May 2012 radiation

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  • mckenna
    mckenna Member Posts: 413
    edited June 2012

    Good morning ladies, sorry i couldn't toast with you all but i am two hours ahead of cali time and i was well asleep by 10pm :)

    this morning i brought some paper work to start filling out while i was waiting, i barely got my name written on it and the tech came back for me.  i said, you didn't let me get very far, he replied we want you to keep coming back so we are trying to be quick, to which i replied, if you want me to keep coming back , you should probably stop burning me :)  he got quite a chuckly out of that.

     a woman who i see several times a week had her last treatment today and i ran into her in the parking garage as she was leaving.  i couldn't help but hug her.  she probably thinks i am a lunitic.  we never even told each other our names and here i am hugging her.

     my mom actually texted before i did.  i am *only* 38 so i have a relatively young mom, under 60 :)  and i do appreciate her texts.

    sb, sorry for the tears.  i can't imagine laying there for 15 minutes a day, you are super woman!!!!

    neeners, the break while annoying at the end is quite nice in the midst of treament.

    for my end day, i am going to make those fund-a-middle cupcakes, you put the icing in the middle before you bake them.  i have a box with pink filling.  my kids are making a sign that says, "thanks for taking care of our mom" and i am going to take a photo of them holding it and give it to the techs and my RO nurse. 

    anyone else doing a cancer walk/race.  i am not that big of a fan of koman for a variety of reasons but it seems important to my family to participate this year so we are going to participate in the walk on the 23rd of this month.  i don't know how i will feel wearing the pink shirt.

    congrats to all those who have finished and everyone else enjoy your two days off!!!

    sbe

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  • Neeners815
    Neeners815 Member Posts: 358
    edited June 2012

    Hey McKenna - I'm doing the Relay for Life a week from tomorrow (which should be interesting - hope I'm not too tired).  Really really hoping for good weather; just found out they walk rain or shine.  Walking in the rain is not going to happen for me.

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  • BLinthedesert
    BLinthedesert Member Posts: 678
    edited June 2012

    Have fun tomorrow Neeners I am sending a little sunshine your way!  

    I am completely zonked today, this week was just incredibly busy and I am worn out.  I had two talks and a NIH grant review scheduled months ago (before I knew about the radiation schedule) and it was simply too much for me right now.  The good news is that I did survive, and I think I can probably get away with taking the whole weekend off (which I hardly ever do)!!  My skin is not good.  I think it is because I missed a section of sunscreen this week - that happens to be in the radiation field - and so between the radiation and the sun I got a really really bad patch of burn.  I am now using pure zinc oxide when I run - so there is NO sun that can get through.  I need to get out before the sun comes up (which would also make it cooler), but I am just so NOT a morning person.   

    I hope you all have a wonderful weekend break.  

    I realized that I completely miscounted the days!!!  I only have 11 more treatments - and will be finished on June 25th (instead of July 2nd) -- yippee!!! 

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  • Goodie
    Goodie Member Posts: 244
    edited June 2012

    mckenna - I am very impressed with your mom texting.  My mom doesn't even know how to use her cell phone.

    Neeners - I am big on the count down too.  I'm 12 out of 28 done!  42.857%  The count down got me through chemo and my dad too.  He would call me after each infusion and tell me how many I had left.  (My parents live in California and I live in MD)  Have fun walking tomorrow.  That's great!  It should be a beautiful day for you!

    wiskris - so glad you are done!  Your fatigue should get better each day! 

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  • Neeners815
    Neeners815 Member Posts: 358
    edited June 2012

    You guys - I am apparently more tired than i thought.  The walk is a week from tomorrow.  Do'h!  It's going to be interesting...

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  • mckenna
    mckenna Member Posts: 413
    edited June 2012

    thank goodness for 2 days off!!!!!!!  i can just feel more burning as the day goes on.  under the arm and nipple are really peeling.  i have those surgical pads lathered in aquafor on them now but that is only doing so much for the burn.  i also feel like i could sleep for 2 days and it still wouldn't be enough

    :(

    neeners, i think you said it was a week from tomorrow, maybe goodie is more tired than she thinks ;) i am interested to hear about the walk, so please report.

    BL yeah for mis counting!!!! that is a whole week early!! i totally stay out of the sun, i can only imagine what a sun burn on top of rad skin must be like.  hope it has some time to heal this weekend.

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  • Goodie
    Goodie Member Posts: 244
    edited June 2012

    Yes, thank goodness for two days off.  I think the rads and the drive are making me really tired.  Sorry Neeners I'm sure next weekend will be beautiful too!  :) 

    BL - wow I wish they had miscounted for me!  You must be totally psyched!

    mckenna - I hope your burning eases up over the weekend.  I'm going to go put on more miaderm now.  Is anyone else using this cream?  Results?  RO said skin will probably show signs by treatment 14.

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  • BLinthedesert
    BLinthedesert Member Posts: 678
    edited June 2012

    I will send sun next weekend too Neeners, we have a lot of it - would you like some temperature too (we have a lot of degrees of that too here). 

     Goodie, I am so happy -- I miscounted, they didn't, noone has said anything to me about how many are left or anything, I am not sure what they would do if I showed up after my last day?Smile 

    mckenna - peeling nipple does not seem fun Wink

    I use Miaderm.  I have a "system":   Miaderm + Aloe right after treatment, Miaderm + Aloe when it hurts during the day, Emu oil before bed, and Euciderm before I run on the weekends (when it is really hot).  Sounds like a lot doesn't it?  Without actually comparing breasts with you all, I would not know if it is working any better or not Smile - but lefty likes it a lot!!

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  • mckenna
    mckenna Member Posts: 413
    edited June 2012

    Around #17 was when my peeling and burning really started.

    I am really glad I only have one more fray day. I hats those days.

    Peeling and general uncomfortableness is still there but the burning seems less so I think the weekend is helping.



    Bl by the time you are done with your routine is it time to start the process over :)



    Have a nice weekend

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  • AEM47
    AEM47 Member Posts: 297
    edited June 2012
    Goodie - I'm using Miaderm too.  The RO wanted me to use Hydrolatum which is like a vaseline type product but I'm finding it holds the heat in..if that makes any sense.  The Miaderm seems to work so much better and is much easier to apply - it also seems to not stain anything.  I do put Lucas PawPaw Ointment on my node scar and on the nipple (the incision scar is on the nipple)  I was noticing the nipple was geting darker and the Luca's seemed to stop that and it's gone back to the original color. I'm on #12 so far it's working pretty good, there's soreness, but the skin looks goood.
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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited June 2012

    http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/jun/08/simi-valley-trauma-nurse-determined-to-win/

    OK, girls, I'm coming out of the closet.  I thought I'd share this with you, who more than anyone, will understand this long, long process to the cure. 

    Katy

    P.S.  "sbelizabeth" is for strong, brave, elizabeth.  When I was a little girl I though Elizabeth was the most beautiful, graceful name ever.  These days I like "Katy" pretty well, too. 

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  • Peacock
    Peacock Member Posts: 86
    edited June 2012

    Neeners, I will be doing a Relay on the same day, chaperoning my daughter's team, in fact. I'm doing the West Orange one. Any chance you are too??

     I've been quiet on the board, but so happy to hear from you.  yesterday, just after the final rad buzz, I had a bad dizzy spell and the room spun. I called the tech and she came with a nurse and some others. It was a nasty panic attack, and they were wonderful. But I am now sort of acknowledging how much I hate rads, actually more than chemo, and I need to get my head around it.  It was awful and scary.

     They called my husband to come drive me home (after the xanax, which was GREAT!). We only have one car and I had it, so he ran the 16 miles to the hospital!

    What a long, strange trip this is...

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  • Goodie
    Goodie Member Posts: 244
    edited June 2012

    Oh my. sbelizabeth what a wonderful article.  I'm right around the same timeframe as you.  I was diagnosed in late Sept, started chemo late October, surgery (BMX) late March and radiation started late May.  I'm done being late.  LOL  I "found" mine too by a different appearance of my breast skin and "they" could not feel a lump for a month!  Ugh.  I will have my reconstruction probably next January too.   

    I think I will be spending this afternoon reading your other articles.  Thanks!  :)  I did too much walking this morning.  I walked the entire boardwalk (4.5 miles total) and it really did me in today.  I thought "they" said exercise is good for fatigue.  LOL again.  I think a nap is better.

    AEM47 - I just finished my 12th treatment too.  I like the Miaderm too because it doesn't seem to stain.  I've only been putting it on after treatments.  I just started putting it on before bed last night.  

    mckenna - my 17th will be next Friday.  I think I need to get ready for pain this week.

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  • Spokanellie
    Spokanellie Member Posts: 46
    edited June 2012
    sbelizabeth - "brave" is a perfect handle for you! Thank you for coming out and sharing these articles with us. You've given a legacy to all your readers.
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  • etherize
    etherize Member Posts: 423
    edited June 2012

    Congrats to those of you who are finished!  Yay!

    sbelizabeth, nice to "meet" you!  Thanks for sharing your story with us.  I got a laugh out of your comment, "I used to have cleavage, now I have a cleave." ;-)

    Peacock, your husband must be in great shape to run 16 miles to the hospital!  I'm sorry to hear you had a panic attack, but I sure can understand it.  In many ways rads are more challenging for me than chemo was.

    Like mckenna, I have only one more "fryday" and then it'll be five days of boosts.  My skin is looking and feeling like old leather and I'm peeling a bit more but all in all, I'm feeling pretty good, if tired.

    I need to think of some way to celebrate the end of rads, other than starting the anti-hormone med!  I don't have a support system other than my husband (who's usually pretty busy) and my brother, who lives in another state.  So it'll be a solo celebration ...

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  • Jan24
    Jan24 Member Posts: 64
    edited June 2012

    selizabeth ie Katy - I too am glad you shared your story, not only are you super funny but an amazing woman!

    Peacock - I picture your husband as an Adonis or modern day super hero running 16 miles to his lady!

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  • mckenna
    mckenna Member Posts: 413
    edited June 2012

    Etherize it will not be a solo celebration we will celebrate with you! I have 6 more fry days as I am not getting boosts. It is amazing what you think you hear or don't hear.



    Sb I cant click on the link from this kindle so I will have to wait till Monday.

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  • schatzi14
    schatzi14 Member Posts: 1,647
    edited June 2012

    katy...thanks for sharing...what an uplifiting story and what a wonderful DH you have. You have come thru this a winner for sure, just like the rest of us. :D

    So now what do we call you? Are you perhaps a fan of Elizabeth Taylor? Just wondering cause I am!

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  • etherize
    etherize Member Posts: 423
    edited June 2012

    Oh, I see ... I guess I'm getting boosts because I have IDC.  I should ask my RO about that.  

    Thanks for reminding me that I can celebrate with you guys!  Laughing 

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  • Neeners815
    Neeners815 Member Posts: 358
    edited June 2012

    Etherize - I'm getting boosts, too, at the very end.  5 of them.

    Peacock - so sorry to hear about your PA.  I know they are horrible; I  have had problems with them in the past, right before my dx.  I can't believe how far your hubby could run!  THAT is true love.  Yowza!  Also, I pm'd you back (thanks!), but our Relay for Life is in Bayonne.

    Katy - great article.  I teared up on your hubby's quote.  Thanks for sharing!

    I slept 12 hours last night; went to be feeling like I was going to throw up.  I think between the radiation, lack of sleep this week (slept about 7 hours each night), draining sinuses, and my period starting... I got a quadruple whammy.  I don't think it was the radiation, because I didn't feel it until the evening. I just think it was everything added up.  Also, hubby is going away next week for work and I'm stressing about it since I will be alone.

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  • Mopsy
    Mopsy Member Posts: 49
    edited June 2012

    I am done with #18.  Don't know end-date so can't figure percent, but I am sure it is halfway now.  I say we all deserve a new car for doing this.

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  • Neeners815
    Neeners815 Member Posts: 358
    edited June 2012

    Mopsy - how many treatments are you having overall? 25?  30?  Congrats on getting through 18!

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  • jittersmom
    jittersmom Member Posts: 165
    edited June 2012

    jittersmom 6/12

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  • Neeners815
    Neeners815 Member Posts: 358
    edited June 2012

    Jitter - is Monday your last zap?

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  • wiskris
    wiskris Member Posts: 93
    edited June 2012

    elizabeth- You are an inspiration to many! Thanks so much for sharing your story!!!

    Peacock- what an amazing husband! My hubby would of needed an oxygen tank if he did that!!lol

    Well after finishing rads on Thursday it has been very emotional. I should be celebrating but a great friend and classmate lost there 16 year old in a drowning in the local lake. 2 16 year olds drowned in very shallow water and cause is still unknown. They finally found the bodies on Friday afternoon. My cancer has made me very emotional but I have not stopped crying since. What a heart wrenching ordeal. I have put of celebrating for awhile. My nipples and skin around is starting to peel and pretty sore. I missed applying lotion on Friday as we spent all day searching for these beautiful girls. I have not been sleeping well and am pretty tired. Things will get better eventually. It is just a hard time right now!!

    I hope all of you are counting the days and healing well. Take care of yourselves and keep fighting!!

    Kristi

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  • BLinthedesert
    BLinthedesert Member Posts: 678
    edited June 2012

    Oh wiskris, I am so sorry to hear about your friend.  There can be no worse pain than losing a child.  

    Take care of yourself, I hope you, your skin and your emotions, get on up-swing soon. 

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  • jittersmom
    jittersmom Member Posts: 165
    edited June 2012

     Neeners   Tuesday is my last zap..then I walk across the hall and get hooked up for my herceptin!

    Now that I am getting those boost zaps the other part of my breast is starting to heal but its funny you can see the outline that looks like the 'stencil" they use for the boost...hopefully that wont get too burnt

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  • Goodie
    Goodie Member Posts: 244
    edited June 2012

    wiskris - so sorry for your friend. 

    Peacock - your husband must be in incredible shape and dedicated to you!  Wow!

    Jittersmom - wow, just two more treatments!  Yea for you!  :) 

    sbelizabeth - all of your articles/videos are amazing.  Thanks for sharing your story with so many people.  :)

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  • BLinthedesert
    BLinthedesert Member Posts: 678
    edited June 2012

    So ... getting ready for #16 out of 25.  I have been so very lucky, I am still able to run (even though it is about 20% less than usual, and I seem to have to drop it ~5% more every week). I am also able to work pretty much my usual schedule -- though I will admit that because I am so tired, there are many hours in there where I am not really functioning.

    Besides the fatigue, my main "problem" right now is that I have a 2 inch area that is very red (as opposed to the nice pinkish outline of the radiation field that you can see - that is, luckily, right within the tattoo boundries), and now bumpy.  I thought it was a reaction to the sun - but now it is growing well outside of the "possible sun exposure area".   It hurts/itches very much.  It is only a little area (relative to the whole pinkish area), but seems to be "growing" every day.  Have any of you had this problem?  It seems to have started about treatment #14 and gotten worse every day (even over the weekend, with our little break). 

    Funny story.  Because I am sort of a collector of what I like to call "girl face crap" (I don't use much, I just like to try it all ;-) ) I decided I wanted to try a little "pore cleaning mask" this weekend.  I found a nice rose clay mask at Whole Foods and was excited to give it a try.  Well, first, I had to "mix-up" my own mask with equal parts clay and water.  In order to get the "right" consistency I ended up making enough for about 15 of you ladies!  Then, I proceed to apply my now perfect consistency mask ... well, and get it on my clothes, in my hair, all over the sink.  After my beautifully colored pink clay mask dried -- I needed two washclothes to remove, and my skin is still a light pink color (bad thing?) - and managed to splash pink clay water all over the sink/cabinets that I had cleaned after the first onslought (while I was drying).  So ... my skin is smooth and silky, but all-and-all the process took about an hour, and multiple bathroom cleanings.

    ... I think in the future, if I feel an overwhelming urge for a facial, I will leave it to an expert and go to the Aveda salon Smile 

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  • Dizzy215
    Dizzy215 Member Posts: 74
    edited June 2012

    BL, I have a rash of little bumpy red spots, which started around #14. They are definitely inside the radiation field, as that's fairly defined now that I've done 18. They itch like crazy and I've tried 1% cortisone which doesn't do much. My RO said they're quite normal but I'm hoping they don't get too much worse. I have 8 more whole breast zaps, then boosts, so they might start to ease off then, hopefully!

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