Any April/May 2012 rad girls out there?

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  • Maghery721
    Maghery721 Member Posts: 68
    edited April 2012



    Had my 18th tx today, so 10 more to go. My skin is holding up fairly well but it's my back shoulder that concerns me now. It's red and sore. I'm surprised that I wasn't warned that it could happen on your back. Strange. Anyone else seeing redness on their back from rads?



    And I guess it's been a blessing that I'm still out of work - I come home and take pretty long naps each afternoon.



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  • linnyhopp
    linnyhopp Member Posts: 567
    edited April 2012

    Maghery ~ When I read about the redness on your back I asked the rad tech if that was something I could expect and he said I wouldn't get any reaction on my back.  Have you spoken to your rad onc?  If so, what did they tell you?  My back is sore by the shoulder blade, but I am thinking that the table I lay on for treatment might be causing that as there is no redness.  Just wondering?  Thanks. 

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  • amcarter
    amcarter Member Posts: 21
    edited April 2012

    mamglam:

    Shingles! I had shingles years ago and it was horrible! Any idea if shingles is common among rad patients? Did they give you an anti-viral?

    claireinaz:

    Spoke to my RO on Tuesday & she recommended that I start using Vitamin E oil on my scar. It's puckering.  I have a bottle of 28000 i.u. liquid vitamin E oil that I used on a keloid scar that formed after removal of skin cancer so I am using that.  RO said to massage that in to scar first and then to apply aquaphor & massage that in as well.  Don't know about use with sore nipple but since your RO recommended it and mine is sore as well, I believe I'll try it! Thanks for the heads up!

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  • MOT
    MOT Member Posts: 130
    edited April 2012

    vit E is good for scar but the main thing is to massage it in. If your scar feels like a cord or is lumpy, you have scar tissue and you need to break it up. So E or aquaphor or a good cream will help with massaging (and keep the scar from drying up and puckering) and not just slathering it on your skin suface, but massage a little deeper into the scar, as long as the skin is intact. Geez, so many secondary things to worry about or do.....especially they don't tell you about this.

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  • Janet_M
    Janet_M Member Posts: 1,068
    edited April 2012

    Maghery - Yes - iIve got redness on my back! Two days ago, on my 8th treatment, my Rad tech told me I should be moisturizing my back cus the radiation also came from underneath as I lay on the table. I had no idea, and I'm suprised  that this info just slipped by.  I felt a tightness, but I thought it was just a tension knot.

    Claire - About this vitamin E capsules. Is this an oral application, or do you open the capsules?

    Thanks,

    Janet 

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

    I can't get myself to massage the scar -- I rub cream on it but it bothers me to massage it.

    Also I have a rash on my armpit -- woke up this morning with it - I probably had it last night -- was uncomfortable in bed but thought it was because the breast skin was tight.  So now slathering lotion on my entire breast and armpit -- I don't have anyone to put lotion on my back --

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  • Janet_M
    Janet_M Member Posts: 1,068
    edited April 2012

    Joanne -   I used a spatula. My partner's at work so I squeezed the lotion dwon my back and used a rubber spatula to spread it around.

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

    I don't like to touch my scar either...it feels creepy because it's pretty long and has no sensation--but it does (I know that doesn't make sense). 

    My RO said my skin looks beautiful so far but I'm only into this by a couple of weeks.  I hope it holds up this way...so far it's just a little mottled.

    Claire

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  • Sandyland
    Sandyland Member Posts: 262
    edited April 2012

    I had the crummiest day yesterday Frown  I threw my back out for the first time in ages (I think while getting off the rads table) and so I took 2 Vicodin for the pain.  I have had back trouble since I was very young and I have taken Vicodin when needed for the pain.  It is a med that I am very familiar with and have never had any issues with.  After I took it I got really nauseas and I realized I had taken it on an empty stomach so I ate a salad and a few bites of spaghetti. 

    I then spent 4 hours being violently ill.  Finally, at 10:30 pm last night, I remembered that I had a drawer full of anti-nausea meds from chemo!  I took one and managed a miserable and fitful night, but I haven't thrown up again.  This morning I am still very nauseas and will probably have to take another anti-nausea.

    In addition to being sick, I had a wicked headache and terrible dizziness.  This reaction seems waaay to intense to be simply related to the Vicodin on an empty stomach.  Usually, my stomach is made of steel and I can eat anything.  

    WTH???

    SAN

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  • newksmom100
    newksmom100 Member Posts: 55
    edited April 2012

    Ladies - I just want to jump in to say hi.  I was a rads girl back in Jan-Mar, so wanted to give you encouragement.  I'm about 7.5 weeks out and feel pretty darned good.  I still have a definate tan line, and occasional itching, but the skin is really great, all things considered.  My biggest issue is tightness, especially in my underarm, so if you have not been given exercises to do (I was not given exercises until 2 weeks post-rads), please ask now.  I think it will do you a world of good.  The fatigue (which was the worst part for me) really went away pretty fast (2-3 weeks).  Just listen to what your body tells you and then do what it says.  God bless y'all...you'll get through this!

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

    Hope your back is feeling better San

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  • mamglam
    mamglam Member Posts: 178
    edited April 2012

    amcarter,

    I agree that Shingles are horrible!!  They have given me anit-virals to take.  The sores were starting to dry but the radiation keeps making them moist and red again.  I am not sure if Shingles are common while having Radiation Treatment.  

    Joanne_53,

    As for the surgical scar, I found that just gently running my finger on it daily help take that weird sensitivity.  How is the armpit? Have you tried doing the saline soaks?  I feel like that soaks really make me feel good.

     SAN,

    Hope you are having a better day today and that your back is better.  

     

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  • Maghery721
    Maghery721 Member Posts: 68
    edited April 2012

    Linny: while my RO didn't specifically tell me that it was possible that my back would be affected by the radiation, when I told her about it, she wasn't surprised and told me to put aloe on it like I do the front. One of the angles that the machine treats from is below my body (its lowered clise the floor on my right side) so I'm assuming it is that (unless the rads are penetrating through my body and it's affecting my back that way). So everyone should be on the lookout for redness/sunburn on your back just in case.



    Newks: thanks for dropping in and giving us some feedback on what to expect now and after rads. Glad that the fatigue wanes fairly quickly. Hope you are doing well.



    Was anyone ever told by RO or nurses to not massage your breasts while going thru radiation (aside from putting ointment on your scars)? I could swear my nurse told me to hold off on it during rads so nothing moves out of place after the rad mapping/plan had been done. Just curious. I hope to remember to ask the nurse tomorrow.

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

    mamglam, thanks for the reminder of the saline soaks -- I will try that later tonight -- Overall it is not bad, but it is irritated and uncomfortable but nothing like you are going through.

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  • Sandlake
    Sandlake Member Posts: 211
    edited April 2012
    SAN ~ Hope you are spared those crummy days in the future!!  
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    I am so sad today. My toes have felt weird the past couple of days, so I took my polish off from my pedi I received last month.. yeap you guessed it, both my big toes are losing their nails.. I am showing my onco Tuesday, but really cannot believe this. I lost a few nails on my hands during chemo, but now 3 1/2 months out from chemo, I have lost toenails.

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  • Maghery721
    Maghery721 Member Posts: 68
    edited April 2012

    Lory, I am about to lose my pinky toe nails. I am 4 months out from chemo. My thumb nails have a strange white indented line on them so I suspect something is going on there as well. Sorry you have lost so many but know you are not alone.

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  • linnyhopp
    linnyhopp Member Posts: 567
    edited April 2012

    Maghery ~ Thanks for the info on the possibility of the redness on the back.  My back is sore but I figured that might be from lying on the table during treatment since they really make sure you are pressed against it.  I will be asking the tech tomorrow about possible irritation to the back as well.  If I should I will make sure to put the MiaDerm there as well.  Wanted to say to you and Lory that I am sorry you are having nail issues so long past chemo...bummer!

    SAN ~ I knew your back was out but didn't realize how miserable a time you have been experiencing.  Guess it's a good thing we postponed lunch!  Take care and feel better soon.

    Julie ~ Thanks for the encouragement for all of us still having rads.  I am only 7 treatments in so I know the worst is yet to come.  Just glad to hear things resolve really quickly.  Looking forward to being DONE!

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  • RuthieG
    RuthieG Member Posts: 34
    edited April 2012

    Hello all...

    I've done 4 tx, and yesterday afternoon started having shortness of breath.  I teach dance part-time, and I had a very hard time last night... I was really sucking wind just doing a step or two for the girls at a time!  And then this morning I thought I was doing better, but got out of breath just coming up the one flight of stairs to my office.  I'll ask the techs about it today... but this could be a problem!

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

    Lori and Margery, what kind of chemo did you have and did you ice your nails? I'm curious because I did ice, and hope that I won't have any surprises. My nails are fine so far.

    I'm still getting a bit dizzy and nauseated right after tx--but it passes.

    Claire

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

    Claire, I had T/C. I iced my hands, but have some issues with a few nails. I am going to bring it up to my onco Tuesday, see what she thinks.  I have that numb toe feeling going on as well.

    Ruthie, I love your avatar. That is my team get-up for the Komen walk next month.

    I too am turning red on my back. My doc said to be sure to put lotion over the top of my shoulder, but the red is going farther down. I willhave to try the spatula trick, till my hubby gets home from work.

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

    I found out today that I have to have a total of 25 rads and not 16.  When I first saw the RO he said either depending on the CT scan so .... I was advised of 16 after the planning session.  So today the techs give me a new schedule with the additional 9 sessions.  Apparently the person that did the scheduling did 16 -- I see the RO on Monday and will be talking about this.  If the techs had not caught this, there would have been a big error --- so 11 more to go ....

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  • dechi
    dechi Member Posts: 173
    edited April 2012

    Starting my 5 boosts next week!  Wahoo!

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  • bethm
    bethm Member Posts: 45
    edited April 2012

    20 down, 15 to go! Yeah.

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  • Michbunny
    Michbunny Member Posts: 91
    edited April 2012

    Just checking in:

    I'm a little over a week post-radiation and still recovering.  The fatigue is still with me.  My MO said that will pass in a couple more weeks.  What has been bothering me is the irritation that has developed under my right breast and between the breasts.  It hurts, it itches, it's a bitch.  My MO suggested getting a piece of flannel material and cutting it into strips to place under my breast to absorb the moisture/sweat to help it heal, instead of using corn starch powder.  She thought the powder might irritate the skin more than help it.

    As for the rad burn/tan, I can't complain.  I never had the burn sensation and the pinkness is starting to fade a bit.  I do have a "tan" on the inside of the armpit, near my scar, so that'll take awhile to fade.

    I hope everyone has a relaxing weekend!

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  • mamglam
    mamglam Member Posts: 178
    edited April 2012

    Joanne_53,

     So sorry to hear that you will be needing more sessions.  It must be frustrating to be told one thing and then there is a change in plan.  

    Today was my 15th and my wounds are sore and my breast has changed color and is looking disfigured.  I have my last treatment on Monday and am looking forward to that.  Have a restful weekend.

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

    Three more for me!



    Went on much needed shopping spree. Got some tops that camouflage my mismatch ed boobs. Lost a size all over.so got some capri s.



    Boob doing okay. Got some redness. Been feeling reallytired



    Hope everyone has a nice peaceful weekend

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  • Sandyland
    Sandyland Member Posts: 262
    edited April 2012

    Lory & Maghery ~ What a BUMMER about your nails!  I had TAC chemo and I had just about every side effect in the book except having my nails fall off.  I took Juice Plus religiously and I thought I had gotten off lucky, but now I'm not so sure.  I too have weird ridges on my finger nails.  I'm praying nothing happens to them, but I'm only 2 months PFC...if this is happening to you guys at 3 months +, it makes me nervous.  I'm so sorry for you both.  It's high time for the chemo horrors to END!

    Well, I have officially joined the ranks of those BC sisters who have melted down during rads.  I never thought it would happen to me.  I'm a pretty scrappy girl with a very matter-of-fact attitude and thick skin...or so I thought.  So, yesterday I hobbled in for my tx after throwing my back out AND after spending about 18 hours throwing my guts up from the Vicodin I took for my back.  I was a total wreck.  My techs helped me get on the table and as I laid there, the tears quietly streamed down my face.  The guys must have noticed because as I got up from the table, they already had a nurse waiting to take me to her office.  As she asked about what had happened to me, I completely lost it and cried and sobbed.  She was so incredibly sweet and understanding.  She said that my body is just so compromised from surgery, chemo and rads, that when I took the Vicodin w/o enough food in my stomach, my body just rebelled.  When I went back today, I thanked the guys and apologized for being a bit weepy yesterday and my tech, George, said, "Pain is the great equalizer."  I think that is really true.  No matter how strong we are...we can only take so much.  I feel better today, although I am still hobbling, but a good cry really can make things better.

    I am now 22 tx's into my total of 36 ~ I see the light at the end of the tunnel :)

    SAN

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

    mamglam -- I am so happy you are almost done -- enjoy your weekend and you can CHEER loud on Monday.--

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

    Treatment 15 today.  18 to go.  Tech thinks my skin looks "great" so I'll take his word for it. RO suggested I take a benadryl at bed time, should help my itchy skin and help me to sleep a little better, so we shall see.

    Trooper, my hearing dog, was sick today.  I didn't think they were going to let me have a treatment without him. Smile 

    Hope everyone has a great weekend!  I plan to spend mine slathering more aloe and napping.

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