Winter RADS 2012 Club...Please come join the fun!

Made it through the snow and back home.. so ONE MORE TO GO... hurray!

I made it through the snow too!! My skin was fine until yesterday and had to peel my bra off as it stuck to my skin and I really felt like a prune (wearing a camisole until it gets better) I wasn't supposed to see my RO today but due to the weather the RO's were all in the hall waiting for patients. She happened to sit down and ask me how it was going. After examining me, she gave me 5 days off too. Jennsmc - wonder if they are managing patient schedules due to the holidays but I don't really care as I'm thrilled to have the time off to recover. Where did you find the emu oil?



My girls had to go with me today as they didn't have school. They were excited to watch me on the camera. They got to watch a celebration of the last day of treatment for a three year old. My kids were excited for her but not sure what to think as I don't think they realized that kids get cancer.

Kittykoma05: ask your RO for physical therapy. I was having tingling in my fingers and forearm numb and couldn't wear my wedding ring. I went to pt this week to be evaluated and the exercises they gave me have really helped. I noticed a huge difference and it wasn't that bad. The therapist thought it was being caused by scar tissue around the nerves not being able to glide vs. lumpedema.

Just wanted to share that my rads onc is doing a phase III clinical trial using Herbal Aloe Force versus other aloe ointments. They said they have seen excellent results with it. I am enrolled, but plan on buying a bottle to compare and make sure I am getting the "good stuff". So if anybody wants a good aloe, they swear by this stuff. Just wanted to pass it on.

Andrea, so glad to hear you are healing. I have three boosts to go, then done, done, done! Maybe "overdone" is a better term. The open area in my armpit is now big and nasty enough to require hydrocodone, which pisses me off because I hate the vacant and lethargic feelings it gives me and usually my pain tolerance is very high, so I am not used to needing anything. Either this is worse than I think, or I have just " had it" with the discomforts of treatment. Anyway, enough whining, this too will pass!



Heidismom, ALMOST THERE!



Shachar, I had the gelpad, which I am told is called a bolus, every other day for regular treatments and every day for the boosts ( not in the area where my skin opened, so don' t worry) My RO said it was to make sure the skin surface is treated as well as the underlying tissues. Most of my skin did really well- the open area that I have now had a hard time healing after surgery and then reopened several times during chemo. I think I am destined to look like a many times repaired old teddy bear!



Elimar, sorry about letting out the secret that radiation is boring! Must be the hydrocodone talking. Will try not to reveal any more fundamental truths:)

Hi everyone, Just checking in from the fall rads board..sounds like you are all doing ok and getting through treatments with the holidays upon us.  Has anyone heard from Luvofcritters?  She was active at the start and should be done with treatments I would think.   Anyway, wanted to wish you all well and to have a happy holiday season...and the start of a very different and better year ahead! Keep Loobin!

Thanks Aliahgirl, I will ask for a referral.  I am curious to know if everybody gets the same beam potency when you get radiation for breast cancer.  Every time I ask a medical professional they always tell me that the treatment is customized for every patient, bu that does not answer my question.  Does anybody know?  I asked the tech what frequency or energy level I get and she said I get Energy 6.  What is everybody else getting? 

Thanks!

Hi Girls...Just thought I'd jump in (kicking, screaming and still in denial) because I started my RADS 12/17/12.  But I have a question--is it normal to burning and be sore this early in the treatment?  My RO says its too soon, but I swear on day 1 it felt like someone had stuck a match to the inside of my skin, and then on day 3 I was so tired I couldn't hardly hold my eyes open at work and was in bed at around 8-9 that night. 

Chickenlady, CONGRATULATIONS! I have two more to do next week, then I will join you. I have been on tamoxifen since Sept- achy legs at first,but gone now, same with hot flashes. The leg aches may have been taxol/taxotere leftovers. Hope it goes smoothly for you. I bet it will seem like we have tons of spare time without rads- I know we can all find hobbies that are more fun!

Chickenlady-congratulations and right before the holidays!  How nice!

I just finished 12/33 and get 4 days off.  So far no side effects except for a little pinkness. But I use Miaderm 3 times a day so I hope that's helping me. I was getting redness under my breast and one of my radiation techs recommended cutting strips of a man's heavy cotton t-shirt and placing it under my breast, which is large. Also, buying bra extenders so the bra didn't get too tight.  It has really helped a lot so I thought I'd pass it on to others.  I bought the extenders at Joanne Fabrics.

Have a wonderful holiday and stay warm if you are in the midwest like I am. 

Hello everyone, today is half way day 10/20...and the days only get lighter from here too!



Tedebarre- Try not to worry. I had the worst first two days. My boob got so red and angry. It really threw me- if this is what it's like on the first day then....?!?!?!?!! So i marched in to the lab on day three and said how unimoressed i was...They were so caring and interested and said they would check the notes and get the boss if it didnt get better in the next 24 hours. and it did. much better. Now I mostly forget about it. Lots and lots of aloe. On day three i staretd spritzing some magnesium oil on it- just on a whim...but it might be a coincidence...



I'm small chested so can afford to not wear a bra and the rad tech sad that was probably saving me a lot of grief. About the only time I've been grateful for my little b cups! 😉

I know it's not possible for a lot of ladies but maybe the first thing you take off when you get home?



Anyway just want to send some love out there in case anyone needs some tonight. Hope all is well with you all.

Congrats, Chickenlady!

I had 15/28 today, so have passed the halfway mark.  My skin is fine.  I get four rounds, two are 15 seconds and two are 8 seconds. I think.

It is encouraging to hear those of you further along not having major issues. I tried counting the seconds last time, but will try again Monday when I go for #4. I have two positions (left breast). The first is up on my right side for about 30 seconds, and then it goes to my left side for about 25 seconds. I am not wearing a bra at all and am thankful it is winter so I can wear big, baggie sweat shirts.

Hello this is my first post I feel like I'm reaching out for anything I can find to help get thru all this! I'm 37 and on Halloween i had a mammogram because I found a lump in the shower. On nov 14th the surgeon told me it was cancer and I swear I just shut down! 5 days later had a lumpectomy and they said lymph nodes were clean and he got all the cancer out. Test results came in last week and I got lucky no chemo...so on Friday I got mapped out and on the 28th radiation starts. I'm trying to be strong and positive but with three kids and being a single parent (moved out nov 1st) lets just say I'm a mess right now! All of a sudden I woke back up and am feeling all the pain, loss, anger,fear, and anything else you can think of! I can't sleep at night I don't know what to do...

Cancersucks- what an awful time to have to go through this! (Not that there is really ever a good time.)  I am so sorry that you had to have this on top of everything else.  It's pretty crazy how fast the diagnosis/ surgery/ treatment decisions take place, isn't it?  It's like you barely have time to process it, and everything changes. It's rough when you have kids at home, too- I have four little ones all at home and it gets pretty insane. (I mean, on top of the regularly scheduled insanity, LOL.)  Lots of gentle hugs to you- and welcome!