Any April/May 2012 rad girls out there?

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited May 2012

    mom - that was very sweet of you.  I'm sure they will love the angels!  I felt the same way about the nurses at my infusion center.  I didn't want to do the usual so I made all 18 of them BC ribbon earrings.  They loved them!

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  • ihatemyboobs
    ihatemyboobs Member Posts: 83
    edited May 2012

    Aww how sweet momof3boys! Every nice or even just polite person I meet throughout treatment makes me want to give them a gift or a hug!!! I'm glad to see you pay it forward!!!

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  • wiskris
    wiskris Member Posts: 93
    edited May 2012

    I had #8 today and talked with the dr. They are concerned about the very large seroma I have on treated breast. It is the size of a tennis ball and very sore. I had a Lumpectomy on 3/13. It showed up 2 weeks into healing. It is very swollen and sore.  They are going to do another ct scan and simulation before boosts to make sure the size has not changed. I think that is awesome. We put so much work in it feels going to these rad appts I want success!!!! I could have it drained but don't want to risk anything with radiation. I will have it drained if it is still there after rads. They gave me a refill on pain pills and told me to ice and relax it as much as possible. I know some of you already know but I have a highly active job. i walk 10 miles per day and carry up to 70lbs of mail at times. My issue is that I keep bumping it all day with the mail. I have tried to carry in other hand but it is impossible for me.  I would drop all the mail in every ones front yard!lol

    they did give me the option for sick leave and let it heal. I have already used 3 weeks post op and don't want to use much more. I'm kind of stuck in a hard spot. I have an ulcer from taking ibuprofen and Tylenol like candy. This thing really hurts. I was hoping this would get easier but kind of losing faith right now. I cant imagine what it will feel like when I start getting red and raw.

    Is aqnyone else having an issue with a seroma and what helps???

    Thanks

    Kristi

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  • Annoula
    Annoula Member Posts: 18
    edited May 2012

    I just saw this post. I started radiation April 10 and finish May 15. So far it is ok. I am afraid of lymphedma too. If it happens when can it happen. Another question, what kind of cream do you girls apply after radiation?

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

    Yes momof3boys.  As much of a pain as heading over to cci everyday is, I'll miss  it.  All of the people are great.  The doctors, nurses, techs, even the custodians are friendly and helpful. I'll also miss having a team at my beck and call for every bump, or flake.  For instance, one of the nurses grabbed my hand and told me she was seeing swelling and got the dr to call a prescription over to the lympademia clinic.  It's such a blessing, compared to the usual round of calling a clinic, getting a call back from a nurse (maybe) then waiting for days to see the dr.

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  • Andimom03
    Andimom03 Member Posts: 162
    edited May 2012

    I love the gift ideas. I wanted to do something for my chemo nurses and the office...everyone on my 'team' has been wonderful. 

    Wiskris, is there an option of a cart you could drag or push, or is it not workable? That constant irritation must be awful!  I don' t know your situation but sure hate to see you do anything to compromise how far you've come and how hard you've worked to kick this. I pray for wisdom and healing for you!

    Annoula, I use calendula lotion all over and the same ointment on my scar. I've only had 3 txs so nothing is sore yet, but my doc wanted me to start it day one.

    And I  was about 4 weeks or so after my last treatment.  They didn't take any bloodwork though. But I'm okay I guess! 

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

    Is biotin a vitamin? I have got so many pills in pillbox now. Have got to start weaning these things down.



    I am using Miaderm lotion. I put it on at least 3times a day. But not before treatment by four hours



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  • Califgirl12
    Califgirl12 Member Posts: 92
    edited May 2012

    Hi Kristi

    I too had a very large seronoma and a lot of swelling. After my lumpectomy I started back walking about 3 weeks out. It's was then that I developed the seronoma and a lot of swelling. I am a 38DD. After a 3 week bout with cellulitis I discovered a solution to my particular situation...not sure if it could help you too. Since I am large busted, it appeared that my bra was just not sufficient in preventing bouncing with my walks. I purchased a super super compression wireless bra from Athleta. It was about $70. It holds me in quite tightly. At first it took some getting used too. When I went back to follow up with my surgeon, she was surprised how good I looked and said it usually takes her patients longer to heal. I also purchased a very good but not as much compression for when I sleep. So basically I wear a bra 24 hrs a day. It took some getting used to, but it took care of my seronoma and helped me heal quickly. If you want, I could send you the style numbers that worked for me...not sure if my situation is similar to all to yours?



    Congratulations momofboys...you are almost done!! Time for some celebrating!!

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  • momof3boys
    momof3boys Member Posts: 896
    edited May 2012

    Wiskris- I'm assuming you're a US postal worker? Do they still have part time "helpers" that could go with you?

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

    Annoula, I use Glaxol Base -- I have had 17 of 25 -- same as you -- finished May 15.  My skin is in good shape -- slather the cream all over and don't forget the arm pit...

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

    mom that is a wonderful gift -- I know what you mean about missing them -- I am going to miss mine too -- told them today that I wasn't sure how I would get through the day when I didn't see them ...

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  • wiskris
    wiskris Member Posts: 93
    edited May 2012

    Califgirl- That sounds exactly what my issue is. I am usually a C cup and been wearing a pretty lose bra since surgery. I wear a sport like bra by barely there that is loose and real light weight. I hardly feel like im wearing a bra.  The compression of a regular sports bra hurts so bad. Maybe I need more support and should try that. I can squeeze the seroma out of it!! Since im back on painkillers it wont hurt as bad! Its worth a try. Can you PM me the style and website??

    Momof3- I am a usps mail carrier. We don't have any part time carriers. We don't have enough carriers!!! I may just have to go to half days and rest the other half of day. I am meeting with BS on tues and see what he says..

    Andimom- We don't use any kind of cart. That would make too much sense..I work down in student housing and have a total walking route and walk up and down stairs to houses all day. If we used carts I couldn't on my route. I think the bouncing and bumping my boobs is doing more damage.

    Im wondering now if my bra is too loose. Thanks to Caligirl Its an xl and Im a c-d cup. My Bc breast is an E still since surgery. It does not have much support but does have a little hold to it. It keeps me from looking like im not wearing a bra at least. I may need more compression!!!!!!

    Thanks for the tips and ideas. I hope something works..This is getting discouraging!!

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  • Sandyland
    Sandyland Member Posts: 262
    edited May 2012

    Biotin is a vitamin, sometimes called "Vitamin H."  It promotes hair and nail growth among other things.  I have taken it for years.  I recently added Folic Acid to my morning supplement routine as it also causes hair growth and thickening :)

    My RO suggested I use some sort of cortisone, since my skin is getting so bad.  Any suggestions?

    I, too, have had an amazing team around me through all of this.  I am trying to think of something nice to do for my rads team when I am done.  I'm thinking about bringing food or something.  I have my RO, 3 nurses and 2 techs that I want to thank.  Should I bake cupcakes or get one of those edible arrangement thingys?

    SAN

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

    I thought of one of the edible arrangements -- they are always nice .. or a fruit basket too

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  • Michbunny
    Michbunny Member Posts: 91
    edited May 2012

    Wiskris, compression is the way to go.  I know it's uncomfortable, but it does help.  A few weeks after my lx, I went back to my regular underwire bras and to no-wires, and my breast swelled again.  Upon my RO's advice, I now wear a snug fitting sports bra during the day and a loose bra at night.  I don't know for how long I'll continue.  I guess I'll wait until I see my RO again, which is in a couple of weeks.

    When it was the day of my last treatment, I gave the staff a cross-stitch card that I made.  It was pink-ribboned themed.  I thought maybe they'd be able to keep it or display it for patients to see, a reminder that there is an end to the radiation treatments.

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  • MOT
    MOT Member Posts: 130
    edited May 2012

    annoula -- I have rads in the morning so after I shower, I use Fruit of the Earth 100% aloe since it is a little more than 2 hours from rads. After rads I slaugther on miaderm (love the smell and feel) and try to put on more during the day. At night I use aquafor which is an ointment, greasy, but is so soothing to my scars and breast. Use an old T shirt as the stuff gunks up but washes clean. Only been doing rads for a week but don't want any skin issues! Read back a few pages, there are other suggestions. What does your RO recommend? Hopefully somebody took some arm measurements as baseline before you had surgery or started rads..... if you develop arm swelling, be sure you get a script for physical therapy lymphedema treatments from your doctor.

    I love my rads techs too. All great ideas for thanking the techs. I asked how much my rads machine cost: $3million. They don't seem to have many rads patients at 8 in the morning....

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  • mamglam
    mamglam Member Posts: 178
    edited May 2012

    Hello Ladies,

    I finished my treatments on Monday and now have to deal with skin issues -  I am sore and discolored! There will be a need for dressings and the hospital is organizing home care to attend to the wounds.  Currently, I am using Proshield and Glaxal Base and would like to add fresh aloe as well.  Just wanted to come by and visit as I have missed you all!

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  • Andimom03
    Andimom03 Member Posts: 162
    edited May 2012

    Off to treatment #4...sure seems like a long road right now, but I know it goes fast.  

    Mamglam, congrats on finishing but so sorry you have issues. Praying for quick and thorough healing!

    Have a good day everyone. 45 minutes there, 10 minute visit, 45 minutes home.   

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

    mamglam -- what are they saying about the shingles?

    Sorry to hear that you are having such a rough time with your skin -- glad home care is coming in.  I have 8 left and so far so good !!!!  Just a bit of discomfort and no skin breakdown.

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited May 2012

    Joanne - Thanks for the soft bra info a few pages back.  I was at Walmart last night and picked up 2 of them...sooooo comfortable!

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

    Kelloggs - you are welcome -- I love them -- I never would have thought that I would be wearing $8 bras from Walmart .... lol

    And I like them because they are slightly padded and I need that now -- lumpectomy side is a bit dimpled ...

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  • Kelloggs
    Kelloggs Member Posts: 965
    edited May 2012

    I was always an underwire girl.  Of course since my lumpectomy that is a no no since my tumor was in the outer quadrant.  I only have 1 underwire that didn't ride along my incision line.  I basically had to buy a new bra wardrobe.  I bought 2 of these last night and they are wonderfully comfortable and hide the dent I have also!

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  • ang7894
    ang7894 Member Posts: 540
    edited May 2012

    OMG I just found out that I have a copay every day for rad wow like I don't have enough to worry about can they refuse to treat me if I don't start to pay right away? can I start to pay when all done with rads with a payment plain? I can feel there is going to be some cring tonight :(

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  • dechi
    dechi Member Posts: 173
    edited May 2012

    ANG7894 - Keep track of what your out of pocket maximum is.  You may have already hit it.  Mine was $3000.00 and I hit that after my 1st or 2nd chemo this year.  No out of pocket after that except pharmacy copays....

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

    I know Ang! I have a stack of bills- they have sent me to collection.. even after a payment plan has been established.. like really.. 12 bucks a day.. on top of driving 100 miles round trip.. I mean really?

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

    Me too. 30copay each time. No they wont refuse to treat you.

    Hate getting the mail now

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  • mamglam
    mamglam Member Posts: 178
    edited May 2012

    Joanne_53,

    Glad to hear that you are doing well with the treatments.  As for the Shingles, not sure if I even had them!!  The doctor believes that with the symptoms I had, that I probably had a minimal case of it.  I did have 2 blisters that were vesicular (fluid filled) and the achiness of my body but no fever.  The burn wounds are being treated and trying to organize Homecare has been unsuccessful.  I will be going to a wound care clinic near my home starting tomorrow.

    Andimom03,

    Thanks for the support and prayers -really appreciate it.  

    Hoping for a an easy time for all of you going through Rads right now.

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  • Califgirl12
    Califgirl12 Member Posts: 92
    edited May 2012

    Hi wiskris

    I just sent you a PM with the info.  I hope it helps!

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  • bchygrl
    bchygrl Member Posts: 9
    edited May 2012

    Mamglam- Congrats on finishing and I pray that you recover quickly from shingles. I can only imagine the irritation and pain.



    I've finished 11 of 33 - woohoo! So far, my skin is holding up and I'm not very fatigued. But, I began having a metallic taste Monday and it has only grown worse. nothing tastes good except gum. When I asked my RO about it, he said there is no way the radiation is causing that. My meds have not changed and I really don't take anything except .12mg of alprazolam. has anyone else had similar appetite changes?

    I also love the idea of giving a gift to my rad techs. They are incredibly kind!

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

    bchygrl I have not had any of that -- I have an appetite - It was off abit but I related that to the tamoxifen ...

    I bought a large candle and a decorative holder from Bath and Body for each of the 4 techs that work with me .... thought that was different -- they have been wonderful -- what a job that they have and they need to be "on" all the time.

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