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

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  • jojo2373
    jojo2373 Member Posts: 662
    edited February 2013

    Damiana, experiencing the same as you. My "pinky" is also a bit more swollen than the normal boob.

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  • cowpower
    cowpower Member Posts: 293
    edited February 2013

    Laurascott, Didn't mean to scare you. Allurbad is correct- I believe it was Sachar that had skin involvement. I had a pretty hefty dose because I had a couple nasty lymphnodes near the clavicle. I also have the world's most sensitive skin- I think my parents bought me the cheap stuff! My RO even called in a dermatologist tomeet wiyh us before I started tx. So, I dont think my experience or Mother4life' s are typical. You may breeze through with a little pink glow, at least I hope so.



    Welcome Halfcan. Stride, You are so right!

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  • sonson
    sonson Member Posts: 162
    edited February 2013

    Jenn and Mother4Life- I hope everything heals up nicely.  So sorry you guys are having such a hard time.

    Laurascott- Don't get too scared because everyone has different reactions.  My skin held up pretty good as well.  I had 33 treatments with 7 of those being boosts and the boosts are actually less radiation than the regular treatments.  The word "boost" is very misleading.  They don't give you more radiation they just target the tumor area at that time and the rest gets a break...which is actually good news.  So if they are targeting your clavicle area (which they did mine) then it should get a break during the boost time.

    I'm two weeks out from my last treatment and my skin is looking good and feeling even better!  Oh, and Cowpower my LE is getting better also.  I don't really need my sleeve at all now!  I still wear the night garment just in case, but I've ditched the day time sleeve!  I haven't noticed any swelling at all during the day.  I may go a few nights without the night garment too and see how that works out!

    Also had my first mammo today since being done with treatment.  All is clear!  You ladies keep moisturizing!  It will all be over before you know it.

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  • Skyhigh
    Skyhigh Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2013

    Hi everyone, can I join in?

    Like jojo and 5LuvBugs I've just completed 7/25 sessions and so far so good! Have read some of the posts of you poor ladies who are suffering so badly, and my heart goes out to you all. I hope things improve quickly for you.

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited February 2013

    Join in Skyhigh, your absolutely welcome here...

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited February 2013

    Sonson, glad to hear your mammo was clear - now tell us Did it hurt?

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  • Mother4Life
    Mother4Life Member Posts: 40
    edited February 2013

    I just wanted to say thanks for all the support here. It has been a living hell. The doctor told me he is cancelling my last 4 appointment.. But they have me going back in in two weeks for check up. So who knows the may reschedule last 4 treatments after that. 

    You commented about meeting me and the burn on my upper chest on collar bone... That burn is nothing at all compared to the burns around the nipple. It is so gross in that area I almost made my husbnad throw up when I changed in front of him. It make me sick to stomach looking at it. It look like it was put though a cheese grater then set on fire. I can say this last week has been the most pain in my life. I have been popping oxycocet like they are candy just to be able to deal with some of the pian. Tomorrow is going to be hard... My husband is back to work... So I will be on my own to look after the kids even thought I still hurts to move. Just taking it min by min..just trying to focus on what I must do and try to rest as much as I can. Having you ladies to chat with has helped alot..just to be able to let it out, get it off my chest and know that you all understand what I am going though. Thanks for being there and listening. 

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  • susancats
    susancats Member Posts: 51
    edited February 2013

    Swgee- I grew up in WI!!! 22 years of SNOW! I now live in northern CA. It gets cold here at night (I swear my blood has thinned here). As low as 23 once this winter. But mainly in the low 30's at night!

    Yes to Hawaii!!!! .)

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  • schoolmom
    schoolmom Member Posts: 458
    edited February 2013

    Finished with 11/33.  Still using Aloe Force.  Slight tenderness on side where sentinel node scar is.   Nipple tender and a little darker in color.  I am 1/3 finished!!!!

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  • cowpower
    cowpower Member Posts: 293
    edited February 2013

    Sonson, NO SLEEVE? That is awesome. I have left mine off a couple days, but I think I need to go back to it, getting that " squishy" feeling in my upper arm. I have a feeling we both got really aggravated by the rads, but we should keep an eye on it. NO SLEEVE!



    Welcome Skyhigh- You and 5luvbugs and others that are about 1/3 done will start to see rhe nembers piling upnow. I hope the SEs stay minimal.



    Mother4, Hang in there today. Take it as easy as possible. Will check in on you later.

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  • sonson
    sonson Member Posts: 162
    edited February 2013

    5LuvBugs- Did it hurt?  They always kind of hurt don't they?  Especially when they squish it vertically.  That one hurt the most.  It wasn't so bad that I thought I would pass out or cry, but it sure didn't feel good.  My skin has pretty much healed so I wasn't worried about my skin or it being pulled or tugged on at this point.  Honestly I was dreading the entire procedure, but now that it's over I'm so glad I've gotten it out of the way.

    Welcome Skyhigh!

    Cowpower- yup, no sleeve!  I have been wearing my night sleeve though.  I haven't gone a night without it YET, but I'm getting to a point where I want to try it, but I haven't gotten up the nerve yet.  But my arm isn't swelling during the day so...  I may try it.

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  • Toots
    Toots Member Posts: 104
    edited February 2013

    Welcome HalfCan - we all seem to be ending up here post chemo honey - lots of hugs x

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  • dkgs
    dkgs Member Posts: 8
    edited February 2013

    Hello Ladies,

    I’ve been following this board through my series of rad treatments which ended about 3 weeks ago. I had a situation occur that I wanted to run by the group for feedback and support.

    I went to a surgical follow up appointment Monday. This was the second follow up after surgery and the first following rads. On both follow ups the surgeon just stuck his head in the door and then later sent a resident in for the rest of the appointment. Kinda annoying, but medical offices often don’t work the way I think they should.

    On Monday a resident conducted a breast exam – the first one since any of this began. (Mine was caught with a mammogram – no symptoms) It was the most brutal heavy handed breast exam I’ve ever had to endure. Within several hours both breasts felt bruised and I’m completely freaked out about this. Now a few days later I continue to have constant pain in the treated breast – more pain than I’ve experienced through any of this. I’ve contacted the RO nurse and can go in Monday if still experiencing pain, but frankly the emotional backlash from this has been horrific. I feel violated and abused – what is worse I feel guilty for not screaming our STOP during the exam. I don’t expect to ever be able to submit to another breast exam.

    We get in the habit of turning off emotions for doctor visits - just get through it - and all in the name of getting healthy. Somehow this is different.

    I am so scared that this brutal breast exam will cause some kind of permanent damage. I don’t understand why it hurts so much!

    Anyone have a full breast exam this soon after rads? Or have a similiar experience?

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  • Shachar
    Shachar Member Posts: 229
    edited February 2013

    Hey everyone! I have tried catching up on posts but have been really busy not doing rads, lol!

    My skin looks awesome. Except for the thin outline, the skin in back to normal color! Man, that was quick. It has been 13 days since regular treatments, 5 days since last boost. Now the boost area is still light pink, the exact shape of that lead template, but the huge area looks normal!

    Yes, I am the one they tried to fry intentionally with an every day bolus pad, even the boosts. To me, the boosts were much easier. Even so, I turned out normal with no scars so there is hope! I believe at a month out there will be no visible evidence of anything.

    Mother4life, how horrible! I think I would have kicked that doctor. I am glad you are done!

    I have scabbed over and am a little tender, but that new tattoo is almost healed, haha! Almost time for two more, areolas! I see my PS this Friday. I feel like a biker chic, all inked.

    No more stabs and zings, and no loss of sensation through rads. Hang in there, girls, it heals up quickly!

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  • Skyhigh
    Skyhigh Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2013

    Thankyou 5LuvBugs, cowpower and sonson for your welcomes. I think it's wonderful how everyone is accepted onto these forums without discrimination. This forum has been a useful learning tool for me- I live in Spain, and health care here is SOOOO different here. In a nutshell, it is geared towards treating the illness, but patient support is non-existent! The doctors tell you what they are going to do without providing you with any information or discussing choices etc. I only found out what type of cancer, stage, grade etc. I had because I hounded the hospital for a copy of all my test results and then worked it out myself!!! Also there has been no access to anyone who could answer my questions. But you ladies, and this website has been an invaluable source of information so I thank you for that.

    Bearing this in mind, I ask for your understanding in advance, if I ask really obvious questions - I hope that I can tap into your invaluable experiences, and if in return I can offer my support and my frienship then I will.

    A hug to you all and thank you.

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  • Waitingforthenextstep
    Waitingforthenextstep Member Posts: 251
    edited February 2013

    Any opinions about what are the best skin products, ointments or creams to use during the RT treatments?  I was given 3 different options.  What has worked best for you?

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  • Annette47
    Annette47 Member Posts: 957
    edited February 2013

    I've been using Jaron's 98% Aloe (I found it in the organic section at Wegman's).    So far (18/30 completed) I don't even have any reddening of the skin - my RO says that I am definitely better than would be expected and that I might (fingers crossed) get away without any problems at all, even the typical "mild sunburn".   

    I doubt I can credit the Aloe entirely, as I'm sure dumb luck plays a role, but it has definitely helped.   I'm relatively fair skinned, btw, and apply it first thing in the morning, then I shower it off late morning (after working out) have my treatment around lunch and reapply in the dressing room immediately afterwards then again at bedtime.

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited February 2013

    DKGS I would absolutely contact the doctor who "poked his head in" (not the nurse).  Tell him you were horrified and scared - that jackass seemed to enjoy inflicting pain...OK I'll give him the credit = he didn't want to miss anything = boy I sure hope no one else has to deal with that....

    Cowpower I'm not 1/3 done, actually I only had 6/33 - the last 2 days the machine has been broken - don't even know if it will be fixed tomorrow - now we have to tack those days onto the end (now last week of March for me) - I sure hope the machine is working properly when I get there....I am still concerned about the machine malfunctioning...

    Got to go watch American Idol soon, my friends daughter is on tonite!!

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  • SwgeeWi
    SwgeeWi Member Posts: 315
    edited February 2013

    Dkgs- I am horrified to read your post about your experience!!! That resident needs to be reported and made to have a doctor present at all of his appointments until he can show proper behavior! I have never had a breast exam like that, and my doctors are especially gentle just looking at my skin during this process! Your hospital should have a procedure for reporting complaints. This needs to be in his record!

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  • allurbaddayswillend
    allurbaddayswillend Member Posts: 355
    edited February 2013

    dkgs, Unfortunately for you, the resident was probably trying to make sure he/she didn't miss anything. How awful to be treated so, regardless! You should definitely make it known that an inexperienced resident has no business conducting a breast exam on a breast cancer patient. period. Even a ham-handed resident like the one you endured might not know shit from shine-ola as it were and you deserve respect enough to have someone experienced and qualified to do a breast exam. And yes, ladies, Speak Up! if you are uncomfortable with a situation with your Drs and medical visits! I would not let my gyn even touch my treated breast back in December when I had my annual. If I am not up for being poked or prodded on and know that it is not necessary at the time, I now turn it down. as my GP says, "I can't make you submit to tests." Also, don't be fooled that a female Dr is going to be any gentler or kinder about any of this either. The most brutal and ham-handed annual exams I've had have been from female OB Drs... :/

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  • Waitingforthenextstep
    Waitingforthenextstep Member Posts: 251
    edited February 2013

    I will be having my simulation appt. in about two weeks.  Anyone have any issues with it?  Any problems with the CT scan?  How long are you in the CT scanner?  Any info helpful. Thanks.

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  • halfcan
    halfcan Member Posts: 253
    edited February 2013

    Hi all, thank you for the kind welcome.   My treatment consists of 16 rads of which I have had two now.  I had my first rad appointment yesterday and it went ok I guess.   It seemed to take forever to get set up and and take pics.  There seemed to be some issue with some numbers lining up on the crosshairs and they called someone else down to have a look.  I asked what was up and just told they were double checking things.   All normal ... but didn't feel normal.  In the end the green light was given and I got my first rad treatment.  By the time it was all done and more pics, my arm was pretty much dead feeling and in my back shoulder blade area too.   Sore and stiff today but my second rad went easy and quick today.   Sorry to hear some of your nightmares ladies.   Seems we never really know how it will all play out and how we will be react to treatment.  

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  • melmcbee
    melmcbee Member Posts: 1,119
    edited February 2013

    Hi ladies. I just finished 26/34 and man I am burnt. Thank God today was the last whole treatment and the last 8 are just boost to my surgical scar. I have burnt areas in the clavicle region and in the armpit. the rest is extremely red almost black but not sore. My question is how long will it take for these areas to heal. I cant even wear a shirt on my shoulder. I am putting these vigilon packs on and silvadene. Thanks for any advice. I hope everyone is doing well and healing fast.... Hugs

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  • fgm
    fgm Member Posts: 831
    edited February 2013

    Melmcbee-It's been 2 weeks today since my last treatment/boost and the only tenderness I have is around my nipple. My skin is just a light pink now and as I previously posted I had to take 8 days off between my treatments and boost because I was so burnt. So, it gets better.  I still get those sharp jabs of pain every now and then.  I still lube twice a day and wear a man's t-shirt under my bra. I was told to do this until I see my radiologist on the 28th. When I was at your point I used Dombero dressings twice a day...which seemed to draw out the heat.  I also used aloe and aquaphor.  Hope this helps.  Hope you feel better soon!!

    Today, I had my port removed!! Yeh!! Feels like I'm slowly getting back to normal.

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  • fgm
    fgm Member Posts: 831
    edited February 2013

    One more thing.  I began my Arimidex 2 weeks ago and so far no side effects.  I was very leery about taking it but if it will prevent me from repeating this experience, I'm all for it.

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  • susancats
    susancats Member Posts: 51
    edited February 2013

    I now know what silvadene is. It's used for 2nd degree burns and to prevent infection. Yup- that's what the Rads MD prescribed to me. My worst, most raw area is the underboob (the fold where the body meets the boob at the rib cage). It looks so angry. I had to take some Advil today for the pain. My Dr asked if we should take a break, but I only have 4 boosts left and a 3 day weekend break from rads. I think it's gonna be a long time until I wear an underwire or any bra for that matter. I am happy my armpit gets a break now that the boosts just aim at the incision on the breast.

    I see my surgeon tomorrow. I hope she'll be gentle.

    Poor you, dkgs!! That sounds violating & brutal! How dare they put some amature in with a cancer patient who obviously hasn't been properly trained!! So sorry!!



    Have a good Valentine's Night everyone!

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  • melmcbee
    melmcbee Member Posts: 1,119
    edited February 2013

    fgm, that is so cool about getting your port removed. Congrats

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  • cowpower
    cowpower Member Posts: 293
    edited February 2013

    fgm   Port Removal is a big step- Congratulations! You wont believe how irritating it was once you heal up. One big step toward getting a semblance of control again.

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  • cider8
    cider8 Member Posts: 832
    edited February 2013

    Yay for port removal!

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  • PatinMN
    PatinMN Member Posts: 920
    edited February 2013

    fgm - what was the process for port removal?  Were you awake?  I still have a long wait for port removal (September, after I finish Herceptin), but I'm curious.

    I had rad treatment #28 today and the boob is pretty red but no sores or anything.  Today was my last "whole boob" treatment; I start 5 boosts on Monday and then I'm finished!  I will be very happy not to have to show up every day, as nice as everyone is there.  Still trying to decide if I'm going to bring something for the staff, and if so, what.

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