December 2011 Rad

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  • Southamptonmom
    Southamptonmom Member Posts: 491
    edited December 2011

    #1 done today with 102 fever, LE in my right hand, and feeling crappy. Only 29 to go...

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  • sdw4158
    sdw4158 Member Posts: 5
    edited December 2011

    Hello Everyone,

    I started rads on the 19th and RO ordered a blood test on the 23rd after 5 zaps.  Got results today and all counts were good except the RDW was a little high.  This is the same as the final test taken when I finished chemo on Nov 10th.  Prior to that time my RDW count was in the normal range.  Has anyone had issues with this count during chemo or rads?

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  • Southamptonmom
    Southamptonmom Member Posts: 491
    edited December 2011

    SDW, Depending on when you get blood work done, and who does it, you will always have something out of range. It doesn't mean that anything is wrong. Since your body's been though so much, it's working overtime to make new cells.

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited December 2011

    I find it interesting - some of you get blood work done during rads, some get weighed...not me.  I see the RO every Tuesday for the skin check "yes, it looks just like I would expect it at this point."  I get xrays every Wednesday but otherwise, they pretty much leave me alone.

    Rose - are you feeling better?  Is the fever gone?  (((Hugs)))

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  • twistedsteel
    twistedsteel Member Posts: 156
    edited December 2011

    Michelle, I am on the same schedule with doc visits on Tu and films on We. I have bolus treatment every other day. So glad to have the 4 days between boluses (Boli???) this week and next as those make my skin worse than regular treatments.



    I am tired. Don't know if it's rads or AI's or just the season. I sleep almost more than on chemo. I am a little depressed finding out I have another 3 mo's of chemo AFTER rads. Jeez, chemo hell, mastectomy, rads and now more stupid chemo... I want this crap to be done. But more chemo is better than death, is what i tell myself. So 3 months of Xeloda. My rads end on Friday, Jan. 13... Hopefully good luck for me.

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited December 2011

    Twistedsteel - I get a bolus every other day, also, on my scar line.  LOL at boli, sounds right to me Tongue out   So sorry to hear you must endure an additional 3 months of chemo. That sucks but you've made it this far, you can do it!

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  • shelley2011
    shelley2011 Member Posts: 199
    edited December 2011

    #20 of 30 done today!!  2/3s done!!!  FYI, I have RO/nurse visit on Tuesdays, films were also on Tuesdays but have now moved to Wednesday because of the Monday holiday this week (every fifth tx).

    And I haven't had bloodwork since my last chemo on 10/28.

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  • Southamptonmom
    Southamptonmom Member Posts: 491
    edited December 2011

    SDW, My last labs were laying on the table, and I looked at them this morning. I have 9 different items that are either high or low. My platelets were 543, and my RDW was 14.9. I'm sure it's all out of wack from the tourture our body has been through. Hope that puts your mind to rest.

    Heading for number 2/30 this afternoon with a stuffy nose and cough. I hope I can hold still! No fever today, but definitely sinus burning and lots of pressure. (Merry Christmas to me ~ Love your coughing/sneezing "I'm not sick" children) Levaquin is my friend. I see the RO on Tuesdays. Not sure what the xray thing is. Maybe I missed that during rads 101 with my initial RO appt.

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  • kennylynne
    kennylynne Member Posts: 152
    edited December 2011

    #10 today almost at the halfway mark!!!! I am tired as well and my skin is very tight. I find it very uncomfortable to wear a bra...... anyone else in the same boat???? I have read on other sites that ladies are excercising 40 minutes a day while doing rads......REALLY?????? Ladies do you have the energy to be doing that? Just wondering because I might have to pick it up a notch!!!

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  • bgail84
    bgail84 Member Posts: 94
    edited December 2011

    I don't exercise with rads. I sweat like crazy when I exercise, and so will wait until I am done. I have not had any blood done--xrays and RO looks at skin and that is it. I don't wear a bra at all. Finished #19 today and skin is holding up. I started using RadX  which is OTC and seems to be helping. Ususally tired about an hour after rads but goes away by 6 in the evening ( I do rads at 11:00). We all have such different reactions to everything. Blessed be to all.

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  • Reality
    Reality Member Posts: 782
    edited December 2011

    Yes, Luvrving, it is strange how unstandardized some parts of cancer treatment are. I was told I would have an x ray every week - I do not  - just one every now and then. I am weighed every week, but have never had a blood test for rads.....

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  • dillymonster
    dillymonster Member Posts: 24
    edited December 2011

    I had my first radiation treatment today to my breast, lymph nodes, underarm, neck, and chest. I will keep everyone posted. I already have lymphedema, so we will see how that goes. I had 2 lumpectomies, and a mastectomy. I also have had 3 bouts of cellulitis with one requiring hospitalization. I have a a couple of mental breakdowns, one requiring hospitalization. I have been trying to stay positive but with cancer, and history of depression, it's been a struggle. Thanks for everyone's support on this blog.

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  • YaYa5
    YaYa5 Member Posts: 667
    edited December 2011
    so, so sorry about your depression, dilly.  this is such a hard journey, and adding the problems you've had only make the journey harder.  i hope that your depression lifts soon.  i'll be thinking about you.
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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited December 2011

    Bgail84 - exercise, no.  But I am still able to wear my foobs and a bra, either an Elita camisole or a Coobie bra.:

    Very comfortable and nothing that irritates my skin. My worst area is just to the left of center of my chest where they are zapping my mammary nodes.

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  • kks_rd
    kks_rd Member Posts: 363
    edited December 2011

    I've continued to exercise when the weather allows, but I'm only on #5.  Skin is just the tiniest shade of pink and a weensey bit itchy.  Will continue to run as I am able - my goal is maintain weeight/fitness level until the end of treatment and then I can start working on actual training.  I hope.  (They weigh me weekly but no labs so far. It is odd how the different centers have different protocols!)

    I get what feel like 12 zaps but the tech today said it was 5 fields. The length seems to vary too. I'm still trying to figure it allout but I DO feel like I'm in good hands, thank goodness!

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  • Southamptonmom
    Southamptonmom Member Posts: 491
    edited December 2011

    I learned yesterday, that I get a bolus every other day, to the skin. I thought I felt some pain when I showered last night, just to the right of the center of my chest. Today, it's bothering me. Can it already hurt? Ugh. I can't take another SE. Arghhhhhh!

    Michelle, I love the Coobie bras. I wear them with the puffs.

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited December 2011

    Rose - I've had 10 bolus treatments so far and I am not noticing any pain in that area.  Actually I am not feeling any pain at all, just the itchiness in the area where my mammary nodes are getting zapped.  Those Coobie bras are so comfortable!  I had looked at true mastectomy bras and just hated them, so I was extremely happy to find these.

    My RO commented on Tuesday that I was "taking good care of my skin."  I've been using Moisturel cream.  I know lots of people swear by Aquaphor but I hear it's very greasy like vaseline.  Moisturel lubricates well but doesn't leave a greasy film to mess up your clothes - I've used it on my face for decades.  I order it online:

    Moisturel Moisturel Therapeutic Cream

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  • YaYa5
    YaYa5 Member Posts: 667
    edited December 2011

    could someone please explain 'bolus?'  please?  thank you.

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited December 2011

    Try this, YaYa:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolus_(radiation_therapy)

    Bottom line is that it is evening out the skin on a mastectomy scar because it's so "bumpy" - well, mine certainly is.  And it ensures the right radiation dose to the skin.  Mine is actually in the shape/curve of my scar line.

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  • twistedsteel
    twistedsteel Member Posts: 156
    edited December 2011

    My bolus is 2 mats that cover the entire radiation areas. They have to tape them together to get the whole thing covered. Not doubled up, but side by side.

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  • kennylynne
    kennylynne Member Posts: 152
    edited December 2011

    Thanks I am going to go and see if I can find one of those bras!!!

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  • kks_rd
    kks_rd Member Posts: 363
    edited December 2011

    I learned today that I will no longer be able to be followed by my RO.  She is going to be at another office fulltime so now... my new RO is the chief of the RO Department!  She's the person I wanted originally because I've heard wonderful things about her.  So, I'm happy with the change. 

    The techs were very accommodating and I have an early morning session tomorrow - so I can work a half day and hit the road for a long weekend away with my BF - they are closed Monday.

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  • michelleo13
    michelleo13 Member Posts: 342
    edited December 2011

    Michelle, I'm the same as you ... no bloodwork or weigh-in during rads so far. They do the X-Ray every week and make adjustments to the Tx as needed.



    Had tx #12 of 30 today. Looking forward to the 3 day weekend! So far no skin isues which is good.



    Kennylynne, I'm also feeling tired. I've been taking a break from exercise last week and this week...more because of the holidays than the tiredness. I plan to get back at it next week as I find it always makes me feel better. I ordered a couple of Coobie bras and just LOVE them. They do ship to Canada for a reasonable charge. Also, if you search "Coobie bra coupon codes" you'll find codes for buy one, get on free. I just ordered a couple more.



    I wish everyone here a happy and HEALTHY New Year.

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  • shelley2011
    shelley2011 Member Posts: 199
    edited December 2011

    Happy New Year to all of us!

    Yesterday was #23 of 30.  And the first day I actually felt uncomfortable during the day.  Skin is really dark at the rad sites, and the rectangle under my breast is starting to get a little red and irritated.  The armpit one also.  Am going to have to get creative with supporting my breasts as even the cotton wireless bra seemed to cause discomfort yesterday.  Anyone trying vitamin E oil when we have a weekend?  Wondering if that  might help.  Also, rad tech told me the other day that the skin effects can show up anytime up to 7 days after last tx, which worries me a little.  Have heard some horror stories about open sores and blisters from rads. Fingers crossed that my skin holds up!

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  • Southamptonmom
    Southamptonmom Member Posts: 491
    edited December 2011

    Oh Shelley! I hope this is it for you. You are almost there. I'm lubed up for the weekend. It will be tshirts and moisturizer for the next 3 days.

    We went out with our BFF for dinner in New Hope. It was the first date Bob and I have had since June. It was so much fun. I wasn't feeling well, so my bff climbed up my bathroom sink and dug out the netti. I hate that thing, but it worked. Feeling the chest congestion today, but not the nose yuck.

    Happy New year ~ Hope it is a healthy one for all!!! XOXO

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2011

    Rose: Be sure to used only boiled or distilled water with the Neti Pot. I just read a scary story of people getting amoebas in their brains from using questionable tap water. Seems the sinusus provide direct access to the brain.

    http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/20/news/la-heb-neti-pot-amoeba-20111220

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  • Southamptonmom
    Southamptonmom Member Posts: 491
    edited December 2011

    Thank you windlass! My bff wanted me to use boiled tap water, but I always have a bottle of distilled for the humidifiers. That's what I used. My neighbor told me about that article. Thanks for the info, cause you never know how desperate one can get. I may have used the tap water if I didn't have the distilled!

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  • shelley2011
    shelley2011 Member Posts: 199
    edited January 2012

    Okay, new item today.  Today was number 24.  After tx, I was then lined up for my 5 boosts, which start on Thursday.  RO and I had a talk about it.  Apparently the boost goes straight to the tumor site and involves a much smaller field.  He said the skin risks go WAY down, so if I can hold out through tomorrow's tx I should be good and he saw no reason to believe differently. He still says my skin is doing great.  The only down side to the whole thing is that they used purple and green magic markers to set up the machine, and I'm not scrubbing very hard in that area right now, so I may have to just suck it up and wait for the markings to fade!

    I am so looking forward to this being over.  Thank God for all of you and the support that has been provided!

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  • ellenquilt
    ellenquilt Member Posts: 172
    edited January 2012

     Well, after 15 treatments, my skin was so broken down that my RO decided to move me to the boosts instead to give my skin a chance to heal.  I'm using Xylocaine gel 2% plus Silvadene and then Eucerin cream mixed with Skinfinity gel.  I wear surgical sponges over the burnt areas -- which were pretty bad under the breast and in the fold beneath the breast.  Lots of skin gone.  I had no treatments for a week since we had some problems getting the correct mold done for theboost and then in calibrating the machine.  So the week off really gave my skin a chance to start healing.  There are still raw areas, but they are shrinking.  However, now that I've had 2 of the boosts, I'm seeing blisters forming in those areas.  Ugh.  I take a percocet to sleep at night because when I move in my sleep it feels like I'm being poked by a fire stick.  During the day I can't take anything except two Tylenol if I'm really bad, because I'm working and need to be able to drive.  My RO said we would take a look at the damaged skin after the boosts (which are causing their own damage) and would plan from there.  I'm lucky that the entire staff at the hospital where I'm getting the radiation is wonderful and supportive, but there is really nothing more I can do about the burns and the pain excpet get through it.  So I'm trying to do that.  For me, chemo was way easier, LOL.  But I only have 8 boosts left and then 10 regular hits.  I guess I can get through that.

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  • bgail84
    bgail84 Member Posts: 94
    edited January 2012

    Will finish #25 on Friday. See the RO tomorrow and hoping he will do markings and start boost treatments on Monday. Skin doing soso--just really red and a small blister appears to be forming under the arm. Like everyone else so ready for this to be over!

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