November 2011 Rads

Nat- I had been wondering why the x-rays and also what would happen with weight loss.  You explained it.  I am hoping I'll have the R.O. visit and x-rays on the same day. 
I start rads Monday, and I feel sooo much better since my head cold went away.  I know I can do it now....and after the first 3 weeks, I can take off sick time from my job whenever I need it.  I'm ready for a few weeks off from work.
Suzanne, CONGRATS on finishing your rads!!!  So happy for you.
Chrys, hang in there - that commute is tough.  I keep telling myself I can do anything for a short time, but why does it seem so long?
I was out of town and had no computer for a few days - so I join in wishing a peaceful and happy Thanksgiving week end and holiday season to come.
Hugs,

Joan

'Not sure if I just have a stomach bug or if rads are making me feel nauseated. When my rad nurse did a teaching session in the beginning (I am on #12 now), she told me rads would not make me nauseated- If that is the case, why does she ask me every Monday if I am experiencing nausea! Have any of you had nausea as side effect? I am hoping it is a side effect of rads as it is very similar to the all day "morning sickness" I had when diagnosed with BC....

Sher 

Natters - that is exactly the word I have been looking for to describe the way I feel everytime I have treatment: vulnerable. I can also relate to the 5 min. visit with my rad onc - he looks at the skin and then he is done. I used to asked health care profs a lot of questions - now I just want to get out of the office and discover information on my own. I have received far more information on this site and google, than I ever have from health profs. 

Sher 

I am so thankful for this site and thread. Today is one of those days when I only want to be with people who truly understand, so I am staying-in all day with pets, sweatpants, a good book and all of you. 

Thanks!

Sher 

Sher, I have given myself "permission" to eat whatever I want right now, and consequently I have been steadily gaining weight, maybe a pound or so every week. I ate a very restricted diet from March-August of this year, to be more competitive in my sport, so I feel like letting go now a bit. And they haven't yelled at me about it or anything at rads, so I figure they will make the necessary adjustments as we go along. I may stop the overeating soon, though, because I don't want to have to lose too much before the tryouts associated with my sport next Spring. But right now, I'm trying to indulge myself, eat the stuff I normally have to turn down, and enjoy the downtime snuggling pets and wearing PJs and watching TV and movies.

Still have the darn nausea - I will tell the rad onc nurse, even though she will fluff it off. I lost two pounds since last Monday and I am not going to stress about being weighed today. The rad nurse can scold me all she wants - I was simply too ill to eat a lot. I have enough stress in my life without being concerned that the rad people will scold me - They threaten to send people for nutrition counseling if they lose wt. - I have read plenty about nutrition and do not want to sit through another "teaching session" about anything related to cancer! (sorry about the rant - Mondays are my tough day - I am going to have a good day in spite of it all - I wish the same to each of you.) Sometimes I have to remind myself that I am a "paying customer" for treatment and that I am in charge of my body. I believe those two facts deem that I not be scolded like a child by the med profs at rads. (My chemo team and surgeon were great - radiation is just an assembly line).

Sher 

Anandagram - I had nausea and dizziness the other day. Actually felt 'off' on my way to RADS but once I got off the table, I was sick and had water rushing to my mouth like I was going to vomit. Spent an hour at the clinic in RADS to rest, and get some Zofran because I had another appointment upstairs at 9am in another part of the center. I don't know if it is was a fluke or a bug or rads.

I also feel vulnerable on the table with my breast and belly exposed -- it's cold and it's just unsettling. I don't care what anyone says, I think RADS is almost emotionally taxing as the chemo; but just in a different way. It's emotionally and physically exhausting (well, at least for me w/an hour drive and going to work).  

Today was #18.  December 14th (last treatment) can't come soon enough..... I wish they had weekend appointments so that I could finish faster! But my center starts at 6am and goes all the way up until 9pm for treatment. I guess they need the weekends off LOL

Anandagram, I agree with you about rads being an assembly line.  I finished rads at the end of August and it was far and away the worst part of my treatment.  Surgery and chemo were fine because the doctors and nurses were so caring.  The RO and his nurse made me feel like I was invisible.  The techs were good, but I had many different ones. I, too, would have preferred the same pair each day.  The worst days were when I had two male techs without another woman being in the room.  The male techs were very professional, but it made me feel uncomfortable.  Anyway, while rads is definitely not "a walk in the park," eventually it does end.  The support on this board helped me so much.

Chrys23 Ask the techs for a warm blanket. I teased mine about other ladies in forum getting warm blankets and they said sure we have them. Now they automatically reach for one as I come in. Also after I'm on the table and have slipped my arm out of the gown they check the positioning and put the gown over so I'm not exposed during the rads. Radiation will go right through the cloth so as long as they are checking your position I would think it would be all right to request they recover you. Fatique seems to be setting in. I have an hour drive each way and by the time I get home I am dragging a bit. Hope everyone's week goes well

My favorite quote

 "You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have."(unknown author)

Had to share that...and keep telling myself that!

((Hugs to all))

MrsMot - thinking of you and yet another scary wait. My friend just got a clear PET scan result and we have been celebrating ever since. here's hoping you are celebrating soon, too! I think 100% aloe (without any alcohol in it) is often recommended and if I were you, I would start slathering it on 3-4 times a day NOW. I found it helpful to ask the techs where they were radiating me, the "borders of my field," so that I knew where to apply the lotions. 

Joan - how was your first day? Did you recognize any of the techs? I hope your breathing was Ok during the wait and hold still times. The first appt is often a lot longer than the rest. It should go faster from here on out.

ptdreamers - be careful driving home tired! That sounds a little dangerous. I dunno how you ladies with the longer commutes are doing it. Can somebody drive you, if the fatigue gets a lot worse? I know it's a lot to ask of people during the work day...

MsMot - You will definitely be in my thoughts - NO MORE CANCER for any of us!

Thanks for the awesome quote! 

Sher  

Mrs. Mott-Just said a prayer for you for a clean PET scan.  The waiting is often the worst part.  As for your first RO my treatment center suggested 100% Aloe or Aquaphor both of which you can get over the counter at drug stores or health food/care stores.  My nurse said she felt the Aquaphor was best.  It's messy, like Vicks vapor rub without the smell, so get some nice soft shirts a little bit big.  I've been wearing mine without a bra at home so they get a little stained from the Aquaphor. I had my tech mark on me where the rads would hit when they did the positioning appointment. That gave me an idea of where to use the cream.

Anadagram-glad your nurse didn't give you a hard time.  I like the idea of us being consumers expecting to be treated as valued customers not like children.  Don't let them make you feel like you don't deserve to be treated as such!

Not looking forward to having my first full week of treatment this week.  I was feeling almost normal on Sunday after having 4 days off.  I do feel lucky to have my center so close only a 20 minute drive.  I've been getting there early the last few times since parking isn't always easy to find.  They've been able to get me in and out again before my appointment actually takes place.  I can't say the staff is as warm and fuzzy as the chemo team, but my technicians are the same each time and friendly.

Is anyone having muscle pain or joint pain?  I asked my RO about it today.  My shoulder hurts quite a bit on the side I'm having treated.  He says the weekly XRays show the rads aren't hitting my shoulder.  I know the chemo has affected my joints.  They pop and crack now like never before. 

Hope everyone has a great week.

nans - I hope that your first treatment back was non-eventful. Returning to treatment after four days off was a hard one for sure. Yes, I also have been experiencing joint and muscle pain but have attributed it to chemo. When I stand up from a chair after sitting for a while, it is difficult to get moving...I have aged so much during this treatment.

ptdreamers -  one of the products my RO suggested is Johnsons Natural Baby Wash. It comes out as a foam that pretty much turns to nothing as you use it and rinses very easily. I have been using it on my burned areas and it seems to work okay. With that said, I wonder if a baby bath wipe kind of product would work for this person. Also, at my RO office last night, they gave me a box of gel sheets to use for my burns. I can't remember the name right now but they have a red plastic you peel off and place the gel side to the burn. These seem to be working really well so far (have had it on since last night). The gel doesn't really come off on your skin but it is supposed to create a moist, healing condition for 1st and 2nd degree burns...in fact, it reminds me of the feel of those gel toys kids have that can be slapped up on the wall and stick or picks up paper. Perhaps she can ask if they have a product like that available.

I have muscle/joint pain on the radiated side, too, and no chemo or other meds to blame it on – it's definitely radiation. Stretching helps a lot. I guess hydration would help too, but I keep forgetting it.