JUNE 2011 RADS

rohanna-dancing here for you

Cindy-dancing for you also

Congrats to all who are finished! I have my first boost today and for some reason am really freaked at the thought. They drew on me the other day to set it up and my skin is so red and raw that it felt like the pen was a needle. They put an attachment on the machine and told me that the machine might touch my skin during treatment. I think that's what bothers me. I will have 6 boosts. After 5 months of chemo and now rads, I am ready for a break. Then, of course, I have Tamoxifen and port removal to deal with yet. Yikes!

Yes Lee, I also had my first boost today.  I was being a big baby about it because I didn't know what to expect.  My nip is so sore and that's where the boost is going, or near abouts.  It wasn't too bad but I was glad to get it over.  It did not touch me.  The techs took some tapes off so I get to try and clean the gooey stuff off while it being so sore. yippee!  So I have 6 more boosts to go and then hopefully I can live my life.  Good luck to you and all sisters.

Congrats to all who have finished rads!

Maybe484, I had my second boost today and they didn't clean off the ink markings for it this time but said it would just wash off so when I got home I noticed that the outline isn't at the incision after all.  The tech had told me awhile back it would be there but then another tech told me today the boosts are aimed right at the lumpectomy sight and I guess that's what they inked off and then put on the bolus to separate that tissue from the rest of my breast.  So I'm wondering if you should ask your RO if your boosts will be in the same spot as your incision or away from that and at another angle so that it won't bother you.  I'm just trying to think of some way to give you some relief as I know it's so difficult a decision you have to make.

I'm to go back to regular rads tomorrow but I don't think my clavicle area can take it - I'm so itchy, red and inflamed.  Even my prescription cream isn't doing the itching trick this time.  It worked really well on my chest.  I feel like taking some drug to take my mind off the itchy feeling but know that everything has to be cleared by the RO so can't.  wah wah wah

I had my last "full" treatment this afternoon & will start the 1st of 8 boosts tomorrow.  Today was also the 1st open sore I've had & it's very painful.  My RO said I'm in the upper 10% of "good" skin results but I should expect some more blisters & open sores this week but the boosts won't cause any more damage.  Like I said before - I can't imagine 90% of the rads patients being worse than I am!!!!  I think I should be posting this on the whining & pity-party forum. 

Thanks, ladies. And congratulations for my fellow finishers. Those of you in the home stretch, I'm cheering you on.  If you're beginning boosts, they're really not bad. Felt just like the WBR's. I burned pretty badly and the little round circles took some skin when they came off, but I found some stuff called Bio oil and started using it last night. I'm already noticing my skin returning a bit to it's normal color and the peeling places and blisters look better. The Bio oil absorbs really quickly and smells wonderful (lavendar). No more messy Aquaphor on me or my clothes!

Bettle, I used vaseline to remove the residue. It took the ink off too. My onc started me on Femara before rads, but the aches were so bad I couldn't walk. He switched me to Arimidex. I'm waiting to see if there are any SE's. I have been a little nauseous, but I think that's the 36 rads. Good luck to everyone!

My MO is going to start me on Arimidex about 2 wks after rads ends.  She said she wanted to wait to get the rads out of my system.  I don't know why some people can have them at the same time as others, guess it's the protocol the MO follows.  Arimidex is the only AI generic so they'll try me on that first for insurance purposes and then if that doesn't work for me will have to switch me to a more costly AI.  I hope the SEs won't be too bad.

Had #19 of 33 today, came home and took a nap.  So far, my skin has been holding up well - many thanks to those who recommended the 100% Aloe Vera Gel after treatment and Aquaphor at night.  I can see a large light pinkish brown rectangle starting in the middle of my chest, across my right breast and under my arm. My right nipple is much darker and a little bigger than the left, but other that no pain or soreness that I can complain of.  I guess I'm one of the lucky ones so far as the radiation goes.  On the other hand, I started on Anastrozole  (Arimidex) the week before I started rads and am having to deal with hot flashes and night sweats which has been especially bad during this unseasonably hot weather.  I carry a little portable fan with me at all times and I'm not shy about taking it out in public and using it!  I also started to get a little stiff in the joints, but am trying to walk and exercise more.  I can really tell that on the days I am more active, I am less tired and less stiff. 

Will my armpit ever look ok again?  I'm not kidding--I can barely stand to look at it. Because my incision site is there, it's a double whammy.

I apologize for being graphic, but I need to know--did any of you have oozing from your incision site?  Mine is the consistency of mucous.  Is this "normal," or should I call my doctor? 

Good luck on healing, all.  And happy Sat.

Congrats to all that have finished.

My very last treatment ever is tomorrow!!!!! I am red as all get out and putting on my bra is so painful. I have one little blister that is going away and part of my scar is peeling but not terrible so I guess my skin did really well. Just hurts. Looking forward to the healing starting tomorrow afternoon!!!

I've completed 25/32 now but think the actual claviture bone is burned as well as a tiny bit of a rib.  Took Advil yesterday and will again today.  The RO even offered me pain med but I turned it down.  Those are the only SEs I have ... ok, red skin too.  How could I forget that?  I just put my cream right over my taped areas.  I'm not sure where they will radiate next since they've had to change the boosts up but need to get back to the regs.  Those burned areas can't take anymore.  Has anyone else had this? 

My entire armpit is very burned and painful (my incision is in the center of the burned area).  Everywhere else is just a very light pink and not painful.  I am so glad I didn't begin boosts to my axilla on Friday!   This is such an awkward area to heal because of the location.

Good luck to everyone with their healing.   

I AM DONE!!!!!!!

Now I get a month to heal before hitting chemo a 2nd time. I am very red and my scar is peeling but not terrible!! 

Yay karebear76! Congratulations...do that happy dance!!

 Karebear76  Congrats on being done with rads...  

Cindy