March 2011 Rads

18/36 = 1/2 done!  WooHoo!  

Note:  Make sure you know exactly which parts of your body need to be lubricated:   I thought I'd been lubricating the entire area being radiated, but then I noticed that part of my armpit above that area was turning pink.  So this morning I told my RO tech about it and she said, "Oh yeah, you have to lubricate that area plus part of your back too, because that's all being hit by the radiation."   No one had told me and when you're lying there, you can't see what they are zapping.  The only way to know for sure is to ask them.  

21/33 It's starting to hurt and i have a little rash under my breast. That seems to be what everyone is experiencing. I have 7 more regular and then 5 boosts, which they said they already did the lining up at the first simulation. Yay!!!

Mommafluff- I get headaches all the time so not sure if the rads are the cause. I'm sure it could be a SE though feel better!

Shooshoo- 13 seems to be my lucky number too, finished chemo Jan 13th and will finish rads on April 13th, ha!

Well i'm off to work now, hope everyone is having a great day!

                                                         Pam

Gingerstx: I freaked out (inwardly) when the PA told me to lube up my back. The thought of the radiation going all the way through my body...well, it just grosses me out. Not sure why after all I've been through!!But I sure do lube up my back just like she advised. I use cheaper stuff for my back and not the Miaderm, which is costing me a small fortune.

 #22/26 as of today....then 8 boosts....tech said boosts are a breeze.....RO marked me for the boosts yesterday so I got a look at the field of rads for that area...just around my BMX scar.....so my upper chest can start healing while that's going on!! Still slathering on this Miaderm and then AloeVera at night. Oh, if this skin can hold on for 4 more treatments without blisters!!

Hope you all have a very restful night. Sleep is soo precious.

24/33!  I thought I'd give a perspective of my experience...here's a summary week to week!

My lotion choices were Fruit of the Earth Aloe immediately after rads, Aloe oral supplement that applied during the day, Baby Aveeno at night always and somtimes through out the day.

My Radiation Experience

Week One:  Nipple slightly pink and sensitive.  Noticed Tingling sensation while receive rads.  Experienced fatigue on day 3 & 5.  Odd sensation, just washed over me.  Couldn't fall asleep when tried to take nap.

Week Two:  Nipple red and swollen and very sensitive.  Standing at attention which makes it worse.  Fatigue sporadic.

Week Three:  By the end of this week nipple started to resemble leather and it no longer hurts.   Distinct tan lines where rads hits skin.  Starting to get rash at top of rads line, near sternum. Fatigue more consistent, but I'm also not sleeping.  Insomnia is most likely just stress related, not rads related.  My appetite seems to be fading, but when I'm hungry, I AM HUNGRY!

Week Four:  Rash is worse, but manageable with hydrocortisone.  Appetite is non existent.  Fatigue is prevalent daily.  Sleeping mid day does not help.  The fatigue presents itself as a dull roar in my head, and my body is kind of numb.  I suck wind just going up a flight of stairs.

Week Five:  Rash has faded by mid week. No longer itchy and the bumps are not as persistent.  My tan is very distinct, my breast is pink, and my nipple is still like leather and constantly stands at attention.  It's tender but doesn't really hurt.  I find because of the sensitive skin,  that keeping a jog bra on is much more comfortable than being free.  I'm still lubing frequently, but with less aloe and more Baby Aveeno. Appetite is still off, fatigue seems to have slacked off, but my insomnia is raging.  I'm achey too now.  My muscles in my arms and back are sore, like I worked out too hard.  I feel like I want to stretch to work out the kinks!

One of the BC survivors here at work told me about a Walkathon for BC that she wanted me to walk with her on.  Unfortunately, the date is at the end of my treatment and I told her that I wouldn't be a walk for me, but a drag-along due to my current fatigue - LOL! 

Ooh, Marjie, you'll look like the Milky Way with those stars all over. Pretty! ;-)



I think it sounds a bit strange that the radiation could go straight through to the back, too. My tumors were on the left side, so naturally they ahve to be really careful for the heart. The doctor never said anything about it going right through. Kinda freaky!

The RO told me to lotion the top of my shoulder and a little bit back as there may be a little "bounce back". So far no soreness there. Libraylil

Margie - what did you feed those cats, they are huge!  Cats on steroids!  They are adorable.  My kitty is sitting next to me right now attacking my printer as I print out recipes, a hobby of mine.  For some reason he thinks the printer is evil. 

Good God marjie, they are huge, and by the look of the one's tail, a little perturbed!  Makes me miss mine, just had my last one put to sleep a month ago.

congrats bubba!  on both the down hill and the working from home!

Marjie. As a fellow crazy cat lady I love your babies. The are huge.



Lotion. Officially at no.17 and so far just a little pink after. Only using the Radia plex gel prescribed by RO. I balked at the 30.00 for 6 oz however comparing with miaderm and calendula the price was no too bad. Hope my skin continues to hold up.



Libraylil

Marjie--I love your cats!! I bet they are great lap comforters!! 

Bubba--good for you to have work and treatments working out positively. Yeah, for being on the downside!

I am drawn on like a road map, black for my regular treatments and blue for boosts that start on Monday. Could not be happier for Friday! My skin finally starts to heal since I am at the end of regular rads. My RO explained the back burn as a bounce off, not a straight thru, since none of the rays actually are that deep. And the boosts are even less deep. I can't believe that I only have 5 more to go. . . what a long road this has been.

I am beat tired too, and every joint hurts. My knees are killing me, and I am not sure if that is newly discovered arthritis or just cranky knees. The only place I have ever been told I have arthritis is my upper back and that started aching this week. Doesn't it know that I am almost done with this!!??

Went in yesterday for a blood draw from my port( i just had it flushed 2 weeks ago) She couldn't get blood flow. Turn this way, turn that, lift your arm over head, cough. Finally she had to lay me down. I guess she finally blood!! Like I said, its been a long road. 

Marje, your cats are precious!

Missed treatment today, another snow storm. in MA, no april fools joke!  Hate missing, already three behind due to other medical appts. Don't like the countdown interrupted!!

Onc nurse did tel lme that the radiation bouces and to lube over my shoulder as far as I could reach and same with side of breast..lube all the way around as far as I could reach on my back.

After 17/35, I have tingling sensations in my upper arm/shoullder and everynow and then a sharp pain where SNB scar is and the scar from lumpectomy.

Ok. I have a new fear and I need  help to put my mind at ease.....when I first got diagnosed, all I wanted was that cancer out...two weekls later I had a lumpectomy, now that chemo is over and I'm about half way through rads..I'm wondering if I should have had both boobs removed...anyone else having those feelings?   Somedays I am ok with my decision, other days I'm doubting my decision.  I guess I'm nearing the end of treatment, and cant take tamoxifen or any other pill because of being triple negative, so the worry is starting to set in....  Doc did say if you were my sister, mother or daughter, I would recommend lumpectomy. 

Girlfriday, I would love to toast at OOB with toes in the sand!!!  Can't happen soon enough!!

Going out to shovel this new lovely snow!!!  Hope al is well with everyone!!

Marjie-  I've seen some big tomcats on our farm, but never ones that big.  They are beautiful.  What are their names?  Love me some cats.  Our cat was rescued from a shelter.  His name is Rebound. 

Road Maps are officially well smaller.  I can wear any shirt even tanks without a show.   Wish I could be more like you guys that don't care.  But I hate stares and questions, but I especially hate the you poor thing comment!

The simulation was a breeze .  Now onto the 7 boosts.  Called my mom and dh and told them that the RO said I need 15 more treatments.  Before they could start cursing, I said "APRIL FOOLS".  My DH said that was not an April Fools joke! Oh well I thought it was funny!  He then pretended his mom was on the phone for me (NOW THAT IS SCARY!!!).  She and I are NOT best of friends.  And they will be coming to spend the week of Easter with us!  YIKES

Okay well I am pretty jealous of all of you with snow.  We had a 1/2  inch last year and they shut down everything ( schools, roads, universities.  It was like Christmas in Feb.  But we do have HOT weather in the summer 95 degrees in the shade with 100% humidity.  Not to good for my curly hair.  I look like Sammy Haggar!

Sorry to have rambled on and on.  Headed to Wild Adventures to see Charlie Daniels band and 38 Special.. Going old school...  My 6 year old's first concert! Have a great weekend!!!!!