Radiation only, no chemo

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  • daisymom46
    daisymom46 Member Posts: 19
    edited March 2013

    Sam ~ Hang in there.  Keep track of that nausea and be sure to tell nurse/RO about it.  I had nausea from 4th tx til the end of regular rads (28) which was Wednesday.  Nausea subsided by Friday a.m. am having a total of 8 'boosts' with 6 left.  I lost 10lbs due to the nausea but did get a RX for compazine which helped.  Get lots of rest and stay hydrated.  You will be done before you know it!

    Amy~ Good luck starting tomorrow.  We are all behind you! :)

    I have made many friends at my rads appt.  Such a healing time of sharing.  We have seriously 'overtaken' an unused nurses station outside the dressing room and are having such a time sharing, laughing, crying, etc. that the guys are propping their door open and have started peeking out to see what the hullaboo is all about.  I have even applied/interviewed and attended training to hopefully volunteer in the radiation oncology dept. when i am done.  Someone told me about 'operation bling' and I am hoping to bring it to my hospital here in CA

    Love and hugs to all.  Stay strong :)

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  • pacools
    pacools Member Posts: 53
    edited March 2013

    What a great visual RMlulu zap zap the cancer is gone wonderful I will hold that thought I have 11/30 treatments behind me yeah.

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  • AmyfromMI
    AmyfromMI Member Posts: 241
    edited March 2013

    Hi all! I'm going to play laser tag and zap the bad guys in an hour. #1 went well yesterday. I only felt a little itching on the incision afterward. Didn't last long. Hoping I don't feel anything today. Is this something I should mention to my RO on Thursday?



    Patty, yay! 11/30 done!



    Have a great day everyone! ❤

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited March 2013

    Hi y'all



    AmyinMI - yeah #2 completed! Yippee :) Yes, discuss with your RO all SEs. Do you moisturize your skin after treatment and before bed? I rush home and use miaderm on my incisions and then aloe all over my breast. I wear a soft cami with my left breast out to air dry with my arm propped up for no skin to skin contact...baby that girl. And I hydrate with 5 cup protein smoothie...quite a sight but I'm beyond that...I'm initial to win :)

    Pacoola - yeah almost to the 50 yd line hold that laser zapper hight...fight on!

    CarolynVM - sending good vibes as you cross the goal line...may your boosts go well:)

    Sam - hope you are feeling better and the nausea has gone away...hang in there.

    Kkuziel - how's the drive? Hope you are doing great and have a few appt buddies to help ease that commute.

    Katlou's - count down .... anxious to hear what is at the center! Ha. What a great gang you have at work!

    Destina - rads completed? Ireland soon! you & hubby was be all smiles :))).



    Here's to the laser tag team...light sabers in hand zap zap!

    Have a great killer zapping week!

    Cindy

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  • AmyfromMI
    AmyfromMI Member Posts: 241
    edited March 2013

    I feel like I'm Luke Skywalker battling Darth Vader or maybe Darth Vader when he turned against the Emperor and killed him! That dude was pure evil, just like BC. LOL! I don't think that image is going to leave me. 😃



    No, I'm not moisturizing. Maybe I'll make a pharmacy run and get something tomorrow. Although, I meet with my RO Thursday and can always ask her what she recommends.



    Daisy and Sam, I hope the nausea has subsided or is gone. I never realized this could be a SE from rads. I really hope you're both feeling better!



    I hope everyone is having a good week! Cheers to the laser tag team! Zap! Zap! Zap!



    ~ Amy

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

    I felt pretty good today ..10 down and 23 left to go..Just felt a little tired due to being woke up at 4am by my cat.First he tries to chew my door down then when I get up he wants to eat and go outside.He must of just went around the house then came right back in when my DH came in the front door after a late night tow.My breast is red and warm but I have been using lotion.I feel pretty lucky I'm doing well.My Ro was very worried about me yesterday since I just looked exhausted and he made the nurse c.f. one in and take my vitals.It was so inconvenient for her she was just ticked because the doc gave me what I Wanted.I have a great To but it wouldn't hurt my feelings a bit if I never had to see that nurse again.Too bad she has to interview me and look at my Breast every Monday before my doc comes in.

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  • AmyfromMI
    AmyfromMI Member Posts: 241
    edited March 2013

    Josie, do you feel comfortable enough with your RO to let him know how you feel about his nurse? What a downer. Maybe he has another one in the office that could take over? Or is this just wishful thinking on my part? I'm sorry about that nurse. Grrrrrr. On the bright side, you're almost 1/3 of the way there! Yay! I hope you get a good night's sleep and wake feeling refreshed! Hugs,



    Amy 😊

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited March 2013

    Josie - glad today was a better day & 1/3 through treatment:)). I would be so nice to that wicked nurse that she would be embarrass by her behavior...like gma said...honey!

    Make sure you hydrate it helps fight fatigue. Your kitty is a character ha! Tell him/her it's night night time.

    Sending cooling thoughts for that warm glowing breast.

    Praying that everyone's skin does well under the bright lights...

    Cindy

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

    Unfortunately I think she is the only nurse.She just hates me because I asked her for a temporary handicap sticker because the way I felt last week I thought the fatigue was starting to creap up on me.Well she had a field day with that!!She said I didn't qualify.Funny because Yesterday the doc had no problems signing one for me.And if I end up not needing it or rarely using it it's ok I'm only out $2.But it's the idea I'll have it if my fatigue strikes again while I'm out.

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  • Fritoz
    Fritoz Member Posts: 19
    edited March 2013

    Hello all! I am on 7/28 and all I can say is holy heartburn! Does anyone else have this problem? I go to RAD at 8am so I usually don't eat before hand, and now with the heartburn I really don't feel much like putting anything in after. Any suggestions or recommendations? I think I am going to say something to my RO tomorrow at my weekly check in. I am doing okay energy-wise so far, *knock on wood*. Josie123 I agree with RMlulu, kill'em with kindness! I'm bringin my crew girl scout cookies tomorrow :) 

    Hope you are all having a good week. Stay strong and positive!

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

    Sounds like maybe you should eat something before rads and see if that helps.Something high protein maybe.Are you a coffee drinker?Maybe try not to drink anything acidic before Rads .Since your laying down.Your going to need to eat . Right to keep up your strength.You should also tell your doc.Because you may not be able to drink enough with that heartburn and the dehydration will get you.

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  • MaisyDaisies
    MaisyDaisies Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2013

    Thank you Amy, RMlulu and Katlou for the welcome messages! I had such a bad couple of days last weekend that it all got me down, but I guess that feeling comes and goes. I don't start rads for a bit over a week, so I'm still trying to figure out what to expect. While I wait I'm stocking up on all these tips about nutrition and lotions and all the other things that you ladies have learned on your rads journeys.

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  • Fritoz
    Fritoz Member Posts: 19
    edited March 2013

    Thank you Josie. I am a coffee drinker, cutting that out is going to be rough. I talked to my RO and he wrote me a prescription for Dexilant and also said I should eat before treatment if possible, you were right on the money.

    Welcome and good luck Maisey. Start prepping your skin, hydrating and eating well, you want to go into rad as strong as possible. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

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  • gemini4
    gemini4 Member Posts: 532
    edited March 2013

    Fritoz, sorry if I missed the explanation of giving up coffee? Do you really have to? Maybe just cutting down is all you need. (I'm still drinking my two cups a day.)

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  • JPH
    JPH Member Posts: 35
    edited March 2013

    OK just heard from RO he says that I can do my radiation in 19-20 treatments vs 29-30.  I think this is wonderful news - should I feel that way? He says I may likely have fewer side effects and that the long term success rate is equal to the greater number of treatments.  The hospital uses TomoTherapy - anyone had their treatments using this machine???

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited March 2013

    JPH - great news! If you go to breastcancer.org research radiation there is a January 2013 article on low dose radiation with your protocol...RO is on top of game :)) glad you've had contact.

    My center uses Novalis Tx...

    Prep your skin, hydrate, stay active...plan rewards...find out all the services offered ...social workers,exercise,physical therapist, mediation, support groups...take good care of your self and listen to your body. LOL :))

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  • JPH
    JPH Member Posts: 35
    edited March 2013

    Thanks RMlulu! I really like the doctor and all the staff I have met there.  Worried they have not told me about prepping my skin.  I start Monday!  I drink a lot of water already, hopefully enough!

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

    The reason I said to not drink the coffee because of acid .But . maybe wait until after Rads to have the coffee.Maybe the meds your doc gave you will help too.I could never give up my coffee I still have 2 cups a day.Hope Your doing better.















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  • BookWoman
    BookWoman Member Posts: 104
    edited March 2013

    JPH I am doing 20. My RO said I might get more short term side effects as they are giving me more each time. He gave me the choice of doing either 20 or 30 and said there wouldn't be any more long term side effects either way. At this point--just finished #9 I am getting pink and starting to get tired in the afternoon. I am not doing TomoTherapy but a few years ago when I had radiation for uterine cancer I did have Tomo. Hope everything goes well for you.

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  • JPH
    JPH Member Posts: 35
    edited March 2013

    Thanks Bookwoman - the RO had said I might be able to do the 20 during our first visit with him - I reminded him when I saw him for my set up session that he had said that and that I would really like to do it in 4 weeks!  I hope I made the right choice!  He did not try to discourage me and I think he would if he did not think it was the best choice.   I am planning on teaching every day and leaving my students the last 5 minutes of their day with another teacher!  I am hoping that I can keep up with it all! 

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  • BookWoman
    BookWoman Member Posts: 104
    edited March 2013

    JPH I think it should be doable--I am a library media sjpecialist and I don't have any classes first thing so I do the treatments first then go to school for the rest of the day.

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  • Katlou
    Katlou Member Posts: 27
    edited March 2013

    Firstcall - Woohoo!!  You are such an inspiration!  It's amazing to read how far you have come in just a year.  You kicked cancer, you kicked shingles, and you kicked a duck.  You've got this!!

    JPH - I am a paralegal and I haven't missed a beat going through rads.  I had my 24th treatment today.  I leave at 11:00 everyday, get my treatment, and come back to work.  It helps that my oncology group is only 15 minutes away!

    Maisy - my advice is just to take it as it comes.  When I was diagnosed, I made the decision to not research all of this, to trust my doctors and to not anticipate what might happen and only deal with what actually came to pass. That, and a lot of laughing at some of the ridiculousness of all this, has helped me sail through.

    Thanks to all who suggested the Galloway method.  I bought the book and I am so excited b/c I now truly believe that the HM is doable!  It's about finishing and not about speed or running the whole time.  I keep visualizing myself crossing the finish line and getting my cool medal and I am stoked!!

    I hope everyone has a great weekend!

    Kathleen


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  • shannal
    shannal Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2013

    Hi, I'm new to the group but I can certainly relate to much of what I'm reading.  I had DCIS January 2012.  I had the lumpectomy and 6 weeks of radiation.  I was thrilled that I didn't have more to go through, but a little guilty too.  My brother had just been dealing with Stage 4 Kidney cancer ( and is cancer free for almost 2 years now!!).  That made me feel even more guilty.  But my brother would tell me, it's not a contest.  

    Now, in January 2013, I have cancer again, same left breast.  I had a bilateral mastectomy in January and have expanders.  I'll have another surgery in April/May.  But it did not travel to my lymph nodes, so no chemo! So, perhaps I don't feel so guilty now.  I feel like I got off pretty easy and I feel blessed for that.  I think time can help change the feeling of guilt to a realization of just how blessed you are.

    Thanks for this thread.  It's comforting to know of others in my shoes.

    For rads, I used Aquaphor several times/day throughout the treatments and fared pretty well.    

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  • shannal
    shannal Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2013

    Hi,

    You cannot radiate the same breast tissue.  In my case, I had DCIS. I had the lumpectomy & 6 weeks of radiation.  DCIS came back again the same breast, different quadrant within the year.  My only option was mastectomy.  I opted for a bilateral. ( I've had previous surgeries on both breast for "atypical" cells.)

     I have expanders in now. I won't be able to go very large.  My PS seems to think  it will work very well because my skin healed pretty well.  The expanders ache  a bit for the radiated breast.   I'll let you know the final result after surgery.

    Now, I wish I didn't have radiation.  But given the choices before, I still would have opted for radiation before choosing a mastectomy.  For most people, the odds are in your favor to go ahead with radiation.  

    Raloxifen is currently being now instead of tamoxifen.  It has lesser side effects and is not linked to ovarian cancer like tamoxifen.  You may want to ask your doctor about it.  I'm not on either since I almost all my breast tissue is gone.

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited March 2013

    Shannal - Welcome and thank you for sharing your journey...sorry you have faced so many challenges. Glad your BMX went well and hope your TEs aren't too uncomfortable and your fills go well. Hope you are pleased with your foobs :)

    Cancer and choices...we make the most informed choices supported by our BC team with our dx at that time. No crystal balls here...just steps in faith trust hope. We are warriors...survivors looking and pressing forward.

    Sending positive healing thoughts (((hugs)))

    Cindy

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  • Destina
    Destina Member Posts: 89
    edited March 2013

    Thanks for the shout out, Cindy. :-)

    I'm not quite done, but almost. I just had 14/16 today and will finish up on Wednesday. Very happy about that and can scarcely believe that I'm already at this point in the BC journey. I remember feeling so much fear only a few short months ago. It does get better. Feeling very grateful.

    And Ireland is two short months away!



    How are you handling your rads tx? Really well, I hope! Overall, I'm pleased with my experience. I received great care from everyone at the clinic, really warm and skilled. There have been side effects, but fairly minimal except for the fatigue that walloped me this past weekend. That, too, will pass.



    Now on to do more research on tamoxifen. I have the unfilled rx awaiting my decision...

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited March 2013

    Destina - Hurrah! Yippee! You rocked rads...Happy Dancing :)))

    Hoping you recover quickly and feel ready to dance a gig in Ireland soon. Best Wishes on your rx...maybe you can start after the trip...not sure how long before we must begin the hormonal tx...I want to have some down time before next treatment.

    Again, thanks for all the good info and encouragement

    Yeah you did it! Take care:)

    Cindy

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited March 2013

    Hi y'all



    Just wondered how the rads were going for everyone?

    Several of us started in March...how's the skin, body, mind holding up?

    I'm at 10/28+5 boosters. Fatigue has vein to kick in...I slept almost 10 hours yesterday...surprised me. Skin is beginning to tan, scars hard but massaging miaderm with aloe on them...tomorrow taking pictures of my crew and table for my journey...they are just the best rads team.

    Have a good Wednesday...it is hump day and tomorrow begins week 3 for me:) zip zap!

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited March 2013

    Joanne53 - Thank you for this thread! I don't know how many people seem surprise that I'm not doing chemo. Like it must not be cancer if no chemo...crazy I have/had cancer! I'm in treatment...rads...still scary SEs...

    Thanks for this forum to share encourage and vent!



    Since I started rads in March I have started a Spring 2013 Rads thread...I'm so ready for spring and the hope it promises...so perhaps some will join me there...(((hugs)))

    Playing serious laser tag!

    Cindy

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  • AmyfromMI
    AmyfromMI Member Posts: 241
    edited March 2013

    Hi all!



    I'm at 8/30! I'm red and a bit tender to touch but overall doing really well. Knock wood. I've been using aloe several times a day and occasionally using Palmers or Aveeno or both. Not ready for Aquaphor. It's too sticky. Perhaps if my skin starts getting irritated.



    Congrats Destina! I'm happy dancing with you! 💃Enjoy Ireland! 🍀



    RMlulu, I'll look for your spring rads thread. 😊



    Laser tag will commence at 9:30 a.m.



    Hugs!

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