October 2010 rads

Once again, you guys ROCK.  Didn't even think about scanners and radiation!!!  Is it possible to request a pat-down instead?  How to do this?  I will be flying a great deal as well.

Hey all~~

Finished my rads a week ago Friday, on the 12th.  My husband surprised me by being at the clinic when I got there, and he had a dozen pink roses for me!  I am SO happy to be done with tx, but it felt weird last week not leaving work and going to the clinic.  

My skin is peeling in areas where there were skin folds, as well as my nipple and areola.  That is a bit gross, to be honest.  Only the boost area is now still red/burned; the other areas are clear. I am still using Aquaphor however.

How coincidental the TSA topic arose here, as I was talking about it with DH yesterday.  I told him that I did not want to fly again, as I do not want to go through the scanner (for various reasons) and also did not feel I should have to endure the degree of pat-down that I have read people are getting.  My breast is still tender and I would likely scream and probably hit someone who squeezed it.  I also feel it borders on molestation for them to actually feel my genitals.  Not just a hand glide over, but a full-on labial grope.  I feel that's a serious violation of my rights--both Constitutional and civil.  It's going to be a major problem for me/us in particular because my husband's family all live in England. 

Dear All,

I have a question about rash, and I cannot recall if anyone mention anything about having a rash?  I have 2 reg. tx and 5 boosts left.  I started this rash last Tues with a couple of really tiny white head looking thing in the lower quadrant.  Didn't think much of it.  Then saw my rad onc on Thursday, and pointed it out to him, it was about 10 little spots by then.  Over the weekend, it got increasingly more itchy and a few more spots.  

The doc's assistant said that it is the SE of rad tx, did anyone get rash like me?  I don't have any peeling but the nipple got crusty looking.  The itch is really tough to withstand.  Arrgh!

Also on the note about flying and TSA, my family is in Toronto and will need to fly there in December or January.  I am terribly sore on the L breast and axilla and not wanting to go thru the scanners nor being pat down either.  Like DawnKY said, I would probably scream too from the pain.  Very frustrating indeed.

Diamond Girl:  I got that rash.  The itch was unbearable.  I used Benadryl lotion one night, just to get some sleep...I was scratching it almost raw.  The next morning I showed the rash to RO.  He said it was from the rads.  I told him that I used the Benadryl, and he said it was OK to use, just don't use it prior to treatment. 

MPH, Linda & Tina ~ thanks for the update

It sort of looks like the diaper rash, the white head I'm talking about is smaller than the tip of the ball point pen, some have it some don't.  Also have some tiny freckles on the bottom quadrant and skin is pink.  

I wonder why it comes about when I'm only less than 10 zaps away?  

Linda ~ are you done with your rads?  If not, how many left to go?

If my memory is correct, I think MPH and Tina are done with rads right?

On, on the TSA issue:

I think it would be a great idea if a Rad Onc will step up and explain to us about our exposure to radiation from the Body Scanners at the airport so that we can make an accurate informed decision about going thru it or not. (Right now, a lot of people are just guessing).  Does the FDA have to approve the machines before it is being licensed?  (if not FDA, whatever the agency has jurisdiction), then we should be able to find out from them what amount of radiation is being emitted.

I too have my fear about receiving too much radiation already, but I will not be a good candidate to go thru enhanced pat down, because my scar is not healing properly and will eventually need a scar revision.  Sigh!

Congratulations Sandi!!

Diamondgirl--I'm right in the middle of rads now.  I've completed 18 of 33. I also had rads last year (summer 2009) for colon cnacer.

All I've heard in the news is that the radiation form the TSA scanners is "minimal".  If I hadn't recieved so much radiation already (from rads and ct scans) I wouldn't even give it a second thought.  It would bother me personally to 1. get more radiation, no matter how minimal and 2. to have my body viewed on a scanner.  I would rather have the pat down--this is just my personal preference.  :0)

I'm a bit red, but saw the RO today and said he thought it looked pretty good. I can't remember which tx I'm on without looking it up, but I'll be done with 33 txs Dec. 9.

I got stuck in a "police parade" for about 10 miles on the way home today, so that was aggravating. That's when you've got a cop doing 55 mph in the high-speed lane and everyone's afraid to pass, so all 3 or 4 lanes are bunched up right behind him until he exits or gets tired of the "fun" and speeds up. That's what my family always called it, anyway. What do you guys call it?

Linda ~ thank you for posting your info.

Did your rad onc say why we get rash? And did you take Benadryl while you were still receiving treatment? Or did you take Benadryl after treatment was complete? 

Sandi ~ WOOHOO!! 

Carolyn ~ yes, you are close to the home stretch too.  THink you are about a few tx behind me. Good luck !!

Ranafazal ~ so happy for you. My boost stars Wed. so I'm 5 tx behind you.  Congrats!

Tina ~ you are a bit more than mid-way thru.  I remember when I was counting at 17, and it didn't seem too long ago.  It goes by fast.  Good luck to you   I was joking with someone yesterday about the enhanced pat down, my scar is still painful and I can't even rub the area myself, if they touch me I will scream!!! (LOL)

You ladies are awesome and I so appreciate everybody sharing their experiences here.  Thank you for the support and I know the ladies after us will gain insight too.  Thank you BCO board.

I've gotten the rads fatigue, Tina. It's worse some days. It's bad today, and I'm going to hit the sack as soon as Survivor is over. It's also cold and wet here today and that always make my back hurt, so I'm going to take some Motrin and call it a day.

Did my 1st boost today, 4 more to go. 

About fatigue, I think I felt it bad a few times and glad that was it.  The fatigue happened when I had those nasty incidents and I was stressed by them.  Then I didn't sleep well and it was the domino effects. 

Remember you need to be hydrated and eat your protein.  I went beyong hungry one time and it was bad. 

My skin is pink and got a bad rash.  Chest feels a little tight but I'm very happy that the full breast rads are done.  At first it seemed to take forever, but after I past #20, it was a breeze.  Ladies, you are almost there too.  I'll be your cheer leader dancing on the sideline

I am very very grateful for this site and for all of you that supported and encouraged me.  I don't know what would happen if I didn't have you gals listen to my frustrations.  I know I always have a shoulder to lean on here, someone who'll listen and understand, then sympathize with me.  This is priceless.  Thank you thank you!!!   

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL !

XOXO

Regarding fatigue, I had one day where I crashed in a totally bizarre way mid-afternoon, other than that, perhaps a teeny bit more tired late at night, but negligible.  I got badly burned under my breast, but it cleared up wtih cortizone and aloe and now I just have a minor tan and am doing just great.

I'm done!

Wow!  So many of us October gals are finished or almost finished!  Congrats to everybody!!

Hope everyone had or is having a happy Thanksgiving.

Kathy

I finished rads on Monday and the fatigue has hit me like a rock too.   I can go for a couple of hours and then feel like I need to take a nap.    Online shopping even takes too much energy.   Instead of fighting this, I'm just going to go with it and take it easy.    My eyebrows and eyelashes are finally back, so life is good!  

We all have had a difficult year, and this part is almost finished.  Sending blessings to everyone during this wonderful time of Thanksgiving.

Sandi 

Okay, for any of you ladies who are burned, raw and tender under your breast (my incision is near my bra band).  I am more comfortable wearing a bra for support as I am a D cup.  However, the elastic rubbing is making things very painful.  Today I found an old, soft t-shirt and cut a piece to cover the rubbing elastic, sort of lined the bra cup and left a tail hanging below, thereby protecting my tender skin from rubbing against the elastic.  I must say, it has helped tremendously.  Glad to have two days off to hopefully heal.

Colleen, I was just coming here to write that! Except, I have 8 more to go. I've been sore and tight, so every time I feel that, I go put more lotion, oil, or aloe on. I've been braless the past week, and will be until I've finished healing. It's a little easier to do in winter. I have a ton of soft tank tops or camis (without the shelf bras) and have been layering them beneath my sweaters or long sleeved tops when I leave the house and just wear the tanks or camis at home.