Summer 2013 Rads

Gowiththeflow, I too experienced the pain you are referring to. My RO folded up two hand towels and placed them to where they would be under my shoulders. It gave it an elevated boost.

I am nervous about starting rads next week because one end of my mastectomy scar is still very tender and sore. I dont think it can heal well after they start zapping it.



Did anyone have this when they started?



Thanks!

I see the RO this coming Friday with measuring & marking immediately after. I'm just now starting to get some energy back after chemo. Oh well, ready or not, here I come!



Paula

Hi Sciencegal,



My lumpectomy scar was still very sore when I started rads. Surprisingly, that has gotten better even as my skin has gotten much worse. I start boosts on Friday and my radiation therapist said I should have less problems with the boosts since they are aimed at the scar and the nerves have not really regenerated yet.



Hope this helps

-Chloe

OMG, I so don't want to start radiation tomorrow.  I keep thinking about laying on that table again and all I can think of is "torture chamber".  

Chemo had comfy chairs, therapy dogs, and lunch.  I just can't think of anything good about radiation, and I have to go every day.  

i've been positive through testing, chemo and surgery, I just don't know how I"m going to do this. 

Can I just crawl into bed and never come out?  Please?

Radiation is so much easier than chemo, you will see.  The biggest pain is the daily aspect of it, but even that you get used to.  I don't feel I get to know my caregivers as well as with chemo, but that is because even though you are there daily, you are in and out in 15 mins most days. My place has  a comfy waiting room, there is always a puzzle going on or somebody to chat with.. I have met some wonderful people.  There is coffee you can brew and a fridge full of juices and water and a big basket of snacks.

You'll see.. don't even waste one minute worrying about it.. but I'm sure you will anyways... best of luck to you tomorrow.. you'll be fine!!! Honest!

So worried that I am going to have to take a break from radiation. I only have 9 to go at this point and I don't want to have to come back to finish in a month or so. I just want to finish now !! The skin breakdown I had at the end of last week has gotten a lot worse over the weekend. The whole area is raw and bleeding now. Major ouch! Sigh.......

Oh no Heart  I'm not sure if that means they will stop, I sure do hope not, the last thing any of us wants is this delayed!!!  Hoping that it works out for you and you aren't too uncomfortable. (gentle hugs)

I can tell you my breast feels hot - not my whole body

Thanks everyone.  I hope I can be as brave as you all are, I'm just not feeling it.

Heart--I am so, so sorry your skin broke down! I know what you mean about wanting to finish. My skin is close to breaking down under my arm and I have 8 more to go, the last 5 being boosts that will hit that area as well. Like you I have slathered on the ointment. My prescription is for the itchy radiation rash. It is a stronger steroid than hydrocortisone. I hope it can help you!

I had a mastectomy so I lay the cool pad across my chest. It helps to take away that burning heat.



GoWithTheFlow--I totally understand your cording problems as I also had bad cording after my surgery. Since my pathology was good and I am doing Herceptin,they let me have 5 weeks of PT before my simulation appointment for rads. You are amazing doing a 2 hour simulation with cording. Huge ouch!!! PT helped me a great deal so I am glad you will be getting that. At one point I had a huge bruise on my upper arm from a cord popping during PT but it felt so much better than before the PT. I bought flowers for my therapist when she finished with me cuz I was so thankful. You will feel better too. I took Vicodan before my early PT appts but did not need it later. Hang in there.

It is 110 here again... like I don't make enough of my own heat!!! Arghhh!!!

Linda 22/30

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201383181287147&l=2135373782380544825

In light of friday's "xrays" that lasted 2 hours, I made this button to wear today to my first radiation treatment.

How does the knitted foob work? I just can't envision it.. wouldn't it be lumpy and scratchy lol?

It is raining AGAIN, it is like a mosquito paradise out there.. I'm so over it.  F the rain! F the mosquitos.

I think I'll work from the top until my coffee table is laden with food.

I can see now why it was the cruise from hell and they should have refunded ALL of your money.  I am laughing trying to envision what a Humpyback Spider dance might look like, perhaps it can be used on dancing with the stars.

Yes, tourists and men who are pissed that piss haha. My office is like smack in the middle of tourist central with Fanueil Hall, the Aquarium, Paul Revere House, freedom trail.. etc., so from May to September it is impossible to navigate the sidewalks efficiently and it all adds up to a bunch of pissed off Bostonians, all in a rush to go nowhere. Not that Bostonians need tourists to make them cranky, we always have taxes and the weather to bitch about as well.

Bobogirl, how on earth can you picture a humpyback spider dance? LOL.  I looked quickly at the spa you suggested and it does indeed look promising.  I am going to return to the site when I have more time to leisurely read through it.  Thankyou for a most excellent suggestion.   

Frozen meatballs? Surely they are not meat??

Moira, exactly what type of store ISN'T a candy store for you? Hmm?? I doubt you could appear to be snotty no matter where you were or what you are wearing... I should probably modify it to state that Boston Sephora girls are snotty.  And they aren't appearing that way, they are that way. The TV station (and the drag queens) sounded like a load of fun.  I can't believe all the things you've experienced!  It's hard to believe you are content in the country with your 500 types of lettuce hee hee.

Are they green olives that you grow? I love olives! Only you would have a postman who brings things from his garden along with your abundance of packages!  I shouldn't talk the UPS guy is at my door quite often (not so often since this whole nasty business started).  I haven't signed for a package in like 5 years and if its raining, he hides the package under something in the yard, which is kind of like going on an easter egg hunt

Oh gross, it must be low tide, there's quite a stink in the air.

I know nothing about the panties vs. commando scenario and wonder how that relates to breast surgery?!!?  You're the opposite of me Zills, I have to read and read and read and find the worst possible scenario to be prepared. I hate surprises!!  Before my surgery I was sitting on this site for hours upon hours and it did calm me down quite a bit.

Well, I didn't get that far in the catching up, but dinner has been served and I will have to finish up later

Ndgirl, that is awful about the non-sleeping we need to all combine our heads and find a solution for you that is non-narcotic, you can't wait until August... I don't see how you are even functioning  Hope you are having a blast with your granddaughter... 4 is a great age, does she talk non-stop?  

I am with you on the doctor's visits, boy has all that changed.. I am dreading the annual and of course I will probably be doing 3 month mammos for a bit.  

Moira, you need to get on the knitted knockers as we need a full report from our personal shopper!

I love ginger, I buy it fresh and cut off a little piece that I chop up finely and just seep it in boiling water... it's supposed to be great for the stomach.  Joe hates ginger, so I can't really use it in food  What other trees do you have besides the olives?  

Laughing over the dragging of the drain!  That poor man!  

{{{{Granwe}}}} your cup runneth over! No kidding it's like having a baby.. every two hours physical therapy??  F that!!  So you've had almost a year non stop health issues between the two of you and how in HELL did they miss the splinter? I am dumbfounded about that one.  I am glad that you are getting help with the roof.. that is something a Steel Magnolia town would do.  Three meals for 8 men on little to no sleep is no small feat.. I wish I was close by to lend a hand.  I have to say I don't blame OG, I am much like that myself, uncomfortable asking for and recieving help, plus being a guy makes the situation even worse.  Good for you.. you keep pitching that B fit.. doesn't he know by now you know what is best for him?? His track record this past year hasn't been so hot!!

How is his mobility coming along?  

Zills, pickled green beans sound tasty. I've never heard of them before. Beets.. yuk! I have a lot to learn on gardening, we lived in an apartment up until 2 years ago, so we never had a yard previously that you'd plant in.  The house we bought hasn't had the yard tended in years, so there was a lot of labor involved and still a lot more to go, but some day I hope to have beautiful gardens, and maybe i will grow as many types of lettuce as Moira does!

Why do boys always equate everything to the bathroom and bathroom functions? I am laughing over his concern! He sounds adorable.

One day at a time on the treatment, I know.. easier said then done, I am in awe of you ladies that are going through all this with little children around and I am glad you have a great support system.  I looked at my hair loss as a vacation from shaving, I'm Italian, so body hair has always been an unwanted intruder.  I joke that I get 5 o'clock shadow on my legs and I'm really not stretching the truth much.  True, no PMS/period cycle, which is an added bonus.  I joked with my GF that at least I would lose some weight on chemo, but that was so not the case at all!

Desert has arrived to my coffee table.. I will break again

I survived.  One down, 27 to go.  Not anywhere as bad as friday on the table.