Summer 2013 Rads

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  • CassDugan
    CassDugan Member Posts: 100
    edited August 2013

    Oh my gosh did the fatigue ever hit me on the way home today. I thought of pulling over at the rest stop for a nap on my drive home but we had a realtor coming tonight to discuss selling my house. I managed some housework but I was so freaking tired I kept sitting and crying a little.



    One day and then two more weeks. Some discomfort issues but my skin is still intact, if noticeably pink. I'm taking it one day at a time. Tomorrow, two days off, and then two more weeks, the latter part of which is coning down. I am caught between: yay only 11 more treatments; and omg really I have to do 11 more?



    Sorry - tired and babbling.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2013

    The fatigue hit me like a freight train yesterday. I'm amazed to find out its worse than the fatigue from chemo. Wow, I thought that was bad.



    On a good note, I had #22 of 30 today, and my skin is doing great so far.



    I have a bit of sore throat since about 10 treatments in. It only hurts when I swallow food, which reminds me to chew better. It's tolerable though. I don't feel like I need to do anything for it.



    Blessings

    Paula

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  • beachbound009
    beachbound009 Member Posts: 89
    edited August 2013

    Cass....I feel your pain!  I had #20 today and I still have 8 full breast and 5 boosts to go.  Everyone around me keeps cheering that I'm 'so close to done' but I, like you, think URGH....I still have 13 to go!

    I had some serious fatigue and solid pain yesterday.  I left work early for the 2nd time since I started rads.  I went home and tried to sleep but it didn't happen.  The pain pills did help though.  With as tiered as I am, I just can't work while I'm on the pain pills.  I get too loopy.  :)

    YAY to FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!

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  • tangles
    tangles Member Posts: 508
    edited August 2013

    CLYDAY congrats on your wedding. I just finished my first week of Rads! 6 more to go! WHich SAndals are you going to in Jamaica?? I have been to Jamaica 14 times. PM me if you have any jamaica questions:-)

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited August 2013

    20/33 done! Really quite pink/red with a few itchy bumps on upper chest, but honestly it doesn't bother me much. RO said it looks good and only 5more whole chest then 8 boosts. I notice my lumpectomy scar doesn't look like its healed any more since starting rads-it seems to have stalled at that point, anyone else notice that?

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  • beachbound009
    beachbound009 Member Posts: 89
    edited August 2013

    Slv - I had #20 today too!  I'm pretty pink and hurting under my arm and below my breast.  I think I'd be in a lot more pain if it weren't for my mx.  I can't feel any direct pain on the breast itself, just around it.  My scars are looking a little different too.  My RO said it's normal for them to change slightly.  Make sure your RO checks it out next time you do in to make sure it is "normal".  Gotta love that word "normal".  LOL!  Enjoy your days off!

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited August 2013

    Beachbound0 and everyone else, I hope your boobs are cool, non itchy and enjoy the fresh air for the weekend (.)(.)

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  • Jen987
    Jen987 Member Posts: 145
    edited August 2013

    Slv58 - hope your 2 day break from Rads is soothing too.

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  • ChickaD
    ChickaD Member Posts: 1,025
    edited August 2013

    If anyone needs help with travel in the future...let me know...I own a full service travel agency (CruiseOne) and travel is my passion...I am also a Sandals Certified Agent.....been to all if them..they ROCK..

    www.travelbydana.com

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  • Goldie1431
    Goldie1431 Member Posts: 29
    edited August 2013

    Hello all,



    I just finished my first week of rads yesterday. I will be having 23 regular and 5-8 boosts. It does feel good to count down the weeks! So 4 more weeks of regular and then on to the boosts.



    Hope everyone has a restful weekend.

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  • sciencegal
    sciencegal Member Posts: 1,120
    edited August 2013

    Hi Girls-I was away for a few days with some massive deadlines at work- yay for them all being done and YAY that it is saturday!!! So I just read through a few days of these posts, sorry if I miss responding to some.



    Robin, you crossed the finish line- hip hip hooray!!!! I am ringing a bell for you!!!



    Slv, the question about the scar not healing- it is interesting. I am a cell biologist and am very fascinated by the whole healing process. One one hand, no- the skin that is getting zapped cannot directly heal itself. BUT it is calling in recruits to help fix it from the marrow and the surrounding non-irradiated skin each day after our rads- so these new stem cells should be getting to the scar area and remodeling it. I have been watching mine closely and it looks different, not so prominent. I sure hope yours does ok in the end as well.



    Tangles I also had the exchange surgery before rads. My big fear was that the skin would get so bad that the implant owuld need to be taken out, after all that work on my PS's part. But so far so good- I have redness and some peeling but no open sores yet- woohoo. almost there!



    Hang in there everyone and happy healing saturday!!!



    24/25

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  • LiLi-RI
    LiLi-RI Member Posts: 291
    edited August 2013

    Hi Strong Women: I have my 1st rad consult on Tuesday. New stresses...So far the whole process has been quite a journey, which I could not have handled without ALL the support from these boards. I want to thank you for the posts! Just wanted to introduce myself.

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  • CassDugan
    CassDugan Member Posts: 100
    edited August 2013

    Slv58 - I notice my scars too look much the same. The partial mx scar, prior to rads, had finally begun looking and feeling better. I'd started to get sensation back but now my numb areas are a little bigger than they were when we first started checking about two weeks after surgery.



    Sciencegal, thanks for the explanation! I'm pursuing an education in the medical field and had been able to find only a part of your explanation prior to this. It's interesting to get a fuller picture of the healing process.



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  • sciencegal
    sciencegal Member Posts: 1,120
    edited August 2013

    Great Cass - good for you!!



    This is why we need so much rest, water and protein during rads, and exercise if we can - all of these things help the new cells get to our damaged tissue to replenish it.



    I have a big jug of ice water next to me right now,

    Cheers!!

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited August 2013

    Thanks Sciencegal, I will ask RO on fri when I see him next. Jen987 hope you are having a good week end also! I live in Canada and we have our civic long weekend so my red bumpy itchy hot boobie gets an extra day break!

    Welcome LiLi-RI, there is lots of good information, friendship and support here!

    CassDugan, the swelling I initially had with LX is down and a small divot is starting to appear, I was warned by breast jargon this would happen. My incision doesn't hurt, isn't oozing at all but is defiantly on the red side. I'm thinking that the constant radiation has to affect the normal healing process-not looking forward to 8 boost!

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  • CassDugan
    CassDugan Member Posts: 100
    edited August 2013

    Oh, absolutely rads impacts the healing process. The rads target everything in their path, not just cancer cells. As I understand it, and perhaps sciencegal can clarify, cancer cells have a shorter cell cycle (I.e. grow and divide at a more rapid pace than healthy somatic cells) and therefore the rads affect the cancer cells to a greater extent. That said, for me, the benefits (lowered recurrence rate) far outweighs the costs (slowed healing).



    My post surgical inflammation had gone down but is now back, if not as much. My RO says this is normal. My guess is that it's an inflammation response as the tissues try to repair the daily onslaught of rads. I think that's why the general achiness - much like PMS swelling used to be. I've no idea why the shooting pains or why the numbness has returned.



    Oh yah - the lump feeling in my throat. Turns out the Prilosec was helping, at least somewhat. I stopped taking it and it returned with a vengeance and abated when I restarted taking it. I also find DGL (deglyc... Licorice) very helpful, more than simethicone or mylanta.

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  • BeHereNow
    BeHereNow Member Posts: 222
    edited August 2013

    Good morning, all!



    I'm hoping everyone is comfortable and hanging in there.



    I on day 15/25. For those of you who've gone before me, what is best for the itchy, bumpy rash? I'm not miserable, but want to work out a regimen before it gets too bad.



    Right now I do Aquaphor twice a day. I have to keep my chest bound, because the non-radiated side of my chest (prophylactic MX) has a big seroma. It popped up 5 months after surgery!!



    I'm thinking I need to add aloe Vera to my skin care. Can anyone recommend a brand that is alcohol free and even better, additive free (maybe even organic :)?



    Also, I have good quality emu oil but don't like the smell (my dog does, however!). Is it worth still using, instead of or with the aquaphor?



    Thanks so much!! Enjoy your Sunday.



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  • Jen987
    Jen987 Member Posts: 145
    edited August 2013

    Katie, I've read that mixing in hydrocortisone helps the itching.  My rad tech. told me to use Desitin because my skin now has a rash although mine isn't bothering me much.  I've just been using Eucerin during the day and Aquaphor at night. 

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  • caitlin61
    caitlin61 Member Posts: 214
    edited August 2013

    Yes, I used hydrocortisone cream mixed with either Aquaphor or Biafine (non-prescription) near the end of my treatment and it seemed to help with itching.



    The brand of aloe vera I used was Skin Gel by Aloe Life (ordered on Amazon). It claims to be 99% certified organic - but not sure why not 100%? Looks like it has some citric acid and potassium sorbate in it, in addition to vitamins.

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  • LW0919
    LW0919 Member Posts: 196
    edited August 2013

    Patricia: Friday was round 13 for me...a little over 1/3 of the way through. I have woke up several times at night and in the AM with dry mouth, I assumed it was from the rads. What else could it be?? Sometimes I think our docs just say that it isn't an SE when clearly it is.



    I can't wait to be finished with the daily drive to the rads appt. everyday at 6pm. What I'm looking forward to the MOST is being able to wear regular deodorant! I'm so self conscious of how my right arm pit smells. I try to keep people on my left side (the pleasant side slathered in Secret clinical strength deodorant) when I'm talking to someone. I can smell myself now...uggghh!!

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  • CassDugan
    CassDugan Member Posts: 100
    edited August 2013

    BeHereNow - like Caitlin61, I highly recommend Aloe Life Skin Gel. It can be found at Whole Foods for not too much more than it is available on Amazon.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2013

    I got 100% Aloe Vera gel at Dollar General for $4.00. It's clear and the brand is, FRUIT OF THE EARTH.



    The RO told me to use hydrocortisone cream if I started to itch.



    Paula

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  • IamNancy
    IamNancy Member Posts: 1,158
    edited August 2013

    LW0919 -finished rads a month now and my underarm skin on the radiated side is not like the skin it use to be.. hair never grew back either - I don't think I sweat there anymore and now when I put deodorant on there is just lays there-doesn't soak in .. and I don't have any smell on that side.. maybe that will happen to you also and you won't have to worry about smell..

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  • BeHereNow
    BeHereNow Member Posts: 222
    edited August 2013

    Thanks! I got aloe and hydrocortisone today :). It's helping!



    Hugs to all!

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  • mshelton
    mshelton Member Posts: 66
    edited August 2013

    lwo919--I agree with the embarrassment with underarm odor.  I'm 17 of 33 and so far I still sweat under the rad's arm (both actually).  I take a shower and the rad center is 10 min away.  I have a slight odor when I arrive--maybe it's nerves.   It's embarrassing altho I'm getting use to accepting it.  After all, it's around 100 degrees or more right now.  I just thought that odor was caused by bacteria and thought showering would control. When I asked, I was told I could use corn starch, which I did.  And I also brought some mineral deodorant that I read was okay.  If there is a difference, it's very minor.  But the glass is half full, as so far no major problems with skin breakdown.  Just getting more damaged with each rads.  Hope to make it to the end with skin intact and if i sweat and smell--so what.   

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  • RosieRose
    RosieRose Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2013

    I start radiation soon and am very nervous about the skin issues, fatigue, and long-term SE.  I was hoping that I could get info from my RO, but he was very distracted and in a hurry during the consult and I didn't get much information from him.  It sounds as if they may switch me to another RO once treatment starts and if this last visit is any indication of how things would be with RO#1, I won't mind the change!

    He did say that because the BC was Stage 1 with no node involvement, he is planning on a 4-week course of treatment.  He says that there aren't any greater long-term side effects from doing it more quickly than the 7-week course he had recommended before and doing it more quickly should help with the fatigue.  I'm sure that I will be very happy to finish three weeks earlier, but the switch is unnerving.  He also tells me that there is nothing that I need to do regarding nutrition or hydration and that I shouldn't worry about skin care unless I start to have problems during treatment.  He also says that lymphedema probably won't be a problem either, but if it is, there isn't anything I can do to prevent it anyway.  Most of these answers don't square with what I've been told by other patients and what I've read online and in the materials from the hospital, so it makes me question the shorter course of treatment too.  Is anyone else going through a four-week (or so) course of radiation?

    The short answer is that it looks as if I will have to educate myself so I'm reading everything I can get my hands on and based on what I've read here, have already gotten Aquafor, hydrocortizone cream, 100% aloe vera gel, and something that has Emu oil in it, though it has other ingredients too.  I also think that the nurses will probably have more practical advice once treatment starts.   The boards have been a great help, but I wish I was getting good information from my RO as well.

    As for cornstarch--I experimented with it while at home.  Epic fail!!

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  • karynhelen
    karynhelen Member Posts: 44
    edited August 2013

    Good morning Ladies,

    I haven't logged in for a while but I have been thinking about you all and this Rad journey we are on.

    I only have 3 Rack Attacks (boosts- he he he) left!!! Yay!!!

    I am having some skin breakdown under my breast and my skin by my armpit is really painful. It's hot here in Cali, so I think the sweat and heat have played their part in my discomfort and break down.....

    Still using Emu, calendula, and Aloe vera.

    I must admit I haven't been religious about applying it 3 times a day. Usually around 2 pm I am beat and take a nap. So I end up applying about 2 times a day...

    I just keep remembering that this is temporary, and although the told me it can still 'get worse' over the next two weeks, IT WILL GET BETTER!!!

    I am going to my 30th high school reunion this weekend! Yikes! It will feel good to know that I am done with Rads by then and will be on the road to normalcy.....

    It should be a healing process in lots of ways.... even the reunion, he he he..

    You are all strong. You are all survivors. You are all powerful women. You can do this!!! And it's only temporary!!!

    Much love and BIG hugs to you all!

    Karyn

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  • LW0919
    LW0919 Member Posts: 196
    edited August 2013

    I had # 14 today and am a little worried because the rash under my breast started to bleed today. My RO thinks it is a yeast infection. The skin in my under arm area has cracked open in a couple of places. I'm not even half way through yet. I'm hoping my skin holds out.

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  • DiZZyMom
    DiZZyMom Member Posts: 245
    edited August 2013

    Hey ladies. Haven't been on in a while either while on vacation. I hope everybody is hanging in there and that your skin does hold out.

    I don't know if wearing a swimsuit (under an SPF50 rash guard) and being in ocean and pool water was the smartest thing to do for the first week after finishing rads, but it didn't seem to do much damage. I also was covering the huge oozing open blister I have with gauze and surgical tape so my clothes would last a little longer. I think those things slowed my healing, but I am happy to say that it IS healing. The area under my arm that was all open and screaming red is almost completely healed. The huge oozing blister is finally starting to heal. And the skin over the rest of the treated area has all peeled away and is replaced with pretty healthy (a little pink) skin. So for those of you who think your skin will never heal, it will! I'm only two weeks out from my last treatment and I did a lot to prevent healing and I am healing. So.....it will get better for all of you too!

    Best wishes to all of you.

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  • melody46
    melody46 Member Posts: 279
    edited August 2013

    RosieRose I did the 4 week course with 4 boosts at the end so in total 20 and I'm really comfortable with my decision.  Same amount of greys just quicker.  It was really hard on my nipple in the end and it peeled a few times but I wasn't very good at moisturizing I just mostly used the gel.  I wish I'd used the aquafor more especially towards the end.  I also had a hard time with fatigue, it seemed worse than chemo and I'm only now starting to feel a little better 6 weeks out.  Good Luck

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