December 2010 Rads

Barbcard - My prayers are for you. I've been feeling ignored by my daughter this whole journey (she's in WA). I'm not asking for her to take care of me, but jeez...a phone call once in a while to ask how I'm doing would be nice!  Some days we just feel blaw.

Susantm - I had a full-blown panic attack a couple of weeks ago at work. Cubicle-mate was hacking and blowing and I asked if she was going home early.  Had to take a Xanax b/c I was soo fearful of getting sick!!  Its not my normal reaction but nothing's been normal since before BC!

Maggiesmom - so glad to hear the PET scan is all clear. What a relief after a nightmare scare.

I'm on my way for #16 after this post.  Can't wear a bra now -- too sensitive.  I've had to be a bit creative as I'm 5'2, 140 lbs & 34H!  Walk slowly and wear a really bulky scarf!  Thank the Lord I'm 1/2 way done.

WE CAN DO THIS LADIES!

rednnrah - My simulation was quick too - the tattoos hurt too.  When do you start?

Ladies - Hope everyone is feeling better.  Take extra good care of your skin while going through rads and be kind to yourself - take that nap if you have to - you deserve it.

I think about each and everyone of you daily know we are fighters.  We will have our good days and bad - we are all here to support each other.

Sending cyber hugs to everyone

rednnrah - My tattoos hurt also and I was told it would be a quick pinch. Not true for me.

grannydukes - funny to me that your zap room is cold, that is what I would expect but mine is hot.

maggiesmom - I am thinking of you.  You have had a tough year.  My kids are grown so I can't even imagine how hard it is for all you girls with young children.  

barbcard - Thinking of you too.  This has been the hardest thing for me having breast cancer. Thank goodness for this site, it has been so supportive.  So sorry you are dealing with this alone.

marriedblis -  I havent been able to wear a bra for weeks.  It is a challenge to look normal in clothes

I am starting to believe I will get though rads.  Only 9 to go! 

Hang in there Barb.  You already started treatment and that's a good thing.  My first RAD is tomorrow.

Granny, thanks for the advice, first RADS tomorrow, will take gloves!  I am always cold!

Hi Ladies:

barbcard- Your husband is a creep. Glad you are gettng help from the social worker.  I needed to see a therapist after chemo - I thought I would feel better after chemo but I was in a  funk. It helped.

cmf - After rads, I put a cool compress (but not ice) on the breast for maybe 10 minutes.  Then I put on aloe vera.  Then a few times that day, I put on Aquaphor or Udderly Smooth cream. So far, so good.

Soulswithin - My lumpectomy was near my nipple and I have been sensitive since then (early November).  One thing that helped - I cut a piece of soft fleece from an old robe and put it under my bra.  The nipple doesn't rub nearly as much.   

Hugs to everyone!!!!!!!!! 

cmf - Sherryc is right.  Start using creams from the first day.  Just don't use any at least 2 hours before being zapped.  You may want to check with your RO as each facility is different on the time before treatment.  Use your cream 3 times a day, unscented soap, no deodorant with aluminum and don't scrub the treatment area.  Your rad tech and/or RO should go over all  this with you if they haven't already.  Lot of rules but you will need to take extra good care of your skin.  The effects are cumulative and you may not see anything for a couple of weeks.  Some have skin reactions sooner that others.  Let your team know if you are having any skin problems.

Let us know how it goes tomorrow.

Take Care Everyone and Have a Great Day Tomorrow 

bher - Yea! Nine more to go - the end is in sight. 

singletona80 - Great news on the 1st uneventful rad.  Cross my fingers that the rest goes just as well.

singleton@80: Congrats on starting the countdown.  It's starting to become a habit with me.  Whether a good or bad habit, though, I cannot say.

My latest metaphor for this rad business is that I'm the knocked-down Statue of Liberty  lying on her back on a cold metal plank, her right hand clenched in a steel handle.  No torch.  Maybe I'll send the whole poem when it's finished.

Love and luck to all.

hi all,

i had 3 tattoos - the first two i didn't even feel, but the third one was so painful it made up for the other two :-)

my incision isn't healing (I'm 7 weeks after surgery, and still have a hole in the middle of the incision scar. so i won't be starting rads next week as planned - don't know how long i'll be postponed for, but i think i'll stay on this list instead of moving to the Jan list if that's OK.

Does anyone know if the radiation we get is dangerous for small children? I have a 2 year old, and after I had my PET/CT scan, I wasn't allowed to go near my daughter for 36 hours becuase of the radiation agent they injected into me. Does anyone know if there are any similar restrictions with these rads? (I hope not - i'm a single mother and don't know how i'll manage my 2 yr old if i can't touch her for 6.5 weeks)

mish1015 - Tomorrow will be your simulation.  That is when they do the CT scan and your tattoos.  They use this information to decide where exactly you will be radiated.  The whole process usually takes about an hour.  There will be lots of people doing a lot of different things.  It will seem hectic but just try and relax.  Ask lots of questions if you are not sure what is doing on.  Once the simulation is over, you will be told when you will actually start - it could be days or several weeks.  Be sure to ask your rad onc about using creams for the skin.  I used Aquaphor and had good luck with it.

Hope this helps.