Summer 2013 Rads

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  • patriciahurtado
    patriciahurtado Member Posts: 489
    edited August 2013

    Hey ladies!!! Can sleep its 5 am

    Just thinking about everyone here.... I hate hydrating it stinks!!! And lubbingggg ewwww.... Usually I'm really good but been slacking ..... Cause so over all this... I'm 16/28 and its just a little tan..... And some itchy so I will buy hydrocortisone later .... But let hang in there we are almost out !!!!

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  • Lenn13ka
    Lenn13ka Member Posts: 313
    edited August 2013

    Hello summer rad ladies. Hope everyone that has already finished is enjoying summer.

    I am 3 weeks post... Skin is doing great but I am having way more fatigue than when I was in treatment. I am at PT to build my upper body strength up, but developed a long, sore, vein like thing down my rib cage under my treated breast. Anyone else?

    I am hydrating and eating protein. When should I start to feel better?

    " I don't like this feeling anymore"..I am seeing my RO later this week and have also scheduled an appt. with a nutrionist. I think I am doing everything right but maybe not? I hate feeling like a slug!

    Good luck to all of you in treatment.







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  • Lenn13ka
    Lenn13ka Member Posts: 313
    edited August 2013

    Hello summer rad ladies. Hope everyone that has already finished is enjoying summer.

    I am 3 weeks post... Skin is doing great but I am having way more fatigue than when I was in treatment. I am at PT to build my upper body strength up, but developed a long, sore, vein like thing down my rib cage under my treated breast. Anyone else?

    I am hydrating and eating protein. When should I start to feel better?

    " I don't like this feeling anymore"..I am seeing my RO later this week and have also scheduled an appt. with a nutrionist. I think I am doing everything right but maybe not? I hate feeling like a slug!

    Good luck to all of you in treatment.







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  • mummommama
    mummommama Member Posts: 70
    edited August 2013

    Hello!

    I'm 49, had Stage 1 grade 3 tumor removed with mastectomy in April 2013. Genetic testing revealed that my tumor did not require chemo (thankful!) but radiation and tamoxifen are recommended.

    I was due to start rads on July 29th, but the mastectomy wound hadn't comletely healed. It's been re-sewn shut and the new rads start date is August 15th, if everything has healed as it should.

    Meanwhile I'm a little concerned about the slow healing and am working to boost my immune system and stay healthy through it all.

    Any tips for staying healthy during and after radiation? I have a tendency to over-do things and get wiped out for days. I'd like more balance. Anyone achieve that yet? Advice, please!

    Thanks to all of you for sharing your stories.

    Mum

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  • CassDugan
    CassDugan Member Posts: 100
    edited August 2013

    Last whole breast treatment today. The first of eight cone down treatments starts tomorrow. I believe that's what some of you call "boost".

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

    CasDugan congrats! I'm almost there with 4 more before boosts. My skin has broken down a bit more over the last few days. My itchy bumps have stabbed over and there is now a larger area under my breast that is bumpy-but overall I feel quite ok! I really hope that the lump in my throat feeling goes away after all this. Hope your skin is holding up, now has a chance to heal! Good luck on boosts, your almost there!

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  • dutchiris
    dutchiris Member Posts: 855
    edited August 2013

    Today was #17of 37. The last 9 will focus on the scar. My skin is a bit irritated and pink/red mostly under my arm.

    There is an area near my sternum that has been extra sensitive since my mx especially when my shirt rubs on it . The Rad PA said to try some Mepilex on that area. It's a sort of thin foam dressing. It seems to help.

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

    I finished 25 today. Tomorrow I start the 5 boosts. I'm so glad I'll be on that table less time now. Onc told me to give myself a week's break before starting arimidex on the 20th.



    Paula

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  • DiZZyMom
    DiZZyMom Member Posts: 245
    edited August 2013

    Good luck, Mum. I'm not so good with the advice as I tend to overdo it myself! Eat well, get rest when you need it. And I actually find that getting some sort of exercise increases my energy level. Unless you really don't feel up to it, then rest on those days. As far as immune boosting supplements, there are all kinds of claims and recommendations. Check with your Dr. before using any of those. I wish the best for you!

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  • beachbound009
    beachbound009 Member Posts: 89
    edited August 2013

    I had #23 this morning.  Only 5 more and then 5 boosts.   I WILL have a good day today!  Today marks 9 years of marriage to my wonderful husband.  We've overcome many obstacles in those 9 years that has brought us closer together and I love him dearly.  Today I will NOT let my cancer be the center of attention.  Today is about US!

    Happy hump day!!!

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  • Heart2930
    Heart2930 Member Posts: 139
    edited August 2013

    I also am having increased fatigue. Not sure if it is post rads or the tamoxifen. I actually had to stop working out altogether. I just don't have the energy, and when I do try to work out I use up any energy I have. Hope this get's better soon.

    I am now almost 6 weeks out, and still having skin issues though. I have these weird red bumps that just won't go away. They start out looking like pimples, then they grow to more live hives. They don't hurt or itch. They are just there. I've had them about 3.5 weeks now. Just got a new one over the weekend.Tried cortisone...nothing. Neosporin.....didn't help either. My radiation nurse practitioner is giving them another 2 weeks to go away, then we are going to have to look into it further. I am also a little worried about the skin that had broken down in the crease. It's all healed up but it looks gray. Hopefully this is just a pigment thing and nothing to worry about.

    Congrats to every who has finished since I was last on. Trying to catch up on the posts, but I am just so dang tired.

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  • mshelton
    mshelton Member Posts: 66
    edited August 2013

    Heart--maybe talking to a nutritionist will help.  Are you getting plenty of protein, fluids?  Maybe there's other food products conductive to helping skin repair itself such as almonds, carrots, bell peppers, etc.

    Will have number 20 today and 13 more to go.  

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  • Heart2930
    Heart2930 Member Posts: 139
    edited August 2013

    Thanks Mshelton! When I go back to see my RO I have access to a nutritionist there. After he looks at my skin issues I will ask for a consult with the nutritionist.

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

    beachbound~~I met my husband 26 years ago today, and today is also our 20th wedding anniversary.



    Happy anniversary.



    Blessings

    Paula

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  • Pat634
    Pat634 Member Posts: 271
    edited August 2013

    I just started rads yesterday for mets to my sternum. I do have pain in my sternum and through to my back and the RO said its going to get worse before it gets better.  Does anyone have an idea of what she meant by that? 

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

    I'm done I'm done I'm done. Woohoo!!!!!



    I ended up with some skin peeling under arm and under breast which is painful but the aquafor with hydrocortisone and melpilex is helping. I am healing up with family in St. Louis right now. It is nice to be with loved ones and resting.



    Paula happy anniversary!



    Heart I hope you feel better soon. I am tired too, i think it is just expected and we need to work our way back as best we can.



    Hugs to everyone still in rads- it iwll be over soon!!!

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  • patriciahurtado
    patriciahurtado Member Posts: 489
    edited August 2013

    Sciencegal...... Yeahhhh finally right??? I'm 17/28 soon I will be done soon too.... When did you start peeling ?? I'm on my 4th week and skin is just a little dark ..... Just a little itchy.....

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

    Thanks Patricia- My skin held out until the second - to - last rads appointment and then became much more red and started peeling. This was Monday- it does not seem to be getting worse at this point, not yet anyway. I know it can keep progressing for awhile.



    I am just glad it is not worse than this- with how some of the poor girls like Lin and Heart were suffering with skin breakdown, I consider myself very lucky. SO far anyway. I will report back later on.



    Good luck to you!

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  • patriciahurtado
    patriciahurtado Member Posts: 489
    edited August 2013

    Sciencegal..... Thanks .... Virtual hugs!!!! Keep us post it....

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

    BeachBound0 and Paula a very happy anniversary! Wishing the both of you lots of love, fun and celebrating! Sciencegal YAHOO! Congrats on finishing-enjoy not having to lie on the table. I hope you continue to heal quickly. Enjoy your visit with family.

    22/33

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

    Miss Paula........

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  • caitlin61
    caitlin61 Member Posts: 214
    edited August 2013

    Congrats Sciencegal!



    Happy Anniversary Paula! My DH and I celebrated our second anniversary yesterday -!felt kind of strange in the midst of all this.



    Well, I finished rads almost 3 weeks ago and have to say like Heart and some others, I feel absolutely exhausted. Briefly seemed to gain stream immediately after rads, then lost it. Was intending to start Tamoxifen today but forgot to pick up prescription, so looks like tomorrow.

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  • Lenn13ka
    Lenn13ka Member Posts: 313
    edited August 2013

    Heart - talked to a great nutrionist at Dana Farber today about the extreme fatigue . I am eating pretty well and hydrating but she said to increase my protein to 70 grams. She said is wasn't unusual to feel this tired post rads, sometimes it is several months to a year. ( oh yeah). I hardly had any fatigue during treatment so this is a bummer. I too wonder what part the tamoxifin plays . I'm 2 months on that...it feels like it is really kicking in.



    Science girl congrats. You have had a long go of it. Always providing good advice and insight!

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  • DiZZyMom
    DiZZyMom Member Posts: 245
    edited August 2013

    Yay Sciencegal!

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  • dutchiris
    dutchiris Member Posts: 855
    edited August 2013

    Congratulations Sciencegirl!

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  • Heart2930
    Heart2930 Member Posts: 139
    edited August 2013

    Yeah Sciencegal! Hope your skin get's better quickly.

    Lenn13ka- Thanks so much! I will try that. Going to watch my protein intake today to see exactly how much I am getting. Starting to really think it is the Tamoxifen. I see my MO in September and will ask then. I am about 1.5 months into Tamoxifen and starting to see some side effects (aching joints, night sweats, etc). I normally get 6-7 hours of sleep a night and am fine with that, but now I am getting 9+ hours a night and am still exhausted. If it is the rads I hope it gets better soon. A year is a really long time, but if it is the tamox 5 years is even longer. So not sure what I am hoping for.

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  • BeHereNow
    BeHereNow Member Posts: 222
    edited August 2013

    Pat634-I'm sorry you are dealing with mets to your sternum. I don't know the answer to your question, but I assume at least in part you'll have skin discomfort. Some have reported stabbing pain (during breast radiation).



    Take it one moment at a time and tell your doc/team the minute you have a symptom. I'm sure they'll have some things you can try.



    Sending a big hug your way. Sorry I don't really have a good answer. Hopefully, someone will :)

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  • encyclias
    encyclias Member Posts: 302
    edited August 2013

    Pat, I can't imagine what you RO meant by that.  I had the customary 33 rads (28+5 boosts).  In addition, my RO went after the internal mammary nodes under my sternum using a different method.  With great care to avoid my heart underneath, he made a lead alloy mold shaped to match the area to be treated.  And he used only electron beams, which are much shallower, don't go all the way through you (electrons are also usually used for normal boosts).  My poor sternum got 28 of these electron rads.

    I didn't have any fatigue, nor nausea, but my skin over the sternum got toasted good!  That is unlike my  whole breast radiation from which I only had a little 1/2" skin break about a week after my rads ended.

    I cannot say how your sternum will take the rads.  Ask your RO if they are using electrons and how many treatments you need.  The electrons they used on me went all the way through the sternum itself to reach the nodes below it, so I wouldn't think it would be much different from yours if they are just targeting your sternum.  But then again, I guess there are different strengths and it can be set for different depths, so yours may be very different.  Ask the rad techs there; they are usually more forthcoming with information.

    Am I making sense?  I think I need more coffee.

    Good luck, Pat.  I hope it turns out uneventful and successful.

    Carol

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  • CassDugan
    CassDugan Member Posts: 100
    edited August 2013

    Lenn13ka, I'm happy to "meet" another DF person! Is it patient? Alum? The rads waiting room is so friendly. I'm often tempted to ask if anyone else is active on BCO.



    CanNOT sleep tonight. My plan is 22 whole breast treatments and 8 cone downs. Treatment later today will be 25/30. My skin still looks good, if very pink. This week was the first time the skin even looked dry. I've been careful to apply aloe 3-4 times a day, perhaps that's helped. At the very least, it helps psychologically. Throughout, my breast has felt warm to the touch which I understand is normal. This is the first week that it has felt warm of itself - kind of like a sunburn. I don't know if it's entirely psychosomatic or what, but since the cone downs started, I've been getting a burning sensation along the incision. That is what's keeping me awake tonight. If either the ibu or the oxycodone are helping with that particular pain, I don't want to think about what it would be like without.

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  • beachbound009
    beachbound009 Member Posts: 89
    edited August 2013

    Paula – Thank you and a Happy Belated Anniversary to you!!!  Mine was great.  My hubby sent flowers to my office.  They're roses and peace lilies and they smell amazing!

    SLV – Thank you!

     Sciencegal – YAYAYAAYA!!!  Congrats on completing Rads!  I'm SO happy for you!

     Encyclias – How is your treatment going?  I met a lovely lady this morning while waiting for my treatment and I started the conversation by asking her if her name was Carol.  LOL.   I hope you’re doing well.

     Today was 25/28+5 boosts.  My skin is screaming mad and my nipple has started pealing.  My RO said today that it will not be long before it breaks down.  Yipee.  I gave in last week and started taking pain pills around lunch every day.  The nerve pain has steadily increased and it feels like I’m getting punched in the chest every so often in addition to my skin just plain hurting.  If I stretch my arm up, it feels like my skin could rip at any second.  I asked my RO if this was possible and if I could stretch my arm as I’m feeling so stiff.  Without answering ripping question directly, he recommended that I do softly stretch my arm up  but to be sure I have goop on before I do.  Goop….I guess that’s the medical term for Aquafor?  LOL!!! Earlier this week, I noticed my biopsy scar (biopsy was on 6/17/13) was looking a little different, almost like it’s separating.  I showed it to my RO and he’s watching it.  He said he may not want to do the boosts if it breaks open.  I happened to go to my MO the same day and he wants the boosts regardless.  I told my MO he could duke it out with the RO.  Laughing  I’m looking forward to a restful weekend and I hope you ladies are able to enjoy it as well!

     Happy Friday!

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