Any February 2012 radiation gals out there?

Hello everyone, I saw my RO yesterday, skin issues are beginning. I can see the treatment field clearly. I saw my dermatologist to check out a mole that is growing right next to SNB site. He said the good news is we can see skin cancer and we will keep an eye on it to see how the rads affect it. My RO does not check anything other than skin. My PCP has put me on an inhaler to help with my breathing. My chest xray came back clear after the last round of antibiotics. I don't understand how they don't think rads affect breathing. The techs are very supportive and are pulling out the heated blankets and trying to make it as comfortable as possible for me. I also saw a breast care specialist at the rehab and wellness dept at my local hosp. She is going to work with me to get the range of motion back in my right arm and to get me through rads. She showed me some exercises and massages to do betweeen our 2x week sessions. She recommended starting the aquaphor now every night while the RO and nurse are still telling me aloe gelly and hydrocodisone cream. I use the cream for the itchyness for sure. Anyway now that I am breathing better (deeper breaths finally) I have a little more energy. I actually took the dog on a walk yesterday. Onward and upward! 14 down.

dancetrancer, thanks for the suggestion. I have done some yoga in the past. I was always into fast paced exercise so it was too "slow" for me, but I am willing to give anything a try now. I have definitely slowed way down which is frustrating. I have that slow sick person walk going on. Since I have to walk on the boat everyday (to get to my rads appt) , up the gangway, up a flight of stairs and down the other side I really feel how my lungs just aren't cooperating. 

My therapist suggested acupuncture. I haven't wrapped my mind around that yet. Anyone else have experience with it? 

I hurt, I hurt, I hurt. Okay, glad I got that off my chest. My group of techs rotate every three days so for the last three days every single one that has seen under my arm stops and asks "has the doctor seen that?" Not good, but I tell them yes he did and he offered me a break and I told him no. I only have 8 more treatments and 5 of those are my boosts. I just cannot handle taking a break and starting again even if the pain and discomfort kept me up all night. I am trying so hard to keep working and thankfully they are letting me do it from home where I can wear my creams and a tank top. I have so much admiration for you ladies who are out there exercising. I really wish I could do it. One bit of good news is that I have lost 5 pounds since I started working from home. I guess I didn't realize how much I snack while I am there. 

Oh, and macatacmv, my treatment field is also VERY well defined. They don't even draw on me anymore except for the line that shows them where to position for the superclav.

Here is to only 2 more days this week and hopes for minimal SEs!! 

after 23 treatments, feeling sore along my surgical incision--itching not bad

anyone have touble concentrating at work? maybe it's spring fever

Chicago! Great news about the biopsy!   I am joining you and Mim on the concentration thing.  I can't keep a thought straight for more than a moment.  I think it is the fatigue - heavy legs and arms, foggy brain and a desire to do absolutley nothing!  Makes it hard to work, but I am doing my best to keep up with the day to day stuff!  I really need a vacation!! 

I have 7 more to go including my boosts.  Cant wait to be finished!!  Skin is looking pretty bad.  Using Eucerin Lotion, Aloe Gel, Flamazine on the open spots and steriod cream for the itching. I think someone should throw us a huge party when all this treatment is done!  

Hope you are all having a good day!

Mlm445: I have a splotch of redness on my collarbone. I asked about it today and the tech said I do get radiation there and it gets red there because it is a "skin fold" whe you are lying down with your arms up.



Just finished #27 of 35! tomorrow is my last "regular" zappage. The last 7 are boosts. Just infriggin time. My skin is so itchy. I took benadryl when I went to bed last night and I think it helped me get more than an hour sleep at a time in. Went to bed at 12:30 am and didn't wake up for the first time until 05:13 am. Yeah!



I never knew skin could turn such funky brown/red/purplish hue.

For me 16 down 14 to go including 5 boosts. My skin is itchy too and I can see the outline of where the treatment covers. Under the boob is spotty but not broken down which is good. I'm using steroid cream and various other creams.

 Macatac hope your feeling a little more energetic and Sherry I hope the your skin is more comfortable. Hope everyone else is OK too.

Gerri 

Hi everyone!  Well, the dreaded call finally came.  Here I was thinking all would be well and instead get the news that they didn't get it all and I'll have to go back for more surgery.  Also that I am going to be put on a regiment of pills and start Rads as soon as I am healed from surgery.  Talk about a punch to the stomach!  I REALLY REALLY had myself convinced that all was well.  The part I don't like is that I have to wait for my Dr. Apt. on March 13th to officially find out what the Doc has to say.  If a surgery time should open up before then would be the only reason I'd be seeing my Dr. again.  I was hoping to get this all over with because (if you remember) I am going to be a grandma again on March 14th and was hoping this first surgery would be healed and I'd be holding my new grandson in my arms and able to help with all the work (they all live with me and my husband).  Looks like now, I'll be at their beck and call and have to go when they say.  I'll know more after seeing the Dr. and my apt.  Sure thought this would almost be on the way to recovery, but I guess it's just a hurry up and wait kind of thing.  The nurse is the one who told me all this and made an apt. with an ONC and then Rads, etc.  I just don't know how they can do all tlhat when I haven't had the 2nd surgery yet.  That could change everything, right??  I guess I am just an impatient person, but I like to take control of my body, and when someone else is in charge of that, well, it makes me a little crazy.  Sorry for all the complaining.  Mine is nothing so far and after reading what you've all been through, I am worrying I won't be as good as you all are in attitude and grace.  I commend you all for your bright spirits and helpful natures.  I had myself a  private "pity party" last night and it was good to get all the tears out.  I really needed that along with my finger poking myself in the shoulder saying THIS IS TRUE, THIS IS TRUE, IT"S HAPPENING TO YOU!!  GET OVER IT!!  GET ON WITH IT!!  GET WELL!  We'll see how long that lasts!  I guess I'd feel better if I only had the cancer to worry about, but I have other problems facing me right now and too many decisions to make and I feel that I am just overloaded!  When I can resolve some of those problems I know I will be feeling better, BUT I CAN'T DO EVERYTHING!  That's why I guess I really wanted to get this part of my life on schedule and get going on this cancer thing.  Wanted to feel I was in control of SOMETHING!!  I have a house to sell and have to find another place to live in the next 6 months so have much on my mind.  Well, I'll stop complaining for now and will post again after my March 13th Dr. Apt.  Thanks again to all for your help! 

gjsqueezebox

PS.  Having trouble trying to download pic's also so instead, if you want to see who I am and what I look like and what I do, you can go to my website at:     geraldinejohnsonband.com   

gjsqueezebox - so sorry to hear that you will need additional surgery and especially sorry it is going to interfere with your grandmothering! 

Thank you for the well wishes. I have decided to take a one day break from treatment. I am hoping that with the weekend thrown in there it will help. I hate to do this, but my spot is now larger (approximately 3x2 inches) and since it is on my side it never really gets any air. At the tech's suggestion I am trying to work while sitting half shirtless with a fan blowing on me. Good thing I am working from home right now. I don't have much boob left to create a crease, but I am starting to peel there also. I am just SO ready to be done with this. 

Here is to a great weekend for all of us. Enjoy the break!!

Sherry 

I had my 20th treatment today.  I'm beginning to get red now, instead of just pink.  No pain so far.  The nurse said my skin looks really good compared to some of the others in the trial.  I just hope that continues.  I have 5 whole breast and 5 boosts to go. 

Happy Friday!

Congrats geegster! I finished #16 today!

Does anyone notice taste changes?

I went out to lunch yesterday and ordered a Diet Coke, as did my lunch mate. Mine tasted horrible! I then ordered an iced tea instead...it was ok. My friend said her Diet Coke was fine.

Then, when I got home later, I ate a snack of some jicama, which I LOVE. It, too, tasted funky and I threw the rest away. Had some popcorn and it was fine.

Weird.



*Welcome to sunny SoCal, Beegee!! It is super hot today, upper 80's at the beach. I live in Long Beach, CA. Enjoy your stay!*

Geegster - I haven't noticed any taste changes yet myself. 

I had my first "double-dip" of rads today.  First one around 10 am, 2nd one 4:30 p.m.  So far don't notice anything different.  I'm sure it is cumulative and will sneak up on me like it has done all along.

So now I have completed  25 of 33 treatments.  I have 3 more regular treatments then 5 boosts at the end.  Will be finished next Friday. 

Biggest complaint I still have is feeling like I can't get a deep breath.  I find myself constantly yawning and my chest just feels "tight".  I keep walking and doing my yoga which does help.  I'm hoping this is all tightness related to being stressed out about rads and not an actual lung issue.  It is quite possible that it is just anxiety and fatigue presenting this way.  

This is a bit peculiar, but in the hope that it might work for someone else too, I'm going to post it anyway.

After ten treatments my breast was not really too pink but my nipple was excruciatingly tender.  Not sure if this is due really to the rads or perhaps to over-enthusiastic massaging of creams/lotions, etc. (Since my beloved died five years ago after a years-long illness, my breasts are not used to any handling at all.) 

Anyway, here was I with a nipple that couldn't bear the touch of even the softest silk or cotton knit, and what to do?  I finally took my collapsible silicone colander, strung some silk ribbon through either side and tied it over the breast, around the back and round the neck.  Oh, bliss.  Now nothing touches that breast and even though I look like a lopsided Boudicea under my XXL t-shirt, I am happy at last.  Also, it's nice to get some air to the radiated skin. 

And it gets better!!!  -  now I get into the shower with my home-made breast cage and don't worry about hot water beating too forcibly on my sensitive skin.  Just take off the colander when I have showered and gently wash that radiated area with lukewarm water and soap.

I know this might not work for those of you who have to work outside the home and don't want to attract attention to yourself.  but do try it when you are home alone.  I am so happy with nothing touching my tender spots!!! 

Of course be sure your colander doesn't have any hard metal parts that will dig into you!

Love to you all from my new found comfort zone  -  who knew cookware was so versatile?!

   Caroline