January 2012 rads

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  • lifechanging2011
    lifechanging2011 Member Posts: 48
    edited February 2012

    It's Saturday. Of course I didn't have treatment today, but my breast feels like it's burning from the inside out. It was #12 yesterday.

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  • anafoefana
    anafoefana Member Posts: 164
    edited February 2012

    #22 down.  3 more whole breast and 8 boosters.  I am holding up pretty well, but am looking a little pink.  My arm pit is sore and my bra is beginning to rub that area.  I find that going bra less in not comfortable for me because I am still sore from the lumpectomy. Does anyone else have that?  Any movement is painful.  Maybe it is from rads?

    twistedsteel, interesting to learn the 4 day thing.. it makes sense. I guess that is why it is important to continue skin care after treatment is done. 

    I am glad I won't need tamox, but am still on Herceptin.   I don't really have SEs from that. 

    AnnAlive,  I read an article recently about radiation producing "chemo brain" symptoms as well.  So, if you are foggy, it may be a combination of things.  I don't feel so slow anymore, but I still lose thoughts.  It may be menopause too!  A lot of good excuses! Laughing

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  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 919
    edited February 2012

    anafo..

    You "only" had a lumpectomy? It was highly suggested to me to have a mastectomy b/c of the size of tumour. Was told when it was that large it was more likely to come back if I had a lumpectomy. BS would have given me a lumpectomy if I insisted on it. I had chemo first and that shrunk tumour to nothing.. So signs left when I had surgery, just some thickening in an area as well as three dirty nodes.. I am also supprised at the different schedules for rads.. I have 25 whole breast and three boosts to clavicle not scarline..

    Have a great treatment free weekend

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited February 2012

    I had my 9th treatment on Friday. Today I noticed a little bit of redness on my upper chest. I still don't feel a thing though. Keeping my aloe vera on 3x/day.

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  • anafoefana
    anafoefana Member Posts: 164
    edited February 2012

    Ossa,

    Yes, "only" Laughing.  When I was diagnosed the BS said that I had to have chemo, and it was better to do it upfront.  If I had surgery first, I would not have had the option.  Both my MO and BS were very encouraging to do breast conservancy because my response to chemo was "phenomenal" as they put.  I had the option of whatever I wanted,  and I considered a bilateral, but after discussing it with my uncle who is an onc,  I decided on a lumpectomy.  There was a chance I would have to go back in, but margins and nodes were clear.  My uncle told me that because my body had just been through so much with chemo, it was better (if I had the option) to go with the least invasive to my body.  I was prepared, and still am to have more surgery.  Obviously I do not want to have a recurrence, but there are never any guarantees.    My RO insisted on treating the lymph nodes because of the size of my tumor.  I have a triangle "tan spot"right by my collar bone. 

    It is interesting to learn the different perspectives and options.  I think that Herceptin has been the miracle drug in my case.  My tumor was reduced to almost nothing after the first treatment and was completely gone by #4.  All of the drs were so happy and have told me that people who respond this well to treatment have a very positive outcome.  Obviously, we don't  know what tomorrow will bring, but I hope for the best. 

    Enjoy your weekend too! 

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  • bgirl
    bgirl Member Posts: 538
    edited February 2012

    Finshed whold breast treatments yesterday.  Glad for weekend off. Start boosts Monday.  Told to keep putting cream everywhere as yesterday's treatment will continue be felf for another 7-10 days.  Going out to dinner tonight.  Hope I can stay awake.

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  • AnnAlive
    AnnAlive Member Posts: 450
    edited February 2012
    I've had #18 of 33 and noticed yesterday that I have a light pink/tan area on my left upper back too. Much lighter than on my left chest, but how does that happen? It seems like I read someone mention this before. If the beams are aimed to be shallow and avoid heart and lung, how does the radiation also go through the body? Now everyone go look in the mirror to see if your back is taking on color. Cool I also get my clavicle irradiated and I now have pink going past the midline of my neck, which makes me worry more about my thyroid. I'll ask my RO about these things on Monday.
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  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 919
    edited February 2012

    I also have a light pink area on my back. but I also get radiated from the back (Rad machine does two treatments from left, one from back, two from right, then two straight on to my clavicle.. I was asked yesterday if my throat is getting sore as the rads is very close when they are doing my clavicle. So far I have only a slight sore throat on one side. Never thought about my thyroids.. Have to ask Monday

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  • Christyn37
    Christyn37 Member Posts: 12
    edited February 2012

    lifechanging2011,

      When my breast felt like it was burning from the inside (felt like someone turned a blowtorch on) I took some ibuprofen. That seemed to ease up on that SE and it eventually quit for me.

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  • chef127
    chef127 Member Posts: 891
    edited February 2012

    AnnAlive,

    You are right. I took a look at my back and sure enough it is light pink, but only behind the clavical area. That is not so shallow. I'm wondering IF the beam at the breast is shallower than the clav area to protect heart and lungs?????

    Why is it we find these things after the fact? I have mentioned the heart and lung thing several times and I was always reassured that it was not hitting the deeper area. Well my back is pretty deep. Too late now.

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  • itsjustme10
    itsjustme10 Member Posts: 796
    edited February 2012

    My last treatment (#25) will be on Monday.  This week wasn't great, as I got pink under my arm, on my chest, and a little near my scar, but after reading some posts, I guess my side effects have been mild.

     Much respect to anyone going through more than 25 treatments - I don't think I could've handled more than knowing I only have 1 left.  It is uncomfortable now, and each day last week got more and more pink and tight and hot.

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  • twistedsteel
    twistedsteel Member Posts: 156
    edited February 2012

    They told me when I asked about my back it was from when they shot me from another tangent from behind. The machine would swing over me down around to below me and zap me that way. I think so they could avoid important areas inside but still get the nodes under clavicle.

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  • pinkchicago
    pinkchicago Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2012

    Hi just finished week 2 of rads. So far breezing through. Just a bad cold.

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  • J-Bug
    J-Bug Member Posts: 626
    edited February 2012

    Hi everyone! I also have a large red burn on my back, not nearly as red as the front where the bolus is placed. I asked about it and the doctor said that I was not getting any treatments from the back. He said that it is an "exit burn". He said that we count on radiation being able to penetrate or it wouldn't be doing what we need, and sometimes people get a burn from the radiation going all the way through in areas. That's a little unnerving! : )

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  • tnhelen
    tnhelen Member Posts: 63
    edited February 2012

    Momine,

    I'm not sure why.  I have a friend the same age as me that is on her third year of tamoxifin. I am 60.

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited February 2012

    Helen, I would ask if I were you. Also google for a recent study of femara vs tamox. My feeling is that giving tamox is not up tp date, but I dont know for sure.

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  • lifechanging2011
    lifechanging2011 Member Posts: 48
    edited February 2012

    Hi Christyn37,

    Thanks for your response. It did feel kind of like a blowtorch on the inside. I ended up taking a pain pill. It's not so bad today. It's crazy how every day is such a different effect; a new and different adventure to experience.

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  • newksmom100
    newksmom100 Member Posts: 55
    edited February 2012

    Hi all:  Hope everyone is having a nice weekend of rest, healing and rejuvination. 

    I read an article in the Army Times (www.armytimes.com) that I want to share with you all.  There is a worldwide trial for a vaccine going on that is looking for breast cancer patients.  This vaccine (NeuVax) was developed by an Army doc and is in the final phase of testing before being submitted to the FDA.  It's supposed to greatly reduce the chance of recurrance of the disease.  If interested, go to www.galenabiopharma.com to see if you meet the qualifications to be included in the trial.  I did not, but wanted to share with you and will also share with my RO at my appt this week.  Even though I can't be in the trial does not mean I could not get the vaccine in a few years, if approved. 

    Best of luck for the up coming week. 

    Julie

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  • J-Bug
    J-Bug Member Posts: 626
    edited February 2012

    I did the grocery shopping this afternoon and took my son to soccer practice. The whole time my armpit area that has split open is oozing and sticking to my shirt and pulling at the skin. I was given Thursday and Friday off from radiation, hopefully to go back to it on Monday. I am going to go put on my burn cream and Aquaphor and put my arm up and watch the movie 50/50.

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  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 919
    edited February 2012

    Feeling better today than yesterday, not as sore.. Used both hydocortisone and my aloe vera plant.. Was told not to use Aloe just Glaxal Base.. But as far as I am concerned Aloe is great on sunburn so.... it should be great on rad burns... Going to keep using it.. My poor plant is starting to look very sad.. have another on standby  I am fattening it up so it will grow strong and have lots of aloe when I need it  If it only knew why I am beeing so nice to itWink.. I feel a little like the witch in Hansel and GretelTongue out

    J-Bug Enjoy your movie

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  • chef127
    chef127 Member Posts: 891
    edited February 2012

    oh J-Bug,

    sounds horrible. i'm sorry your skin has deteriorated. How many more tx do you need to have? try and enjoy your 2 days off and hopefully that will give it a chance to heal. Hang in there.

    sending you (((((((((xo)))))))))))

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  • J-Bug
    J-Bug Member Posts: 626
    edited February 2012

    6 more! They said that taking off the bolus will take away the focus from this top area that is damaged right now. So I think that that will get me through next week's treatments. I had no problems at all until the end of last week. Okay, movie time!

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  • tnhelen
    tnhelen Member Posts: 63
    edited February 2012

    JBug

    My skin did the same thing last week.  I was suppose to take Monday and Tuesday off but it was better by Tuesday so I went in.  I had 5 more left at the time but the skin under my arm split and under my breast too.  They gave me some cream called Xero and it worked great.  Now I am peeling.  I only have one more tomorrow. 

    Rest up.  You are close to the finish line now!

    Helen 

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  • itsjustme10
    itsjustme10 Member Posts: 796
    edited February 2012

    Hi all - now that I got the right thread - LOL - I just wanted to say that I finished rads today!!!

    It wasn't horrible - a bit red, some peeling under my arm.  Hopefully it won't get worse over the next 2 weeks.  They did tell me to keep using the Aquaphor for another month, so back to buy some more cheap t-shirts, I guess.. and now the countdown to when I can have the TE's replaced in about 6 months begins... :)

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  • tnhelen
    tnhelen Member Posts: 63
    edited February 2012

    I had my last rads treatment this morning!  DONE! 

    He said no mammogram for 3 - 6 months.  Guess that's when I know for sure that it is GONE!

    Hang in there gals.  You will be so glad when this day comes for you!

    Helen

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited February 2012

    Helen, congrats! I just have 4 boosts left, will be done Friday, God (or the rad machine) willing.



    I have one spot that is very red and hurts sometimes, but no open sores yet.

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  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 919
    edited February 2012

    # 13 done.. was told to do saline soaks 4 times a day as I am starting to get a little red..

    Yay for the ladies that are done rads.. look forward to the day

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  • chef127
    chef127 Member Posts: 891
    edited February 2012

    Went for #23 today and the techs took a look at the tx area's and told me i needed a break. My skin is reddish brown but absolutly no soreness or breakage in the skin. I'm not willing to prolong this. The RO came in, looked at it and said I should take a few days off to calm the skin.  I told them I'm here now treat me and make a decision tommarow. And I thought I was doing so good. No delays please.

    Maybe I'll regret it IF the skin deteriorates. I just want this over..

     Ossa, I am going to do the saline soak tonight and in the a.m. I hope its not too late.

    Congrates to all that have reached the end of this journey..............YAY

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  • lifechanging2011
    lifechanging2011 Member Posts: 48
    edited February 2012

    Hi all,

    #13 today. I'm red and sore. The nipple area is so sensitive it hurts. I'm tired tonight. Congrats to those who have finished.

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  • Ralsper
    Ralsper Member Posts: 352
    edited February 2012

    #16 done.  I have wondered if the Aloe Vera 3x day, oil and cetaphil has helped me in the process. Well,  I kind of neglected my skin this weekend and I was really red on Sunday, so  I covered my breast  with Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream (literally, I applied a heavy layer of cream every 4 hrs) yesterday. Well, it really worked, today my skin was moist and healthy again.

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