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

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

    Ohhhh I wish I could afford a real vacation!!!!!



    I'm planning on spending one day in Orlando attending a national Maltese specialty show with Spookie. I'm really looking forward to this, I missed the Eukanuba show there in dec. thanks cancer.

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

    Hey Lisa



    Today is 14/33 & I hear you! Incisions are red angry very bumpy & breast pink. Each morning wonder what lefties status will be:(. Rad tech asked did they tell you how to care for skin? Ha! I've been caring for this girl pre-rads. Skin don't fail me now...today is 1/2 of the 28 full breast and Friday will be 1/2 including boosts:)) so close...

    Yes, I'm thinking major trip just not sure how long to wait for leftie to calm down...Vancouver Oregon Coast, ocean breezes...

    Counting Down with you (((hugs)))

    Cindy

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  • QueenKong
    QueenKong Member Posts: 154
    edited April 2013

    I found the other threads, Thank you. Smile My skin was great til the last days of full treatment. Now, the boosts are postponed because of the burns. Damn it. I have to wait a few days to finish the last 5, letting the skin breath. I have a fan blowing on me.wise? I don't know.

    A big yes to planning post rads vacation. I need something to look forward too.

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

    Hey there QueenKong!



    Yeah, down to the boosts! At least the are site specific so there's some relief for the rest of your rightie...ugh the wait:(( waiting the scourge of BC. Use the wait to rest renew and just take care...this is as mental as physical. Be kind to yourself. Be thankful you have the time to heal and get ready to finish laser tag a victor!

    You've come so far on this journey...don't beat yourself...take pride warrior:). You've got this and will play it forward!

    Where you going to go on your celebration trip? Think BIG! (((Hugs)))

    Cindy



    I tried the fan last night just made it itch more...gonna where socks on my hands so I won't scratch...sweet dreams...zzz

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  • QueenKong
    QueenKong Member Posts: 154
    edited April 2013

    RMlulu, that pic you have posted cheers me up. It's so lovely. Thank you for that and the pep talk. I'm going to do it. Then, I'm going to Chincoteague this Summer and eventually to Africa & Belize. I can't wait to be pain free, no meds, exercising and eating normally again.

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  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited April 2013

    Heck,yes to the vacation!  I'm almost two weeks past rads and still not quite reentering the real world.  Boy, did I find radiation traumatizing!

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  • Lisa1637
    Lisa1637 Member Posts: 101
    edited April 2013

    Hope for healing QueenKong!!

    Yes, RMlulu!  You are so encouraging!!  And I need to heed your advice and start the lotion.  Apparently I'm more red than I should be at 13/33. 

    Brookside...I'm sorry it's been a post struggle.  I am also having difficulty with this phase.  May I ask what was traumatizing for you...xo Lisa

    P.S.  Good thoughts and comfort for everyone!!!

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  • schoolmom
    schoolmom Member Posts: 458
    edited April 2013

    I finished rads two weeks ago and I am beginning to get my energy back the last few days.  The onc said it would take a month but I am amazed how quickly I am losing that tired feeling.

    It goes quickly. Hang in there those of you that are in the beginning stages.

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  • QueenKong
    QueenKong Member Posts: 154
    edited April 2013

    What's going on Brookside and Lisa? Why is it so hard for you? 

    The pain and the weeping from the burn is really getting to me. I feel like I need to stay in and air it out so my treatments can resume and I can get this over with. 

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

    I'm with you QueenKong!



    Once home I take a cool shower and then lube that bad leftie up, put on my cami, and let her air out...feels so good not to have anything touching her...just hydrocortisone &miaderm&aloe and night night is aquaphor! She may be pink and incisions red angry, but we get along best au-natural :)). 15/33 today.

    Must say I panic when the door bell rings or FaceTime comes on my iPad! Can't hide her fast enough ha!

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  • Lisa1637
    Lisa1637 Member Posts: 101
    edited April 2013

    Hey QueenKong...thanks for the opportunity to vent :)

    In all fairness, I started feeling under the weather last week (week 2 of Rads) and now have quite a bad chest cold.  It's been tough to sleep and the coughing is wearing me out.  I just don't feel well.  And the daily rads leaves me feeling somewhat nauseous.  Not to mention, I keep thinking that the rads is slowing down the healing process, although the Rad Team has said otherwise.  I am hopeful and excited about the end; I guess with the other aspects of this diagnosis, including surgery, it was over and I began to get my strength back and feel well.  This phase is just extended and I'm worn out from feeling worn out.  Ok, rant over. 

    Yet, the irony is that I have never been so grateful.    

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  • BrooksideVT
    BrooksideVT Member Posts: 2,211
    edited April 2013

    Thanks for asking, Lisa and QueenKong.  I've always had a bit of a horror of radiation exposure.  Then I had a pretty rare reaction to the rads.  After my very first treatment, throughout that afternoon and evening, my breast grew redder and hotter.  By morning I was freaked out.  I imagined that the second day would be much worse.  My RO offered me day two off.  It happened to be Friday, so I had a three day mini vacation.  Yes, three days off after just one treatment.  By Monday, things had settled pretty well, and treatment thereafter was pretty uneventful.  It took more than two weeks to re-develop the redness of day one, but let me tell you, I was pretty darned apprehensive throughout.  It was not until the last week that I really had confidence that  I would be able to finish the treatments.  It's now just about two weeks since my last treatment and I feel stress dropping off every day.

    As it turned out, for me, the rads were not bad physically, but, boy, was it difficult emotionally!

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  • Lisa1637
    Lisa1637 Member Posts: 101
    edited April 2013

    Thanks for Sharing, Brookside!  I'm glad it is behind you!!!! xo Lisa

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  • schoolmom
    schoolmom Member Posts: 458
    edited April 2013

    I also developed a bad cough a few days after rads started. After 5 weeks and 2 antibiotics for pneumonia I am much better. I was exhausted from chemo, rads and pneu. TAKE care.

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  • Lisa1637
    Lisa1637 Member Posts: 101
    edited April 2013

    Wow...schoolmom!  I'm glad you are better! 

    Did you have a fever?  I do not but the cough is persisting with what seems like little improvement over the past 6 days...

    You take good care too!!!! xo Lisa

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  • Lisa1637
    Lisa1637 Member Posts: 101
    edited April 2013

    Here's a shout out to everyone regarding lotions to buy...

    When you get a chance can you recommend products I can get at the drug store.  Apparently I haven't paid enough attention to your earlier suggestions...:)

    RO say I'm redder than I should be and that lotioning up prevents break-down by like 10%.  And here I thought since I wasn't having any real bad symptoms I can go without...

    I should have gotten a clue when I I heard for the 4th time, "do you tan?"  Um. Well, I don't live on the Cote D'Azur so, no, Lumpy does not tan.... 

    Have a calm and comfotable day everyone!!!

    xo Lisa

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

    Hey Lisa



    My shopping list includes: miaderm, 100% aloe, aquaphor, emu oil, jeans cream...purchased some online. Amazon came within 2-3 days regular free shipping:)) chest, back, arm pit



    My RO has samples too!

    Good Luck...I'm pink and I'm lubing...16/33!

    This is serious laser tag (((hugs)))

    Cindy

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  • schoolmom
    schoolmom Member Posts: 458
    edited April 2013

    Lisa, when my cough started I assumed it was just sinus drainage.  I asked my rad. onc and she said I just had a bug but nothing related to the rads.  The coughing went on and on week after week gradually wearing me out.  Probably after about 5 weeks I started to run fever and that is when I dragged myself to the primary care.  They wanted to do a chest xray....like I hadnt had enough of that.....and I told them no.  Took an antibiotic for a week with minimal improvement.  Went back and had the xray and got the diagnosis of pneumonia...now about 7 weeks with the cough.  After a day or two I could tell the difference.  I still have a dry cough at times but so much better.  Finished the second antibiotic a week ago.  Finished rads 2 weeks ago.  Energy is coming back and starting to feel normal again.  :)

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

    Lisa, when I was getting active treatments I was only allowed to use pure aloe with no alcohol in it and radioplex which they gave me samples. I was also allowed to use aquaphor but I didnt like it. When I became burned I was allowed to use silvadene during my off times like the weekend. After radiation was over I started using eucerin which is made by the same company as aquaphor. Good luck.

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  • Lisa1637
    Lisa1637 Member Posts: 101
    edited April 2013

    Thanks, Schoolmom.  That's a real long time to go without knowing...and I know what you mean about being worn out from it. 

    I will stay vigilant of a fever.  Glad you're on the way to normal...just in time for spring!

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  • Lisa1637
    Lisa1637 Member Posts: 101
    edited April 2013

    Thank you, Melmcbee!!  I find the Aquaphor a bit goopy.  So appreciate the recommendations!

    All the best...Lisa

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

    QueenKong - how are you? Hoping the days off have helped your skin to heal and you are ready for Monday! The end is so near:))

    (((Hugs)))

    Cindy

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

    Looks like we are all finished or nearly finished Rads!!!  Now on to hormone blocker therapy for me - anyone else besides schoolmom?

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  • Walkinginfaith
    Walkinginfaith Member Posts: 46
    edited April 2013

    Ladies, were any of you able to manage rads in the middle of a work day? I know you have to stay well lotioned. I have visions of having to return to work all greasy and yucky.

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

    WalkinginFaith,



    Check with your RO for their choice of moisturizer...apply we're a cami or tank 100% cotton bra then clothes. You may need 1% hydrocortisone if itchy, but emu or my girls curbs the itch too. Secret for me is light layers to control the lube job:))

    Best Wishes in rads.

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  • allurbaddayswillend
    allurbaddayswillend Member Posts: 355
    edited April 2013

    walkinginfaith, I just used my regular face lotion during the day (California Baby Sensitive Skin Fragrance Free) right after rads. It was not too greasy but moisturized enough and then I'd put another layer of that on at night or sea buckthorn oil. At the very end I added aquaphor just on my nipple area, I'd let it set for maybe a minute and then I'd put a tissue over it before I put my bra or shirt back on. The last couple of weeks, I also wore old, supersoft T-shirts next to my skin and then put a bra over the top of that. I mention this because I didn't care if the old T-shirts got a little grease stained from aquaphor or whatever I was using. The sea buckthorn oil which is super orange and will also stain clothing.

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

    QUESTION: Have all you girls had your port removed after chemo (if you had one).  I was suppose to get mine out tomorrow but I got scared with a few girls telling me that they left theirs in for a longer time (and some had a recurrance- not all breast cancers though).  I finished chemo in January and Rads on April 4.  Other people had PT or CT scans - I did not, now I wonder if I have cancer in any other place, How will I know without a test...If I get the port out I would have to get it replaced?(negative thinking I know but  I got myself all worked up and now I have to see the doctor tomorrow instead of finally getting that thing removed!!!!  Help clear my head!!

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  • Waitingforthenextstep
    Waitingforthenextstep Member Posts: 251
    edited April 2013

    5luvbugs:  I'm done with chemo but still have to do herceptin for some months.  I already asked about getting my port out (can't), but will be ready asap when done with herceptin.  I can't wait to get it rid of it.  

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  • sonson
    sonson Member Posts: 162
    edited May 2013

    I got my port out sometime in the middle of radiation.  I didn't have any scans either.  I think as long as you are stage 2 or below they don't do that.  The nurse that assisted taking it out got really nasty with me saying that I may need it again someday.  It didn't help that they couldn't find a vein before the procedure of taking it out.  But now that it's out I feel better.  The port was a reminder of chemo and now that my hair is coming back I really didn't want to be reminded of any of it.  But it's a personal choice you have to make. 

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  • Waitingforthenextstep
    Waitingforthenextstep Member Posts: 251
    edited May 2013

    sonson--totally agree with you.  If not for the remaining herceptin therapy, my port would have been gone by now.  Don't want any reminders.  That nurse was way out of line, if they cant find a vein, then they can get someone who will, not harrass you about it.  No nurse should be getting nasty either, nor positing her opinion.  I had much success when I reported an unacceptable situation to the patient advocate.  When they are reported, they get written up, not so good if you want to keep your job.

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