JUNE 2011 RADS

19/33 down! I have 14 more to go! So far my skin is holding up pretty well. I pray it stays that way. Have a great weekend everyone!

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ladies..................your doing great....................remember i said I did good too.............there is always hope..........................have a great weekend without Rads.............hugs

I had #27 today. 1 more regular and 5 boosts to go!!!! My techs haven't done anything for the boosts as of yet. hmmmmm. so different for a treatment that is mostly the same throughout!

Day 24 of 33 for me. I have one more regular and 8 boosts. My skin is fairly dark pink and getting tender but haven't used any cream since the start ( was told not to) until tonight. They told me I could use glaxal base if it really started bothering me. I was told I could also use a cool but not cold wet cloth on the areas to relieve any discomfort. The skin where I will be getting the boosts is not as pink and the doctor felt I should tolerate the boosts okay. Was also told to keep the areas covered when in the sun ie clavicle area, armpit and any exposed chest and not to use sunscreen because of the chemicals in it .

Hi Gang,

I just started my radiation last week. Three down, 16 regulars, plus five boosts, and I'm done. I have to admit that it is a relief to see that other people are freaked out by the treatments. I know it is helping, but it made me cry and hyperventilate the first day. I'm afraid that if I breath, I'll get zapped in the wrong place. Yesterday, I took two Advil before going in to see if that helped, and I asked them to turn off the country music blasting in the backround. Then I practiced creative visualization of a fond memory and refused to let my mind wander to the machine. It was definitely better. I also take my own sweat shirt to wear while waiting instead of a hospital gown. It makes me feel better, not sick. I haven't been told about skin stuff yet, but I'm so glad to have this forum to just come back to and not feel so alone. Thanks for being there and good luck to us all! Fight like girls!

cbharvest.....................listen to Sue............she is almost there, and she has done well..........tell yourself every night before going to bed.......I can do this, I can do this...........there are horror stories on here, and then there are the stories of ladies who have had minor problems.........Let yourself get angry................remember we are fighting cancer........and cancer doesn't play by the rules.................so neither should we............Stay strong, and I know that is easy to say, and a lot harder to do...........have your weak moments, but when its over, come back fighting as if your life depended on it.............cause it does...................When I first began this journey back in Feb 2011, I told myself...........I have cancer........it does not have me..................now after surgery, Rads, medicine, and God...............I can say I HAD CANCER IT DID NOT HAVE ME..................Fight on girlfriend, you can do this ..........hugs.

Thanks so much! You're right that these forums are full of wonderful, brave women facing a challenge together. I'm going to beat this fear and this Cancer. I love the "I had Cancer. It didn't have me." That's great. I'll keep coming back as I marshall along. Thank you. Thank you.

Hi cbharvest,

I can relate to how you are feeling.  I started my rad treatments on Monday and for the first four days, I managed to hold myself together after treatments only until to I got to my car where I cried before going home.  At least yesterday I managed to complete my treatment and get home without tears so it is getting a little better slowly but surely.  My RO is a jerk so I talked to my primary care doctor yesterday.  Simply being heard helped so much so thank you to everyone here to listens so kindly. 

CBHarvest: i third what Suebak and Ducky said... I asked the tech if I cry is it going to hit the wrong spot - he smiled at me and said - no, they plan for breathing but don't sneeze or cough... and then we both laughed...  I found for me the position my arms were in triggered some past bad memories when I was a teen and anxiety was very bad... The RO gave me some xanax to take before treatment and the nurse would walk me down and encourage me during the breaks when the machine was repositioning... I did get through it and by the third week, I didn't need an escort any more... AND no xanax... The first two weeks, I would say it is normal to freak out and cry...once you get used to what you are doing it gets better.... OH and as far as country music - I made them shut it off and had them change to Christian music and blare that - I concentrated on the words of the songs and felt lots better...

Cindy-Hang in there.  I too, am very emotional right now and end is near for me.  RO told me it is normal to feel this way right now.  I cried hysterically on Wed when I saw him.  Told him I was really not crazy, although, it may look that way. He laughed and handed me a box of tissues. He said if this didn't happen often, we wouldn't have this box of tissues here. Having other health issues, as well as fighting cancer really sucks.  I have degenerative dics desease, back pain all the time, sometimes can't stand straight. Now, I think to myself, what is more a pain in the ass, the back pain or the uncomfortably boob.  I still haven't decided.  We will be OK. Finding each other on this site is the best thing that could have happen to us all. I think not knowing what is going to happen after we complete our treatments is scary and we are almost there.

Crog234.....................there is an end to all this................and its the end that brings out all the emotion...............I think my emotion was caused more because I had such wonderful people taking care of me they became like family.............also it was the thought of "what next".........while doing Rads you almost feel like your "winning" the fight...............when that is over you think............."ok, what is the cancer doing now", is it gone away.............did they get all those little cells.................when your engrossed in fighting it, somehow it seems your in charge..........but once you stop you wonder...............ok who is in charge now........................well I kept my sanity by saying once I was done Rads.

I HAD CANCER IT DID NOT HAVE ME....................you have to believe that.............

Now if I can only talk myself into the Femara that I was suppose to take a month ago and haven't..............worried about the SE's....quality of life means more to me, especially at 76.............I want to "Live till I Die."...............not just exist.....................Do I play Russian roulette with the time I have left, and hope there is no bullet in the first chamber..................................God help us all.......

Ducky  Thanks for your words.  Especially "I had cancer it did not have me".   I am suppose to start my estrogen pill in 2 weeks after I finish rads.  I am nervous about taking it too but I was very estrogen + so I don't dare not take it.  I am 57 and hope to be around to see my grandchildren grow up.

Sue thanks again  I have a granddaughter who turned 1 the end of April and one that just turned 3 on July 2.  They are what keep me going.  Can they do anything for your disks?  Aches and pains are no fun that's for sure. 

Take care,

Cindy

I had no idea I'd be so emotional during this part of my treatment--it totally caught me unaware. 

Thinking of you all!  3 weeks down, 2 more to go for me.

Hi everyone.  3 more boosts to go.....  I am feeling better today (at least so far).  They tell me that my skin looks good for as many treatments as I have had.  I am red but not peeling (not yet anyway) and hope it stays that way. 

Have a good day...

Cindy

I'm done!  Finished!  33/33.  My skin held up pretty well during the whole ordeal, just a bit of redness near the supraclavicular and pink on the rest.  I drove myself to and from treatment every day.  I won't miss spending 3 hours a day in my car in Houston traffic.  The only bad part of today was that my husband couldn't be there when I rang the bell today.  His boss called a meeting and he couldn't get away.  I despise his boss more now than ever before.  So now I'm packing for a long awaited vacation in Maine.  I'm waiting to start the Arimidex until I get back.  I just want a week of not thinking about breast cancer and treatment and side effects.  Good luck to everyone.  Hang in there!