July 2012 Radiation

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

    Hi Tab....I still have my nipple hairs!!!  The under arm hair is not in the target zone!  Thanks for the well wishes. 

    It looks like my cough is not gonna get better.  Coughing a LOT & now it's productive so I'm sure it's an infection.  No fever yet but it hurts.  I am calling my GP tomorrow as my RO has suggested over the counter cough meds that could make my BP worse!  There are a lot of new guidelines out there for us high BP (even though mine is in control) ladies.  Things like Ibuprofen, cough & sinus meds.  Just to name a few so read your labels & talk with your Regular Dr's if your in my boat.  My SIL is a respiratory therapist & she said a lot of nasty stuff is going around.  Hopefully it's will by pass all YOUR neck of the woods!

    Babette it only seems to gets that color when it's been steaming inside my bra with a good swipe of Aqufor on it.  All wrinkled pruny looking.  That's why I go bra-less at home....give my girls some breathing room. 

    Isabelle what time do you want me for dessert????   Sounds yummy!!! 

    As for my Peach Fix these days I've been making fresh peach smoothies, cool for my throat & I can easily swallow it.

    Peach Smoothie, recipe....Ripe peach peeled pitted & chopped.  A 1/3 cup of non-fat plain yogurt.  Dash of Cinnamon & vanilla.  About a 1/4 to 1/3 cup of ice & a splash of milk.  Sweeten your own way.  I use about a tsp. of sugar & stevia.  Blend it up.  I have a hand held mixer & use that.  Mmmm Enjoy!  I also have a recipe for peach cream cheesecake!  Very good for a craving of something gooey but not for the waistline.  But then we do need our calories with the RADS! 

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  • Isabelle2
    Isabelle2 Member Posts: 389
    edited August 2012

    Hey everyone...rad #3 completed, not so bad only 1/2 hour today,(they called in the big guns, a radiologist with more experience) did some shopping & made the peach pies....can you smell them?  I know the end will be in sight.  3/25 is 12%  not a passing mark in an exam but I am working on it.

    Pouring rain here and I am so glad...watering all of my flowers.

    Hugs to all of you,

    Isabelle

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

    Julz:  thanks for the smoothie recipe.  You teased us with the peach cream cheesecake--bring it on!

    Babette:  Glad your doing okay.

    Tab55: No tan for me, and never had nipple hairs.  Still doing okay after #12.  Appt. wit doc said redness will start in about 5 more treatments.  Lucky us!  Hopefully, I won't get too bad.   

    Isabelle:  That peach pie sounds delicious.  Was today a little better for you? 

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  • TAB55
    TAB55 Member Posts: 198
    edited August 2012

    julz4: I'm totally stealing that smoothie recipe.  I'll use Greek yogurt and claim that the protein is helping my cells heal from the radiation.  Actually, I think our ROs should be writing us Rx for smoothies!  Bring on the cheesecake recipe.  That sounds yummy.

    kjiberty: No nipple hairs?  You're lucky. They aren't the least bit sexy...  And I'm hoping the RO is wrong about redness.  My mother was Mexican, and I'm counting on that good skin I inherited from her to keep tanning, not burning.  

    Everyone: Soon we'll be enjoying the weekend without any radiation.  That's enough to make me smile. 

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

    Tab55:  You are too funny.  I am 1/2 lebanese and hope the good skin comes through on me as well!  Yep, never had a single hair on the boobs!  It's all over the rest of my body though.  I am very hairy (or was before chemo)

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

    Peaches & Cream Cheesecake....Enjoy!

    3/4 cup flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 (3 1/2 ounce) box regular vanilla pudding mix 3 tablespoons soft butter 1/2 cup milk 1 egg 15 -20 ounces sliced peaches 8 ounces cream cheese 1/2 cup sugar 3 tablespoons peach juice 1 tablespoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon Directions: 1 Beat flour, baking powder, salt, dry pudding, butter, milk and egg with an electric mixer for 2 minutes and pour into an 8-inch square or pie pan. 2 Drain and save juice from sliced peaches. 3 Arrange peaches over batter. 4 Mix cream cheese, sugar and peach juice. 5 Beat until smooth. 6 Spoon over the top, keeping 1 inch from edges. 7 Mix sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the top. 8 Bake at 350°F for 30 to 35 minutes.

    On a side note about the recipe.  I use Skim or 1% milk.  Also I use the lower fat but NOT fat free cream cheese.  I have used fresh peaches before the final product its much juicier but still good.  If you use fresh blanch the peaches & the skin peals right off!  I've also made it with canned peaches in there own juice but add a tablespoon of sugar or what ever you like to sweeten.  Or make with out the sugar too.  Just not as sweet for sure. But still good. Also make sure the pudding mix is the COOK kind not the instant!  Really good!  I cut back on fat where I can.  Also I use smart balance because of the cholesterol.  I have been modifying my recipes for years because of my cholesterol.  It still tastes good.  Make it either way.

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

    TAB sounds good to me.  You can also get frozen berries & make em too.  My sister makes them with nectarines.  Really easy.  LMAO!  Ahh yes the sexy nipple hairs!  I always have to cut mine as they get really long & wirey thick like!  But the weird thing is I only have them on the nipple of the boob with the cancer!  Mind you they have been there for a long long time.  Things that make you go Mmmmm.

    Kj no teasing about it!  I posted it....it's too good not to!

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

    Julz:  LOL and thanks for the recipe.  Again, I have lots of hair in other places (chin, arms, etc), so I more than compensate for the lack BH (Boob Hair).  

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

    My tan didn't set in until I was done. I was pretty red under my boob, but not bad on top. Weird thing is the least red area was the most itchy. One spot is still itchy and it's been two weeks. It's not the least bit red or tan. Just itchy.

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

    Thanks, Mini1.  

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

    Kj....BH or BH it's everywhere here too!  Hahaha!  (Boob Hair & Body Hair Or BAD HAIR!) LOL!  Ok I'm just too goofey!  Tongue out  I need sleep! 

    Mini that itchy stuff is weird as some days it's worse than others!  No rhyme or reason for sure!

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  • babette54
    babette54 Member Posts: 65
    edited August 2012

    27/34 done = 79% done (1 WBR and 6 boosts to go)

    graced - Did your boost block check really only take 10 minutes?  I had mine today and it lasted about 40 minutes.  Combine that number with my regular treatment and I had my arm over my head for nearly an hour.  My arm had no feeling in it.  It took two people to get me off the table.  Luckily, I had taken a pain pill (left over from surgery) or I would not have made it!!!  The new sharpie marks make my chest an interesting colorful map.

    I've always wanted to have darker skin instead of my pale white skin but now I see a possible advantage to my Irish heritage.  I have very little body hair--and no BH (boob hair - that made me laugh).  Since menopause I have no leg hair and very little underarm or arm hair.  I know, TMI (too much information).  I find it amusing that we can talk about such personal things with strangers here on BCO.  BC certainly creates a bond between us!!!!

    One more thing about my block check today.  My RO said that my red spot will be spared (except for one small corner) during my boosts.  This means that I almost certainly will be done before school starts.  It doesn't take much to make this bc patient happy (or sad).  Got to love those mood swings.

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  • 007_Kara
    007_Kara Member Posts: 48
    edited August 2012

    Oh, I am itchy. 4 weeks into a 8 week stretch. Aloe and Aquafor are helping a bit.

     Last time I had radiation I looked like I had poison ivy. Grrrr.

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

    Barb:  Glad to hear you will be done.

    Kara:  I am itchy under my armpit as well.  Trying not to think about it....

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

    I am so glad it's Friday & I'm going to see the Dr. this afternoon!  Didn't sleep well last night as I have off now till Sunday.  So I go in for my Zap this morn.  As I'm in the dressing room going through my routine of standing in front of the Mirror putting my Calendula on first.  Then the  Auquaphor on my nip....I'm in mid swirl on the nip when the door opens!  Oh! Says the lady & she closes it quickly & leaves.  DUH....I forgot for the first time to lock my door.  In ALL the other weeks that I have been coming I ALWAYS locked the door & no one has ever rattled the door knob.  The first day I forget & whoosh!   Oh well it was a woman & I think she was embarrassed more than I was.  I just hope she didn't think I was playing tiddley winks in the changing room! EmbarassedSurprisedWink!  LOL!  I think she is new, as I've never seen her before.  She will catch on to the ropes soon.  Although she may not be there for the same as me.  Mmmmm  There was a man that finished his RADS last week for head & neck cancer.  He did Chemo at the same time!  He's in his 70's.

    Well I just got call from the Dr's they are moving my appt. time up & I gotta go.  I will catch up with all of you later! 

    Woo Hooo It's Friday....Only 8 more to go!  Big Hugs to you ALL!!!!   We can do this!!!

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

    OK, anybody want to hazard a guess why I am getting red now in my cleavage and itching like crazy after almost 3 weeks post treatment? I had the itch during the treatment. but not the redess. It's high (under my collarbone) to the center of my cleavage and that was about the least affected area during treatment. Even the tanned areas under my breast and armpit are almost faded now and I have no itchiness or discomfort anywhere else. I'm perplexed. The aloe and hospital ointments and creams are doing nothing to give me relief. I may have to call the doc Monday.

    Just an aside - I haven't shaved my legs since I had my son 28 years ago, or plucked an eyebrow for that matter. Something hormonal that was a positive. :-) I love it when people are talking about shaving their legs and I tell them I don't shave mine. They look at me like I'm going to have the Nat'l Forrest in my pant leg. lol I eventualy tell them I don't shave because I have no hair to shave but I love seeing the looks on their faces when I first tell them. :-)

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  • graced
    graced Member Posts: 104
    edited August 2012

    #25/30 complete. 5 weeks done, 1 to go.

    Mini, the nurse told me Wednesday that I can expect skin changes to continue for several weeks after treatment is complete.  I hope it clears up for you soon!

    Babette, I start the boosts on Monday and they told me that it would take 10 minutes to do the setup.  I'll let you know Monday how long it actually takes!  Though I have to say, they have been really amazing.  I never wait for my treatment.  Once I waited 10 minutes and everyone was apologizing.  And even every Wednesday when I see the doctor, I never wait for him either.  They are running like a well-oiled machine!  So glad you will be done before school starts!

    Julz that's a funny story.  At my hospital, there are no doors - just curtains you pull like in a dressing room so I always half expect someone to walk in on me but it hasn't happened yet.  I hope you start feeling better soon!

    Happy Friday everyone!

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

    Graced - I found the same thing. Very efficient, but kind at the same time. There were only 2x that I had to wait an add'l 10-15 minutes, and that was because of building maintenance issues and they were very apologetic. I was in and out in a shorter time than in took me to get there th rest of the time :-)

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited August 2012

    15 of 33 down! Almost half. No SEs at all yet. Keeping my fingers crossed that it stays that way.

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  • Isabelle2
    Isabelle2 Member Posts: 389
    edited August 2012

    Rad #4 overwith...only 25 minutes on the table this time but my back is so sore from the  2 x 1 hour episodes.  have the weekend to recuperate.   Making real English style Fish & Chips for supper....& starting off with a Manhatten...celebrating my first finished rad week.   How cool is that??? 

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

    Isabelle - good news on getting through the week. I always looked forward to the weekend reprieve. Enjoy the weekend!

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

    I am glad I have the weekend off from rads!  No skin issues yet, just tired!  I am also really busy at work, so it is probably a combo of the two.  Going to chill tonight and have a glass of wine!  Hope everyone has a lovely evening!

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  • babette54
    babette54 Member Posts: 65
    edited August 2012

    28/34 done = 82% done (only 6 boosts left to do)

    I finished my last WBR today.  My boosts start Monday.  I still have no itching; my skin is several lovely shades of pink/red but not painful (although I must be careful not to accidently touch it too hard).  I am feeling a bit more tired than usual.  My energy level is at about 85%.  Sleep has become more necessary.  I must admit that I am doing much better than I had expected.  I had read some really scary stuff posted by bc sisters on other boards.  Hopefully, my luck continues.

    I, too, plan to enjoy my weekend.  A glass of wine sounds good.  I'll join you, Kim.  Does anyone else care to join us?  Cheers!!!

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  • Isabelle2
    Isabelle2 Member Posts: 389
    edited August 2012

    babett, already there, not with the rads, only on #4 today, but definitly with the wine....cheers all.

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited August 2012
    Babette:  I am here toasting with you, Isabelle and Kim!  I am glad you are doing okay.  A little more than a week left!  Way to go!
    Isabelle:  Still trying to figure out why your rads take so long?
    Kim:  No pinkness here yet, but the doc said in another week.   
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  • Belinda977
    Belinda977 Member Posts: 381
    edited August 2012

    I had a glass of wine with you last night!  Celebrating my 10th rad treatment.  It sounds weird but doing something (treatment) makes me feel a little calmer versus the waiting to do something.  I wonder what it will feel like to not have a doc appointment every single week?  I am overdue for my dental hygiene appointment but just need to get that done so I can have a doctor break real soon (once on tamoxifen).  Then in November, my first mammogram.  Must save a Xanax for that one.

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  • Isabelle2
    Isabelle2 Member Posts: 389
    edited August 2012

    kjiberty:  Apparently they have to do new imaging for each of the first 3 sessions & the images were not lining up with the original "tatoo" one.  By the time I am situated on the table, the images are taken & compared  it is 1/2 hour  and then they had to start over again becaus ethe images did not line up...one hour of keeping absolutely still.  Same thing happened the 2nd day, 3rd day was  30 min, 4th, 25 minutes. 

     I hope they have it right now.  My arm  is very sore from keeping it over my head for such a long time...and my back  sore from being on the hard table.  Breast is all pink & I am hoping this is from the soreness & not the rads.   If it is from the rad, already, only 4th treatment, I will be a crispy critter by the time we are through.  Other than that I am fine. lol

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  • SusannahW
    SusannahW Member Posts: 470
    edited August 2012

    Isabells, my breast got very pink after the first few rads, but never really got any redder, except for just below the breast. When I had my boosts the targeted area got pink, but now after 2 weeks, my entire breast is almost back to normal, so don't assume that an early reaction means anything.

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

    My experience with the redness was the same as Suzanna's. I'll be 3 weeks out Weds. and except for one non-red but itchy spot, I'm back to normal. My skin is soft too, so far anyway. Hopefully, everything will align and you'll be in and out in no time tomorrow!

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  • Isabelle2
    Isabelle2 Member Posts: 389
    edited August 2012

    thanks gals.Smile

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