January 2010 Rads Start

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  • precioustime
    precioustime Member Posts: 233
    edited March 2010

    It's been 1 week post RADS-- I am peeling and a bright red.  It seems like I may be turning the corner as of today!  I don't feel as fatigued and my chest is not burning as bad!!  I am still applying Silvadene which does not want to stay on the skin very well, not sure why?   

    I have a Check-Up appointment with the Oncologist this Thursday for blood work and to prescribe me my 5 yr. hormone therapy drug.  I am so looking forward to a Wonderful Spring/Summer with my guys who have put their lives also on hold during my treatments!!!  I am going to Live each Day as the Cancer is Gone and it's "NOT" going to return!

    Take care ALL!  Keep lotioning, praying and putting one foot in front of the other:)  

    Loretta 

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  • sanaisa
    sanaisa Member Posts: 167
    edited March 2010

    Finished today...two days behind schedule as the TomoTherapy machine had "issues" last week.  Amazing, all the pink and SE abated with the cessation of the full rads (I was getting worried).  The seven boosts were much easier and allowed the skin to heal...of course, I am sure the two day break in there helped, too!  Hope all are doing well... 

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  • Scoobydoo
    Scoobydoo Member Posts: 499
    edited March 2010

    Hi Ladies.

    Wow how time flies. Okay well tomorrow is my last full rad.  Boy my underarm is soooooo painful.  Its almost totally black and it is difficult to lift my arm up.  I have been using XClaire and the steroid with aquaphor.  I have started peeling underneath my breast, but that actually does not hurt nearly as bad as under the arm.  The pain is crazy, but still better than chemo.

    Friday I start the first of 7 boosts.  So hopefully my underarm area will heal quickly.  Its weird that the skin there is still intact but it is the most painful area.

    Congratulations to all the ladies who have finished rads!!!!  That is so awesome.

    Anita

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

    Loretta, I hope you round the corner soon and all is well.

    sanaisa, I think it does made a difference when you have a break during the boosts.  The machine 2 days in a row in what should have been my last week.  I did not burn, blister or peel.  Congratulations on being done.

    Anita, you are just about to get to the finish line.  Congratulations.  You are  right about the rads being  so much easier than chemo.  Hope all goes well for your boosts.

    Juannelle 

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  • yogamommy
    yogamommy Member Posts: 115
    edited March 2010

    Juanelle - thank you for your kind words. My husband is being worse than I could have imagined so, even though I am also an attorney, I hired one so she could just deal with this situation for me. He hadn't called his daughter for 2 weeks till I sent a scathing enail, and he definitely won't talk to me.



    Yes Karen - definitely streatching. Thank you!!



    Well - I have 3 more rads and then 5 boosts. The pain is crazy, and I started Vicodin this week. I think radiation is so much worse than I expected, but it might be because I am working full time and am now a single parent.



    Congrats to all who are done.

    xo Vickie

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  • yogamommy
    yogamommy Member Posts: 115
    edited March 2010

    Anita -

    Was it hard to convince the docs to give you rads? We have similar stats, I see. The rad oncs were conflicted but I was not! Just wondering.

    Be well

    Vickie

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  • Scoobydoo
    Scoobydoo Member Posts: 499
    edited March 2010

    Hi Vickie.

    Actually no.  It was part of the original plan that was discussed with me with my oncologist. I just didnt know how many I would get.  Wow we have very similar stats.  I can not believe your rad oncs were conflicted about this especially since you are triple neg.

    Glad you were able to convince them to have it done.  My underarm and under breast area is pretty painful as well.  I have started to use domesboro (sp?) and that is helping.

    Anita

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

    Lots of skin peeling off now. I can see my orig skin underneath!!!



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  • chinablue
    chinablue Member Posts: 545
    edited March 2010

    Anyone experiencing fat necrosis due to radiation?

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  • MaryNY
    MaryNY Member Posts: 1,584
    edited March 2010

    Chinablue: how would you recognize fat necrosis? My incision is around my areola and that area has changed to a kind of tawny color.

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  • chinablue
    chinablue Member Posts: 545
    edited March 2010
    The following are symptoms of fat necrosis: scar tissue in the form of a breast lump that is firm, round, or movablea painless breast lump if the injury is oldbreast pain or bruising of the skin if injury is recent I found a lump (after mx/diep surgery, chemo, during radiation).  I had an ultrasound and the doctor is thinking it is fat necrosis.  To get a definitive answer, I will have a biopsy on Monday.  I an crossing my fingers that is all it is.
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  • one-L
    one-L Member Posts: 1,110
    edited March 2010

    chinablue,  I will  be thinking of you Monday as you get your biopsy.  Let us  know as soon as you find out the results.

    Juannelle

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

    China

    Good luck for biopsy.

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

    Just an fyi for all, DH and I have been doing "facials" on the treated boob and the color is becoming more normal slowly. Using aquaphor and/or any light moisturing cream, massaging it on the breast and then wiping off with a cloth tissue. The most darkening is under the breast now.



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  • Scoobydoo
    Scoobydoo Member Posts: 499
    edited March 2010

    Unfortunately I am suffering from major peeling under my arm and breast.  I am now on percocet for the pain.  I had my first of 7 boosts today.  My skin is so tight under my arm and it is really painful to stretch my arm. Ugh I hate cancer!!!!!

    Anita

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  • precioustime
    precioustime Member Posts: 233
    edited March 2010

    Scoobydoo-- Sorry you are having pain and tightness.

    They told me that RADS causes more scar tissue build up and that's why I experienced tightness in my chest and under my arm.  I am going to go to PT starting tomorrow to work on this and get a better Range of Motion in my arm.

    My skin is doing better today.  I am seeing new skin and my burn is no longer a bright red!! 

    The RAD oncologist said that RADS are accumulative so it takes about 2 weeks for skin to start healing and we are about right on track !!

    I still have a cough from RADS but that is also getting better! 

    Wishing all of you Ladies a speedy Recovery!!

    Loretta

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

    Anita,

    Sorry to hear that you are experiencing issues with rads. I'm hopeful your issues will resolve just like I'm hopeful mine will.



    Love



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  • Scoobydoo
    Scoobydoo Member Posts: 499
    edited March 2010

    Thanks Onty and Loretta.  I sure do wish this would quickly resolve itself. It is quite painful.  At least I am now on boosts so hopefully my underarm should heal.  They will check me everyday to make sure I can do the boost.  I will get #2 out of 7 today.

    Loretta- so the tightness is scar tissue???  Hmmmm. No one told me that.  I thought it was because of the burn.  I see my PT on Monday.  So at least that is good....no not really because she hurts!!  I hope you heal and feel better soon.

    Onty- You are definitely on the road to healing.  Are you in any pain?  I thought your rads were pretty uneventful.  I would have been more fearful of the txt had I known I could burn the way I have.  Yes, I hope you heal quickly as well!!

      

    Anita

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  • chinablue
    chinablue Member Posts: 545
    edited March 2010

    Oh ladies that are experiencing pain/skin problems, I am sending you virtual hugs.  Let the healing begin!  

    Tomorrow is my last rad!  I will also hear back about my biopsies.  Crossing my fingers. 

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  • Scoobydoo
    Scoobydoo Member Posts: 499
    edited March 2010

    China I am hoping for the best with regards to your results!  Congrats on finishing rads today!

    Anita

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  • yogamommy
    yogamommy Member Posts: 115
    edited March 2010

    China- praying for excellent results for you.



    Anita - we sure do have similar stats. I went to major NYC hospitals and there was still disagreement regarding rads. Ridiculous.



    Anyway - I am also having the side effects you are. My underarm is black and the entire area has peeled and is fire engine red and painful!! For 3 of the main treatments, they took off the bolus, and I was also on pain meds - Vicodin.



    I have boost 2 of 5 today. Actually, I am going soon so I can get back and spend the day with my 3 year old. :)

    Vickie

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  • Scoobydoo
    Scoobydoo Member Posts: 499
    edited March 2010

    Vickie - I can feel your pain...literally.  Have you tried domesboro?  You can buy it over the counter.  In just a couple of days it has really dried up the painful area under my arm.  I soak gauze bandages in the warm mixture and then apply the gauze to the burn areas 3-4 times per day.  It has made a huge difference!!!!  My arm is still tight but at least the excruciating pain has diminished.  It is just a little sore now.  BTW - you are right that is so ridiculous.  Rads is a no brainer for women with our stats.  Unbelievable!  Wow you have a 3 year old.  I dont know how you ladies with small children do it.  I have a 16 year old daughter and believe me she was a handful at 3.  Enjoy your day with your little one.

    Today was day 3 boost of 7.  I am almost finished with rads and am really happy about that. 

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

    Ladies,

    Have you been taking  one multi-vitamin a day after you finishing rad.?  It will help to recover faster.

    Done with rad on March 17 and been taking multi-vitamin since, don't have any big issue, just today, it starts to peel off and show normal healthy skin.

    Sorry, haven't  been posting lately, went to see my new granddaughter in another state, now I have 3 grandkids!  I am a proud Grammy!

    Karen

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  • yogamommy
    yogamommy Member Posts: 115
    edited April 2010

    Anita -

    I will try the domesboro, thank you.  I am so happy to have only 3 boosts left.  On the other hand, with being TN, it feels crazy and scary to not have any treatment after rads.  Having a 3 year old is tough in many ways.........I pray each day that God lets me see her grow up for as many years as possible.  It is not that I'm pessimistic, but that she is just so very young.

    Peace,

    Vickie

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  • yogamommy
    yogamommy Member Posts: 115
    edited April 2010

    I have an off-topic question..........is anyone here on Zometa?   If yes, do you have any side effects?

    I am on the Zometa arm of the bisphosphonate trial.  I feel tingling in my back almost every day, really.  After reading about side effects, I see that the tingling is not common - but not that uncommon.

    Is anyone experiencing joint/bone pain?  If so, where?

    Thank you

    Vickie

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

    Vickie

    I'm on zometa arm too but I have no issues.



    Love

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  • chinablue
    chinablue Member Posts: 545
    edited April 2010

    Vickie

    I am also on the Zometa trial.  I have had no real side effects.  Although, my back itches a couple times a day.  Come to think about it, I think it started around the time I started the Zometa.  It is very very very mild.  Nothing really.  However, I have never had back itches before. Hmm.

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  • precioustime
    precioustime Member Posts: 233
    edited April 2010

    VICKIE and CHINABLUE- I'm not on Zometa but have had my back itch a little because of Radiation.  Radiation goes all the way through the back in some areas.  I could be different because of the areas I got radiated.  

    SCOOBYDOO - I  have been to PT twice and both physical therapists have confirmed that you can definitely get scar tissue build up from RADS.  I am 2 weeks and 2 days post RADS and was told to do light stretches to break up chest wall scar tissue since they can not massage the skin area right now.  It is feeling better:)

    Take Care Ladies.

    Loretta

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  • chinablue
    chinablue Member Posts: 545
    edited April 2010

    I finished rads!! Yahoo!

    I know everyone is different, but when does the skin calm down?  I have burning and redness, nothing that biafene and motrin can't handle.  Just wondering what I should expect.

    Thanks Ladies. 

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

    Yea for chinablue, you made it to the finish  line.  I am not one to ask about when the skin calms down, I never really had any trouble in that department.  Enjoy your free time.

    Juannelle 

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