Sept 2011 Rads

MostlySew,

I'm having 28 regular sessions and 8 boosts, so 36.  Almost as many--it'll be just over seven weeks. 

SAB, thanks for the tip about the washcloth, I'm gonna try it tomorrow....

Ladies;

I need to know if I should rub anything on before and after treatment. What about showers? What kind of shower sopa to use. The rads team has not answered any questions. Also wearing my prothesis or getting another bra. Thanks.

I just had my mapping done and will get my first treatment next Thursday.  I am doing this backwards, since chemo should come first.  My Pathology results were unexpected and I was not at all prepared for any chemo.  I thought it would just be radiation, but the tumor grew instead of shrink, like we thought it was doing (while I took Femara for 7 months) and it spread to two lymph nodes.  I've had trouble find a medical oncologist (long story) and then the one I finally decided on was called out of town for emergency for a few weeks, before I could even meet with her.  That's when I decided to go ahead with the Rads.  I got no info on lotions, deodorant or anything, so thank goodness for your advice!

I also was told not to shave under my arm on that side.   good thing I really dont need too.

The fatigue from rads is far worse than chemo fatigue for me.  I only have had 5 with 23 to go.

ks......your poor body has been through so much.  I think you are probably just feeling the cumulative effects of it all.  I did not have chemo and cannot relate to that.  I would just think that rads after chemo is tough.  Hang in there hon.  I hope it gets easier for you.

Stormy I am glad you and your daughter had a good talk.  I am sure she is worried for you and of course she will be.  I am so glad she sees the doctor tomorrow and I really help she gets some help.  Poor thing, cancer is hard on everyone.  Hoping she starts feeling much better very soon.

I had that AWFUL bout of real severe chest pain a week ago today.  There was never a diagnosis and I still feel real unsettled about the whole experience.  I still have some mild pain in my chest.  Thank goodness not severe.  My RO just blew me off, saying it was not related to treatment.  I see him again tomorrow to get the results of my thyroid ultrasound.  I also have an appointment tomorrow with my regular doc.  I had the results sent to him as well.  I see the RO tomorrow after rads..and an hour later see my regular doc.  I hope they come up with the same interpertation!

Hang in there everyone!  I carry you all in my heart.  You ladies have become so important to me. 

Take good care!

I was told not to shave on that side, too.  The long hair makes me laugh.   They told me cornstarch is okay to use before treatment and it helps keep the underarm area dry.  For deodorant, I use Tom's of Maine as soon as the treatment is over but they also said that the crystal kind is okay, too.  I found mine at a Whole Foods store.  

I had my third treatment today.  I thought it was going to be a breeze at first, but I'm having some anxiety while I lie there.  Being so still while that huge machine goes around me, knowing what it's doing is really hard, even though I know the ultimate result is good. Anyway.

Only 33 to go... 

MOSTLYSEW, I also had my first real rads treatment yesterday.  It went very quickly, they zapped me in three diff areas.  Directly afterwards, before I even left the hospital, I felt a wave of sleepiness and some warmth in my chest and neck.  Then it went away by the time I left.

I keep worrying about how in the world am I going to clean up my house, it's been dirty for so long, but next week will do a couple hours for three days, I have a little list, should be done in two or three weeks that way, in the mornings before I go to rads at 1:00.  Rugs need cleaning, think I'll get a washing type vacuum instead of paying someone to do it, and husband volunteered to do it and anything else I need him to do to finish up cleaning.  It's been a HUGE obstacle for me to feel free, and I want it all done before rads are done, becuz that's the end of treatment.  I know, I shouldn't push myself and worry so, but I trust once I get into cleaning, I'll stick to it until.  It's picking up that first piece of laundry, dusting that first dresser, facing the music.  Sorry, with everyone else's big problems, leave it to me to create one. GG

Dogeyed don't beat yourself up!  Do what you can, when you can and don't sweat the small stuff.  If it is really bothering you then your approach seems good.  Make a list, baby steps.  Don't try to do it all in a short time frame.  Just do a little bit at a time and celebrate the small victories!

I totally clean our house before the house cleaner comes by! My partner is cluttery and I just don't see how they can clean if there's all that clutter and mess.

I know what you mean about the waiting room for rads being a sad place.  I expected to see very sick people during my chemo, but my chemo buddies were a healthy looking group.  I saw some very ill people during rads.  It made me count my blessings.

Congrats Katehudson25!



Justmejanis-I had chest pain today about an hour after my treatment. Lasted about an hour, but the area still feels tender. I was so close to calling my RO, but then it got better. I will def bring it up tomorrow.



Day 12 for me and the skin issues have started. The area under the breast is pink/ red and there are two small blisters. It is also getting itchy. I still have 21 more treatments...yikes!



Fatigue is also begin to sink in. I thought it was just being back at work,but the last couple of days it's gotten worse. I think someone else mentioned feeling like you took benadryl and that's a perfect description. Of course my sister (same one that compares her boob job pain to breast cancer surgery), told me that she heard that rear h shows radiation doesn't actually cause fatigue. It's just the added routine to your day. Seriously, that's the support I get!!



I'm the first one at my center, so I only see one other woman and an older gentlemen waiting. The woman is very bitter. One day we had to wait and she was not thrilled about the 15 minute delay. Then she sort of snapped at me asking, "what are you doing here? Your too young for this!". She was surprised to hear I was in my 40's. She just seemed so negative-I felt really sad for her.





Anyway, so happy that tomorrow is Friday and then we have the weekend off.

Leighsa, (btw, love the way you spell your name), sorry your sister is not much emotional support for you.  There are those of us who definitely become fatigued by the rads, and it's not the routine of the rads, it's the treatment that affecting the body.  The rad technician ladies at the center where I go are very personable, but I still hate going.  However, tomorrow will mark the 'over half way done' point, so am happy about that.

 Thank you, ladies, all of you who contribute to this thread.  I didn't think the rads would wear me out like it's doing, and I appreciate the comments and insight you all add to this part of the process.