January 2010 Rads Start

Thank you to all for your well wishes.  Cookiegal, I hope you are having an improvement today!

I got mapped yesterday for the boosts -- I am pleased she is going to use the lowest energy level on me -- a 6 I think she said and that it shouldn't tear up my skin too badly.  She acknowledged that they don't usually get as much skin reaction as I've had -- so lucky me  -- I'm the poster child for burning.  I had seen my breast surgeon on Wed., and he and my rad onc had a meeting together  that he chairs on Thurs.  He asked her if she was doing something new in her dept. I had tried to explain the bolus to him as he didn't know about it.  He said he had seen a patient on Wed. who talked about something he thought was "new".  She said she knew immediately who he was talking about and she had to "defend" herself in front of the group and explain the  bolus.  I told her I was sorry my skin caused her such grief!  She is a neat lady and when I told her Wed that I had seen my surgeon she said "Oh, I should have told you not to see him yet! --"  She was kidding, but I think she knew he was going to give her a hard time about me at the meeting.  She said my mission is to grow beautiful skin for when I see him in 6 mos.--

So, I really think my experience is a bit more severe than most and I don't want to frighten those coming behind.  The good part is that w/the Silvedine it is tolerable.  Have a great weekend everyone. Karenanne

Elisheva - only 6 inches here....not so bad!  I'm sort of worried about the after effects too. However I've learned my lesson about worrying and wasting my valuable time....so I'll just deal with it as it comes....maybe it will maybe it won't.....(this is the new me!)  I'm a B Cup, but since my lumpectomy I kinda got a lift....now I wish my other was lifted ..... So you and I will finish on a Thursday! I'll stop in and celebrate here with you at our virtual Rad Bar....When this is done, except for Tamoxiphen, I should be done with all treatments and will be getting my port removed...the final event! Can't wait!  Still feeling good... how about you? 

Melinda 

Went to movie- AVATAR, 3D, yesterday with my DH, first time after 7 months of BC! starting to feel normal again!  AVATAR was fabulous!  I would recommend it to anyone and we are planning to see it again soon.

Karen

Debbie, glad to hear that the post-rads fatigue fades!

I'm pretty red and tichy, and burned under my arm and on my SNB scar.  My cardio stress test came back normal (which I pretty much expected) and my rad onco agreed that my chest pressure was fron the tx.  He prescribed a cream for the burn and I start therapy for my chest inflammation on Tuesday.  I also got my lymphedema sleeve and glove on thurs (which my insurance covered) and a compression bra (which it did not.).  What was amazing was that the bra was paid for by a grant from the Susan B. Komen foundation!  Apparently is covers lymphedema treatment and garments when a woman's insurance doesn't.

Congrats on finishing tomorrow Sophie305!

I was marked on Friday and received my first of five boosts.  The marks have faded some due to the cream is use so I did a touch up with a Sharpie after my shower this morning.  Maybe the techs will be able to continue without delay.  I have had itching for a week but no peeling or pain yet. 

My last day is Thursday Feb. 11 and I can celebrate!!

Herceptin treatments every three week continue until August then on to tamoxifen. 

Someone mentioned feeling still and old as they would stand after sitting for awhile. I too have that same experience.  Don't know if it is radiation or SE from herceptin.

Juli

daylily I know how your feel, my last day of rads I went to support group and said how easy a time I had of it...and then boom...crispy critter.

I keep getting darker and peeling more, though the fog is lifting a bit.

Ugh, we have plans on tuesday for hubby's birthday, we have been really looking forward too, and I am so raw I can't get dressed.

Just checking in. 19 down, 16 to go and it's hard to believe I'm halfway through already.  It's starting to itch and get pinker now but that's it so far.  I go bra-less all the time and slather some Vit E oil on when I think about it.  Again, don't know if fatigue is treatment related or caring for my twins/getting divorced related!  Either way, I don't have the option of resting so I think it helps that I'm constantly moving!

I'm so sorry to hear about those having severe SE's.  Hoping it ends for you all soon...and hoping I can avoid it!  Congrats to those who are finished or nearly there! For those just starting out, you'll be shocked at how fast it goes. The nerves settle pretty quickly once you get into a routine.

I'll be so glad when we can all "graduate"!

Aren't you done today Sophie??

Congrats Karen,there is nothing better than grandbabys. I only have two, but they are the best.

Yea for Sophie, I know you are very happy about finishing.  Hope all the SEs subside and you get well quick.

Cookie, it will get better I just know it will.  Good luck and hope  it heals  soon.

Juli, great news that you will finish this week.  Hope  you have a really great celebration.

Daylilyfan, hoping the cough doesn't get any worse.  My DH has been sick for the last 4 days and I am certainly hoping that I don't get it.

Good  evening to everyone else, hope your week as started out great.

14 down 19 to go.  I am not showing any signs of anything yet.  It itches ever so often, but nothing much.  I am not red or  tan or anything.  I am sure it will  all catch up to me soon.

Juannelle

Thanks for all the good wishes, my radiant friends!

Rads are officially over...the reception staff greeted me today with these pink clacking hands applauding my last session.  The young nurse who's been supporting the rads onc gave me a hug when I was ready to leave, armed with more RadiaPlex and some stuff for some kind of soak astringent that is supposed to enable healing of the skin....I'm a tad raw on my chest and in my armpit and a few other delicate places around the poor girl.

Uh...it's about that start date for tamoxifen....doctor says I have a few more weeks to heal as Canadian fraction is much stronger over shorter period of time and they expect I'll get worse before I get better which is why they've armed me with all the stuff.  Also need to go back for check in 3 weeks so they can support as needed.  Tamox will wait until this is all over.  One thing at a time....one foot in front of the other...one step at a time.

I hope everyone is coping with any SEs and healing as well.  Gotta finish up some work (again) before my boss starts looking for me...

Karen, congratulations on the new grandbaby!  Isn't it great to have some good news in the midst of the rest of this stuff?  Tell us all about the wee one!  I'm so excited for you!

Good night all.

Congratulations on the new grandchild!  Nothing like a little bundle of joy!

Juli-Ca,

I just noticed that not only do we have almost the exact same diagnosis, but also that I'm just about 2 weeks behind you in everything (diagnosis, surgery, chemo, rads!)  I also go to Kaiser.  I go to the Bellflower/Downey facility for all of my cancer treatments and the Ontario/Vineyard facility for radiation.  I will get #10 out of 27 tomorrow. 

hey all...still suffering with blister on big red's south pole...but feeling somewhat better. Will have to leave the house tomorrow. Onc app and hubby's birthday. Wish me luck!

Karen1959---many, many congratulations on the arrival of your new granddaughter! That is terrific news!

Cookiegal---how's the south pole blister? Are you still feeling pretty fatigued? Do you think you'll make your Vancouver trip? What did your onc have to say? Questions, questions! Happy day to your hubby, and hopefully Big Red won't prevent you from wearing your party clothes!

Juli-CA---You're nearing the end of rads, and can scratch that off your list of "to do's" !  I am in Northern California also, and fortunate to be able to use the fabulous, brand new Kaiser hospital/cancer treatment center in Santa Clara.

Weety911 and jakhope---you're gettin' through those treatments; GREAT job! Hang in there, it seems like forever, but soon it will be behind you.

Veggy---I see you've finally started rads! Did you get a definite answer on if you have to repeat the four tx you'd already done? Ok, now....just breathe....you are on the road at last. The waiting for something to happen is absolutely the worst, but now you can see progress as each milepost (aka tx) goes by. Hugs to you.

OneL---No side effects yet, that's awesome! Whatever lotions you're using, keep using 'em, it's obviously working. Glad to hear you're not having fatigue.

Hey Sophie---isn't it great to be done?! So much free time---ha. I didn't have too many SE's with the Canadian Fraction once I was done, so you'll probably be fine. But keep us posted. It's bizarre that radiation affects each of us so very differently, and things change quickly from day to day. (((thinking of you kmf and cookie)))

Onty......where are you? You okay? Haven't heard much from you lately.

Sido---you should be close to done. What day is your last tx?

Hi Melinda, Tangi-girl, Catwrangler, Twinmom77,Daylilyfan.

Me---almost two weeks since end of rads, and my skin is doing well. Still no peeling or itching. The skin is turning more tan now, and I would suspect it may peel eventually, if it's anything like sunburns I've had in the past. I haven't worn a bra yet, because I'm still a little afraid of damaging the fragile skin. Problem is.....I'm getting used to not wearing a bra (it's been four weeks since I had one on?).....and I like it! But the 36C's won't stand for no support much longer, they're already hanging to my bellybutton!

The encouraging news is, the fatigue is slowly lifting. I'm not yawning all the time, don't feel the need for an afternoon nap anymore. I still sleep more hours than normal at night, and it's still really difficult to wake up/get up in the morning, but I don't feel near as fatigued as I did last week. I am trying to get some walking in everyday, and maybe that helps.

Take care....

Deb