MARCH 2010 Rads Group

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  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 911
    edited March 2010

    tic - are you taking your vit D at night?  If not, consider switching it to night - I've heard that it helps you sleep.

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  • MariannaLaFrance
    MariannaLaFrance Member Posts: 777
    edited March 2010
    tic- Were you diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency? My lab results came back from a panel my OB-GYN took, and I am low in Vitamin D. She wants me to start taking supplements and a prescription Vit D for a few weeks after RADS are over. 
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  • MariannaLaFrance
    MariannaLaFrance Member Posts: 777
    edited March 2010

    Anyone else been diagnosed with Vit D deficiency here? I won't begin supplementing until rads are over, but my levels were pretty low.

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  • Sugar77
    Sugar77 Member Posts: 2,138
    edited March 2010

    Hi - I asked my rads onc yesterday if it was okay for me to take Vitamin D through rads treatment. He said it was fine. I take 1,000 IU per day.  He doesn't want me taking supplements of Vitamin A, C, or E but he said a multivitamin is fine.

    Sherri 

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  • grama5
    grama5 Member Posts: 81
    edited March 2010

    My vit D count was 52.6 and dr said that was within the normal range but during rads she would like to see it at 60 or more. I am now taking 1000 IU aday plus my multi vit

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  • 3monstmama
    3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
    edited March 2010

    I would have to go UP in order to be deficient--I was at 13 the last time I was tested.  Someone on the boards said that was rickets level--alas, not being a child, rickets are not an option.  Anyrate, I am taking one a week Vit D--the heavy dose--plus the drops.  The drops are great, I must say--completely tasteless and not nearly as PITA at my giant calcium tabs.  I was told vit D was okay while on rads but nothing that constituted an antioxident like A, C or E.

    To whom ever asked, yes, monsters=kids and I have three of them 8, 10 and 12.  When I met with the therapist, she flat out told me "you will be tired so what is going to be your priority?"  Monsters RULE so I've been taking off work an hour early each day so I can give what energy I have to them and things we like to do together.  This means there is more cooking in my life which has always been something that helped me relax. My monsters have been great at being as supportive as kids can be--my boys are especially good at getting me to go out for a bike ride with them [this is part of my new excercise thing to avoid zap fatigue] and yelling encouraging words [its my first bicycle in about 30 years!].

    Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

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  • ATeamNana
    ATeamNana Member Posts: 464
    edited March 2010

    18 down and 15 to go....Yeah!  I'm the only one there when I go...7:30Am

    so no issues with other patients...also I have two Young ladies as techs so that is great also.

    My husb has a conference in Washington D.C. April 7 8 9....I get to tag along so

    I will have rads the 7th but will not on 8 & 9th....will be a nice break and when we get back I

    will have 7 to go.....So far no SE's.....

    Best to all!

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  • joanneasiata
    joanneasiata Member Posts: 719
    edited March 2010

    Number 5 i think tomorrow boy Ive lost count already what will happen the day after i might think I'm all done !!!!!!!!! Vitamin Dlevels , i have no idea I'm out in the sun heaps does that bring it up a bit, I'm also taking a multi and fish oil and gylcosimate(wrong spelling i know )  and some hair vitamin, all while doing Rads, i wonder if they are good to take i should ask them tomo

    JOJO

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  • Sugar77
    Sugar77 Member Posts: 2,138
    edited March 2010

    Jojo - I asked about Omega 3 (I think it's fish oil) and my rads onc said to avoid it. I asked about Biotin (it's a B Vitamin and not an antioxidant) for hair growth and he said that one was fine.  He just wants me to avoid any supplements that are considered antioxidants. Right now I'm taking: multivitamin, Vitamin D, Calcium/Magnesium and Biotin. 

    Sherri 

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  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited March 2010

    I wish the docs would be more clear about supplements.  I am also taking fish oil.  My doc never told me ANYTHING about what to take/not take, other than to take calcium and Vitamin D.

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  • Chevyboy
    Chevyboy Member Posts: 10,786
    edited March 2010

    Hi Gals....Hi Flo!  Sherri.....You mentioned your Doctor told you no Fish Oil with Omega 3...Did he mean to not take it during Radiation, or ever?  I'm finished with radiation, but started taking the Fish Oil with Omega 3, and VitD3, & a Multi-vitamin & Calcium when I started taking Tamoxifen about 2 months ago!   And txstardust...you are right!  I don't think the Doctor's could ever agree on anything about supplements!   I just read the posts, try what the gals say, & figure it out on my own.  Seems like all of us together, are better at figuring out what is good for us, & what isn't    Wink 

    Hey Flo!  Can you post a picture of little Max?   I think you sent me a picture once before, but I'm sure the rest of the gals would love to see him!  How fun you have a picture of him where you go!  You sound like you are going great!  Congratulations! Jeannette

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  • Raili
    Raili Member Posts: 435
    edited March 2010

    I'm confused about the supplements, too!  My naturopath has me taking a lot of antioxidant-rich stuff, and my rad. onc. has the list but didn't tell me to stop taking anything...

    I've had 5 radiation treatments now and am experiencing some swelling, and just today, some tenderness.  I'm in the middle of packing/preparing to move, and after a couple hours of carrying boxes - many of them held against my chest - my nipple, especially, started to hurt.  

    Other than that, I don't think any of the various aches, pains, and discomfort I'm feeling can necessarily be attributed to rads.  I think my sleeping problems are due to stress, ribcage soreness is due to extra yoga, etc.  It's so easy to blame every little pain or problem I have on rads, but there's so much else going on in my life right now, too.

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  • Irishmom
    Irishmom Member Posts: 52
    edited March 2010

    Happy Sunday to all.  I was also Vitamin D deficient - I take one pill a week before bed, 50,000 units - its a time release and lasts over the week.   I will do this for 3 months, retest and then if the levels are better - a smaller dose nightly is what I have been told.  I'm continuing with my 3 mile walk each day - sleep is better but only every other night.  I'm so afraid of Tamox - I hear so many complaining of sleeping problems - I dread it.  Back to rads tomorrow - the weekend is so great not having that appointment every day.  Hope everyone has a great week.

    Kathy

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  • MariannaLaFrance
    MariannaLaFrance Member Posts: 777
    edited March 2010

    My radiation onc just told me not to take any vitamin supplements or Omegas during radiation. I visit with him every Monday, so I intend to ask him about the Vitamin D supplement tomorrow. I am in agreement-- wish they would be more clear about it all.

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  • cabmom
    cabmom Member Posts: 388
    edited March 2010

    HI all....hope everyone is doing well.  WIll be doing #14 tomorrow and noticed a rash over the weekend.  I was hoping it would go away but seems to be worse tonight.  Does anyone else have a rash from treatment? 

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  • grama5
    grama5 Member Posts: 81
    edited March 2010

    cabmom

    I am at the same place as you # 14 tomorrow and this weekend is the first time I have been uncomfortable. Under my arm and above the scar from the node removal is really irritated and itchy. cortizone isn't touching it and I even tried neosporin. I work and cannot go without a bra and I know that isn't helping any.

    Flo

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  • CTMOM1234
    CTMOM1234 Member Posts: 633
    edited March 2010

    Had #15 on Friday and like grama5, I too am now having some uncomfortableness (and peeling) under my arm. Also collar bone/upper breast area is itchy and dr. said that it is common to have an area previous sunburned to have this and suggested a prescrip. similar to hydrocort. if I wanted it, but I'm holding off a bit longer.

    Love the feeling after Friday treatment is over and am sad to go back to zaps tomorrow through Friday as I fear the next few weeks aren't going to be as easy as the first 3, but as Dory says in Finding Nemo, "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming."

    Hang in there ya'll and at least I can look forward to  SLAM DUNKING the gowns!

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  • joanneasiata
    joanneasiata Member Posts: 719
    edited March 2010

    HI ALL

    SLAM DUNKED this morning # 5  i just feel like Ive been punched in the boob no redness, not yet any way ,worked today all day and heaps busy, I'm soo tired, feetare really sore i think i need another 2 hr massage what do you recon ? go for it ah, i think i might, maybe just a foot massage yeh ill go tomorrow. 

    Iasked the girls at rads about all the tabs and she said take only what i was taking for chemo and you know i Carnot remember what i was taking, oh boy my brain has gone on a holiday without me !!! how rude .

    JOJO

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  • cabmom
    cabmom Member Posts: 388
    edited March 2010

    grama5, thanks for the input.....I'm just hoping that they'll still give me radiation this morning....just want this over with :)!  Mine does itch but it's on the inside and underneath my breast.  The area around my scar is still just pink but not bad at all.  I think the EMU oil helps quite a bit with the redness and tenderness......thanks again.  Better run and see what they say.  I have the early appointment.  Hope everyone has a GOOD zapping day!

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  • Raili
    Raili Member Posts: 435
    edited March 2010

    Argh, I don't wanna go back today.  But I'll be getting zapped in 5.5 hrs.  My nipple hurts after only 5 treatments!

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  • June2268
    June2268 Member Posts: 1,202
    edited March 2010

    JOJO I also felt like that after 5 treatments ( like someone beat my breast ) and they said it was way to early to feel that way it could be my menses as I am getting closer to the menopause stage or an infection and she was leaning towards the infection ( come on really 1 breast only the radiated breast and not the other ) I swear they just don't like to hear any complaints........however I feel so much better after 7 treatments combined with the weekend off, so lets just hope it stays this way......I too wish the weekend wasn't over as I am off at 4:00 today for #8.....

    As all you lovely ladies put it HAPPY ZAPPING TO ALL!

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  • SW7
    SW7 Member Posts: 12
    edited March 2010

    Good Morning to all of you ,

     Just like many of you, I've learned quite a lot  about what my body can take going through RADS. The skin doesn't show effects until a week or so later ( like jet lag)  and it is cumulative so it gets worse as time goes on, as does the fatigue.

    The fatigue is funky - I can still lift 40 pound bags of wood pellets for the pellet stove but later in the day I zonk out on the couch, or just don't plain feel like doing housework but can sit and do a jigsaw puzzle. I have a low grade sore throat and cough- maybe a SE maybe because it is still cold season  I finally blistered and peeled my 5th week. Where the skin is thinnest ( above the breast) it will freckle and itch more much than anywhere else. My breast is lopsided too and sore and the pores are all "clogged" with sunburn . My incisions used to be rock hard but is finally softening up so someday I may not be  so anxious about future mamograms, My RAD Onc said the technician will be able to see any  new abnormalities through the scar tissue - I hope there won't be any more!

    I think I learned the most from my RAD Onc . He was very upbeat  my lung - he said if I keep up exercising  ( low impact and Yoga) I won't know I lost part of it from the RADS. I am seeing a  Naturopath tomorrow who is a 90 minute drive from me but I need more information to make a final decision on taking Femara when I am finished with RADS.

    Thanks so much for sharing what you have gone through. It seems we have many similar stories but most of all they are stories of hope.

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  • c2will
    c2will Member Posts: 91
    edited March 2010

    Finished - Done - Yay! 

    As happy as I am to be done, I was a little sad that I wouldn't see some of the technicians every morning - they were a nice group.  They didn't have a bell to ring, but they gave me a diploma.  They really made treatment as easy as they could.

    I med with the nurse and doctor.  I should expect to still have SEs for the next two weeks.  My skin has darkened, and is a little dry and itchy, but hasn't cracked or torn.  They advised to continue to care for my skin as I have been - lanolin, Dove soap for sensitive skin, and aluminum-free deodorant.

    The fatigue is better, but not completely gone.  We're driving to Virginia this weekend for a wedding, so it's a nice chance to visit with my husband's family.  I hope fatigue doesn't hit me too hard then.

    Good luck today to everyone.

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  • TreadSoftly
    TreadSoftly Member Posts: 192
    edited March 2010
    Carol/c2will - CONGRATULATIONS on finishing Rads!  I really like the idea of getting a diploma, i.e. you 'passed' your treatment and 'graduated' with honours!! Well done!   Laughing 
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  • fan2544
    fan2544 Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2010

    Also my congrats to Carol/c2will. Nice you had a very positive experience.

    I did too and my team was so supportive.

    Yes I am 6 days out but they are right the cumulative effect for SE follows when finished as I was pretty miserable  last week and hopefully better this week.  I know that everyone is different 'though.

    The weird part is as much as you want it over while you are doing it you feel like you are doing something to stop BC in its tracks. I did not expect to feel this way. Now I am in the "worry" stage again.

    I see the RAD ONC next week for checkup so will see if this is a natural reaction?  Any wise words ladies or maybe it is as they say maybe this too will pass!

    Happy Easter to all..................a long weekend and for those of you still soldiering on a welcome break!

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  • AndreaS97057
    AndreaS97057 Member Posts: 46
    edited March 2010

    Jojo, June, I am also feeling like the breast batterer visited me - my breast swelled up on Friday afternoon after I ran (because of the bouncing??) and didn't come back down for about 24 hrs.  I talked to the nurse today, and she didn't seem concerned. It certainly worried me that this was just the first week - will it get even bigger? more tender?

    Oh well.. I dragged myself through a perfectly miserable, blustery morning to the treatment center.  And the techs are so nice and friendly - they are definitely the ray of sunshine I need in this whole process.

    Congrats for being done C2will!  Keep that wonderful feeling of being done with you!

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  • 3monstmama
    3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
    edited March 2010

    Five down whatever to go.  Still no side effects.  As far as supplements are concerned, I was told no supplements as in a multi vit, a vit E or C or A but what is in my food is considered okay.  So no fish oil tabs with omega three BUT its okay to have flax seed in the granola.  Does that help anyone or just confuse them more?

    As far as tiredness, as counterintuitive as it may sound, I have felt the best after some exercise.  Now mind you, we aren't talking marathons here but on Friday and Saturday afternoons, I went bike riding with my boys --maybe 3 miles? at best--and after words I had so much energy.  I didn't crash like I have been.  I don't think that the crashing fatigue has been from rads [too early as far as I see it] but I think it is from the general stupidbreastcancer stress.  I was really amazed at how energetic I felt--I stayed up all the way to 11pm without feeling I was pushing [mind you, I have always been a night owl so when I am going to bed at 9:30pm, its an event].  Anyrate, no exercise yet today so we will see where we are by evening.

    Hey AndreaS, I'm in Seattle too.  Wasn't this morning crazy?  My husband insisted on waiting and then driving me to work [I've been walking to work post treatment] because it was raining so hard. Where are you getting treated in Seattle?  I'm at Swedish.

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  • MzJ
    MzJ Member Posts: 31
    edited March 2010

    Congrats c2will!!  

    Today I completed #21 of 30.   My underarm feels very chapped;  it's too uncomfortable to wear a bra.  The rad team suggested switching to Aquaphor; I was using 100% aloe vera gel. I called off work today but I've got to go back tomorrow, I hate to take more vacation time just to sit at home.   I plan on wearing a mans cotton undershirt and large oversized tops. I don't want to be all bouncy and nipply in the office! 

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  • 3monstmama
    3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
    edited March 2010
    MzJ, I have been wearing Hanes 100% cotton men's undershirts and no bra since I started rads.  I put them under all my shirts.  They are very soft--no rubbing at all.  I have to say, my boss has been #1 as far as accommodating.  I am very dressed down at work but no one cares so here I sit in my fleece pants and my hemp shirt with the white men's undershirt peeking out. . . .good thing I'm already married! Tongue out
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  • irish47
    irish47 Member Posts: 109
    edited March 2010

    SW7,

    What did you mean when you said that if you keep exercising the rad onc said you'' wouldn't know you lost part of it from the RADS''?

    Thanks 

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