December 2011 Rad

Hello couragious ladies,

I may be a little premature for this link. I'm in the process of deciding whether or not to have rad treatments, but after reading all the posts here you have given me encouragement to fight the bc and submit to my SO's rx and pursue the rad treatment. You see I refused chemo due to my history of poor health. I don't need to feel any worse than I already do.You all make it seem so easy, but I know it can't be. I give you all a lot of credit for fighting for your freedom from BC. I will do it. But the radiation is all I'm willing to do. Hormones are out of the question for me.THANK YOU all for heping me with this decision.

with all my best hopes, Maureen

windlass, thanx for replying. I would LOVE to know how you kept your bodies integrity during chemo. I thought it was impossible. I have changed my diet and added several suppliments.

I WAS afraid of radiaion, but now I feel more comfortable with it and I'm going to make that appointment after the holidays.

Of course, the MO suggested chemo,ACT, so I went for a second opinion.  OK , surprise! CMF.

You see, I have diabetes, which I feel contributed to my BC in a big way. I also have multiple sclerosis. Add chemo to that and I'm terrified.

Thanx to this thread and all the strong ladies who have gone through it ALL I am more confident about at least burning that breast. I did have a partial mx, via laser surgery that gave me amazing results.

Please share what you did to  help your body survive chemo. I may not have a choice in the future, but for now, radiation.

Healthy Holidays, Maureeen

Lumpectomy DCIS Stage 1 Grade 1 HERS2 negative with hormone receptors progesterone estrogen   +  Hello ladies hoping you will let me jump in your group since most of my treatments are in December and end 17 Jan 2012

I  began my radiation therapy on 28 November 2011 and have 30 radiation treatments then follow with 5 years oral medication treatment of Tamifolxen (sp).

My treatment center is pleasant and welcoming atmosphere. The staff is very nice and pleasant. The lobby is decorated in a comfortable lighting 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 areas 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 bar scan reader, and enter through an automated (handicapped  acess) opened door to the 4 room dressing area, to gown and wait my turn for radiation.

Does anyone have Syndrome and Fibromyalga? Are you noticing increased fatigue and other problems cropping up?

I had my facility walk through, tattoo guides placed (pinch and looks like freckles) and mold fitting set up and treatment walk through stretched out 2 weeks prior while awaiting HERS2 results, BTW which was negative, (one less drug-IV- therapy) Yeah!

 Into day 17 of 30  radiation treatments a few days ago. I was given the Bard brand skin care cream provided my radiation treatment center of which I began applying prior to my radiation treatments. My skin is 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 scrub tops work or regular 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 right breast aches on the side now into this week of  radiation treatments.

They are seemingly feeling like they are going by more quickly even with radiation films check and on the see my doctor visits. Most are less than 15 minutes no more than 20 unless there are backups. The staff is helpful in answering most concerning questions.

The one they can not answer is my autoimmune body reactions to radiation. My rheumatogist  even hasn't a clue as well as the radiation onocologist and I feel like a hot potato being tossed back and forth. Sjogrens and Fibromyalgia causes me fatigue dry skin and  some  IBS issues anyway. I can tell an increase in fatigue level with increasing intensity in fatigue which is a side effect from the radiation therapy treatments and feels like I want to immediately go to sleep this usually occurs 4-6 hours past treatment. I do heed my bodys request. I have a follow up with my onocologist in 3 weeks to ask silly questions again. 

In ER Sunday for 9 hours  intestinal blockage severe abdominal pain. The ER doctor did not elaborate to my questions 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 with autoimmune disease had abdominal pain in their treatment?

Welcome mkmware and chef127. Best of luck to you as we go down this road together. Rads is way easier then chemo but I would really encourage yo to talk to your onc about all these issues and weigh it out with your family.

Ok # 8 today so far so good.

#18 of 30 done

I will celebrate Christmas with one red boob and one white boob.  No more bras and no itchies yet.....

And a Happy holiday season to all of you  -

hello luvRVing,

Thanx for the info about chemo and diabetes. I have read that chemo can raise your gloucose levels That was a concideration for me. You are fortunate it did not effect your sugars.

My main concern is the multiple sclerosis. I have severe fatigue, double vision, balance and gait issuues, blahblahblah. I can hardly get on with normal day to day activities. Chemo would surely intensify them. 

Thanx to the ladies here ,I have made an appointment with the RO for next week. That is all I'm willing to do to combat this awful monster BC.

I just got a call from my MO and she said that I am full blown menaposal, no sign of estrogen!!!  So WHY the hormone theropy?

BTW luvRVing, you sure sound like a spring chicken with all the treatment and meds you've had. I give you  a lot of credit. STAY strong! I'm not so strong.

Healthy Holidays, Maureen

Hi Guys - Apreciate the encourgement given by people. Tomorrow is #20 and today I had another simulation to plan for my boosts which will be my last 6 (out of 30). So they did one additional tattoo right near my lumpectomy scar and it turned out not as tiny as my other tattoo dots. Actually I didn't even feel the needle prick and then he said something about looked like I had a mole there. But I didn't but the tat looks like a small mole. I was pissed when I got home and saw it - but it will never show and I have lots of moles on my skin anyways. But I am now worried that the ink went into maybe scar tissue near the original cancer site. Anyone know if this could cause any problems??  I called and tomorrow they will look at it (my Dr. is on vacation so a nurse and then another Dr. will look if needed). I am just very concerned and not sure if this is my obsessing or something really to worry about - have lost perspective a bit.

The issue is I am worried about each and every thing in my life these days. So yesterday I had a cortisone shot in my shoulder which was diagnosed with advanced arthritis so I am facing partial replacement surgery after all this breast treatment is over and I have time to recover from it all. But severe pain set-in last night from the cortisone shot (not uncommon) and all day today I have had a huge headache.

I just feel like a basket case. I got in bed this afternoon and just cried. Friends are going away for the holidays and I am stuck here with fatigue from rads. and just feeling bad. Good news is skin showing no signs of the rads. But boy am I tired in the morning - and so slow.

Chef127 - thanks...all I can say is that I had no idea how strong I was, until I had to be.  Honestly, I have surprised myself!  Having MS certainly complicates matters, you've got a rough road as it is.  I hope the Oncotype comes back nice and low.

#17 in the record books! Just itchy skin in the mammary node area, everything else seems to be holding up well.  Looking forward to 3 days off after tomorrow.

CarolSS - hang in there, you're almost finished!

             Sandy115  I think you should get a new BS...... thats terribly insensitive on their part. Who is your RO by the way? what are your times, maybe we can meet there one time??? Ok on to # 9 tomorrow!!!!

#9 for me today!!! Happy for the 4 days off! Merry Christmas to all my fellow rad sistas!

Sandy it doesn't look like we will cross paths soon....... I am at rads for 8:30 on Wednesday maybe will run into you then

Hugs

#13 today. Had wicked bad chest pains last night, so I did a search on here for radiation pleurisy and scared myself. At least it wasn't a heart attack, which was my first thought.

Fortunately, today I've been fine and the pain hasn't returned. I do have three little sores, like cat scratches, on my clavicle, so now I know they're hitting me with radiation nearly up to the top of my shoulder.

Glad to have the three days off. Merry Christmas to all here!!

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas! May the peace and joy of this season touch all of you!