Any February 2012 radiation gals out there?

SorrowinHand, I can't imagine the sadness you're feeling right now.  It really seems like too much.   I wish one of us lived close enough to help out.  Maybe there is a breast cancer support group near you that you could get help from.  I found out through my Oncologist office about a group here.  Just having someone to talk to could help out a lot.  Next time you see your oncologist ask for a copy of your pathology report from your surgery, and have them explain it to you.  Do you have a neighbor or someone you could take with you?  I take a voice recorder with me to all my doctor visits and record what they say, because I'm usually too nervous to take it all in. 

As far as the radiation side effects, everyone is different.  Has your radiation onc. told you what creams or oils to use on your skin?   You've got a big family here.  We're all your sisters and want to help in any way that we can.  Please don't hesitate to ask us. 

Dancetrancer: Congratulations!!!

Sorrow: Please find a support group. They help so much.

Others: I agree that RADS stinks. The hardest part for me is exposing myself daily to male techs.

4 boosts to go!! 

SorrowInHand, I am so sorry about your loss of your husband. What a terrible trauma to have to deal with both issues simultaneously.



You will make it through treatment. Maybe, limping over the finish line but, you WILL do it. The best gift you can give in your late husband's memory is to take care of yourself and live well. Just one day at a time.



I joined a support group, which has helped me tremendously. A 20-year breast cancer survivor is the Psychologist/Counselor. I think it helps with credibility; having she and the others who know EXACTLY what we are going through. And that it's not necessarily "over" when active treatment ends.



Best of luck to you. Keep us posted.

Another day down!! Dr prescribed silver sulfa cream today. yay some relief. I also started OT to stretch my skin and muscles and get range of motion back in my shoulder so I can get back to work someday. I'm doing the appts back to back so it makes for a long day. But the physical therapist was so kind and the message part felt so good. I felt like some healing was done instead of inflicting harm (even tho it is killing the cancer cells)

el-jaye and patriotic yahoo!!!!!!!

I too recommend counseling or support group , as a matter of fact I am about to be picked up to go to a meeting so gotta run (in my case a very slow walk lol)

((((((hugs to all))) 

My armpit is fried! It hurts and itches. It has been swollen from  the beginning and is getting worse. I lost count, but I think I have 7 more to go, I can't imagine how bad it will get with 7 more. It seems much worse than the first time I went through this, maybe because it is with a mastectomy this time? They use the bolus everytime, and I want them to stop using it! Sorry I am whinny! Just didn't expect this!

 bak94 - I was getting the bolus every treatment until under my arm and my crease got really bad. They finally backed it off to using it every other time. I am not sure if your RO will go for it, but it shouldn't hurt to ask. It did seem to help me start to heal up some. I had 7 more to go when I finally gave up and HAD to take a break. Hope you start to feel better quickly!

Druanne - I hope your final 7 go quickly without your skin getting any worse.

Please tell me more about the chat groups, how do I do it, where do I go? I have not been able to catch up in this thread from the beginning...and I would love to connect with some more wonderful ladies. I am on a week pause again, too red and tired

Hugs to you all 

Hi everyone! I read all the posts every day and send good wishes out into cyberspace. We're getting there...

I'm done with the regulars and start boosts today--only five more! I too am getting some end-of-the-road weirdness--for the past couple of nights, the booblet suddenly gets really fiery red and itchy, like it's an allergic reaction, and it lasts several hours. (I have had issues with hives occasionally, over the years, especially just after I've been sick with a virus, so I'm open to the idea of a skin allergy/immune system response.) Hoping it doesn't last.

Anyway, when I described it to my RO yesterday, he told me an interesting anecdote (just to illustrate how odd individual responses can be). He said some years ago, he was called in to the hospital to consult on a former patient's case. She had had radiation 10 years before, and was hospitalized for an unrelated illness, and her breast became as red as it would be during radiation! He said the theory is that the surviving cells somehow become programmed to respond to inflammation, but no one really knows...

We signed a contract on our house--if all goes well we'll be out May 1. And I'm slated to start a full-time job (mostly from home) on April 1--trying to decide if I should ask for an extension, I work for them part-time freelance as it is. And my elderly mom is on a fast decline. So I'm not discounting the effect of stress, it certainly makes hives more likely.

All in all though, life is good. We're having a long run of freakishly warm weather here in Chicago (right NancyJill?) and although I worry about the plants if freezing weather returns, it does lift your spirits!

Hang in there, everyone! and thanks for sharing your stories...

rabbit--scroll up and click on the words chat room-- you have to use the login you use to post here.  We gather in there at night.  Evenings beginning at about 8pm central time.  It is a very nice group.

oh and i almost forgot.  I have 6 more treatments to go.  I have muscle fatigue.  I did my 4 mile walk on sunday and limped the rest of the night.  Like some of you my legs and hips feel like lead--but other wise things are ok.  I got a split under my foob and got silvadine yesterday and it works like magic.  I get the impression my boosts are pretty intense -- they are treating 3 areas.   

Sorrowinhand - hugs and prayers for you! Dancetracer, Patriotic and El-Jaye.. Congratulations!!!!!  

I have 8 more treatments to go. I have a severe burn near my collar bone, so today we switched to boost for 5 and will return for my final 4 treatments of whole breast. This will give my collar bone time to heal. I also have to watch my underarm (it's purple). Doc said today that the next step would be to hold for a few day. I really don't want to do this as I want this overwith. I was also given silver sulphadine (sp) for my burns. It seems to help.   A pain free day to all!!!   

Hey Druanne - my sensation of having trouble getting a full breath is GONE now - just 4 days post finishing rads.  So hopefully you will have the same result!!!

Chicago - what you are describing sounds like radiation recall.  It happens with some chemo's (anthracycline) when done after rads.  I had my 2nd opinion yesterday on chemo - they feel I should get it after all...but recommend TCH b/c it has less risk of radiation recall.  Gosh I so hope I don't have issues with this on top of the chemo issues!

mlm445 - no sunburn on the back, but they checked me for it, so apparently it is not uncommon.  This is where the rads exits your body.  Creepy, I know!  

It was very odd to get up this morning and just come to work.  I almost made the turn to go to the Cancer Centre when I remembered all I had to do was go to work!  Can you imagine how dumb I would have felt if I actually had gone to the Cancer Centre?  That would have been too funny for words. 

My RO wasnt kidding when she said it would get worse before it got better!  Today I have a large spot of missing skin, (and a number of smaller ones), it is like my skin is just peeling away.  I have flamazine (which is silver sulfadiazine cream).  I hope this stage passes soon.  My boob is really sore today and it is making me a bit cranky.  I sense a tylenol #3 and a nap in my near future. 

I trust you are all taking good care of yourselves.  

rabbit - thank you!  

yeah for those counting down and getting closer!  

Howdy fellow Rad Chicks!



I am ALL DONE!!! WOo Hoo!!!!!!!!



I, too, have a tan (but not in any way red or burnt) square on my back. Yeah...it IS weird!



I got super red, itchy and now peely. My entire side from my underarm to the bottom of my foob has peeled already. It was the worst at my armpit area where skin touches skin. Also peely under the foob. The itch was the worst but once it peeled...no more itch. When it did, though, I took benadryl before I went to bed and it helped a lot.



I had the Bolus every regular treatment except for the last four when my skin got too bad.

Then, I got 7 boosts. It's a good thing that whole area is numb because if it wasn't, I think I would be cryin' big time. My entire areola is peeling away and puffy. Eeeek.



I wish ALL OF YOU the best of wishes as you complete your treatment.



I am now all done with my Active Treatment. I am in "full remission". My ONC says I'd my blood work comes back with my tumor markers within normal range, then I will be considered NED. My fingers are crossed. I will pick up my labs by the end of the week.



Now it's just follow ups and port flushes and blood draws for labs with a PET/CT scan every once in while.



In 3-6 months I will get symmetry surgery on my right boobie. I am going smaller. My foob, once the swelling is gone, is about a large C/small D. My original boob is a DDD/F! Ugh! I can't wait to have smaller f/boobs! I'll be able to wear anything!



I'm taking a deep breathe and enjoying the freedom of nowhere to be until I return to work on April 16!



YEAH!