Any April/May 2012 rad girls out there?

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

    Good luck Ang --- my favorite saying is ... one step closer ...

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  • Gayle56
    Gayle56 Member Posts: 277
    edited May 2012

    I almost got away with very little skin problems.  Last week it started to get a little red and now, with only 3 treatments left,  I am bright red, sore, itchy, etc.  But it could be a lot worse so I wont complain too much.   It seems to be the most uncomfortable under my arm where they took out the nodes.  I will keep slathering on cream to soothe it.

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

    Gayle -- keep up the lotion and keep the area under your breasts dry --- mine broke out with only 3 left ....

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

    The end was in sight for me too.  Thursday I thought I was doing pretty good, Friday morning I noticed some tiny blisters under my breast and by Friday afternoon I was peeling like crazy.  Today I look like one of those flesh losing zombies.

    Argh.

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  • MOT
    MOT Member Posts: 130
    edited May 2012

    Finished #20 -- now 5 more regular rads, then 5 boosts -- can't believe only ten more! Breast is a little tan, underarm pinkish. Everything feels tight but not painful, though I have infrequent little pains in the breast. Slaughering (sp?!) on the 100% aloe in the morning 2 1/2 hours before rads and miaderm all day -- have some aquaphor on hand and will get aloe with lidocaine if needed. Hoping I don't have skin breakdown.... I feel for you gals that do.....  :(

    Hope everyone heals up fast!

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  • Califgirl12
    Califgirl12 Member Posts: 92
    edited May 2012

    I only have 3 more regular treatments then 7 boosts left to go but.....my incision under my arm from the sentinal node biopsy is SPLITTING OPEN!! yikes. It stings occasionally but looks like heck. It's the outer layer of thin skin, but I can see my tissue underneath. I am using the Radiaderm gel and lotion and neosporene on the open wound. I will see my Doctor tomorrow but I am sure they will continue onward and forward.



    I looked up the spice curcumin and found that there are clinical trials right now, phase two, for BC during radiation treatments to prevent the common skin reactions. Curcumin is an anti inflamatory. Has anyone heard about this. I know some ladies on these boards were involved with the earlier phase of the trial.

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  • linnyhopp
    linnyhopp Member Posts: 567
    edited May 2012

    To all having skin issues ~ I am right there with all of you.  The crease underneath my breast is so red and sore and I am afraid it may blister and open.  I have 11 more to go (at least that's my count even though I am losing track).  As I mentioned in earlier posts, the machine I have had treatments on has bitten the dust and will be shut down until next Tuesday for repair or whatever they do to those things.  I had my treatment today and the darn thing shut down in the middle of my treatment.  Fortunately, they took me in for a CAT scan to get things set up for the boosts at the end and then I waited another 20 minutes for the machine to "reboot."  They are going to schedule some of us for early evening appointments on the other machine so at least I won't have a long break in treatments after all.  I know that a few days off might have been better for my skin (wishful thinking?), but actually I am glad it will not be held up and I will finish fairly close to on time.

    Califgirl ~ I know lots of others here are having skin issues, but eeeuuuwww...your incision opening!  Wish we all could have been a part of a trial that might have elimintaed these nasty skin issues.  It will be interesting to see what the results are from that one.  Hoping others will have it easier than we did!

    TO ALL ~ Hope your skin issues resolve quickly and with minimal discomfort!  Take care...Linda

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

    Hi - why is my skin getting worse a week after radiaiton? Joanne, I've got the same armpit things as you, which I didin't really notice until it was pointed out to me at a cottage this weekend. My incision is looking particualrly grotesque. It's so dissapointing becuase I was fine all druing my treatment. Is anybody a few weeks out with good results?

    On a brighter note - I read that Fredntan was asking about colour. Well, I found a 'green' salon and it was fantastic! I was worried that that my short grey hair wouldn't accept the colour, but it worked out really well. I thought that maybe I'd be brave and make gray my new normal, but I'm a bit of a chicken, and much prefer my old normal. 

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  • MOT
    MOT Member Posts: 130
    edited May 2012

    Laughing  luvmygoats -- Yippeeee! YOU ARE DONE! Congratulations!!! Laughing 

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

    OK that's weird and unpleasant.  It's chilly this morning.  I have goosebumps... on my radiated breast.  OUCH!  Ow, ow, ow!

     It's going to be a long day.  Web session (5 hours argh) at work.  Then off to see the MO, RO, and my LAST TX.  I believe I shall celebrate with a nap.

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  • RuthieG
    RuthieG Member Posts: 34
    edited May 2012

    The end is in sight!  Got my sim for the boosts yesterday, and they "marked me up" for it with a paint pen.  Seriously, like what you'd get at Hobby Lobby.  They said they will just re-do it daily as it fades.  I joked that they made my hair fall out, they gave me tattoos, and now a huge paint-penned rectangle around my nipple -- I think they're just messing with me now!  :-)

    I'm red and brown, and really only sore on the two incisions.  Using nothing but 100% Aloe at this point.  Itchy is more the problem... I was at my daughter's band concert last night and keeping myself from scratching away was really hard!

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

    cindyl and luvmygoats --- this is for you.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB0Uiq4NTs0

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  • Andimom03
    Andimom03 Member Posts: 162
    edited May 2012

    So many posts to catch up on since I had a chance to write last!  Done #18 today...12 to go. I am not getting boosts but every other day I have a bolus(sp?) placed over the area. They say it acts as a second skin to draw the treatment to my skin every other day. Closer to chest wall on the others.

    I'm beginning to hit the fatigue wall. I did too much on Monday and have decided that I just can't do evening things if I don't get a chance to rest well before.  I could hardly do anything yesterday! I rested pretty much all afternoon and evening, just puttering at home and feel a bit better today. My skin is holding up fairly well...getting a little itchy. I'm still swollen which is really awkward!

    Cogratulations to those who have finished!  SUCH great news!  Continue to listen to your body with resting...I'm told it takes quite a while.

    Blessings to all. It was supposed to be rainy here today and it is beautiful...always brightens my day!

    Andi 

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

    Andi --- you are so right -- continue to listen to your body -- it knows best --

    it is beautiful here and I am inside .... why?  I am heading out right now to enjoy it for a bit -- book in hand

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  • Califgirl12
    Califgirl12 Member Posts: 92
    edited May 2012

    Only 9 more treatments left to go.!!! I got the marker treatment too today. My underarm incision opened up a little more....yuck. Amazingly it only slightly stings.



    Getting excited for the 3 day break this holiday weekend!!!



    Found a protein drink called Mix 1 that is helping me maintain my protein intake. I have zero appetite now... It helps and my energy level is almost normal.



    Sending you all positive energy and thoughts.

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  • mamglam
    mamglam Member Posts: 178
    edited May 2012

    Janet_M,

    Sorry to hear about your skin issues.  In my case, I had some burns immediately after my treatment finished and needed to be cared for with dressings from a wound care clinic near my home.  They had explained to me that radiation treatment is cummulative and therefore, is still in effect even after the treatment ends.  I did find that the sore parts where under the breast and the nipple, and then towards the end, the armpit. I have been discharged from the wound care clinic and have been recovering well.

    Luvmygoats,

    Congrats on finishing your treatment!   Rest up and eat well and drink lots of water - wishing you a quick recovery. 

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

    Mamglam,

     Thanks - I was hoping I wouldn't have to go to a clinic - but that was probably wishful thinking. If it gets any worse, I'll go.  Glad to hear that you've been recovering.

    Janet 

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  • MizMarie
    MizMarie Member Posts: 332
    edited May 2012

    Congrats to everyone finishing up this week! What's up with all the skin issues?  So sorry that you ladies are having to endure so much!  I fully expected to have extreme skin reaction, based on what my RO told me, but thankfully, had fairly minimal problems compared to what I'm reading here.  I'm wondering how long I need to keep up with the cream - I still have rough patches so I guess I'll stick with the program for awhile....

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

    Done! Had one last treatment. Saw the MO, went out to my car and cried a few happy tears, and now I am home with my Tamoxifen prescription filled.

    WOOOT!

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

    congrats Cindy --

    I sent this earlier but I will send it again ....

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB0Uiq4NTs0

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  • mamglam
    mamglam Member Posts: 178
    edited May 2012

    Congratulations Cindyl!  Sending you healing wishes!

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

    Thanks ladies!   I feel better already. I'm planning a nice relaxing corn starch bath and an early night.  Sigh to think I was once the life of the party. Hope everyone else is healing well!

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  • linnyhopp
    linnyhopp Member Posts: 567
    edited May 2012
    So happy for you Cindyl!  Soon you will again be the life of the party...rest up and get ready!
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  • luvmygoats
    luvmygoats Member Posts: 2,942
    edited May 2012

    Yeah!!!  Done, Done, Done and in more ways that ONE.  Quite the little poet.  Brought donuts and a thank you card.  Got to ring the big bell with lots of whoops.  Then on to work.  Exhausted.  At least I get to sleep in in the morning for a bit.  Little bit more sore.  Tylenol night for sure tonight.

    Joanne - Thanks for the party horn.

    MOT - Thanks for thinking of me.

    Cindy - I knew we would finish the same time.

    Califgirl - Watch out for infections.  Anything special your RO is doing for you?

    RuthieG - I have sharpie marker on the boost site.  Marked every day for the 5 days it was done.  Initial rads markup was done with blue sharpie right before Easter weekend.  As my tech called it the "Smurfee Blue" marks.

    janet - It was explained to me that rads have a residual effect.  Just like it took about 2 weeks to notice any effects it will take 2 weeks to notice any improvement.

    Hope everyone has a good night.  Very windy in N. Texas.  Dandy grass fire weather.  High was 92 today.  Yuck.  Ready for fall already.

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  • MOT
    MOT Member Posts: 130
    edited May 2012
    Cindyl -- Congratulations to you on finishing rads! I can't wait for the RELIEF of not having to go in every morning.... and I already want to take a nap! Wishing you  speedy healing  Smile
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  • linnyhopp
    linnyhopp Member Posts: 567
    edited May 2012

    luvmygoats ~ Hooray for you on crossing the rads finish line!  I am so happy for you.  Hope the extra sleep is wonderful every morning.  Has to feel great to be done, even if you are done in!  Hope you heal quickly.  Linda

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

    It is soooo good to be done and to see you ladies finishing up too.  I'm wrapped with mepilex and don't hurt, much. Glad it's not hot here.  Sweat is painful. But then again, so are goosebumps.

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

    update -- I finished a week ago Tuesday and .... still have some peeling and raw under the breast -- nipple sore too -- lots of cream.

    looked in the mirror this morning (the new routine) and everything looks extremely bruised -- even the lumpectomy incision -- didn't look so dark last night -- will slather lotion all day since I am not at work and then look at it later on -- maybe will go to doctor tomorrow -- anyone else have this.

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  • akmom
    akmom Member Posts: 272
    edited May 2012

    Hi Joanne, I was just like you, beginning of the second week everything darkened and my nipple started to get very sore. It got worse through the second week, then by the third week post rads the skin and nipple was less sensitive. but still darker than the untreated side. The treated area gets very red after a shower, but dies down as I cool off.

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  • wiskris
    wiskris Member Posts: 93
    edited May 2012

    Sorry it has been awhile.....So happy for all those who have completed rads! What a great feeling!

    I completed #24 today and tomorrow my last full one then onto boosts!!I am so happy to get an extra day next week to let skin heal. My skin looks ok but pretty red and of course swollen from the seroma.....I am so sick of this thing even though it has gone down a bit. The Dr said in last cat scan it has shrunken a lot since 1st one. I am happy about that! I did cut back 1 day from work and that has helped...I sleep all day on my off days so fatigue is bad...I have never been so tired in my life!!!I'm used to being so hyper and active and could get away with 6 hours sleep but now I sleep  10 nightly and a 4 hour nap if possible.

    My skin looks great and my techs told me that they are surprised at how good it looks. I am using a offname lotion they gave me and also aqua-for. They also told me drinking water is a must! I am drinking at least 1/2 my weight per day in ounces...Not gonna share the exact number lol. I hope it stays this way. It looks like some of you are still having issues 2 weeks post rads...:(..

    I hope all is well. I am just praying this seroma goes down so I don't need the incision opened back up after rads end. My luck another seroma will happen then!! I am ready for this chapter to be over in my life!!!!!!

    Take care everyone and again congrats!!!

    Kristi

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