Any April/May 2012 rad girls out there?

Cigi56 - Thank you for your encouragement. I start rads today and hopefully I've already gotten the crying part over with. My psychiatrist (assigned as a matter of course) said that I suffer from 'Anticipatory Anxiety'. Well, of course I do. I cry all the time.This has been a scarey year and I still feel vulnerable taking my gown off in front of a stranger and exposing my funny looking breast that was once nearly perfect. And the big machines scare me. Plus, the rad tech was young, aloof, and a little creepy. 

So now I'm off to buy an aloe vera plant. My plan is to use the plant at home, and I'll buy some gel to carry with me. Also a saline solution three times a day.

And Angie - I had arm-over-head pain too after my sentinel biopsy. It took a lot of yoga and a few months to get back my range of motion. Couldn't even walk the dog at first (and its a basset hound!), but perfectly fine now. 

Good luck!  Be well!

Add me to the group. I had my last Taxol of 12 weekly treatments today and have an appt with the radiation onc on Thursday.

2 down and 28 to go. Pink and tingly.  Feels about like when I've spent a little too long in the sun and know I'm gonna have a burn to deal with.

Hi Mamglam - I had my first treatment today and all is good --- tomorrow at 1:55 so will see what that brings.  What is the "whoosh" you are talking about?

Joanne

Claire: I was given a sheet with instructions before starting rads which included skin care and other information. Included on this sheet was a statement to not take anti-oxidants during rads. Didn't give a reason but from a brief internet search there is speculation that anti-oxidants interfere with the effectiveness of the radiation (and something to do with free radicals - don't understand it so can't elaborate on it).



Janet: I'm so sorry to hear how emotionally difficult this has been and continues to be for you. It is bad enough to be poked and prodded with needles and x-rayed and everything else we have been through, but having to expose the part of ourselves that is the cause of all of this and that is currently in a "transitional" state can be extremely hard. I certainly can understand. For me, I have gotten to the point where it does not bother me and have no problem "whipping" out my boob!! :-) Part of me also feels like they are no longer mine and do not resemble my original ones, if that even makes any sense. After my BMX, I no longer had any modesty left. Waking up after surgery and attempting to go to the bathroom for the first time, I realized that I no longer had my undergarments on. At first I was upset, but I quickly appreciated it when it was one less step to do during my recovery time. And sorry to hear about your rad tech - it takes a certain kind of person to work in the medical field (compassionate and caring) and when you run into one that is not while you are being treated can exacerbate your anxiety. I try to close my eyes and zone out when I am on the table. I hope things get easier for you.

First treamtent down! 

Cigi56 - Thanks for your understnading. I've bucked up again - my first session was a breeze.  In, fact, with the knee pillow, arm rests, and dim lighting it was almost relaxing - and the technicians were lovely.

My plan of attack are three saline soaks a day, and the gel from my aloe plant. I also bought a bottle of aloe gel that has a bit of roseamary. The guy at the health food store said it's 'miraculous'. Let's hope!

I am wondering what you all think about the time of day for rads -- I will be working throughout (moderately strenuous job) and have a 60 minute drive each way. I'm trying to decide: rads first thing before work or rads at the end of the day. I realize it is different for everyone and depends on alot of factors, but if anyone has an opinion, I'd appreciate it....

MOT: I would recommend doing your rads at the end of the day considering your moderate strenuous job and the drive. Once fatigue hits you, I think it might eventually be difficult to get through the day if you do rads in am (but since everyone reacts different I could be wrong about the outcome). If I could, I would do rads in evening but when I return to work (next Thursday) I will have to have my treatments at 7 am. Not looking forward to that as I'm not a morning person!!

Janet_M --- please let me know how the saline soaks go.  I have glaxol base cream but would be really interested in the other if they work.

Angie --- I had some difficulty with range of motion and finally went to a physio -- things are good now and can actually do up my bra at the back (lol) --- still need some more appointments but much better -- it is the jumping jack motions that are hard to do.

There is a really good booklet for exercises -- I am attaching the link below for those that are interested.

http://www.cancer.ca/Ontario/Publications/Alphabetical%20list%20of%20publications/Exercises%20after%20breast%20surgery%20A%20guide%20for%20women.aspx?sc_lang=en&r=1

Hello ladies... I had my first double session yesterday. I'm sorry to report that the brave Chickenpants was, well.... Not so brave, but I think I've been left with some PTSD symptoms following my ordeal in the hospital from my SAH recovery. I see a white coat and my little legs shake and those big machines... Don't even want to talk about it. I explain to the technicians about the stroke and they're really good with me.



Just a little trouble with a painful shoulder and numbness in my lymph node surgery arm from having to stay still for so long. I'm asking for the massage therapist that works on recovery after lymph node removal.



Anyhow, will check back later. I'm sure today's appointment will be so much better. I'm staying at the Cancer Lodge and although the staff and facilities are excellent, there is way too much cancer talk among the patients staying here. Got to find a way to get away from that. Also, I'm one of the younger patients staying here and would love to meet someone more my age for walks, etc.



Hope you're all feeling well and positive. I will try harder today...



X

I feel for those who have to travel long distances for radiation - that must get very tiresome!  My office is 10-15 minutes from the cancer clinic, and even though I am usually done with tx by 4:00, I don't go back to work.  I have plenty of sick leave, so I just go home.

I do the morning appt., after I take my kids to school and before I go to work. Then I don't have to think about it all day.

I have to tell you, I am enjoying the exercise trainer (former Olympian I mentioned previously). She has been very kind, helpful and encouraging. And it's nice that I'm working out with other BC patients, some of them years out from treatment. No end to this free service, which is great.

I did ask my RO about stomach queasiness I've been experiencing late afternoons, (anyone else?)

He said he's heard this before, and suggests crackers w peanut butter... Our bodies are expending a lot of energy trying to recover from rads. He suggests trying to eat a bit more. I'm not trying to lose weight, but have lost 2.5 lbs over the 11 tx, so far. Just trying to maintain my weight.

Definitely feeling the fatigue. It's so discouraging, I was just feeling normal after recovering from chemo. This is definitely a different feeling of fatigue though, I'm even tired mentally at the end of the day. Just want to zonk out and go to sleep.