Sept 2011 Rads

Hi ashleere. I am taking tamoxifen with rads. I thought that was kinda different, but my MO (who insisted I start the tamoxifen right away knows that I'm doing rads). I only hope that these guys know what they are doing. The lack of info they have given me has not inspired confidence. I have gotten my info from his discussion board. Thank you so much ladies for your information and inspiration.

Ceeztheday-My MO told me that on the East coast where he trained the protocol is often to double up on Tamoxifen and Rads. Here on the West Coast (for us wimps I guess) the protocol is to follow Rads with Tamoxifen.  The advantages are that SEs can be identified more accurately and that women will not be saddled with two sets of SEs at the same time.  When I was delayed for Rads due to infection, I was told that the Rads window was 3 months after surgery.  I have a meeting with my MO next week to discuss that window with him as it pertains to Tamoxifen -- I will be asking him to begin the drug. 

CEEZtheDAY, all I know about changes in odors is when I was doing AC chemo, most things tasted kind of like metal and my appetite changed.  So, I only ate certain things during that time, that tasted right, lost a lot of weight.  Like so many treatments some are taking, could be you have wound up with strange smells as a side effect, even tho it's not listed.  I like your idea of putting better smells under your nose! 

MOSTLYSEW, gosh, I appreciated you commenting on my dental disaster!  I wound up drinking milk, V-8, had some Cool Whip left (yum), and later whipped up mashed potatoes (not so good).  When I go to the grocery store today after rads, I'm going to pick up stuff like apple sauce, lots of puddings, and soup.  Until my pulled teeth places heal, it's a soft-liquid type diet, which suits me, I need to lose more weight! 

DIVINE, oh, you are almost there!!!  Two more weeks and a wakeup.  Smile.  I will be finishing up the Friday before Halloween, but wish mine were Columbus Day too.  Great seeing you on this forum. 

ALL, thanks for some feedback on stress.  I think I will have to resume my walks, to get rid of the tension, as soon as it stops raining!  I live in the mountains of NC and it has been raining steady for days.  I hydroplaned when I went to the dentist, had to slow down on the freeway to 45 mph.  Today is my busy day, going to grocery store and doing the bills.  Hate doing that stuff, but at least I can do it now.  For a long while, husband did groceries to help me out. 

How is everyone's radiated skin doing?  I've been putting prescribed aloe type lotion on it irregularly, but I now get confused on putting it on in the morning with rads at 1:00.  They did tell me as long as I didn't put it on an hour before rads, in other words as long as the lotion had dried, it would be okay.  I put it on twice yesterday, supposed to be three times, so guess I need to go put it on now.  Oh, I'm just rambling now.  Just wanted to share and ask about how you all's skin is doing.  I've only had seven zaps, so skin looks fine now.  GG 

Hey y'all, I'm not taking tamox (or anything else) til after.  But I'm supposed to have a hysterectomy sometime between now and then, so it might be a little longer.  

I'm on #10 today.  After #9 yesterday, I am 25% done!

It's Friday and I am exhausted again. Hopefully over the weekend, I'll start to perk up a little like I did last week.  My skin's doing good, just a little bit of nipple soreness.  I had some initial redness along the outer edge of my armpit, but it's turned brown now.

dogeyed, glad you got your teeth out that were worrying you.   I had a milkshake yesterday too!  I haven't wanted to eat much, so I figured it couldn't hurt. (Plus, I looked it up...17 gms of protein!  For real!)

My regular tech wasn't there yesterday (at lunch) and I about had a panic attack on the table that the "new guy" wasn't doing it right.  I saw my tech as I was leaving and told her she wasn't "allowed" to do that any more.  She couldn't believe that it would make a difference to me.  They are all so used to dealing with radiation stuff that they have a hard time believing it would make us nervous.   

 Hope today goes well for everyone and you have a great weekend with no zaps!

I have # 12 today and so far so good.  The fatigue is even getting better.  I think I just may have been overdoing it!

Good luck today girls and enjoy the weekend.

Natters, my RO did tell me 3 months (I was so worried) but at about 2 months she suggested starting, even though my infection was still lingering.  She said she wasn't comfortable waiting longer.  So, a little bit of conflicting communication from her that I thought I would pass along to you to add into the mix as you make your choices.

I was very fortunate that my medical group insisted that I take the "grand tour of cancer" as my MO calls it.  I was required to see each doctor on my team for an hour consult before beginning teatment.  Before each meeting I would do research and write down all my questions.  Each one of them were quite patient with me then, and now as new questions pop up that culture of communicating with patient still shows.  It bothers me to no end when I hear about doctors or techs who think they are too busy to answer our questions fully.  It is our right to know.  I suggest writing down questions before your visit, being organized and efficient about getting answers. 

As an aside I too had an issue with being adjusted differently by different techs.  They took the time to show me how the table, tatoos and guide marks helped them to be consistent. It helped me calm down a little, but it does still bother me. 

Hi everyone, I'm starting monday.  One off my markers fell off on the way home.

Everyone have a good weekend 

I gave up underwire bras the day I found the lump in my breast.  The lump was in the 6 o'clock position.  I am a D cup so that along with the lumpectomy incision being on the underside of my breast, I too risk irritation there.  

So glad to have a break from rads for the weekend.  Thanks all for helping me thru this part of the treatment; hope you all have a good weekend.... 

I seen the RO today and asked him all my questions. He had the blow me off attitude that he usually has, which just sends me into a pissed off dimension of unknown proportions! Any way, he said that my breast is smaller because of the surgery, there was swelling after and now that swelling is gone so this is what I have left. The Rads will make it swell again, then shrink even more! So, I could have reconstruction done 2-3 years later!!! Maybe I'm just very vain, but this upsets me soooo much! If I had know this I would have opted for the DMX with no Rads and would have been done with all of this and avoided the SEs of Rad. Hopefully, I will do better with this new knowledge over the weekend, after it settles in. But, right know I'm sooooooooo angry with what the Dr.s do and don't tell you, this whole BC diagnosis, and that there just isn't anything my poor husband can say or do to make this better, or anyone else. I know I have to suck it up, but when does the anger pass?

Stormy, I had a lumpectomy and my breast is smaller. I am small breasted to begin with so I am having implants and breast lifts. I have an appointment with my plastic surgeon Sept 30. She needs to see what my skin looks like after radiation to let me know when she can do the surgery. Originally she said 1 to 3 months after radiation. I am 2 days post radiation, and I have a rash, and I am red, but nothing too bad. To my plastic surgeon peeling is the worst, and I am not. Have a great 2 days off everyone, and hurry up and meet me on the other side of rads. Congratulations again Juliana. Enjoy the radiation freedom. Remember to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize everyone. I think my skin is doing so well from Udderly Smooth Body cream and Miaderm.

CONGRATS KATEHUDSON25!! WHOO HOO You did it lady. You inspire me so much, enjoy your well deserved vacation.

Congratulations Katehudson25 on finishing rads with minimal SEs!



Day 18/33 for me. I have a "sunburn" from the center of my chest across the left breast. There are tiny blister bumps that itch like crazy! My RO said NO underwire bras at all. Also recommended all cotton, tanks or sport bras.



My breast has an indent from the surgery and was initially swollen, then smaller and is now very full and round. I've accepted that it will never match the other one.



I have four techs that fuss over me every morning. I'm there all of ten minutes and each one finds a moment to talk to me. I couldn't be happier with my radiation center.



Enjoy the weekend off and take extra care of your skin!



(((hugs)))

I am now 14 of 33 and sporting a nice light tan.  Like Leighsa, I am very pleased with my techs.  They are personable and attentive at each visit. Even the students have been great.  One had to set everything up manually the other day, which added maybe 5 minutes on to the whole process.

It is amazing to me how different each of our experiences has been. I received a whole page of creams and lotions to use, along with a list of exercises to help maintian flexibility during treatment. There is a separate waiting area for each machine and I am able to change in the room where I receive treatment. I will say my RO is a little more dismissive of my concerns that my MO or surgeon but he's still given me straight answers. I put it down to his being very young.

I hope everyone enjoys a relaxing weekend.

14 of 33 today.  I've heard some of you use Miaderm (Kate) and yesterday the RO gave me a couple samples to try.  It's nice--absorbs very quickly, smells nice and seemed to reduce the redness.

When do the side effects of radiation therapy usually start showing up? I had some pain near my collarbone today and am thinking it is too early for this to happen ; it is only day #4.

Thanks.