JUNE 2011 RADS

Hello Ladies

I've just started radiation on June 1 and over the weekend I swelled  up on my left arm terribly. I did not have lymphodema after surgery that I know of; but it's here. So I am not sure I can continue since it was painful and very swollen. I checked with the doctor and he said it will not get any better and usually radiation will make it somewhat worse. I am pretty sure although I was stage 3, early, and I would like to have the benefit of radition that I will have to pass on it. I type for a living and I understand that the swelling can reach your hand; and simply leave you without an extra hand. I am trying to be positive but I cannot go forward. Is there anyone out there, who might have experienced lymphodema and gotten better after radiation; and if so how long did it take you? 

Very discouraged,

Marcia 

For those that have not had simi. Make sure you are very comfortable!! tell them if you are not. The tats are just a little pick not bad concitering every blood draw  done.

Hi ladies,

I'm joining the June group. I meet with the RO today to find out my treatment plan. 

Marcia- Have you talked to the RO about it? I already have lymphedema and plan to do radiation. I haven't been told otherwise, although I haven't met with the RO yet so I don't know. Don't let people tell you "it will only get worse." From what I hear and see on the lymphedema boards, it is very manageable. Although, it is VERY discouraging and frustrating at times. I won't lie. But I have it primarily in my hand and I'm still able to type. There is a lot of info on the Lymphedema boards. Especially Grrrrrrr I hate Lymphedema! They might be able to answer your questions best since I'm also fairly new at this. I've had it for about 8 weeks. 

Getting ready to leave work for my first treatment.  I'm expecting it to be simulation and first treatment but we will see how it actually works.

suebak,

1 down 32 to go!  Today was more xrays and minor changes to the treatment field, but minor so I was able to get treatment #1.  2 techs were involved in the set up and they were both very nice.  Met someone else in the waiting room who was getting treatment #6 so we will probably see a lot of each other the next few weeks.  We are both in the same place where we feel great now and can't believe this is actually happening to us. 

I'm glad we are all going through this together so we can all help each other out.  It was helpful for me to follow along in the earlier months to see how others have dealt with SEs and hopefully what I learned will help me.

Suebak - I met the lady just before me - her name is Nicki - she gives me a hug and tells me, "we will get through this"  she is on #16 - I had #6 today ... Nicki is such an encouragement every time I see her - and she won't leave until we greet eachother...

Karebear: I have my little monkey - Little Bow Pink and she sits in my hands above my head.. 

peetie,

My RO waited a month.  I had to have a 2nd biopsy to get clean margins.  I first met with him after the first biopsy.  When it was determined I needed a 2nd, he said to come back a month later.  I went in expecting to start right up, but it was another checkup where he wanted to be sure everything was healing well, then I had my setup the next week.  First treatment was today.  I actually still feel like I'm in denial      :-) 

i am hoping youre feeling great after your first radiation--do you get creams...for the burn i hear about?  let me know how it goes ok?  ide love to hear back from ya.  it took me a week to find a chat site and now that i am so happy to find one thats not a hoaks if ya know what i mean--they talk about everything except what you need to hear being in denial and crazy and before ya know it, your surgery is all over and youre still in denial and crazy from the diagnosis.

GMAFOLEY-Now that you are on your 6th treatment, are you having any side effects.  I have been reading around on here, and noticed some woman are having some serious side effects. Swollening, burning of the skin, etc.  How are you doing?

Peetie-I had my lumpectomy on April 7th, just started my rads yesterday.  My onco wanted the incision to heal first.  He also wanted to wait for my oncotype results to see if chemo was necessary.

Going today for treatment #2, having my treatments at 7:50 am then heading right to the office.

Have a great day

Waiting to go into the treatment room, out comes an older woman.  She said "Ok honey, your turn to go in and get cooked."  She gave me a good laugh.  Feels good to laugh and I don't do that too often these days.  Have a wonderful day to all my new friends.

Happy birthday one week early. I am glad that they honored it too. As they should.

I delayed 1 day because of daughters graduation from kindergarten.

I had lump removed 4/21/11 and Started chemo and rad treatments on June 2. I have 6 cycles of TC and 10 doses of rads.

I have  minimul swelling. and am 4 /10 treatments done no burns yet.

Hugss to all

Mine is the 15th. I'll be 27! woo hoo. I don't think I'll ever fear getting older again. I want to get old!

Just finished my 7th. 16 to go. Slightly more intense rads but for 4.5 weeks.  So far so good. The swelling has gone down and only slightly pink (of course, I moved from a cream which seemed to give me a reaction to Aloe Vera Gel).  Everywhere I turn,though, I run into women who are going through this, or who are on the other side of it. 

I had my first rads today, it felt warm but nothing too bad. "Hope" was there with me and she will be through every treatment!!

I ended up with a massive headache tonight. I think it was the heat though. It was in the high 90's with a heat index of 105 today. I use to get heat headaches as a kid, it has been a long time since I had one. No fun.

BlazerFan: we started the same day! Only 32 more to go!!

There was no one there before or after me. But the nurses are great! I have been using 2 different hospitals (rads is closer to home so different hospital) and everyone I have met has been amazing! I am so thankful for great nurses and drs. 

BlazerFan I get x-rays once a week to make sure everything is still lined up - today was my xray day.

Oh and tonight I can say I have THE Rash... one big square - right side- from my waist to just above my breasts - reminds me of prickly heat but just on one side.