Summer 2012 RADS HANG OUT

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  • Stacie
    Stacie Member Posts: 607
    edited August 2012

    Yay Kim.



    I did 22/34 today. For those of you who've done boosters, did they cause more/less discomfort than the whole breast RADS?

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

    I've had 3 boosts so far, and so far haven't seen any difference!  Just faster!  Fingers crossed that it continues that way!

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

    Raelen:  It's so weird how different each RO practice is as far as their approaches.

    Kim:  Yeah!  Good for you.  I was able to take the tape/markets off today.  Don't need them for boosts.  RO said the pinkness will start healing right away except in the incision area where the boosts will be starting tomorrow.  That's assuming my car makes it there with the anticipated 5 inches rain we are supposed to get. 

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

    Hope the rain doesn't stop you!  Are you getting rain from Issac?  We didn't get any in Houston!

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

    Kim:  Yep.  Isaac is bringing it to us!  

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2012

    Hi, Day 22 of 30 and the pain has set in as well as significant darkening of my skin.  Hard to sleep as pain has turned form achy soreness to sharp sting.  I have been using a nurse created aquaphor lidocaine mix as well as soaking anti-stick pads with slaine solution as per nurse.  I undertand those iwht larger breasts can experience more of these issues - not fun.  Ibuprofen has also been suggested.  Takes to edge off-just.

    VVH 

  • Dianefightslikeagirl
    Dianefightslikeagirl Member Posts: 51
    edited September 2012

    Happy for all of you who have sailed thru radiation so well. I am still on a "break" from rads until next Tuesday. I still have breast swelling, soreness, a decent amount of redness and some red spots. I'm very concerned about continuing radiation. I am still supposed to have 20 more treatments! Ugh. Worried about how I will hold up.. And worried about long term side effects and appearance of my skin. Not liking radiation one bit! :(

  • KCB
    KCB Member Posts: 365
    edited September 2012

    10/30 done yesterday. A nice round number. Now a three day break followed by a four day week. So far it doesn't seem too bad. I know it's still early for SEs to show up though, so I won't hold my breath.

    Supposed to go back to work mid september, which is my 5th of 6 weeks... But worried I may be tired by then. Anyone there yet who can tell me how they're doing?

    Wishing you all a good Saturday!

  • KCB
    KCB Member Posts: 365
    edited September 2012

    Diane: sorry to hear what you and your skin are going through. Sucks.

  • SusannahW
    SusannahW Member Posts: 470
    edited September 2012

    KCB-I started to get tired by the start of the 6th week. I probably could have worked, I just became extremely tired in the early evening, and had to go to bed around 8 at night. During the day I was not that tired, and my energy level was not really reduced. Hope this helps-I think you'll do fine at work.

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

    KCB:  I am like Susannah.  I get so tired around 8.  I can make it through the day, but I just can't manage to stay up in the evening.  One more week.....5 more treatments.  Off to my first boost this a.m.

  • chapter4
    chapter4 Member Posts: 155
    edited September 2012

    Raelan....



    I finish up rads on Sept 26 and also have to wait for reconstruct. I'm trying to decide what the best option is.

    They tell me you need to wait 6 months or more. My plastic surgeon is talking about taking a muscle we don't need, from my back and using that to reconstruct.

    I plan to have another mastectomy and will have an expander put in on that side. They don't want to do it all at once ( meanig mastectomy, expander and reconstruct on radiated side) because they say there is risk of infection.

    I'm interested to hear what you know.

    I'm so anxious to get all the surgeries done and get back to as close to normal as possible.

  • KittyWinnie
    KittyWinnie Member Posts: 19
    edited September 2012

    KCB: I have had 28 treatments, 5 more to go. Radiation affects everyone differently. I had a friend that was never bothered by fatigue at all. I know someone else that gets so tired she goes straight home and takes a nap. She doesn't work, though. I think most people fall somewhere in between.

    I do get a little tired in the afternoon, around 3PM, but I found that going for a brief walk seems to help. The RO had advised me to walk to help with fatigue. I also usually walk back and forth to my treatment each day, about 3/4 mile each way, so that helps, too.  However, the past week or so, I am really walking at a snail's pace coming back from treatment as I am so tired. I've taken the bus a few times lately because I am too tired to walk.  If I had a physically demanding job,  it would be tougher, but I sit at a desk most of the day.   Some suggestions: try to go to bed earlier and drink lots of water. You'll do fine and it will be over before you know it. 

  • Dianefightslikeagirl
    Dianefightslikeagirl Member Posts: 51
    edited September 2012

    Thank you kcb! Good luck with your treatment!!

  • KCB
    KCB Member Posts: 365
    edited September 2012

    Thanks Susannah, kjiberty and kitty for weighing in...I know we all react differently but it still really helps to hear from real people who are living it right now, to hear the range if possibilities...

    Had a very nice day "off" so far.

  • Belinda977
    Belinda977 Member Posts: 381
    edited September 2012
    On my last two whole breast treatments I starting having the stinging pain.  Just about gone now.  I have had the first 2 boosts.  The rest of the breast is getting less pink.  The nipple is still angry though.  Surprised  
  • Lumpynme
    Lumpynme Member Posts: 747
    edited September 2012

    i am wondering if some of my "tired" during the day is the fact that i actually start to relax and get comfy on the table then poof- they are done! kindof like they are iteruppting my "almost nap"..hope that makes sense!

    yesterday, i helped my daughter finish moving out of her two story apt. i am exhausted today! but it's a good feeling....

    i , too, find that at about 8 at nite i am ready for bed -i try to make it til 10 but lately i've had to wake up shortly past 9 to go to bed! i would be ok with that (if i lived alone) but hubby really misses me all day long and hates when i go to bed early....he's lonely-no life!

  • Cottontail
    Cottontail Member Posts: 374
    edited February 2013

    Those of you who are finding yourselves tired earlier than normal, are you at least able to sleep better/longer?

    I've struggled with insomnia for many years, and I think I wouldn't mind being tired early if it might mean I'll sleep better through the night.  I've read several studies that show people who get less than optimal (for them) sleep, or work night shifts, have higher rates of cancers and other diseases, so getting my sleep under control is going to be a priority for me. 

  • Stacie
    Stacie Member Posts: 607
    edited September 2012

    Cotton I am an insomniac totally. Some days i fall asleep at 9 or so, shocking for me. I wake up 1-3x due to hot flashes but go right back to sleep. And I occasionally yawn in tge day. Wow. Like you I welcome it.

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

    Sorry, I am with Stacie.  Total insomniac as well.  I fall asleep okay, but then I wake up 2-4 x's in the middle of the night.  Sometimes, I am up for 1-3 hours at a time too

  • Cottontail
    Cottontail Member Posts: 374
    edited February 2013
  • Lumpynme
    Lumpynme Member Posts: 747
    edited September 2012

    cotton...i am actually sleeping thru the night unless the cat has some hysterical screaming fit...(she does not like this house for some reason!)and i'm dreaming so i must be getting good sleep....

    i am, however, awake at like 4 am since i'm going to bed so early! so i watch law and order before work- i love vincent d'onofrio (robert goren)!

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

    Lumpynme:  "Robert Goren" is crazy.  That was always my fav L & O show.  At least you are not being awakened by a dog barfing all over your floor.  It has happened 4 times in the past week  We took her to the vet and she had emergency surgery for a stomach obstruction (you know how animals are--they will eat anything).  Well, we (and she was) lucky.  If we had waiting a day she would be gone. :(  She had surgery at noon and came home at 6.  She's pretty lethargic, but our Abby is with us.  

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

    Karen - so glad your dog is ok! Always hard for me to decide when to take my dog to the vet or wait it out -glad you made the right decision!

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

    Thanks, Kim.  Oh yeah..My air conditioner broke on Friday; the guy had to come back and fix it (1700)yesterday.  Needless to say, September is starting out as a very EXPENSIVE month.

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

    Karen - I had to do that in August - hoping September is less expensive!

  • Melrosemelrose
    Melrosemelrose Member Posts: 3,018
    edited September 2012

    Hello to All!!!

    Just checking in on some of my favorite threads and people here!!!!!  Glad to hear everyone is moving forward with the rads and upbeat about their progress.  Sorry to hear that for some of you have had a rough time with the rads.  I know all of you are trying to make the best out of whatever treatment phase you are in.

    Thank goodness for non-stop episodes of Law and Order since those infomercials just don't do much for me.  Now, I know I'm not watching it alone---- everyone else here  who is awake at that time is also watching !!!!

    onvacation- Make sure you don't speed through West U.-- the WUPO are notorious for tickets on Buffalo Speedway!!! 

    kjliberty- Hope your sweet dog gets better soon!!!  Glad that a/c repairman came out and fixed that a/c quickly even though wasn't an inexpensive fix.  I know I couldn't do without a/c living here in Houston!

    Although my journey does not include radiation, I think of all of you often and hope each of you is doing well and moving forward.   Wishing everyone minimal side effects!!!!

  • Stacie
    Stacie Member Posts: 607
    edited September 2012

    Hello all. I have had a wonderful weekend so far. Lots of activity. A HS FB game, an adoption shower (mine), dinner and a play, a nieces 1st b day party. Today I deal with the broken dryer situation by taking a week of clothes to the laundromat. I haven't been to the laundromat in 30 years! Oh well I can knock it out and relax the remainder of the day.

  • Lumpynme
    Lumpynme Member Posts: 747
    edited September 2012

    karen..so glad your abby is ok! i am having severe flea issues here with my dog and cat and really am thinking of putting both of them in a huge plastic bag with a "bomb"--no-seriously i would NEVER do that ..i shouldn't kid....

    last year i went to college full time while working-had to stop due to moving here after my bc dx--anyhow- my focus was on human services and i loved the psyche classes- i think that's part of what i love about goren's character!i am anxious to get back to school but it's not ready to be put back on my plate just yet- i need to get thru my tx etc...

    laundramat-oh gosh..i went once after we moved here and it was enough to make me break down and buy a washer and dryer ....

    an adoption shower? how cool! i was adopted....

    well it's monday and i have done nothing- i DID shop saturday after helping my daughter move- and i cooked yesterday....and watched tv and did a few hours on pinterest...i have a list (in my head) a mile long of stuff i should do and just no energy still to do any of it!before i know it  i'll have to go back to work tomorrow!

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

    Margo, I had bad fleas with my dog and finally took her to the vet.  He gave her a shot, and a pill that got rid of the fleas within an hour, and then another pill to take every 2 weeks.  I also had my house exterminated and now finally think it is under control.  I live in Texas and with the drought last year and the mild winter they said the fleas were very bad.  My dog had never had fleas in 14 years so I was totally freaked out and she was miserable!  Try going to the vet and see if they can help you!  Good luck!

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