October 2010 rads

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  • ranafazal
    ranafazal Member Posts: 30
    edited December 2010

    Congrats to all Rad Grads- am relishing my freedom from the daily trek to the hospital.

    It's nearly 2 weeks since I finished, but still experiencing tiredness and fatigue..so please do remember to take rest and take it easy even after finishing the rad.

    I'll be travelling later this month and not looking forward to the scans or the patdowns... 

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  • cmksocal
    cmksocal Member Posts: 247
    edited December 2010

    I have been very surprised at how much fatigue I am having.  Radiation ended Tuesday 12/7 and the fatigue hit me hard on Thursday afternoon.  I thought I was just tired because I did some tracking training with my dogs (that sounds much more strenous that what it is) on Thursday am. But Friday I was worthless and today is no better.  I'm canceling my doggy tracking session for Sunday out in a regional natural area (that WOULD be strenous).  I have relatives coming to town next Wed-Fri to take to me out for a spa holiday, got to get more energy by then.

     Colleen

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  • riley702
    riley702 Member Posts: 1,600
    edited December 2010

    My fatigue comes and goes. I'll be fine for days and then my energy just crashes.

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  • DiamondGirl
    DiamondGirl Member Posts: 1,046
    edited December 2010

    Good day all :)

    I got radiation dermatitis 2 days after my rads were done.  It just flared up and my immune system got hay wire and I got an acute skin reaction.  Aside from feeling fatigued now and then (not severe), I must say there are 2 complaints:

    1.  rhino nipple, dry scaly, raw and sensitive

    2.  back of arm pit and nearby area in the back felt like internal bruising.  There's no visible bruises but when I touch it, it felt like I was punched hard and got a bad bruise. 

    There are also some phantom pains here and there appeared to be more frequent after radiation.

    Hope everybody are ready for the Christmas holiday!

    Wonder how many others are still doing the zapping?  You are not far from the finish line, you go girl !!

    {{HUGS}}}

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  • StacyA
    StacyA Member Posts: 209
    edited December 2010

    To those talking about fatigue I'm with you! I have 1 week left of radiation and I'm exhausted all the time now. I feel like I have mono (in the sense of how tired I am). I hope this passes soon but I've been warned that it take months to really feel better. Ugh! It doesn't help that we just had a winter blizzard here in MN and now it's going to be freezing cold this week. All the better reason to stay in bed. 

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  • TMarina
    TMarina Member Posts: 692
    edited December 2010

    Stacy--I have to say that I didn't mind being snowed in too much, because it just gave me an excuse to take it easy!  The fatigue is really getting to me now.  I cherish the weekends when I don't have to get up and run to rads!  I've even been skipping church because I just want to take it easy in the morning!  Thankfully I only have 3 left, and I'm hoping the driving will be ok for those 3 days (I go down to Regions--about a 20 min. drive). 

    Stay warm!

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  • StacyA
    StacyA Member Posts: 209
    edited December 2010

    Tina, 

    I agree today I stayed in and just took it easy. I'm so exhausted these days. I have 5 more days and I can't wait to be done!! I hate running to the appointments every day and I really dislike my skin feeling so sore. I hope your travels this week are good and that your 3 last appointments go quickly!!  

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  • DesignerMom
    DesignerMom Member Posts: 1,464
    edited December 2010

    Hang in there all you ladies finishing up rads.  I was very lucky not to feel much fatigue during rads.  My RO said fatigue could last a month after finishing.  And he is right!  I finished rads on Dec 3 and today I am just pooped!  Went shopping with my son and couldn't believe how tired I was.  Felt like my legs were lead.  This too shall pass!

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  • Linda603
    Linda603 Member Posts: 54
    edited December 2010

    I was one of the fatigue sufferers.  I'm about a month out, and I'm back to normal.  Hang in there, it does subside!  Skin is also back to "normal"...just a little tanned from the rads. 

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  • joan888
    joan888 Member Posts: 810
    edited December 2010

    Linda... I am the same.  One month out of rads and the fatigue is gone and skin is completely back to normal.  Now, I am finding that I kind of miss that little time each afternoon when I would force myself to lay down on the couch and just rest for a half hour or so.  Mmmmmm... now I need another excuse!  My new friend, Femara could possibly be it.

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  • DiamondGirl
    DiamondGirl Member Posts: 1,046
    edited December 2010

    I want to share with you that I went to the Lymphetic Physical Therapist yesterday and after the measurements and jotting down my complaints, I was told that I have flare ups underarm, little swelling on the inside elbow and there's LE on my back which radiated from the underarm.  I will start LE treatment tomorrow, I hope it won't hurt too bad.  Nipple is still sore and the skin rash is 95% gone.  I am feeling fatigued now and then, I will have to say it is worse than when I was getting the rad tx.  This too shall pass :)

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  • TMarina
    TMarina Member Posts: 692
    edited December 2010

    Hi everyone!  I finished rads today!!  SO HAPPY TO BE DONE!   I brought in treats for everyone, and got some hugs.  I had rads last year for colon cancer (MUCH WORSE!), and I told them I never wanted to see them again, and this time they told me they never wanted to see me again! lol!  I cried after I got out to the car--just overwhelmed with it all.

    Saw rad onc yesterday and everything looks good.  Told me to keep moisturizing for a few weeks and said rarely some people get an immune reaction and if that happens to use a steroid cream.  I wonder if that's the rads rash some of you have mentioned.  I have some cording deep in my arm, on the inside from armpit to elbow, and it's extremely sensitive to the touch.  My nurse showed me some exercises to do for it.  Anone else have this?

    The fatigue is really bad now.  Almost as bad as chemo.  Glad to hear it doesn't take too long to go away. I just have one more day that I have to watch my grandson, and then I'm going to take it real easy for a few days.  Most of my shopping is done, and I'm not decorating too much.  My youngest will be home from college on Sunday--can't wait!!  I'll put her to work :)

    Diamondgirl--hope the therapy goes well.  Let us know what they do for that.

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  • joan888
    joan888 Member Posts: 810
    edited December 2010

    Congrats TMarina.  No more driving to rads every day!  Yeah.

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  • DesignerMom
    DesignerMom Member Posts: 1,464
    edited December 2010

    tmarina-  Another graduation day!  Congratulations!  Doing the happy, happy, spin around in a circle dance for you! What a lot we have been through!  Isn't it amazing that here we are on the other side??  Blessings to you and your family.  What a lot to celebrate this year!

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  • DiamondGirl
    DiamondGirl Member Posts: 1,046
    edited December 2010

    Tina ~ Congrats to YOU !!! So happy to hear that you are done :)

    Your rad onc is right-on, and I'm one of those who got the immune system attack and got the rash flare up during the last week of treatment.

    I went for my first LE physical therapy, they use an electronic machine to lightly massage the area affected, re-directing the lymph fluid to channel away, feels great when they did it although I was forewarned that I may feel weird elsewhere.  Will let you all know tomorrow morning.

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  • mimi9186
    mimi9186 Member Posts: 127
    edited December 2010

    Tina congrats on finnishing.  I too have lots of cording in my arm.  The lymphedema therapist massaged some of it better.  Watch out for swelling in that arm.  Google Axillary Web syndrome and review that information.  Mine seems to be softening somewhat and is not so painful now.

    Love and Hugs, Mimi

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  • TMarina
    TMarina Member Posts: 692
    edited December 2010

    Thank you ladies!!  And thanks mimi, for the info!

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  • ranafazal
    ranafazal Member Posts: 30
    edited December 2010

    Happy Holidays, everyone....the Feb. follow up appt with the rad onc. seems quite far away. 

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  • cmksocal
    cmksocal Member Posts: 247
    edited December 2010

    TMarina - I had cording and it was very annoying.  After about 6 visits with a LE physical therapist the cording went away. I had the cording from my SNB (done as a separate surgery last July) and I finally insisted on seeing a PT in Oct ( post chemo and lumpectomy).  The cording wasn't going to go away on its own.

    Colleen

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  • TMarina
    TMarina Member Posts: 692
    edited December 2010

    Thanks for the info on cording.  I just have one that starts at the armpit. It doesn't hurt too bad unless I reach for something in a certain way.  I'm trying to remember to continue stretching it throughout the day.  If it is still there in a few weeks I will see the therapist at the breast health center. It started towards the end of rads, I think putting my arm above my head eveyrday started it.

    My rad onc said I don't need to see him unless I have problems.  He saw that I was seeing my regular onc in Jan. and said that was fine.  There doesn't seem like there would be much reason to see him again, so I'm glad to cross him off my list of docs!

    Hope all the October rads gals have a very merry Christmas, and get to spend time with loved ones!  I'm so happy to be done with chemo and rads-- I'm smiling all the time and enjoying my time with family!!

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  • riley702
    riley702 Member Posts: 1,600
    edited January 2011

    I saw my rads onc today and got the thumbs up to see him only if I have problems. Yay! I get my staples out Thursday, but I'll see the surgeon again, as well as my medical oncologist.

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  • StacyA
    StacyA Member Posts: 209
    edited January 2011

    riley702...that's great news about the rads and getting the staples out! 

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  • StacyA
    StacyA Member Posts: 209
    edited January 2011

    Hello All: 

    I have a few questions for all of you....my oncologist at my 1st follow up appointment mentioned having my ovaries removed. Anyone else having that done? I"m thinking of having a hysterectomy to keep this to 1 surgery. 

    Also he mentioned a new drug they are now using for Stage 1 and Stage 11 as prevention. Zometa. Anyone else hear anything about this from your oncologists?  

     Thanks,

    Stacy  

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited January 2011

    Stacy;

    My onc gave me the option of having my ovaries removed.  I too am thinking an entire hysterectomy would be the best way to go.  I have it on my list of questions to ask at my 1 year appointment.

    Just wondering if anyone else is having discomfort on the arm where lymph nodes were radiated.  It is actually on the outside of my arm and it is not muscular or even bone pain just a constant soreness. 

    Heather

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  • DesignerMom
    DesignerMom Member Posts: 1,464
    edited January 2011

    All you ladies considering oopherectomies and hysterectomies, please do some more research.  Unless you are BRCA + or have a family history of uterine cancer, I don't know if it is called for.  Surgery and anesthesia don't come without their own set of risks.  I have also heard that if you remove the uterus, other organs can shift around as it sort of holds everything in place. I think some doctors get a little aggressive cutting things out that "might" get cancer.   If it is warranted, that is another thing.

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  • DiamondGirl
    DiamondGirl Member Posts: 1,046
    edited January 2011

    Heather (hmh23) ~ I started to have my SNB side having major discomfort since around the 4th week into the rads.  By the time my rads were done, it is flared up beyond discomfort.  The pain radiated from the shoulder towards the elbow and it was like a band of muscle (I can't even describe it properly).  Then there's this pain that is compared to a bruised type of pain and that was in the bak side of my armpit towards the shoulder blade area.  There was no visible bruise or funny color on the skin.  Although I'm right handed I normally use my left arm (SNB side) to hold the phones and stuffs, and I find it impossible to hold and phone for even a few minutes without feeling numbness or discomfort. Is your pain continuous? Does it even let up?  Mine is there all the time.  My armpit also feels like it has a quail egg inside :(  if it doesn't flare up then it is just a small lump, if it flares up then it gives me dull pain.

    Designermom ~ thanks for the heads up.  I too was thinking about having an elective surgery on the ovaries and tubes but you are right about the other organs shifting.  

    My Onc naver ordered BRCA test on me at all.  Did you have to ask for it?  

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  • DesignerMom
    DesignerMom Member Posts: 1,464
    edited January 2011

    Diamond-  Have you requested some physical therapy on your shoulder and arm?  I think you might need to have some massage to loosen up the scar tissue to get some relief.   I think a lot of ladies have gotten relief and improved range of motion.  No, I didn't get BRCA tested, though my surgeon said she would order it if I wanted.  As I was 54 when diagnosed and had no family history of BC, I think it is unlikely.  I am still contemplating about the test.

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  • DiamondGirl
    DiamondGirl Member Posts: 1,046
    edited January 2011

    Sorry to announce, Bopeep became an angel.  RIP Bopeep! No more suffering.

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited January 2011

    Diamondgirl; 

    My bone-like pain actually has let up a bit but I still have burning pain.  A good friend of mine is now 10 years post radiation and she tells me that she still has pain.  I saw my onc at a birthday party and he reassured me not to worry about it.  As far as the 'lump' under your arm, I had my radiation onc look at it and he also reassured me that it was not anything to worry about...most likely scar tissue and effects of rads.  I am hoping to go to physical therapy as my chest is quite tight and my range of motion seems to be more limited now that I have healed completely from rads.

    I also have more pain when I work out so I've been avoidiing yoga right now and lifting any heavy weights.  They both seem to aggravate my symptoms. Hope that helps. 

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  • DiamondGirl
    DiamondGirl Member Posts: 1,046
    edited January 2011

    Hmh23,

    That's real good to hear.  I borrowed books from library, call Lymphedma.  It talks about not doing any strenuous exercises and no hot tubs etc... 

    I am still waiting for the skin around the aerola to heal.  Still feels tight and pulling at times :(

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