January 2011 Rads

I will look for the medi honey.  It sounds nice.

Sue is right.  You think you are doing great then suddenly your skin falls off.  That is exactly what happened to me.  I was so proud of myself having made it to the very last whole breast with minimal skin irritation, then the day after the last one . . . yuck.

Omaz--My nipple area is getting sore also. Nurse told me that I could use polysporin on it as long as it  isn't within 2 hours of rads. The techs did tell me that the radiation continues to work up to 2 weeks post-treatment. My skin is doing pretty good so I am crossing my fingers that it will make it through. Can't wait to be done

Oh gosh, I thought I made it through the finish line well-preserved...uh oh.

My nipple got VERY sore today.  I've been going braless most of the time (thank God it's winter and I can wear bigger sweaters!) and nothing has bothered me.  Today my nipple is very uncomfortable.  I also am very itchy in the boost area and right under the breast.  I hope I'm not getting any blisters - I feel a few little bumps.  I've been using prescription cortisone cream.  

I'm really nervous because I'm going out of the country in 5 days -  

So this is what it has come to - I am lying in bed with no top on and a makeshift sling (pantyhose) around my shoulder to prop my left boob up so the raw area can air out.  It already looks a lot better after just one hour of fresh air.  The wet, icky look is going away.  This is so gross.  I hate this.

As gross as it is, it really does not hurt much.  Stings a little if I touch it, but otherwise it is painless.  My main concern is that it is never going to heal if it stays all moist and gooey (sorry, gross, I  know).  I thought some air would help speed things along.  It seems to be.  Going to try sleeping like this so it can get several hours of air.  I will probably wake up in the middle of the night choking on this sling . . . lol.

I'm finished!!!    I'm so happy to have made it and thank you Suepen and Oakley for your kind words.  Saw the rad onc today, she said I will see her again in 4 weeks for a check up.  Got a bit teary as I was getting changed out of my gown but they were happy tears I think!  My favourite tech gave me a kiss and a hug, actually I'll miss him alot, he was so lovely and kind.

And best of luck to everyone as you get closer to the finish, I'll hang around and cheer you on too.  You have all been such an amazing support to me and a fabulous source of information and encouragement - I felt so lost and afraid when I was dx and then again when starting rads, so thank you to all of you for getting me through it.

Oakley - Before I was dx, I had agreed to go with a group to Africa to climb Mt Killiminjaro and then do a safari in June, I am so looking forward to it. Where is your holiday?

Hello ladies. I know my rads are very different than what you are all going through. I wish you all the best, and quick healing once you're done!



Although my neck skin seems to be doing ok for now, my throat is another story all together! I can have severe pain when swallowing. Can't handle anything more than about half a dime sized mouthful at a time. It takes me forever to eat the little I do consume. I've lost six pounds in two weeks.



Apparently I'm getting IMRT radiation, Which is more intense, but for a shorter duration, so I'll only need 15 to 20 instead of the original 30. That will take me through next week, I believe. I'm told the throat will get worse before it gets better, but that it will get better a few weeks after rads end. Oh well, at least I'm losing the weight I put on with the AIs I was on for two years.



Take care, ladies.

I did #17 today and had the set up for boosts that begin on #26 through #35. It was very simple, pretty quick and the single additional tattoo I needed didn't hurt one tiny bit. I think my boob is numb in that area.  I need to lay on my side for those but just for a single ray, so although it isn't how I would choose to sleep it is manageable.

MY anxiety about going to treatment has not lessened. Now I find my self tapping my teeth a little as some sort of distraction from how I must be feeling. I don't consciously feel anxious but my behavior tells me I must be. I was much better functioning during chemo, I just did it and took the medicine. I didn't feel  like I was having a breakdown. Now I have missed five appoints, go late, can't leave the house in time even though my time is the afternoon.  Now Iam having night terrors, sleeping 13 or more hours, clicking my teeth, singing little tunes or get this clicking my teeth to familiar tunes such as jingle bells. I am going to have an appointment with a psychiatric oncology worker to try to sort this out. I only have 18 to go, I will use whatever help I can to get me to where I need to be.  

I went to be at 8:30 with a sleeping pill but didn't sleep so I got back up at twelve thirty. 

I love you all

GInger

Can't remember if I thanked everyone who gave me advice on the cruise so, THANKS!

Number three today.  One was very creepy, two less so, hope it keeps on going.

I have lots of Moogoo, a tub, a tube, some anti-aging cream, deodorant, and lip balm.  (c: 

Yeah, old school huh?!  Off to get radiated...

Saw the rad onco this morning.  She said everything looked fine and to just keep the silvadene on the raw area.  It should heal up by early next week.  It is itching a lot today so maybe that is a sign it is healing.  She does not think that "airing it out" is an issue, so I am not going to sleep in the sling again tonight . . . lol.  That was not comfortable. 

I can't find the medihoney in any drug store.  I found it online but by the time it gets shipped here, I will hopefully be healed or close to it.  Oh well.  Thanks for the suggestion, anyway.

Two more and I am done!!!

Congrats to those who have already finished! 

I have 3 more boosts.  The rad tech asked if I was counting - do ya think?