December 2010 Rads

Barbcard2 - Good for you being on the internet.  So many people are scared of it.  I try to learn something new everyday.

I heard about this thread from sherry on another thread - is it too late for me to join in?  I had my tit-toos and simulation last week and begin on dec 21st.  Not really scared, but definitely anxious.

I've been "computer literate" for about 25 years; had to use computers when I taught English at a community college. Most of my subsequent knowledge is self-taught, but I long ago became addicted.  Yet I'm not nearly as tech-savvy as my young grandchildren. 

Hi Ladies,

FINALLY got a few days on schedule to start rads.  Monday at 9am, Tuesday at 1:45pm, and Wednesday at 2:00pm.  They close early Thursday so not sure if they'll fit me in, and then they're closed Friday and through Christmas weekend.  Not sure why the schedule is so inconsistent.  Do the rest of you go at the same time every day?  I was hoping for consistency so I could go to work on some kind of consistent schedule.

I did find pure Shea Butter at the health food store last night.  Not cheap at $12 for a small jar, but I plan to mix it with Emu Oil.  For those of you using some kind of cream, and working, how are you caring for your skin while you're at work??  I'm really concerned about having to have goo all over my chest and what to wear?  Left side is still my "natural" girl and braless is not an option due to size, so I'm curious.

Thanks!

Hi Guys:

Today was my fourth rad and every day there has been a scheduling delay or a machine malfunction!  Unbelievable.  Makes you wonder if this whole thing is just voodoo.  My breast already looks tan and I need to go to bed earlier than I did last week.  But I'm on a short schedule, so tomorrow I'll be 25% done. localgirl - My place was somewhat dismissive of creams, too, but I listened to the women on this board and have been using aloe vera and Aquaphor, figuring better safe than sorry.   jo1955 - My onc said that a cool compress is okay to use,  just not ice or anything really cold.  Hope your fatigue gets better.  Hugs to everyone.

toni30 - Glad to hear you can use the cool compress.  I know it feels good.  Fatigue still tends to jump up and bite me.  Have been working long days and it is starting to get to me.  I have a great boss - he believes in taking care of yourself & family first.  He was in town yesterday for his semi annual visit and again stressed that point.  So, gonna take tomorrow off and have a 3 day weekend.  Have lots to do around the house, laundry, etc.  I will have 3 days to get it all done and pace myself, even take a nap or two if I need it.

MrsNice - I had the same time everyday - went in at 4:00.  It worked well with my work schedule.  Got get zapped and then go home for the day.  It must be very frustrating to have machine breakdowns.  I had several delays and just wanted rads to be done.  Talk to your rad onc and see if you can work out a consistent time.  Usually they can work out something that goes with your work schedule.

Sherryc - I had a 4 day break at Thanksgiving and it did my skin a world of good even though I was at the end wanted to get done.  I slathered on the Aquaphor every chance I got.  Felt gooped up all the time but did not care.  At that time, I was due to go in on Monday and start my boost week.

Really need this break - went to work at 8:00 am and finally got home at 9:45pm -literally feel into bed and still felt like crap this morning.  We have a cold front coming in over night tonight and I have a massive headache.  Always happens with fronts.  So, gonna get to bed early tonight and hope the dog lets me sleep in.

We will have Christmas with the residents next weekend in the park. Have a pageant on Christmas Eve and then dinner the next day.  Otherwise, I am going to do as little as possible.

Try and pace yourself and take naps - I had to sometimes force myself to nap.  We have to come first - others will understand.

Hello Ladies, I would love to join your group. I went in today for my consult, had my stimulation and tatooing today and I will start rads on Mon 12/20 and I will be having 25 rads. I see some of you ladies mention a boost im unsure if I will be having that.  Is that the standard of care ??  Things are kind of rushed for me because I have a trip planned for the end of Jan . . . to Hawaii and I want to go (Im excited) !!! So the dr is fitting me in so quickly. I had chemo first, surgery BMX, now rads and then hormonal therapy . Wow this has been quite a year

I am so happy to say that I was able to get back on the Rads road again today.  I woke up feeling 100% better.  My Dr said that there were a number of other patients and 2 workers that had the same virus.  But It seems to be everywhere I turn here in the Philly area.  Hope none of you get it.   I also found out that I will be getting a treatment on Christmas eve morning.  Not sure about new years eave though.  Also, while I was there waiting 5 or 6 of us ladies were discussing our rads.  We noticed that some of us had rads face down, and others on their back.  I have mine on my back and after having my breast MRI face down, I would hate to have Rads face down.  Plus, I was the only one there who has a treatment everyother day using a bolus.  Does anyone else use one of these and why?

Welcome to the new ladies! Hope your treatments go well! I have finished 14 of 33 and am doing fine so far. No fatigue, just a slight pinkness that I noticed today. Side effects can vary a lot. Some have problems early; others don't. I talked to one lady at my center today who only has a week to go, and she said she had a little fatigue at the end of the second week, but has been fine since, and didn't have major skin problems until the boosts, when she had some peeling. So I would say nothing is inevitable, although some side effects are likely. But we are all different, so no one can predict how it will be for you.

 I don't know what a bolus is either, so apparently I don't use one.

Morning everyone!

So yesterday I had my simulation and now I'm sporting lovely blue and purple art.  I can't remember who it was but someone likened it to something their little one would do - that's exactly what it looks like to me - my kids' art!  Apparently they are supposed to draw on me some more during my first appointment - not sure there's much room left!  I have this huge purple line peeking out from all of my shirts - think I'll be wearing a lot of high-neck black shirts and sweaters for a while...All in all it only took 40 min to do the scans and markings - not too bad!

I have 2 little ones (4yr old boy and 2 yr old girl) and my husband and I both work full time but luckily I was able to get the 8am slot I wanted so I'll just be a little late to work for a while.  Anxious to get started and see what my SEs are going to be like - still nervous about the no cream, but I guess we'll see how it goes.

Hope everyone is having a great day-

Hi there.  Hope you are well and managing as best you can to get thru this time and find time for family and friends at this holidaty time.

I will be starting my rads in Jan 2011.  Will there be another thread or can I be a prt of this one?

Teklya 

Teklya - Even if someone starts a Jan thread, you are always welcome here.  I am still on Nov & Dec threads and will follow Jan too.  Want to stay connected with all my sisters.

localgirl - How fortunate for you - the best facility in Texas.  Although, none of us want to deal with this, but if we have to why not the best. 

Finished #15 today. Three weeks done and four to go--but two of those left are four day weeks due to the holidays. Am getting a little pinkness now. I saw the rad onc today, and she said I was right where they expected for three weeks in, and to keep using the cream, exercising, and drinking water. I also had some twinges today inside my breast in the surgery area. Nurse said those were the nerves reconnecting. After rads, husband and I went to a U-cut Christmas tree farm and cut ourselves a tree. I'm looking forward to putting it up. Then it will seem like the season is really here.

(posted this on the December board, but meant to post here...)