MARCH 2010 Rads Group
Comments
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Hi ladies, I managed to get the first boost today after yesterday's ordeal. It was a crowded room with two special guests: the physicist and the planner, in addition to the regular technicans and a "head" technician. I asked them if this was a surprise party for my birthday (coming on April 26th). Geez...when I was on the table they were all looking over and I said I felt like I was on an episode of House. In all seriousness, I was very glad and felt reassured the physicist and planner were there to make sure the new "plan" worked with my anatomy.
So far my skin's holding up fine with no blisters. I am red and it's a brownish colour under my armpit over by my sentinel biopsy scar. I'm doing a saline compress right now (...I know too much information). Four more boosts and I'm done!!!
I hope everyone has a nice day.
Sherri
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Hi Sherri (Sugar77) . Just wanted to say glad things got sorted & happy the "hired guns" came out to help out with all this. Glad to hear you are also holding up and holding on.
Congrats to all those almost finished and those who are finished!
To everyone else remember there is an end in sight to all this.
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Hi ladies, today was boost #4, just 4 more to go....... I really cant wait to finish at this stage, my patience is just waring thin! I find the boosts take longer to set me up/align the lazers to the tatoos etc, or maybe Im just getting really impatient.... Since I went back to work, I REALLY hate going in for Rads every day, it just reminds me that Im still a patient......sigh....
Congrats to all the ladies who have finished.....!
Welcome perfect4, I understand what you mean when you say you wish you found this board 5 months ago, I felt very isolated during chemo too... its great to come here and know you are not alone...!
Counting down the days.....
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ARRGG! This is my third attempt at posting this - maybe it will work this time, keeping my fingers crossed and holding my breath.
Flo - your dog sounds adorable. It must be fun to bring him along to your appts.
Sherri - so glad to hear everything went well with your boost! Your ALMOST done! Yeah!
Tomorrow is my half-way point. It sure is going fast...May 7th will be here before I know it!
Has anyone seen any posts from Raili? She was having such a hard time with rads, I hope she is doing ok and didn't give up on her treatments.
Perfect4 - Welcome! We are pretty close in our treatment schedules. I'm scheduled for 25 + 5 boost, so hopefully I'll finish May 7th. Hope you are doing well with your rads and don't have any SE's.
I hope everyone has a nice evening.
Liz
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Hi All!
I finished rads last Friday (Apri 9) and my collar bone skin split open on Sunday.
It was so sore since EVERYTHING that touched it was irratating it.
I put some RX Flamazine (Silver Sulfadine) cream on it for a few days and it seemed to help a bit but then I started putting Polysporin and covering it with a mepore dressing (soft white cloth type since the plastic ones give me blisters) and that has really made a difference.
FYI - The Pharmacist told me that the Flamazine (Silver Sulfadine) cream is only good for 10 days from the day you open it. I guess that's why the rad onc gave me a 3-peat on the RX!
I still have lots of dark colour from my underarm to my ribs (kind of like the bottom of a red wine bottle cork) but so far that area seems to settle with just Lubriderm 3 -4 times a day.
I did the saline compresses around my 4th week of rads but
To make your own just boil 1 litre of water, remove it from heat, add 1 tbsp of table salt, stir and let stand until room temperature. Pour some on to a clean soft facecloth or gauze and apply to affected area.
I used to make the saline solution the night before for the next day and kept it in a clean container with lid.
I too don' t get why this works when salt water from the ocean always dried out my skin and made it itchy!
It's good to see that most of you are coming to the end of your zaps and moving on.
Happy Zapping or Healing to you!
Marie
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Hey Flo! You are almost done! Congratulations girl! I knew you could do it! I think Max helped you a lot....Ha! Can you post a picture again of him? I know you sent me one once, but I lost it!
You have almost MADE it! xoxoxoxoxo
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ANOTHER WEEK DOWN! I go in at 3:30 today, and I'm so happy to cross this week off my list!
So, I had a really red breast, especially underneath. I put my aloe vera gel on there, and it didn't seem to do much.
I pinched off real aloe vera from my plant, and overnight the redness went away. Hmmm, thinking that the juice from the plant must be more potent. Today, no itchiness, no redness!!
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Marianna: my onc nurse said not to use the aloe vera underneath the breast (in the fold). It's important to keep that area dry as if it's sweaty and damp, it's more likely that the skin will become irritated. I used cornstarch there. Onc said to apply cornstarch frequently, suggested every time I used the bathroom. I did that, and did not have any problems.
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Another week down! And only one more to go. Yipee. My skin will be happy for the break this weekend - I'm feeling pretty cooked. Sorry to hear about your skin crack, Marie. Sounds painful, and just when you think you're done with this and it can only get better. Ugh.
This 4th week seemed exceptionally long for me.. I'm cutting back on work to help keep calm and comfortable (I had a little meltdown on Wednesday when I swelled up like a balloon again).. I'm lucky that I can do this although all that work doesn't get done by someone else.. it just waits for me to come back. And I'm pretty tired of doing so little - it's not like me. So I'm starting to make a plan for the "new me" when I'm done with this -- I'm reading a book called "The Happiness Project" where the author makes a plan to bring more happiness into her already pretty good life with small simple steps, and charts and check marks (perfect for an science-geek like me) over a year. Might be a good thing for me to try with the goal of reducing stress and becoming a calmer person.
It's a long ,slow slog to the end.. but we're all getting there...
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Looking like a rainy weekend here in Mass but I am looking forward to the weekend and knowing today is the end of double digits for me and looking forward to the end......
I will be toasting all you fine ladies with my usual Friday night glass of wine.....congrats to all who are done with rads and those of you who have moved onto Boosts, the end is near.....YEAH!!!!
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VENT ALERT Today is one of those can only go up from here days. I dropped my jacket running for the train---was pretty sure I dropped it on the platform either where I swiped my pass or just got on. A kind person let me use their cell phone to call home on the train as we pulled away and I specifically said "go now" and "go to the platform, thats where I dropped it" Mind you, at the time I called, there wasn't going to be another train for 15 minutes AND we live minutes from the train. So I get to work and the message from DH is "well we looked all around, we didn't go on the platform but we looked all around where I dropped you off and we didn't find it sorry, going running now, bye."
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!
Of course, it was a fleece jacket and since its now spring, I can't even try to replace it until fall... even though if we do any camping this summer or nighttime outdoor things I will really miss having it....GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH
See what I mean about only go up from here? A petty part of me wants to tell him "No I'm not buying you more stupid toe socks for your running, that part of the budget is being applied to MY NEW JACKET!!!!!" but inevitably he will say its all my fault for dropping it. Rant Over. . . .at least on paper, inside I'm still seathing.
In other worlds, yesterday's hooky day was nice particularly since my most excellent highly competent lead rad guy was back and it was sunny and I got to go to the cancer support group for knitters and I got to go to the bookstore. And I am now 17 down with only 16 to go. Yippee.
By the way for those with complications, my ZapNurse said on weekends--Friday and Saturday nights-- I could use stuff like neosporin or calendula oil so long as it was well washed off on Monday. I had a lot of redness under my breast last Friday, I put neosporin on it as well as calendula oil over the weekend and by Monday it was good.
One thing I am doing which I think really helps me is not wearing a bra at all. Instead I got 2 packs of mens 100% cotton undershirts and I wear those under everything. For some of the shirts I tore the neck binding off so that it looks more "trendy punk" under certain work shirts than lazy slob. That seems to help with releasing flashy heat as well as protecting and cutting down on rubbing. I do use the cornstarch during the day but the big thing I do at night is just wear the undershirt t-shirt around the house from the time I get home. I can't go topless as I have 3 monsters and that would make too much information for the next parent-teacher conference. A fashion plate I am not but I think I am getting more air than if I were better dressed.
Happy Friday to all!
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Gotta' head off to my Friday zap so haven't read previous posts yet, but did want to wish everyone a VERY HAPPY FRIDAY (and zap-free weekend).
This will be an especially sweet FRIDAY SLAM DUNK as I then have only 1 more -- Monday is my final zap (it'll be boost #5 of 5, total treatment #30 of 30).
I'm fighting back the happy tears just typing this post. Good luck everyone!
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CTMOM1234.......I know what you mean. Tuesday will be my last day and I get all teary just thinking about semi getting my life back. I know I still have bone scans, mammos, ultra-sounds and doctor visits to go but they're not EVERYDAY so that will be really nice.
AndreaS.....thanks for the insight on the book. I think I'll buy it. I love to read plus I need something to help me become less stressed and more calm. Thanks!!!!
Hope everyone else has a wonderful ZAP-FREE weekend.......
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Today is the first day in over 6 weeks that I have worn my bra and prothesis. I have a soft cloth dressing over my collar bone split and I tucked a piece of kleenex between the band of my bra and the top of my ribs. What a difference it makes!
Not only does it feel good - comfy - I look good which makes me feel good too!
Have a great weekend!
Marie
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BTW - I wore men's undershirts the whole 6 weeks of rads. I tried the ladies ones but the underarms were too high and the front and back necklines irritated me.
I got some mens' undershirts from The Gap (2 pack I think - grey heather and black) which were very comfy but I'm sure you could find them for less $ at Sears or other department store chains.
The mens undershirts are lower cut under the arms and neck but high in the back. This really worked for me since my back got a bit dried out from the back zaps and the higher back did not rub on the worst part around my shoulder blades.
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Happy Friday everyone!
I finished #15 today! Whoo Hoo! Half way there! My Chest feels a little burned today, I hope it will go away during the weekend. I'm also feeling really tired today and am trying to convince myself to go for a walk outside or at least get on my treadmill for awhile. I would much rather be a couch potato today but know a workout will make me feel better. OK - I'm going to go change into my workout clothes before I change my mind.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
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Hello all - Hope everyone has a great weekend and gets lots accomplished not having a daily appointment every day. I finished my 28th treatment today - I have 8 boosts left and them its onto tamoxifen. I slammed dunk'd that robe in honor of every woman out there. Chat soon
Kathy
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I had boost #2 today...three more to go and I'm done. Since I'm hormone negative there's nothing else available to me for treatment afterward. I"m getting itchy but it's manageable. Today I'm really tired. My plan is to get lots of sleep this weekend.
Sherri
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I like that idea, Sherri - naps are our friend!
Marie, glad you're able to wear your bra/prosthesis again.
I finished my regular rads today, next week is 5 boosts then I'm FINISHED! They painted on the markings really heavily so it doesn't completely wear off over the weekend. It's like I have a big bullseye on my boob! I can't wait for this to be OVER!
Everyone have a fabulous weekend!
Peace to all,
Shelby
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Kathylev and June2268, I had a scratchy throat my first week and the doc told me I was nervous and my throat got dry but it fact it happened four of the five first treatments. They told me the treatment was no where near my throat. My back right behind my arm is now hurting, I'm sure they'll tell me it has nothing to do with treatment. I'm sure it does, just as I was sure the throat did. I believe they have more to learn about the affects of this treatment.
I just had my 18th treatment on Friday. I was really tired this week and found myself not being able to deal with work issues. I can't wait for May 7th.
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Why such a long break between diagnosis and radiation?
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I saw your reference to zappy flash. I put off a ton of heat since radiation started but run hot normally. None of my medical team mentioned anything about it. Is it pretty common and does any one know why?
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Anyone notice an increase in hot flashes with the radiation? I notice it in the first few hours after I get up, but not during the rest of the day
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Thanks Liz...glad to be here. Well...sorta anyway! My last day is supposed to be May 10th. My foob is blotchy/tan right now that I can't even imagine what is will look like in 3 weeks! My other is white...so this should be quite a sight by the end! It is actually going faster that I thought it would....I feel like my past 7 months since my double mastectomy are a blur.....I am just getting a little tired of driving some 45 miles roundtrip for a 10 min, zap! Otherwise.....I can't complain. Well...I COULD....but I won't. I would like to think I complained enough during chemo for one lifetime!
Nic
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HI ALL YOU LADY ZAPPERS
MARIE
GOOD for you in finishing ,the way you explain your SPLIT COLLAR BONE sounds very painful what is your next step on your journey .
Im so tired all the time now, im up to #17 of 30 with 5 boosts and im walking around feeling like im 100 yrs old full of arthritis, i think it is the effects from chemo i had FEC with 6 treatments any one had that and experiencing a sore body .
Well for me weekend is now over and back to a slam dunk tomorrow
Hey I'm willing to admit i am envious of those who have finished their rads but im also happy for you all
My skin is really good only slightly pink my node scar is really red and my bra is really irritating me under my boob ive got two teenage boys and my brother inlaw at home with us so sometimes its a bit hard to go braless and for them to see my boobs resting on my tummy lol
well time for shower, cream up ,and go and talk to my pillow
BY BY LADIES TALK SOON
JOJO
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I only have 2 rads to go! Yeah....seems kind of strange though to be
almost finished with treatment..its' been such a big part of my life since
August....Don't get me wrong...so glad to be done...just will be weird getting
back on a "normal" schedule. I have red/burn under breast and redness/tenderness
on lymph node removal site and edge of armpit...that is the worst since everything
rubs it.....
Have a great day everyone!
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Happy Sunday - I begin my boosts tomorrow - my site is at the six o'clock position of the right breast. The lymph node site, under the arm is so sore - I wake up during the night for more advil, the only thing I am ablke to tolerate is a very loose mens tee shirt. When I had the last full breast treatment on Friday I was crying with the soreness - its seems when I lift my arm the blisters are breaking - I hope relief comes quick. Any advice for the soreness. Enjoy your Sunday Kathy
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Only 10 more to go for me - 5 regulars and 5 boosts and then I'm DONE! So far, the skin is holding up pretty well. Mostly looks like a tan with the worst being the areola and the skin immediately surrounding that which is the most irritated and peeling a bit. But nothing terrible yet. I am religiously putting on my cream and aloe and going braless as often as possible. I do believe I am losing it though...I found myself talking to Sick Boobie (SB) yesterday as I was putting the cream on, telling her I was sorry for putting her through this but that I was only doing it to make her better and how she has been such a brave boobie and I was proud of her. Goodness gracious, I think these daily zaps are zapping away the few remaining shreds of sanity I have left
I hope everyone has a good week!
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Deb, you are doing fine and nearly there. Once you get to the boosts, the rest of the rest will start to heal. I finished a week ago and the pinkness is gone completely except in the boost area.
As for losing it ... no, you're not. Well if the boob starts talking back to you, then we might have to review this again.
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In 16 hours, I will be done!
Really looking forward to tomorrow's SLAM DUNK #30 (OF 30)!
May you all have long and healthy and happy lives.
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