May 2010 Rads Group

Yes everyone, I have to say, I know there must be side effects of all kinds from this.  I'm 17 as of today, red line "inframammary" (under the boob) that is itchy, feel just kind of cruddy, non motivated, and a couple times I have had a really scratchy throat.  I think I pulled a muscle on my shoulder blade working out with the trainer to boot, it's on my back and the pain radiates to my underarm, making this all even more fun.  I'm grouchy...HA!  

Georgia, I do love my pooch as well.  He is irritated with me and my mornings being taken away by rads, but I know he will forgive me

I think one of the hardest things about this is going every day and knowing your skin is just going to get worse...but ya do what ya gotta do, right?!?  The guy that is getting radiation at the same time as I am has a brain tumor, and he is on chemo with rads, and has a great attitude.  If he can do it, I can do it!  

OK, enough b...chin from me.  Hang in there everyone!  We are the May rads group and we are 10 days into June!

Kim 

A question for those who went to rads after chemo...Did your Dr.'s have you do a breast MRI after you finished Chemo but before you started rads?

Thanks for your info:)

I had an ultrasound because I had pain near my incision site.  Had some fluid, but no mass.  Rads doc wanted to make sure--thought it was pain from scar tissue--before starting rads.  This was after chemo, before rads started.

Hello Gals,

Retrievermom - My rads nurse told me to use Corn Starch - it absorbs the moisture under the breast so less itching.  I use it and so far so good only 14 rads in. 

Kim - totally agree gotta do whatcha gotta do -

I find myself getting tired and bored on the hour drive everyday - so to keep awake I sing (don't think others would call it singing) at the top of my lungs and it helps and it's also a great release of stress.

Hang in there ladies- Hugs to all - Stacey

I had another MRI after chemo but it was becuase I was having surgery.  He wanted to see whether he could get good margins with a lumpectomy but he couldn't. 

I have 15 more to go but got bad news yesterday.  The pain in my arm turns out to be a torn rotator cuff.  Rads Dr. said I had to finish my treatments before they will do surgery.  I go WEd. to see the ortho Dr.  I am hoping he will at least try a cortisone injection.  I am really scared because this is the arm that had the lymph nodes taken from it and my mastectomy side.  The MRI should fluid in there already.

Dear ITIZ,

Congrats !  I know you must be celebrating your completion of rads. The feeling of relief must be totally euphoric.  I have 7 more to go and I too can jump off that tiny,hard and uncomfortable table and run for my car with joy !!!!! I may literally skip to my car on June 22nd !

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Retrivermom,

I always feel like bursting into tears myself.  I can't figure out why though.  It must be the stress of it all.   Not sure.   Or maybe it's the Tamoxifen I started taking two weeks ago.  We are almost there.  What day is your last day ?   I hope you can get some relief from the pain you are experiencing.   Enjoy a rad free weekend !

Georgia in Alabama

No rads today - cancer centre is closed for a staff holiday (they used to get 2 floaters per year, but now there are fixed days in June and November).  It's kinda nice to have a holiday but I'm anxious to move through treatment.  It'll be day 16/31 tomorrow.  So far, I am tolerating it well - just a pinkish tan - but over the weekend, I developed some itchiness. I keep applying the gloxol cream which helps, but it's hard not to scratch.    

Erg!

First, GRATZ to all ladies who are DONE -- **major applause**

Now on to my complaints:

I'm exactly midway through, 14 down, 14 more to go as of last Friday, and I get a call today that they will have to cancel the rad today because the "equipment" is "down."

Ugh. HATE any delays and HATE even more that this highly calibrated "equipment" is "down" - makes me nervous!

Three more to go!  I am very, very red and swollen.  I am taking off work the rest of the week.  I found myself gritting my teeth today while at work.  Weird thing, I am no more tired as I go along--just like I was around week 2 of this.  I'm glad it hasn't taken me down more.  Naps are good, Georgia; they may not give more energy, but your body is healing.  My brother compared this to a firebreak.  We are creating a barrier, in case any dormant cells wake up and try to hitch a ride.  

Way to go, n50karen!

Happy dance to those who are done. 

Hi all - Had #18/27 today. Getting red and itchy. I too have had issues with appointments being cancelled because the machine was down. I think it has happened twice now. Hope everyone is doing well.

Hello all,

   Congrats to all those who are finished!  I can hardly wait as I have 4 left, and I am definitely counting down.

   I can relate to those who are having sad days and tears.  At the end of last week I was crying throughout the day.  Just tired of everything...began this part of my treatment for a recurrence in October with chemo.  Starting to get red, itchy and cranky.  Even though it is only a few days past that, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel this week and it is getting brighter.  Having said that I am feeling hot sore and hope it doesn't get much worse.  The lotion feels soothing, and at times I don't want clothes touching my skin.  My DH likes the look but my clothes selection is narrowing, with a PICC in one arm and compression sleeve/glove on the other I struggle with what to wear ( not what not to wear ).  Does anyone have any suggestions as to what they found to be most comfortable?    All cotton is not created equal, tank tops? oversized shirts? dresses?  

I'm good with the hats and cover ups for the sun.  It sure feels warmer on the skin though towards the end.  Sad that the summer will pass me by without being able to enjoy much without looking way different than the other parents/people out there.

Thanks for listening, as someone else said on another post I don't have to be brave... I just have to show up.

Diane.

Oops!  Didn't want to loose the post.  Must be more patient next time.

Diane.

Mom3b1g-I think about you so much.  I just can't imagine having four children and going through this.  And husbands...love mine to pieces but they just can't imagine or get it.  I have to think they are just scared out of their gourds, so when they interact with us, it's like a form of denial..."you are going to be fine...they got it all...you need to stay positive".  I have had to practice a great deal of forgiveness duirng this time of my life.  It ain't easy sisters!  The only good thing about this is you guys...I know we are all rooting for each other.  If you lived here Mom, I would watch your kids for you.  I could do with some goofy kids for an hour or so.  So remember, you are one of my heroes.

Retrievermom-you really are having a tough time with the skin.  And when some one tells you..."its going to get worse"...come ON!  They need to be working to tell you how to manage it, be encouraging.  I hope you stay on here and we can follow you as you heal up...hang in there.

Diane, I find that sleeveless camisoles...cotton maybe with a touch of lycra...help because they are loose enough to be comfortable but tight enough to not let things move around.  Does that make sense.  It's like a skin of sorts, then I will throw another blousey cottony top on top of that.  I wear shorts instead of dresses to get easy acces to the boob for lotion/air.  I just pull up the top and shove on the lotion.  The little camisole absorbs the lotion and kind of keeps it secure on the breast-it gets greasy but the outside top stays clean.  You will have next summer and you are a warrior and I tell you this, when I see anyone with the PICC or hats, I give them the biggest smile I can.  Just remember that, you are indeed a warrior and you looking different is you getting rid of your cancer!

See if I talk positive long enough, I will start to feel better..ha ha!  Seriously though, we have to be proud of ourselves.

Leslie, good to see you on here sorry about the reds and breakdown...frustration with frustration on top.

Looking for Abby/Kittydog to check in....

Hi to all the rest of you.  It's hump day in more ways than one, right?

XO

Kim 

My DH takes straight talk well.  I explained what would be helpful for him to say.  I gave him a script, it's true, but for me, it was better than "I'm sure they got it all; or, Everything's going to be fine."  Now, when he looks at my skin, I can tell he knows it hurts.  It's so red.  One of the rad techs was telling me about having a cracked nipple when she nursed a baby, and I could remember how bad that felt, having experienced it many years ago.  This is similar in terms of pain. 

I would not be able to chase kids around at this point.  I sat a couple of boys one day during this and got so tired.  I think of you, too, Mom 3; you are amazing.  My bro was telling me how his daughters bicker all the time, and I told him I would not trade.  My 20 year old can be noncommunicative, but he requires little "mom" time, especially during World Cup

Kim,  thanks for the words of encouragement... made me smile and puts things in perspective.

Your description was clear and helpful.  Actually that is exactly what I was wearing today!  A tank with a shirt over top.  I find the under arm area is the spot where my skin is the sorest. Lately, I've been trying microfibre cloths folded over the arm hole of the undershirt, and it feels soft and comfortable.  My thinking was 'what is the softest thing I have in the house?'...and voila instant comfort.

Faithfulc- definitely my neck is red and chest on side affected mid line down to just below the breast.  Due to the hot weather it is hard to find some clothes that don't have a open neckline.  A shirt with a collar should be ok though for work depending on what you do. The other thing that I wear is a scarf...I know sounds silly for summer but a light gauze/cotton my favorite is a mixture of silk and something else (it was a gift so I'm not sure what it is made up of).   It is also easy to take off if it gets too hot or bothers you.  Good luck with your treatments.

Diane