Sept 2011 Rads

Bernie Ellen and Gogirls...welcome to the rads group.  Sorry you have to be here though.  Hopefully it will go well for both of you.  I have had very few problems other than these annoying chest pain attacks. 

I talked to my techs today about what happened Saturday.  They want me to see the oncologist tomorrow.  I usually see mine on Thursday.  He is on vacation this week, so I will see a new one tomorrow.  They thought it was best I get in ASAP.  I am hoping that he has some idea what is causing these attacks.

Welcome BernieEllen and Gogirls! I think you will find this a pretty open and informative thread. I hope your journey through this is a simple one.

My treatment today went fine and I felt really good all day only one little episode of chest pain and humm, it was on the way home from treatment, go figure. It was great seeing the sun and temps. like 74 deg. I love fall, its my favorite season!

Here's to a good week for us all

Hi Ladies,

Had a very busy weekend , my niece's baby shower, another niece moved. Hope all of you with chest pains feel better soon. Had #4 of 30 today. Went pretty well. I am very hoarse, is this normal so early in Rads? 

Natters, I am in the clinical trial and Ian having 30 rads.

brb, my daughter detailed my SUV I ahve to go have a look.

Headed off to my first "zap".  Felt OK about all this yesterday, so why am I so nervous today??  Probably didn't help that when I went in for set up, the doctor marked the wrong spot for the boost, and then didn't want to admit it when I called her on it.  Gives you a feeling of confidence when they lie to cover up their mistakes.  I hope they have everything cleared up, cause the waiting is driving me crazy.   Wish me luck!

gogirls, I did not have any pain at all from the radiation that soon.  I have no idea why you would be feeling this after one treatment.  Just talk to your doctor and see if they know what is going on.  My pain is just different, two separate "attacks" and each lasted one day.  I see an oncologost today, maybe he will know.  Mine is out oftown.  Otherwise I have done well. 

MostlySew...I get a lot of x-rays some days too.  They just take them to make sure your position  is correct. I get them once a week and never the same amount it seems.  No worries, it is normal!  I hear you on the heat.  I thought for sure fall would finally arrive, no such luck.  After a few days of temps in the 80's, later this week the 90's return.  I think we are getting your heat! 

I'm feeling better now, maybe it was all in my head?

MostlySew, that is really hot, time to break out the bathingsuit and enjoy those last summer days! 

Justmejanis, hope the doctor can figure out what's up with your pain attacks

dogeyed, how's your shoulder?

I get really nervous on the table, too.  My tech tells me that I will get used to it by the end of the second week.  I'm on day 2 of week 2.  

I did discover something that really, really helps though.  I asked if I could have my iPod and they said as long as I didn't dance or sing, it would be fine!  So, the last couple of zaps, I got my iPod all set up and then they set me up and I was listening to music instead of the machine buzzing.  Much more calming.  I don't know if it will help anyone else, but thought it was worth sharing.

 And I finally found a cream that has no petroleum but has the consistency of Aquaphor, so if anyone else is allergic, let me know and I'll share.  My RO's nurse checked it out and said it should be fine, but I know they are all different. 

Glad the pains are easing up, girls.  (:

Hugs from here,

Steph 

Well ladies this RO I saw today was about as worthless as a tit on a boarhog! Those are my husband's words!  I mean really.  The nurse came in and took all the information down and seemed genuinely concerned about the second attack.  Also I have swollen glands under my left jaw and she wrote that down and said to make sure to talk to him about that as well.  Anyway he finally comes in and says not much, wants to look at the breast.  Said it looked great.  So I mentioned the nodes being sore.  He flat out said whatever that is, it is NOT related to either BC or rads and if it persists, call my regular doctor.  Okay fine....then onto the subject of these pain attacks.  I told him ths was the second one, pain is so severe it flattens me for an entire day and the next day I am exhausted.  He said that it shouldn't happen again!  Oh really?  How does he know this?  I told him it shouldn't have happened twice.  He said if it happens again to just let them know.  Yes, they have been so helpful already!  I asked him WHAT is this, what exactly causes this.  He finally said it was inflammation in the lining of the pleura of the lung and it is caused by radiation!!!  Well gee, finally somebody at least connecrted the dots.  My regular RO flat out told me whatever it is, it is not caused by radiation.  I just love it when everyone is in agreement.

If this flairs up again I swear I am going to be very vocal about it.  I am always so nice but losing my happy thoughts with this now.

Steph, I am glad you find the i-Pod relaxes you on the table.  Whatever works hon!

BernieEllen...the simulation is very easy.  We will stick with you on your radiation journey!

For the ladies which chest pain (I get it too), look up Tieze Syndrome. Describes it perfectly! My RO said it was chronditis and to take Ibuprofen.





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tietze_syndrome



After my skin started turning red (finished 14 of 33), I was told to only wear a cotton sports bra or men's cotton tank with bra over for support.



As far as the fatigue, he said that because I have my treatments at 7:30 in the morning, I should start to feel tired by 2-3:00. Told me to take afternoon naps when I can. Last night I went to bed at 6:45!



((((Hugs))))

Hi Leighsa,

It's possible that it's tietze or chronditis however my pain is not located at the join of the ribs to the sternum it's deeper in the lung. And there isn't any pain if you push on it. The pleurisy or inflammation of the lining of the lung more exactly describes it. However, in all cases it seems nothing is really done for it but to take an anti-inflamatory, which does help. Thanks for the info on this. I think in the long run, some get it and some don't and not much can really be done for it. Althogh I'm anxious to hear what my RO says on Thursday. I'll just muddle along doing the best I can, is that a song? Should be



This evening I'm attending the second of a two part class given by my breast care center on lymphadema: what it is, how to prevent it, how to treat it and some physical therapy treatment techniques. This is a free class and quite good. I learned a lot in the first session and tonight we'll learn more massage techniques. good to be forearmed I think even though I don't have any real symptoms of lymphadema and only had 4 lymph nodes removed.



Enjoy your evenings everyone

Janis I cant believe what you are having to deal with!  That is crazy, our RO should be more concerned with us.  I hope they start treating you better.

Janis, Oh that makes me so mad that you have to pull these answers out of the doctors! His explanation does make sense. However: Leighsa's post and link were very helpful too. With either diagnosis it looks like the treatment would be the same: anti-inflammatory and hopefully this will all end when rads ends. I do feel better mentally knowing there is a reason, I'm not nuts.... well, that is debatable, lol.

Leighsa, Thank you for that post and link! Sorry that you have had this as well, I wish we could just do a group hug, as silly as that sounds. Its comforting to know we are not alone and being able to talk to all of you is priceless therapy for me.

Here is another SE I have noticed coming on, but today, WOW! Today was #9 and my left breast feels like it weights 5 pounds. Without touching it, it feels hard, but when I touch it, it really isn't. Does that make sense? My incision today felt like I was being stabbed with a hot knife, that now I'm sure is the nerve endings like the tech first told me when I asked about the chest pain. However, some of us know all too well that they are very distinct separate pains. This journey is full of twisting turns!

MostlySew, Yes my breast is a little swollen. Not that anyone else can tell, but I have noticed.  I'm sure that will go down too.  At least it better, or I will need a little adjusting by the time this is done, lol.

Gogirls, I love the line you said to your husband. I hope he doesn't take it too personally. I'm sure he understands, its not him, its just your anger coming out. I have snapped at my poor husband a few times. I don't even remember what the last thing was over, but after I slung something like that back at him. He just gave me a hug, said he was sorry, that he didn't mean it the way it sounded, there really is no right thing to say. Now, he asks me how my day was, that's it, and he listens when I bitch.

Here is my funny for the day: So hubby did the laundry over the weekend and my youngest put it all away.  Result:  Two white shirts, bedding set and socks now pink. Two of my shirts, MIA. They will turn up some where. Oh, and no fabric softener was used. So, note to self: Stay on top of the laundry, they can do the bathrooms, floors, and dusting.

Hope everyone has a good Wednesday, half way to the weekend!

Stormy it really ticks me off that it is so difficult to get any explanation from these doctors.  I learned far more here than I ever learned from the cancer center I go to.  Nobody ever discussed possible side effects.  I guess it is because they just don't happen?  WOW.  Sadly most of us have to learn as we go along.  LOL on the hubby doing the laundry!  I always do ours, but my husband does help me hang them out and bring them back in too.  He even helps fold.

Leighsa I hear you on the strange pains.  I have been given many possible explanations but the one today could be it.  Inflammation of the pleura.  Guess it makes sense.  I hope you feel better very very soon hon.

Leighsa,

I do think your pain is in a different location, but sure acts the same. I think it all feels the same too, mostly just painful.



Thanks everyone for letting me know that this boob might swell some. I noticed it this morning, it's not painful, just looked a bit bigger. Then, my tech had to tape my boob up to do the lateral rad zap cause I had a big crease. Ain't big boobs just wonderful? I got a kick out of it, but at the same time it seemed strange.

One last boost tomorrow and then I am done. I am going to nashville, Tn. Sunday for 4 days to celebrate. My skin was fine until the boosts. I have a bad rash tonight, but it is not too itchy. No peeling or blisters, and I never felt one minute of exhaustion so life is good. Now all I have left to do is plastic surgery. After 2 lumpectomies my right breast is smaller than my left, so I am getting implants and breast lifts.