May 2012 radiation

Joanne_53 - I remembered you said you were from the April/May Rads thread, but I'd say ending this month gives you dual citizenship! Thanks for the tip about the netherworld under my breast. I'll ask the nurse when I'm there this morning.

schatzi14 - My LE therapist loaned my a really boring sleeve, flesh-toned, until my custom pink one comes in next week. Problem was the top kept rolling down and forming a tourniquet, so on Tuesday she offered another one. This one's from www.LympheDivas.com (check them out!) - they make really fun printed sleeves. Problem is theirs are all too long for my arm, or so the therapist thought. So the loaner looks like tattoos all up and down my arm (http://store.lymphedivas.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=3475&idcategory=46). Remember, I'm 62 years old! I have really been getting the looks - driving, grocery store, people talk to me but they're looking at my arm, trying to figure it out. And I just watch them and smile. So last night I'm in line at the liquor store (resupplying the gin, doncha know!) and from behind me I hear, "Hey, nice tats!" in this really gravelly voice. I turn around and there's this sketchy overweight 50-yo guy, wearing a too-tight t-shirt that says "Pull my finger." (Really??). I just said, "Thanks! I like them too," and turned back around. Let 'im be impressed, right?

On the LE discouragement note, check out the thread, "Kicking LE's Butt! Exercise & Self-Care Log." Most of them are talking way over my head about things I haven't learned about yet, but their mood is really motivational. It's starting to sink in that I'm stuck with this condition for life and it's not a matter of curing it, but managing the flareups, just like my asthma or someone else's adult-onset diabetes. I'm not happy about it either, but I remember when I was a little girl and my grandmother had what we lovingly called her 'elephant arm'  after her mastectomy. Now I realize it was LE, a whole lot worse than mine! That's motivation for me.

Hello Everyone,  My name is Joanne, 72 years old. Just found this forum and love it.  Would it be possible to list your age. I see some of you must be very young with children.  I would like to know how other ladies my age are handling their treatments. 

Lumpectomy (Right) Age; 72

DX-03/7/12, IDC, 1cm, Stage 1, Grade 1, 0/2 nodes, ER+/pr-

Ratiation Therapy 05/14/2012 External

Hi rad(ical) May Ladies!!! I've just completed sixteen treatments, both sides, plus 5 boosts to my compromised margin tumor on one side. Here's what I found happened and what helped. Incidentally, the difference between getting rads in Canada and the US is we have a shorter course of treatment due to higher daily dosage amounts.



I am a fair skinned gal, so I didn't notice much until about the end of the second week. Slight pink tinge to skin. I used Glaxobase lotion three times daiy from the start of treatment. Nipples both sore and sensitive from week one. I purchased a nice wireless bra from the Warner collection which I wore through the whole treatment.



I continued my usual daily exercise program of 30-60 min, either a walk, hike or mountain biking. Good for the body and soul. Only had two or three evenings of fatigue about mid way through treatment, then back to usual self. In exercising I needed to be careful about movement of the underarm area, but this was much later in the treatment sessions and after.



Small dots and increasing redness appeared on my skin during the final weeks which then became intensely itchy and raised up like hives. Nipples quite sore and red, then proceeded to crack in spite of moisture routine. I got a prescriptions for 1% cortisone and flamazine for open skin on nipple area. These conditions worsened for two weeks after treatment ended before getting better. The nipples were the hardest part to endure as they were crusting and peeling in chunks with no new skin underneath to support healing. My remaining breast area was bumpy but has now settled down nicely. I continue to moisturize three times per day and everything is pretty much healed up with the exception of the red rectangle from the boost area. It's not bothersome though.



Cool bathing with the salt solution helped. This is where I placed a facecloth over the irritated area, then poured the salt solution over it while in the bathtub. A nightly Benadryl was helpful too as the itching could be intense at night



So on a fair skinned gal, I'm pretty much back to normal, as normal can be. Other than my "slight tan", you can't really tell. No hard areas and the two lumpectomy scars are fine.



A funny thing happened last week and I want to share this... After sitting on my sun deck enjoying a nice spring morning and all breast area was fully covered, I went in to have my shower... Lo and behold, both nipples and the aereola areas had turned completely black. I thought to myself - all that I've gone through and now my boobs are rotting and they will have to take them off. I freaked out and called the triage nurse at the cancer agency. They would call me back shortly, they said. Well, after fretting due to length of time the call took, I finally hopped in the shower and the black started to lessen. Turns out it was the flamazine prescription and my body was warm in the sun. Apparently a reaction with the zinc component of the prescription medication. Haha.



So, I hope this helps and gives hope that it will get better, although you may go through a rough spell. You'll come out the other side, likely no worse for wear. Hang in there ladies!

Hi Joanne...welcome to our "chat" room...I am 68 and holding.

I am done with all my treatments with just follow ups. I didn't do too well on the DD/AC, just managed 3 out of 4 and went to 12 weekly taxols that were a breeze, albeit a nuisance. The 16 rads were a non-event for me with absolutely no SEs. Along the way, SOB and coughing and wheezing showed PE in my lungs. I self injected a blood thinner for 6 months and the hematologist said it was chemo induced. I have a little neuropathy in my toes, have LE in the affected side and a seroma that continues to fill with fluid...it's harmless so I am grateful.

Wow don't I sound like a head case?  For me, I am moving on and trying to get my life back as usual. I wish the same for all of you great gals.

Chickenpants...I had never heard that explanation of rads in Canada...I met so many gals in the rad waiting room that were getting 25 and 36 rads it never occurred to me that here was different.

Hi Chickenpants -- love your story --

yes about the # of rads -- I thought I was having 16 but was told that since my breast was dense I had to have 25 - I think it was lower dose over more days -- if the breast was not as dense I think I could have had higher dose and 16 treatments.  Make sense??

 I am raw under my breast and arm and dealing with that -- cold compress, polysporin and corn starch -- it must have been terrible the pain with your nipples cracking - thankfully I do not have that.

I haven't used the saline rinse and keep saying I am going to so might try that today.

Keep positive everyone ---

MCKENNA--My last day willl be June 27th.

chickenpants...it's nice to have someone here kinda regularly...I know I am here waaaaaaaay too much but I find it interesting. Especially when I am feeling "is it only me...or?"

Thanks for the explanation of rads...who knew? You rarely get any info from the Drs..just the bare minimum I think.

Enjoy the long weekend with this wonderful weather we are having. My garden was so neglected last summer I have a lot of work to do.

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend off from rads! I know I am! Session #5 tomorrow.  No SE's so far apart from a slight pinkish tone to my breast and some tenderness that comes and goes. My nipple is very sensitive but it has been like that since the lumpectomy. Incidentally, my RO gave me a prescription for Biafine and said to mix it with Aquaphor.  Firstly, my insurance doesn't cover the cost and it's $50 a tube and secondly, I find Aqua so greasy that I only use it at night. So, I am sticking with my Glaxal Base during the day and Aloe Vera if I need it.

Mckenna - I saw your post about using your regular deodorant, so I asked my RO & she reluctantly told me that there has been a study done comparing skin issues using 'natural' deodorants, or none at all, and the regular brands, and interestingly, the incidence of skin reaction was about the same. So, I am back to using my regular Sure deodorant....no more smelly armpit, yeah!!  If I find that I do develop soreness there, I'll go back to my Toms.

I have 7 down and have been tired every night, like exhausted. I have slept harder than I have since b4 chemo. Anybody else worn out?

I haven't felt any tiredness yet.  I'm exercising quite a bit and keeping active and I really think that helps me.  I also haven't had chemo - I'm sure that takes quite a bit to recover from. 

I'd like to join this gang of sisters--I start radiation this morning at 10:00!  Thanks for all the information to go forward with.  You all rock. 

Happy Monday everyone. After a wonderful weekend running in the mountains of Flagstaff I am back to reality ... day 1 down, pretty easy so far!



I have been using Miaderm for the week before ... I put it on right after treatment and then put on a little aloe. I am hoping it helps. I am most worried about the side near the underarm ... it is such a sensitive area and they seem to be paying a lot of attention to it.



Good luck today ladies!

I started April 26, finish on June 12 if I hold up for all 33.

Lynne