Any April/May 2012 rad girls out there?

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

    Charb22 - I see my RO once a week.  The nurse gets my weight, bp, and temp at that time too. They also do xrays once a week to make sure everything is "lining up" right.

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  • Sandyland
    Sandyland Member Posts: 262
    edited May 2012

    Lory ~ Just when I thought I was "over" the tears....they came back this week.  I consider myself fairly tough and I have not had multiple melt-downs, but rads has been more difficult on me emotionally.   I think it is the overall treatment fatigue that we are feeling.  Nine straight months of bad news and treatments that make me feel crappy have taken their toll.  I know all these things are extending my life, but it is hard to keep that positive attitude ALL the time.  I have been weepy this week.  I have no advice, as I am just trying to make it through each day, but I would say ~ give yourself a break.  This is hard.  Feel better my friend :)

    SAN

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2012
    San- I totally agree with that. All these months of doctors, needles, scans, surgeries, chemo, more surgery then radiation have cracked my hard soul. After today 1 more to the sore area, then 8 boosts. Just counting the days till I can slather lotion on and lay naked for hours.. no more driving 100 miles a day- just do what I want.. Hugs to you my friend and all you other ladies out there..
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  • momof3boys
    momof3boys Member Posts: 896
    edited May 2012

    Claire- I think I would ask them about checking your RBC. I got my blood drawn every Thursday and saw my RO every Tuesday, and he was checking RBC...

    He also told me to eat more during rads, especially protein.

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  • FLislander
    FLislander Member Posts: 243
    edited May 2012

    Is anyone using emu oil and how or when do you apply? I just had first rad and used miaderm, and thing to use aquapor they are providing also. Does anyone really suggest I get it also? Glad you guys are almost finished!

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

    To the girl on the other page thats running...hey if you can keep running thats great. For me there came a point that I just had to rest . You probably wont feel like sweating or being in the heat. I really appreciate d the ac.



    I used cami s . A, lot of times I would turn them inside out. Just softer.at home I was in my jamis. One boob there one not.



    I am one week out and me and my torture expander seem fine. Pain getting better

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  • Sandyland
    Sandyland Member Posts: 262
    edited May 2012

    FLislander ~ I used a whole bunch of stuff on my skin, including Emu Oil.  That is probably the messiest stuff, but when I REALLY needed my skin lubricated, it worked best.  The MiaDerm is not quite as greasy and it feels cool, which is nice.  The Aquaphor is my old stand-by.  I like it and I use it at least once a day.  I put stuff on my skin 3-8 times a day. I have also used aloe w/ lidocane and hydrocortizone for itching. These last 8-10 days, I've even had to apply oil or cream a couple times in the night :(

    I'm now done with my 3rd boost, so I'm 31 tx's down 5 to go. My skin blistered and started peeling 2 days ago.  Bleh.

    SAN

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  • FLislander
    FLislander Member Posts: 243
    edited May 2012

    Sandy

    Thanks for the heads up, I'll get it, I have miaderm and aquapor, I was trying not to look too far ahead but I like to have what I will need. Congrats, you are almost to the finish line, just had my first one today!

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  • BLinthedesert
    BLinthedesert Member Posts: 678
    edited May 2012

    Thank you fredntan!  I live in AZ, I am a little concerned about the heat on "burnt" skin.  I will suck it up as long as I can.  I hope you are feeling better?

    I ordered some Emu oil too -- I have a friend who gave me a list of her treatment "regime" it was very regimented - sort of humerous, but she did not have ANY problems, so I trust her (and she is larger than me). 

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  • wiskris
    wiskris Member Posts: 93
    edited May 2012

    Mom of 3...I am almost done with week 3 and they have never checked my blood...Are they supposed too?

    Desert- I would be careful with running. I have a very active job and walk up and down stairs all day long and very active. I developed a huge seroma/clot because of this. I think it was because of my boobs (D cups) bouncing up and down all day. I am wearing a tighter bra these days and holding my boob as much as possible on stairs and it is slowly shrinking. It is very painful.

    #14 done and tired as hell!!I have yet to make it to 8pm bedtime. I lay down and watch tv or read and asleep by 7:30 at latest til alarm at 6am...Prerads I would wake up between 1-2 to use the bathroom.

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

    I have had 23 treatments and have had 1 xray - the first day and no blood work at all -- see the RO again on Monday and then I am done !!! I see the MO in September and that is 6 months after starting Tamoxifen.  I sometimes think some of these tests are for insurance purposes.

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  • misstoli
    misstoli Member Posts: 11
    edited May 2012

    I'm new to this site. DCIS on left breast coming up on 6 weeks post bilateral mastectomy with nipple sparring and immediate reconstruction. Starting radiation on the 15th of may due to margins not clear. I"m having a tough time with the healing of my left nipple because there is no blood supply. I have a very hard black scab covering the entire nipple area. anyone else have that problem?

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  • linnyhopp
    linnyhopp Member Posts: 567
    edited May 2012

    Wiskris ~ Sorry you are so tired, but boy do I envy you being able to sleep like that! 

    To all ~ My main tech told me not to use more than one product at a time, so I have been using the MiaDerm exclusively.  Was anyone else told that same thing?

    San ~ Did George ever mention only using one product at a time?  I have been reluctant to use the Aquaphor because of what he said.  Guess I will ask him tomorrow.

    I had #18 today...breast is looking very angry and red underneath.  So far I am a bit more tired, but anticipate from reading these posts that the last part of the rads may cause much more fatigue.  I am still coughing as many of you mentioned but supposedly it's not from the rads?  Personally, I think it must have something to do with it.  Just found out I have only 15 sick hours left this school year.  Guess I will be dipping into my vacation days.  Can't wait until treatment is over...hope then some kind of "normal" will be back.  I know it won't ever be exactly as before diagnosis, but not have to be poked, prodded and fried on a daily basis will be a definite plus...for all of us!

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  • luvmygoats
    luvmygoats Member Posts: 2,942
    edited May 2012

    linnyhopp - I use prescription Xclair then put Aquaphor on top per my RO's instructions.  There was some mention early on of something else if I could not afford the Xclair but bought one with insurance then used their buy 1/get 1 offer so never needed to find out the alternative.  My RO very - I hate to say stingy- maybe limited in what she uses for creams/lotions/etc.  Noticed my sports bras getting stained inside from the Aquaphor.  Afraid to wash them in too hot water.  They need to last until I get some healing.  Even then I haven't found any bras I'm willing to spend the money on.  Might go to the Bra Boutique at the hospital one day after I get healed.

    Set up today for boost/bolus what ever they call it.  I am NOT looking forward to those.  And yes "fried" is a apt description.  I'm toast!

    Can't keep my eyes open and its 7:30.  I don't like rads at all but the 5:30 alarm is killing me.  That will be just as sweet as finishing rads itself.

    Joanne - Xrays every Monday (don't know about this coming week but would guess yes the last set).  No blood work since I made my one visit to the MO.  I should probably be taking multivit.  My hemoblobin was lowish.  Don't want to look for lab work right now but I was thinking hgb and RBCs low and I didn't have chemo.  Probably crappy diet.

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  • Sandyland
    Sandyland Member Posts: 262
    edited May 2012

    Linda ~ Yes, George did say that to me, but I promptly dismissed it.  First of all, my RO said to use whatever combination of whatever...so long as it works.  I love George to death, but he drinks the "none of your side effects are from radiation - Kool Aid."  When I told him my throat was VERY irritated beginning my 2nd week of rads and I felt like something hard was stuck in there, George emphatically assured me that it couldn't possibly have anything to do with rads.  Then, when I told my RO the same thing, he got quite concerned and said that I was describing exactly what some patients who have to get head/neck rads complain about.  He immediately sent my chart to the Dosimetrist to make sure that my esophagus wasn't too close to my chest wall.  My point is....George doesn't know everything :)  To tell the truth, I trust the experiences of my BC friends here over much of what my medical professionals have told me.

    Luvmygoats ~ "Fried" is a very apt description...I'm right there with you.  All of my skin is now peeling under my arm.  It hurts!  

    Wiskris ~ I have not heard of many RO's doing weekly blood tests.  My blood was only tested once and it was because I am naturally anemic and chemo really messed with my RBC's.  I got x-rays every 3 days or so though.

    SAN

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  • momof3boys
    momof3boys Member Posts: 896
    edited May 2012

    I'm not sure about the "why" of the whole weekly blood test thing with my RO. I did do chemo, and they tested my WBC before starting rads. He said right at the beginning that radiation can cause anemia therefore they would be checking my RBC every week (they draw it right there). It was always good... I don't have any other issues, so, I don't know. Maybe it's just the center I go to.

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

    Misstoli- i have not had recon yet, just my TE, so i dont have any experience with that



    I used miaderm exclusively with good results.





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  • MOT
    MOT Member Posts: 130
    edited May 2012

    Haven't had any blood tests (only the one before LX).

    See either my RO or her partner RO every week. BP and weight done weekly. Xrays taken weekly by techs.

    Wearing a very soft and stretchy sports bra by Danskin ($10 at Walmart) that offers pretty good support, but I don't have any skin breakdown. Not sure what I would wear if I did have skin issues....? After rads I will probably get the soft bra from Walmart that I think Joanne mentioned a while back, instead of the underwires I used to wear. Or maybe stick with the sports bra -- I'm really liking it!

    wiskris -- 93.6 -- LOL

    Using aloe in the morning after shower and 2 1/2 hours before rads. Then miaderm after rads and during the day. Miaderm or aquaphor at night. So far so good. RO said to do whatever works. I hope the miaderm works for me too, fredntan. It smells nice and has a smooth and cool consistency.

    Someone mentioned aloe with hydrocortizone for the itch -- where do you get it?

    Very sunny today in the PNW and while I was sitting in my car after rads making a phone call, the sun was streaming in through the window and boy, it was feeling pretty warm on my rads side -- even though I had on a top and a sweater. I'm thinking rads in the summer would sure suck. BLinthedesert -- be careful in the sunlight while you are getting rads!

    Congrats to everyone finishing this week!

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  • Maghery721
    Maghery721 Member Posts: 68
    edited May 2012

    Hi ladies, I'm happy to report that I had my last rad tx yesterday!! Yippee!! Even got a "certificate of merit" and a goodie box with a teddy bear, paperback novel, baseball hat and a card from a child. So cute!



    MOT, I was given a tube of hydrocortisone from my RO nurse. Not sure about an aloe/hydrocortisone combination ointment.



    As for getting bloods drawn, mine was done at the beginning as a baseline in case anything occurred and they needed to compare. Never had another done during rads. I had X-rays every Friday. If the techs didn't tell me they were taking them I would have just thought it was part of the treatment because they are taken using the rad machine.



    Slept in today and allowed myself to lounge around in my pjs all day and do nothing. It was nice!!



    San and Lory: I am so sorry that you are having such a hard time emotionally while going thru rads. I understand the feelings. Just a little longer and it will be all over. (((hugs)))

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  • MOT
    MOT Member Posts: 130
    edited May 2012

    Maghery -- glad you are done with rads! The techs can be pretty nice and your facility sounds like a very attentive one -- so sweet to give you the goodie box! Are you finished with BC treatment now?

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  • dechi
    dechi Member Posts: 173
    edited May 2012

    Congrats Maghery!!  Feels great to be done, doesn't it???

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

    Yay for finishing up!  We did my "set up" for boosts yesterday.  Bunch of extra xrays and a few more sharpie marks... We'll know today if everyone who has to approve of the plan does.  4 more regular TX and then 5 "small field" TX and done.  I'm actually feel better than I have in a long time.  Getting decent sleep finally (benadryl really helps me...never could take that stuff for allergies as it put me out like a light!) after treatment I come home and have a little snack (handfull of nuts, peanut butter crackers, yogurt etc.) rest for 10 minutes and I'm good to finish fixing supper and get ready for bed.

    My skin hasn't broken down as badly as the RO anticipated, and he doesn't think it will get much worse. It basically itches and tingles all the time now, but aloe in the day and auqapure at bedtime seem to help. Can't wait for the weekend when I can "grease up" and go braless for a good part of the time.

    Have a great Friday!

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  • RuthieG
    RuthieG Member Posts: 34
    edited May 2012
    Claireinez ~ I had shortness of breath too last week, and still to some extent.  My RO didn't think it was a big deal, but mentioned it to my MO who wanted to see me immediately.  Like you, I'm fit and I know what feels "wrong" for me.  MO did chest xray and chest CT -- everything was fine.  But I was glad they checked.  His thought now is that it is due to anemia, I've been anemic since 2nd round of chemo and we can't seem to get on top of it.
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  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited May 2012

    I have 2 more left -- they are down today for maintenance -- I have soreness and redness under the breast - so now using polysporin on it too ---

    Tuesday I will be celebrating --- my Center doesn't do anything so I am bringing in the whistle things so that the techs and I can blow them .... lol.  The one tech said she would if that would make me happy ... so yes it will -- I believe I deserve some type of recognition ....

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  • Sandyland
    Sandyland Member Posts: 262
    edited May 2012

    MOT ~ I'm not sure about aloe w/hydrocortizone, but I have talked about aloe w/lidocane and I've talked about using hydrocortizone for itching...did you possibly mesh those two ideas together?  The aloe w/lidocane was given to me by my sister who got it while her husband was stationed in Mississippi.  I've been told you can't buy it in CA, but I haven't looked myself cuz I got myself a giant bottle of it in my bathroom right now :)

    Maghery ~ Yaaaayyy!  It is such fun to celebrate any of us who get to the finish line of a treatment!  Not only am I thrilled for you...it reminds me that I, too, will get there.  I hope my center gives me something to commemorate my achievement, but if not, I might take a cue from Joanne and bring my own celebration.

    Ruthie ~ Anemia almost wiped me out during chemo.  I seriously considered quitting since I thought it was killing me.  Turns out I had like ZERO iron in my blood.  I've been taking iron supplements ever since and it has helped a lot.  What surprised me was that they knew I was anemic a long time before checking my iron levels even though I had suggested it!  I thought anemia and low iron were synonymous, but apparently not.  Are you taking supplements at this point?

    SAN

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  • Maghery721
    Maghery721 Member Posts: 68
    edited May 2012

    MOT: yes, this was my LAST BC treatment!! Had neoadjuvant chemo (b/c my tumor was 10.5 cm so they wanted to shrink it first), then had BMX and then rads. It's been a long road, as all of you have been on as well. Have another week off from work (planning to enjoy it as I don't see being able to take a vacation over the summer w/o feeling guilty for taking more time off). Feel like I could let out a big sigh of relief!



    Thx bethm, dechi and SAN for your congrats!!



    Joanne, will let you know how the intuitive healing goes. The way you describe sounds about right based on a few websites I checked out.

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  • Michbunny
    Michbunny Member Posts: 91
    edited May 2012

    Congratulations, Maghery!

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  • bethm
    bethm Member Posts: 45
    edited May 2012

    Congrats Maghery!!!

     Got a great mothers days gift today, found out I only need 7 boosts instead of 9 so I will be done on Thursday, 2 days early!!

    Had severe skin break down under my breast. RO said not to use cream under there but to soak it in warm water and use cornstarch. Can't wear bras for awhile so I bought some boys tank tops to wear. Very attractive!

    Happy Mothers Day to all. Hope you all have a great weekend!

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  • Andimom03
    Andimom03 Member Posts: 162
    edited May 2012

    Done 1/3 of my treatments as of today and now have 2 days off...love that! Still swelling and very sore muscularly when I drive, and my skin looks good but is sensitive. No major redness yet, but itches like sunburn a bit. Scar is still red.

    I hope and pray you are all well, and those of you with skin breakdown or other issues, I hope you are healing and resting well.

    Such a long way to feel normal again!  And it will always be a 'new' normal, no doubt

    Andi 

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

    Congrats on everyone fininshing.



    Had a wonderful but tiring 2 days at work this week as a nurse, i think everything is coming back.

    Had all wonderful, but scared pts this week. Now we have a connection that is real.



    In jammies now

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