Winter RADS 2012 Club...Please come join the fun!
Also want to include all those just starting for 2013!! Thought I would start a new thread for all of us girls who will be beginning radiation in December. I just recently finished up with chemotherapy and am a little nervous about starting on the radiation journey. I haven't gotten my appointment yet, but hope to start around 12/5/12 or close to it. I should have 30 rounds of radiation when all is said and done and hopefully be done by the end of January sometime. I hope some of the Fall Rad girls will come join this group also because I know that we could sure use your wisdom and I hope all the new comers will come join and let us know how things go for you...all the good the bad the funny, the fears etc. I want us to be here for each other every step of the way. Hugs to all! -- Sonya
Comments
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Hey sonson, thanks for starting the thread. I have my last taxol on Tues 11/20 and port removal on wed 11/21. I had my consultation last week with my RO. My mapping session is Tues 11/27 (tattoo and sharpie) ...I too hope to start 12/5. Her we go!
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I begin radiation on Tuesday and would love to join this thread! I had my mapping last week but had some complications. They found what they thought was an enlarged lymph node on the CT used for mapping. I had to have a needle biopsy this past Monday. I found out yesterday that it is just "old pooled blood" [big sigh of relief] and now we are scheduled to begin radiation. I am just ready to begin so I can get to the end. I am definitely experiencing treatment fatigue. I started with chemo and had surgery in early October. I was hoping to skip rads but had 1/100th of a centimeter found in my SLNB. So here I go.
Hope you are both transitioning well out of chemo!
Lynda
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Hi Ladies. I know sonson from the Fall Rads thread. I said I would join this one as a 'graduate' of all things bc (yeah right)
I finished my rads Wednesday and would be more than happy to offer any help, answer questions - if I can - to help you through this part of your journey.
Gentle hugs to all xx
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Alright ladies this should be a fun ride...here we go.
Thanks Tazzy for being our sounding board...we will certainly need some words of wisdom. Like moisturize! And I have to say that l love your smiling face. I can't say how you looked before all this started, but I think you look great. You mentioned in the fall rad group how you could look great without eyebrows and all that, but I think it's the radiant smile and the twinkle in your eye. It says a lot!
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Hi All!
Hey Madelyn, good luck to us both on our final chemo on 11/20. Meeting with RO on 11/19 so will have a schedule for December. Here we go!
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I had my consultation with my RO earlier this week and waiting to be scheduled for the planning appointment probably after Thanksgiving. Not so nervous about this part of the journey. I will be going for six and a half weeks of rads so should be done mid-January, depending on how the holidays effect scheduling. Glad to be doing this close to home instead of where I had my chemo, which was awesome but too far away to get to every day. It's a cancer center financed by Roy and Patricia Disney and my physical therapist looks like a Disney princess. I keep expecting to find Mickey wandering the halls!
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Sonya, I posted this reply to you on Fall thread....for some reason my page didn't update the most recent posts so didn't realize new thread started. I said in reply to your questions: I'm allowed to shave gently with an electric razor and wear deodorant, but am tending to spread my Radiaplex lotion halfway into that area since I'm feeling a slight irritation, so just a thin strip. The techs say nothing offends them anyway! As for underwire bra, I was told to avoid them, in fact go bra-less as much as possible, to avoid irritation. I've been wearing my sports bras since my regular smaller one seems to rub just at the wrong spot under my arm. Had #9 today, feel great and noticing just a little color change. My issue is a lingering hematoma from the needle biopsy TWO months ago, dr says be patient but it isn't comfortable to sleep on or exercise. Patience......
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Hi Sonya,
I guess I will flip flop between both threads as I am in between the fall and winter group and I don't want to be alone. I just finished 7/31 and have learned a lot from the others. The 2 big ones have to be:
1. Lube the boob
2. Salt water treatment (see Tazzy's formula)
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Sonson: Thanks for your kind words. Through all of this I tried my hardest to keep my sense of humour and just the joy of every day living. This bc crap certainly gives you a fresh perspective.
Whaevah & Madelyn: congrats when you finish chemo. Another chapter closed in this book. Onto the next to finally kick cancer’s arse.
Life: rads really are easier than chemo – I mean what wouldn’t be ? Glad for you it is closer to home.
Heidi: I would definitely say no to wire bras during rads. Ouch! I did go and still am going braless when I can just to stop any rubbing. I wear the Genie bras now which are perfect for me as I can wear my foobie on the right side and they are comfy.
Loveof: good idea to flop between threads. I am on quite a few as like you its better than being alone. Our DH’s and any other support we have are great, but really unless you have been through this, no one has a clue of how our minds are feeling except the sisters on this board. They have truly kept my sanity on so many occasions.
Hugs to all xxxx
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Hope you don't mind if I join in! I started rads already; today was 9/25. I'm feeling really tired today, but no skin issues! Good luck to everyone and hope we all have minimal SEs!
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Andrea, #9 for me today too! And I should be asleep by now, but have been feeling ok so far. Having said that, the urge for an afternoon nap is normal for me. But now I will surrender to it w/o guilt. RO said to expect fatigue around 2 weeks in. Breast is slightly pink today.
Tazzy, I have never worn an underwire brain my life, barely an A cup! The nurse told me to avoid them and I can't even imagine how terrible one would feel during this treatment.
I like my zip up front cotton sports bra from Penney's when I do have to wear one. Good support and doesn't dig.
But my family is getting used to seeing me in my big pj top, barely buttoned so air can circulate. My husband finds it amusing, I think he believes I leave the house like that! -
Well. I suppose I'm joining. Kicking and screaming. I had my BMX, ALND and chemo last year. I was in the gray area for rads. RO agreed/determined rads would offer no benefit. I was thrilled with no rads! I had NED until a recon revision in Sept. My PS sent some tissue he removed to pathology. They were shocked to find a microscopic amount of IDC. Residual cancer, not a recurrence. My RO and the tumor board determined I now need rads. RO had been waiting on a couple things before determining the treatment plan. Everything finally came in Wed. I was hoping to get a call before the weekend, but no such luck. Waiting some more for the treatment plan.
I've had a lot of uncertainty and waiting these past two months. The hardest wait since the whole cancer journey started. I thought I had found my new normal but this residual cancer has proved otherwise. I'm not flipping out or even crying about it anymore. i've made myself miserable with anger and worry in the past and i choose not to dwell in that sort of negativity any more. I'm just very stalled right now. I cannot stand not having a plan!
Anywho. I read the whole fall rads thread and I found it comforting and informative. I'm grateful to find support from those who get it.
A special hello and big hugs to Andrea! -
Hi Paula! I'm sorry you have to join this crowd, but if this finally puts an end to the BC, then it's totally worth it. I've been thinking of you, and wondering how you were doing.
I've been feeling really tired the past 2 days, and rather nauseous. Today my breast looks a little pink, so I'm slathering on more Miaderm and hopefully it doesn't get any worse than that!
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Hey Andrea
I don't start rads probably until dec 5 but I was reading some opinions/reviews on lotions so I bought Miaderm off amazon.com. I bought four tubes (not cheap) I was wondering if you we're happy with it. Do you switch off with aloe or anything else at night? -
Hi Madelyn! So far I like the Miaderm. When I received my order, they included a tiny jar of it that I take with me to my treatments and apply when I'm changing back into my clothes. So far, so good. I do have aloe vera if I start feeling toasty, and the cancer center gave me several samples of Aquaphor, which is really heavy and greasy. I hope I won't get to the point I'll need it!
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Hey Winter Gals!
For you, and all who join you throughout the season, here's some helpful info on the main Breastcancer.org site on Radiation Therapy, including types of radiation therapy, what to expect, and how to manage side effects. You may also find it helpful to read the Fall 2012 Radiation thread, for more tips and tricks from others who've been there!
Hope this helps!
--Your Mods
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Hello everyone! My last chemo is Nov 20th (can I get a "hell yeah!!!" from my sisters?) and I will start rads sometime in December 2012. I already have an appt with my RO for Nov 28th that I made because I am so frikking eager to get this all done! but I should check with my RO &/or insurance about that one I guess...
LyndaMarie, What a scare to have! so glad it was nothing scary. -
allurbaddayswillend: I love that title! I am so glad your chemo is over after Tuesday. YAY! There is nothing like chemo to kick your butt and leave you a mere shell of a person while it is killing that cancer off. I'm just sayin'...it could have spared my nails...but I digress. Now you can join us for the holiday season. Imagine Betty White saying this: "won't that be fun?!"
Your hair in the avitar looks exactly like mine. Last night my DH said how I am getting "fuzzier" every day! hahaha
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Hi everyone,
Thought I would jump in as I just joined the board today after a few months of lurking. I have my simulation scheduled for November 29th, so count me in the December group! The fact that I'll be having radiation is still kind of news to me. At my post surgical follow-up, my BS told me that I might not need radiation because the area of DCIS was extremely small (almost entirely removed during the stereotactic biospy - less than 1mm taken out during the lumpectomy) and the margins were totally clean. This gave me a little bit of false hope, as it turns out.... when I followed up with the radiation oncologist two weeks ago, he strongly disagreed, given my age at diagnosis (48) and the high grade of my tumor. So here I go. At this point, I am fine with it, just a little worried about my skin, especially as the scar is not healing well (I tend to heal badly). Looking forward to getting tips from those who have been or are going through it.
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allurbad, CONGRATULATIONS! After Tuesday you will start to return to yourself. What a great feeling as the fog begins to lift. I am 8 weeks post chemo and am beginning to feel like my self on the inside again- now if my hair follicles would get the message......
Loveof critters- did you lose your nails? Was it the taxotere? I lost all ten after only two taxotere rounds. It also gave me "dermatologic toxicity" which burned the skin off my hands, made my heart race, and put me n the hospital. That' s when I broke off my relationship with taxotere and started dating taxol, lol. -
cowpower: Yes, the Taxotere (only was able to finish 2 of the 4 I was supposed to do!) took my nails. I am trying to keep the thumbnail on by a bandaid since part of it is attached and the other nails have all lifted half way down, so I suspect they will go any day now. Glad to hear I wasn't the only one that bailed on that drug...just couldn't do it. My hair is not growing back as quickly as I thought. I stopped chemo in August and I was expecting a nice curly mess by now...I am shampooing with Alra shampoo now and it seems to be helping. Other threads have blamed Taxotere on that too!!!
Finished 8/31...so far so good. Saw the doctor that looks like Tony Danza again and he said they should be hearing me start to complain by next week.
I know they have gone through this so much they are up on the timing but it sure would be nice to prove them wrong! -
Congratulations on being done with chemo! Hell yeah...allyourbaddayswillend! Hell yeah! I just got over my bad days since my last chemo was 11/14 and now I'm on the upside of things. Thank god that's finally over with. That day three and four really does me in and the bone pain this time around was pretty bad...even with the claritin. But the good thing is that was the last one! I keep telling myself this...that was the last one!
It's a good thing I bought some of those genie bras from Bed Bath and Beyond! I guess I can try them out now. As far as creams go I think I'm going to wait until I have an appointment. I go back on Wednesday to check my blood counts so hopefully they will set me up with radiation at that time. I'm anxious too to just get this over with. I'm hoping it's an easier ride than this chemo has been. It's got to be right? I can't wait to start feeling like myself again. I'm anxious for hair as well, but I'd be fine if I could just feel more like normal again. It's so hard to take this one day at a time when all you want to do is be done with it all.
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I just came from Zap #11 and whoo boy am I turning pink. No pain, itching or anything like that. Just pink. Slathering on my Radioplex and giving it air while I'm alone! lol. I stopped at the store on the way home and long line for just a few things, and felt like I could take a nap right over my cart, but now I feel fine!
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heidismom: How many treatments do you have to do altogether?
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Love....I have 26 plus 7 boosts, so 33 altogether.
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I will be joining everyone in December. I will be having an appt the last week of November to set me up for radiation. I will be having 35 treatments. I would like to go first thing in the morning but I have been told those appts might not be available for a few weeks. If I have to go during the work day it would probably take me an hour because of the driving distance. I am also hoping that we don't get much snow because that would delay my treatments. I will be so glad when this is over.
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Welcome, Loneskier! My center doesn't start appointments till 9 am, so I have mine in the afternoon. I must have a good time slot, cause they always get me in early, sometimes as much as 20 minutes! I'll keep my fingers crossed that you won't get a lot of snow during your treatments. That's one thing I also hope for myself. I hate driving in it!
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My center starts appts at 6:30 am and go until 7 pm. I really want the 7-7:30 am appt because I am a morning person.
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Just finished 4/30. Yay! only 26 to go... I love reading the love notes from all of you a little ahead of me like heidismom, love, and andrea and i hope we'll be useful to all of you coming up behind us.
Met with the RO yesterday and she told me a few things that I thought I'd share - sorry if everyone's RO has told them this already - that the four most important things to remember during rads (aside from everything else like lubing) is hydration, nutrition, exercise, and sleep - all crucial for cell repair. Exercise as you feel you can tolerate and sleep whenever you feel the need. I"ll also be seeing a nutritionist - part of the hospital's RO program (free too!).
Also, I asked her about an underwire cuz I'm "amply endowed" and always wear one. There's some lymphedema in my breast (just what I need - to be bigger!) so she said to keep wearing it b/c of the support. If it leaves a line or the wire is pressing, she suggested getting a thin liner (like Kotex or such - I've been out of the business for a while) and lay it under the wire so there's an extra layer of protection. Haven't needed it yet but who knows - maybe it's waiting down the pike... Does anyone know of good non-underwire bras for us "statuesque" ladies?
Madelyn, I've been using Calendula and it's very good. So far.
Cider8 and everyone getting ready to start, good luck to all of you - we'll get through this together!
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I am chomping at the bit to get this stuff rolling. I talked to my MO today about all my test results. She's done with me regarding the residual cancer business, so resuming the 3 month visits. My RO was waiting on one result before making the treatment plan. That one last result was in, which is why MO had called today. I hadn't heard from RO so I called up the RO office. RO was at a different location today. I think I made it clear to the nurse that I'm pretty antsy! I want to get this started so I can be DONE (again).
I'm a stay at home mom, so I'm not freaked out by the scheduling just yet. But every weekday for 6 weeks (more or less) sounds daunting. I am concerned about many of the side effects, but I will ask my RO about them.
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