Spring 2013 Rads

Hi Spring warriors!

@magnolia57, I've been using Tom's deoderant throughout my radiation treatment w/o issues (I had to read the ingr. list on my stick and it does have zinc ricinoleate, I love the refreshing lemongrass :-)

I finished 20/20 dose last Friday and almost a week later my skin is still red, hot, tender, spotted, nipples sore and peeling, and skin under boob and side feeling very raw to touch. It seemed to get worse after treatment which my RO said don't freak out if that happens, it is not uncommon. I have my followup with her in another week and hope it is better by then, she said it should be.

I thought I would avoid the rad fatigue but nope, it hit me the last 3 days of treatment and still a little now. For me, it is just like some are saying, "hitting a wall" -- I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine, and then BAM! I can't keep my eyes open and head up. But a good 1-3 hour nap and I'm okay again.

Overall, I'm definitely hanging in there, grateful that the treatment is behind me and feeling so much empathy for those of you still in the midst or just getting started. Wierd that I sort of miss going to my clinic and seeing my technicians Arlene and Jenny every day! I wrote "So Long and Thanks for all the Fishes" on my belly for them my last day, and left the staff a basket of 100-cal snack packs as a goodbye present. I got a certificate and rang the bell (4 good & loud rings for each of my weeks there).

Welcome megroy and magnolia!

Today I completed 8/10! 80% D-O-N-E! Wahooo! Tomorrow, I will bang the gong (ring the bell) and leave that place hopefully cancer free for life (which is the point, yes?) and only visit to give my girls a hug and bring them chocolate!

Ladies, it has been a wild ride and a wild week for me. I am tired but hanging tough and have worked all week in between treatments, even having to THINK! LOL...

So, it will all be over tomorrow and I for one feel guilty that so many of you have to go 33 times when I had 10 trmts in 5 days. This clinical trial was a God send and since I qualified for  it with all the criteria met, I went for it. We shall see if I regret it as my REAL SE's are supposed to come within the next two-four weeks the RO told me. Also, I am already having the exhaustion so we shall see what skin issues the next few weeks bring me. Apparently we keep "Frying" from the inside out after we finish radiation for a little while. In my case, maybe even longer.

So, I am almost done "speed zapping" as Cindy called it (still get a chuckle out of that and SPF9 Cindy) and I for one am a happy girl. Dusting off my dancing shoes (or my comfortable slip on mules since I am so tired..HA!)

Hugs to all of you my sisters. We are doing what needs to be done to be HEALTHY forever! May we all be just that. xoxox

April, I'll be dancing with you! I have my last boost tomorrow. It's hard to believe that six weeks have passed already. 23 full breast and 7 boosts total. My breast is itchy and red; is peeling under the breast, cleavage area, on the incision, and on the nipple; is tender to touch; and I've noticed it looking more black and blue under my arm pit, almost like a bruise. I've also noticed the jabbing sensation on occasion. I've had a few bouts with fatigue but it hasnt been too bad. Overall, I can't complain. I'm small chested and have been able to keep up with my treadmill workout (at home) with no problems. I've just worn my sports bra over a tank top so it wouldn't rub on the skin. Worked great for me!



Hugs to all! I hope everyone has a good evening!



Amy

Hi everyone! Thanks for the advice and reassurance, April, RMlulu, and Riverflows! I have been using some lubriderm twice a day, but I suspect I should step it up . Good to know about the safety of Toms deodorant. My co-workers will appreciate it. Im getting 1.8 grays each session, I guess thats pretty standard. Hearing the variation of everyone's SEs will serve to keep me attuned to signs . I'm sorry to read about your shingles Queen Kong. I had a shingles flare -up years ago, and i can't imagine having it on top of the rads. You are obviously a strong soul.

Have a great Friday everyone, another treatment session and then two days off- yeah!

queenkong - that sucks getting shingles on top of radiation burns. You poor thing - what a horrible thing to have happen. I am sending healing thoughts your way and hope for freedom from pain and itch.

lemon - so glad that you are finally healing - it has been such a tough journey for you also. I agree with you that we are all changed women now - our bodies and our minds. My outlook on life is so different now - life is to be embraced - there are no guarantees. Enjoy each day to the best of our ability - of course - some days it will be easier to do that than others.

I AM FINISHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😃 Deep breath in. Deep breath out. Freeboobing right now before getting dressed for a celebratory lunch with a friend. I think I will have a glass of wine with lunch. 😊



Queen kong, I am so sorry to hear about the shingles. I hope you recover quickly from them. You have been through so much already and to have that added to your plate is unfair. 😞 I know that as soon as I turn 50, I'm getting the vaccine.



Kim, I'm so glad you're feeling better! I'm looking forward to starting tami with you in a few weeks. We will continue to fight this together!



Momtotenkids, you're almost there! Congrats! We will be happy dancing with you at the end rads.



Magnolia, I'm using Tom's aluminum free (apricot) and love it. Unfortunately, my hair didn't stop growing and I think that's because I didn't receive direct radiation under my arm pit. So, I've been shaving and apologizing to my rad techs. 😁



April, congrats to you! You should be finishing today too! I'm happy dancing for you!



Cindy, you're almost there! We'll be putting our dancing shoes on on Monday. Right?!



And to all my sisters, hugs, healing hugs, calming hugs, cheering hugs! Have a great weekend!



xoxoxoxo

Amy

Congrats to those who are finishing, yay! QueenKong-so sorry you are having such a hard time and shingles too Yuck! But have faith that it will get better. Lemon68 I had rads on my left side two+ years ago and am now starting to get a small amount of hair growing back--not sure if it will all come back or not. Right side is bare.

I never got my blood pressure checked at any time during radiation? Is this usual protocol in the US?

Queenkong - That's tough stuff to go through.  Hang in there, lady.  We're pulling for ya.  

Lemon - So glad to hear you're skin is doing better.  

High fives, awkward hugs, and healing vibes to everyone else, wherever you may be in your in this journey.  (hate that word, 'journey', but can't think of anything else that's better)

I haven't had my BP or temp checked in...several weeks, can't remember.  Hmmm.  QueenKong, I had a mild case of shingles in December and it was NO FUN.  I can't imagine stacking up shingles on top of a bad rads reaction!  OUCH!!!!  I hope your skin bounces back fast.  When I had shingles, they said I should come back and get the vaccine next fall, after I turn 50.  I will definitely do it.  I have not heard of 60 as the cut-off.  Seems really late.

Amy, big congrats on finishing, and April too!  I've done 25/30, have done 2/7 boosts now, so I'll be the one dancing next Friday!

Thank you everyone for your kind words and understanding.Yes, it sucks mightily to have the shingles on top of the rads burn. It is healing and getting better everyday but it still burns and hurts like hell. I am going to try the pepper cream I read about and see if that helps. It's hurts the most at night when I am supposed to be sleeping. I can't remember the last decent night's sleep I had.

I;ve read they won't give you the shot until after 50 unless you whine and after this happened to me and the many stories I have heard. Whine you should! It's likely an expensive vaccine and they don't want to pay for it. No one should be subject to this pain if they can avoid it. This is why I posted. GO GET THE SHOT AS SOON AS YOU CAN.  I am nagging my parents and inlaws into getting it.

I can't even reach the part the itches the most on my back to put cream or to rub it which makes it feel better. The skin is peeling and flaking off now.

I excpect it to take awhile to recover from this baking or frying or what ever you want to call it. How long before everything is back to that new normal?

Hi, Ladies. Congrats to all of you who are finished or finishing soon! I don't get to login much but have just caught up with your stories and am feeling inspired again about getting through my last two weeks.