August 2010 Rads
Comments
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Anniebear: I got 7 tattoos, but they're so teensy, if I did't know they were there, I'd never see them. I don't have a significant number of moles or freckles or anything, these are just ultra tiny. They use markers to be able to see them better during treatment, but I'm very relieved they're basically nothing. Do we all get different sizes, some larger?
CPJuly10: I can so relate when you talk about how every time you get calmed down something happens to get you emotional and unsure again. We all have 43 doctors now (yes, that's hyperbole! but it seems that way!
)), and just one of them being negative or giving us some tidbit of "new" news that we didn't realize or recommendation worded the wrong way can throw me into a tailspin. Here's a big hug for you!Arubajan: I'm 16 of 33 rads down as of today, and my rash/itching started a couple days ago. I bought over the counter hydrocortisone (1%) that the rad tech recommended and it helps some. I see the dr. tomorrow and may get him to prescribe a higher percentage cream. Are you talking about rash/itching with chemo, or just now with rads? I had chemo, but mine didn't start till rads and my understanding is that it's a pretty common side effect?
Janabananna: You and I are neck and neck! My #16 was today also. Like you, no major skin reactions, just more redness only in my upper chest area where it itches now, and a little tender everywhere in the area. Apparently our Miaderm works well for the burns, but doesn't help much with the itch.
) I'll think of you tomorrow when we'll both be halfway done! Really, it's gone super fast, and yet the rest feels like it stretches out so far into the future...even though I know that doesn't make sense! I'm starting to feel the first signs of true annoyance with it, just the grind of having to go every day. And I'm a little more tired this week. -
BABBALU----In my 8 yrs of being a Rad Therapist, I have never heard that!! I'll ask some of my co-workers that have worked at different clinics!
I had #7 of 33 tx today--my skin looks good! It just feels a little warm. Also, I'm on #6 of 1,000,000 on Tamox. I don't feel any different on that either. I was already on the Lupron shots and getting hot flashes. I don't feel like they're any worse.
I'm halfway thru the book--Love, Medicine & Miracles by Dr. Bernie Siegel. I can't put in down! I feel so empowered in my own health when I read it! It's helping me have less "weepy" days.
Power to the Pink Ladies
Julie
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Tip for bathing for a sore irritated chest: I bought a yard of very soft flannel fabric (very cheap), no color (no dyes), washed and dryed it and cut it into squares for wash clothes and towels just for there. Very soft and pleasant.
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Good morning, ladies! #16 of 33 for me today. Some itching around the incision appeared last week and does continue this week as well. The fatigue seems to be getting a bit worse, but nothing I cannot manage.
Bubbalu, if my rad techs (two teams of them, male and female) say or do something I don't understand, I have them explain it to me. They said they don't mind. I mean, after all as I pointed out to them day one, I'm stripped from the waist up getting radiation pumped into my body that can harm me, they can at least explain everything to me. My techs are great and we joke and laugh the entire time (especially when one of the male techs are drawing on me).
Have a great day ladies! We're one day closer to the end of this part of our journey.
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Good Morning everyone. Well 11 of 33 1/3 of the way there. I am using Jeans cream the rad team said it was good and I believe they are right so far no problems to speak of just a little pink and a little itchy sometimes. I was told that if there was pain to only take extra strength tylenol , no iboprofen like Advil which is what I always took for everything and it does miracles but tylenol does hardly anything for me. Good Luck all and God Bless. We will get through this.
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Bubbalu, thats too funny , the feather thing. It does make you wonder what they are up to. lol
I hope you can get that rash cleared up..not fun with heat, rads, etc! Maybe MSG? Good luck!
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I just had simulation on Tuesday and the techs told me they would be using something that felt like a feather when applying the tattoos. The actual tattoo felt more like a sting. Then they marked the place where the tattoo was with a sharpee pen. Maybe it was some kind of topical numbing solution.
Sounds like most of you who are half way thru tx are doing great. That's very encouraging to me. Thx for all the tips (cotton bras, flannel for wash cloths, Advil, cort. lotion for itching).
Jana, I have a scar that if it were straight would prob measure 5-6 inches. It's kinda like an upside down frown with the center at the top of my nipple curving around it and then downward. My lump was at about 2 o'clock, so I did lose part of the aureole and nipple. I'll be doing nipple reconstruction next year.
Bonnie - I'm wondering about the fatigue too. While I'm still recovering from chemo fatigue I sure dont' want rad fatigue to hit soon.
Anyone talking Effexor for hot flashes?
Have a good day, Carolyn
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I just finished Rads today. It's like a weight lifted off my shoulders. Glad to be done. I only had a lumpectomy and radiation. No chemo. DCIS. I assume that makes things different. My skin on my chest area and under my arm is like a dark pink. No pain, no itching so far. It does feel scratchy when cloth touch it sometimes. I go topless as much as possible at home - I believe that makes a big difference, but who knows.
I used utterly smooth during the day and aquaphor at night. I never wore a bra and I only washed with soapy hands gently on that breast. Never used a wash cloth on the radiated skin. I don't know if that makes any difference. We'll see how the next couple weeks are - I believe there can be skin reactions for a couple weeks after completion.
All in all, it was not bad (so far). Good luck everyone
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ECT
Well one down 32 more to go. It was a breeze it took more time to find a parking spot and get undressed than the actual treatment. I am in a mad hunt for Emu oil. None of the Health Food/Holistic stores in my area carry it. Yes the hot flashes are bad. I am on Lupron right now and they are pretty bad, but nothing I can't handle.
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Started my rads Aug 12, just finished #6 of 21 today. I opted for the "Canadian" shortened but intense schedule. 16 regular days + 5 Boosts. I read everything I could find and discussed it with my Rad Dr and decided that was for me. So far, so good. I had a tender nipple after #2, but Aquaphor is doing the trick. My collarbone itched after #4, so they gave me a tube of Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream and that is doing the trick as well. I use Neutrogena soap on that tata and no washcloth, air dry if I can. Slather the whole area with Lubriderm twice a day, after I get home from the appt and after I shower before bed. I'm taking Motrin occasionally after reading about it on this site. I also try to drink 67oz of water everyday (1/2 my weight in oz.) and 67 grams of protein (1/2 gram per pound of weight) to help my body repair the damage the radiation is causing. After #4 I also feel like I have a sore throat, only it's low, down between where my collarbones come together. The Dr said the esophagus may be involved and if it gets to be a problem, they have something they can give me for that. So far, it is just slightly annoying. Visually, nothing looks any different, the radiated tata is slightly warmer sometimes. I'm wearing a mostly cotton sports bra when I'm out as them jiggling around feels worse. I got a sheepskin cover for my seatbelt and sleep with a pillow between my boobs, as I'm a side sleeper. Haven't started the Tamoxifan yet, I scored an 8 on my Oncotype test, so I didn't need chemo. Thanks everybody for posting your experiences, what helps and what doesn't. I feel a sisterhood with all of you. I, too, was bugged about radiation, until the possibility of chemo hung over my head for 2 1/2 weeks. Really changed my perspective on what bothers me and I danced a jig into the Radiation Oncology Office after I got the news of "no chemo".
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eileenr56 - Thats great that you are done with your rads! Celebrate! I know I will when done!
ECT- the fatigue gets me afterwords and last for a while into early evening. I get back in my car and don't feel like doing much of anything after that. Went to Walmart today and I usually can sail through...today I was wondering how to wrestle that motorized cart from a old man! decided against it though...he would probably win! *grins*
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Soooooooooooo HAPPY FOR U! - Eileen YAY And with what you had (DCIS, stage 0, no node involvement) Lump w/rads is prob. protocol. Glad you don't have to do chemo too!
Clarity, you can get the Emu oil at http://www.amazon.com/100-Pure-Emu-Oil-Liquid/dp/B001SJ9NDW/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1281311729&sr=8-5 Sorry that's so long.
Sunshine, that's so interesting about the water and protein percentages for body repair, do you mind me asking where you got that info? And thx for all the detailed information.
Againmine - I needed a good laugh, loved the thot of you wrestling the motorized cart from an old man in Walmart.
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Hi all! Glad to hear some of you are finishing up your rad treatments. YAY! I had #10 today. So far my right breast is just warm to the touch and a bit denser and tender. I would say on the KFC scale of breast crispness I am still "regular" and have a ways to go to "extra crispy". LOL
I continue to have the itching and hives; they started with a vengeance after my 2nd chemo treatment (and I was prescribed steroids) but now they pop up in a milder form almost daily.Not sure if its the rads irritating my skin, but the reaction is generally not in the breast area. Also, It doesn't seem to correlate with any thing I am eating but I wonder if it is still the chemo drugs in my system. The small hives (like mosquito bites) pop up, usually early evening in various places, most often thighs, belly and neck and back. It is really annoying! I cant' take Benedryl anymore because of tamox but have been trying Zyrtec and Claritin. I didn't know Claritin can help with bone pain! I am having a lot of "stiffness" so I may try the Claritin exclusively for a while and see if it might help with both issues! That would be great!
Thanks for the tips, ladies! Hope you all have a restful night! Free of nightsweats and hotflashes!!!
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Here's a site where I found the protein information: http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Breast-Cancer/Tiredness-after-radiation/show/257940 Scroll down to nutrition information. I found this listed on another site when I was web surfing a few days ago and paid attention to it once I had seen, pretty much, the same guidelines. I tried to hunt for the 2nd one, but couldn't locate it and I'm getting sleepy, so figured I'd share the one site I found it on anyhow. The other one also gave the water formula and was from a breast center, if I recall. It makes sense, you can't ask your body to rebuild itself if you aren't providing the building blocks in your diet. Then, I've just been reading nutritional information on labels and what I can't find, I google. And keeping track of it each day this week.
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Hi everyone! Love reading all your posts and seeing where you are in this journey and how you are facing it. Thanks Julia for your support and congratulations Eileen on finishing!!! I had my first doctor day yesterday and it went well. He showed me all my CT scan pics and checked my skin. My breast feels tender but no redness really. The bruising from surgery is still disipating so the color is off anyway. My incision is on the outer side of my left breast and probably about 4 inches 0- kind of curved. It was raised but seems to be flattening out. I asked the doctor about thirst and he didn't feel it was due to radiation but perhaps the excess heat and humidity we've had lately. They did give me Aquafor to start using after the treatments. He said after the first week the skin starts to dry out. My onc. doesnt want me to start tamoxifen or arimidex whichever it ends up being till after doing rads a while so they can know what is causing any side effects. My tatoos are so tiny I have to look hard for them so they aren't a bother. I haven't noticed any excess tiredness yet. It is adding a lot to my day just the extra time and running tho. I'm trying to rest more but I don't sleep well when things are on my mind and its hard to not have everything on my mind now. Speaking of sleep I need to try to get to bed - everyone have a great day or night!!!
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I will have my first radiation tx on Monday. Did any of you start using the Aloe or Emu oil right away( or whichever skincare product you decided on)? It didn't seem like they expected me to use anything unless I had problems. I prefer to head them off, so I'm wondering what instruction you all received for first the week .
Sunshine - Thx for the site, it's a great one. I got a lot of information from it. I drink water all day but have not been very good with the protein, so this was good for me.
Carole, did you ever figure out how to post your dx stats? And I couldn't remember did the onc say you were going to need chemo?
Hope everyone has a good weekend!
Carolyn
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ECT: We're on the same schedule. I had my simulation last Monday and was scheduled to start the next day. Woke with a terrible rash on chest/neck area. Dr. put me on Cortisone cream, Benadryl and Prednisone for nine days and postponed me to Monday. Nobody knows where the rash came from, that's the scarry part.
Also the 'feather conversation' happened duing my simulation on Monday. I got my tattoos the week before. Strange isn't it?
My center is telling me to moisturize with Eucerin for a week before. I'm doing that 2 times a day and will do it at least 4 during rads. I'm getting very antsy about this rad thing the more I read. If I got a ??? rash from the simulation - what will I get from the treatment?
Julieeee: Does anything happen in simulation that would cause a rash to pop up in that area?
Have a good weekend......................free from rads.
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I cannot find the other site, I have checked my history on my computer, but I just found this on this very website: http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/nutrition/during_treat/side_effects/fatigue.jsp
It talks about the protein ratio too. I am also a fan of the book "The Breast Cancer Survival Manual" by Dr John Link, got it off of Amazon. It has very good information, including diet and supplements. You can put all sorts of stuff on your skin and take Rx, but if you are not providing the nutrition your body needs to regenerate itself from the inside out, you are fighting a losing battle.
I am 1/3 of the way done today with the rads and so far, only minor discomfort. The rad techs told me the 2 days off over the weekend would allow for a little healing before they commence again on Monday.
bubalu: Don't be afraid of the rad therapy, it's easy. I pray and imagine cancer cells being obliterated like the spaceship fighters in the Star Wars films. Blasting them to smithereens. I don't know what caused your rash, but it wasn't radiation. I'll be holding your hand (in my heart) on Monday.
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ECT/Carolyn: Everything I've heard/read/been told is to start using the preventative moisturizing potion of choice right away, perhaps even before as basically before any skin reactions show, you are being "burnt" and your skin is trying to recover each time.
I had #18 of 33 today, saw my plastic surgeon yesterday and he said my skin is doing great, significantly above average because he has seen women with severe burns and open wounds halfway in -- though compared to most of you it seems we're all doing pretty well!
He wrote down the name of the Miaderm to recommend to other patients who were about to undergo rads.
I have been very tired this week though. SO glad it is Friday and I have the weekend off from everything - work, rads, everything unpleasant! LOL Hope all of you have a great weekend too!
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Hi everyone! Seven treatments down and no ill effects so far. I work this weekend so not much else planned. Glad to have a couple of days off from going for the radiation tho just seems a little more relaxed not having to fit that in too. Carolyn - I did go in and put in my diagnosis stuff. I can't see it on my posts tho. Does it show up for you guys? As far as moisturizers my rad onc. said to use nothing the first week and then my first doctor day gave me aquafor. Said to use it after treatments because they want your skin clean and dry so nothing interferes with radiation but to use it after treatment when I get dressed. He said the dryness doesn't usually start till the second week. They also don't want me using anything else. He said if I needed anything stronger they would decide what and suppley it. May just be the way they do things here. I'm glad the so far I have no redness because I usually have very sensitive skin. I slept really good last night which is unusual for me since all this started. Hoping all of you have a nice restful weekend. You'll all be in my prayers. Someone else said they pray and will away cancer cells during the treatments. I do the same. They have sky, clouds and tree branches on the lights above the table and I lie there pretending I'm outside and pray and look at the machine and think of it killing all the evil cells that might be left. Before I know it the treatment is done.
Carole
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cpjuly - Noticed, bit slow these days, that you are only a hope, skip, and a jump from where I live! So you enjoying the "ceiling scenery" too! I think we are both under the same branches... lol... In the beginning I closed my eyes now I look upward and pray.
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Carole, when you filled out the diagnosis questionaire did you check the box to make it "public". I think that is what is needed for the information to print on these boards. You can go back and edit to put it in.
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cpjuly - my centre is the same regarding moisturising. They gave me aquafor to use but said not to use it yet. I have to keep powdering my lines (no tattoos), then when the redness starts use the moisturiser they gave me and nothing else. However i'm not allowed to use the moisturiser on the lines - stuff that I say if I'm red and need it where the lines are I will be using it! They said they will give me something else if things get bad - and that way they know exactly what I'm putting on my skin and if there are any reactions or problems they know how to fix it.
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Morning everyone! Hope you are having a good day. Since it's Sunday no treatment today but I do have to work. Didn't sleep as well last night - my breast and SN site seem tender and I kept waking up when I'd roll over. Nothing major just irritating.
Againmine - You are close to me! Small world! I noticed there were several Ohio people on here and we are almost on the Ind. Ohio border. Do you go to Reid for treatments?
Chabba - Thanks for the help - I checked the box so now it will show hopefully.
Dancermel - Must be difficult to keep those lines on there. I'm glad for the tatoos I guess tho I didnt really feel very happy about them when they were doing them. The Aquaphor does keep the skin feeling soft.
Hope you all have a wonderful day!
Carole
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Good morning ladies
To answer a few questions here and there. I am in Canada so 20 sessions - stronger rads I believe. I started Arimidex 6 weeks before the rads. Minor SE - headache 24/7 for the first month, a little joint pain that I exercise away and mild fatigue. I am off work long-term so I can rest when I need to. I don't think I would have the energy to work full time. I think I am doing well on Arimidex because I push myself to exercise 3x a day.
Had 4 sessioons of rads so far. I am using Lubriderm as per techs. My boob is sensitive and itchy but no burning yet. I am surprised because I am fair skinned. My biggest problem is keeping the line intact. And ruined clothes!
I don't think it would be a good idea to start pills at the same time as the rads. Either long before to establish side effects or wait till after. The body can only handle so much trauma.
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Oh its so nice to have the weekend off! feel a bit near normal by Sunday...
cpjuly10- I go to the Cancer center at UVMC in Troy. All my doctors are either in troy or Piqua so that works best for me. You are close by! maybe when we are done with rads we can come to the boarder and party! lol...I think there is a McDs in Union City. or a Hot dog stand? lol
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phxsunshine: No it couldn't have been radiation because I hadn't started yet. Had just had my simulation and was to start the next day. The prednisone is getting rid of it so I will begin tomorrow. I was told that Eucerin makes Aquaphor.
What's Mammosite?
Good week to all....................
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Hi, everyone! Day #18 of 33 today. Was extremely tired all weekend. The tiredness is odd in that I am fine one minute and then BAM, the fatigue hits me like a brick. Anyone else like that? Ifind that I get up in the morning (after not sleeping well unfortunately), I feel terribly tired, but I go out to walk/jog anyway. After about 5 -10 minutes outside, I feel less tired. But by the time I am home and showered, the bed and pillows look very inviting!
Sharonraew, I am starting Arimidex Sept 19 (approx). I am (was prior to BC) very active and now still walk/jog 5 - 6 miles per day and am trying to get back to lifting weights and doing my 3 sets/15 reps of military pushups. You mentioned that you exercise 3x a day to help with the Arimidex side effects, can you please share what type of exercise you find is working for you?
Everyone, have a great day, it is supposed to be cooler and lovely here in Ohio
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Good Morning everyone 13 0f 33 today. Just was wondering if anyone knows how long the rads stay in our system before we can finally return to our normal selves once again, and also how long before we can be declared cancer free is 2, 4 or 6 months after treatment or what? Any aswers..... Thanks and good luck and God Bless You all.
Ellie
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Hi Ellie,
Great news! From the time you had your lumpectomy and the cancer was surgically removed you were considered "cancer free!"
So all these other treatments- chemo, radiation- are just "insurance."
The surgery is the primary treatment.
Enjoy your day!
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