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

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  • allurbaddayswillend
    allurbaddayswillend Member Posts: 355
    edited March 2013

    Congratulations, Stride! Woohoo! love to hear of another wrap up.

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  • SwgeeWi
    SwgeeWi Member Posts: 315
    edited March 2013

    Gosh, I don't know what to do with myself today because I don't have to drive into Madison for radiation treatments......YAY!!!!!! I'm going to pick up my Silvadene Rx, so between that and my Elasto-gel I should be good to go!! Happy Dance!! The renewal of spring holds a special meaning this year. Thanks for the love and support from all of my BC sisters here. Continued prayers to all of you in your journey!!

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  • Annette47
    Annette47 Member Posts: 957
    edited March 2013

    SwgeeWi - YAY!!!!!   I know what you mean about not knowing what to do with yourself ... I've been at loose ends all week, LOL.   Hope the Silvadene helps and that you heal quickly!

    Congrats to Stride, too!

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  • SwgeeWi
    SwgeeWi Member Posts: 315
    edited March 2013

    YAY Stride!!!!! Happy Dance!!! Congratulations!m I hope you're celebrating! I finished yesterday and am so excited to be done!

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  • fgm
    fgm Member Posts: 831
    edited March 2013

    Swgee and Stride-Congratulations!!!  Now, back to your life Smile

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

    Josie, Josie, Josie - you step into the sports bra and pull it up - it's so much easierSurprised...Give it a try and try the Geni bras at walmart, etc , they are $10.  I tried those zipper bras and couldn't breathe - so freakin tight and a zipper hurts... Today was my 22/33 and my boob is hot, red, hard, tender and peeling....Using silvadene and wearing a Tshirt - this too shall pass....

    Congrats to Strides and all of you finishing up this week...Kiss

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

    FACT: We all have/had breast cancer

    QUESTION: Did anyone here change anything about their lifestyle or diet?

    Seems to me sooooo many things have soy products in them Hellmann's Mayo', Bumble Bee tuna, all kinds of things and now I even notice it's in one of the Wen hair products - what the heck = estrogen + means no soy!!! But in other issues, has anyone started doing anything different like switch to organic or vegetarian or begin an exercise program, etc. and the big question is After Surgery, Chemo and Radiation do we still have cancer or not?????Undecided

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  • tuxtails
    tuxtails Member Posts: 39
    edited March 2013

    I just started rads, but as soon as I was dx with bc I cleaned up my diet. I have always been a healthy eater, but I took it up a notch. Organic, "basic" alkaline/non acidic diet. Quit the coffee. I have always exercised and will try a little harder for more walks, etc. Ground flax seeds, green tea, D3. Smoothies in the morning; banana, blueberries, kale and almond milk, flax seeds. I feel really good and have energy. Alot of our beauty products have bad chemicals for us, starting to find healthier alternatives for these.

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

    Wow tuxtails, I'm proud of you...I was going to do the juicing and take extra supplements  but the docs said "no" not until I'm finished treatment.  Also wanted to start walking but its so cold out.  I have a Total Gym but haven't been able to use it, so here I am - haven't changed my lifestyle.... Better get my act together soonCool

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

    Wish that I could claim to cleaning my life up but I didnt. I just drink water all of the time cause I crave it. I try to take my vitamins but usually forget. I am going to try to start eating healthier and I will get plenty of exercise when I go  back to work saturday. Hugs to all

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  • josie123
    josie123 Member Posts: 1,817
    edited March 2013

    Today was day 2.I felt kind of dizzy/faint today.I think it's too early for any side effects,maybe I'm just needing to drink more.You know that feeling you get when you lock your knees and are about to pass out.It passes so I figured just stress.Once when at my desk I had a moment of dizziness it was like the room spun for a second.It also could be sinuses I guess.

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  • josie123
    josie123 Member Posts: 1,817
    edited March 2013

    On a better note I took my dog for a walk after work for the second day in a row.I'm not used to walking daily but since the days are getting longer the dog seems to know.We only walk 2 blocks maybe 10minutes .

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  • SwgeeWi
    SwgeeWi Member Posts: 315
    edited March 2013

    5luv, I've been meaning to get a book recommended on these boards by Diana Dyer, called A Dietitian's Cancer Story. I started Nutrasystem about 5 weeks before being diagnosed and lost 15 lbs. I stopped the diet during all of this and gained 10 back, so now I'll start that back up. I'll start exercising when my energy level returns. I was wondering if people were changing their deodorant at all? I've already avoided soy products because my mom had breast cancer.

    Josie, I was dizzy the first day or two of my treatment and I also craved water during treatment. The dizziness passed, but i drank more water throughout tx. I had some mild queasiness at times, but it wasn't too bad. I think they're all common se's. One of my techs thought the queasiness was caused by fatigue, which I did have. It's such a pain in the ass, but my six weeks were over before I knew it. They let me bring in a cd mix that I made at home to listen to during txs. I loved that! I also visualized the beams of radiation vaporizing any stray cancer cells.





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  • SwgeeWi
    SwgeeWi Member Posts: 315
    edited March 2013

    Oh, and I found a line of skincare and makeup products made here in Wisconsin called L'Bri. It's all aloe based and natural, if anyone's interested in checking it out. I ordered the Aloe and used that throughout treatment. It was way better than breaking off pieces of my aloe plant to use after treatment, ha! It absorbed into the skin really well, too. I ordered some samples of their skincare products and really like what I've tried so far!

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

    Sweege drink Boost Plus protein drink and more water.... Also not using any deodorant in radiated arm (it is raw)- but use Toms of Maine (peach or something)

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

    I decided to change my avatar since I cut off the few remaining hairs that made me look like that baby in my last avatar.  This is a recent picture of me with a short wig and my favorite hat...So now you know the real me, soon I will have real hair...Do any of you wear a scarf?  I have a few but don't know how to wear them - need some instruction or pics....

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  • Annette47
    Annette47 Member Posts: 957
    edited March 2013

    5Luvbugs - interesting question about lifestyle changes following diagnosis!   I haven't, but then again, I've been eating "clean" and exercising regularly for several years now (and it didn't do me any good, LOL).   I do have a friend who's 2 years out who has majorly changed her diet to avoid processed foods as they are more likely to have soy in them. 

    As for do we still have cancer?  I choose to think not, but then again the only way to know for sure is to die at 90 from unrelated causes, so who knows.   Not going to spend much time worrying about it though - just going to take my tamoxifen, go for regular screenings and hope for the best.

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

    5luv, great avatar. Love the picture. I wore scarves whenever I chose to cover up which was mainly for warmth. I went to youtube and typed in things like scarf, or wrapping scarves, chemo head wraps. I learned from those videos. I basically chose long scarves and put it on my head and tied it at the back and left it hanging but there are different styles if you so desire. I have such bad hot flashes that I basically went bald everywhere and loved it. Good luck.

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  • allurbaddayswillend
    allurbaddayswillend Member Posts: 355
    edited March 2013

    5luvbugs, luv your photo! I was wondering if that was real hair or wig - it looks so good, good choice. as tuxtails did, I took some of my habits up another notch but had already worked on this in the preceding couple years (in baby steps which is the only way to get it to stick with me!) since my celiac diagnosis for both health and weight loss. Not so many changes during chemo because it's enough to survive that but just a couple more things these days. I've upped my berry intake a bit. I always keep berries around for my husband and son but didn't always remember to eat them myself. A couple times a week minimum now. Better effort to eat a cruciferous veg almost every day of the week (broccoli, cabbage, arugula, cauli, etc…) Almost entirely eliminate canned food - rare occassion that I'll use something canned these days. Jars or tetrapaks or frozen - ok. Tuna? only affordable is the starkist chunk light in a pouch tested low in BPAs, sardines, in a pouch. I already ate mostly grass-fed or pastured red meats and wild caught frozen fish but that was a change I had only made in the last couple of years too, likely after my tumor started… :/   My MO tells me that I am cancer-free. I like to repeat that to myself a couple times a day, when I'm having a bite of dark chocolate. :)

    http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/05/concern-over-canned-foods/index.htm

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

    Thanks girls, you lifted my spirits and gave me a few laughs..Smile 

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  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 733
    edited March 2013

    Swgee - I read some posts here form time to time and really belong to the fall rads group. I finished in Nov but I saw your post about the skin care line. I have always used Mary Kay face creme and lotion since I was 15 and now that I have had Cancer I might need to change. It seems everything is too strong for me and I react BUT I used Aloe Vera gel all during my treatment and it really helped.

    So I went to the website and it says you need to get a consultant to help you. I was thinking I could just order from the catalog. You are in Wisconsin and I am in Michigan. If there are none here maybe I could use one where you are? Would like to try a couple items. Thanks.

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

    Girls I'm having radiation issues. I want to know if any of you girls had molds made for your radiation.  I did not and now I wonder if that's standard or not - my center does not do breast molds for some reason... Let me know      

    I sure hope I'm getting radiated in the right place...I am peeling under my arm and am now using silvadene . I've had 3 boosts and I keep getting shoting/stabbing pains in my boob. Doc says no tx monday so I have 3 days to heal a bit.

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  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 3,945
    edited October 2014

    o.k. i just finished day 10 of rads, and prior to that, i was having lympheda issues in the lumpectomy breast, cause of having so many nodes removed. physical therapist says compression bras, ok for now, except redness from le. what kind of bras are you all wearing that will support them without being too tight like some sports bras are. also one lady told me dont wear nylon, only cotton if at all possible. Help!

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

    Kathe Try the Geni bras they are so comfortable and are inexpensive *no hooks, no wires, no nylon) and make sure you step into them, not pull them over your head, get a little bigger size so it doesn't squeeze you...As for me , I am wearing Danskin shirts (feels soft like an undershirt) -because everything is peeling and sore...My boobs are hanging low...Surprised

    OH Shit!!!  Now I wonder if I'm gonna get lymphedema= I have all these issues with my armpit~~~ What are the symptoms?

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited March 2013

    When I woke up from surgery my hand hurt and was swollen. I couldn't find my knuckles. He took out 14 nodes. Then I noticed my arm was swollen. It never hurt, or felt "funny". Showed it to OS, had a referral to LE PT, and yep, I've got it. The LE forum here is great! Check it out!

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  • Tomboy
    Tomboy Member Posts: 3,945
    edited October 2014

    with me,5luvbugs, I could tell my arm felt heavier than my other arm, and i could see how it was shaped differently than my other arm. by the time i could convince my team of doctors i had it, it was out of control, and i am having a heck of a time trying to get it back into shape. regular standard compression garments are not working for my normally skinny arms, so my therapist just had started to teach me how to wrap myself,and then got sick herself. i am only allowed to see her once a week, and it has been two weeks now, and now the lympheda is back to my breast,too. I can tell because of the heaviness, and also the stretch marks stand out fuller,plus it gets red. the rest of the radiation field is not red yet. +, when i do the manual lymph drainage, the swellling goes down,and the redness does too. there is a lymphedema forum on bco too, i was just wondering if to compress there during rads or no. all my doctors say something different.

    i feel like im running down the halls there trying to show my boob to everyone. no molds made for rads.  i had 25 out of thirty nodes positive for cancer. mar 8 2013

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  • adagio
    adagio Member Posts: 982
    edited March 2013

    Ladies - How much time did you have between the last chemotherapy treatment and the beginning of radiation therapy. My RO wants only 2 weeks, but I would like a longer break in between. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

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

    Adiago if you were on a 2 week chemo schedule you would probably start 2 weeks after last chemo.  I was on 3 weeks and had 3 weeks in between....No break just "get R dun"...Wink

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  • Waitingforthenextstep
    Waitingforthenextstep Member Posts: 251
    edited March 2013

    Mine will be 4 weeks.  I told my MO I wanted a break of a few weeks.

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

    Adagio, I called my rad's office the same week as my last chemo. That was Dec 18th and I started radiation Jan 9th. It took that long to get my pet scan and get on their schedule. I had to do a ct planning before as well. I tried to rush it but I guess that was about 3-4 weeks post chemo. I was on a 3 week chemo schedule. if that helps any. Hugs and good luck.

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