May 2011 Radiation

thanks everybody for the ideas for my soon to be rad friend - the hint about not 'counting down' is a good one... so soft tops and fun rewards.. perfect!  thanks.

I'm having a rough day -  Can you ladies share some fun stuff you have done with your 3 days away from rads? I need a pick-me-up... guess I'm just anxious about tomorrow (even though I didn't think I was)...

Hi GmaFoley - I'm sorry to hear you're having a rough day. Of course you're nervous about starting rads tomorrow. We all can relate to that! It sounds like you're going to a great place in that they even had a nutritionist for you to meet with. I had a very quiet week-end, but had a good long phone chat with one of my oldest, dearest friends who lives a couple time zones away from me this afternoon.

She's a nurse and the first thing she said when I told her about my radiation rash was "did your doctor talk to you about nutrition?" (I had to say no.) Then she said, eat lots of protein. That's what your skin needs to heal. So, there you go. You did us all a great service by sharing the advice of your nutritionist. I've got that list right here at my side. 

I'm so relaxed from having this third day off from radiation, I hope I remember to go tomorrow!

Tomorrow is sort of a big day because I've got my first babysitting gig for my first grandchild in the afternoon. He's all of 6 weeks old. I'm brushing up on the lyrics to the old Mary Poppins songs for the occasion. 

I think we both have our radiation appointments about the same time of day. I'll be thinking of you and sending positive energy your way when I go tomorrow. 

Gma,

Sorry you're having a bad day.  What time do you get rads?  I go at 10 am.  I didn't want to go in too early because I like to get up and get a workout in before heading to the hospital.  But when I'm laying on that table I wonder how many women across the world are on a similar table getting the exact same treatment.....

This weekend I worked in the yard, since it finally stopped RAINING....

Craving sugar pretty bad the last few days....but that's not the rads ... I think it's just me!

Have a good night!

Back from the shore, and ready to begin again tomorrow............the rash is a little itchy, but I'm doing good..........................4 this week, then 4 next week, and I get to ring the bell...................whoopee,............................................

Hdangel Happy Birthday!  I get the same dermaplex gel from my rad onc. It is really good. She also told me to ask for more when I need another tube- and the tube is a big one!

Just a thought- the nurse gave me instructions to care for myself. She told me to make sure I check with the Doctor before taking anything or trying things- She mentioned a patient came in saying a friend said she should take a huge dose of calcium supplement for healing- she said the friend might have mean't well, but her kidneys would have shut down!

Tomorrow is my sixth treatment. GMA, I was very nervous all last week. I really don't even know why. The staff was very understanding about it. Hang in there!

Hi girls!

Just completed 6 of 33 this morning. So far so good. I have begun to make sure I put eucrin creme on (was a bit lax last week). Nice to only have 4 treatments this week.

Kasey - Great to hear you're doing so well. Only mildly pink at 19 is terrific! I got that tight feeling in my chest and arm. My RO said is is normal and to do gentle, controlled stretching. I've found that helpful. I do it several times a day, basically because I want to keep myself flexible enough to hold my hands above my head for the rad treatments.

GmaFoley~ Yes you can do this! The first day is the most scary only because of the unknown...once you get today under your belt the routine you quickly find yourself in will be just that - routine!! Have a wonderful lunch and look forward to hearing all about your first rad later.

GmaFoley - Yes, yes, yes, you can do this. I look forward to your update later on how the day went for you. Take care. 

Tonlee~ I had dots all over my breast, they turned darker as I got more treatments.  My underarm skin is very tight - going to see the RO and will ask him about both.

GmaFoley - Don't feel bad. I'm sure others have had the same types of problems. (I think I'm the champion of uncontrollable crying.)

When you go tomorrow, ask about what a heavy sigh or cry would do to the treatment area. I know they build in a little play, but it sounds like it would help you if you know who much play is built in. They tell me to breath "normally" so I always try to sort of do that shallow breathing that is more stomach, than lung. Does that make sense?

The other thing I do to relax is really embrace the miracle of the technology. I know this might sound odd as who would ever want to do this. But, when I'm on the table, I think about how lucky I am that this technology exists. I mentally imagine all the stray cancer cells getting zapped away. 

Glad you got to do both the dry run and first treatment at the same time. I think that means everything went well during the dry run. I think they give themselves the option of a second session for the treatment if they need to do a lot of adjustments after the dry run. 

hi ladies....i haven't been on this site for awhile...i thought i was done with Ca. i had a b/l mx with silicone implant for dcis about a year and half ago. a couple of months ago i felt a lump . had it surgically excised twice...for a clear margin...turns out to be invasive Ca. i consulted with rads doc..i can't bring myself to do the rads due to the rads causing cap contracture...hard and painful, deforming skin around implant that is apparantly very difficult to correct due to the damage the rads does to the skin around the implant.....can't discuss this with family and friends....they just say do it....reconstruction was very painful....i cant bring myself to do it.

Last of my regular treatments today!! Next 5 I flip onto my back and get boosts. Tomorrow they will re-mark me and have the RO check to make sure. The itchiness on my chest is what bothers me most.

Hello everyone - I am on No 8 of 33 Rads and have to ask what is a boost? Today is the first day I have felt a little burning. My Rad Onc said I should be applying Aloe Vera 2x a day. Started that today. Have a little residual pain too..anyone else? Diane