July 2011 rads

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  • Maybe484
    Maybe484 Member Posts: 170
    edited July 2011

    Thinking of you all, and wishing you a good Thursday.

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited July 2011
    My RADs are going very smoothly. No complaints. Everyone is nice. It's such a well "oiled" machine. Very punctual, no waiting. I'm getting heartburn. Not sure if it's a SE, day 8 today. It might be from the "protein" I'm eating before I go to bed Tongue out
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  • LindaJanette
    LindaJanette Member Posts: 71
    edited July 2011

    Polly Im today at 14/33 it changes when you get near 15 it really seems like half way 

    your almost there and then we take the nex 18 together -Take good care of yourself today...

    WE CAN DO THIS 

    LJ 

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  • Elizabeth37
    Elizabeth37 Member Posts: 84
    edited July 2011

    I am 28/30 and I find my self more emotional these days,It seem I cry a lot. and I should be happy it is almost over.I just don't know why I guess I'm just very tired,and my emotional are running high. I'm just going to keep telling my self it is almost over and on to the next chapter which is that pill for 5 years

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  • dragonfly1
    dragonfly1 Member Posts: 766
    edited July 2011

    Hi everyone-I'm on the June Rads forum too and I don't post very often. I just wanted to encourage everyone that may be reading that sometimes Rads goes very smoothly. I had #26 of 33 today (28+5 boosts). My RO believes in using Aloe only unless there is skin breakdown. I've been using Aloe 3x/day and I have no change in skin color other than my nipple being slightly darker than the untreated one. The fatigue is definitely increasing but is manageable and I'm continuing to work full-time with no problem. I know that everyone responds differently but I hope it is encouraging to know that for some people Rads is not too bad. I consider myself blessed because chemo was awful for me and I think I was due for a break:)

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  • kittymama
    kittymama Member Posts: 139
    edited July 2011

    dragonfly,

    Thank you for your post.  It's a relief to know that many get through rads without much complication.   I'm very encouraged by your positive experience (or not so negative one).  All the best thru the remainder of your treatment.

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  • kittymama
    kittymama Member Posts: 139
    edited July 2011

    momoftwo11,

    Of course you are emotionally drained from this experience.  It's pretty intense and you're just kind of thrown in.  Hang in there.  We're here for you!

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  • bunkysmom
    bunkysmom Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2011

    I had my first radiation today. I have 15 more to go. I'm just anxious to get them over with and get back to my life. Has anyone else had DCIS with lumpectomy followed by radiaton? Are you planning to take Tamoxifen? I'm trying to make an educated decision on whether to take it.

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  • mamaoftwo
    mamaoftwo Member Posts: 267
    edited July 2011

    Dragonfly1 - Thanks for your post!  That's so encouraging!  I hope your last 7 treatments are just as smooth.

    Laura

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  • PSU222
    PSU222 Member Posts: 127
    edited July 2011

    Does anyone know what determines how many boost one gets?

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  • janinnj
    janinnj Member Posts: 89
    edited July 2011

    PSU222- Good question.  My RO said 3-8 boost depending on how my skin hold's up and my insurance approved up to 10.  I don't know why so many would be necessary.

    Is anyone having trouble with their WBC I had just got mine back to the normal range post Chemo, had CBC today and it tanked again.  Haven't had a chance to talk to the doctor about it yet.

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  • LeeLee3
    LeeLee3 Member Posts: 40
    edited August 2011

    @Kittymama - "like porn" LOL!! That is too funny!  For me, it's more like I sit down to watch TV, not feeling sleepy or tired, and within an half hour I find myself dozing off, actually fighting to stay awake...??

    @Gigil - Your son is funny!

    @Elizabeth1889 - I completely understand...and yeah, you're right that would just drag out the rad time, with going through re-mapping/planning, etc. with a new facility.  You'll make it through!

    @Kshav6 - I hope you had a much, much better day today! 

    @LindaJanette - LMBO at bill for services UNRENDERED - love it! Glad you can keep your sense of humor regarding this, I'd be down at that Dr.'s office LBVS.  Waiting for my Oncotype results was more stressful, at least for me, than waiting for the results of my biopsy - wow!  Glad you are able to vent it out here - take care!

    To All - God Bless! 

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

    Finished with my WBR treatments....yay!!!!! I go back on August 15th and begin my 8 boosts. Just the way my RO does things. I'm glad for the break.

    I'm doing pretty well. Just very tired some days and a little pink, especially under my arm. 

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited July 2011

    RADs are going very smoothly. The RO told me today that I would recieve "extra radiation" to the skin. I assumed this was the boosts everyone's talking about. I had a BMX without reconstruction. Of course when I got home I got to thinking, "why?". Both tumors were next to the chest wall & margins were clear. The positive sentinal nodes were superficial though. Anyone else told this? My inscions were designed to take out the whole breast & have very little to do with where the tumors were. I'm also thin, so there isn't much tissue to begin with. I'll ask tomorow.

    What have you been told about Vit D. Continue or stop during RADs. I guess it's considered an anti-oxidant. I was placed on it 2years ago by my PCP for bone health/low Vit D level. It's on my record but I was never advised either way. Some doctors have stronger opinions about supplements than others. I'm considering stopping it for the duration of RADs.

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  • LindaJanette
    LindaJanette Member Posts: 71
    edited July 2011

    Cora- my doc said againg this week not to overdo any antioxidents until rads is over -but who knows I get what I can through food and have stopped taking supplements until it over.

    Thanks Dragon Fly may I ask which aloe you use???

    Here we go for 15/33 and I am ok today a little pink and some bumps -however when I turned in my sleep last night it kind of hurt like my skin was pulling for lack of better description.

    I have had a friend here the last two days - she even brought me roses- first flowers Ive recieved since I got sick and it really lifted my spirits ..ie best medicine a good laugh with a good friend.

    I hope everyone has a great weekend - I personally really dont feel like going today but knowing I have 2 days off is just pushing me to get one more down- this is the goal of the moment..

    Love and prayers to all 

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  • Elizabeth1889
    Elizabeth1889 Member Posts: 1,036
    edited July 2011

    15 down/18 to go.  Getting close to the halfway point.  Actually, I am past the halfway mark for WBR.  LindaJanett, it looks like you and I are on the same schedule.

    Happy SE free weekend, everyone. 

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  • leftfootforward
    leftfootforward Member Posts: 1,726
    edited July 2011

    coraliliz- I was told Vit D was fine. It is Vit A, Vit C and Vit E that you need to aviod. Getting these through foods is ok as long as you aren't a " juicer".  I was also told that they do extra treatments to the scar because there is a chance that the surgeon dragged cancer cells there with the scapel when he made the initial incision.  That is what the boosts are for.

    Happy radiation free weekend everyone. I am at 9/33.  it is getting easier. I have even mastered the breath holding technique I think. 

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

    Ladies.................I finished June 15th................just wanted to stop by and say "you all can do [this".....................I'm still a little swollen............a little itchy.................but for the most part it all went very well........................some have problems,,,,,,,,,,,,,but keep your chin up..............when you get in that "room", just think of a happy place..............I said my Hail Mary's.....................thought of a catchy tune in my head...........................and keep thinking "another one down".............................I also bough lottery scratch offs, and each day when I cam home I would scratch another ticket.................as the ticket pile was going down, so was the Rad treatments..................and I won $93.00 and a free ticket.....................I had 36 treatments, including 8 boosts..................hang in there.....................

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  • DenimBlue
    DenimBlue Member Posts: 23
    edited July 2011

    Anyone experience food not tasting good anymore or a slightly bitter taste in your mouth? Maybe it's not the rads.  Today was #18 of 33.  Starting to need to put more stuff on me for the itching; the aloe gel doesn't really help with that.  The techs today said I should be using Aquaphor - I've seen on here that some of you use that.  Can anyone look at the back of their tube and see if the ingredients include anything ending in "paraben"?  If it does I'm not going to buy it.  I have Eucerin and I guess I'll try that for awhile. It doesn't have any parabens or any dyes or perfumes.

    The nurse has suggested "Domeboro soak" for the itching - I bought the tablets at the drugstore a couple weeks ago but today is the first it's been bad enough to go the trouble.

    Woo-hoo we get the weekend off from this!!! Laughing

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  • mamaoftwo
    mamaoftwo Member Posts: 267
    edited July 2011

    Coraleliz- I'm in a similar boat in terms of having a mastectomy, tumor close to skin, clear margins.  I wasn't told there would be any "boosts" or extra radiation to the skin.  However, of the three radiation angles I receive, two are for the chest wall and they put a special plastic covering on my chest that is supposed to direct the radiation closer to the skin since my tumor was not deep.  Do you have that too?  Maybe that's what they meant.  I read that boosts are not common for post-mastectomy radiation.

    I was told to increase my Vitamin D to 2000 mg since it is cancer-fighting, and taking vitamin D could reduce side effects from Arimidex.  Besides calcium, Vit D is the only supplement that was specifically recommended.  I was told to avoid extra doses of vitamin C during chemo and radiation.  

    Laura

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  • dragonfly1
    dragonfly1 Member Posts: 766
    edited July 2011
    LindaJanette They advised me to use Aloe with no alcohol in it and said any brand is fine. They gave me the first tube and it was from CVS...I've used absolutely nothing else on that area throughout Rads except to bathe and then I use Dove Sensitive Skin wash (also what they recommended). Also, the nurses told me sunscreen could become irritating further into Rads so I haven't used it. Instead, I bought a rashguard/tshirt style shirt with sunblock 50 already in it so I can cover the whole area and still swim without worrying (check out the summer shade tee/rash guard at Athleta.com)-that has worked great:)  I had #27 WBR today with 1 more to go and then 5 boosts. Still no skin issues, just the neverending fatigue...Best Wishes everyone
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  • kshav6
    kshav6 Member Posts: 25
    edited July 2011

    @DenimBlue - I tried to get the front part of the label off to see what the ingredients are in the Aquaphor Healing Ointment that I use, but it is so stuck together I cannot get it open! LOL.. I looked it up online and found this http://www.ehow.com/list_5813498_aquaphor-ingredients.html.  I did not see anything ending with parabin.  This comes in a tub, not a tube though.  It is very thick.  I also have a tube of CVS brand lotion that is comparable to Eucerine Calming Creme.. It does not contain any parabin either  It is called Dry Skin Therapy Soothing Cream (CVS brand).  Non-irritating and fragrance free.  I am finding now though, that the aloe sooths my skin the best.  So, I am putting the aloe on during the day and the Aquaphor (which is made by Eucerine) at night since it is so thick.  The itching has started to back off since I started using this regimen.  I hope this helps!

     @LeeLee3 - I had a much better day the next day :) Went to the oncologist yesterday and they were all majorly sucking up and nice.  The doctor actually appologized and that was good enough for me.. Just wanted to be recognized that my time is valuable too you know?  After all of my appointments a friend and I went to lunch and a funny movie.  Strange thing, this fatigue.. the movie was funny (Horrible Bosses), but I just could not work up a huge laugh like I know I would have before..

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  • pejkug3
    pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
    edited July 2011

    #23/33 treatments completed.  YAY!

    I had port films yesterday and I guess there was some issue - they kept taking them again and again.  Then they decided that my treatment field had moved and they'll take port films daily for a while to make sure they hit the right area.  Anyone had this happen to them?

    Glad most of you are doing well and prayers for those who are suffering.  I was waiting for the RO on Wednesday and I overheard him dictating about another patient.  She had grade 3 dermititis on her vulva and was receiving a catheter for the duration of her treatment.  Ouch.  I was once again reminded that there are those who have it a LOT worse than I do.  No pity parties - that woman would gladly trade places with me!

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  • Maybe484
    Maybe484 Member Posts: 170
    edited July 2011

    Wishing everyone who's still in treatment a wonderful rads-free weekend.

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  • Mimidi
    Mimidi Member Posts: 231
    edited July 2011

    Finished number 18 today.  15 more to go.  Developed a minor rash the past day or so where I have not been rubbing down with aloe vera.  Even though I was given Aquaphor to use I am going to keep on using the aloe vera today and tonight.  If the rash looks better I will continue if not I will start using the Aquaphor tomorrow.   I don't want to miss any days.  Sure want to finish in three weeks.

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

    They told me Cortisone cream for the itch..........worked good..................I also had a funky taste in my mouth at times......................my Aquaphor came from Target, and it was their brand, not Aquaphor..........large jar, thick, 1/2 the price, and worked great...................

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  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited July 2011

    mamaof2, What you described with the gel-like sheet is what they started on me today. I was told they would do this everyday for "awhile" & then go to every other day. Today was day 10.

    Denimblue, I'm using something called BagBalm. It was reccomended to me, but not by the Rads office. It has fewer ingredients than aquaphor. BagBalm's ingredients( "B-hydrox quinoline sulfate 0.3% in a petrolatum, lanolin base"). I got it at Walgren's. It was right next to the Aquaphor. It's been around since the late 1800's & was originally used for vetrinary purposes. There are some older threads on Bag Balm. I just finished my 2nd week, so it would be unlikely that problems from RADs would show up yet. Others have mentioned Emu oil. I'll probably try that next. I think it has to be ordered online.

    oh, the Vit D thing. I was told it was OK. There is 1000u in my multivit & I take another 1000u in addition to that. My only other supplement is iron. Still not sure on this........

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  • LindaJanette
    LindaJanette Member Posts: 71
    edited July 2011

    Elizabeth were gonna finish strong together 

    Pegkug3- is your name peg? I also met a woman this week that always looked so sad when I saw her I tried to make eye contact so she could talk if she wanted too-never spoke to anyone else, then yesterday she told me that she has rectal cancer and is having radiation there -- she has a colonsomy bag and is going back in for surgery when her rads are done and that will determine is the bag is permenant- Yes there is always someone in worse shape then I...

    My skin is starting to hurt - many little bumps that seem like they are blisterish - I have been very diligent about applying creams Miaderm, emu, aloe guess its just my skin type and the tech said that those spots probably had more sun over my life (and some freckles) Oh well 15 down,, yeah horay..

    Best to all -glad to be able to talk to people who get it, only sorry for why you get it..

    Night now 

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  • Elizabeth1889
    Elizabeth1889 Member Posts: 1,036
    edited July 2011

    LindaJanette:  Yes, we will finish strong together.  It really does help to talk to people who "get it." Some of my friends are suprised that I am still in treatment for cancer.  They just do not understand that cancer never really goes away.  

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  • jankc
    jankc Member Posts: 96
    edited July 2011

    I started radiation this past Monday, the 25th. I have that freckly Irish skin and already had an infection from wearing my heavy post-lumpectomy sports bra before I even started the radiation, so as far as other skin issues, I'm expecting the worst but hoping for the best.  5 out of 33 treatments completed as of today and only 28 more to go, which sounds better to me than 5 1/2 weeks ...: ) 

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