January 2011 Rads

Blossom- I also have 28 + 8 boosts.  They will be giving my boosts about halfway through regular rads to"give my breasts a break".  I noticed a few other people are being treated the same way, but not most.   I will be doing #11 today so we are neck-and-neck!    I don't have itching, skin is a little darker "tan", but I'm beginning to have tenerness/soreness just below the breast.  It is sore like your muscles would be the day after a work-out.  I am waking up early but have been doing that for a while now (before radiation).  I notice it more when I first wake up... I am thinking of asking for some hydrocodone.  I normally don't take unneeded pills and have a high pain threshhold, so I will start with 1/2 pill because I do believe it will help me sleep.  I suppose I need to check with RO first, but is anyone else taking hydrocodone (vicodin)?

lynda-the vicodin is fine, at the end when I was having pain that is what my RO gave me to take.

lestwin-when my itching was so bad my RO told me to take benadryl, claritin or zyrtec so the benadryl should be fine for you to take if it helps you sleep.

I am happy to not be going to rads everyday, but Monday evening I received bad news on my step-dad.  He has had two lobes of his lungs removed because of lung cancer a couple of years ago and now it is in his bones.  So next Monday he has an appt with my RO so back to the RO clinic again.  geez I just can't get a break, at least I really like my RO and the staff.

TNBC-er, fatigue during rads is very common, but not inevitable. I am one of the lucky ones who didn't really have that side effect. I was, perhaps, just a bit more tired than usual; however, getting up extra early for the long ride to treatment may have caused that. I was able to do all of my normal activities with no problem. And I do know a couple of others at church who also sailed through with few problems. There's really no way to know until you get into it. So be hopeful, but try to keep commitments at a minimum during this period, as extra rest may be necessary and certainly can't hurt.

TNBC--I am also having radiation to the axilla area--kind of around my collar bone area (I think that is same as clavical?). I chose to have this radiation as I did have lymph node positive--and although the studies are not conclusive that radiating the axilla will help to prevent recurrance--Doc said for BC patients at younger age (before 40), there are studies ongoing in Europe that show a couple of % gain...being that I am taking all treatment--I decided to go for it. Main SE is another zap that could cause soreness in that area and perhaps Lymphodema--but chances are slight.

I am on #13--almost halfway--skin is holding up great. I do feel a little achey under armpit but visually--nothing there. I did feel fatigue today--not sure if from radiation or just sleepiness.

marjie- I go for planning next week... and away we go.

Polyana-I did not even realize they were ever shutting a door.  I saw the door and finally asked one time if they shut it during treatment and they said yes.  Mine was quiet and you never heard it shut plus it was behind a wall so you could not see it.  My room was rather large so did not feel closed in at all.  Keep your chin up.

I do have another question before I go for my rad consult on friday.  When you all talk about the fatigue is it commulative or is it right after the treatment?  I am wondering what time would be best to get treatments, I do work full time didn't know if early mornings or on the way home would be best, or does everyone react differently and time isn't an issue?   So much to plan for!  I am really anxious now to get chemo over with next week.  Once I finish rads it will almost be SPRING, yes tired of the snow in MA!!!!

Are most of the creams you are talking about here over the counter? I will ask my rad onc what they give/recommend to patients. Thanks again.

I work full time as well and scheduled mine in the afternoon.  The fatigue is cummulative and hit me around 3 weeks.  Once it did I really felt the need to take a nap when I got home from treatment usually about 1 hr.  Then I was good to cook supper and do the normal things I needed to do in the evening.  Everyone is different and some do not even feel the fatigue. 

As for the creams my RO prescribed Xclair. I really liked it, it was non greasy and worked really well.  It is amazing how fast my skin is healing up.  I used a little Aquaphor for about a week but went back to the Xclair full time.  right after treatment I always used Aloa Vera, I liked the way it felt afterward and then would put my cream on when I got home.

As FYI, I asked today if they do radiate from underneath and on me---they do, it is for the axilla area that I opted to get radiated. The machine starts underneath for a short zap, then to the side, then to other side and then straight in front...again for axilla area. I guess if I didn't choose axilla then I would have two less zaps! They mentioned to me today to put cream on shoulder above collar bone....I wasn't putting cream up and over the shoulder. My skin is fine still....they said more people start seeing SE in third and fourth week. I am in middle of third week....almost half way!

I have noticed that big door but never heard it closing.  I wonder if it does at my facility.  Probably.  I will check tomorrow.  That is funny.

I am at the half way point  with 17 down and 16 to go,  No problems with my skin yet. However I am feeling tired most of the time. I am hanging it there.  I really like my radiation techs. They are very nice and so funny, Thank you for your support.

Number 17 done, 13 to go. Feeling good. Welcome to everyone who has just joined our group, I've found the advice and support here invaluable.  Still red and blotchy but not too bad. I'm finding it soothing to put the solugel (or aloe vera gel) on my breast and then I place a dressing tucked into a camisole (bought some cheap stretchy ones at Target which do the trick). Seems to hold everything in place. As for fatigue, I find it hits me mid afternoon, but I generally come good later in the day.

Polyana, hang in there,you can do it and we are all here to support you too.

Love your photo SherryC, how fantastic to be finished!. Christy, it does make a difference to have nice techs, most of mine are so friendly and nice too, except....

 I should probably post this next comment on the 'dumb things people have said' thread ... my scar is a long one as I had two surgeries, a SNB, and a large area to be removed, so I'm well aware it's a large scar and I'm a bit self concious about it. There was no avoiding it and of course I'd much rather have the cancer out than worry about the size of the scar.  However, as I'm lying on the rads table, one of the rad techs decided to comment that he thought it was one of the longest scars he'd ever seen, he couldn't understand why it was so large as they are usually much smaller'!!  Gee thanks, that makes me feel great.  Dumb. 

Oh well, thank goodness it's Friday tomorrow!

Polyana,

There are several things you can do to help yourself during rads. You should know you will not be the first person to have these issues. Ask the techs to show you how you could open the door from the inside if you needed to. Have them show you the telephone in the room you could use to call out with if you needed to. Ask them if they have a camera connection into the room where they can see you to know you are okay,  and as if they have a two way intercom that they can speak to you throughout your treatment. Have them show you how you could get off of the table by yourself if you should need to do so.  All of these things will give you back your power. I think knowing you could choose to stop treatment is also powerful. I of course hope you will weigh the pros and cons and continue the best treatment path for you.

The hospital also almost certainly has a social worker that can help you work through this. You are standing with all of us here and we stand with you! 

Hugs GInger