November 2011 Rads

Congratulations to Natters and RealtorJackie  Natters, what a great celebration picture!

Congrats...Jackie & Nat !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I have 2 more....

An appointment-free month is an awesome idea.  I think I'll designate February.  It should work out fine as I'll finish rads on 1/12 and I have an MO appointment on the 23rd, I think.  I haven't had a free month since June 2010.  I think I am overdue!!!

I had an itchy bumpy rash, after chemo, just above my port incision.  Never figured out what it was, but it did go away b4 rads....

Hello All!

Haven't been on in awhile. I finished RADS last Wednesday! Congrats to all that have finished or are about to cross the finish line.

I do have severe burns under my arm (sentinal node scar), neck and under the breast. So bad, that all of the skin has come off in these areas. They are now open and pink and I'm just waiting for them to heal. Using wound wash, domeboro soaks, silvadene, aquafor and neosporin. I pray this all clears up soon -- under my arm is the worst as it's a big open, pink area about 5 inches across. Blech.

If anyone has any other remedies to help clear this up, I'm all for it! The RO's say that this is ok and will just take time to heal. These burns didn't happen until right up until the last week of treatment.

Oh Natters -- I'm sorry to hear you are going through this too. I have THREE open pink burns. Neck, underarm and under breast. The one under my arm is the worst. It looks like raw meat or like I'm a walking dead zombie.

My RO says, Aquafor, Aquafor, Aquafor. I keep pads or gauze on it and I try to air it out as much as I can, but as you know -- it's quite painful to sometimes put my arm down!!!  Are you in much pain now? My center also provided me with Lidocaine gel and that helps somewhat. Most of the pain is gone -- it was really bad when the skin was literally burning off my body. Most of the skin in my areas is now gone, so it's not as painful.

As you said; time seems to be the big factor. Keep the area clean; I purchased some sterile saline 'wound wash' and I use that about 3x's a day. I was doing the soaks (Domeboro -- you can find the packets at Walgreens or RiteAid). They are an astringent that helps soak off the dead skin. You just mix it in 16oz of water. It's very soothing to use. I was doing that 4x's a day to get all the dead skin off -- gross!  

Let me know if you need anything or if I can help in any way -- since we are both going thru this.

Feel better!!!

Natters and Chry23 so sorry you are hurting!  Prayers that you will heal quickly with little pain.

To all of you who have finished congrats!  Here's to a better New Year.

I got measured for my boosts today.  It's a little freaky having the attachment on the machine.  It comes so much closer to me.  I was surprised when I talked to the doctor that she said the boosts were not treating as deep along the scar as the regular treatments on the rest of my chest.  She also told me that the changes in my skin would continue for a week after treatments before any healing took place.  Sooooo ready for this to be done.  8 more to go. 

 DCIS Stage 1 Grade 1 Lumpectomy HERS2 negative hormone receptors  progesterone estrogten  positive.  I am 56 yrs old.

My treatment center is pleasant and welcoming in appearance. The staff is very nice and pleasant. The lobby is decorated in a comfortable atmosphere with a puzzle table area (rotated by theme or season) soft lighting on another side with a Kureg drink station with  tea, coffee and graham crackers available. Another area is more brightly lit and all area are available  for those awaiting appointments or therapy.The treatment center has issued their patients a photo ID card with a barcode. What I call my speed pass which I present under a scaner,and enter through an automated handicapped opened door to the 4 room dressing area, to gown and wait my turn for radiation.

Does anyone have Syndrome and Fibromyalga?

I began my radiation therapy on 28 November 2011. Had my facility walk through, tattoo guides placed and set up (mold fitting) and treatment walk through stretched out 2 weeks prior while awaiting HERS2 results which was negative, (one less therapy) Yeah!

 Into day 17 of 30 treatments. I was given the Bard brand skin care cream provided my radiation treatment center of which I began applying prior to my radiation treatments. I am doing well considering my other medical history.  At first the treatments felt like they were taking forever. The colorful markings are a conversation piece as I am not embarrassed that they show when I wear some tops. Recently I have begun to go bra less with just a cotton Camey and over sized sweaters. My right breast is  now sore and beginning to turn a light to medium pink with a definite light brown tan pattern line above and below my breast as well as a darker nipple and areola. My radiation treatments are seemingly feeling like they are going by more quickly even with radiation films check. I see my doctor every 2 weeks and the staff is helpful in answering most concerning questions. The one they cant answer is my autoimmune body reactions to radiation. My rheumatoogist hasn't a clue as well as the radiation onocologist and I feel like a hot potato being tossed back and forth. I have a follow up with my onocologist in 3 weeks. 

Has anyone experienced severe abdominal pain?  In ER last night  intestinal blockage. Sjogrens and Fibromyalgia causes me  fatigue and  some IBS issues anyway. I can tell an increase in fatigue level with increasing intensity is a side effect from the radiation therapy treatments. I was told by a ER staff nurse her opinion this was a possibility in my body's reaction to  treatments due to my autoimmune diseases.The ER doctor did not elaborate to my question but was detailed in clarification of all my test and discharge instructions.  I try to stay as hydrated as I can to the best of my ability but realize this is a problem at times with my autoimmune issues. Has anyone had this problem in their treatment?

Jackie - Congrats!  You did it --- and thanks again for getting us together to help, support, laugh and cry TOGETHER.  Who else in the world would want to hear about our peeling skin?
Nat - So glad you are done!  Nice photo!
Congrats to Chrys, too! 
And for all November ladies who are done....Gotta party!!!

Hugs to all,

Joan

Did not mean to be Debbie Downer yesterday.  Just that man effected me so.  The realities of cancer can be difficult.  Lost my dad to cancer, my mother-in-law and countless coworkers to cancer. 

Love the new photo Natters - Hope your wounds heal fast.

Congrats to all that finish this week.  What a Christmas gift!  #15 today...half way done.

Congrats to all those who are finishing rads this week. May your burns heal quickly!

Rn4babies - I didn't see Dr Rubin on TV! I wonder if I can find and tape it....?



My NSDP is crapping all over my Xmas as well. We're probably going to spend the weekend apart - I'm going to see my family in VA alone. At least THEY love and support me!



Hope you get some Downtime in the coming week. My mom was a nurse and I know you guys don't always get all the time off you deserve. You sound as stressed out as me and you have a lot to figure out, too.

Rn- I saw it online and it's not the same Dr Rubin - there are 2 surgeons at UPMC with that name. That guy is a PS. I only had a BS because I didn't need recon. I think my surgeon does other onc surgery but no plastic work....the fat grafting is very interesting to me, though, as a possibility of improving MX concavity and maybe just creating tiny breasts.



Am I the only one who got a lump that's already planning for a potential BMX in the future? I don't even have all that high chance if a recurrence, if I can tolerate the Tamox, but it's still a lot higher than my chances of initially being dx and I feel like my luck has run out these days.