December 2011 Rad

You are so lucky shelley2011. Wish it were me although I am not back to work yet I just have to go home, well at this time of year I have been going shopping afterwards LOL

Is anyone else feeling a little unorganized lately? Think it might be from the chemo but I just can't seem to get it together and with traveling back and forth to rads I am not getting anything done that I should be, it is taking up alot of my day I still cannot imagine working and doing this...... my hat is off to you ladies that are. Tx #5 tomorrow 20 more to go!!!!!

Shelley - we have special parking spots in the Dana Farber garage, too, and it takes about 90 seconds to get to Radiation Oncology.  I have about 8 separate zaps because of all the narrow angles being used to minimize organ damage. Two are about 30 seconds, one is about 20 seconds, one is about 14 seconds, and there are four two-second zaps.   i guess it's complicated!

Dilly, what an ordeal you've been through! You are one tough lady!

I just have to ask if you've gotten good care for your lymphedema? Best way to avoid any more bouts with cellulitis is to get help keeping the swelling in excellent control, and that takes a well-trained and capable lymphedema therapist by your side. I know more appointment aren't exactly a welcome prospect, but keeping the infections at bay is definitely worth the effort.

Gentle hugs,
Binney

Binney, I have been going to a lymphedema therapist and do not seem to be making any progress. We did the wrap first, then the glove and sleeve, and lastly the other glove on top of that glove. The problem that continues to happen is. All the fluid accumulates on the upper part of my hand and looks much worse. I have been referred to a new facility and I have an appt on 1/4. Hopefully we can control it before the radiation makes it worse. The RO recommend the pump. So we will give that a try now, hopefully it will work.

Sandy - I was told I could use creams and provided a list of suggested ones like Moisturel, Aquaphor, Eucerin, Aloe Vera, etc.  Don't use it right before treatment, though.  That seems to be a consistent theme coming from all the treatment centers.  I use mine twice a day - morning after my shower and evening.  So far my skin is doing ok but that might change this week as I hit the halfway point.  I made a comment to my RO that it was like waiting for "the other shoe to drop" and he responded with "more like the laces tightening."  He warned me that my skin will take a beating.  I don't know if that's because of my particular protocol or just his experience in general.  Time will tell, I suppose.

Welcome Dillymonster!  Sounds like you've had a rough road so far, sure hope your RO can keep your lymphedema in check during rads.

Sandy, they told me no creams or lotions. They said I can use my regular deodorant but nothing else in the area being radiated. They said they'll monitor me for skin issues and will let me know what to use if anything comes up.

#14 today - I have a rash in the area where my mammary nodes are being zapped.  I am using hydrocortisone cream a couple times a day and Moisturel twice a day.

I was told everyone reacts differently to radiation,[ as I was asking why my friggin skin was so tight thought it was too early] Thats all they seem to be able to tell you. So frustrating!!!!! Not really sure what the pain is about Yaya but it makes sense that there would be some. That radiation is some strong stuff. Good Luck today fellow rad sistas. I am off for #6 then some shopping and lunch..... hmmmmm maybe even have a beer with lunch LOL

Kennylynne, I just had #6 today and I'm starting to notice some redness underneath my breast. Otherwise, I'm doing okay.

Michelle, I have a 4 day weekend for Christmas and 3 day weekend for New Year (the 26th is a holiday here in Canada, too). Otherwise, I'll be there every day!

New to this board.  I started radiation at the beginning of the month and for the first week was doing pretty well. Breast was getting pink, but nothing too bad.  Now, after my 12th zap, the onc nurse gave me some antiburn cream and lidocaine for the area under my breast, and I'm still using the udder cream for my armpit and the top area of my breast. (I am fated to use farm supplies, as a quiltmaker I used Bag Balm for my fingers, another udder ointment LOL) I am large-breasted, so we expected that that area would cause some problems.  She gave me a box of abdominal sponges (cotton pads) to use under the breast do keep the skin from rubbing and to add some protection from the band on my bra.  The nurse predicted that my skin would start breaking down in a couple of days, something to look forward to. Ugh. 

I've been working fulltime since my diagnosis in May, and am only now beginning to feel like I may need to take a little time off since I am becoming so uncomfortable and tired.  I'm so happy that I get a three day rest this weekend because of the holiday!  I wish I could go to work without a bra, but unfortunately, that's not an option.

I'm thankful for the boards here because they offer so much support and do keep me putting one foot in front of the other day after day.

Hi All - Just finished #17 today (of 30). As others, I have 3 days off this weekend and New Year's weekend - they are closed both Mondays. They will add the 2 missed days to the end of my treatment. So far so good - no skin problems yet. My RO was pleased that my skin is not even red - yesterday was a bit itchy but not much. I think the Emu oil is keeping my skin soft and protected - ofcourse I only apply the oil and creams after rads (3 times a day).

I am feeling down going into the holidays. I am having some fatigue where I wake up very early feeling tired and have to sit with tea for awhile to get myself up and dressed and out to work. My frozen shoulder (opposite side) has been bothering me so I see an orthopedic surgeon tomorrow - I am so done with this chronic shoulder pain. I think I am just anxious about my health and it has a snowball effect and I am obsessing about everything and it is taking all my energy.

Sorry to sound so negative but I am just feeling alone in this and the reality is setting in about the cancer and I have a huge fear of recurrance. The holidays are not helping. I am off next week and need to keep to a routine. I seem to find myself through walking the dogs in the woods near my home. Not sure what I would do without them!

I finished #14 today!. Skin is very pink and underarm beginning to brother me. RO does not want me to use anything---but I do! What a difference a few hours make--skin looked okay this AM and now all nice and pink.

had #10 today and had to see the RO.  my arm pit looks bruised and it hurts.  also, i'm so red, but he didn't think it was that bad.  tomorrow i see my regular RO who was out today.  the dr i saw today mentioned cellulitis.  i sooooooooo hope it isn't.  i'm also so tired and even a little queasy.  i hate to complain, especially since i've been doing so well, but damn.  i'm not liking this radiation at all.  

I had # 0 today! So pissed! I went in for my simulation, and although they told me 2 weeks ago I would start today, they said there were no openings until next week. Ugh. I am 11 weeks out from chemo, and haven't started. I hope they know what they're doing! Going to bed...

As someone who had rads during the summer, I can tell you that rads is an emotional time no matter what part of the year you have it.  I held up fine during surgery and chemo, but with rads I was a crying mess much of the time. Steel magnolia that I am, I would hold myself together until I got to my car after rad treatments and then I would let the tears flow.  There is something about being alone in that vault under that machine that just screams "cancer." Hang in there.  It does end and all of us here who went before you are pulling for you.