January 2010 Rads Start

I want my port too when they pull it out. BUT I want to smash it from the hatred I have towards it. Then I want to build a fire and burn it. That's my way of putting closure on this nightmare.

OMG girl, what are you thinking.  I think maybe this as all gone to your head and not in a good way.  I didn't even have  any thoughts of keeping the port in any way.  In or out, I didn't want it.  But if it gives you comfort, then go for it.

Loretta,I have been wearing a soft cotton t-shirt that I bought.  They are mens and maybe Hanes.  I bought a size that wasn't too tight, but tight enough to keep me from bouncing.  I am 26 down and only 6 to go and have not had any skin issues.  I am red but doing OK so far.  I am only using the Remedy cream that they give me at the center.

Juannelle

I am down 20 Rads and 6 to go full breast, and then 9 boosts. I have gotten itchy rash but  hope by Monday I will be ready for the next five for the week. My question is, I keep getting warned about the fatigue and it will catch up with you. Have any of you experienced that ? if so, about when did it start, and for how long?

Unkle

This is me, formerly yoga4vick, and back to my original name. We had spoken a bit about the docs at Columbia.



Anyway, I started rads on Feb 11. I have had 10 and have 23 to go. So far, just a tanning of the skin. And I am definitely more tired than I was.



Sorry I haven't posted in a while. DH and I split up the end of Jan, so that been an adjustment -- especially with a 3 year old and my working full time.



Also, sadly, a friend I met in my chemo group here has had a recurrence with mets and is not doing well. I am devastated, to say the least. It happened at lightning speed. So so sad.



Well, I just started keeping track of posts and have some catching up to do.

Be well

Vickie



ps - I know someone who kept her port and smashed and burned it. I had mine taken out last week even though I'm on the zometa arm of the bisphosphonate trial.

I hope everyone got to do some relaxing this weekend getting ready for another busy week.

I have a bone density test tomorrow before my radiation.  Getting ready for the Arimidex, want to make sure I don't already have osteoporosis.  (hope I spelled that right)  It seems like  when I think I don't have too many more doctor's appointments, there is always one more thing to do.  I finish my radiation on March 8 and thought that I would be through for the week and wouldn't have to leave work early or drive that extra 50 miles another day.  Oh no not me, on March 9, I see the surgeon for my follow-up from my port removal and also see the Med Onc for my Arimidex prescription.  I think this is a never ending journey and I am sending too many kids to college, or sending someone on a really nice vacation.

Juannelle

I just got the call my Arimidex Rx is ready to pick-up. Thank God for insurance I only have to pay $108.00 a month for the next five years! This is a very pricey illness!!! my chest is very itchy and am having sharp inner pains in the breast. Oh and I still have 6 full and 9 boosts to go! do you think stress brings out more side- effects. My Mom is dying in Hospice. Not a good time at all! 

OK- 2 1/2 more weeks of RADS to go!  I have an itchy rash on my middle upper chest and underneath my arm.  I have used Silvadine cream over the weekend and the scar line seems to have lightened up but still have this rash...  I am not really looking forward to getting more RADS-- But feel like the outcome will be worth it!

QUESTION:  What do you use to wipe the excess cream off before RADS?  As the skin is becoming more sensitive-- I don't want to make it worse... 

Here we go!!

Loretta

precioustime - I'm glad you asked that question.  I haven't started radiation yet but was wondering about this as well.

It says in my handout that you should bathe with warm soapy water, using your hand instead of a wash cloth and then rinse well. Using a mild unscented soap like Dove, Neutrogena or Ivory.

Pat dry with a soft cloth.

Couldn't you do that to get the excess off?

Or are you away from home when you do this?

have NO idea what the lower one is...but it's funny.

Y'know, the keep good nutrition tip is a good one, I have been slacking.

Made it to YSC this weekend, great but tiring!!!!!!

Shout out to all my radiant dawgs!

I got my energy back about 3 weeks after last rads. (kinda)

hugs to all

Cookiegal-  Where did you come up with all these adorable figures!  Keep them coming, I always enjoy them.  Thanks, you make me day! 

Love and hugs,

Karen

Vickie and Jackhope...my thoughts are with you both.  It's not as if you don't already have enough going on in your life to affect you.  Hugs...

Congrats to the 1/2 dozen of you that are finished!  I am so happy for you.  Cookie, thanks for poking in with your craziness to make us laugh.

Onty...WOOOOO HOOOO! You are almost done with your final week of rads and then you get to celebrate by getting that dratted port out!!!   I won't be able to get my port removed until late September or October 2010 due to the Herceptin.  I have to share with you that my second Zometa IV was COMPLETELY uneventful!!!   I was so so worried I would be slammed again, like I was with number 1.  But, #2 was negligible in terms of SE's! Needless to say, it was a rocking weekend.

I saw my Rad today and she said she has never seen a patient with such fast growing hair (while I don't believe her, it is amazing how liberating it is going coverless...and I swear my little hairs did their own boost this weekend as it seems everyone (including me) noticed that my hair is noticeably longer and fuller after the weekend? I wonder if hair grows in spurts, as it seemed to be on a lull there for about 2 weeks. I have about 1.5 inches now...  After last week's rads, I had a bit of a rash in the middle of my chest (weird?), but nada on the breast area.  I put Hydrocortizone on it and all cleared up by today.  My Rad inspected me today and said she could see no difference between one side and the other, and was surprised I have had 18 treatments.  Again, maybe she is just saying that, I don't know.  So far, so good...I am sure this week and next week will bring the SE that I am due... 18 full rads down with 8 full rads and 7 boosts left to go! But who's counting?

Hey Ladies.

10 down, 25 to go.  My breast is definitely darkening.  Having some fatigue.  But all in all doing well so far.  Even though I am really large breasted I have managed to go without a bra.  Anything to keep SEs to a minimal.

 Onty - congrats to being so close to the finish line.  I am so happy for you.  Not sure I would want that port, but really glad you are getting yours out real soon.

1L- you are also so close to finishing.  Congratulations. 

MaryNY- yes this is a combined thread.  Glad to have you hear.  There are several of us that are still at the beginning of rads.

Anita

Hi ladies, I started my rads January 25.  28 regular and 5 directly to the scar.  As of now, I have 21 done, but I am on a week-long break due to the condition of my skin.  Rad onc would not give me anything to put on my skin as a preventative as he said they WANT to see the skin react, that it shows it is working at a cellular level.  So after 2 weeks I started getting pink and asked for something.  They gave me a calendula lotion.  A week later on a Monday I realized the skin of my underarm was charred brown.  Since then I've been using Silvadene, again that's what I was given.  Last Thursday I was given Domeboro soaks (which I tried once and realized I didn't like, plus didn't like the idea of soaking my armpit in ALUMINUM after using non-aluminum deodorant all these years hoping to avoid BREAST CANCER!)  Went on break from Thursday on til yesterday (Monday).  Got a skin check and the burnt layer is coming off now, skin underneath looks healthy, but still on break til this Thursday.  They also gave me Vigilon gel pads to put on which are neat.  The good news in all this is that my mastectomy area and underarm are still numb, so I can only feel this awful soreness in about 10% of the radiated area.  Bad news is I still don't know what's best for my skin.  I had read about a few things on here (like emu oil) and when I asked the rad onc, he said, that's good for AFTER you heal from radiation, it's for moisturizing, that they like you to use the Silvadene because it's antibacterial.  SO, long story short, I've read lots of posts about what worked for people preventatively, but none on what worked AFTER your skin was burnt to a crisp.  Help?