July 2012 Radiation

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  • Mini1
    Mini1 Member Posts: 1,836
    edited July 2012

    HealingDreams-I hope that's what you're having, healing dreams. I had to stay away from my precious grandson for almost a month because he was sick. :-( Now there's a pertussis outbreak. I'm done with radiation (a week tomorrow) but my resisitance is still down. I've had lung surgery once, I don't want anything that even slightly affects the lungs anywhere near me.

    Does anyone know if having a pertussis vacination is contra-indicative for us?

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited August 2012

    Healing Dreams:  I will look at that bestform bra.  Thanks for the tip.   

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  • babette54
    babette54 Member Posts: 65
    edited August 2012

    #21/34 done = 62% done

    I'm sitting here with aloe slathered on my left boob (with my shirt open) watching the Olympics.  The air from the fan cools the aloe and feels so good.  I had to double check to make sure the blinds were closed.  I wouldn't want the neighborhood to get a free show--like they would care about my aging boobs.  Tonight is the first time that I would say that I feel the burn.  My skin has turned pinker these last two days.

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  • Medwick711
    Medwick711 Member Posts: 14
    edited August 2012

    Well I see the radiation Dr for the first time on 8/8/12 so I will have to wait until August to be part of a new thread

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  • graced
    graced Member Posts: 104
    edited August 2012

    Babette I was doing the same thing last night - sitting on the couch topless with a slathered boob watching the olympics!  Hah!  I finished #17/30, and I have redness and itching and heat.  Wearing a bra is a PITA and lately a shirt too.  At home I don't have to worry - just have to deal with it for a short time when I go out.  I hope it stays at this level of intensity and does not continue to increase.

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  • Mini1
    Mini1 Member Posts: 1,836
    edited August 2012

    Grace and Babette - I found the soreness increased a little at the end but the itchiness stayed about the same. I wore very large mens t-shirts around the house. I almost gave the mail carrier a free shot one day. lol Although I'm sure it wouldn't have been quite the turn on it would have been before. lol Hang in there. My techs gave me Silvadeen cream and then Regenecare when it got really sore and itchy. You may want to ask about that. Couldn't hurt. They gave me a large sample and I still have some left. I still have some residual itching althought the redness is now tan. I look like I had on a really funky swim suit. :-)

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  • Kay-in-NH
    Kay-in-NH Member Posts: 26
    edited August 2012

    Belinda,  Your diagnosis is similar to mine (IDC Stage 1B-C, 1.2 CM, Grade 2 Oncotype 19, ER+, PR+, HER-.  I had a clean wide margin surgery, and 0 of 6 lymph nodes (all clear), so the Med Onc said I was OK to skip chemo.  Did you?   I'm starting 6 1/2 weeks of RAD's on August 13th.  I don't think it will be bad, just a daily nuisance.  - Kay

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  • Mini1
    Mini1 Member Posts: 1,836
    edited August 2012

    Kay - I had a similar diagnosis and did not have chemo. I had surgery in mid April and started radiation late May. Radiation wasn't nearly as bad as I anticipated. Some itchiness, soreness, and fatigue towards the end, but it went by fast and everyone at the cancer center was great. I scheduled mine early in the day to get it over with and to make sure that I got up each day and got dressed, put on make up, etc., since I had resigned from my job just a week before my diagnosis (how's that for timing?) and didn't want to end up just sitting around in my jammies feeling sorry for myself. Just make sure you use the creams and follow their recommendations and you'll be fine. We'll be sending our congrats that you've finished in no time. :-)

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  • Belinda977
    Belinda977 Member Posts: 381
    edited August 2012

    Kay, yes, with my 19 Oncotype score MO didn't recommend chemo.  He did say because I am 99% ER/PR+ that the tamoxifen is very imporant for me.  Just had my 3rd rad treatment today.  It has been fine.  

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  • babette54
    babette54 Member Posts: 65
    edited August 2012

    #22/34 done = 65% done  (6 WBR and 6 boosts to go)

    graced and Mini1 - You both mentioned being itchy.  I have not experienced any itching--only a feeling like a sunburn.  The burning sensation seems to be the most intense in the evening.  I don't notice it during the day, perhaps because I am busy and don't have time to think about it.

    I had to wait nearly an hour for my tx today.  I was told that the electricity went out for a couple of seconds early in the afternoon and they had to "reset" the machine which apparently is a long process.  Wouldn't you think that they would have a backup generator to avoid interuption?  Oh well, at least I got another tx done.

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited August 2012

    Babette:  What treatment # are you on???  I can't remember.  Sorry!  (Note:  Just trying to psychologically prepare myself for this.)

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  • babette54
    babette54 Member Posts: 65
    edited August 2012

    Karen - I finished #22 today.  My doctor and the rad techs are surprised with my level of pinkness.  They thought I would react much more due to my fair skin.  I have six more WBR left before I do six boosts.  Hopefully, my good luck holds out.  You have done about 6 treatments now, right?  Let's keep a positive mental attitude.  This will be over before we know.

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  • Mini1
    Mini1 Member Posts: 1,836
    edited August 2012

    I have fair, sensitive skin as well. I thought the parts of me that had never seen sunshine would experience the mst SE's, but come to find out it's the opposite. No sun, no thinning of the skin. Makes sense. I get itchy from a lot of lotions and soaps, so mine may have been enhanced from the change in products that I had to use. It wasn't until the end that I got most of it. The last 10 days or so. I have a little residual itching now and again, but for the most part with exception for one small area, the redness is now tan and I have occasional itching. I have not, at least to date, experienced any peeling or rough skin which some people have experienced.  Really, the redness and soreness beneath my breast for the last week or so was the worst of it, and that was tolerable. I think the worst side effects happen to those that have had chemo, which I didn't, so that may be why. I'm sure you'll be fine, and all of this will be a distant memry soon!

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  • onvacation
    onvacation Member Posts: 1,344
    edited August 2012

    I am only on my 6th treatment, but last couple days I've been more tired than normal - I didn't think this would happen so soon - anyone else have this?

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  • graced
    graced Member Posts: 104
    edited August 2012

    onvacation, I pretty much have been needing 9 hours of sleep every night from the beginning.

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited August 2012

    Kim: I can't really tell yet that I'm more tired than usual. I had treatment 9 today. But I have noticed I'm going to bed earlier. Of course, my job is more demanding now too, so it could be that instead of treatment making me tired earlier. Glad to see a familiar face over here, by the way :)

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  • onvacation
    onvacation Member Posts: 1,344
    edited August 2012

    Lana - maybe the job for me too! Hope you are doing well - you are only a few ahead of me!

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  • Mini1
    Mini1 Member Posts: 1,836
    edited August 2012

    My husband and I were laughing one night because we were in bed and the room wasn't even dark with the blinds shut because it was still so light outside. lol I actually was quite tired the week after I finished. Maybe it was the tension easing up after it was done, but I napped several days in a row, something Inever did in treatment.

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited August 2012

    Mini:  I thought we were the only ones that went to bed when it's still light out.  I try to stay up past 9, but sometimes I just fall asleep around 8:30. 

    Barb:  Thanks for your update!  Congrats on being 65% done.  I hope you have minimal S/E's.  Am getting a little tired, but it's due to lack of sleep at night.  I am going to take a sleeping pill tonight to see if it helps.  Took me 6 minutes to get to the new radiation therapy location today! 

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  • babette54
    babette54 Member Posts: 65
    edited August 2012

    #23/34 done = 68% done (5 WBR and 6 boosts to go)

    Fatigue does not seem to be affecting me during the day.  I have noticed that I am sleeping about an hour longer at night.  Is this due to rads or am I just lazy?  Since I am a teacher, my summers are not very structured.  I can sleep later in the morning if I want.  School starts August 22 so my life will soon change.  FYI - I am done with rads on August 17.

    Karen - Not being to sleep is the pits.  I hope your sleeping pill works tonight.  I'm glad that your trip to your rads center is so short.  How long is your typical wait time?  My rads center is almost always running late--15 to 30 minutes on most days.

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  • onvacation
    onvacation Member Posts: 1,344
    edited August 2012

    Luckily I have actually gotten in on time or early!  Though only through 7 treatments!  The drive is what is wearing me out - not that far but the traffic really sucks!

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited August 2012

    The cancer center is right around the corner from my office - maybe a 2 or 3 minute drive so that really helps as far as traffic.

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited August 2012

    Mine was on time, except for once. So much for the sleeping pill.

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  • Jag1110
    Jag1110 Member Posts: 77
    edited August 2012

    Has anyone of you that lost there hair used Rogaine or Latisse or anything on that order to try and grow your hair and lashes back faster? 

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  • Mini1
    Mini1 Member Posts: 1,836
    edited August 2012

    I used Rogaine when my hair was falling out last  year due to some other issues. It did work, but now that I'm trying to avoid unnecessary chemicals, I'm trying Biotin supplements. I had no problems with the Rogaine, btw. I started with the womens's and when I was able to see that I tolerated it with no SE's (i.e. rash), I went to men's which is a little stronger. I dye my hair and the new hair tolerated that with no problem. :-) And yes, I know dying my hair and avoiding unnecessary chemicals is totally counter-intuitive, but you gotta pick your battles. :-)

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  • julz4
    julz4 Member Posts: 2,490
    edited August 2012

    I feel so Dumb! I thought everyone was so busy & just stopped posting! So I went looking today on my favorite topics list & couldn't find you all. I must of accidentally hit the button to Remove it on my iPod! 2 pages later of reading & am bone weary tired!

    So Hi Five to All! Newbies & Oldbies!!!



    I did remember someone asking about me & being done with my MO! Since I didn't do Chemo & any Anti Hormonals that is why he released me!



    I am now 20/33! Nothing more than before with the skin. Coming down with something though! I've been cold all day with 90+ temps outside. Very sore throat, dry cough, just feeling extra blahhhh! I HAVE to go to work tonight as I have FMLA but if I just caught a bug it might not counted under my FMLA. As I had a verbal warning for missing 5 days in the last year & they just changed it to only 6 days of absents now for termination I can't take any chances! So even if I'm admitted to the hospital for non cancer related stuff I could be fired! SUCKS!!!!! I HATE being sick!!!!!

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited August 2012

    Julz:  What the the heck???  BTW, I have deleted threads off my favorites by mistake as well...more than once.  

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  • julz4
    julz4 Member Posts: 2,490
    edited August 2012

    Kj if you are referring to my work. Let's just say that others have milked our previous policy. We had 12 points before & you were out the door. A point could be several days because of being really sick. But 3 or more days in a row has to have a Dr's excuse. So ultimately some one could call off 20 without a Drs excuse in a year. But that point is a rolling year. Meaning if I called off July 1 this year without my FMLA that point would not be deleated until 2013 on July 1. Many milked this & would call off within days of loosing a point but still keep under the radar with just a verbal warning. They had patterns of calling off the same days all the time....ect. Never seemed to get in trouble. All of mine have been legit over the years! But lately trying to get off for surgical procedures in a 2 week time frame is impossible without calling off. Thus forcing me to call off because I would have to wait 3 months to get a PTO day for it. That happened last year for a colonoscopy & endoscopy I had to have so I could swallow food! I couldn't get anyone to work for me & I had to wait 3 months for the schedule to open for me to get it done. I called Off! Thus garnering me another point! Others have ruined it for me & others that truly NEED it! Carma to them as one day it may come back to bite them in the....

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  • babette54
    babette54 Member Posts: 65
    edited August 2012

    #24/34 done = 71% done (4 WBR and 6 boosts to go)

    Hello everyone.  We completed another week of rads!!!!  When I started rads on July 2, it was hard to imagine getting to the point where I would only have 10 treatments left.  The finish line is within my view.

    julz4 - I hope you get over your sickness without having to miss work.  The attendance policy at your job sucks.  It's too bad that others have abused the system.

    Regarding hair - I have not used anything to promote hair growth.  My hair is about 1/2 inch long 3 months PFC.  I think this is less growth than what is typical but I am happy now that my head is covered with hair.  The color is salt and pepper with much more salt than I would like.  I'm waiting for a little more length to see if it's going to be curly as I understand most chemo is curly.  I look at my my hair re-growth as an adventure.  I would have never cut my hair this short.  Now I will get to see what it looks like at various lengths.  I plan to wait awhile before coloring it as it is so baby soft/fine, I would be afraid of using chemicals on it.

    Have a wonderful weekend.  We are one week closer to the end of rads.  I am so ready to find my new normal.

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  • julz4
    julz4 Member Posts: 2,490
    edited August 2012

    Yeah Babette!!!!  The finish line is in sight!  Thankful for our weekend breaks!  Yes I guess hind site is 20/20 for ALL of them now. 

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