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

Thanks Cowpower - I'll join you with pleasure kissing off 2012.  Till July, it was fine - but then wow!  did it take me for a ride!!  I never dreamed of knowing all that I've learned about BC and treatment...  What's this 'clear margins' thing? What in the world do radiation oncologists do?  Calendula - what in the world is that?  obsessing with looking at my breast for any changes in color, skin breakdown?  Slathering cream on my breasts? Huh??  Boosts? isn't that short for booster shots for vaccines?     Boy! Aren't we all more educated that we ever cared to be about this stuff!

I love this chat room for all the wisdom of the special women here. It's so uplifting to see the support, love, patience, encouragement, ranting, and ribald and gentle humor that is shared.  Hillary Clinton was right.  It DOES take a village or a community of people to nurture all the participants to greater understanding, comfort, reassurance, patience, and laughter even in difficult situations.  My thanks to all of you.

Good Morning Girls,  My name is Tricia, my Avitar is the picture of a baby with hair that looks like mine (from the chemo hair loss)~~ the Claribell look is what I call it, if your old enough to remember Claribell.  Anyway, I am getting my last round of chemo on Tues, Jan 8 and will begin Radiation around the end of January.  I thought I would jump over to this discussion to meet some new friends and get myself prepared for the next step of this journey.  I hope to pop in and join you girls from time to time and get some good advice - So please tell me what to do to prepare my skin for the big rays.

I belong to the chemo group and we always have plenty to say - its a fun group as I'm sure you are too and I even see some of the chemo girls here, getting ready for RADS -  OK, chat soon.  Tricia 

Sonya, can you edit the club to include 2012/2013 so it's easy to find...

Congrats Alliyah girl!  Welcome to the DONE club!  Guess what I did with my packet of post-RADS info today??  (Not that everyone would do this, so I don't mean to offend anyone, of course) but I threw it in the trash!  Yup- I figure I have the Susan Love book and this site if I have any burning questions.  I still have follow-ups scheduled with the RO and BS, but I am cleaning out all the breast cancer propaganda and only keeping the essentials.  HELLO 2013! Happy New Year everyone!  Thanks for all the support and lots of gentle hugs to everyone!  Hang in there ladies!

#20/35 today. RO is staring the boosts tomorrow to give my skin underneath my arm a break and then finish with the rest of the treatments. Have no idea how many "boosts" there are but have a blue markings around my surgery area. They told me they do this instead of giving me more tattoos which I appreciated. (I guess I can live with the ugly markings for a few days). Started a sinus infection on Monday so really struggling with fatigue. I go back to work tomorrow after being off for a couple of weeks. I had remaining vacation that I took in December. I wish I had more energy to go back to work. At least it is just a 2 day work week!!



A little bit nervous about going to work wearing a camisole (gave up the bra after I peeled it off after the 11th treatment) bought mine at Costco and they have worked out well. Soft material with built in bra. However, I have been home since wearing them. Got a number of bulky sweaters for Christmas. Just hope I don't get hot as I really do smell these days. They gave me a crystal for deordorant but it really doesn't work very well and I have just decided not to use anything. It all is a little too much for me (no shaving) that I'm just throwing in the towel.



On a positive note, my ob called today just to see how I was doing. It shocked me that he found time in his schedule just to check in! I really do love my doctors!



Laura

Kinda freaked tonight when I applied my lotions tonight. I never knew that I could be so many colors. My underarm looks tan with peeling skin. The rest is red, purple and blue and splotchy with a rash under my breast. Doesn't hurt and just a little bit itchy. Yikes! Hoping some of these colors are just a reflection of the boost blue outline. Thought I as overreacting until I showed my husband who never comments how bad it looks and his comment was wow, that looks really bad. Yikes! 15 treatments seem so far away!



Tomorrow is a new day. Hoping some rest brings a brighter day tomorrow!

Cowpower...I finished last Friday and my skin has deteriorated a bit.  My nipple and under arm area are very tanned and sore.  I was thinking I'm going to have to take something for the discomfort.  I have been able to wear a bra all along.  Was debating about calling the RO as the itch yesterday was so annoying (I was at work) but that part seems better today.

I'm still moisturizing 3/day.  

finsihed 5/28 today.

I landed myself in the ER with SEVERE sharp pains in my right chest area- especially when moving or breathing.They just discharged me- CAT scan and Xrays showed nothing- they sent me home with a Rx for Oxycodones and a pleurisy diagnosis. EEEK,

I am watching Parenthood also.    It was the reason I went for my mammogram and found out I had DCIS and started thru this whole voyage.  I watch it and cry thru the whole thing.. So why am I watching it?  I don't know

I have a question about skin care  My skin is tearing under my arm and breast  I am using hydrcortisone cream for it  My RO says next week he may prescribe an antibiotic cream.  Any one having this and have ideas?  He plans to move to boosts next week to give the areas a rest.

I am 12 in with 21 left to go  Feeling a little alone right now and mighty sore  Can use some happy thoughts

Cider8 I am praying for Ollie, his parent's and you..I am praying that the odds are in his favor and he will be able to fight this illness and anything that comes his way.  So sad when it's children but keep the faith - Miracles do happen!! 

Cider, I just dont now how people can cope when a child is so ill. I am so glad your cousin has support and that you can be in contact even though you cant be there in person. I will pray for all of you. ((Hugs))

I have fallen behind on this thread...

cider8,  My sympathy for the tragic loss of your little nephew.  What is the thinking about not being able to go to the hosp.?   Too much MRSA and staph, etc. floating around for you, or is there a risk to the kids?   I would think that in this case a short visit wearing a mask could have been arranged, maybe at an off time.  Sorry it was yet another frustration coming with this dread disease.

Congratulations to the many who have now finished up.  Happy Healing.

Because my rads were being combined with chemo, my S/Es were magnified and I am on a one week break from both treatments.  When I resume, it will be 4 reg./3 boosts to go.  I can just see that tantalizing light at the end of the tunnel.  I'll get there!

OH NO!!!!  Prayers for Ollie & family..

I saw my RO today after #20. I found out I will have 5 boosts, so 33 total. My skin is tolerating the rads well. I have a tiny spot that itches (a tiny blister?) and a little dab of hydrocortisone helps. I have some scaley dry skin on my other breast. The dry skin started a few weeks before rads and moisturizing 3 times or day has not relieved it at all. In fact, the skin is also inflamed and the dry patch is actually expanding. So now I need to see the dermatologist!



My RO thought it was odd that I wasn't allowed in the hospital. I didn't actually go there, but my mom said there were signs about no cancer patients in active treatment allowed in the hospital. For my health protection. I did not press it as it really wasn't about me. I have 50+ cousins and did not want any attention directed on me. My cousin had a ton of family and friend support. I was able to be there for her in another way plus I will be there for her now, when she's ready. If it was a closer family member I would have persisted. Thanks for your sentiments.

Oh ladies, I need some helpful advice here.  I finished 16/16 one week ago today and my skin was in good shape.

Three or four days ago, I noticed the nipple/areola was quite 'tanned' with new pink skin under where it was peeling. And then yesterday, the itch started.  My RO ordered Hydrocortisone cream which took away the itch.  My main concern is that there seems to be some 'crusty' drainage from the nipple and it is a bit sore.  No redness or swelling anywhere else.

Any suggestions?  Should I be concerned?  Of course, now it's Friday night, RO is off for the weekend and I am heading to the Caribbean on Sunday.

Thanks Cowpower, I was wondering about the saline compresses.  I remember seeing Tazzy's recipe here many pages back.  I am going to give it a try.  And I hope the trip does the trick...I'm so ready to go!