Any April/May 2012 rad girls out there?

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  • MizMarie
    MizMarie Member Posts: 332
    edited April 2012

    Michbunny - YAYAYAY for being done!

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited April 2012

    Congratulations mitchbunny!



    & omg momof3boys. Am so glad it was just strep.



    I saw holistic/integrative dr. this week.was nice to see dr. that didn't have scary news.



    I've been very emotional this week. Feeling better now. Beentrying to drink more water. 15 down,10 more to go. Noticed a little sunburn to the treatment area today. Seems like I'm having to stretch my arm out a lot. Feels like that damn muscle over TE wants to tighten down



    I'm just using the miaderm only



    My team is really great. They have this really big guy as a rad tech. When I first saw him I thought what is he doing at breast center? He told me this week that he is a cancer survivor for seven years now.he spent four years in treatment.ended up with stem cell transplant.

    To look at him, he just looks like just some young guy who hasn't been through anything.

    Its nice to have someone there who's been through hell too

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  • momof3boys
    momof3boys Member Posts: 896
    edited April 2012

    Fredtan, I've always found it hard to drink a lot of water. I don't like it really cold for some reason, but, have found that if I squeeze fresh lemon into it, I can drink it all day long! I bet I'm drinking 80 oz a day, seriously! I have a 24 oz water bottle that I'm filling 3-4 times a day....

    What did the not scary Dr say or advise?

    Two of my technicians (both women) are cancer survivors. One BC and the other colon... Both very gracious and kind. Very special people.

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  • Catrina
    Catrina Member Posts: 16
    edited April 2012

    Maureen, congratulations on your last chemo! I just had my first treatment today, 6 seems a long way off. I had an MX and the Radiation Onc told me they want to do radiation after chemo, partly due to 2 positive lymph nodes, and partly due to the ER/PR - . I am in the middle of reconstruction and pretty nervous about rads too, and it delaying the reconstruction process. Not even sure at this point if I will agree to do it, but I have a while to think about it.
    Good luck at your consult, hope it goes well!

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  • mamglam
    mamglam Member Posts: 178
    edited April 2012

    Hi,

    I had my 7th treatment today and have been experiencing some twinges of sharp pain within the breast and the armpits.  Mentioned it to the techs and they suggested that I speak with the nurse.  She recommended saline soaks 3 - 4 times a day and to take Tylenol or Advil for now.  The fatigue is making me rest more and have a nap in the afternoon.  Nine more left!   Hope all your treatments are going well.

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  • Cindyl
    Cindyl Member Posts: 1,194
    edited April 2012

    linnyhopp-

    I also am told I'll have skin issues. But so far so good.  Finished 8 of 30 today.  Still just the same tingle that I've had from the start.  A little pink but nothing alarming yet.  I'm using Miaderm, special care cream, natural care gel, and 2 or 3 saline soaks per day.  When I finish a treatment I slather on a bunch of cream and put on a tank top for the rest of the day.  So far I've been able to wear a sports bra or a leisure bra (from woman within - available on Amazon) for the work day.  We'll see how it goes.  Good luck! 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    Cindy, what entails the saline soaks??

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  • Cindyl
    Cindyl Member Posts: 1,194
    edited April 2012

    Disolve a teaspoon of salt in 2 cups of water.  Soak a cloth in the water and apply it the radiated area for 5-15 minutes.  Let the skin air dry - no rubbing! 

    I first saw this here. Then asked my rad nurse and she said its a good idea.  Just make sure the water is just tepid.  Not too warm or too cold.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    Thank you Cindy, I will add this to my regime..

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  • Myleftboob
    Myleftboob Member Posts: 1,469
    edited April 2012

    Thanks for the feedback Ladies.

    I guess with some of the research I've been doing, RADS seemed more typical with a LX or if there was no node involvment. I haven't had reconstruction as of yet. It seems I may be in a bit of a gray zone with my pathology.  I would love to be able to skip this portion of the program LOL! I'm so tired of being tired you know?  I'll have to wait to see the RO on the 26th to get even more info.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    Hi everyone,

    Welcome texasrose to our list. i rmeember you from our Nov. chemo list too!

    I asked about the bolus (WEIRD word!) and was told when tumors are close to the skin it's used.  

    Is anyone feeling kind of like they have the flu from time to time? I felt like that today--just "off"...bit of a headache,  alittle dizzy, a little tired, and not "right".  Not hungry, either, much.  And I've only had 6 tx so far. I couldn't find that in the list of symptoms for rads, but wondered if anyone else is feeling that way.  

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  • akmom
    akmom Member Posts: 272
    edited April 2012

    Just wanted to add that the instructions I was given for the saline soak say to boil the water first and then let it cool to room temperature before using, and to make a fresh batch of the saline solution each day.

    "Saline compresses are recommended for skin irritation and soreness. They clean and soothe the skin as well as reduce inflammation and improve comfort."

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  • Cindyl
    Cindyl Member Posts: 1,194
    edited April 2012

    Clairinez:

    Exactly.  I'll be fine one minute.  And the next i just feel off. A wave of tiredness, a bit of tummy upset...And then, slowly I feel better. Once in a while I feel hungry for just a few minutes, but by the time I get a chance to eat?  Blech.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    Claire, I have been feeling like that as well. I spent an hr or so yesterday trying to find SE's like that.none out there. My youngest boy is in the AF and is a bioenvironmetal tech.. he studies the effects of such things on the body. What I described to him, he said is normal. He and my onco both stated it's cumulative.. I just find it strange that it comes and goes throughout the day.

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited April 2012

    Heres some of what my notscarey holistic md said



    Water is important. I have well water and currently using deer park in large part due to having crappy water. Have water filtration thing in basement that uses salt to get rid of that rotten egg smell. But he also recommends reverse osmosis thing that goes under sink



    Says dont use cows milk. Use almond soy or any of those other fake milks. Somthing about inflamatory response. May use unswettened greek yogurt and kefir.



    Red meat only grass fed. Dont eat pork. Im just going all vegetarian. We are almost there. The kids got us there. They dont eat meat. But will eat fish. They think they dont feel as much as cows chickens etc:-)

    Im going to go organic as much as i can. Theres website that llists the dirty dozen of foods to not eat unless they are organic. Strawberries are on the bad list, as are apples. If it has thick skin, its safer to get nonorganic. Like oranges and bananas.if i remember rite. Will post that website later



    Eat the rsainbow. More veggies than fruits.



    Low glycemic diet, which we have pretty much ben doing. For instance white potatoes have higher glycemic index-meaning they raise your blood sugar quicker than sweet potatoes. Brown rice better than white rice. Juices-high glycemic index. Orange would be better choice.



    He also said to consider glutin free diet. Glutin is found in wheat. This has something to do with inflamatory response.



    No more splenda for use. Have to switch to stevia. He said spenda too artificial. Stevia more natural



    Eat whole foods. Chips crackers processed foods are bad. Which we dont really do much of anyways



    Im having some labs drawn to check mineral levels. Insurance doesnt cover that. When i get stronger healed from all this crap. He said we can talj about detox



    But i think some of the main things were to keep insulin levels and inflamatory response low in body

    Insulin can fuel the cancer cells.



    Ive only talked tonhim once, and my brain is frankly a little foggy,so im not totally understanding all this stuff yet

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  • MOT
    MOT Member Posts: 130
    edited April 2012

    Gee whiz, fredntan, and that's your notscary MD? LOL  Of course, everything he said I have heard before and try to do to some extent, esp low glycemic diet and less processed foods. Eat foods on the perimeter of the grocery store. Are you foggy from rads? Hope you're feeling better.

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  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited April 2012

    fredntan -- just remember that soya is on the NO NO list -- it feeds the estrogen.  I was told by my MO that I was not allowed any soya.

    claire -- as for feeling "off" -- yes -- I wake up not hungry and can't eat until after 10:30 or so then by supper until bed I could eat constant -- I am nauseas and foggy -- just "off".  I have 8 treatments - skin is fine but a bit prickly under the lumpectomy incision.   

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  • JadeGirl
    JadeGirl Member Posts: 35
    edited April 2012

    Hi all - do you mind if I join in as well?  I am on 12 of 30 rads treatment, after finishing 16 courses of weekly chemo.  I'm also doing herceptin now too.   

    I was wondering if anyone has experienced a non-itchy red like-rash during rads?? 

    Mine appeared 1 week after rads, starting on my radiated side (on the breast and under it).  The nurses suggested I stop using their prescibed gel in case it was an allergy as it seemed too early in the piece to be a reaction to radiation itself.  It dissappeared a couple of days later, but puzzling has now returned on my non-radiated side - this leads me to believe it was not the gel to begin with....My radiated side is currently a bit tanned but does not have the "rash". 

    I have not been using soaps, creams etc on the radiated side (other than the prescribed gel mentioned) but have been using normal liquid soap on the "good boob".  Also I have not made any major changes to my diet or lifestyle, other than being more of a social butterfly :)

    I will make an appointment with the senior team about this but am curious to see if you lovely ladies have any insight to offer as this has the nurses and junior radiologists stumped...I know it shouldn't, but the situation is making me anxious despite having had a breast MRI in March...Grrhh, I hate cancer!! 

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited April 2012

    My brain is probably foggy from chemo and also since I havnt really usedit much since dx. My handwriting is godawful now.



    I was getting itchy red on whole body in earlier part of week , I increased my water and its gotten better



    Im also posting from my phone a lot and im sure I've got a lot if misspellings due to that.my phone sometimes adds weird words

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  • TexasRose2127
    TexasRose2127 Member Posts: 128
    edited April 2012

    Myleftboob-  I had a BMX & am having rads.  Athough I am a stage II, I had 2 tumor sites and positive lymph node involvement.  I am having all of my lymph nodes and full breat irradiation. Agressive for sure, but i am all in, since we only get one chance at RADS.  I do not beleive the decssion has anything to do wth whether you elect a lumpectomy or a MX.  There are multiple tumor characteristics that play in the decision.

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  • TexasRose2127
    TexasRose2127 Member Posts: 128
    edited April 2012

    momof3boys-  I too had a CT scan before my start of RADS.  I was comforted by the fact thye were imaging, since the current practice at the large breast centers is that there will be no impaging or bloodwork for your follow-up visits to monitor for recurrence.

    At any rate, when I went back the next week for my simulation I asked the RAD tech if the CT scan was clear.  She said they did not take it for diagnostics reasons but for the RADS plan.  I looked at her wide-eyed & asked if something suspicious was seen I would hope that the doc would let me know.  She said, if that were the case I would have received a call from the doc.  I have not received that call so I guess it was clear!   Yippee!

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  • Maghery721
    Maghery721 Member Posts: 68
    edited April 2012

    Just wanted to mention something that came up at my treatment today. The tech asked me if I was using the gel on my back area - the area behind where I am receiving radiation. I have put gel on it as I've seen redness back there (though I haven't been diligent about it but I will be now that the tech noticed the redness). So I wanted to mention it to you ladies so that you incorporate that into your daily routine.



    Myleftboob, First of all i love your screen name (you must be Irish)! Me and my sister really laughed when i saw your screen name!! Regarding rads, it is used for many situations, not mainly lx with no node involvement, and which a few ladies have already indicated above. It really depends on so many things (but I'm not schooled in all of the reasons why rads would or would not be recommended, I just have read about various diagnoses on this board (and even this thread) who are getting rads). I had a double mastectomy with immediate implant reconstruction on 2/23. My tumor was 10.5 cm. After surgery, my pathology report indicated I had a complete pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemo and there was no cancer remaining). Yet I am still getting rads :(. But because of the size my tumor was and my original PET scan showed one positive node (no positive nodes at surgery time and only 3 sentinel nodes taken out for biopsy), my RO (with my BS agreeing) is radiating and is including radiation under my arm as a precaution (bummer but I'm of the thought "better safe than sorry"). I had my 14th rad tx this morning. Let me know if you have any questions.



    JadeGirl: Welcome to the club that no one wants to join!! When you say "rash" is the area bumpy or just a patchy red? My redness looks patchy around and under my breast and it does not itch. As for it now being on the other breast, not sure about an answer for that. Have you put any cleansing agent on the radiated breast - your post sounds like you are only putting the gel on it but that doesn't sound right - maybe I'm reading that wrong?

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  • apelila
    apelila Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2012

    New to this site so forgive while I get aquainted!

    Started radiation 4/3/12 scheduled to have 33 treatments.  Which seems insane since I had a small cancer, no lymph involvement and a tiny breast.

    Does radiation make you have a bad attitude...mine seems to be getting worse!

    Burning & edema from second treatment and the fatigue is horrific!  I do have Hashimotos which had my energy level zapped prior to this nightmare,  but the radiation doc said IF fatigue would be a issue it wouldn't be until week 4 or 5.  Well why am I having such a hard time?!  Now I just get shrugs and comments like "you're sensitive".   Is there a way to know if these folks are giving me too much radiation? 

    You can tell I have NO trust in this facility.  I had surgery at Stanford but it's a 2 hour round trip from where I live so I'm having the radiation locally.

    BTW I'm using RadiaGuard which doesn't seem to help much so I couldn't recommend.

    I'm also having trouble breathing since the radiation started, worse immediately after each session, but bad 24/7...anyone else?

    Any feedback or suggestions for any of these issues appreciated!

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  • apelila
    apelila Member Posts: 8
    edited April 2012

    I also have non itchy bumps under breast being radiated,  doc said use cortisone cream.  It's been almost a week isn't helping at all.  Sorry wish I had an answer.

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  • Sandyland
    Sandyland Member Posts: 262
    edited April 2012

    Maureen ~ I am heading in for #16 today out of 36 total rads tx.  I had an MX last September and I have a tissue expander as well.  I felt fatigue from about the 3rd tx (Linda you are not imagining it :) and I have a dull ache (kind of a heavy feeling) all the time with occasional sharp pains.  It is certainly manageable and nothing like chemo.  The fatigue and the drive back and forth to treatment (70 miles round trip) every day is the worst for me.  Also, my skin is really red and sore, but I think it's because I have to use a bolus for every tx and the rads is really being concentrated all the way up to my skin.  Hopefully, you won't have that :)

    Linda ~ I have the 1:50 pm slot and I am due to finish around Friday, May 18th.  Once we get a little closer, I'll let George & Greg know that you want that spot.  Are you working every day still?  Let's meet for lunch again soon.  I saw a little Mexican place on Grand called La Tapatia that looks really cute.  I looked it up and everyone just raves about the food and the ambiance.  I'm thinking this needs to be our next stop.  Let me know when you've got a day available.

    Blessings,

    SAN

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    I too have had little red itchy bumps..in between and under my radiated breast. I bought some cornstarch and sprinkled a bit on the effected area.. Awww much better and nealry all gone. My onco said to use that for the "sweat rash"..  it absorbs the moisture and soothes the irritation..

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  • Sandyland
    Sandyland Member Posts: 262
    edited April 2012

    Apelila ~ Welcome!  I have heard repeatedly that RO's, nurses and techs tell patients that the fatigue won't hit until sometime after week two.  I am here to tell you that is total CRAP!  I hit the proverbial wall on tx 3 and linnyhopp (on this board) felt it after her first tx!  Everyone is different.  If you are feeling wiped out, it is totally normal, even right from the start.  By the way, I totally cracked up at your question, "Does radiation make you have a bad attitude?"  Ahahaha!  I think sometimes it does :)

    JadeGirl ~ Welcome, we are so glad to have you!

    Claire ~ I too have felt weird.  I have occasional nausea, headaches and a loss of appetite as well.  I'm really glad you brought it up because it makes me feel better knowing that this falls into the realm of "normal."  

    SAN

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2012

    There are some Skin Care Tips in the Radiation Therapy section of the main Breastcancer.org site that may be helpful. Also, the Other Side Effects of Radiation area can point you to more suggestions for managing effects such as fatigue!

    Your Mods

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  • wiskris
    wiskris Member Posts: 93
    edited April 2012

    I went through my trial run today and will start 25 treatments and 8 boosts this Monday. It seems like so much for an early stage cancer!! June 7 seems so far away!lol. I got my tattoos today and xrays and schedule. I will be doing 4pm everyday after work. I feel bad for anyone that has to be close to me since I cant wear any deodorant under that arm. I am a mailman and walk  outside10 miles a day and sweat like a pig! I'm sure I will NOT smell pretty in that arm.

    I asked them about lotion since I found some TriDerma in my cupboard and it says on  the back label for radiation burns. I bought it because it was on clearance and its medical strength for heat rash I get every summer on legs. Who knew  when I bought it last fall that I would be using it for radiation! Go Figure!!! They said to bring it along to 1st appt but the rad techs/nurses are lotion gurus and they will supply all lotion to use there at facility and at home. I guess that saves on my pocket book!!

    I cant wait to start and it helps to see what everyone is going through! We all react different and it helps to read good and bad!!

    Have a good night!

    Kristi

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  • Maghery721
    Maghery721 Member Posts: 68
    edited April 2012

    Just wanted to let you know that I made a change to my screen name due to a personal conflict with my previous screen name. I believe my former posts all have this new name.



    By the way, be sure to check your back for any redness to the area behind where you are receiving rad tx and to use your gel or cream on it. My rad tech asked me today if I was applying gel to my back (I had done so because I noticed the redness). Apparently those rad rays penetrate all the way through I guess!

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