Any March 2012 RADS out there?

Mizmarie

I thought so too.  A doctor yesterday (just a GP) told me just the opposite which is why I'm confused.  He said to do chest x-rays you inhale to push the heart out of the way. 

Anyone else out there ready to bolt off of that table because your arms and back hurt so much from the postioning on the table?  Maybe because it's because I'm short and on the small side and the forms are meant for bigger people than I but my arms go numb and my back is in spasm and then they tell me it will be a few more minutes and hold very still.......

Darnit - My RO made a mold just for me that fits perfectly.  20 down, 13 to go....yahoo!

Tlead - thanks for the reply. I'm down 8 so far, 26 to go. I really can't believe how quickly it seems to be going. I go in at 7:45 in the morning (I'm a very early riser, so I'm glad they were able to get me in first thing in the morning), so I have the rest of the day to do what I want without having to look at the clock. So far I have no skin or fatigue issues, but I know it's really early on yet so who knows what I might get later. My RO and all the rad staff are really great. The hospital I go to is only about a 10 minute drive too so it's really convenient. I hope you continue to do OK...it will be over before we know it!

My RO said no "high-dose supplements." I was taking a couple that are way over the RDA (zinc and b-complex), so I stopped, even though I read separately that it's really anti-oxidants that may be an issue. The thinking is that anti-oxidants fight free radicals, and the whole point of radiation therapy is to create free radicals to kill the cancer cells. But there seems to be no clear answer on this one.

As an aside, I started taking the supplements to counteract the effects of hormonal contraception, and since I'm not on the hormones anymore, maybe I don't need the supplements either. 

Yay Harplu! And congrats to eveeryone who is done. We made it! But, yes, now what? My next appointment is not until May. I started chemo in June, then 2 surgeries followed by radiation. The hospital has been my 2nd home. Feels great to get back to a somewhat normal life, but what is normal now?

Hi Snoopsmom and ckk,

I asked my RO and he confirmed that it's not uncommon to have intermittent "shooting pain" around that area of the underarm. Must be irritated nerves, as your nurse suggeste, ckk.  In fact I don't feel it any more this week even though the aching in my breast is there (worse?).  

The RO also confirmed the feeling of "heaviness" in the breast, and said that would go away after radiation is done.

Anyhoo--I am feeling fine!  Just knocking it out, one treatment day at a time.  Snoopsmom: you bet it will be over before we know it.  Still--its good to know you good folks are out there.

Hi Lalere, I'm doing the gated breathing and you hold it after you inhale.  When some people inhale, their breast moves away from the heart, protecting it from the radiation. 

 Snoopsmom, I have the very same sensation near my lymphnode biopsy after only 5 sessions.  I'm hoping it doesn't keep getting worse or I'll be in a lot of pain by session 33.

Congrats, Beebop and being done with radiation!  I can't wait for that day.

After my last session I met with my doctor for our routine weekly and she told me that my CT scan showed that I have nodules in my lung.  She said they are very small and probably nothing, but they have to monitor it because of my history with BC.  Anyone else have anything like this happen?

Kathy

Hi everyone, i'm about 70% done and am starting to get a little pink and itchy!  

btw, i was told not to see the dentist until i was done w/ all treatment.  

Thanks Dechi!  Good to know. 

Tlead, I've used all the Cerave products, and they're excellent. My dermatologist recommended that I use them for a variety of skin issues I've had -- dry, sensitive skin; eczema; etc. I currently use the body wash and body cream during rads -- soothing, no perfumes, etc. I've found them at CVS. Highly recommend!!

With 13 rads down, I'm now getting a significant reddening and rash on the affected area. The tech suggested I use Benadryl at night in addition to the gel the RO gave me. It's not terribly itchy but apparently I scratch it during my sleep. It's pretty unsightly. 

Cupcakes, thanks for that information. I didn't realize that and will check the products I've been using. I assumed that since they were recommended by a dermatologist, they would be paraben-free. Oh, well...

Hi Pepe, I'm also getting 25 reg & 5 boosts. I was surprised when chemo really knocked me down and then happy that, by my 20th rad tx, I was feeling pretty good. I'd started walking regularly, which helped quite a bit. Just got to the point that I felt like going out with friends again, doing errands, and finally getting some things done. I felt a bit tired from radiation, but nothing like chemo. With only two more reg rad tx to go, now my skin is blistering & very red and sore. It's really painful. Unfortunately, today (Easter...Happy Easter everyone) some of the sore spots are ulcerated. My rad onc has had me using Xclair cream. Has anyone heard of it? I need to do something about this today, but of course, it's the weekend. I read something about lidocaine and was wondering if anyone knows if that's ok to use (since I have that here at home). I wish all of you the very best!

Mary- I had a BMX and also had boosts. Good news is they are super quick. And at that point you know you are almost done! Good luck!

I finished treatment 16 yesterday, too! Today I get the first of my five boosts. I'll be through on April 17th and am very excited.

My skin was doing fine until about #12. Now it's bright red with an ugly, itchy rash all the way up part of my chest. Thank goodness I have only 5 to go. It's started bothering me.

I'm in a clinical trial testing whether women of a certain age, with certain cancer profiles, will benefit as much from 15 days of slightly higher rads as they would with the traditional 30-day course of treatment. I was randomly chosen into the arm of the study with the traditional course, although my RO was able to scale mine down to 22 treatments instead of 31 and still qualify for the trial.