December 2011 Rad

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  • Vicks1960
    Vicks1960 Member Posts: 473
    edited January 2012

    Merilee:

    I finally was able to read some of your blog!!!!  IT IS GREAT!!!!!!!

    You have put a lot of thought and work into it.  I hope to be able to continue reading, 

    It would be great if all the other gals here would access it.  You have put a wealth of knowledge into it.. 

    THANK YOU FOR SHARING WITH US!!!!!!!

    VIckie

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  • twistedsteel
    twistedsteel Member Posts: 156
    edited January 2012

    Michelle, I am so thrilled for you!



    I am having an unexpected rads vacation as of this morning. I had 2 reg treatments to go, today and tomorrow and then 5 boosts next week. But my skin started to fall off, lol, so RO has me stopping for a week. It just got really bad all of a sudden in the last few days. Used some Kleenex to cover up a little part that was bleeding yesterday while getting a massage and when I unstuck the tissue paper, it removed a layer of skin. When RO looked at it he said... One week off! I have to say I am very excited to have the time off. Even though it will prolong everything. Not having to go tomorrow is thrilling to me.



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  • Southamptonmom
    Southamptonmom Member Posts: 491
    edited January 2012

    Twisted, :):( Enjoy your weekend. I hope a week proves to be all you need for recovery. You are almost there!

    Michelle!!! You look beautiful! I love prosecco, and the sound of being done, is wonderful! I hope you have days full of watching beautiful skies over the lake. XOXOXO

    Bgail, Good luck, today!

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited January 2012

    Thanks, everyone!  To say I am ecstatic is an understatement. 

    YaYa - I saw my RO on Tuesday so I don't need to go back for any "skin check."  My next appointment with him is in June.  I do see my MO on 1/25 and then no appointments until March 8th when I go visit the DIEP plastic surgeon. 

    Vick1960 - I have sleeping problems, too.  But then I've had them since menopause 15 or so years ago.  Having trield all the OTC remedies including benadry and melatonin, I've conceded to the sleeping pill for a good night's rest every few days.

    I'm not sure if I mentioned this, but my skin is healing really well.  The top part of the area that was so bad is almost all healed; the bottom half is peeling but not nearly as bad.  The rest of me is just tanned - didn't even get red, including the "boost" area.  In anothere week or so, it will all be a distant memory!!!

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  • michelleo13
    michelleo13 Member Posts: 342
    edited January 2012

    Michelle...a big woo hoo from one Michelle to another!  That is awesome!!!

    4 more regular treatments left for me and then on to the boosts!!  The end is near.

    Have a fabulous weekend ladies!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2012

    27 down, one to go... then five boosts.

    We're getting there, ladies :)

    Enjoy the weekend!

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  • bgail84
    bgail84 Member Posts: 94
    edited January 2012

    I am finished!!! have to see RO in six weeks and see my BS in two to setup base mammo and start Femara. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

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  • michelleo13
    michelleo13 Member Posts: 342
    edited January 2012

    YAY Gail! Great news!

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  • pebee
    pebee Member Posts: 317
    edited January 2012

    Yeah!  All of us are almost done!

    So, what forum do we migrate to now? 

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  • Elizabeth1889
    Elizabeth1889 Member Posts: 1,036
    edited January 2012

    There are two wonderful post radiation forums here--After Radiation and Radiation Recovery.  Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

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  • shelley2011
    shelley2011 Member Posts: 199
    edited January 2012

    Congrats to everyone that has finished, or will finish this coming week.  What a wonderful group of ladies!

    I guess I will go check out the two forums suggested by Elizabeth.....will miss our little group!

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited January 2012

    Woohoo, Gail!  Happy happy!

    There are lots of "post-treatment" forums or others that you can join whether you are in treatment or not.  Check out the "What's for Dinner" thread - we have a bunch of great ladies and share ideas for recipes and our every-day life stuff. 

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  • kks_rd
    kks_rd Member Posts: 363
    edited January 2012

    It is SO exciting to hear about the ladies who are finished!  Very happy for you all!

    I had a surprise at yesterday's treatment, #15.  When we were done I said to the tech, "so I guess today is my halfway mark, huh?"  She said they were wondering where I was at too, and had counted everything up while I was changing.  She said I have 21 more to go, not 15!!  I thought I was set to have 25 whole breast and 5 boosts, so I will definitely have to ask doc when I see her next week.  In any case, I am very soon approaching halfway....

    My skin is holding up OK, just a little pink.  But the fatigue is definitely kicking in.  It doesn't help that things have been very busy at work.  So my goal for the weekend is to lay low and just chip away at some projects from home.  The house will be empty today so I should be able to get in a good 'ol nap too. Wink

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  • YaYa5
    YaYa5 Member Posts: 667
    edited January 2012

    those of you who were badly burned from radiation ... what did you do with the open blisters?  did you still put medication there?  did you cover them with gauze?  i don't know how i can possibly have another boost where the top layer of skin is gone. anyone?

    also, is it hard to raise my cancer-side arm because of the radiation?   

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited January 2012

    YaYa - I did carefully rub the Aquaphor over the areas, then covered the area with the gauze that had the Aquaphor impregnated into it, then covered the whole area with an abdominal pad.  The supplies were provided by my Rad Nurse.

    So sorry to hear you are badly burned Frown   Do you see your RO soon?  If not, have the  nurse take a look at the area. 

    I didn't have a problem raising my arm, probably because they weren't radiating my axilla.  I got a little radiation there but they were shooting for my chest wall.  Is your arm swollen?  You can get LE from radiation so keep a close watch and get that checked out if it gets too bad.

    (((Hugs)))

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  • YaYa5
    YaYa5 Member Posts: 667
    edited January 2012

    michelle, i think i'm going to refuse the next four boosts.  i can't deal with the idea of putting more radiation to the skin that is broken and oozing.  no way.  i see my MO tomorrow before herception and a heart echo.  i hope he will support my decision.  i just can't do it anymore.

    thank you for your reply!  i'm so thrilled it's over for you. 

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  • WCinIRB
    WCinIRB Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2012

    Hi Yaya5 - I have 6 regular treatments to go and then 5 boosts on the scar tissue.  Last Monday my RO prescribed me Silvadene creme to use in my arm pit area as I was blistering and experiencing 2nd degree burns.  I put the creme on and then I put a non adhesive bandage on it and tape it to my arm - bicep. (I cut the long bandage in half and then fold it and stick it under my arm.) I just try not to raise that arm much so the bandage stays in place. My skin is broken in that area and I pile the creme on and take some Advil for the inflammation.  My RO also told me last week that the affects from radiation are 4 days behind.  In other words, what I am feeling today happened 4 days ago and with 6 more to go Im thinking it may get a little worse before it gets better.  However, I am doing everything that my RO is telling me to do.  I have to trust that he knows best for me in this situation and that my pain and discomfort today will bring me an even greater reward tomorrow.  I feel for you very much so and I hope since you are on your boosts that you only have a few more to go (if you decide to carry on). Best wishes for you!

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited January 2012

    (((YaYa)))  I can totally understand why you might be ready to skip the boosts.  WCinlRB is correct that things might get worse before they get better, even if you decide to skip the boosts, but what's done is done. 

    Remember... treatment decisions are yours, at the end of the day.  Listen to your RO then do what's right for you.  So sorry your skin is having such a tough time, I hope you are healing soon!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2012

    Yay! Done with all but five boosts, which start tomorrow!

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  • michelleo13
    michelleo13 Member Posts: 342
    edited January 2012

    Woo Hoo Windlass...I'm right behind you. I had tx # 22 today....3 more and then on to the boosts starting Friday.

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  • YaYa5
    YaYa5 Member Posts: 667
    edited January 2012

    WCinIRB, thank you for your thoughts.  i finally got some silvadene on friday.

    michelle, with my MO saw my breast today, he was so surprised and said it were some of the worst burns he's seen.  he supported my thoughts about not doing the boosts, although he thought i might want to finish them when my skin heals.  the RO agreed about waiting and said she would see me again on thursday and we could decide again.  i wanted to wait until monday, but she doesn't see her radiation patients on monday.  ugh.  i just can't believe how paintful this is in terms of the pain, if that makes sense.  hopefully, it will get better soon.  thank you for your support and concern.

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  • shelley2011
    shelley2011 Member Posts: 199
    edited January 2012

    YaYa, we are all pulling for you.  I'm hoping the break (or stop) allows you to heal quickly.  Do you maybe have any pain pills left from surgery?

    I saw my MO today.  Mentioned that I sort of go out of balance maybe once a day, but was not too worried about it as I see many on this site mention it.  He didn't seem overly concerned, but...brain MRI on Friday.  One good thing about breast cancer is that they can pretty much order any test and justify it. 

    I am also starting 100mg B6 at his suggestion to try to hurry along the neuropathy recovery.  Can't feel my middle 3 toes on both feet most of the time, which is problematic in winter in Cleveland, Ohio.

    I've been on Aromacin for 2 wks now, and am starting calcium plus 4000iu vitamin D3.  Oh boy, lots more pills each day.

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited January 2012

    YaYa - pain meds for sure.  If you don't have any, at least try ibuprofen combined with acetaminophen unless there's a reason why you can't take them.  My RO suggested an anti-inflammatory but I take one every day for osteoarthritis, so it handled some of the pain.  I did take a pain med one night.  I'm glad the RO suspended treatments for you.  Did she give you any sort of cream or burn ointment to use?  Everything my RO gave me is available OTC so you can probably get it at your local pharmacy.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2012

    Go, go, go, Michelle! And everyone :)

    Home stretch - we can do it!

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  • YaYa5
    YaYa5 Member Posts: 667
    edited January 2012
    michelle, today she prescribed vasolex ointment.  supposedly is helps 'debribe' the dead skin that's falling away.  yuck.  i let that set in and then put silvadene and some non-adhesive pads on top of that.  i wrote down the three things you used when your skin was so burned and my pharmacist had never heard of the aquaphor bandage.  (i gave him the correct name that i copied from your post.) to be honest, though, the pharmacist has helped me a lot more than my RO.  and today my MO and my RO told me to take the hydrocodone left over from my lumpectomy.  i never took any because i don't like taking pain meds, but i'll try it tonight.  thank you again, michelle.
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  • kks_rd
    kks_rd Member Posts: 363
    edited January 2012

    (((((YaYa))))) Just wanted to give you a gentle hug to help you through.  This is absolutely a time for pain meds.  I also wanted to mention that your hospital should have a Certified WOCN (Wound-Ostomy Care Nurse) on staff.  The have all the tricks!  I work alongside one (as her dietitian counterpart) and her knowledge of wound healing is pretty damn amazing.

    (Also, if you're oozing, be sure you're eating a bit more protein than usual.  You don't need much above your normal needs but now's not the time to be on the low end.  That and a little extra hydration should help from a nutrition point of view.  I would ask your medical team about whether a multivitamin/mineral is appropriate in your specific case. If you are slow to heal, you might want to ask to see a Registered Dietitian who has experience with wounds.  PM me if you have questions. I'll get off my soapbox now!)

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  • YaYa5
    YaYa5 Member Posts: 667
    edited January 2012
    kat, thank you so very much for your ideas.  i just took a pain pill about 25 minutes ago and i think i'm getting sleepy and the pain might be lessening.  YAY!  i don't think my cancer clinic has a WOCN, but i'll check when i'm there again on thursday.  you are very kind.  thank you again.
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  • twistedsteel
    twistedsteel Member Posts: 156
    edited January 2012

    I want to thank you too Michelle. I have bad burning and am on a week break after #23. my incision from MX hadn't healed when i started rads and is now a horrid goopy oozing ground meat looking thing. Luckily, not much pain w it bc nerves were severed from surgery. But other skin areas falling off and peeling and they hurt. Every morning when I clean up, I see the whole chest wall and clavicle in the mirror, colored purple w burns and mottled and oozing and I cry trying to figure out the best combination of wound tools for what imhave to wear etc for the day. Michelle, your petroleum bandages and some other things you've mentioned here that my chemo brain cannot remember have helped immensely.



    Today I have used lido gel, Shea butter cream, petroleum bandages, burn pads, domoboro, abdominal surgery pads, ace bandage, ahhhh bra and silver sulfa cream. I do MLD massage and I think I've turned the corner and the previous rads tx's have done their delayed damage and I am on the mend.



    This all sucks so much. I want to talk to RO when i see him, and ask him to argue FOR boost after this. I don't want boosts. I just want to finish my #24 and 25 and be done so i can heal up bc I have to start Xeloda when I am done healing.

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  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited January 2012

    YaYa - I hope you get a good night's pain-free sleep!

    (((Twistedsteel))) - I am sure your situation is way worse than mine was.  I'm glad my tips were helpful and you are on the mend. 

    I think Kat's suggestions for extra protein and a multi-vitamin are excellent ones.  I started taking a pre-natal vitamin during chemo because my iron levels were low, and I think it may have helped me through rads without getting the extreme fatigue that everyone talks about.  And my hairstylist says it will help my hair grow faster.  So I'll stay on them for a while.  And the extra protein helps with healing. 

    Good luck to everyone undergoing treatment this week.  The end is getting near!

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  • kennylynne
    kennylynne Member Posts: 152
    edited January 2012

    hang in there ladies......... I see the light, we came this far already just a little bit to go now!!!! Yaya5 I hope those pain meds are helping. This is for sure a hard road....... I am going on # 23 today and am having issues as well, sleep is so very uncomfortable and and the area under the arm is opening up, tightness and pain in the arm. RO told me that its going to get worse before it gets better REALLY??????

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