Summer 2012 RADS HANG OUT

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

    Karen - thanks for doing the math for me!  I like 25% done!

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  • Hortense
    Hortense Member Posts: 982
    edited August 2012

    Hello ladies. I'm new on here also. I finished chemo about four weeks ago and go for my simulation on Friday. I have no idea if I will get tatoos then, but I know they are part of the plan. This will be an adventure. After reading the posts above I will start using cream this evening.

    My oncologist told me that cocoa butter was fine to put on my scar and I may use that on my breast as well. It smells so good! 

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  • Stacie
    Stacie Member Posts: 607
    edited August 2012

    I am at 3/34.

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  • Lumpynme
    Lumpynme Member Posts: 747
    edited August 2012

    the pre surgery wire WAS probly the worst part -and it doesn't last thank goodness! not to get anyone worried- sorry!

    so this morning i go for my RO consult- armed with my meds list and all of the pprwork they sent properly filled out...probly won't get to report back in here til tomorrow-home comp totally crashed over the weekend so .well...

    i have so many pages to finish reading to keep up with you all!

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  • chapter4
    chapter4 Member Posts: 155
    edited August 2012

    Hi ladies...



    I get my first rads in 3 hours...I'm a little nervous. I have to have 36 treatments. I did the trial run yesterday....I feel so vulnerable lying on the table with my arms up over my head...you have to have so much trust in these doctors and techs....I don't know that I've ever felt less sexual in my life...there I am...no breast...an ugly scar...no hair....it's demeaning. But whatever....here goes. My OC wants me start tamoxifen in about a week....I'm not too sure about that either. I had two tumors both invasive in one breast and 3 nodes taken...one positive...close margins....I'm having the other breast removed as a precaution once I'm done with rads....then reconstruct....feels like this will never end.

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  • slak
    slak Member Posts: 179
    edited August 2012

    Hi Chapter4 - I hear you.  It is a rough ride we are on, with lots of ups and downs.  When do we get off this ride?  I am 'done' but there is much that lingers.  Little hair, nail issues, still red from rads, and now I'm feeling my b9 lumps in righty getting bigger and making me wonder.  The emotional stuff doesn't end when the hard stuff is over, but you can and will get through it.  As for rads, I had 4 different rad techs, 2 males, 2 females, and they were great.  At first it was weird, but I kept reminding myself that they have seen everything.  Eventually it will feel routine and your nervousness will fade. 

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  • nofear2012
    nofear2012 Member Posts: 160
    edited August 2012

    Keep hanging on chapter4 I am right behind u in rads start 8/20. I am so hoping that rads is easier, but I am sure in other ways it will be a challenge. I sent u a PM too.

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  • ali68
    ali68 Member Posts: 1,383
    edited August 2012

    Hi chapter4, I really feel for you I hope your giving yourself lots of great treats.

    I'm day 4 of 15 and I'm a bit worried because everyone is having more rads than me.



    I know everyone is different and I did ask if my rads were very strong and she said ( protons)

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

    Ali....in the UK & Canada there protocol is different from the US.  WE (the US) is doing trials now with 16 treatments to see if they are as beneficial on several different things.  Your getting a stronger dose every day for a shorter time.  If you need boosts as we get in the US they are done concurrently meaning the same time instead of separate like in the US.  Your still getting a hard dose dear.  I think either way dose the same thing.  But as 2 which causes more SE's or a better cosmetic outcome is what the US is into looking at amoung maybe some other things.  I was gonna be in the US trial but one of the criteria I missed & didn't qualify.  I would of been done over a week ago.  I now have 11 more days to go almost 2 weeks!  It will fly by....Along with those PROTONS!!!!  Very QUICKLY I hope!  I have a cough now with a sore throat & trying NOT to cough for the whole 5 minutes is trying!  Slowly!  But luckily it's not getting worse, no fever, just hate feeling yucky! 

    Chapter 4 although many of us do a number of different combos of meds.  Is seems Most everyone (not all) ends up with RADS.  Some that have no CHEMO breeze through & some don't.  Some who have CHEMO breeze through & some don't!  You just never know.  I thought I would have more skin issues as I am very fair.  It's not too bad, I'm doing it!   As for other weird issues that's hit me.  Well I reserve the right to have my mind changed as to final treatment is done & this short chubby lady SINGS!!! Wink  I'm having a better moment right now & am some upbeat.  But believe me like many others....Your feeling or similar have crossed our paths multiple times!  We live for moment to moment! 

    Today while lying on that cold table waiting for the days first Zap....Out of the stereo speaker comes....."Looks like we made itttttttttt!"  Yep good ole Barry Manilow!  I almost laughed what Mood Music today!  His opinion of MADE IT & mine were MILES & SHEETS apart for sure! SHEESH!!!!

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  • chapter4
    chapter4 Member Posts: 155
    edited August 2012

    Thanks ladies....I have an aloe plant and plan to start using it right away...one part of rads that's unnerving is that they all leave the room for their own protection and there I am on the table getting zapped....kept telling myself it was killing cancer cells. 1 down, 35 more to go :)

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  • Januaryice
    Januaryice Member Posts: 120
    edited August 2012

    When I went for tx number 2 today the girl noticed I had a line from where my bra goes around my body. She said that that is one of the first places that the skin will start to break down. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to wear???? Of course the guys at work are always giving tat extra stare so I really don't feel going without a bra will work:)))

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

    January I went Walmart & got the fruit of the loom all cotton jogging shelf bras. 3 in a pack for $10. I am a small 36 C & bought size 40's. They have shrunk a little through washing. I believe they go to a 44. Not sure. You want them big so they go beyond hugging under your breasts as not to rub. Many have gotten tank top to where under there are many styles to choose from as it is the thing to layer. They have them very light & smooth. Anything you buy you should try so you know it's not hitting any scars. I also have a few Genie Bras they also can be gotten at Walmart. They are very stretchy but have no seams as they are all woven nylon & spandex. Very comfortable. For my work the cotton is working the best for me as I sweat a lot & they breathe more for me. Sometimes it's trial & error. More should come along & post there suggestions. I hope this helps. One thing I know is I've had to get over the feeling of having my girls snug as a bug in a rug! A little looser & free. In fact loose is good. Because 4 weeks in now & things are a little ouchy & at home I go braless as much as I can. I wear old shirts so I dont mind if the creams stain. Let us know how your doing.

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  • dventi
    dventi Member Posts: 171
    edited August 2012

    Marcia1111:  We will be in it together. I too, have 3 chemo tx remaining before RADS...

    Love all the feedback from everyone~  Dont know what I would do without all of you!

    Are there any questions we should be asking the RO? Could there be differences of opinions by the RO on the quantity of treatments?

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  • Stacie
    Stacie Member Posts: 607
    edited August 2012

    4/34 down. So far a little soreness but no redness.

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

    i'm 10/33 - no soreness or redness.  Fingers crossed!

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  • eric95us
    eric95us Member Posts: 2,845
    edited August 2012

    Sharon is leaving in about 10 minutes for the 8:30pm practice session. The real thing starts tomorrow. The RADS place is a 10 minute walk from the house...so it's not far at all.



    I'm going with her tonight.



    Eric

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  • tina_jason
    tina_jason Member Posts: 147
    edited August 2012

    My fingers are crossed that I will be joining you ladies next week!! My wound vac is coming tomorrow and my goal is one week on the wound vac then rads asap!!! I am marked and ready to go as soon as my wound is healed enough.  If my wound hadn't broken open today would've been treatment #12!!! Ugh!  People keep telling me everything happens for a reason!  I hate that!

    January- Even though I haven't started rads yet I purchased cotton sports bras from Kmart.  The brand is Bestform and they have been very comfortable for me with all of the issues I have had with my lumpectomy incision.  I plan on wearing them through rads.  They have good support too.  My favorite ones have front clasps so they are easy to get on and off with no rubbing of the skin.  They are also very affordable.

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  • Marcia1111
    Marcia1111 Member Posts: 368
    edited August 2012

    dventi - How soon after finishing chemo will you start rads?

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  • Hiker61
    Hiker61 Member Posts: 65
    edited August 2012
    I am 7/33 with pinkness, but no skin pain. I've had little shooting nerve pains since almost the beginning, which I read are caused from nerve irritation. They are not a big deal at all, fortunately! Marcia, I started rads a month after my last chemo.
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  • ali68
    ali68 Member Posts: 1,383
    edited August 2012

    Day 5 and doing ok with no problems.

    I have been very naughty and been using my usual Products- Liz Earle.

    I have been putting Superskin concentrate! It is 100% pure plant oil

    I have been using these products for years and they make your skin like silk.

    Lots of ladies use the products while having chemo it's not cheap but well worth it.

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  • dventi
    dventi Member Posts: 171
    edited August 2012

    Marcia1111 - Hi, MO recommendation is 3 to 4 weeks after chemo tx - Have followup with him next week after 3rd chemo tx

    Will begin asking questions... What did your MO tell you?

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  • ali68
    ali68 Member Posts: 1,383
    edited August 2012

    Anyone notice weight gain with Tamoxifen I have put on 3lbs in two weeks. I will cut down and she if it still happens not happy about this.



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

    Marcia:  I was supposed to start 3 weeks after chemo, but my "plan" wasn't ready.  So I started 4 weeks ater chemo.

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  • Stacie
    Stacie Member Posts: 607
    edited August 2012

    I did 6/34 today.  Some tenderness in my armpit otherwise no notice.  Started Femara three days ago.  Don't feel any SE's yet probably too soon.

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

    Stacie:  Good for you!  Maybe you will have minimal S/E's from the femara.  We can only hope.  Just curious--why did your MO start  you on that as opposed to arimidex?  

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  • Stacie
    Stacie Member Posts: 607
    edited August 2012

    I don't know.  I will ask when i see him. 

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  • Stacie
    Stacie Member Posts: 607
    edited August 2012
    Seems like my hair is growing back so slow though.  I am 5 weeks PFC and only white peach fuzz which only shows up in the light.  Frown  I want hair waaaaaaaH!  OK I am better.  KINDA.
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  • onvacation
    onvacation Member Posts: 1,344
    edited August 2012

    Stacie - I'm 5 weeks also and i have fuzz and some brown hair that stands straight up.  No scalp coverage!  I'm ready for some hair too!

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  • mary71145329
    mary71145329 Member Posts: 133
    edited August 2012

    Hi ladies! I'll be starting my rads on 8/14. 33 treatments is my sentence. I agree completely with the vulnerable feeling....the marking and tattoos was by far the most humbling experience yet!

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  • Marcia1111
    Marcia1111 Member Posts: 368
    edited August 2012

    dventi - My MO and I haven't discussed rads since right before I started chemo.  My cancer center has a multi-modality clinic that I went to right after my dx and first meeting with BS. I met with the genetic oncologist, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and a social worker.  It was very overwhelming.  I loved the MO, but did not care for the RO.  My friend's husband is an RO and I'm going to use him.  I guess I need to ask my MO when I need to see the RO.

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