January 2010 Rads Start

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  • DebbieSawyer
    DebbieSawyer Member Posts: 133
    edited March 2010

    ONE-L--- One more rad! We're all cheering for you!!!

    Crowd applause animated gif

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

    Cookie

    Is the redness becoming better? For me, the tanning is severe. I look like a burnt toast right now. Really. Just hoping it will return to normal in a few weeks.



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  • chinablue
    chinablue Member Posts: 545
    edited March 2010

    Does all this burning and redness hurt?  What are you gals doing to alleviate it?

    13 down 15 to go

    I am just a little pink. 

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  • AsiaYM
    AsiaYM Member Posts: 2,216
    edited March 2010

    28 down 5 boots to go!

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

    Doesn't really hurt but it sure irritates....



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  • grama5
    grama5 Member Posts: 81
    edited March 2010

    Hi, I'm finally back. I have been reading and keeping up with all of you, but now am finally back to where i was 2 months ago. Went through the set up and first tx today. Uneventful but the se's still scare me to death.

    Flo

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

    Debbie thank you so much for cheering me on to the finish line. 

     I am done!!!!!!!  It feels so good.

    China, I have not had any burning, blisters or anything.  I am red and slightly tanned.  I am told that it will continue to affect the skin after the treatments are over, so I guess if I am going to burn and blister, there is still time. 

    Flo, I know we are all  different, maybe you wont burn as bad as you think.  Good luck  to you on this part  of the journey.

    This was so much easier than chemo.

    Hope everyone is having a great evening.

    Juannelle

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

    One-L, congrats!!!

    Yeah rads are definitely easier than chemo...





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

    Onty, you know when you start this journey, it seems like everything slows down and it takes forever to get from one treatment to another.  When the end of treatments finally comes, it is hard to believe that you are actually finished.  I am not in let down mode yet.  I don't think I will worry because the treatments are over or feel like I should still be doing something.  I am ready  to move on.  I just don't know what I will do with all the spare time.  I know one thing I am doing, I am taking my grandson to the museum on Friday and have a day of celebration.

    Juannelle

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  • SoCalDawn
    SoCalDawn Member Posts: 51
    edited March 2010
    I am in my 4th week and slightly over 1/2 way done (as in treatments, not on the "cooking scale" Wink I had some initial skin reactions early but they kind of "plateaued". I am very "strawberry pink" and incision sites are bright red. I have had a bit of the itchy, bumpy rash on my chest between my breasts that is doing well with the hydrocortizone. I am getting a bright red line and some itch in the crease below the breast that we are watching closely. I have cut squares of soft cotton from an old t-shirt to place there to minimize skin friction and the chance for moisture to create a yeast infection. (as per Dr suggestion). Good lord, didn't imagine that little issue! LOL The most uncomfortable part, for me, has been the swelling and that has been managed with ibuprofen. I am hoping not to have too bad of SE's and continue with hydrocortizone in the itchy parts and aloe/calendula everywhere. It is harder to get up and get going in the morning the last couple of days and I am knocking out earlier at night but as long as I stay moving during the day I am fine. The 30 mins of exercise daily definitely helps.  My initial fear has been relieved and much of that has to do with the ladies here. I do realize I may have more SE's later but all is very bearable now.  
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  • SoCalDawn
    SoCalDawn Member Posts: 51
    edited March 2010

    Congrats One-L!!! Onward and upward. Enjoy the museum and your time with your grandson! Celebration, indeed!

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  • DaylilyFan
    DaylilyFan Member Posts: 80
    edited March 2010

    I think Debbie asked what our next step would be after rads.  I started tamoxifen several days ago, so far, so good, no SE except a little discharge.  I am now going to vent re insurance on the gripe board....

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  • precioustime
    precioustime Member Posts: 233
    edited March 2010

    Congrats One-L-- I remember you posting on this board that you were jealous of the one's that completed their rad treatments-- now I'm jealous of you!  LOL

    This evening -- I will only have 4 more to go out of 33!!  Thank you God!! It seems like it is getting harder to get on that table and get zapped while the skin is red, incision line bright red and rash on the upper middle of my chest.  The nurse told me on Monday to no longer use Aquaphor and to just use Silvadene and a mesh that I place on my upper chest at night--it's a Petrolatum Dressing--not sure what's in it?  I still have itching on the upper chest and may go back to using Hydrocortizone 10 on it? 

    My Rad oncologist said that I am different than a lot of breast cancer patients because they use the TOMO machine on me and that they use a bollus trying to treat me as if I had skin cancer!!!  So-- I guess they do want the skin to react.... 

    I have also had a BMX without reconstruction -- after surgery I had such a tightness feeling around my chest that felt like I was wearing a steel bra that got better with time-- now I am having some more tightness in the radiated area!! I'm guessing it's more scar tissue build up?  I mentioned to the Rad Oncologist that I would like her to send me to PT where I can learn to break up this scar tissue and get a better range of motion in my rt. arm where they took out all the lymph nodes and where they are also radiating me.  She commented to me that she didn't want me to over do it because she wouldn't want my chest wall to break open!!!  What does that mean??? 

    I'm sorry ladies for venting-- I am usually a very positive person-- and I know that the end of treatments is really near and Thank God I have gotten through quite well considering.  Maybe I'm just getting tired of Dr. Visits? 

    Loretta

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  • AsiaYM
    AsiaYM Member Posts: 2,216
    edited March 2010

     One-L- Congrats!

    29 down 4 to go!  My skin tanned, warm and little tender. Used aloe gel and Aquaphor twice a day.

    Picked up my Tamoxifen today, onc doc said to take it right after radiation treatments completed, I am ready.

    Loretta- We are going to finish on the same time!  WOW!  I am dancing......

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  • Scoobydoo
    Scoobydoo Member Posts: 499
    edited March 2010

    Congratulations 1L!!!!!  That is so exciting. 

    18 down 17 to go!  Well I am over the half way mark.  So far just tenderness and soreness.  My breasts are darker and red.  I am managing.  I sure do not want to blister.  Because I am a large chested woman my rad onc thinks I will definitely have some blistering under my breast.  I, like 1L, have not worn a bra throughout the entire rad txts.  I think it would be a lot worse if I had not done this.

    Anita

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

    Anita, it feels good to at least reach the 1/2 way mark doesn't it?  Glad you are doing well.  I am still being lucky about the blistering and burning.  I know I can still have some but am hoping I am the lucky one.

    Karen and Loretta, boy you will both finish next week.  It is such a big accomplishment and one more thing we don't have to worry  about.

    daylilyfan, I sent my prescription off yesterday for Arimidex.  I am not looking forward to it, but I will do it.  I am also having to take Actonel for osteopenia.  I guess it could be worse.

    socaldawn, I am looking forward to  spending the day with the little guy.  He is so much fun and he just loves museums.

    Hoping everyone has a great Friday and then moves on to a fantastic weekend.  Rest up

    Juannelle

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  • SoCalDawn
    SoCalDawn Member Posts: 51
    edited March 2010

    Anita,

    I am also large chested and my rad techs strongly recommended a cut up old t-shirt or similarly really soft cotton fabric placed under the breast to eliminate skin to skin contact. Also, making sure the area is completely dry after a shower by using a blow dryer on cool setting before aloe and calendula and "airing out" as much as possible. I also use a little corn starch in that crease for extra measure. I started to get a red line there and some itching but since I started the above routine, it hasn't gotten any worse. I just finished #19 or 34 today. For me, I experience more gravity-related tenderness if I go all day with a bra. I am using a sports bra that is one size too big and placing the cotton pieces. So far, so good. The PMS weeks, however, is a different story due to the swelling. Ibuprofen helps.  Cheers to all!

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  • Scoobydoo
    Scoobydoo Member Posts: 499
    edited March 2010

    Thanks SoCalDawn.  I will try the soft pieces of cotton.  Also the blow dryer idea is good and I will try that as well.  PMS...hmmmm.....I havent had my period since I started chemo back in 9/09. 

    1L - yes it does feel good being 1/2 way done!!!  I sure hope you are the lucky one as well. 

    Yay its Friday and that means I get the weekend off from rads.  It is so nice to get up on Sat morning and not have to drive to radiation.

    Happy Friday ladies! 

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  • precioustime
    precioustime Member Posts: 233
    edited March 2010

    Today will be 30 down and 3 to go!  YAY

    Feeling a little tightness around the rib cage area and upper chest.  Still applying Silvadene all over as well as using the Petrolatum mesh at night.  I'm so excited for the weekend!!!! 

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

    Ladies, I haven't been on here for a few days since I finished my last treatment 2 weeks ago and was doing quite well.  That is UNTIL my 1 year old decided to SCRATCH off all the damaged, burnt skin off my radiation/mastectomy site as she was trying to claw her way down. YOWWWWSERS!  Now I have all this fresh, pink, raw skin underneath.  Any suggestions for it?  Even aloe vera stings it right now.

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  • sanaisa
    sanaisa Member Posts: 167
    edited March 2010

    Love to pop in here and see how everyone's doing.  I am so happy for our board founder, Onty, to be FINISHED! Same to Weety and OneL...you guys keep me motivated.  Had my first boost yesterday...(6 left and am finished).  Rad said that the dosage was 200 in the targeted area, and that the first 26 I had to the breast/underarm were 180.  I did count the revolutions of the TomoTherapy machine...it was 10 (for the boost) rather than the prior 17 (for the whole breast area).  Definitely tender and skin is a good pink.  Rad said I am doing remarkably well and didn't want to Rx me anything saying that whatever I am doing is working (somehow that wasn't a relief to hear, as I am pretty tender...I cannot sleep on my tummy).  I just use the hydrocortizone cream after treatments and then at night after my shower, I put more hydrocortizone cream on, then slather with Calamine and get the dryer out.  So far no blisters, etc.  But I am not holding my breath as it is very tender.  Rad said that the whole breast pink hue should start to fade in a week.  Not sure I am buying that...we'll see.

    hugs...

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

    weety, ouch, that sounds like it hurts.  Sorry I don't have any suggestions for you.  Good luck

    sanaisa, you are almost done.   My skin is still doing very well and it hasn't changed since I finished last Wednesday.  So I am hoping that I don't have any big skin issues.  It sounds like  you are also doing very well.  Hope it stays that way for you.

    Juannelle

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  • AsiaYM
    AsiaYM Member Posts: 2,216
    edited March 2010

    Wink Getting to finishing line!  3 more to go!

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

    Dear Sanaisa

    So nice to hear from you. Before you know it the rads will all be over for all of us. I just hope the skin discoloration and other issues go away soon for those unfortunate enough to get these problems.



    Good nite all.



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

    Discoloration becoming better already!!! I can probably wear a low neck dress now. Not real skimpy swim suits though.



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  • precioustime
    precioustime Member Posts: 233
    edited March 2010

    one-L-- So happy you slid right through your Rad treatments without any issues:) 

    weety-- All I can say is ouch!!

    unkleszwifeonty- Happy for you too!!

    karen--it looks like we are going to cross the finish line together!!

     I'm a little fatigued and am going to drag myself back to the table tonight -BUT on Wednesday evening-- I am going to ring that bell like no one has ever rang that bell before and I'm going to say "NO MORE CANCER"  "NO MORE CANCER"  " NO MORE CANCER"!    How many of you believe in the power of the tongue?  I DOSmile

    Wishing all of you the Best!

    Loretta

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  • AsiaYM
    AsiaYM Member Posts: 2,216
    edited March 2010

    Loretta-  I am with you, no more cancer, no more cancer and " no more cancer" yeah! Wink

    31 down 2 more to go!  I am so excited!

    Love and hugs,

    Karen

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  • grama5
    grama5 Member Posts: 81
    edited March 2010

    I am trailing behind you girls so far, I feel left out. 4 down 29 to go when i should have been finished and healed by now

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  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,786
    edited March 2010
    Hi Flo!  So good to see you back!  I know it's going to be a long haul, & not really any fun at all, but the women on this thread, have all gone through it too!  I think about you all the time.. You have come this far, & I commend you!  I know you were reluctant to do this....Just hang in there kiddo!  Jeannette
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  • precioustime
    precioustime Member Posts: 233
    edited March 2010

    grama5- Hang in there!  I always think that timing is perfect!! 

    karen- After today we only have 1 more to go!  YAHOO

    The RAD Oncologist saw me yesterday for my weekly check-up and asked if I had pain pills at home and if so TO TAKE THEM!  Well Pain Pills are helpful BUT they create another issue that we all know about.  I guess I will take 1/2 pill at night to sleep:)  She said that in about 1 week after RADS my skin should start getting better.  YEAH!!!  The techs gave me some of those pretty pink tops we get to wear during RADS to take home and wear while my skin is sensitive and I am so ready to wear something else with a little more style:) 

    I feel like I use to in highschool when you had to run a mile around a track and right when you  were almost at the finish line you felt like you couldn't go anymore-- BUT because you were running with other classmates - YOU pushed yourself to reach the finish line and was soooo happy when you did!  Well-- This journey has been like running a race and I'm nearing the end and physically ready to call it quits HOWEVER-- because of ladies like all of you running this race with me- I AM GOING TO FINISH! 

    One of my favorite scriptures: Deuteronomy 31:6 -- Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. 

    BIG CYBER HUGS TO ALL!

    Loretta

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