanks and I do hope you all progress well with your tretment.
Thank you from London, England
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Betsy ~ My last tx is Monday. Sorry if that confused everyone. I am so looking forward to getting it over with!
MTG ~ the discoloration is actually under my arm; where you shave and maybe a little farther down. You can only see it when you hold your arm up, like raising your hand in school. The other areas are very pink; almost looks and feels like sunburn in a few areas. The itching is driving me crazy! Hope this helps! Chris
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Caphan - thanks. the "wear you shave" part pinpoints it nicely. I've been feeling rubbed there (kindof like there's a rough label rubbing against it) but just attributed it to my scar and the new growth of hair. Will start putting major amounts of Aquaphor there to try to best it.
London -Virginia - Speaking only for myself, the underarm radiation is NOT for micromets. I expressly questioned my doctor about this since I had no node involvement and couldn't understand why my underarm would be involved. For me, apparently the underam is collateral damage, an unavoidable casualty resulting from the radiation of my breast. Again, I questioned why, since my tumor was on the lower outside of the right breast and it didn't seem that either radiation beam would have to hit the underarm. Her explanation was that since I had only a lumpectomy, the goal of my radiation is to cover the same area that would have been covered by a mastectomy, the entire breast. Ever notice that flabby bit of skin on the side that sometimes hangs over a tight fitting bra or top ? That's breast tissue. By radiating it, the underarm which is literally too close for comfort gets hit as well. But again, keep in mind this is the rationale I was given; not certain how it works for Mx patients or others. Hope this helps.
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Once again, it seems the doctors might be making this stuff up as they go along. Look below; my Dx is not that different from MTG (my tumor was in 6:00 position,) but my rads barely got up into the armpit. They DO cover my SNB scar, but don't get near where I would shave my underarm. IN FACT, since they were not hitting, I DID shave my underarm through the entire course of the rads. In other words, I figured anything still remaining a normal skin color was fair game for shaving. On the other hand (but on the same breast, haha) my skin-tan goes down at least three inches on my ribs below my breast. The Rad-Onc said they had to include that area, but never offered a good reason why. I'm pretty sure theres no breast tissue there. Are other women getting rads that far down below the breast? I am getting 3-D Conformal rads maybe it is just not that precise?
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Jeez, this process is sooo frustrating. Ok, part of it is unavoidable but there are others that are simply unexplained, inconsistencies. And there are a lot of them ! Aargh !!!!! With that said, I strongly suspect (pure intuition/logic, nothing more) that for you Elimar the 3" below your breast has something to do with the 6pm location of your tumor; otherwise it just seems awfully coincidental.
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Congrats to those of you who are done!!!! Two more weeks for me. I too have collateral damage with part of my armpit - the lower part and side of my breast - no node involvement. Right now it is pink - but darker pink than my breast so I believe I am heading towards the dark blackish skin color there by the end of this. My tumor was at 11 o'clock.
I am still using the radiagel - and have added aquaphor. I was using cortisone on the itchy areas, but that seems to have gone away. I am more pink than in pain - guess that is good?!!!!
I'm sure we are all happy to have Saturday and Sunday off of radiation - unless some of you go in on the weekends too.
Have a great weekend everyone!
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London-Virginia- looking at your diagnosis and mine we had very similiar tumor pathologies. I'm not sure if it's micromets or not...but radiation was always part of my treatment plan with a lumpectomy. They did target the axilla area because they did not discover the lymph involvement until after surgery on me. Not everyone would have this area in their target range...I think it has to do with whether nodes were positive or not. The only (but not minor) thing that got added to my treatment plan was chemotherapy.
For those of you worried..my axilla area was sore starting from about mid way through rads treatment. Although the tissue looked fine, it felt extremely tight. It's now brownish black and even tighter but not as sore...or maybe I'm just use to it. Either way...don't stress about it...it's not that bad, it just doesn't look real good. At the half way point I started, to quote Titan, "freaking out" at every little thing. Hang in there...you can do this!
Woo..Hoo...only one tx to go! Have a great weekend all.
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Have any of you heard of anyone using Vinegar (esp Apple Cider Vinegar) to draw out the heat and reduce blistering ?
This was an old trick I learned years ago at the beach, i.e. putting a vinegar soaked washcloth on a sunburn, pulling out the sting and the cloth would actually get HOT. I asked my doctor and she had never heard of it; didn't like the idea because of the acid content. However, I did find a reference on the Susamn B Komen site, saying:
"Saw my radiation oncologist this week & told her I was itching a little. She said to use 1% Hydrocortisone Cream in addition to the Biafine cream. She also told me to do vinegar soaks up to 4 times day, because vinegar is amazing! The paperwork she gave me says 1TBL white vinegar to a pint of water. Soak a clean washcloth in the solution & apply for 15 minutes at a time. My itching isn't real bad yet, so haven't tried it but wanted to pass this info on."
This is significantly diluted vs. the staright vinegar I used for sunburns so that should handle the acid content issue. I'm really tempted. Anyone ever hear of this ?
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MTG--I have heard of vinegar--when I was a little girl my mother used that--I have forgotten about it but also we used Milk soaked cloths to draw out the burn--I may start trying the milk as I am very red --9 more to go!!!
Betsy I am very excited for you finishing!!!
Have a good weekend all!!
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Betsy...so you are starting to quote my "freaking"
You know..that word covers alot of things! I like it...Cancer is definitely something to freak out about..plus all the se's from chemo and rads...it's just freaking...it's better than using the other "F: word..! Ok..so everyone is nearly done! HOORAY! Let's all kick this freaking cancer into hell!! Yes...I did say that word!
Since we all seem so comfortable talking about our boobs..(no where other than here could we get away with this...plus dildos (see the April chemo ladies if you are interested in that)..I will tell you about mine...it is very red underneath and itches! the rest of it is just kinda pink...but one more reg.rad to go then the boosts...measured for that today...then they put a stencil so I can use my aquafor and not worry about washing it off...The funny thing was..I KNEW this would be the case because of reading it on here!
MTG..haven't heard of using vinegar but vinegar seems to be something you can drink, clean your house with...may as well use it on your boob...it certainly can't hurt! No radiation in my armpit either..it looks normal...I just shave it once per week on Sat...they told me to not shave at all..well I don't think so!
Way to go Kawee...You did it! Now get out there and LIVE!
Caphan..have fun with your son..we just did the parents weekend with our son 2 weeks ago and now he is home..for one night...he is loving is college and getting ready to be a frat boy...my dh was giving him stories about the hazing..putting a marshmellow between his bottom cheeks and having to walk with it and if it falls out he has to EAT IT! I think he was freaking a little!
I haven't turn brown/black anywhere yet..interesting...is your skin peeling?
Lollys..you look great...can't tell it's a wig....it's good to feel good about yourself going through this....my wig is so much better than my actual hair..but I going to throw it in the back of the closet..very soon...remember ladies..don't throw your wigs AWAY! Just put them somewhere.....
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MTG...I got a really bad sunburn about 3 years ago and put a vinegar/water soaked washcloth on it and it helped a lot. It took the sting out. I am not sure if we can use it for radiation burns.
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Lollys - I've also heardof the milk idea. Plus remember the concept of milk baths as a skin softener ? (Not certain how anyone would have enough on hand but still.) I wondered if skim milk was effective and just checked; apparently it's whole milk that does the trick. If you try it, please let us know if it works.
Titan, CCBabay - Vinegar seems to work for almost everything. And it is amazing on sunburns, isn't it ? But the radiation add such a wrinkle. I'm gonna keep googling and see if I can find any more references specific to our circumstances.
6 hours later - Hell , vinegar just seems to make sense ! So, I'm using myself as a guinea pig. Added 1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar to 2 cups Water in a bowl, soaked a wash cloth, rang it out, applied to my breast and repeated a few times till I got bored with it. Wow, it feels terrific! Will do it again tomorrow and be sure to have it all washed off before rads on Monday. Will keep you all posted.
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I will be done on Thursday and can't wait!! I now have blisters in the center of my chest and under my arm. Thank goodness I am doing boosts now so those areas can hopefully start healing.
MTG...How's the vinegar soak working?
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CCbaby - From a soreness/tenderness point of view - AMAZING ! Although I was only having mild tenderness with a chaffing feeling at the scar sights, both are all both gone. I feel better than I have since I started to feel any reaction. HOWEVER, I broke out a bit on my chest - my guess is that I was too heavily greased up for too many days esp since the break out area includes both the non radiation and the radiation side (I was using lots and lots of Aquaphor; all but finished the large tub and I'm only done with 12 rads; have now cut back) but I'm not completely ruling out the vinegar. I will try the diluted vinegar soaks again next Saturday and Sunday, see what happens and post the results. If I dont have a negative reaction then I may try a significantly more diluted version during the week as well, In the mean time, if anyone really wants to try it, I'd suggest going with the super weak solution someone on Susan B Komen's site said her rad onc suggested.
Lollys - Did you try the milk soak ?
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Has anyone tried witchhazel soaks? When I was a kid my mom would keep witchhazel in the fridge and rub it on our wrists, ankles and the back of our necks to help bring down fever......I wonder if it would take the burn out of our skin from rads. I am only at #16 and don't seem to have much in the way of soreness or blisters, just a little pink. At this point I've been using 100% aloe vera gel after treatments and St. John's wort oil in the evenings. So far, so good.
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In my recollection, witch hazel either has alcohol or citric acid in it. I think it's alcohol.
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Regular witch hazel that you can buy like at Wal Mart has alcohol, but if you buy witch hazel from a health food store (Which costs a lot more), it doesn't have alcohol in it. I was reading on the internet about pure honey being good for burns as well.
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Ok..done with reg rads now on to 7 boosts...Hope they go OK!!
Boosts must be going OK for most of you...!
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I'm doing well with the boosts. I've had three, four to go. The regular rads are still catching up with me. I am feeling more itch in the surrounding area. I was very tired over the weekend also. Still in my white cotton bra, which is looking ultra chic with green, purple and blue splashes of color from my Sharpie marks that rubbed off.
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I had my last boost today. Woo-hoo! I am done! Scheduled to see the doctor in six weeks for a follow-up. The boosts are relatively easy compared to regular treatments. I had an itch under my breast and on the side from the regular treatments but used hydrocortisone cream day and night and that helped a lot. Still getting tired in the afternoons. Doc said I will get energy back in 2-4 weeks. I hope it's a lot sooner. I will check in from time to time to see how you all are doing. You've been a wealth of information and great support! Thank you! Take care and stay strong! Chris
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Congratulatins Caphan!! What a great feeling!
Elimar...Will you be done on Thursday or Friday? I will be done on Thursday....seems like yesterday when we first started these rads and now we are almost done!
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Congrats Chris!!!nice to see someone finishing--I have been using hydrocortisone cram alos for he itching --
I am still very red--supposed to have a bolus today but they said no more-- 3 more regular then 5 boosts--havent used the milk compresses yet--will try tonite--and will let eveyone know
I have gained weight and not happy about that--have been exercising when I can but guess since i dont feel like doing too much eating is what I have been doing--got to stop as Iwill be starting arimedex and some say they gain weight with that--lovely-- anyway hang in all!!Laura
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YAHOO...I'm DONE! My emotions surprised me as I walked out of the building, tears filled my eyes. It's been a long six months and many of you walked right beside me through all of it, thank you! I'm freaking out right now...IT'S A GOOD KIND OF FREAKING OUT!!!!!
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Way to go caphan! I can feel the excitement of finally being done. You too BetsyBuzz!
ccbaby, I will finish on Friday. It's going to be a whole new meaning for TGIF this week! Didn't having the support from other women on these rads threads really help? It did make the time go quicker. I'm gonna be happy for you on Thurs. Make sure to rock out on the bell ringing!
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Wow !!!!! Caphan, Betsy Buzz CONGRATULATIONS , YOU'RE DONE, DONE , DONE WITH RADS !!!! It seems so many of you are just about done with this garbage. Which is great. Although I have a twinge of sadness, I enjoy and appreciate your jokes, stories, advice; it's gonna be kindof lonely around here. (13 down; 20 more to go)
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I will be done on Friday. Had my 4th boost, 4 more to go. So far no real problems. I'm using the homeopathic calendula gel and it has been fine. But nonetheless, I am so excited to be finished on Friday. This is a big milestone for each of us!
That being said, I am going to hang around here until everyone is finished. We won't let it get too quiet or lonely, don't worry!
Amy
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Elimar..nothing but high fashion for us!
Way to go Chris..but you know...even "normal" people get tired in the afternoons...it is OK...I'm thiniking that we "freak" when we are tired because it is something bad..it's not! remember..before BC you got tired or hungry or achy or had a headache....
Way to go "sistas" on almost finishing or DONE with rads...It was nothing like chemo was but at the same point...driving to our zaps every day..dealing with the red breast...it was still something to deal with; however...I would go for 100 more rads than do chemo again...
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Betsy,way to go
--It seems like we have followed each others progress for so long --dont know how it will be not checking in with everyone--I still have 8 more to go but will have to check in occasionally maybe just to give encouragement to those just starting or still going through it-- the site did seem to make things go faster--now just if the next 8 treatments will go fast-- It seems like such an emotional process --I could cry at the drop of a dime--so happy for all those finished--we will get on with things--we just have to --hang in there and stay strong-- keep in touch when you can!!!! Laura
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