June 2010 Rads

Hi everyone, hope you are enjoying your weekend!  I'm almost half-way - 14 out of 30 treatments and as of last night my breast hurts.  It's feels like where I envision the lumpectomy took place.  I've got to take 4 advil every 6 hours or so to keep it at bay and I have to wear a sports bra as I feel I need support, like I want to hold it up.  Riding in the car, I feel every bump.  Has anyone else experienced anything like this?  I see others mention pain at times, and I've felt those sharp shooting pains, but those are fleeting - this is constant.  Just wondered if this is part of it or if I might have something going on. 

Welcome marita, glad you have joined us - we'll get through this together.  I'm sorry that this experience has you so down.  It is different for each of us - where we are in life when it touches us.  It sounds as though you have been through alot and then this on top of everything.  Does your hospital system offer any counseling?  I know at first I felt like a deer in the headlights, immobilized by it, but then I thought shoot, I'm going to live and do the things I love.  I hope I beat this completely, but just in case it is lurking and plans to surprise me later, darn if i'm not going to make the most of everything while I can.  That's my pledge to myself for now anyway.

Kickon2it - I used the sports bra because it help hold my breast tight. It always felt the bumps of even walking. The strangest part was the "empty" feeling it had, not sure it it was because the numbness where the scar and tissue was removed or what. It is definitely a strange feeling!

Glad to report that my pink has turned to a "tan" look. Doubt it the girls will match any time soon and I'm not about to hang one out to get some sunshine by itself. Would like to have been able to use the emu oil during the rads because it would have helped with the dry skin.

It's raining tonight, it sounds so peaceful. If I could turn the AC down about 20 degrees (I'm flashing) I would make a cup of chocolate and curl up with a book. More important though is to thank all of you for sharring - I think talking to you ladies on this forum has been very helpful - you all understand the gambit of emotions that occur. Laughting one minute, crying the next.  And eating chocolate!

Ladies, I am now 10 days post tx and the nipple is very tan and the red dots are fading. The skin above the breast and over the sternum is also tan and starting to peel. It's like a sunburn-type peel, no break in the skin. I still use emu oil 3xday.

You will be happy to know that I have not had a fatigue attack in three days. YAY! I may be past that. I still get these twinges of pain deep in the breast but they pass pretty quickly. The armpit stopped hurting during tx and still is OK.

Anyway, feeling pretty good.

So there is a semblance of normality after rads, ladies!

So how is everyone doing.  I  had number 9 today out of 23 whole breast and some boosts after that.  I think I'm a little puffy, but not  pink or red yet.  I imagine that's coming soon.  I to am trying to keep the area cool and dry.  I moisturize and have some gel packs in the freezer that i wrap up and put on top of my shirt. 

So far so good.   

Hi Everyone, I have 8 treatments left. My underarm is horrible. skin is breaking down. It had turned purple but now the skin is peeling and it is raw and red under that. YUCK. I have a nice rash on my chest so I have cream for that. I also have cream for my underarm.

Trying Emu Oil but I guess this just happens sometimes. Anyone else? I had a MX so no breast to get involved. I am doing delayed recon also

I have seen others talk about the tape they put over the marks. I dont have that. They redo the marks every day. And over the weekends they come off totally and never has seemed to be a problem. I am allergic to the tape...

mixin - hope you heal up ok!!!

Hi Ladies, well my count is 25 down 8 to go.  In about the same condition as others, pretty darn uncomfortable (and really tired of lukewarm-cool showers!)  But - 8 to go is encouraging, there's light at the end of this tunnel.  I've peeled a couple of times, gotten swollen, ultra-sensitive, red and bumpy, itchy, very grumpy, fatigued at times, and so on. 

For the skin, Miaderm and emu oil, and exposure to the air, is what I've settled on as the most helpful.  Cool cloths and aspirin or equivalent helps some.   Rad Onc is doing 19 zaps, break with the 8 boosts, finish up with 6 zaps.  He thinks it gives the skin a break during treatment, and is helpful in minimizing problems.  Tomorrow will be boost 7.  I am looking forward to, and steeling myself for, the last 6 zaps.  At least there will be two weekends included in this last 8 tx...

Best wishes to all, and hang in (or out) there gals, we're almost done!

17 down and 17 to go. So far, my skin is holding up. I'm tan and get a liitle redder by the end of the week but the weekend helps. I don't know if I'm having any boosts. I meet with Rad Onc tomorrow so I will ask him then.

I've been using L'Occitane ultra rich body cream but am running out. I'm going to start using my emu oil next.

Has anyone heard of Calmoseptine? An acquaintance (BC sister) told my husband about it. It's not prescription but it's behind the pharmacy counter. I read about it and it looks like it's for burns. This woman did have radiation burns at the end of her treatment and used this stuff and it worked remarkably well to heal the burns. She was kind enough to order some for me so I'll pick it up today, just in case.

Good luck to everyone with their treatments!  Gina

I finished my last of 33 treatments today!  I baked brownies for the staff, they were great.  I'm counting the days till I can wear a regular bra again!  My doc says my skin will get worse before it gets better, about a week more and then it will start healing.  I'm so looking forward to that!  Hang in there everyone!

Regular rads are OVER! Just 7 boosts left! I don't think my skin could take another day of radiation and now that I have learned (thanks to Chita) that the skin will get worse before it gets better, I will be babying my skin a little longer.

Congrats to all those who have finished, I'm right behind you. Then I hop on the Tamoxifen train..I hope that's a smooth ride.

Enjoy your weekend!

Well, today I had number 11 (out of 23 whole breast, boosts after).  So far so good. not red, maybe a little puffy, i'm not even sure about that. I do sit in my house topless. It is 100 degrees here so I'm trying to stay cool and dry.   So half way (kindof) through the whole breast.

Now that I'm done I feel more fatigue than ever.  Has anyone experienced this? 

Ana1973, vmarie : I start Tamoxifen August 1.  Which blog will you be on?  Shall we start an August 2010 tamoxifen thread?

Good morning June-clan!

I also like the idea of August Tamoxifen-Starters! I'm wondering about the variation in suggested start times for Tamoxifen? One says "in a few weeks" while another says 1 week later.  My doc said that I could start it the next day if I wanted.  Hmmmm, what was the reasoning?

3 more to go! 

I started a thread over in the Hormone therapy section for August 2010 Tamoxifen starters.  My med. onc. wanted me to start one week after rads were over.  I decided to go a few more days and start August 1 so that I'll remember when to stop.  July 31 2015 here we come!

Hi ladies, I'm glad to hear how you're doing.  Congratulations, cheers, and best wishes to all.

I'd guess the water has to do with hydrating, plus flushing toxins.  I'm drinking more than ever myself and have been drinking a pint before and after tx plus lots of additional, and a lot of fresh fruit.  Also, extra protein to help rebuild tissue. 

This is no walk in the park and I'm taking a couple of days' break, but have finished 19 regular, 8 boosts, and have 6 more full-breast to finish out, then will begin AI, Arimidex in August.   Talked with Rad Onc & we will do my last 6 tx over the course of two weeks (3 this wk & 3 next) and give my tissue a few extra hours healing time between.  The couple of days delay will not make an overall difference except to give my skin some relief. They gave me some Biafine and it seems to be helping; I'd been using Miaderm and emu but was still way too dry and cracking.  All my skin is dryer than usual and am using much more lotion overall, in fact my hands are softer than in years, hah!   Even my eyes are dryer, but drops help.  Have a pleasant weekend, all...