July 2012 Radiation

It's nice that we are getting new people joining us here in the July Rads forum.  I see some of you have completed several treatments and a couple of you will be starting soon.  I had tx #3 today.  Again, it was uneventful.  Wouldn't it be nice if I could say that after #33?  Wishful thinking.

Teacup2012 - I read your post that you will be taking a week off of rads for vacation.  Too bad it's after #9 and not later in tx when you would appreciate a break more.

Kjiberty - I see that you live in Peoria, IL.  I live in a small Illinois town about 30 miles south of Kankakee.  My sister is a teacher at Richwoods HS.

Belinda977 - I'm thinking of you and your healing problem.  This journey is so frustrating.  Breast cancer sucks.

Bar65 - I have never heard of anyone starting with boosts.  I am amazed at the different treatment plans we all have.  I had chemo before surgery which I understand is becoming more common.  Things are always changing.

onvacation - Congrats on finishing chemo.  Good luck at your RO appt.  The mapping and simulation were totally "doable" for me.  The worst part is the waiting.

Let's all enjoy these early days of our tx.  It's nice to know that we are all in this together.

Jenn, what kind of protein bar?  Homemade or store bought?

juiz4 - I agree the unknown is the worst part!  I wish you the best!

Onvacation:  Yeah!  I was told they usually wait 3-4 weeks (dependng on WBC0 before they start chemo.  I will know more next Thursday (15 days pfc)

Thanks Jen - I'm triple negative, so don't worry that much about a little soy!  I like protein bars as a quick pick me up too - just have to read the ingredients - some have so much sugar in them!

Jag... the big thing my RO department tells me is protein.  They say choose protein over every other food group if you aren't hungry and have to choose a food.  They also say protein from dairy does not count.  I go to MDAnderson, so I trust they know what they are talking about.  Anyway.  Meat, beans, or nuts is what they push.  Says that it will help your body mend faster and less skin damage...  I had Adriamyacin as well, and my port was on my left side (heart side )  Makes me kind of worried about my heart.  I guess we all just have to be careful.

I start Monday also.

Graced I also take CoQ10 but was told by my RADS nurse that I'm not allowed to take it while doing RADS. It's an antioxidant & helps to destroy free radacles. Makes sense not to take it till after. Boy will I miss em as they help give me energy. I've also read that they think it helps fight Cancer at a higher dose. I have been taking them for years because of my cholesterol meds depleting my body's own made amount.

Minimac thanks for the advice on the diet, i really need to make some changes.

Graced and julz - I've heard of that CoQ10 and wondered how that works, I could use some energy and I am also on pravastatin, I'll check with my doc.

babette - totally understand!  You get your mind set on a date and then they change it!  It IS a big deal, but you will get through it!

Thanks, graced, for that lovely affirmation. I have been so scared of the side effects, it hadn't occured to me to be grateful for radiation. And, it is, of course, a blessing. Thank you. This was just the shift I needed to make.

babette54, I have just finished my second week, 10 sessions in all. I am having twinges of pain under my arm and tenderness in my breast. I noted that the skin of the nipple felt irritated at my last visit with the RO and got permission to use Aquaphor on it.That seems to have helped.

Graced, love the affirmation - thank you!

Did anyone do an pre-treat your skin before starting the rads?  Just wondering if I start lubing up now it will help? 

Onvacation my Rad Onc nurse told me several weeks ago to start putting lotion on it. I've been using St. Ives naturally soothing body lotion with Oat Meal & Shea Butter. I already had it in the house & the bonus is it's PABA free. It does have alcohol so it might not be good after you start. I sweat so much at work last nite I could feel my boob getting slimy with it. It was / is so stinkin hot! Over 100 today in PA! My cotton bra was soaked this morning when I got home!

Kjiberty - I use Green Foods "true vitality" protein shake.  It was the first one I found at the health food store without soy.  It sounds like the shakology is a good one also.

Bar65 - good luck on Monday.  I think the first one is the hardest (although I've only had 4), but after that you know what to expect.  I haven't heard of anyone getting boosts first, so I can't weigh in on that.

Belinda - still sending healing thoughts to you so you can get started!

Graced: I'm glad your RO is working with you so you can be finished and enjoy your vacation. I really appreciated you sharing your prayer.  It is very powerful.  I also feel like I need to embrace treatment and be thankful that I'm able to receive it.  Thank you so much for sharing!  I have been listening to a guided imagery that I saw on another thread.  I put a link to the bottom of this thread.  I listen in the morning and at night, and while I'm on the table, getting prepped I close my eyes and imagine my "safe place" and then welcome the healing rays. 

Butterflylady - I took xanax for my final simulation and before my first treatment.  I say if you've got it - use it.  This is all hard enough without fighting anxiety.  I found I didn't need it after the first treatment when I knew what to expect. 

Babette - sorry about your disappointment in the ending dates.  I know how hard it is when we get our mind set on something and it changes, but I know you will hang in there!  I haven't noticed any change at all on my breast, not even pink.

Good luck to those starting next week; Julz, Jag, Graced, Bar65 and Butterflylady - I really do think the first one is the hardest.(sorry if I missed anyone!)

My RO told me to only use 100% aloe vera, but I bought some calendula cream and have used that once.  I'm a little uncomfortable not doing as I'm told, but so many other women here use the calendula I'm so tempted!  What have you all been told to use.

Also, I know others have mentioned swelling.  I've had swelling in my feet and ankles for about 4 weeks.  I told my MO when I was still doing chemo and he wasn't concerned.  I told the RO on Thursday and he perscribed a water pill for 1 week.  I feel so much better!  So if you are suffering from swelling let your RO know.

Have a good weekend everyone, enjoy a couple of days off (or the last couple of days before you start!) Sorry for the long post, I've been MIA for a few days!

https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health/poc?uri=center:audio-video&article=DE97C5DE-6966-11E1-A94D-888571774F8C

Hey girls,I wanted to jump in and offer some advice. I know everyone's body and journey is different, but if I could help just one woman get through rads as easy as I did, and look as good as I do right now, then I've done something wonderful.



I just finished 33 treatments that included 8 boosts and I did have bolus. This is my 2nd time battling this shit and I'm young so we have been aggressive with surgery and treatment.



I am done rads , i finished on July 6, friday, and I look fantastic. Seriously, the only place that I am red is where I got my boosts and that can be expected cause it's in my arm pit, it's rubbed a lot, and ive had lots of surgeries there.



Now my advice to you all is skin care. I am fair complected. We allllll. Thought it would be rough. This is what I used. Ivory soap with aloe in it (you find it at Walmart), and I used True Blu 100% Shea butter from Bath and Body works that comes in a small round tub. Only buy the body balm version. I applied it about 3 times a day with a heavy application at night.



I would've never heard of this if it wasn't for my mom. I livein a part of Maryland where I have access to all types of meds and cream. My mom doesn't but wanted to help and wanted to buy me something smelly and nice. She went to bath and body works, told them what was going on, and the lady there swore by it. Where my mom lives they don't have a lot of money to spend on the prescription creams so they started coming in there. Lots of women are having incredible results.



So you can try. Its not complete magic. I still had pain at times and of course I got very tired.

Thanks Teacup.....I have to be there at 9:15 this morn.  I am thankful I only live 10 minutes away from one of the top of line Radiation places in PA.  Don't really want to be there but glad it's so near!  I know I will be OK....but the Butterfly's in my stomach are doing nervous dance this morn!  I know I am not getting enough sleep as I got maybe 5 hours last night!  I couldn't sleep compounded by starting back to a wild 6 nights at work last week.  My emotions are all over the place.  I've been very weepy....I was holding my very tiny but growing preemie 5 month old grandson last night & the darn flood started!  Then my 13 year old catches me in the act.....sigh!  Too much going on this year!  I know I can do this but this some what young faucet is starting to show it's age & leaks a lot lately!  Well I can't gotta go get ready!  Later Sister's!