March 2011 Rads

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  • LovemyLife12
    LovemyLife12 Member Posts: 43
    edited March 2011

    HAPPY MONDAY Everyone.. 24/35 finished.  Tech said my skin looked pink today.  Go for my boost simulation tomorrow.  Start 7 boosts Monday.  YAY!!!

    Kal1865-  Sorry to hear of your delay.. I know yoou want to start so it can end.. It really does fly by

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  • msjag
    msjag Member Posts: 416
    edited March 2011

    GirlFriday:  I visit maine every summer!  Saco area, and Old Orchard Beach.  Have friends who live/camp in those areas.  Its been chilly in MA too, but not 20's thank goodness!! Someday spring will come to the east coast!!

    15/35 done...doing ok...so far...other than burping my whole day away!! 

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  • heavenschild
    heavenschild Member Posts: 212
    edited March 2011

    Margie - talked with a friend here at work who also went through rads and she said that her RO told her about extreme fatigue, so much so that you should pull over if it hits you when driving.  Yikes!  She was lucky enough not to have to work....

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  • 3teacher
    3teacher Member Posts: 42
    edited March 2011

    Happy Monday and another one down! 20 out of 34  but who's counting...

    LoveMyLife1- Hey, I go for my boost simulations tomorrow, too. I don't start my boosts until next Wednesday, but they want to do the sims tomorrow. Tomorrow will not be fun for my arms: prefilms, regular treatment and then do the boost simulation/scan whatever it's called. Yikes- hope my arms hold up in that horrid "position"!

    So far, so good. Skin is very, very pink with a few slotchy red places. GOD, get me through this week and then I'll have 2 days rest and then only 2 more regular treatments.

    Top of chest was itchy right away after treatment today, but this Miaderm seems to do the trick. Slather, slather. Never wear a bra anymore. Had to wear one Sat. night to a party and drove me nutty. Left early- could not take it.

    Trying so hard to drink water, water, water. Everything I read/everyone I speak with says that is so very important. Not sure the reason, but doing my best. At least it tastes okay..unlike during chemo when it was repulsive tasting.

    Speaking of chemo, yes, I too, think it tears up our digestive tracts big time. Did AC and then Taxotere (and ongoing Herceptin). The ACT did a number on my digestive tract. Have never, ever had those issues in my whole life. I could eat anything anytime and never have a tummy ache, etc. Now my tummy, etc. never feels quite right.

     And yes, it does seem to fly by. Go figure.

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  • sandymess
    sandymess Member Posts: 299
    edited March 2011

    9/33 done! Had to see the bobble-head nurse today, though I don't know why. She does nothing but take my blood pressure. Asks if I have questions, but has no answers for me. I said I am achy. She said it's too early for that. And that was it. So I guess I am NOT achy because 'it is too early for that.' End of story. I'll see the doctor tomorrow and see what he says.



    3teacher: I also could not drink water during chemo. Had to make lemonade instead as the water was just disgusting.



    Hope you all have a great day/evening!

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  • marjie
    marjie Member Posts: 1,134
    edited March 2011

    heavenschild - YIKES! is right!  I can certainly relate though because when the fatigue hits, it's like hitting a wall.  This is just the start of it too so I really hope it doesn't get any worse.

    sandymess - I am achy too and I'm pretty sure I started noticing it around the second week.  I hate it when they tell you what you are or are not feeling!!!  You just keep bringing it up because we are all individuals and aren't necessarily going to follow the book!  To me the achyness seems to come with the fatigue...I know as soon as I start feeling the aches, I am going to need to rest.

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  • marjie
    marjie Member Posts: 1,134
    edited March 2011

    WOW - my last post looks really negative and whiney.  Many apologies!!

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  • heavenschild
    heavenschild Member Posts: 212
    edited March 2011

    I really appreciate the ladies on this board, if I can't whine here, where can I?  Friends don't understand (i.e., they say "if they got it all, why are you doing radiation?") and hubby is sooo tired of hearing me say that I hurt and am tired.  it also helps to know when/if SE's hit and that they are not all in my imagination! 

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  • GrandmaBubba
    GrandmaBubba Member Posts: 111
    edited March 2011

    I never thought I'd be jealous of women getting radiation, but I see your numbers go down and I think you're the lucky ones. How pathetic is that? :) I too have been running into the brick wall. DH and 2 grandkids and working full-time make it hard to keep up with rest. I just have to keep believing that God is in control and there is a reason for all this.

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  • libraylil
    libraylil Member Posts: 528
    edited March 2011

    Heavens child. Oh yeah and the comment after chemo "Well you are done now". If you are not walking the walk you just don't get it.



    Marjie. Apology not needed. You didn't sound whiney and if you did, you are entitled. we ve all gone through close to a year of painful disturbing assaults on our bodies and emotions. Not to mention baring our parts to half the medical community.



    Doc day today at the RO, eye candy day. Libraylil

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  • Angelice
    Angelice Member Posts: 1,739
    edited March 2011

    I agree marjie I feel same way I'm day 5 :)

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  • LovemyLife12
    LovemyLife12 Member Posts: 43
    edited March 2011

    Hi Everyone-Today the countdown BEGINS .  Was unable to do my simulation because RO was in the OR.. 

     10 left

    GrandmaBubba-  Sorry your running into a wall.  I know how frustrating it can be to watch others go on with treatment.  I was supposed to be finished with treatments in February.  I got a late start due to miscommunication, lab results running behind you name it.  But they did start and are almost over.  You will get there

    Not sure who was writing about her arms being sore during tx. My rad place has wings that I rest my elbows on.  Maybe they have someting like that.

    Whine time- Under my breast has a tiny area maybe 1/2 cm that  has peeled and is raw.  It feels really tight.  the pain is there.  Trying to power through til the boosts start on Monday.  We are taking my dd to an amusementpark/zoo Saturday.  Please pray that I can enjoy the day and not complain.  Also would love to wear a tank top (80 degrees here) But embarassed by these marks.  Okay griping for today over and out:-)

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  • marjie
    marjie Member Posts: 1,134
    edited March 2011

    GrandmaBubba - I can remember actually being jealous of the ladies who were starting chemo while mine was delayed!!  If I only knew....lol.  Actually it's just a matter of wanting to get this done and in the past, so I totally understand.  You'll be counting down before you know it and you'll have all our experiences to draw from Wink

    Things are changing for me daily, fatigue and aches have hit, now all of a sudden I have a crazy itchy rash just above my breast.  I only have Glaxal or Aloe here at home and I don't think either is really doing anything.  Likely going to need to talk to my RO and get something else.  It's a little disconcerting because I still have 15 more to go .... I really wanted to avoid any skin problems, you know....catch a break!!  LOL!  Having to rub all these creams on my breast is a major thing for me - I don't even like to touch it - what a mental block, I'm sure I'm afraid I will find another lump.  Boy, cancer can sure be a total mind-f**k....pardon my inferred profanity!

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  • GirlFriday
    GirlFriday Member Posts: 461
    edited March 2011

    22/33!  Fatigue fog was non existent yesterday.  Today I can't think straight!

    msjag:  PM me when you hit OOB, and we'll toast with our toes in the sand!

    marjie:  I have that same rash, it's called folliculitis.  I've been using hydrocortisone cream or benadryll cream.  I think the benadryll works better.  I take a benedryl if it gets too itchy. The RO said the OTC topicals are all they would advise unless it's so bad you're scratching the skin open.  Any lotions seem to aggravate it for me, so now I'm doing  dual lotion strategy!  Hit it with aloe and then hit it with the OTC topical! I think you've done really well if you're just getting the rash now! Your boosts are just around the corner! 

    lovemylife:  would a tank top be more or less comforable?  I'd do what feels best!  Don't worry about anyone else!

    libraylil:  What are you baring to Dr. EyeCandy today? tehehehe!

    I've decided to put my soy milk in a wine/whine glass.  I toast health and well being to you all!

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  • heavenschild
    heavenschild Member Posts: 212
    edited March 2011
    margie - I have watched your posts and admired your strength.  Only 15 more to go, kind of like you are at the end of the marathon!  Finish line is there within sight, yahoo!!!  Boosts at the end of TX when you can catch your breath. Blessings, blessings, blessings. 
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  • Adey
    Adey Member Posts: 3,610
    edited March 2011

    I'm done, a bit crispy but now able to start to heal.  Best wishes to you all.  (c:

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  • sandymess
    sandymess Member Posts: 299
    edited March 2011
    lovemylife: Try not to care what others think. You have been through hell. Do what feels good for you!

    Grandmabubba: I feel the same way! I will have my 10th treatment today, but I am jealous when I see others with more tx's done. Weird, but human, I guess. ;)

    Libraylil: Have fun with your eye candy!

    Well, I'm off to rads treatment. Have to meet with the RO today, too. Wonder if he'll tell me it's too soon to be achy like the nurse did.
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  • pumela115
    pumela115 Member Posts: 231
    edited March 2011

    Good morning everyone!!!   #20 for me today should be 21 but the machine broke one day last week. Tues must be RO day because i see mine today too. i'm achy all over too. Today i'm not tired but yesterday i couldn't keep my eyes open. It seems like when i do to much i hit the wall, my brain wants to do it all, however my body can't. :) Hope everyone has a GREAT DAY! i'm off to sizzle now.

                                                                Pam

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  • GirlFriday
    GirlFriday Member Posts: 461
    edited March 2011

    marjie: I don't know about you but I have to keep the rash tightly covered.  If the skin is exposed and my shirt or something brushes over it, I feel crazed with the need to scratch! 

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  • shooshoo23
    shooshoo23 Member Posts: 96
    edited March 2011

    YAY ADEY! So glad ur done! Can't wait to be done too! 12/33 today.

    marjie- Glad I'm not the only one who's wiggy about touching it! I have a real issue there. Probably need therapy or something.... 

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  • sandymess
    sandymess Member Posts: 299
    edited March 2011

    marjie: I hear you on not wanting to touch the area. It really freaks me out, besides it being pretty tender.

    Well, 10/33 done today. The RO said that the soreness above my breast is because of the position we have to get into on the machine. The breast tenderness is a normal reaction and will probably stick around till the end of treatment. I'll be done with all of this by teh end of April, but he told me to count on being exhausted well into June! Jeesh!!

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  • kal_1865
    kal_1865 Member Posts: 176
    edited March 2011

    adey congrats on reaching the finish line!

    sandymess wow, i didn't ask about the fatigue timing, thanks for the information.  i'm still having chemo fatigue issues at 4 weeks out, maybe rads fatigue will counteract chemo fatigue...

    1/28 done...sounds depressing but i guess it will go quickly now that it has finally started.  i'm having 4 sites targeted so they have me scheduled for a "double" appointment (1/2 hour).  they said it will go faster after today.  they really are insisting that i not use anything other than Lansinoh cream, a lanolin cream, no matter how many times a question the product.  oh well, i guess i'll find out soon enough.

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  • marjie
    marjie Member Posts: 1,134
    edited March 2011

    Heavenschild - thank you!  It's quite a journey for all of us.

    Sandymess & Shooshoo - Yeah as soon as I was diagnosed I just couldn't touch my boob at all, my tumour was big enough that I could feel it easily and it just gave me the creeps. My DH would tease me and say that when I went into surgery, they would have no problem seeing which one to operate on .... it would be the dirty one, because I wouldn't wash it in the shower,lol!  I'm doing better now because I have to, but I still hate to touch it.  Guess I need to learn to forgive and forget??

    Today I talked to the techs about my itchy rash.  They said aboslutely nothing but Glaxal cream or Aloe....I see the RO on Friday and he may prescribe something but I am not to take matters into my own hands.  We'll see I guess - can't imagine that some Benadryl cream for the itch can hurt things along as everything is all washed off for treatment.

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  • LovemyLife12
    LovemyLife12 Member Posts: 43
    edited March 2011

    Adey- So happy for you.  Hope your healing is quick!

    Marjie-So with ya on the not touching thing.  So unfair to me.  I used to love my breasts on my otherwise imperfect body.  Now I feel betrayed by my own body.  I am so afraid of every little bump and/or pain.  BTW my RO said that hydrocortizone lotion was fine too.  Hope you get some relief soon

    Kal_1865-Hoping your treatment goes speedy quick.   

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  • ElizabethAnne
    ElizabethAnne Member Posts: 21
    edited March 2011

    Hello friends!

    I'm now 15/33 and I also noticed a rash forming above my breast yesterday.  It is so itchy!  I'll be interested to hear what the RO has to say about it when I see him in the morning.  

    Do any of you have permanent marker all over you, covered by clear tape?   I have seven of these all over the place.  They keep falling off and they are also getting a bit itchy under the tape.  I am beginning to wonder if my facility is using some archaic form of marking.    

    Elizabeth 

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  • gingerstx
    gingerstx Member Posts: 91
    edited March 2011

    GrandmaBubba-  I had to deal with delays too:  I couldn't get treated at home so had to fly 2000 miles to relatives for it but then the MO delayed my treatment to await oncotype test results to determine whether I needed chemo.  So I returned home for 3 weeks, not a happy camper!  It turned out that the delay and all that extra flying had been worth it because I was able to skip chemo and go right into rads.  Today I'm 18/36, so halfway done!  Missing home but trying to keep positive, I'm finding that the time passes more quickly than I'd expected. 

    ElizabethAnn- You could be describing me!  I'm marked like a road map all over the radiated area, with little x's and lines, all done in blue magic marker with the x's covered in little clear circles of tape.  Not archaic:  they will eventually wash off so you won't have permanent reminders of your treatment.  I've a friend, BC survivor, whose presently using some creams to try to get rid of her tatts, she hates them so much. 

    Because of a rash on various parts of my radiated breast, my RO took me off Neo Soothe, the ointment she'd wanted me to slather over my the entire area several times daily.  She told me to just use cortisone cream.  However, I noticed my underarm skin above what I'd thought was being radiated, was shiny pink yesterday, so I bought some Aquaphor ointment and have begun using that, too.  My rash doesn't seem to be reacting to the cortisone, but it'snot itchy and not getting any worse either, so I'll be happy if I can just maintain the status quo through the rest of my treatments. 

    After I told RO I'd been having trouble getting to sleep some nights, she told me to take some Benadryl to help with that.  I wonder if taking it internally would also help with my rash?

    Another patient gave me this advice for the arm pain during rads:  just tell yourself that your arms are on a much needed vacation:  they aren't being used or abused so tell them to relax and enjoy!  LOL!  I liked her attitude!

    Chatting with other patients in the dressing/waiting area has really helped with my perspective on this disease: Realizing that some are battling rectal, abdominal, and uterine cancer actually made me feel lucky I'm only dealing with BC, which is so curable and do-able. 

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  • LovemyLife12
    LovemyLife12 Member Posts: 43
    edited March 2011

    9 left Yipeee!!

    ElizabethAnn & Ginger- I have those same markings. They used paper tape on me because my skin was sensitive to the clear.  A road map. Or a two year old with a marker.  They touch them up most days especially on Friday.

    So my side under my arm is getting really red and raw feeling.  Dodn't know that was getting hit. It gets worse about 4 pm I hit a wall and start aching and hurting.  Only 2 more til the boosts.  Going for simulation on Friday!!!

    happy Hump Day :-)

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  • thegood5
    thegood5 Member Posts: 478
    edited March 2011

    saw my rads onc this morning...finally getting things set up...simulation next Wed. and then will schedule to start the following week...28 + 5 boosts...can't wait to get this ball rolling!

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  • sandymess
    sandymess Member Posts: 299
    edited March 2011

    11/33 done today. I'm a third of the way there! I still have no problems with my skin--not even pink yet. (And now I'm going to knock on wood.) I've been using JR Watkins' Pure Aloe and Green Tea lotion. The RO said it was fine. Of course, now that I've started using that, I found the Aloe Gel. But he said I could continue with the lotion, so that is what I will do.



    thegood5: Woo-hoo, making progress!



    Kal: It will pass quickly now that you've begun. Good luck to you!



    Hope you all have a great day/evening!!

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  • Lucy72
    Lucy72 Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2011

    HI everyone,

    Wow this board looks like a lot of fun!  I can relate to so much that is in here (especially the Bugs Bunny opera reference and chocolate is the only thing that really sounds good to eat!).  I am on 10 of 28 rads and hopefully will finish April 22.   Thanks for the chuckles today, you guys are really funny if you go back and read your posts!  I love it! 

    Lucy 

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