June 2010 Rads

Redsoxfan  Hi,  I just discovered how to see privatge messages.  You have to be logged in.  I did reply, I hope I did it correctly.  If you don't get it, let me know.

I'm convinced - I started drinking water.  It makes sense.

Hi everyone. I'm about 12 days past rads and thing do get better. I'm still using the aloe and another body cream. I didn't have skin breakage but did turn a purple/brown color especially at the surgical site. There was continued pain out of the blue in my breast and my nipple still hurts.

Chita you asked about fatigue. Yes, I experienced more after the treatment then during. It would just hit me, not something I would work into... like doing a lot of physical work then grow tired. It would just be there. I could be typing at work and just all of a sudden feel completely fatigued! It's not as bad in the last couple of days but when "it" hit I physically couldn't do anything and it would take a day to recover. It must just be part of the healing process. I do know my WBC is low, but don't know if this is part of the reason or just because my breast (and the rest of my body really) has gone through such an ordeal and needs time to heal.

My onc suggested waiting two weeks before starting her protocal to let my body heal. One thing I'm learing from this website is that dr's all have different methods of "prescription" for BC.

hi,  I was thinking of buying Emu oil.  I understand people use Montana Emu Oil.   Where did people buy it.  Which one did you buy.  The 100 percent emu oil. 

BarbaraA - The B12 was at mid range (537). The only explanation is the low WBC and the rads. I see my new Onc tomorrow and will discuss it with her. Most of my BW was on the low side of being within range.

One other side effect I had was being dizzy right after having a treatment. Almost foggy headed it you would have to discribe it. Of course I didn't tell anyone because they already think I'm a bit "foggy" headed!

I do have a nice "tan" on the right boob. The funny part is that there is a definite line - so very straight across the top. Couldn't have gotten that out in the sunshine if I tried. The skin is still dry to the feel but is definitely getting better.

Hang in there girls - LOL

Hi, Girls.

eileen56: I use EmuGold.  It has a little vitamin E in it. Bought at health store and online.

samsue and BarbaraA:  I've got that "tan" line, too.  Very evident on side of chest. Did you guys have blood count or vitamin deficiency issues before radiation?  Was blood work standard after rads?  (to B.A. Nice work staying tied with the boys from the Bronx.  Most of our team is injured. And, there's always September.)

kickon2it:  Did you talk with the radiologist about the palpitations?  I had a spell with PVC's last summer.  Saw a cardiologist, after a detour from a road trip to the EW.  The premature ventricular contractions were being generated from a place in my heart that was not a threat. And they did stop over the period of a month or so after that visit.  The stress of whether or not they were dangerous was no longer there and I believe  that helped things quiet down. I know how scary irregular heartbeats can be and I want to encourage you to be proactive in making sure they're not something important.  If you feel "foggy," ask to see the doc.  That's what they're there for.  BTW, good luck with your drinking.

Seven left for me--2 regular and 5 boosts.  Couldn't sleep last night.  Up and down from 3AM on. Ugh.  Went the night without my cotton bra and with all that repositioning to try to get comfortable, my nipple paid the price.  Sore today.  Extra emu.  Extra aloe.  And the bra is back--except for showers.  Well, and maybe for, well, you know....

I finished my rads about 12 days ago, and my skin looks and feels pretty good. I had 8 boosts to my lumpectomy site at the end and that area is still a little bit pink and sore. But no open areas or itching, I even forget to put my ointments on and still feel OK. I don't remember feeling any more fatigued during rads, but I'm probably still trying to recover from the chemo I had prior to it. I can even wear my underwire bras again since I don't have any irritation under my breast. All in all, doing well post rads. I haven't had any bloodwork since chemo ended so I have no idea what any of my blood counts are. I notice that I am bruising very easily so maybe I should have something checked. Meet with my rads onc on wed for my post-rads check-up. For me, rads seemed to be more of a nuisance than anything else. As I've said many times, it was way easier than chemo. But I AM glad its over with. Oh and I've been on Tamoxifen since June 1 (started rads May 26) and other than hot flashes, I don't think the Tamoxifen has been too bad either.  

Hi all, well my underarm is still raw, red and oozing/weeping! Nasty. Doctor said it is norml for some and never has delayed any of my treatments. I thought the weekend would of given me a break but looked worse on Monday than on Friday.

I start my 5 boots tomorrow. I have had the bolus every other treatment during this entire time, and will continue that thru boost. Looking forward to being done. Fatigue has hit pretty bad now too. I went back to work parttime last week and that is going ok.

Well, I had number 13 today.  So far so good.  very slightly pink, almost like it really isn't there.  I have one little bump that was iching today, but I put hydrocortizon creame on it.  Hopefully the skin will continue to stay in good shape.  (wishful thinking i'm sure).

Dear  June-heroes! 

Yay Mixin, glad you're done! Ana1973, you're ALMOST THERE!!!

Had my LAST one yesterday (HOOOOORAY!). I brought in a batch of cookies (which they really seemed to love) and they gave me a certificate of completion with all their signatures.  I have to say I was high as a kite leaving that office yesterday! The techs say that everyone says "Nothing personal, but hope I never have to see you again".  The thing I was most excited about was to be able to shave my armpit and go back to using normal deoderant, but they warned me not to switch (and no shaving either) for at least a few weeks so that the still-tender skin doesn't react. Aargh!  And, still, no swimming for me because of my partially weeping surgical scar.  In truth, the non-aluminum deoderant that I got from the Body Shop isn't too bad afterall, I can survive a few more weeks.

And, now I'm sitting here overlooking the river in Aspen, Colorado -- exhausted, but knowing that the Rads Chapter is behind me and I can move forward to my new sense of normal. Wouldn't you know it but the lady next to me on the plane is also a BC survivor.  She reported that she chose not to do chemo or rads after her lumpectomy 4 years ago. Instead she did some kind of holistic body detox thing.  I smiled and said I understand that each person has their own way of healing and that I'm glad that her approach has served her well.  I do not have any regrets for doing radiation. While I had a few complications, it wasn't too bad in the end and I'm glad I chose this pathway. 

Thanks to everyone on this forum for being there-- it has been really nice to vent a little every other day or so into a universe where people "get it".  

I'll check back in a while to report on how long it takes for my "sunburn" to fade, sudden pain throbbing, and scar to heal.

Hang in there sisters, you'll be done before you know it!

--access2010 

Dear June Rads buddies, I start the final 5 boosts today.  Very happy about it.

Access, good job!  My next chapter will begin in a week.  On to the tamox train I go.

3 tx to go!  My rad onc does the boosts in the middle to allow the rest of the skin to have a break, so it was 19 full, 8 boosts, 6 full.  So I'm down to the last three. Am pretty swollen & sore, and it's crazy because I'm olive-skinned, but I've burned & fried, despite trying just about every cream & lotion mentioned on the rads threads.  Just the luck of the draw I guess.  I'm looking forward to being done with this part, then on to the A list, at least give it a try - we'll see.

Tomorrow, I'll have #24, then 10 to go. I can't wait to count them down! My skin is doing well. I have had some redness overall but especially in the creases near my clavicle from having my arms over my head. Still using the emu oil during the day and calmoseptine at night. I did have some itchiness and just used the hydrocortisone ointment.

Good luck to everyone getting zapped this week! Gina

Congrats to Ana!!!!  Woohoo! Slammin' that lead door behind her!

I'm starting Tamoxifen any day now (just can't quite take the gulp yet!). See you on the Tamoxifen group! 

Your trip sounds wonderful!!

I've been done with rads for a week now and I'm still having tired spells. Sometimes, I just want to sit down for a while; but if I'm busy all day, I'm really tired. Part of this could be attitude, though, because I'm usually doing un-fun things. (and maybe a slight age issue since I'm 63)

Just try to make it a relaxing, enjoyable vacation and not a marathon. Take a short nap if you need one. You'll probably do just fine.

Take lots of pictures. 

SallyEvian:  I was the most tired about a week after rads finished.  That lasted about one week and I'm slowly getting my energy back.  I still worked through it all, so if you're on vacation, you should be fine.  Listen to your body and let yourself rest if you need to.