3rd day of Radiation today!

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Jeni1962
Jeni1962 Member Posts: 31
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
Hi Ladies,Well...I'm on my second day of radiation. I have to say...it's kind of weird laying there allowing a machine to zap something into your body we have been told for so many years to stay away from. Remember the Amana Radar Range when it came out? I laid their yesterday...in my first treatment....and thought about, "Stay away from the door of the microwave. It shoots out radiation!"  So here I am...laying here...breast waiting to be radiated. Just felt kind of wrong. Something so dangerous for us is going to help me? Just a strange moment.The question I want to ask you all...did anyone feel anything on their first visit? I swear I have felt tingling in my breast from yesterday...day 1 and today...day 2. Am I imagining it? I don't think so...I know I'm feeling it. I didn't think I'd feel anything for a few weeks.I just want to know if anyone else felt that...or am I just weird? haha...ok..you don't know me..but maybe I'm just weird.Thanks for the advice ladies!JeniCool 
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  • amawmaw
    amawmaw Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2012

    Hi Jeni, Today I will have my 3rd radiation treatment for breast cancer. After the first treatment my breast was slightly sore and had areas of redness. The second treatment increased the redness. I didn't feel any tingling.

    I have sensitive skin so I can imagine what my breast will look like by the end of the 7 weeks.

    The nurse gave me samples of aquaphor to apply two times a day and a white cloth to put under my breast during the day.

    Good luck with your treatments.

    Sincerely, FRAN

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  • christina0001
    christina0001 Member Posts: 1,491
    edited October 2012

    I'm only on day #4. I don't feel anything during treatment. Afterwards, the area feels a little warm. I've had a few sensations of pain afterwards, like nerve pain, but not bad, just a few and then that's it.

    The thought of radiation freaks me out too. I am really worried about the long-term consequences of it, but my RO assures me the benefit outweighs the risk or they would not recommend it.

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  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 733
    edited October 2012

    Hi Jeni,

    No doubt you are almost done. I am on my second day and I had the same sensation you did. Sort of a tingling. My breast is a bit sore and I also have a bit of pain in my back around the upper radiated side. Not sure what that is.

    I was doing not to bad today and all of a sudden got a little nausea and overwhelming fatigue. Did you ever experience that?

    Bunkie

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  • Jeni1962
    Jeni1962 Member Posts: 31
    edited October 2012

    Hi Bunkie and others,

    Tomorrow is my last day!! Whoo hoo. Yes I felt nausea at first and now a lot of fatigue. It's such a weird process. I'm glad it's almost over. I did not have any back pain but what I've learned through all of this...we are all different and some of us will feel things while others feel something else. We'll have a lot in common but I think ANYTHING you are feeling is WHAT you are feeling for you. I also felt short of breath at times.

    Why I say it like that? Because sometimes I feel as if the Dr.'s think I'm just making stuff up. Well..I think we know our bodies pretty well when things are different...we know it.

    I know you are only on round 2. Good luck and stay strong. Tomorrow is #20 for me and I'm glad that it's over. Looking forward to getting my skin back. The last couple of weeks has been a bit rough. However, there is nothing we can't handle, right??

    Just have to move through it and move on!

    Good luck to you!!

    Jeni 

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited October 2012

    I finished Rads on July 27th.  The first few days I felt tingling.  It went away.  I had all those strange emotions you did.  Tonight I stood in front of the microwave and thought, oh well. Live dangerously.  LOL!

    I am 56 years old and never got tired during rads - at least not enough to take a nap. I did go into bed an hour or two earlier to rest, read or watch TV,  but fell asleep at usual time.  It was 100 degrees here in Ohio most of the time..  My Radiation Techs, who were great, kept telling me fatigue is for old people.  Since I was feeling pretty old after all I had been through, they sure cheered me up!  Their positive attitude helped me. 

    I had peeling skin 2 weeks after I was done.  Got all new skin.  Looks pretty darn good.

    You will do great!!!!  The first week is the worst.  After that, the emotions of that huge machine looming over you kind of go away.  You learn every noise it makes!

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  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 733
    edited October 2012

    Congrats Jeni!!!!

    Denise-G that gives me something to look forward to. I am pink already.

    Today was day 4 and tonight I noticed a little twinge of red and a slight burn lower breast and underarm when I put on the Aloe Vera. I will look at it in the morning. A bit early for changes.

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  • Jeni1962
    Jeni1962 Member Posts: 31
    edited October 2012

     BUNKIE10,amawmaw and christina00

    I started turning red from day 1. I know...hard to believe...but I did. Some people are just a little more sensitive than others I guess. 

    I kept a journal every day I came out I wrote on my iPad what I felt and what I was experiancing. When I just looked back.....I didn't read them because it actually made me feel emotional....but looking back on those first few days, weeks I had so much emotion...so much to write about. As time went on the emotions calmed a bit and I just went along for the ride. Even though my skin was getting worse and I was getting more tired, I guess you finally just give into what's happening and go with the flow. What else can you do right?

     So for me, I guess what I'm saying...everyday physically was getting a bit more challenging but emotionally I was getting stronger and was able to push through it.

    How many treatments will you have ladies?  

    I had 20. Doesn't sound like as many as others but I was told my 20 equals the same amount as someone who had 30. They just give it in a shorter period of time, stronger dose.

    I bought myself and Aloe Vera plant towards the end and that was very nice and soothing on the "hot spots"! :)

    Hang in there...keep writing in here if you want as a special place to come to and chat.

    Stay strong and before you know it....it will be over and you'll be done.

    Take care.

    Denise ...what a great attitude I love it! Another kick ass...think positive kind of woman! 


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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited October 2012

    Jen1962 - I had 33 rads and wasn't eligible for the shorter but stronger dosage.  I think that is the Canadian according to my RO.  He explained it all to me, but I forgot now!

    There is something so emotional about that big machine...it is so impersonal.  Good that you journaled through it!!!

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  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 733
    edited October 2012
    Thanks Jeni I do not want to be such a wimp but wow. Today was day 5 and awful. Got up from the table and almost fell. Needed help walking to the car. Have been in bed all day yet I can't sleep. I know I just  need to get to that mental state where I am some sort of ninja warrior. FrownThis site is what helps me so thank you so much. I will make it through. Others have been through much more but ......
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  • Jeni1962
    Jeni1962 Member Posts: 31
    edited October 2012

    Bunkie,

    Don't be so hard on yourself. Everyone reacts to everything differently. I went to a support group just for one meeting and I saw a lot of women, in my opinion that were "much worse" than me.

    However, it took me a while to get away from that attitude. It's sucks for ALL of us. Doesn't matter what stage you are...what treatment you have to go through...it's still scary stuff. So, yes others may have had to endure more procedures or what have you....but what YOU are going through is not fun and it's ok to feel ANYTHING you feel during this time.

    If you could read some of my earlier posts in my journal I didn't come across as anything but a freaked out...emotional and just confused at times.

    I don't know how old you are...but when I was a teenager...microwaves came out for the first time. The big warning....STAY AWAY FROM THE DOOR....there is radiation there and it's not good for you.

    So then...here we are laying on the table and what are we doing....all I can hear...STAY AWAY FROM THE DOOR! haha

    How could something so bad...help us? Well, I guess it's better than the alternative.

    So....you're not a wimp....your experiancing something you have never experianced before and it affects you mentally and physically. I know you'll be fine. The best thing I can say to you....take it one day at a time. Don't over think it. Don't worry about tomorrow...just deal with the moment and live in it. Remember to breathe....and each day find the good things that are happening all around you. They are there....try to focus on that a few times a day and it helps to get through to tomorrow!

    Hang in there...you're right where you need to be....and you'll be just fine!

    I'm here for you!Wink 

    Jeni 

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  • Danadane
    Danadane Member Posts: 27
    edited October 2012

    Hi,



    So glad to find you all!



    I had #2 of 28 today. Yesterday I swear my skin was pink and today it's pink again and feeling very sensitive. I couldn't believe that I was having a reaction on the first day! I was worried I was losing my mind!



    I'm also struggling with so many emotions. I found myself shouting obscenities at the machine ( in my mind of course!) during the treatment. I also had to fight the urge to just jump off the table and run screaming down the hall. I'm sure the techs would have loved that! I'll try to think better thoughts tomorrow!



    Would love to have an update on how everyone's doing!



    Take care :)

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  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 733
    edited October 2012

    Danadane,

    I just want you to know I was pink the first day and already tender and I am still at it. My skin is holding out better than I thought. I have been putting the aquaphor and aloe vera on 3 times a day and letting the boob air when I can. I do not wear a bra and that is very hard at times because I have a large chest..38DDD. I have to say when I first started I was a panicked mess and the ladies here gave me a ton of support and great advice so that I calmed down and am getting through it. My RO even offered to let me do 4 days a week if needed to get me through it. The fatigue is the worst now but my nausea and other SEs have calmed down. I still have some issues from my autoimmune disease but feel I can do this.  

    It is a hard thing to face emotionally along with the physical. So cuss at the machine if you have to. I try to imagine little cancer fighters eating cells when I am in there. I wish you the best and please vent here or ask for advice. It really does help.

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  • Jeni1962
    Jeni1962 Member Posts: 31
    edited October 2012

    Hi Ladies,

    I am 2 weeks out from finishing my RADS. The week after my skin did get a little more tender and raw....BUT...I had bought an Aloe Vera plant and kept putting that magic potion on it and by the end of that week or maybe a little longer...it started taking a turn for the better.

    Now 2 weeks out....it hardly even looks like I had anything done to that breast. It's a little tan but it's so weird how your body recovers so quickly.

    Danadane....I so know the feeling of laying there and wanted to just scream. There were a few times for sure that I laid there and the tears rolled down my cheeks. It almost is a violation of your body...it's how it felt to me. I too turned red and sensitive from day one. Felt a tingling when they were doing the RADS. Trust me....I swear...it gets easier as you go through it. I mean...your skin starts getting worse but by then you are mentally less emotional and able to "deal" with it. At least that's how it was for me. 

    Keep up a postive attitude as much as possible and remember...this is NOT FOREVER. It ENDS....and your body restores....and it will be all over.

    Good luck to you...keep writing here and let us know how it's going. I check this site every day to every other day!

    Take care ladies!

    Jeni

    Been there...done that!Cool

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  • LScott63
    LScott63 Member Posts: 57
    edited October 2012

    I had internal radiation so the wires ran right by my head and it was very strange.  I asked and they allowed me to wear my Ipod while I had treatment.  Time went by very fast.  Treatment was 12 min 6 seconds.  Don't know how that compares to external.

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  • rcurtisra
    rcurtisra Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2012

    I also swear I have felt something since the first day of treatment. My RO said it was way too soon but I know how I feel. Today, I had my 8th treatment and the whole breast is very red and sore. Everyone made it seem easy breezy and no big deal but I feel very tired and ill after every treatment.

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  • Jeni1962
    Jeni1962 Member Posts: 31
    edited October 2012

    LScott63.....Internal sounds VERY different than external. Actual treatment....only lasted a couple of min. for me each time. Interesting the internal thing. I had not heard of that.

    rcurtisra....I too felt it the first day. We know our bodies and how it feels on a daily basis. They too said it was too soon...but guess what...I turned red and even felt a few zaps and zings when they did the actual radiation. They said...no one has ever said that. I know I'm not crazy....it's what I felt. We all are different with how we react to this. Sorry that you feel ill afterwards. A few times I got a slight headache and was a bit nauseous. Tired....Oh yeah!  I finally after 2 1/2 weeks finished finally feel my energy coming back. 

    One day at a time ladies! 

    Hang in there...it will be over and you can move forward and move on!

    Cool

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  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 733
    edited October 2012

    Jeni,

    I feel a zap or zing too. Not all the time and no pain but a ziggy. They tell me I am nuts but I like you know my body. Off today and my nipple is huge, painful and red swollen. I have been using my creme 3 times today. The fatigue is off the hook but holding steady. !3 more to go.  

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  • Jeni1962
    Jeni1962 Member Posts: 31
    edited October 2012

    Go Bunkie go!

    You're almost done!

    I remember my nipple feeling like a baby had nursed on it for at least a week straight! ha So engorged and sensitive. That too calms down and goes back to normal!

    Hang in there....before you know it the recovery will be started!

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  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 733
    edited November 2012

    Well ladies I hate to go but today is my last treatment and I am DONE!!!. My skin is in good shape except under the breast in the crease. I was given the Vaseline pads to use under there for 4 days and my RO is going to see my for a quick skin check next week. Still have me using the aloe vera and aquaphor because I am sulfa allergic so no silvadene. Darn it. These last 5 boosts are really hard for some reason but it is over. I will stop in here from time to time and I will be doing some posting on the after rads discussions. There is still a lot to go through..that I know. Good luck to all of you going through it right now and stay strong. I want you to know this site really helped me with a lot of stuff emotional and physical so bless you all.

    When I started this I joined about  3 sites to get some advice but this was the only one I actually used and would post on. Very nice group of ladies here and the site is easy to maneuver.

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  • Jeni1962
    Jeni1962 Member Posts: 31
    edited November 2012

    WOW...Happy Graduation, Bunkie! Continued success in your recovery and as you move on to the next chapter in your life!

    I too am grateful for having had this site to come to! 

    Cool Jeni

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