March 2011 Rads

19/33.  They said my skin is holding up well.  It's just heat rash itchy.  My brain on the other hand is not.   I call it the fatigue fog...it's like I'm thinking through gelatin.  My MIL is going to be here today, I think I'll try to take a nap after all. Muwahaha.

I know it's late in the month,but just wanted to put my name in the March rads sisterhood. I started at the end of February and should finish April 8th, knock on wood. Today was 23/33. Tomorrow my RO marks me for my boosts, a few days early because he has the week off for Spring Break. I want a week off!! Seems like this has been a never ending adventure since last June. Would definitely like a vacation too!!! I was surprised at how much I have burned, since I am normally one of those people that can get a tan from a lightbulb and rarely burns. Guess I lost all my tanning karma when I got BC. Bummer!!

It is amazing how chemo just keeps on giving(SE's) even after you are done with TX. In January,my toenails slowly began separating from the nailbed. And my last AC treatment was Dec 23. Go figure, just in time for sandal weather! 

Girl Friday, your list was invaluable! What a great comprehensive list!! Coming from the standpoint of a DMX, I would suggest keeping a pillow in the car, so you can put something soft between you, your rads burn and that pesky seatbelt!!

Ladies have a great day and lube, lube, lube!!! : - ) 

Adey - I got free aloe plants, but they were not *medicinal* - they have spikes on the outside which I cut off, of course, but I am noticing that it stings a little after I scoop out the juice and apply it...  Is that your experience?

Girlfriday - thank you, that is an AWESOME summary.  I am printing it out.

Margie - please keept posting, ROFL, love the story re: cookies.

3teacher - I had hysterectomy last year, best thing I ever did.  Only difference is dryness (in all areas).  Plan on six weeks of being out, I am almost a year post-op and except for a scar and some numbness, can't tell I had SX!

BTW, if you are in California, they sell Aquafor at CVS!

13/30 out of 30 today. My arm, and under my arm are burning and my nipple is starting to complain. 

cmblastic: Added the pillow!  That's a great idea.  My seatbelt hits right at the worst part!

cms77:  Good look with your next surgery.  I wish I could exercise. Right now I consider it a marathon just to walk the dog a couple of blocks!

doreyme- My RO explained boosts as the same amount of radiation but targeted at the scar area. They are given at the end.  From my understanding, if you have any skin problems to other places on the breast, those places will begin to heal during the boosts.  I was very anxious about starting rads, but it has not been bad at all.  I am 22 of 35 today(including 7 boosts).  I am very fair skin and I have not really burned.  I look tan, but can feel a little burning.  Best wishes...CK

Hi Ladies,

I just finished up with chemo (woohoo!!!!) and will be starting rads April 4th.  I just read all of the March posts and wanted to say thanks.  I feel prepared now to move on to the next phase.  All of you posted great info and had me laughing a lot.   I swear these boards have been more helpful than any other source.   

GrandmaBubba-  So sorry to read that you have burned.  Hoping the prescription clears it up fast. 

Sunflower71- Rads are not bad for me and I hope you will breeze through them.  I finish April 12, so wwill be going through part of April with ya

Almost forgot to say 23/35 done!!!! only 5 more 'til the boosts!!!

Happy FRIDAY ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GrandmaBubba, sorry to hear about your burn pain,let your body heal the next few days. Remember to drink LOTS of water and eat your protein, that helps the healing. And I totally get what you mean about ghost pains, I get them too.

I got marked for my boosts today. My RO explained that boosts are lower level rads that don't go as deep and are targeted at the tumor bed. The techs draw on me daily with black marker which usually comes off when I lotion the burn. He marked an oval area 2 cm around my MX scar with a blue marker. And told me it had to stay on till I start my boosts on April 4---he is going on vacation next week.  This will definitely be a challenge in the shower for the next ten days!!! 

All ladies visiting the "radium spa" have a great weekend as we count down.  12/33 for me.  Can't wait to avail myself of weekend naptime.So far my radiaplex gel is working fine.  It may be too early and I may sing a different tune later on.  libraylil

Feel behind rads this week, was in the hospital for acid reflux pain, lower left abdominal pain, some docs said the rads could be giving me the upper gi issue,  One doc said chemo side effects, another said stress, rads say that part of my body is not in the field. who knows,anyone have any issue with that?   finsihed 14/35.  no redness yet, but my upper arm tingles alot these days. No fatigue yet. 

Great info GirlFriday, thanks for all your encouraging words, Marje , you and your hubby are too funny!!

Wishing everyone a good weekend.

Hey all,

thegood5- Herceptin causes foot pain?  No kidding.  I just had my second herceptn Wed. and yesterday the bottoms of my feet were hurting like I'd walked miles.

grammabubba- sorry to hear about your burns.  I hope they mend quickly.

My bummer of the day is a little lump I found this week, right in the middle of the tatoos for my primary site.  I have to wait till Monday to see the surgeon about it. No one else could feel it when I say the RO Wed.  I realized lotion on my skin is what allowed me to rub right to detect it.  Now we can all feel it is there.   BUMMER!  I'll be really glad to know it is nothing because "something" would indicate my chemo wasn't the magic bullet I hoped it was.   Pain in just this spot is what clued me in to look there to begin with.

14/33 done today.  Thank goodness it is Friday.  I am ready for a break.  Just now starting to show a tan.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Alice 

I'm not sure if this should be my forum or if I need to be on a April forum, I start 28 treatments on Monday the 28th...ironic...but this has been very helpful to read this past month during my planning.  I decided to name my rads machine Tanner, I have no clue what type of machine it really is but tanner seems to describe the SE's.  I guess I will be joining doreyme and sunflower71.

grammabubba - there is no such thing as a "downer" in this trip we are all experiencing!

msjag - keep us updated about your digestive tract issues.  I still suffer from acid reflux and I am now 3+ weeks from chemo.  I have used every OTC medication that has been on sale or if I had a coupon and nothing seems to provide relief for more than a couple of hours.  My MO, although she is sympathetic, just encourages me to keep trying different products...

thrmine - good luck on Monday, I'll be thinking about you as I start rads.  Hopefully the lump is just a lump and nothing additional to your diagnosis.

kal-1865~welcome, we are all going thru the same thing, of course you are in the right place!  I don't even start until mid-April thanx to a 2nd lumpectomy, should have started rads by now...

1/20

First one down! Hurray! So glad this show is on the road!!!!! I keep forgetting to read the side of the machine to see what kind it is. I haven't figured out if it's a boy machine or a girl machine, my name for it will be either Bobby Ray or Bobbie Rae.

Need to get some fleece b/c I don't think I can pull off going bra-less at work.

Have a great weekend everyone!