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

I have had 4/33 treatments.  The scar area for my sentinel node surgery seems to be hardening or has a knot.  Is this normal?

SwgeeWi, great superhero name!



Schoolmom, I wonder if the knot could be a reaction to stitches used to sew up the skin? Maybe some inflammation? But I think you should have your RO look at it.

Waitingforthenextstep - I'm doing a traditional course in that I'm scheduled for 30 treatments, but I am doing them in the prone position.   Not very comfortable but makes it much easier for them to avoid hitting the heart and lungs.

I'm through 10 so far, I can't decide if I'm starting to get a little pink or if it's my imagination, LOL.   Energy was good up until this weekend, but am also dealing with bronchitis that my husband gave me towards the end of last week and I kind of hit a wall with that - I think it's being sick more than the rads though that has me feeling like I've been hit by a truck the last 24 hours or so.

waitingforthenextstep - had a total of 15 rad tx with 4 boosts to the tumor bed in prone position at NYU Cancer Center, New York.  Since my tumor was on the left side, wanted to avoid any damage to the heart....

Not everyone is a candidate for this type of tx - you will need a consult... Did the tx on my lunch hour.. took me longer to undress than to have the radiation tx.  No major issues with this tx. I didnt find it uncomfortable.   Had some redness and itchyness on the boob but nothing that couldnt be alleviated with Calendula cream (they give it to you)

Will be happy to answer any other questions you may have.  

Hello all, I am very new to these forums. I am scheduled to start external beam rads March 11, 2013... 28 rad sessions (25 whole and 3 boosts)... Pretty nervous I started stocking up on the creams (My Girls, Aquaphor and Aloe). Any recommendations on bras? 

Schoolmom- I have a knot from my lumpectomy... My surgical oncologist said it was from the vicryl sutures they used under the skin and scar tissue. My surgery was over a month ago, so I have been using lotion and trying to break down some of the scar tissue. I have not started Rads yet though, hopefully it won't get worse with that.

I just finished the Canadian protocol (three plus weeks), in the supine position (lying on back).  Redness below the breast and slight tanning were my only skin side effects.  I used Eucerin during the daytime and Aquafor at night.  I began to feel fatigue on Thursday (Friday was last treatment), and was VERY TIRED over the weekend.  I tried to exercise throughout, but obviously it didn't completely prevent the fatigue.  I had very interrupted sleep the last few days of the week (late night phone call, etc.), so that's probably what tipped it over into that crushing fatigue.  Also had the back stuff, SwgeeWi.

I was told by my dance/exercise teacher to actually cut back on exercise this week and get more rest.  She said lots of exercise will NOT help the fatigue go away.  She would know, aside from training as an exercise specialist for breast cancer, she is a survivor of inflammatory breast cancer including a bone marrow transplantf (when that was done as part of treatment for late stage disease), as well as a triple negative tumor on the other breast.  I liked someone's suggestion about the B vitamins (without antioxidants).  I'll call to see if they are OK for me.

Good luck to all of you who are continuing with treatment.

It's been 4 days since  I was done and my breast is already healing....no more peeling, rash, or soreness. It's still red but fading.   I'm still lubing which I'll do until I see my RO again in 3 weeks.  

My daughters, sons-in-law had a surprise celebration dinner on Friday and this week I'm heading to warm San Diego for a few days to relax and see friends and family.

Just wanted everyone to know that your boob will feel better quickly when rads are done.

Wishing you mild treatments and a good week!

Jojo, but am getting rads to axillary, internal mammary and supraclavicular nodes. This includes a couple of zaps behind me through my shoulder with each treatment. I had no positive nodes in surgical pathology, but a suspicious node pre-chemo and an aggressive, chemo-resistant tumor.



Congrats on finishing day one! Let the countdown begin.

Yes Stride I have the same.  Back marks plus rad shots from behind my shoulder blade.

Hello girls - now that I'm finally getting started so many of you are finished or finishing up - congrats to all of you, I'm sending hugs and kisses .  Now you can close the book on this chapter and move on - Yeah!!!!

 I had my final chemo on Jan 15 and started radiation today - I had my tatoo's and CAT scan last week and today after they got me all in position I got radiated - didn't take long at all = after that they traced the area with red magic marker (gosh about 1/2 my chest is traced from side ribs to lower boob to center of chest and up across top of boob).  Anyway after they got me all marked up, they took pictures - hope you don't recognize me on Facebook!!!!   Like many of you I will go 5 days week x 6.5 weeks, got the soft bras, Aloe and the cornstarch ready - anything else from you knowledgable girls?..

Another big thing - the sun was shining in my window when I was putting on my makeup and guess what I saw  - new hair sprouting, it's gray but who cares...about an 1/8 of an inch . So I figure it starts to grow after 3 months of chemo - tomorrow night I am going to that "look good feel better" class - hope I learn how to put on scarves and come home with some new makeup..I know some of you have been through chemo, so how is your hair issue?

Tricia

Few side effects, I'll go for that cowpower

JoJo we both started Rads today and we have the same number of treatments, we have to keep notes...

5luv - Rad partner!!!

Hope everyone is doing ok this morning!

I'm still fighting off bronchitis, but I think I've turned a corner with it - which is good because coughing while holding still for treatment is not easy, LOL.

They have me scheduled for an extra long session today .... not sure why but I think they're running another simulation?  Today will be #12/30 as far as treatments go.   Guess I'll find out when I get there.

Shachar-Aren't the boosts great!! I agree that the aloe works well.  Congratulations on being almost done.  Will you be taking Arimidex?

Shachar, So Friday is it! YIPPEEEEEE!!!!! 38? Really? Omg, now I am hanging with babies! Just kidding, I guess I am feeling a bit old- I was the volunteer greeter for kindergarten registration at our school today and I guess from looking at the ages of the parents that I hve entered grandparent age territory:( Oh wait- I am still alive:)