Spring 2013 Rads

Leigh, I had MX and have to do rads, thanks to positive nodes.  I was told beforehand that I would not need chemo or rads if the lymph nodes were clean.  But sadly that was not the case.  I'm 2 weeks in now, 5 to go, no problems so far.  From what I've read, getting the lymph nodes radiated does greatly increase the risk for lymphedema.  I met with a LE specialist beforehand to talk about prevention.  Any little thing I can do is worth it!  Most of her advice was basic commonsense stuff, try to avoid any kind of stress on that arm, temperature extremes, etc., no breaks in the skin, nothing tight on or around it.  OK to exercise but build up very slowly and gradually to where you were before.  If you have any specific questions or concerns about it, there is a whole LE section here filled with wonderful helpful folks.  :-)

Congrats Lemon on finishing!!!



I'm sorry to hear how tough it's been. And I'm so happy that you're moving into the healing phase. I, too, had the 16 treatments (2.67g/day, 42.72g total) and the end got a little difficult, as the effect is cumulative. I'm out 12 days now and I do have some painful raw patches that weren't there at the end if tx, but a friend of mine (an oncology rn) said to give it 6-8 weeks. Somehow knowing that helps. Also, the aquaphor which I detested has now become my friend (mixed with antibiotic ointment) because it stops the pain and I place a piece of surgical gauze over it before covering up. Globby grease on raw patch = relief!

Anyway, just wanted to pop in and congratulate you on finishing and sending you healing vibes!

sneaky - I personally feel that with all cancer treatments we are gambling with the odds. Even our "experts" do not know for certain that the treatments are going to work whether it is chemotherapy or radiation. If your pathology shows a Grade 3 with LVI then that would suggest that it is a fairly aggressive cancer - that should help you with your decision. I was petrified of chemo and I am equally petrified of radiation, but also didn't feel comfortable not doing anything - so I decided to do both since that is what was recommended by my oncologists. Only time will tell if it is the right choice and even then if the cancer doesn't come back, it still may not have come back even without any treatment other than the surgery. Not to sound discouraging, but it is all a gamble - it just depends on what we can live with.

17/30 done. Red, sore, tight, and a lovely itchy rash developing. Was so hoping to avoid this. Oh well. This too shall pass. Zip zap!



Met a woman who had her last rad today and heard her ring the bell! That was such an awesome sound! I'm going to have my hubby come and take video of me ringing that bell on day 30!



We are getting much needed rain today. I just wish it would warm up a wee bit. :-)



I hope everyone else is fairing well with rads. Sending healing hugs to everyone. xo



~ Amy

Yay adagio on the half way mark!!! So glad you're not red! I hope it's a good sign for the rest of your rads to come. :-) (((x)))



Amy

Tuxtails is here checking in....congrats on everyone who has finished tx....the ones who are close, hang in there. It has been a week and a half since I finished, healing going well. I must say I got raw and uncomfortable afterwards, but it clears up fairly quick. I only have a small red, sore area around my incision. If you can wear a bra, slather on the aquafor, place a folded soft cotton hankie over your breast...your bra will keep it in place and it keeps the aquaphor from getting all over. Wishing you all the best and a quick recovery....keep drinking lots of water!

Tux

This is related to my radiation which starts today 1/30. I have not read all the posts regarding the treatment but I wondered if anyone has had a problem holding their arm up during the treatment. I had shoulder surgery many years ago for a partially torn rotater cuff and ever since then that should is really tight! I had my trial run yesterday and lost feeling in my fingers, and the shoulder was burning so bad I could hardly stand it. As soon as I put my arm down the feeling came back but my neck/shoulder muscles were so sore. I may need to ask for something to relax my muscles during the next six weeks. What an unexpected aggrevation. The techs told me other people that have had this type of surgery tell them the same thing!!!

The CT simulation part takes much longer than the actual treatments do. If you made it through that part, the worst is over and you should be fine for the rest. :-)

For the daily treatments I'd guess I only have to have my arms up in that uncomfortable position for about 10 minutes or so.

What a beautiful, inspiring, and helpful thread....thank you ladies, and Cindy for starting it!!

Pacools, I'm sorry you're experiencing those jabbing (I call them zingers) sharp pains.  I, also, have been getting them along with overall swelling and pain in the treated breast.  At 17/33 the RO is going to move my boosts earlier in the treatments and reduce (by a few) the number of full-breast treatments.  He thinks this wll help the pain which will just progress with the treatments.  Has anyone else experienced this protocol.  After I left, I was a bit concerned with losing a few of the full treatments in terms of increasing my odds...although, RO said it was exceptable (none of this is an exact science, is it??).

I'm still laughing at the RO calling my breasts heavy and droopy (saggy & draggy are 'D's'), despite the less than pleasing choice of words, I never have been so thankful to still have them!

Hoping for ease and comfort for everyone!!! xoxo Lisa

CTLMom - can you ask the technicians for some kind of support for your shoulders? They made a mould for me so that my shoulders could rest on the mould as opposed to me having to hold them there - it has been very helpful?

Okay, I just read something distressing. I've been taking a daily multi vitamin and just read that you should avoid taking supplements while undergoing radiation!!! My RO never mentioned this. Should I be concerned, especially that I have only 12 treatments left? I'm scared. If it isn't one thing it's another. Gah!



Hope everyone is doing well! xoxoxo

Cindy...

"we're goin make our relationship work."  Laughing over that one!!!!

20/33...you're doin it girl!!!

Hi All

2 days out from last of 16/16.. had to see RO today. Silvadene, prescription hydrocortisone and pure vicodine all given. I am using all 3 generously. Blisters, nipple began to bleed last night, peeling and my aereola has completed peeled off revelaing pink raw flesh. What a mess I still am. He said in about 5-7 days the worst will be over. If not improved in 10 days come back in. He said he has seen worse but my reaction is not typical, I thought this was going to be no big deal, that will teach me.

I am glad most of you are handling it well. If not dont wait like me to get the prescriptions you need for some releif. I am not sure I would have done it if I had known this was going to happen. I am having serious regrets about not having a BMX, I hope I can learn to accept my decisions but right now they are keeping me up at night.

Thanks for letting me let it out.

Lemon

Lemon - A mastectomy is no guarantee that rads wouldn't have been recommended.  I cried many nights over needing a mastectomy (multifocal disease with too much distance between tumors for lumpectomies) but I thought at least that's all I'd need.  Hah!  I've just finished chemo and am likely about to begin rads.  Fingers crossed your skin heals and you're left with a beautifully natural boob.

On April 1 I finished 30/32 doses. I've been dealing with fatigue, burn-blisters, some pain and general discomfort. I had some kind of virus last week (headache-naseau that comes and goes) and called in sick on April 2, and haven't been back for last 2 boosters.

Its against medical advice and I will consider going back next week to finish.

I guess my attitude is a bit flip and I'm feeling a bit onery about the rads. Its a gamble all around.

On the bright side, I have a colonoscopy to look forward to next week LOL.

I have been offered Tamoxifen but have -so far- decided against pharmacology.

I don't know what is more intimidating...Stage 0 DCIS or longterm SEs of radiation and powerful drugs.

I will likely explore alternatives and haved located a Natuotropathic Oncologist (official title may not be exact). There are 3 in CT.

One REALLY helpful thing I got from the rad nurse today is a gel pad that protects the skin where its blistered and peeling. I dont know why she didnt offer it sooner. Its the kind of thing that chips away at my confidence in conventional treatment. The gel pad does need to be held in place...but its so much thicker and larger (circular) than the gauze nonstick pads...that I could wear a bra without any discomfort.

In her pitch to get me to finish treatment, the nurse estimated I am about 2/3 completed with fullcourse.

Not sure how rad math works, but I'm interested to hear more from anyone who can speak on topic.

Best wishes and quick recovery to all you other spring rad ladies.

And, as they say in Panem, "May the odds be ever in your favor."