JUNE 2011 RADS

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  • BlyDncr
    BlyDncr Member Posts: 21
    edited June 2011

    Hi All!

    Is it too late for me to join the June 2011 group or should I be joining the July group?  I start my rads tomorrow, June 27.  I've lurked around some of the previous months to get an idea of what to expect - not exactly looking forward to it, but hey, at least I didn't have to have chemo. I got my tattoos last Tuesday, same day that I was started on Arimidex.  Already into the hot flashes and night sweats, but I am keeping positive that this will be the worst of any SEs. I also bought my lotions and stole someone else's idea of buying 33 scratch tickets.  I hope to win big by the end of this.

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  • duckyb1
    duckyb1 Member Posts: 13,369
    edited June 2011

    Hi Bly.........I am the ticket lady......................I started Rads in April, went through May, and ended it in June...............I was on with all the ladies.....................you should be too........they are a great bunch all with their own stories to tell................trust me you will get good info from each and everyone of them.

    As you might have read on this or another thread..............I did very well while on Rads..............I am going on Femara now (don't want to), but will...................My MO didn't want me to be on that and Rads at the same time..............she told me to start when Rads were finished...............still have not begun..................

    You will do fine........honestly the worst thing is the prep for Rads...............the actual treatment takes no time at all..................I got somewhat pink, then a tad red, but nothing to even talk about, and the fatigue did not come (and that was not bad) until I finished my 8th boost.........I loved my Techs, and my RO.............I especially loved my sweet Mark...........he was my only male Tech, and what a gentleman...............dreamy blue eyes, around 27, with a smile that lit up the room................I have grandsons his age............the girls were great, and at the end they blew bubbles, clapped the clappers, while I rang the bell..........................what a wonderful group.............I actually miss them...........good luck ..............you will be fine...........

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  • Elizabeth37
    Elizabeth37 Member Posts: 84
    edited June 2011

    I have had 5 treatments now,and doing pretty good.I put my lotion on that the RO gave me twice a day,I start getting a little tired about 2 hours after my treatment but that might be the drive.I have an hour drive there and back.I have also got my 30 tickets, thank you duckyb1 for that idea I have won two tickets so far.ALL my techs are great I have two males and two females And my RO is great. I hope everyone has a wonderful week.  

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  • Beetlebum
    Beetlebum Member Posts: 73
    edited June 2011

    Bly: I am also going to be on the June/July Rad group.  Finished my 10th treatment this past Friday.  I've already started Arimidex.  I haven't had hot flashes but I have noticed "foggy" brain.  Some have said it is Radiation brain.  We'll see.  Welcome to the group.  We will get through this!

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  • ann731
    ann731 Member Posts: 9
    edited June 2011

    Hi everyone  I will also be in the June/July group. Had three treatments last week, tomorrow starts full week of rads. My skin is a little pink from the 3 so I'm a little nervous. Started tamoxifen last Sunday - No hot flashes yet.  I think I will also get some lottery scratch tickets on my way to rads/work tomorrow, I like this idea. Something to look forward to each day!

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  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 823
    edited June 2011

    Hi Bly,

    I've done 10 of 33 and all is going well.  My doc has me waiting until after radiation to start Tomoxifen.  Do any of these docs do anything the same.  It always makes me wonder what is best.  I also only did 4 dose dense AC while I see a lot of people add Taxol.  My doc said studies have shown that Taxol doesn't add much benefit for ER+ women.  It makes me nervouse that I didn't get something that I needed.  Will these nerves and the fear ever go away!!/???

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  • karebear76
    karebear76 Member Posts: 288
    edited June 2011

    Dayzeroeze: I got my vitamin and avocado cream from a local shop that sells all that is needed for women cancer patients. It is called Essentials for the Special woman.

    Tomorrow is #14!! 

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  • GmaFoley
    GmaFoley Member Posts: 7,091
    edited June 2011

    Welcome Bly, I started in the May group because I started rads on May 31st..LOL... I will end July 8th... I'm on 20 tomorrow and it was nice to have the weekend off!!!

    I am just a little more pink than I was day 4....Ann until last thursday, was still only as pink on day 4... I now have a rash and burn - RO gave me X-clair cream so I don't feel any pain or anything just darker pink now... Nothing I can't handle.. Only 9 more treatments for me, so everyone: just use your creams your RO gives you and you will do fine!!! We can do this together

    This type of support I find is very helpful... I think most of us will or have had a day that you are just tired or down.. this is the place to talk it out so others can enocourage you through the hard time... the May group was awesome with that and I hope to pass that encouragement on to you all... HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND HOPE YOU WIN ON SCRATCHERS!!! (note: I didn't do scratchers but have won friendships here with all the wonderful ladies)..

    Oh -and my MO doesn't want to see me until after rads then he will discuss what anti-hormone he is thinking of...hmmm.. hasn't even told me what he wanted to use yet...

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2011

    The first RO I saw during the 'team meeting" before surgery was a real jerk.  He talked through me while I was trying to ask a question.  They had discovered a heart problem, and I was asking about radiation and heart side effects.  "Never, that never happens".  After that meeting, I got on the phone and found a really good RO, who is also not arrogant, and knows how to talk to patients.  I wouldn't put up with an arrogant house painter, why put up with that from your doctor?

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  • Huskerkkc
    Huskerkkc Member Posts: 536
    edited June 2011

    I talked to a sorority sister of mine today who finished her BC treatment (chemo and rads) in March, so she is about 3 months ahead of me. She gave me the name of her RO which is 90 minutes away (vs the 60 or 75 I was originally contemplating). My parents live in the same town. She did her appointments at 4pm on Monday, spent the nigt with her brother, then had the first appointment at 8am on Tuesday. Wed was a drive up and back trip, then did 4pm on Thu, spent night, 8am on Friday. So she was only driving 3 days instead of every day. AND she loved the RO. So having a personal recommendation and a way to reduce driving time if possible now makes the longer drive seem do-able. I can stay with my parents if I need to. I am thinking that in the beginning it may not even be much of an issue driving up and back in one day, but as I get further into treatments, it would be good to have the option. I have been second-guessing myself all weekend, but after an hour conversation with my friend and discussing with husband I feel much better about getting a second opinion and making a switch. Thanks for all the support ladies...now I just hope I can get an appointment quickly. That is the part that worries me now (ha-everything worries me; this is just at the top of the list!); delaying the start of rads to find a new RO. But the nurse navigator assured me that it would not be a problem. Now for some zzz's.

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  • LovesChristmas-Barb
    LovesChristmas-Barb Member Posts: 706
    edited June 2011

    One down, 30 to go!!

    I think I'll go out and buy those scratch off tickets. I've never been much of a gambler but it sounds like something fun to do...thank you duckyb1 for the idea!

    Hobokenmom... I thought of you this morning when I was laying on that table and said a prayer for you. Hopefully, your treatment goes well today and isn't too uncomfortable. I must admit I was laying there, almost afraid to breathe! But it was much more bearable than my MRI and definitely a whole lot quicker.

    I thought I was doing well with the thought of the radiation treatments, but  yesterday I got all emotional and kept having crying jags. My poor husband....he was wonderful as always and called into work this morning and told them he would be late because he was going with me. It sure made it a lot easier though I know he can't do it everyday.

    I hope all of you wonderful ladies have a blessed day!

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  • BetsyR
    BetsyR Member Posts: 10
    edited June 2011

    Hi Bly,

    I am also a long time lurker starting rads today, 6/27. Reading through these, I feel very fortunate to have caught this at such an early stage and almost feel guilty posting.  Thanks to all for sharing your experiences and helpful advice.

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  • LovesChristmas-Barb
    LovesChristmas-Barb Member Posts: 706
    edited June 2011

    BetsyR....I don't think you need to feel guilty about posting. I've been lurking through these posts too and feel like I know so many of these ladies already though they haven't a clue who I am! I started treatments today too. I hope yours goes well...you're probably not too far from me being in IN; I'm in Cincinnati.

    I too feel blessed to have caught mine so early too...

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  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 823
    edited June 2011

    11 of 33 done and I got a lot redder today.  I think the bolus (sp?) concentrates the radiation on the skin.  Is there such thing as Week 3 Radiation Blues, cause I've got em.

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  • GmaFoley
    GmaFoley Member Posts: 7,091
    edited June 2011

    Mammalou: YES week 3 seemed harder on me - I had the blues too - the tiredness is probably what's causing the blues - you just don't realize it yet... keep up the protein and water - it will help with that...

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  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 823
    edited June 2011

    Thanks Grammie.  It's nice to know I'm just not a mopper and I am more tired today.  Busy weekend.  I'm sitting in a hotel waiting for tomorrow's treatment.  It does help to come on this site.  I've even had some good laughs!

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  • karebear76
    karebear76 Member Posts: 288
    edited June 2011

    Glad to hear that week 3 is hard, cuz this AM I was so tired that I could have just cried and couldn't figure out what my problem was!! Today was #14 for me. 

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  • Maybe484
    Maybe484 Member Posts: 170
    edited June 2011

    Everyone tells me I'm a strong woman (roar!), but today I felt like such a weakling (mew!).  I had my first rad, and I thought I'd psyched myself up for it, and then, lo and behold, I started crying from the moment I got in the dressing room.  It wasn't the treatment, per se, but the idea of it and the SEs I'm fearing.  Further, my doctor is a self-described minimalist regarding anti-anxiety meds, and I usually am too, but I think I need horse tranquilizers to get me through this. 

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  • vivirasselena
    vivirasselena Member Posts: 278
    edited June 2011

    I start my rads tomorrow.  wish me luck. and i, too, am getting lotto tickets.  after everything i've been through (my little brother just died of a brain tumor, two weeks before I got diagnosed in November) I deserve a big, fat, break.

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  • Maybe484
    Maybe484 Member Posts: 170
    edited June 2011

    Good luck!!!!

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  • vivirasselena
    vivirasselena Member Posts: 278
    edited June 2011

    Thank you, Maybe.....I've gone through the chemo and the surgery as if they were nothing (I think I was numb from my brother's death) but starting this final phase tomorrow is really hitting me like an anvil.  I just wanna crawl away somewhere.

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  • vivirasselena
    vivirasselena Member Posts: 278
    edited June 2011

    P.S. Maybe......looks like you and I are on the same sched, with the same fears and anxiety. I'd find one of your docs and get them to prescribe an anti-anxiety med....I did....and I'm gonna use em until I'm done.  If they're NOT for people like US, enduring what we're enduring.....then who in the world are they for?????

    Thanks for your support.  I'm' here for you, too.

    michele

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  • Maybe484
    Maybe484 Member Posts: 170
    edited June 2011

    When the tech finished today, he said, "Now that wasn't so bad, was it?"  I said, "Have you ever done this?"--meaning have you ever had this done to you?  I relish support from those who've gone through this and are going through it.  But I have to contain myself from going ballistic at those who tell you it's a "piece of cake" and yet haven't ever baked, cut, or been force-fed said cake.   And, objectively, the actual treatment wasn't bad at all.  But I hate techno-machinery (I'm a luddite who uses a computer) and, more importantly, I'm scared about lymphedema, as I've had two surgeries to my axilla in two months' time.

    ETA--sincerest sympathies on your loss; I know that that makes all of this so much more difficult.

    We are indeed on the same schedule.  Wanna share your meds?  lol

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  • vivirasselena
    vivirasselena Member Posts: 278
    edited June 2011

    Believe me, i would have NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER......rules are for people who need guidance.

    As John Lennon once wrote "Whatever Gets You Through The Night....it's alright"

    And thanks for the thoughts for my lil brother Jon, he was my love and my family is devastated. My parents and other brother and sister can barely go on . My trek is NOTHING compared to a brain tumor.

    Time to reach for the meds!!!!

    Keep in touch...I'll check in with you daily...we can PM if you like.

    michele

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  • coni111852
    coni111852 Member Posts: 419
    edited June 2011

    Got 10th rad today... Does anyone get x rays during rads??? Skin is just tan using base glaxol

    Feeling so tired though

    I hope everyone is doing good

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  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 823
    edited June 2011

    I've being getting x-rays every Monday and then again is the RO changes something on Tuesday.  I used to avoid getting x-rays, but they don't hesitate zapping us whenever they want.  I'm getting a slight rash (little bumps) on my breast.  Is this normal?

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  • duckyb1
    duckyb1 Member Posts: 13,369
    edited June 2011

    I'm finished, and yes I had xrays during rads.......................I just want to try to give you ladies support with your Rads...................I too did not know what to expect..........I was scared......................must admit I never cried at anytime before Rads, or during, but when I was done and Rang the Bell............I cried, and I mean cried..................Its almost 2 weeks since I finished, and I find myself more emotional now then I was before and during...........have no idea what the hell is going on, but I did fine, and thank heavens I did.............

    You all can do this, and all I kept thinking was.............this is not a lifestyle.........it is another treatment on this journey I never asked to go on, but had no choice but to accept what was given to me to endure.......................

    I did not have Chemo..........most of you ladies did...................I salute you for getting through that................you will get through this too.................just keep telling yourself, this is not a lifestyle..............it will end soon..............good luck, and God Bless................your gonna do great.

    P.S.  Use your lotions, ointments, aloe, whatever it is you chose to do..............and scratch your tickets..................

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  • coni111852
    coni111852 Member Posts: 419
    edited June 2011

    Michele I'm sorry for ur loss I will keep u in my prayers I know what u r going through can't compare with what anyone of us can even begin to imagine! U will get through this u r soo strong!!



    Mammalou yes I got that but moist ur skin with calendula creme 3 times a day, or glaxal base that's what the techs told me but not three hours before rads... Also were 100% cotton shirt only, they said no bra so what I do is under shirt then bra, ( I wear prothesis) and stay away from sun as much as u can and no sun screen drink lots of water to help skin and eat lots of protein hope this helps

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  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 823
    edited June 2011

    I think I better get some tickets cause my shopping is getting expensive!  Thanks for the words of encouragement.  It would be nice to understand all the emotion.  Maybe it is just overload.  Tired of no hair and a arm the barely moves, not to mention the half filled breast.  You just walk around feeling wounded.

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  • coni111852
    coni111852 Member Posts: 419
    edited June 2011

    I know what u mean the 8 th day they took like 5 x rays then Friday 2 more and today three I was getting annoyed it's like either they don't get it right, or they found something u know.... I was able to get through chemo with no anti anxiety for some reason I can't sleep at night feel tired but can't sleep and when I do I have ugly dreams? Had the same problem with chemo it's weird....tomorrow I see doc after 11 treatments not too pleased with that either...I will ask about the x rays, they explain is because sometimes tissue becomes swollen, so measurements have to match with the first ones .. But I'll ask doc....

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