Summer 2013 Rads

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  • RosieRose
    RosieRose Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2013

    Dragomirova,

    Thanks so much for posting about your tenderness and swelling.  I am at 4/34 and have been seeing the same thing.  I told the tech about it yesterday and a different tech today, but they insist that the radiation can't be doing it this soon into treatment and that it is probably leftover infection from surgery.  The RO looked at it but I am just to observe it over the weekend and call if it gets worse. 

    Hearing that you're seeing the same thing makes me feel at least as if others experience this too and I'm not just losing my mind.  Usually I'm pretty tough about stuff like this and I  sailed right through the biopsies and surgery, but I don't want to be foolish about letting this go--or to hurt!

    Looks like it is going to be a long six weeks until the end of treatment.

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

    Hi girls- just checking in. I finished rads about 3 weeks ago and by now my skin is FINE! The peelng is done and no more painful areas or tightness.



    I used emu oil by night and miaderm and calendula cream by day. The miaderm is okay to use right up until an hour before rads. Used crystal deoderant (allergic to Toms).



    My skin held up great until my last two appointments and then a spot under arm and one under my rebuit breast got very sore and peeled. They gave me melpilex to shield the peeled areas from bumping on my clothing (I was working full time so no free-boobing for me! LOL). It really helped.



    SInce that week post-rads the skin has healed rapidly, peeling a bit each day and now completely peeled and seems normal and pliable. yay! I had feared that it would be all withered up and contracted. Nowhere near as bad as I had feared.



    Mostly I have been tired and still am, but slowly that is getting better too.



    Hang in there girls!! I wish you the easiest road possible. It will be over before you know it.

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

    I finished a week ago Tuesday. I still have large areas of no skin. Just red & raw like a baboon's butt! It was a little pink at the end of rads, then a couple days later....OUCH!!!



    I haven't worn a bra since Sunday. I'm trying to promote healing so I can dress for church on Sunday. I have a lot of seepage, tightness, & pain.



    I hydrated, slathered on the lotions several times daily, but we're all different. Some of have no reaction at all, and some of us get cooked.



    I know some people on these threads think if you don't have SEs, treatment isn't working. (BALONEY!!!!) if this is any indication, cancer's butt is burned up!!!



    Paula

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

    Paula I am sorry you have that happening but I truly do believe they have COOKED any sneaky cells you might have had hanging around.



    My Ro was actually really worried that my skin wasnt red until the end. She "likes to see the burn". Then when it happened she was happy and said she had done her job by killing any of those darned cells.



    SO- you are there!



    I sure hope your skin starts turning the bend as quickly as mine did afer that first week post-rads. GOOD luck.

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  • jc254
    jc254 Member Posts: 439
    edited August 2013

    I'm joining your group and starting radiation on Monday.  I'll have 16 whole breast treatments and 5 boosts, although my radiologist said the decision on whether to have the boosts is up to me (I hate being put in that position- how am I supposed to know if I should have boosts?).  Anyway, I strangely haven't given radiation much thought until now and have been reading this thread trying to figure out what I'm in for.  It's been 9 weeks since I finished chemo and it's been great to have that time to take a vacation and get my energy back.  I'm feeling good, ready to tackle radiation and finally get this breast cancer treatment finished. I've already started taking femara with few side effects so far. It will be almost exactly one year since my diagnosis when I am finished radiation. I appreciate everyone who posts with their experience.

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  • patriciahurtado
    patriciahurtado Member Posts: 489
    edited August 2013

    Jc54 I can't really tell you about boost cause I didn't have any.... But I don't know why would they make you decide?? But I'm sure you will find the answer here...



    I wanna ask you ladies after I finished my radiation on Thursday my scar from armpit peeled off.. I don't know what else to put on besides sulvadine I'm just laying here all day shirtless I don't know what to do .. What else should I put on??? I don't want to just lay here all day... Help my ladies I think it's harder since its always rubbing off on my arm...

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

    Patricia~~I went back on Monday to see the RO to be sure I wasn't getting an infection. There was no infection, but the Resident told me to fold a damp wash cloth and hold it against the wound several times a day. It felt so good I kept it on all day. I just kept rinsing & refreshing it. I hadn't worn a bra since last Sunday until today.



    I do find that Tylenol helps a lot. I was really surprised at how much it helps.



    Blessings

    Paula

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  • patriciahurtado
    patriciahurtado Member Posts: 489
    edited August 2013

    Thank you ill try that Tylenol tonight!!!!....and getting some towels now

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  • dragomirova
    dragomirova Member Posts: 69
    edited August 2013

    Hi Rosie,

    I am hoping that tenderness and a little swelling is all I get, but like you said, it's going to be a loooong 6 weeksSmile.  I see the RO tomorrow (rads day 4) we'll see if he tells me the same thing about it being too soon for SEs.  It has been about 2.5 months since my lumpectomy, and like you, I had hardly any bad effects, so I can't imagine that what I am getting now is left over from surgery.  30 to go!!!

    Best to all

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  • dragomirova
    dragomirova Member Posts: 69
    edited August 2013

    Hi Paula,

    Just got back from Mass myself and was thinking of you-how did you make it through church, were you able to dress  today?  I signed up for our church picnic volunteer committee after Mass, and now I am thinking whether that was a bad idea- I'll be about halfway through rads by then. 

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  • dragomirova
    dragomirova Member Posts: 69
    edited August 2013

    Hi JC,

    Funny I had the same experience.  It was 2 months between lumpectomy and stat of rads (delayed BRCA test results), and in that time I got comfortable and didn't think alot about upcoming rads.  Then the day of my simulation I panicked a bit, wondering why I hadn't given rads more thought.  It was worse I think than the day of surgery.  But this online community helps

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  • encyclias
    encyclias Member Posts: 302
    edited August 2013

    dragomirova, back when I first started rads, I saw my RO on the 4th day and told him I was feeling stinging and a burning sensation in my breast; wasn't it too early for that to start?  He said that many women frequently feel some pain the first week or so which goes away for a while before the real reaction to the rads starts.

    Carol

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  • dragomirova
    dragomirova Member Posts: 69
    edited August 2013

    Hi Patricia,

    Sorry you are going through that after finally finishing your treatments- can I ask,  your scar peeled off, and it was fully healed before you started rads??  Hope it is healing over again by today.  TC

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  • RosieRose
    RosieRose Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2013

    Jc254--I hate that "it's your decision" part!  Every time it has happened through this experience I've wanted to say "there are two (or three) people in this room and only one of us doesn't have a medical degree and is learning things on the internet--and SHE'S the one who is supposed to make a good decision???"  I'm glad to have input on my own treatment, of course, but I've been doing "cancer" homework almost every night for months trying to absorb all this new information so that I can make intelligent decisions.   There have been times when a little more direction would have been helpful.

    On the other hand, I wish they'd pay more attention when I do have concerns.  Lymphema?  "Hardly anybody gets that any more so don't worry about it, and there's nothing you can do to prevent it anyway."  Skin protection during radiation?  "Don't worry about it--we'll address that if it happens, and there's nothing you can do in advance to make it better."  Exercises for the affected arm?  "Just use your arm normally--no special exercises."  Nutrition during radiation?  "Just eat a healthy diet."   Fatigue from radiation on top of fatigue I already have from other things?  "It happens to everyone--nothing to do for it."  Aargh!

    Anyway, I hope that this last step of treatment goes well for you. 

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  • patriciahurtado
    patriciahurtado Member Posts: 489
    edited August 2013

    Dragomirova I hope everything is well .... Yeah my scar was fully healed its the one under my armpit .... I had surgery on march and radiation was postponed do to TE infection so I though I was going to have issues with my chest area and not my armpit... I lubbed from my v line to my armpit every day 4 times a day ....but so far just the scar line is peeled ... I'm just laying here shirtless..... No one is home... The other girls said that they did fine until the weekend like me and it would take 6 days to feel better so tomorrow it will be my 4th but so far is a little less painfull.... I just hate the fact that I can't even clean cause all the cream sticks to my arm... My RO said that since I was doing ok probably I'll feel everything at the end..



    I think we all felt that... I was so ready for Rads but when I had the stimulation done i was laying there crying and had an anxiety attack ...... But it was just to emotional ... Now it's over and I am feeling ok...



    I just keep on saying it will be over soon just like surgery ... Infections ...TE ...... So my ladies hang in there soon it will be over...





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  • dragomirova
    dragomirova Member Posts: 69
    edited August 2013

     Hi Carol,

    Can't wait for the 'real reaction' to rads! lol...now I know I am in for it...Rosie- your post makes me realize how evasive the RO and nurses are when discussing SEs during the consult, and I hate surprises.  But it's too late now!!  Here we come!!

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  • dragomirova
    dragomirova Member Posts: 69
    edited August 2013

    Hi Patricia,

    Now I am happy I saved most of my time off from work for later- I will be hanging out (literally, it seemsSmile) at home come mid-October!! You know, when I had the last appt with my MO, he did say that I might be well deserved to plan for a break like a caribbean cruise between finishing rads and starting Tamoxifen- I didn't realize quite what he meant, but now I am starting to. But I can't see myself in a bikini ever again though.  Funny it hasn't even been 3 months since my diagnosis.  Sometimes I feel like it hasn't really hit me yet, I just go from one step to another, one Dr's appt to the next... not to mention all the complete strangers that have seen me half naked in these last 3 months...lol, I cant' believe how many people are involved in each procedure I go through!!

    Hope your night is restful...TC

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  • 2tails
    2tails Member Posts: 86
    edited August 2013

    Dragomirova, Funny you mention the complete strangers seeing you half naked. When I had rads simulation I said to both the RO and the Rad tech that so many people have looked at my breasts that I now know what it feels like to be a Playboy centerfold! LOL! A Caribbean vacation is a great idea. I had 3 trips planned this year (May, July and October) before this journey started in late April. I have been on all of them and I am glad that I had the distraction. The one in October is planned for 2 weeks after I finish rads and gives me something to look forward to. Today is 4/33, We got this!

    Congrats to all the ladies who have finished, and i am hoping for speedy healing. 

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  • patriciahurtado
    patriciahurtado Member Posts: 489
    edited August 2013

    Dreagomirova ... To tell you the truth it's been a year since all this has happen and I'm were you are at ....will it hit ?? Has it hit me ??? I don't know I'm always positive always laughing I just feel like there's nothing I can do any more but just keeping on riding ....... I'm going to Colorado tomorrow I miss my nieces and nephews.... So that's going to be great!!!



    Naked!!!!! That's not in my vocab any more .... When I go to my appt... I don't wear bras ... I have purchase this nice tank top that Unbottoms on the top shoulders so when u go for infusions rads I just. Pull it down .. I don't change to any dressings ... All my dr and nurses love it....... Naked!! I don't even care any more... I wish that at list I would have both foobs and would care less ..... I just walk around with one in the other one just there!!!! I'm ok and that's what counts!!!!



    I'm feeling much better so far !!

    Have a nice day my ladies!!!

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  • mshelton
    mshelton Member Posts: 66
    edited August 2013

    Soteria== get some domeboro for soaking (over the counter).  That's what my RO recommended for soaking areas  missing skin and i think it will help to keep an infection from developing.   It helps.  Then I apply silver sulfadiazine cream==it is a precription.

    Was given a 4 day vacation to allow areas of missing skin to heal up some.  I have only 3 treatments left this week.  3 of 33  can't wait.  Already have ordered my estrogen sucking pills to be delivered sometime this week.

    I absolutely can not imagine wearing a bra right now.  But then again, my missing skin is where the bottom of the bra would be touching.  

    Time to get ready.

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  • Heidi9256
    Heidi9256 Member Posts: 87
    edited August 2013

    Speaking of going naked... I forgot and walked out of the radiation treatment room with the front of my gown/top/wrap thingie wide open.  Fortunately I felt the breeze on the nether regions before I met anyone in the hallway.  I've gotten so used to whipping my foobies out I forget that not everyone wants to see them.

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  • 2tails
    2tails Member Posts: 86
    edited August 2013

    Heidi9256, the radiation oncology nurse and I have a wager as to when I will do that! Tongue Out She is convinced that I will. LOL!

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  • beachbound009
    beachbound009 Member Posts: 89
    edited August 2013

    I had my LAST Rad yesterday!!!!  33 of 33 DONE!  I will have a port put in next week to start chemo the following week.  I was hoping for a little more of a break between the two but oh well.  It's better to hurry up and get this mess over so I can get back to feeling healthy and normal.  Hugs to all!

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  • Jen987
    Jen987 Member Posts: 145
    edited August 2013

    Congratulations Beachbound!

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  • encyclias
    encyclias Member Posts: 302
    edited August 2013

    Woohooo!  Beachbound!

    Are you getting your chemo in the same building as your rads?

    Carol

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  • jc254
    jc254 Member Posts: 439
    edited August 2013

    I had my first radiation treatment yesterday, following about an hour of set up.  I was surprised that they put big sharpie marks on my skin covered by clear bandaids during the set up.  I got tatoos during the simulation and thought that was the end of it, so I wasn't expecting the sharpie marks.  One of the marks is very high on my chest and difficult to cover when dressing for work.  Is it normal to have tatoos and sharpie drawings? 

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  • beachbound009
    beachbound009 Member Posts: 89
    edited August 2013

    Carol - No. I'll have chemo at the Airport location where my MO is.

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  • RosieRose
    RosieRose Member Posts: 15
    edited August 2013

    I have Sharpie marks and stickers too and am finding it a challenge to keep the stickers on and the marks from rubbing off between appointments, especially on weekends.  No tattoos.

    One of the marks was too high for my clothing but it turned out that it was just enthusiastic marking and didn't need to come up that high.  Even so, I've got to be careful about what I wear if I don't want to "show off" my marks.

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  • 2tails
    2tails Member Posts: 86
    edited August 2013

    Beachbound, cingrats on finishing rads and wishing you the best during chemo. Gentle hugs to you!!

    They put sharpie marks during the simulation before the tattos were done, but now that I have the tattoos I was told to go ahead and wash the marker off. One of the Tattoos is high up on the breast bone and visible with any open collar shirt, but it is so small you would have to know what to look for in order to see it. I consider it a battler scar...AAAARRRRGGGGHHHH! Cool

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  • mshelton
    mshelton Member Posts: 66
    edited August 2013

    JC524  Good luck with your rads.  I enjoyed getting to know many of the folks in the waiting room over this time.  In fact some of us exchanged phone # in order to keep in touch.

    I received three little tattoo dots (likes little freckles).  Throughout rads, a big black X was placed on the upper part which was covered with a sticky dot tape for alignment purpose.  Also since I have had bilateral mastectomies, my scar was marked up in red and black markers covered by tape to designate the scar tissue areas to have radiation boosts.  I'm receiving my last rads today!!   33 of 33........ 

    Now I getting the doctor to sign off today so i can participate in the YMCA free 12 week program for cancer patients (once the skin improves a bit).

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