Fall 2012 Rads girls......come on in!

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  • PaEaglesFan
    PaEaglesFan Member Posts: 277
    edited October 2012

    Congratulations JPMom and Rose!!  You have both reached the end of a very long and tiring journey and deserve a well earned rest.

    For the rest of us going thru treatment, we've logged another 5 days in the books and look forward to our 2 day reprieve.  

    22/36 and the light is getting brighter Smile

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  • KimbytheSea
    KimbytheSea Member Posts: 84
    edited October 2012

    I'm so depressed. My skin is peeling and burned and essentially not in good shape. I have just seven more treatments---three of them boosts, but I may have to go on break to let my skin heal.

    I want this done. I don't want this dragged out anymore. I keep getting tears in my eyes over this.

    I'm doing Domeboro soaks and applying Silvadene three times a day. My boob has until Wednesday to heal. I just don't know what to expect. My armpit, chest and underboob are all burnt and peeling. 

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  • ladyfighter
    ladyfighter Member Posts: 184
    edited October 2012

    ((((Kimbythesea)))) I'm so sorry! Have you been using aloe Vera?? They helps a lot

    Hang on in there xoxo

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  • ladyfighter
    ladyfighter Member Posts: 184
    edited October 2012

    Cngrats jpmom and rose, please keep us posted on how your skin are after rads. Xoxox

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  • patti3796
    patti3796 Member Posts: 79
    edited October 2012

    Congrats to those that have finished !!!   Smile

    And Congrats to all of us that have 5 more days done and now a rest.

    The Side Effect of Fatigue really hit me yesterday and today.  It is only day 12, thought the fatigue would hold off a little longer.   Actually cancelled plans for Saturday as my body is saying I need rest.

    They talked to me today about Thanksgiving.    Instead of going in the Friday after Thanksgiving we are all going the Sunday before.  I thought it was strange but most people were pleased with the change.    For those still going at that time are your sites doing anything different.

    Patti

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  • jpmomof3
    jpmomof3 Member Posts: 643
    edited October 2012

    First day post rads. My boost area is sunburned looking. The other areas that were red from my regular treatments are starting to improve. I have some minor dry peeling. The areas that peel are lighter looking. The axilla is turning brown though. It is starting to get less painful.



    Good luck to you on break, hope you can get started again soon. I would hate any delays too...

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  • rcurtisra
    rcurtisra Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2012

    Today was day 8/15 for me. I am very exhausted a few hours after my daily treatment. I was getting my rads first thing in the AM but now I had them switch me to the afternoons so I could accomplish something before I am woped for the day. My skin is very red and sore. I am using aloe, calendula, and sea buckthorne oil to try and head off any skin peeling or cracking. I find myself laying in the rad treatment machine and thinking "is this really getting the job done?" This has been quite the whirlwind. I have been reading these boards since my diagnosis and have found strength in knowing I am not alone, but sometimes it just feels that way.

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  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 2,546
    edited October 2012

    rcurtisra: welcome.  I hope you have read jpmom's posts... she's done and dusted with them and is getting on with life.   it is a long haul.  Try using saline soaks.  I posted this a few pages back.  Really does take the redness and sensitivity away. 

    1 litre boiling water,  1-2 tsps salt.  Let the mixture come to room temp and then soak a soft face flannel or similar.  Wring out and lay across where you are red and sore.  10-15 mins 2x per day.  Resoak if needed.

    Hope it helps.

    16/28 for me today... over half way there and that light at the end of the tunnel is getting bright Cool

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  • rcurtisra
    rcurtisra Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2012

    Thanks for the words of encouragement. I am very grateful to be able to get advice from those who has experienced this before

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  • Summer_Girl
    Summer_Girl Member Posts: 69
    edited October 2012

    Congrats to so many that finished this week; today was my last day, too.  I teared up as I said good-bye and thank you to my incredible team; they were happy tears in appreciation for the good care my team provided; I felt blessed to have them.

    Week#1:  No effects

    Week#2:  Pink skin and migraines 5 out of 7 days (I started drinking more water and juice)

    Week #3:  Very red across top and underneath.  Continued am and pm applications of Calendula cream and aloe on the weekends.  No other affects

    Week #4:  A little fatigue (not bad); very very red skin, but it didn't break.  No headaches nor queasiness.

    I walked out of the office ecstatic that I can put this behind me.  As of today, this chapter is closed and I am very excited to move on with life and not think about this (except when the mammogram reminder comes in the mail).

    I wish you all the best of luck.  I am signing off....hopefully for good.

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  • Aruba
    Aruba Member Posts: 543
    edited October 2012

    Congrats Laurie! As I recall you had the 4 week shorter rads sometimes used in Canada??  Glad you had minimal SE and can now start on with the rest of your life!  Enjoy each day!

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  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 2,546
    edited October 2012

    Congrats Laurie... and ditto to all that Aruba said. 

    Good weekend all xxx

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  • ladyfighter
    ladyfighter Member Posts: 184
    edited October 2012

    Congrats Laurie!! Hope everyone is resting up over weekend! Xoxo

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  • Rose_d
    Rose_d Member Posts: 144
    edited October 2012

    Well I have my first open sore, 2 days after my final rads. I noticed it when I was trying to stretch my arms (I feel like I'm getting tighter and tighter in my arm pit area). It's not a big area (smaller than a dime) and it's under my boob area. I've been rubbing aquaphor on the entire area like crazy (and ruining my shirts in the process). My doc said the more I put lotion on it over the next couple of weeks the better the cosmetic results I will have.



    I dont think there is much else I can do now except give it time to heal. I guess I'm glad it's happening now and not earlier, I would have hated to have had to delay the end of my treatments.



    I hope everyone is holding up ok!



    Rose

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  • patti3796
    patti3796 Member Posts: 79
    edited October 2012

    Thinking of all of you along the east coast of the US.   With the storm and predicted power outages hoping it does not impact our treatments.

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  • PaEaglesFan
    PaEaglesFan Member Posts: 277
    edited October 2012

    Looks like I will be missing my next 2 rads because of sandy. We are in a rural area and have quite a drive to get to the center and I'm just not willing to take the chance. Of course it has me freaked out that missing them after having the weekend off will make the treatment less effective.

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  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 2,546
    edited October 2012

    PAEagles : Better to be safe than sorry.  I am sure it will not make them less effective, I mean people are told to take breaks because of their skin not holding up too good... tina_jason had to have a break.  I'm sure it will be fine.   Stay safe though.  Just watching the world Series and the weather in Detroit is horrible.

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  • IndigoMont11
    IndigoMont11 Member Posts: 1,095
    edited October 2012

    Congrats to jpmom, rose_d and Laurie on finishing! I'm headed off to #9 of 25 in the morning. I can see the outline of the treatment field now just barely. Slathering on Miaderm twice a day and hoping for the best. To all in the storm's path, I'm thinking of you!!!!

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  • PaEaglesFan
    PaEaglesFan Member Posts: 277
    edited October 2012

    I called to let them know I wouldn't be in today and probably tomorrow and the nurse didn't seemed to worried or surprised.

    Angry boob will be glad to have a break.

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  • KimbytheSea
    KimbytheSea Member Posts: 84
    edited October 2012

    My boob was all red with open, weeping areas, but they're healing so I won't have to break for five days. I'm so relieved.

    That said, our eyes are all turned toward our friends on the East Coast, hoping treatments are not too badly disrupted by Sandy. 

    Six more. Just six. 

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  • virginiab
    virginiab Member Posts: 205
    edited October 2012

    A Chance Meeting with naddine2u---

    Naddine and I had arranged to meet after our radiation sessions tomorrow, as mine are at a time close to hers just for Monday and Tuesday this week. Today I was sitting in the women's waiting room, wearing my lavender cape, while waiting to be called for my treatment. Another woman came in, also in the purple cape, and we started a conversation. After exchanging just a few sentences, she asked, "Are you Virginia?"

    I said I was and we talked more as friends, since we have all been forming bonds here on this forum. It's nice to put a face and voice to the words that have been exchanged.

    Good to meet you naddine!

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  • Bonlee
    Bonlee Member Posts: 9
    edited October 2012

    I had my radiation cancelled today and tomorrow because of Hurricane Sandy. I have a very itchy rash. I'm only using hydrocortisone now. I'm hoping the four days off will give it some time to heal. Unfortunately, I've also caught a cold. Hope I can still have my treatment on Wednesday.

    I'm glad for the break but not happy it just adds two more days till I'm finished. I just want to be done.

    Congrats to all the ladies who have finished.

    Hugs to all.

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  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 2,546
    edited October 2012

    Virginia/naddine: how wonderful you got to meet each other.   Isn’t the internet incredible?  We wouldn’t have had the chance years ago to even become virtual friends, let alone actually meet in person.  

    Bonlee:  so sorry you have had your treatment cancelled.  I am watching the US news and its just devastating what Sandy has done.  

    Stay safe all of you in its path.

    Well for me I thought I only had 7 tx left… seems I left a week out so I am up to 11 left – guess chemo brain is still with me. Tongue Out

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  • Aruba
    Aruba Member Posts: 543
    edited October 2012

    Hi all,

    Hope everyone is doing ok with the storm.  I am far from the coast, in Ohio, but even here we had 70 mile an hour wind gusts and heavy rain all night.  I could hear the siding on the house vibrate.  I was called yest to change appt times today to 8:15.  Schools and all are closed and i left very early...only 1 to go tomorrow and I would not miss this appt today come hell or....high water, if possible.  My armpit area has peeled with very pink skin underneath.  While this area is no longer getting the rads since I am on boosts now, the underboob and underarm are the areas that got the most damage.  Letting all air dry and glad I am done as my skin has taken it's share. Bringing candy in a pumpkin to the hospital tomorrow to say thanks..hard to believe I will be done until I meet with MO in mid November to start AI, I am sure.  Hugs to all!

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  • PaEaglesFan
    PaEaglesFan Member Posts: 277
    edited October 2012

    Bonlee, I am in the same boat as you.  Had a 2 day break and they called me this afternoon to let me know they are back up and good to go for tomorrow.  I was glad for the 4 day break, but it makes it that much harder to go back to Groundhog Day :( 
    Great news for you Aruba.  I hope everything goes well and there is no delay!

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  • KimbytheSea
    KimbytheSea Member Posts: 84
    edited October 2012

    Aruba, my cancer stats are very similar to yours, and I'm also close to the end of the rads and I can't wait. 

    Five more and three are boosts. Like you, the underboob, underarm and the side of my boob took the worst hit. Burned and now peeling. 

    I also got a bonus spot near my collarbone. Icky, burning and open. Bleh. Silvadene, Silvadene Silvadene. 

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  • aliyahgirl
    aliyahgirl Member Posts: 23
    edited October 2012

    Hi everyone,

    This is my first post. I'm starting radiation on Thurs (11/1) and going for the "dry run" tomorrow.  I've read so many of your posts - they're so warm and encouraging and I really appreciate them because I'm pretty nervous about this.  6 weeks ahead loom like an eternity.  It's pretty weird b/c I'm really a positive upbeat person.  

    One of the annoying things I read is that women with large breasts tend to have stronger side effects.  Is this true?  I'll be laying on my stomach - don't know if that's better or worse for burns or makes no difference.

    Oh well - guess I'll just have to wait and see what comes down the pike.  Wish me luck!

    Dx - 7/19/12

    Stage I  Left Breast  ER+/PR+, HER2-

    Lumpectomy 8/29  Re-excision 9/14

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  • ladyfighter
    ladyfighter Member Posts: 184
    edited October 2012

    25/33 today! 8 left! starting tomorrow will begin boosts! 

    little sunburn, still using aloe vera no severe burns or peeling or open wounds yet.

    Hope everyone is doing well! and I feel soooo bad for my family/friends in NY. It feels weird because I am living in Florida for 21 years (born and raised in NY), been through 6 big hurricanes with category 3's. We all prepare in Florida but NY is shocking to see!

    Welcome allyahgirl! seems like yesterday when I begin my radiation now the end will be on Nov 8th! been through lumpectomy, chemo, and this radiation. still doing herceptin (this thursday will be 4th). All are doable =]

    Take care xoxoxo

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  • Aruba
    Aruba Member Posts: 543
    edited October 2012

    Kim, sounds like we are similar in SEs as well as stats.  Hang in there and keep loobin!  I did not get anything but Radiagel from RO.  Then again the two little areas with peeling just happened since I saw her last.  Tomorrow I will see someone else as my RO is out of town and it is the last appt for a month with her. 

    Hope everyone out east is doing ok and can quickly get back on the bandwagon to get this done!  Each treatment is one step closer!!!!

    Welcome Aliyahgirl!  Take it one day at a time and while it will seem like groundhog day, it will go by slow but sure.   I think everyone no matter what the skin type etc has different degrees of any skin issues.  It does seem though, from following this thread that those well endowed with lumpectomies seem to get the "underboob" skin issues more, but that would make sense.  If you fall in this category, my advice would be to lube up early and often and also let air get underneath as much as possible.  I did well till last week and had a fan going direct as well as using aloe, radiagel from RO and the compresses that Tazzy wrote about above (boil 1 liter of water (about 35 oz) and add 1-2 tsp of salt.  Let it cool to room temp and dampen washcloth to use as compress (make sure it gets to underboob too ...such relief!!).  Hope this helps!

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  • aliyahgirl
    aliyahgirl Member Posts: 23
    edited October 2012

    Thanks Aruba and Ladyfighter for the welcome, encouragement and suggestions.  I've looked through lots of posts and am pulling together a list of products that have helped lots of you fabulous women through your rad journeys. I figure if they're good for you, they're good for me!!

    Congrats to all of you that have recently finished - can't wait to be there!


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