Summer 2013 Rads

GoWithTheFlow- Thanks! Crystal Light actually has a new energy line out that I have been trying. I am admittedly a caffeine junky, and with this fatigue I absolutely can not live without the caffeine. This energy line has some caffeine in it. It's not too bad, but when I am too tired to eat I tend not to do anything else either. I've got to watch that I think, and make the effort to drink.

O yes!  The aloe gel is a must along with whatever cream your RO suggests.  Remenber Sisters, 3 x daily but NOT before RADS!

So glad the Frogg Togg helps your hot flashes, Go With The Flow! I also have hot flashes--darn chemo forces menopause on us. I used mine for flashes last night and radiation heat today. :-) You and I have been through similar chemo. We can do rads!!!

I met with the nutritionist today. She recommended six smaller meals/snacks each day to keep the energy up during rads. She also said to increase our protein...snack on nuts, cottage cheese, eggs etc. I will try that cuz the fatigue is hitting me and the heat, 110 in the desert here now, is also dehydrating. Ladies in the humidity must feel drained by that! Summer is a tough time to be doing this.

Idesim--2/3rds done after tomorrow. Still doing daily bolus and looking more like a lobster but my skin remains intact so techs and doc remain happy. Hope you are well!

Linda

Annie I ordered the emu oil as well- thank you!



I have another question (go figure) - I will have afternoon rads, on my way home since my meetings and experiments start at 7 AM and the rads center isnt open before that.



Can I put on the cream in the AM and then wash the area to be radiated before I go over, do you think? Does anyone else have their appointments in the afternoon?



I seem to do everything backwards!



Thanks for any advice.

Thank you!

I will check.

Thanks Annie- great idea about the baby wipes. I was just thinking about where to dry wash cloths in my office without being too weird and bizarre (since most people dont know I am fighting cancer).



The disposable wipes are a MUCH better idea. Thank you for all your help!

Ms. Btdemo - I have RADS in the a.m. and have had 5 0f 15 intense treatments with boosts simultaneously.  Thankfully, I have not had the fatigue hit yet and I am hoping I can fight my way through it.  I DO however have terrific pain in every joint in my body but I believe that is still the long-lasting effects of the chemo. which I just finished in May.  Oh well, RADS is a "walk in the park" compared to chemo. and I was blessed to get selected for the Canadian version (because I volunteered for a study at my Center) which is administered for just 3 weeks with boosts simultaneously as opposed to the American version which can last for up to 6 weeks.  Praise the Lord for just one break in this whole nightmare.  Next off to have my ovaries removed but I am greatly opposed to that process and just made an appointment with my MO for Friday to discuss it.  We will so, no?  So U keep your chin up and just say to yourself that U will be fine and repeat a hysterical line form the old Seinfeld show, "Serenity now....Serentiy now!  All the BEST to you and all of my fellow Sister Warriors on this site.  And do not forget your Aloe Vera and moisturizing cream 3 x daily so your skin does not blister, OK?  Peace!

I see that vickielove4432 is a troll and posting the same message under several threads.  How do we report this?

Thanks Heart and cmbernardi.  I guess if there is going to be fatigue, it doesn't matter if you zap in the am or the pm. 

cmbernardi, I see we have similar diagnoses.  Why are they recommending ovary removal?  Noone ever brought this subject up with me.  Makes me wonder...  Are they recommending hormone blocker pills too?  I'm going on Femara after rads.  I hope your joints recover soon.  I still have muscle aches and some other chemo SEs that come and go.  Some of my nails darkened and got "the ridge".  They are still a little discolored but growing out.  Still waiting for my hair to start growing back.

Thank goodness for these threads!  Good vibes to all.

Ms. btdemo:

My MO is recommending the oophorectomy because the Tamoxifen made me sicker than a dog.  Took it for 6 days and could hardly get out of bed.  I'm sure he thinks that having my ovaries removed will put me in line for a whole host of other drugs they give women for BC when they are post menopausal.  My concern is that if the Tamoxifen made me so sick, what is to say that the other drugs won't do the same?  I have a 30 year history of irritable bowel and reflux disease that stemmed from having endometriosis when I was in my 20's and ANY new med. that I introduce into my system is generally a big problem.  Oh well, see the MO Friday morning to talk things out.  Thankfully, he is a wonderful guy and will absolutely listen to what I have to say on the subject so we shall see, no?

I'm new to this board, but really appreciate having the support it offers.  I am having my 15th radiation treatment today.  I'm not having any major problems with my skin, but I am having pain in my breast at the site of my lumpectomy.  Was told by the technician that this is normal--just nerves healing.  Anyone else having this symptom?  Would appreciate any input you can give me.  Had lumpectomy almost 3 months ago.

Hi Sandylyn13- I am also having pain. My RO says it is part inflammation from the rads, and part nerves healing from the surgery. He wants me taking 2 advil at leat twice a day for it. Hope your pain gets better.

Sisters - I am BRCA negative so I sure hope that helps me avoid another surgery.  And if my MO is just trying to cut down on my chances of having ovarian cancer, I would definately see the point in that.  NEVER want to hear this stupid "cancer" word again in my lifetime!  On well, tomorrow is the day that ALL of my questions will be answered I hope.

Just got a call from RO.  I need to go in tomorrow for xrays before starting rads on Monday.  

CMBernardi, wasnt' the ovary removal planned due to the fact that you couldn't tolerate Tamoxifen and were only perimenopausal before BC? I know you can't take the aromitase inhibitors unless you are postmenopausal, so if bloodwork indicates that your ovaries are still producing estrogen, they have to be removed or shut down with medication (injections I believe) before you can take Arimidex or any AI. My situaton is similar and I will be seeing my MO in about 2 weeks to talk about my post-rads game plan.