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

Hi all.  I finished my first week of rads.  Well, 4 treatments anyway. (None on MLK Day).   My back has a huge knot -i think it's from holding my arms up above my head for 20 minutes at a time.  I met with  a nurse on Friday who will check in with me week 3, since that's when skin changes can show.  She went over possible skin reactions and care of my radiated area.  I didn't realize how large the actual area being radiated is. I'm glad I asked! It was all very helpful and reassuring.  My boob is a little sore (probably a big boob issue)-damn it!

QueenKong-I ordered some bras and camis for the girls from TLCdirect.org through American Cancer Society.  I need more support, so I ordered a Radiation Comfort Cami-$28.00 and  a Comfort Bra Without Pockets for Lumpectomy Patients.  I haven't received them yet, so I will let you know what I think of them.  I'm trying to stick with cotton, but everything is either not supportive at all or it's underwire.

Welcome kwein!  Good luck with your upcoming rads! 

Hi Villagegirl!  Your stats look an awful lot like mine only in the other boob. My planning scan wasn't too bad.  I met with the RO, then went to a treatment room, took off my top, laid down on the Lineac table.  They put some tape with markers on my breast  and did some lining up. Now I can't remember if they did the tattoos before or after the scan, but they took a ct scan so they know where the organs are and where to direct the beams. My CT scan showed my heart at a weird tilt so I'm having my rads in a Tomotherapy machine which is a little more precise I guess. The tattoos are tiny dots (smaller than a freckle!) and it just felt like a little pinch when they did them.  I had 6.  I met some of the Rad techs. Since my Tomotherapy  machine takes about 10 minutes to do the scan at every appt, then 10 min. for the actual rad. treatment, they play music, which is really nice. I can tell how much time goes by better with music on than with none at all. That was my experience. Kind of a non-event except for exposing your boobs, once again for the masses! (If I had any modesty left after childbirth, it's long gone now!!!:)   

Thanks for the cami tips Swgee, I'm looking at the site not. I have a bra like that now that I'm not really that fond of, so annoying and squishes my boobs up. I thought it might be too tight for radiation sensitivity. That top looks doable or triable. I was hoping to find a bunch for cheap that I could toss after radiation as I am reading about this goop that ruins everything. Am I just going to have to wear junky tops for a couple of months? *sigh*

Took a few days off since finishing rads but took tamoxifen this morning. First day was good. Didn't notice anything. I really need to watch what I eat and start exercising! Packed my exercise bag for tomorrow and plan on going to the gym over lunch.

Queenkong, I bought a few cheap shirts to wear while ruining them with aquaphor, then, of course, decided I really liked them and didnt want to ruin them- fickle bitch that I am. So, I got the aquaphor out of most of them with dish detergent and a bit of a scrub, then wore mens " wife beater" tshirts over the aquaphor. Looked really nice under the bra and prosthesis. Thank goodness I wasnt in a car accident! Anyway, it saved a couple shirts, but also really helpedwith the bra irritation, etc. Not to mention the fashion statement....Should we do a comparison study to see whose hair growth stimulant is faster? I have to drive 45 min to Albany twice today with various kid appointments, so I could really get a jump on that freezing thing....

Energy isme...I finished chemo 11/28 and had port removed and started rads 12/13. I ran throughout my chemo and rads (4 days per week). Your HR is high during chemo (that is normal) and I just monitored it and kept it at 160 or less-hill running was a no go. Kept it at 160 only cuz I turned 50 in Nov and didn't want to go too high on the HR. It gets better during rads, you get more energy and feel less tired during exercise until about week 4 of rads and then I got tired. Not as bad as chemo and no HR increases, just tired. I also take suppliments (MD approved) that help with inflammation. If you want more info PM me.



The first few treatments were scary for me but you kind of get used to it. I found it was hard trusting the techs to have me in the right position and be pushing the right buttons. i have some skin issues, esp under the arm but no open areas yet. I think they are coming but I only have 3 boosts left so I am powering on!

Welcome to all of the newbies! Seems you have all been busy over the weekend on here and I missed it.

Cowpower, I will be looking for a new MO after rads. Mine doesn't instill much confidence and is back and forth each time I see him: take tamoxifen, you can't take tamoxifen due to a flare, take tamoxifen, don't take tamoxifen. Do not get your ovaries out, we could consider getting your ovaries out, getting your ovaries out would only help for 6 months, maybe we should strongly consider getting those ovaries out. I used to think I was confused but now realize it is him! Hopping off that crazy train. I also hope your son does well and you find answers. I can't even imagine.

23/25 done! Well, maybe 25. My skin healed so well after 15 the RO said maybe 28, and then I got red again so he said maybe 25. I see him Wednesday after 25. Either way I will be going to 33 with boosts.....I think, so far. That may all change! I am going to have to start making some decisions for these two, so 25 it is and I recommend my MO gets his ovaries removed.

Skin is holding up well and felt so awesome I decided to wear a bra Sunday. For an hour. Not a good idea! But otherwise, doing great! I can already envision my breast returning to a normal shade, getting areola tattoos, and taking a road trip. Have an awesome day, ladies!

QueenKong, Saskatoon is in Saskatchewan. Them's my *crazy* eyes... My radiation was done with me lying on my back and my arms extended up away from my head. How comfy that is will depend on your flexibility.

cowpower, you make a point about the cold. maybe my hair is growing because it's so cold where I live (which is almost in Saskatoon but still in the USA). naaaah, what has grown is super-duper-fine and a lot more white/gray than I normally have so what I'm getting in volume is lacking in thickness and color… I intentionally mess it up to make it look bigger like in that photo. I actually colored it soon after I took that shot so I can see it better. I hope things are going well with your son's appt today.

For those asking, I did the old T-shirt against my irradiated skin, UNDER an old bra under a sweater/sweatshirt/jacket when I was out in public. My lumpectomy reduced my right breast enough to make my bras kind of loose on that side, just enough to wear the T-shirt under the bra like that. A bra extender would have helped with some of my other bras I'm sure. I went braless at home almost all the time.

daisymom, what kind of symptoms were you having? Best of luck on that as well as rads. I sort of am astounded that nobody has suggested a baseline pelvic ultrasound yet for me and I'm going to request one next time I see my MO.

energyisme - radiation was less hard on my body than the chemo and that's the way it is for most women. I did get quite fatigued at the end but I still did some exercise. I am only 11 days post-radiation but I walked 4.5 miles on Saturday at a pace of a 15-minute mile and breathing and heart were good. I have some difficulty still with standing up quickly from a squat or yoga position: I get lightheaded. THat is an SE from my chemo and is getting better but just a little slower than some stuff. It's gonna vary from person-to-person and I understand having the crap scared out of you but likely rads will all be easier than chemo for you and you'll mostly find improvements in health measures.

Congrats sonson! You're done, yes?!?

Katherine, 7 inches!!?!! Holy Shuckin' Fit! Congrats on finishing chemo and surgery and all, you trooper! sorry about the delay...

Loving, let me know how exercise goes. I'm curious how much exertion you'll feel, etc. are you on tamo or something?

Shachar, "I recommend my MO gets his ovaries removed." <- good plan it sounds like… My  MO reconsidered and changed some stuff on me as he got to know my medical history but he has stuck with it, not been completely insane like yours sounds.

SwgeeWi, congrats on finishing your 1st week. I, a DD cup, was a little sore from the first week on but nothing too bad. but Yes, the position was hard on me too and it definitely helped that our clinic has a massage therapist there. One visit a week is part of the deal. I think the massage is what kept me using my arm because she'd work out the back knot and the shoulder tension.

to anyone else I've missed, I'm sorry, it is hard to keep up here sometimes but know that you are in yet another sister's thoughts and good wishes for health!

Has anyone has dizzyness and feeling of they were doing to be sick to stomach during radiation. I am on treatment 17 of 30 today.. And am feeling weird today. Wondering if has to due with treatment or am I getting the stomach flu. I will ask staff tomorrow at hospital.. But thought I ask here too... Is this normal?  I never felt like this before. I am still dealing with a bit of wheezing and open sore on breast, breast red and raw..but doctor/staff say it is normal and will just keep eye on those issues. Now feeling dizzy and as if I want to throw up all day...I do not know what to do. Been resting the afternoon... But my kids are on their way home from school so must get up and make dinner, etc.... Even though I feel like I have one foot in the grave right now. Anyways... Is this feeling normal with having radiation on breast ? Also been getting major head ache after treatments this last few times? Normal ???

Sonson, YAY YOU DID IT! Isnt it a great feeling? Hope you wont be walking in circles at zaptime tomorrow, just wondering what to do with yourself! I took myself out to a late breakfast my last free day, as it had been a granola bar in the car on the way in to the hospital every day. I think I had the world's most appreciated poached egg! You wont beliieve how fast your skin will turn around now. I dont really even have any brown spots anymore. Also, I will be anxious to hear if the lymphedema goes away. My arm seems to be fine now, although I still wear the sleeve most of the time. My therapist said I would figure out when and how much intervention would be needed long term.



Shachar, sounds like your flaky MO needs a little rest. I hope you find someone you deal better with. I love mine- she is a good match for me decent sense of humor, sarcastic, and practical. Also frightfully smart, which I like in a doc. Endocrinologist pretty much confirmed what we know about my sons condition, which is that nobody knows much at all. As long as the attacks remain infrequent and resolve on their own, he thinks we should ignore the whole thing as much as possible. Hope cardiologist will feel the same way. I feel relieved that he didnt think it is a huge deal.



Mother4life, Yes I did havea couple bad headaches and some nausea in the middle of treatment, also lack of appetite. (Quite unlike me, I assure you;)) It went away after a few days, but it was never severe, so you might want to check with your docs.



Allurbaddays, I can no longer suggest the haed out of the car window solution as freezing rain today decreased driving visibilty too much. I guess I will have to move north like you did. I wouldnt have enough hair to color yet. Mine came in salt and pepper- I look like a stray pet, kind of stringy!

mother4life, I kept some of my anti-nausea med left over from chemo and used it a few times during radiation. I have the stuff you rub on your wrists - promethazine, I think. There were a few times I had to hurry up and get it on my skin before I hurled! I think the combo of radiation plus being on Tamoxifen gave me nausea. I still get a dampened appetite from the tam but I am not as queasy as I was during rads. A few other women have this side effect too. I saw a thread about it.

  Sonson- Congratulations!! This is supposed to be a happy dance.

Congrats Sonson!!! I'm soooo happy for you! ((Gentle hugs)) Enjoy your free time, and celebrate!:)

Sonson, YIPPEE!!!!! Another sister across the finish line!

Allurbaddays and cowpower, wish my MO had a sense of dry humor like my RO... The liason said they weren't used to having a patient who researched so much. Yep, probably not as many so sarcastic either, haha. And allur, love that hair!!! Looks very soft! Cowpower, glad they think it isn't as serious and that it is infrequent with yoir son.

Mother4life, I have days with headaches, dizzy, weak, and just dazed feeling. They said the dazed, headaches, and dizzy arent from rads but I interpret that as "less common side effect". The good thing it seems to only be a day and then goes away until the next time. I still get chilled quite a bit, too, if you are feeling that. I will be freezing while it is 78 degrees complete with teeth chattering...all except for the one hot breast, lol.

Jennifer, I may try that. I have heard destin works as good as silvadine so that sounds like the same concept.

No burning, peeling, or blisters here...just one hot potato. But what is totally awesome, I can feel that reconstructed nipple. Yep, hurts like heck like somebody twisted a real one. How cool is that? Hahaha

Sonson - congratulations!! Woohoo!



Lifeonitside: hope you are ok.



Today is the first day that I didn't feel like sitting in the recliner all night. I actually felt somewhat normal. It was in the 70's today which is crazy for January in Kansas City. It felt so good to have good weather. I actually exercised for 30 minutes on the elliptical. It was hard but I did it! 2 days on tamoxifen and feel nothing different. I hope it stays this way.

Last treatment after work today.  I can't believe it is going to be over.  Started 12/7.  Will be nice to just come home after work tomorrow.  Next Dr appt in 3 wks.  I have follow ups with Breast Surgeon and Oncologist.  The Radiologist wants to see me in 30 days.  It has been 6 months from my bad mamagram(8/29).