January 2010 Rads Start

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  • Sido
    Sido Member Posts: 234
    edited January 2010

    Hello Lovelies,

    Well, 9 tx down!  I haven't really noticed any swelling but my rad onco thinks my sore breast is because of fluid build-up inside.  When I see my breast surgeon on Monday I'll have to ask her about it.  He's also sending me for lymphedema evaluation and treatment because my surgical arm feels sore and tight.  Just my luck when I only had 5 nodes removed!  Hopefully treating it now, before there is any appreciable size difference, will keep it in check.

    Otherwise, just a bit pink with a developing tan under my arm.

    grama5, your stats are pretty scary for a former smoker!  I quit 5 years ago and my rad onco said they might hit a portion of the chest wall, but not my lungs, so I shouldn't worry. Eeek!

    Sido 

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited January 2010

    Sido,

    You are one of the earlier starters. Looks like things are going well. Keep posting and encouraging the rest of us.

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  • catwrangler
    catwrangler Member Posts: 23
    edited January 2010

    I finished #14 on Friday and things still look good. A brighter red under the breast but it's calmed down a little since I started using the xclair cream along with the aloe and aquaphor. I'm dusting the underside with cornstarch at night to help with stickiness and wash it off in the morning. Only 21 more to go

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited January 2010

    CatWrangler, this is the 2nd time I'm hearing a positive vote for xclair. I'm going to ask my rad onc to prescribe it upfront.

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  • elisheva
    elisheva Member Posts: 80
    edited January 2010

    Hi. I'm a newcomer to this thread, but started radiation on January 4, so I have 10 behind me. Will have a total of 33 days, with one week of booster doses. Axilla included, in supine position. So far all is normal and I don't feel any discomfort. My nurse recommended Calendula ointment or lotion. Did anyone hear of it? It is very thick and hard to spread, so I'm using it only once a day, and another time a day plain facial lotion which is fragrance-free. I read here names of other preparations. Are those over-the-counter or prescription?

    This seems to be the easier part of treatment, much easier than chemo, which I finished on Nov. 28. My hair has been thickening a bit, but is far from normal.

    Wishing you all an easy time of it. Elisheva.

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited January 2010

    Elisheva,

    Welcome to the January rads thread!

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  • gogo_xago
    gogo_xago Member Posts: 131
    edited January 2010

    Hi gals,

    my mom finished #13 on Friday and things look OK. She has a little red under her breast but no burning no fatigue. Hope she continues this way. Her rad doc subscribes her to have blood test for WBC and some cancers indicators (ca 125 etc - I think...). Do somebody have any experience about blood test during (in the middle) of rads?

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  • Twinmom77
    Twinmom77 Member Posts: 303
    edited January 2010

    grama5 - I will have to check out that study.  I haven't smoked in 5 years and before that the longest I smoked continuously was a few months  - mostly I was a social smoker.  I think you're right about HER+ being more agressive and that's another reason I'm going ahead with rads for now.  I just wish they didn't have to skim my lung and I'd feel so much better about all this!

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited January 2010

    Dear Gogo,

    I think blood markers and WBC's are usually ordered by medical oncologist not radiation oncologist. Did your mom have chemo also? Did the radiation oncologist indicated any reasons for doing these tests during rads?



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  • Kim09
    Kim09 Member Posts: 100
    edited January 2010

    My rads onc ordered blood test the first week.  I am told that they will also it it the last week of treatment.  Also once a week they take x-rays before the treatment.

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  • weety
    weety Member Posts: 1,163
    edited January 2010

    They have to do xrays as often as once a week?  WHy so many?  I'm kind of nervous about all these extra ct scans and xrays!

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  • gogo_xago
    gogo_xago Member Posts: 131
    edited January 2010

    my mom's chemo finished at the end of November. Her oncologist had ordered a "full" test (blood tests and ct scans) at the first days of Dec. Now her rad doc, has ordered these tests, because he said that during radiation is possible, to have reduction of WBC.

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited January 2010

    Dear Gogo,

    Thanks for the update.

    Hope the bloodwork comes back all ok.



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  • mom2acat
    mom2acat Member Posts: 556
    edited January 2010

    I also use the Fruit of the Earth clear aloe gel; at the radiation center I go to, they give each patient a full size tube of it; and if we need more, all we have to do is ask.

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited January 2010

    Jenn3, Mommy2two, Mom2aCat, Day LilyFan, Sophie305, Dljam,

    Did you all start in 15th and 18th as originally estimated?

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  • grama5
    grama5 Member Posts: 81
    edited January 2010

    TWINMOM It doesn't sound like you have much of a problem, however I have been a heavy smoker for over 25 yrs. If I  smoke one I'm going to smoke the entire pack and want a back up. It is the one and only addiction I have and have been battling to stop for more years than I can count. In a 9 month time I have been diagnosed with 2 life changing diseases. Diabetes in March and BC in Nov. Instead of stopping it has made me more stressed and wanting a cig even more, Go figure! Side effects! side effects! At 65 I am more for QUALITY than I am for QUANTIY but definitely don't want to succumb to BC. It amazes me how so many of the stage one ladies have made the decision so easily. My rad onco has been calling me but just continues to say rads are the best option for all including stage 0 but has done nothing to repute any of my concerns or fears. I would really like to hear from others who are also on the fence with both rads and tomoxifen.

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  • mommy2two
    mommy2two Member Posts: 130
    edited January 2010

    unklezwifeonty-  I have not yet started rads as originally planned.  Thanks to a lab screw-up, I had a two day pregnancy scare which delayed getting my CT scan and markings.  Thankfully, 3 blood tests later proved that I was not pregnant and I now start tx on 1/25.

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited January 2010

    Thanks for the update Grama. I don't have any insights to share as I don't have that choice. Also don't smoke but I suspect with my diagnosis I'd have no choice but to get rads.



    Thanks for the update Mommy2Two. Sorry to hear that lab screw ups led to delays for you. Hope the rest of the path is smooth.



    I'm now counting down to my mapping/tattoo/sim appt on Monday. The chemo related fatigue and GI is largely gone but I still have some bleeding issues and of course my skin and hair refuse to get back to normal.







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  • DebbieSawyer
    DebbieSawyer Member Posts: 133
    edited January 2010

    Well, today back to rads, after a nice three day break from it. How is everyone doing? Sido? Catwrangler? Cookiegal? Kim09? OneL? Missmelis1? Melinda? Any SE's? Did you notice a difference to your skin with the days off? Have you needed to add additional lotions or change any that you're using?

    Hi Onty!  Bet you're glad to finally get the rads show on the road next Monday! I'm glad your chemo fatigue is gone, and hope that your bleeding issues are under control soon. 

    weety911: Welcome! I get x-rays once a week during the rads tx, so that my rads dr can double check the techs are lined up correctly on my breast. It happens during the tx, with the same machine. It's just a couple extra clicks, then done. Although not happy about more x-rays, I'm glad there are several checks and rechecks of the area getting radiated.

    gogo: My rads dr ordered bloodwork before my tx started, and no mention of getting more bloodwork after rads is over.

    Welcome elisheva! I apply Boiron Calendula lotion 4x a day. It has more calendula in it than the ointment or gel (at least the Boiron brand does), and it's not messy.  Then aquaphor at night. Both OTC products. And the medicinal red wine is DEFINITELY an over the counter product!

    redheadpam: how's the green tea compress working for you?

    daylilyfan: Aloe vera should be easy to find, at any drug store, health store. CVS or Fruit of the Earth brands both are unscented, clear, pure aloe.

    Last Friday, after my 9th treatment, I was feeling some rib pain above and below my breast: in the 12 o'clock position, and the 6 o'clock position. Kind of like someone poked me with their finger really hard. It went away by yesterday, but I noticed after today's rads that it's sore again. Not unbearable, but annoying. I see my rads dr Thursday, so will ask him about it. I think it's normal though. So far I'm doing considerably better than I thought I would be, at this point: my skin is just slightly discolored tan in the target area, my breast is swollen but not painful. No itching, no more red bumps. But it's not over yet....!

    10 down 6 to go.

    Debbie

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  • Melinda-Tma3
    Melinda-Tma3 Member Posts: 168
    edited January 2010

    Hey Debbie, Onty and everyone....still kickin! Glad everything is going good for you guys so far!

    #11 done and 22 to go...how come you only have 16?? How long are your zaps? No big issues yet for me....a little zingy at times and occassional burning (light sunburn feeling) just starting to show signs of redness.  Still not using any lotions etc.  They offered some today, but I really have no pain so, I guess I'll wait.  So far so good....  don't really notice any changes over the weekend...no better no worse.... I get pictures taken every Monday to be sure no changes in my rad plan due to weight gain/loss or swelling etc. Just standard precautions.  Still drinking my daily "Blood of Jesus" and it's making me very happy and I swear it's helping! :-)     Playing tennis 3 days a week and it's not bothering me at all...however I did take 1/2 hour nap today...just a light sleepy feeling you sometimes get in the afternoon.  Can't say it's the rads or the fast pace of my game today? Still don't think I have my full strength back yet since chemo...but I feel really good all in all! 

    I've been taking my tamoxiphen for 13 days now and now I am starting to get a tiny bit of flushing and still hot flashes...nothing overboard though...I'm hoping it will stay just like this...no problem at all for me.  I think sugary food brings the hot flashes on sometimes, so I've been staying away from too much of that.  I still drink my tea (caffeine) every morning and eat spicy food and it doesn't seem to affect me much at all, so I'll continue enjoying those things.  Eating lots of fruit through out the day and I don't miss the sugary food now anyways.  I've always had a sweet tooth! Not an easy switch over at first, but now I crave the fruit!

    Have a great week everyone!

    Melinda 

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  • Cgirl
    Cgirl Member Posts: 14
    edited January 2010

    Gogo, I am 75% of the way completed with my treatmentl each week I met briefly with a nurse and a doctor. they took my blood pressure, weight and at about the 10-14th treatment sent me for blood work. I also had x-rays taken after 7 treatments and they were repeated several times. the x-rays were taken right before the treatment was adminstered.

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  • one-L
    one-L Member Posts: 1,110
    edited January 2010

    gram5, I am 60 years old and did chemo because of my Oncytype DX score and have not questioned the rads or the AI I will take.  I am all for quality vs quantity in a way, but I want to live as long as possible and I will do whatever it takes.  Thank goodness I am only stage 1 and didn't have to have months and months of chemo.  I will start radiation tomorrow and have just accepted it as part of life.

    debbie, glad to hear you are doing well.  I start tomorrow, so I have nothing to report  today.  I am anxious, but not as much as before starting chemo.  I am taking in all the good advice, so I hope I do as well as you.  I know, I know, it isn't over yet...

    Melinda, I am also gong to do 33.  It  amazes me at the different treatments we all get.  Each doctor is different.

    0 down 33 to go.

    Juannelle

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  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited January 2010

    hey all....HALF WAY DONE!

    15/30

    woo hoo

    mysteriously my SE's have calmed down.

    Big red is about a cup bigger than little miss righty.

    Fatigue is moderate.

    And I no longer crave cookies

    Ha!

    fooled you...just wanted to see if you were paying attention.

    considering how bad my recovery was from sx, knock wood, cana hora, I'm pretty good.

    Hugs to the Radiant 1/10's

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited January 2010

    I'm gonna get 16 base rads with each rad giving me a slightly higher than 2 Grays that those who get 25 base rads get. The total dose will be 42-43 Grays instead of 50 that you'd get with the standard fraction. This is a relatively new dosing that is considered equivalent. It is called Canadian fraction.



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  • kmf
    kmf Member Posts: 79
    edited January 2010

    Hi - just checking in - #15 of 33 today.  I am getting some color trending to red but it doesn't burn. I am slathering on the aquaphor at every opportunity ( except not 3 hrs. before tx) I was pleased that the red I started to see Fri. subsided by Mon. a.m. -- so the weekend does give the skin some time to regroup.  I did run into a lady on # 31 of 33 last week.  She and another lady on #9 all compared "tans" w/me -- By #31 she was definitely red -- she said it wasn't bad -- she hadn't worn a bra in a while, but didn't require any special Rx cream.  But, she was more red than I had hoped for me!  Both ladies said they were told they wouldn't be wearing bras at the end. No one ever told me that.  I'm small so it won't make much difference but I had hoped to not be that tender. I head to Jamaica 2 days after I'm done and I know I'll be sitting in the shade, but had hoped to be able to wear a bathing suit w/maybe a tank top over it.  Guess I better shop for some colored tanks.    Happy tanning everyone!  Karenanne

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  • missmelis1
    missmelis1 Member Posts: 11
    edited January 2010

    Hi,everyone!  I'm doing ok. I did #10 out of 33 today...almost 1/3 of the way done.  Not much to report for SEs except a little pink today. 

    I'm getting x-rays every 5th treatment. No blood work.

    Elisheva my aloe gel (Natural Care Gel) is over-the-counter. They sell it at the hospital pharmacy.

    It's good to hear most of us are doing well. Maybe it's the wine!

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  • Kim09
    Kim09 Member Posts: 100
    edited January 2010

    Debbie - I didn't get a three day weekend from the rads.  So far everything is going well.  I just apply the aloe gel after the treatment and first thing in the morning.  I am noticing that I have to take a nap when I get home. 

    12 down, 16 to go

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  • Sido
    Sido Member Posts: 234
    edited January 2010

    Hi Debbie, Cookie, Onty, Juannelle, Kim, and all the "Radiant 1/10s" (LOVE that, BTW Cookie!)

    No three-day weekend for me either!  Had treatment #11 today.  My techs take an x-ray each week to make sure the angles are right, but no one has ever ordered any bloodwork.  Maybe because my med onco is really good about sending my test results to my rad onco almost right away. 

    Fatigue is hitting me pretty hard today.  Classes start tomorrow and today was chock-full of meetings with rads in-between.  I was really dragging by the end and almost wondered if I would be up for my classes tomorrow.  Otherwise I've got a deep ache in my tx breast, but I saw my bs yesterday and she's thinking there might be edema building up and taught me some massage techniques to help keep everything moving.  With the arm lymphedema the last thing I need is truncal!  She also gave me a brilliant cream called Dermaide which is hyper-concentrated aloe and formulated for burns.  She uses it for all her patients getting radiation.  It's a bit spendy ($27 from her office) but I like it so far.  Much better than the Lindi lotion.

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  • sophie305
    sophie305 Member Posts: 37
    edited January 2010

    Good evening glowing ladies,

    Sorry for not checking in sooner...too much going on these days.  Today was tx #5...5 down and 14 to go.  No SEs yet although my scar is more sensitive since tx began.  Using the Radiaplex they gave me each morning and evening as instructed. 

    I really like the cancer care center I'm going to..everyone is really helpful, friendly, professional, on-time and accessible (no vacation interruptions as some have experienced).  That said, the gowns used for the rads patients are horrendous...2 sizes only...Too Small or Too Huge.  And UGLY beyond belief.  Definitely not a fine example for the "Look Good, Feel Better" program offered by ACS each month!

    It's getting harder to keep up with the normal hectic pace, with less time in the office during this "in treatment" period and the drive into the city and back to the burbs each day for tx.  If I should stop moving anytime throughout the day, I could fall asleep standing up. However, it's probably less an SE of rads and more just the chasing back and forth...and getting ready for the baby shower this weekend with 40+ guests. 

    Rad onc says I s/b good this week and SEs, if any, will begin to appear next week which matches what those of you on tx #9, 10, 11 are experiencing. 

    Keep up the good spirit, ladies.  And thanks for being there.

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  • annie1273
    annie1273 Member Posts: 6
    edited January 2010

    Good Morning Ladies-

    This is my first post on the rads board.  I am heading in for my 6th treatmentin a little while.  Yesterday was the first one that went as quickly as I had been told.  All the others involved a lot of set up and double checking-- readjusting the things they put on the rad machine and even filing down one of theose shields so they could be sure and hit the end of my new scar !! AAaaahhh!!! plus I am having x rays once a week so that was on Monday even tho they had just finished those up last Friday. Also see the rad onc on Mondays for a check and blood work.   

     This is treatment for a recurrence for me.  They think it is local - nothing on the cat or bonescans- and it is in the same breast area- I had a mastectomy and chemo 13 years ago!!!. It is just tough on me because I am so many years out from my original diagnosis. Here we go again!!

    Anyway- the plan is for 28 tx then 5 boosts to the area where this latest tumor was found..  they treat me four ways- is this what others are experiencing??- One from the front and then from the side--then the neck and back--Is anyone else having treatment up towards the neck?? also like I said  they treat that area from the back as well.  I am just noticing a sore throat starting- and don't know if it is my imagination- a cold- or the tx. Anyone experiencing this??

     Saw my surgeon two days ago - concern over the  tumor area from this this time(he said it was just sutures not another lump!!!)- and he commented on  the skin color changing- I am just noticing it this morning.  I am using Aquafor - morning and night- and a prescription cream at mid-day- triamcinlone acetonide.  So far so good with these two.

    Hope today goes well for all those reading!!! thanks for listening!! 

    also-- I am trying to figure out how to put my compete diagnosis in my signature- can anyone tell me how to do that?? All i keep finding its that area where you choose answers and can't figure out how to add all my info.

    I

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