Summer 2013 Rads

11 left, 17 under my belt (or my shirt).  Saw RO today and she said my skin looked good for where we were.  The last week they are going to only do the breast area, not the super clav and upper chest, so I was warned again of a long appointment, to take two vicodin, and have a ride.  So glad that the light is finally starting to shine at the end of the tunnel.

GWTF, that's great news! I'm nowhere near seeing the end as I've just got home from treatment 4. For some reason I'm feeling quite nauseated, hoping this isn't from rads, but I bet it is. I had my protein shake before I left as I know protein is important.

My rad tech told me to stop wearing a bra, so now I have to see what tops I have that conceal my 54 year old flops! Guess ill have to walk a little slower lol

Thanks I will! We must be having the same areas done I was wondering why my throat feels "funny" but must be hitting my esophagus also. I wish this was over. Off to find my chemo drugs.

Lol Heart! I got home tonight and was expressing my concerns with him and he said something like you shouldn't worry about things you know little about. Needless to say I corrected him quickly and he apologized profusely. I think it's hilarious now.

Thanks, AnnieLane. My mom is supposed to go for a test for gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying). She did accelerated rads. One week into it, she threw up in PT.  Then again, one week later also while exercising. Then, twice the next week after medium (for her) walks, now 3 times this week.  Each week her appetite has been decreasing, and she seems to have alot of acid buildup.  She eats a couple pcs. of toast and a few bites of a bland dinner.  Obviously, I am worried.  The gastro said they need to see results of this test and, if gastroparesis, the treatment is fairly easy and nothing to worry about.  We were supposed to have test today but offices are so non-customer focused.  The only time they schedule it is 7:30 am, even when I explained issues with seizure med making mom sleepy that early in AM, etc.  She threw up late last night so slept in recliner. She was exhausted and I couldn't get her up. 

I asked RO if vomiting could be from rads but he thinks not.  I am still hoping it is.

PS- She finished rads today!  One red spot but they don't think it will get worse.  Still using Miaderm only.

It would have been nice to have Thursday off of rads again this week.  I'm laughing at myself thinking at the beginning of the summer I thought I could get up at 6:30 each morning, get my son to swim practice, go to rads, and then have the rest of the day to do something.  

I did that for a week and nearly fell apart.  My rads are now scheduled between 10 adn 12 (today is at 11:30), and I still hate getting out of bed at 9:00.

11 left, I can do this.  16 days til vacation.

I decided to shake things up at RADS today.  I put on my new camisole and "stuffed it" with the puff inserts, and am wearing a wig.  He he he.  Will they find me in the waiting room?

Way to go Dizzy!  I started running last year after chemo and all of my surgeries but I haven't had much luck with it lately.  I'm on 4/33 and am exhausted today.  I'm supposed to run with a friend after work but I'm not sure I'll make it.  I'm so happy for you that you're getting back into it.  I do miss it but I'm just so tiered.  Keep it up and you'll be back to your 20 miles per week in no time!

I'm not through yet McKatherine, but I didn't have any rads induced fatigue that I noticed. I hope the same for you! Did you get your drains out?

McKatherine, yes some make it through without many SE. I'm one who's been lucky enough to be in that position.  Maybe the fact that I was also lucky enough to not have to have chemo helps.  I don't know.  We're just all so different.  

I have an occasional, very small, slightly itchy, mild rash-like spot near the top (not as itchy or as red today for some reason -- have only used aloe today, no hydrocortisone-aquaphor mix yet and I'm fine).  It's barely noticeable.   Sometimes I have a bit of fatigue in the late afternooon, but I can usually force myself through it and am then OK.  And I'm honestly not sure if the fatigue is schedule-related or radiation-related.  Probably a little of both (plus I just joined a dragonboat racing team and am trying to also work out a bit, which contributes).   Day before yesterday was pretty bad, but I take public transit about an hour and a half each way to rads, plus that day I had two other appointments--a dentist appt. at 7 am and a PS follow-up in the afternoon, with rads squeezed in-between and me taking transit to all, scattered all over town. Ugh. Up at 5 am and didn't get home till 6 pm.  No wonder I was fatigued! (Note to self: next time drive when multiple appts in same day!)

I just finished rad #23 -- only 3 more whole-breast zaps and then I start my 8 boosts so....getting there.  I think if my skin were going to do something awful it would have started by now.  My breast just looks a little bit pinker and the skin is fine.  

Wishing rapid healing to everyone who is having issues!  It will be over soon.  Sending gentle hugs and good wishes.

Now that I'm nearing the end of this active phase of treatment, I'm actually getting a little anxious in the "now what?" sense.  Once rads is done, for the first time since March, I'm not going to have continual Dr appointments of one sort or another.  In fact, it will be almost a month after rads till I see my PS again for another follow-up, and I don't see my MO until September.  It's almost like imminent separation-anxiety or something.  I haven't been on the journey as long as some people have, and still....it's going to feel very very strange to not have to organize my days/weeks around Dr visits.

23/34

I'm telling you SLV, it's the rads.  Why don't they just admit it so we don't worry it's something that shouldn't be bothering us?  Now, with that said, my techs didn't think the nausea was from rads, but my RO did said she thought it was.  When I mentioned my "final field" each day to my rad techs later, they did say, oh yeaaaaa...

Slv- I was also a little nauseous today (4/33) after my treatment. I met with my RO today and he said rads can cause the nausea and fatigue and nerve pain. I felt like it was all in my head until he confirmed it today. He saw my pinkness and was surprised that my skin is already reacting and said I'm going to have a hard time with my skin. My fear was confirmed. Oh well, now I know.

It's funny how we get referred to other specialists, almost like they don't want to admit these SE. I just googled lump in throat from breast radiation therapy and was surprised to see how many hits there were. Seems like a lot of dr.s admit this is a possible SE, so I'm curious how my RO will respond. The nausea I can deal with right now, my pills from chemo help, but I am worried my thyroid might be getting scatter radiation. The tech said my voice box might be slightly affected--great!

Melody, sorry to hear you are sill experiencing fatigue. As soon as I get home I have a good nap, but I'm worried because 1 week after rads are done, I'm back to work. Hopefully your energy will return soon. Have you tried increasing your protein intake? I have read that is important as cells try and repair.

GWTF I love your new avatar! You look gorgeous! I totally agree that what I'm feeling is rad related. The techs dismissed my symptoms and added that if it was related it wouldn't show up so soon! I then retorted that maybe I was more sensitive to radiation than the average. I know they mean well, and maybe it's nothing or maybe it's because I hate the whole thought of radiation with all the possible SE. I'm really doing this against my will but realize that if C ever came back, I would regret not doing rads. I wish there was a healthier way of treating breast cancer!

CassDugan, I'm using a 99% aloe gelly that I found in the health food section of the grocery store (I figured that was close enough to 100%, lol).  It's by Lily of the Desert (and only costs about $3.95 when on sale, $4.29 normally).  It doesn't have any alcohol it it, but does have a teeny-tiny bit of moisturizing oils in that remaining 1%, so it doesn't dry out the skin.   Others might have something else they prefer. You could use "home-made" 100% aloe, however, if you simply buy a plant and cut open the leaves to use the gel.  Some people do that and I hear it's pretty easy.  I'm too lazy, though.

For what it's worth, I also take supplements of omega-3s, turmeric (curcumin), calcium + D3, and resveretrol and try to eat at least 70-80 gms of protein a day (& lots of fresh veggies and fruits).  No idea if it's made a difference or if I would've done OK anyway, but it makes me feel better (psychologically) to do it anyway.  RO is OK with it.  I'm also trying to get the old body in shape to deal with the next 5 years of anastrazole with as few SEs as possible. Ugh.  And to think....just six months ago I was so proud of myself for turning 60 and being healthy and not on any medications. Ha.  

As I posted before, my mom's RO and techs dismissed her nausea and vomiting as having nothing to do with rads.  But, saw a gastro today who said it definitely can be from rads.  Who knows...Taking Prilosec to reduce acid and going for stomach emptying test Mon.  With any luck as the rads leave her body over the next 2 weeks, so will this vomiting issue.