January 2011 Rads

sunangel - Although I don't know much as LCIS, I do agree with Omaz.  I would go to a MO that is not associated with anyone you have seen so far. Have that doc review everything that has happened so far and perhaps consult with your surgeon.  Before any more treatments, ask lots of questions. In particular, why Tamoxifen if you don't need it.   Don't do anything drastic at this point - keep what you have left for the time being.  When something like this happens we tend to go into panic mode and make hasty decisions.  I have done tons of research through out my journey and looked up everything.  Maybe that is what you should do and go with the information in hand.

(((HUGS))) To You.  Keep us posted

Polyana--the boost is radiation to the actual incision site from surgery. I am getting 5 boost treatments. From what I was told, the boost ensures there are no cancer cells remaining around the surgical site where perhaps they could "escape" when surgeon was removing the tumour. The radiation chamber area is pretty big where I am--there isn't any claustrophobic feeling at all. The first one is a little worrying because you don't know what to expect but you quickly get used to it--I am on #11 tomorrow and it goes by very fast. Good luck.

moyapeter-My RO actually told me to take benadryl, claritin or zyrtec whichever worked best for me for my rash.  At night benadryl is good because it makes me sleepy but during the day I fould claritin to work best for the itch.

Sunangle I would agree to see another MO.  I don't know much about LCIS but I do know that plenty of women with DCIS get a mx because there is too much spreadout in the breast.  From what I have read LCIS and DCIS are both stage O and considered cancer.  Good Luck with finding out more info this week.

Tomorrow is my last day and I wanted to tell all of you how much I have appreciated your support over my whining and skin sagas.  I wanted to update you from my painful last week that I have had.  I woke up Saturday morning please that my areola actually had developed and scab and was not near as painful.  I backed off of the pain meds during the day but took one last night.  This morning my breast did not hurt at all and I have not taken any pain meds and don't think I will need any tonight.  I finished my whole breast rads a week ago Friday and my breast skin looks so much better (still very tanned some of the rough spots are smoothing out) all except around my areol and nipple.  Anyway I actually wore a bra to church tonight and have not had one on since my second weeks of rads. My RO's nurse must have really felt sorry for me because when I went to pick up my pain meds I could not believe they had called me in 90 pills!!!!  I have never had a doctor do that.  Usually only 30 and no refills. I think I have a 20 year supply, haha!!!

Good Luck to those of you who are just starting.  Most people do not have problems so don't let my talk of pain pills scare you. 

I created a new topic, but thought I'd also ask here... had anyone been instructed to eat or avoid any certain foods during radiation?  I found a website that mentioned a few things I have been steadily or occasionally eating, like bananas, yogurt, mangoes, turkey and chicken.  Seems some of the good properties of these foods may interfere with radiation's job.  My RO never mentioned any dietary limitations to me.  I will ask him this week when I meet with him. Yikes!

Hi Girls, can I join?  I started Rads today.  Had a mini meltdown before I went in but luckily a nurse was there who was very calming and reassuring.  I think I'm just over it and very tired and grumpy today.  Then I got lost trying to find the place..  Even after 1 session today I can slightly feel a stabbing pain where the scar is.  Could be my imagination.

#15 done today, half way through. My sensitive skin is not coping too well.  Am very red, blotchy and itchy. The nurse told me that she thought I'd have trouble as I am so fair and my skin went red from day 1 so she's given me a gel called Solugel for burns and wounds.  My areola is also going a strange colour (nipple removed in second re-excision surgery so at least that can't be burned, got to be thankful for something I guess) and she is going to check me out again tomorrow.  I am feeling a bit down to have these skin issues with 15 treatments still to go. I've been placing a cold compress on my skin today (just a small wet hand towel) which is quite soothing.

Sherry and Lexy have you had your last treatment yet? I am very excited for you to be finishing. Not sure of the time difference, I'm in Sydney so I guess you are just starting your day now. Is anyone else finishing today?

Pennythoughts, I hope the itching is under control. SunAngel, I'm sending you a big hug too.

LuvMyLab - welcome to the group, we'll all get through this together.

Lyndalynda - thanks for the article on foods during radiation.  I think the yogurt, bananas etc are on the acceptable list the way I read it? My rad onc said nothing to me about food except to say, eat a 'nourishing' diet... I think that means eat a lot which I'm doing!

Thanks for all your welcomes girls, makes it so much easier that you are all linking arms with me and each other.

After rereading the article I think the bananas and yogurt (and the bottom list on the article) are okay.  Here's another one from Livestrong:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/353996-diet-nutrition-during-chemo-radiation-therapy/

I hope to meet with a dietician soon but the nurse for my MO hasn't called me back about it yet. 

sherryc- congrats on your LAST RAD!!!  YEA!!!!!  You'll have relief soon!

marjie - Welcome to the group - good place to hang out.  Lots of support and information.  

Your planning session will be very hectic.  Lots of things going on.  Should have scans done, tattoos, markings, etc.  Lots of people doing lots of different things.  It is going to seem overwhelming but try to take a deep breath and relax.  That is the time to ask lots of questions.  Once that is over, the rest of the appts are a piece of cake.  After #1 you will all into a routine and it will be over before you know it.  At your planning, I would definitely ask about creams to use during rads and try to start them from the beginning.  Good skin care is going to be the key to getting through.  They will probably tell you things like no deodorants, no scented soaps, no perfumes.  It you wear underwire bras, they are also a no -no.  I did not have chemo but I have heard that rads are easier.

The biggest thing you will have to be aware of is the fatigue.  It affects people differently.  It hit me after 2 1/2 weeks and I would have to stop and take a nap and the energy level went way down.  But we all adjusted to it.

Wishing you well. 

Marjie--Compared to chemo, radiation is a little easier.....I am into my 3rd week of radiation and so far I am feeling pretty good. My skin is holding up good. In Canada, they recommend that Glaxal Base cream (you can buy at Costco in large tub)--I put it on a few times in the day but you cannot put it on around 2 hours before your treatment. I wash with that Dove unscented body wash. It seems like the routine of going to the hospital each day will get tiring.

Today, my radiation was delayed due to problem with machine--first time that I have had machine problems---I was on the table all ready to go when the imaging part wouldn't come down--had to get up--wait and then go again.

Oh my gosh - I have so much to catch up on.  I spent the last two days NOT BEING ABLE TO GET INTO THE WEBSITE BECAUSE OF THE RIDICULOUS SURVEY THAT WOULDN'T LET ME OUT OF THE LOOP EVEN WHEN I COMPLETED IT!!!   Wow that was the most frustrating thing ever.  Sorry for everyone who is having issues - hang in there.  I'll be back - just need to read through A LOT!!!

HUGS! 

Hi Oakley, welcome back! I just saw your dog photo--they are adorable. I am posting from my iPhone, so I can actually enlarge the photo to see! Are you in Oakley CA?