Summer 2013 Rads

I have a question for you ladies. 

My RO has ordered that I have an xray (or 2) every Mon and Wed during rads.  When I asked her why, she said "Because we are not in a third world country." I think I am going to question her about it again. I thought xrays were not good for us and do we really need to do them twice a week? Are any of you also getting xrays during rads?

I had images everyday during rads. It usually took 2 or 3 minutes, but every Thursday I had more detailed images that kept me on the table for about 25 minutes. The table was so hard on my back (degenerative disc disease) I would just lie there in agony.



Paula

3/32

I had my 3rd today.  I haven't had tingling during;  I've read on here that others have experienced that.  But I'm imagining all kinds of things after.  I was sure I was feeling a throbbing.  Another time, I was sure I felt something moving in there.  lol But I'm not imagining that tonight it is definitely warmer than the other.

Hey ladies. I have not been on in a while. I had my follow up with RO yesterday (last boost was July 23) and he said I "look like a million bucks". I have what looks like a scar where I had a huge blister and still pretty tan, but everything is healed. I'm still putting aloe on after my shower and aquaphor at night. Considering I felt like I had leprosy a couple weeks ago, I never thought it would be this normal again. For those of you getting near the end and having pretty bad skin issues, it really does heal pretty quickly after you're done.

Hope you all have a great three day weekend!

Today marks two weeks past my last treatment. My skin never even started to flake until the last week or so. I now have a line of skin that is tight, shiny, and smooth across my PM scar that is beginning to crack. I expect it will peel soon. The sunburned appearance is rapidly fading. Still using Aloe Life Skin Gel 3x daily and Shea butter across the scars after showering.



I start school again next week, which means that not only will I have to wear real clothes, I'll have to wear a top at all! We live in a rural location so I've been mainly going topless all summer. I can't tolerate a bra yet but am a bit self-conscious about going braless in public (b cup). I've gotten some scarves to help disguise things. Any other tips?



Also, I could've sworn someone started a post-rads thread for us summer alums. Anyone know where that is?

Hi Ladies- It has been awhile since I have posted. I had my 1st rad treatment yesterday. I am now in the waiting room for my 2nd one now. No real guidance yet with respect to skin maintenance.....too early. Also, I did feel burn on my 2 incisions-especially the SNB site. I have been reading about all your experiences during this journey. I am so happy for all ladies who finished this month! I am taking all the good advice from you! I am already tired from this journey....I can't imagine how I will feel at the end of rads. I have decided to wait to start tamoxifen until I complete rads. I am sending you hugs and strength to all of you!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Labor Day weekend.

CassDugan .. The thread is called - Coping after Treatment - Summer 2013 in the Beyond Cancer Forum.



And for all you rad ladies just starting- good luck! I was one of those lucky people that sailed through rads , as far a skin reaction goes. I just used a little Aveno soap and lotion. 6 weeks plus 7 boosts. I tried to "air out" as much as possible . Just had a little trouble around week 5 with folliculitis. Other than that , just a little red. I got nailed afterward by fatigue, something I wasn't prepared for ..

Johnette- yes, I get an xray once a week -really you are getting so much radiation that an xray or two extra is not going to do anything bad. I just got done w/day 10 out of 28 and so far skin holding up well. I am a bit lax as far as applying aloe but  its so messy and at age 65 I am not worring about my beautiful bod...ha..I too listen to my favorite classical music as I await my appointment it relaxes me. I still hate that buzzing noise ( 4 in all) when they zap me. I hate being on that very hard table as I have back problems and am claustrophobic so close my eyes the whole time and pray. I need info on the Emu cream I hear mentioned . Other than that no comlaints.

Rene

I have 1 rad treatment left...yay! I go Tuesday for my final hurrah. I think I will run out of the building and high five everyone I see now that I can lift my arm again without it feeling like my skin is going to spilt. I have to say the boosts couldn't have come at a better time. My underarm was screaming at me.

You're in the home stretch Tangles! Once the boosts started, everything else began to feel better. We did it and our heads didn't explode from all the chemo toxins and radiation!

Hi everyone,

Newbie here.

I had surgery on August 19th for stage one grade 2 invasive ductal carsinoma.  I also had sentinal lymph node surgery where they eneded up taking 9 nodes as he could not find the sentinal one right away. They were all clear.

I was reading online about everyones experience with rad after surgery. I will be receiving internal rad. This coming Friday Sept 6th they will be inserting a contura balloon into the cavity that is left from the cancer. I will then start internal radiation twice a day for 5 days and they will then take out the balloon.

I have yet to meet anyone else who has had internel radiation.I was wondering if anyone out there has had it and what the side effects were for them?

Welcome ndgrrl and sorry you have to be here. It's my understanding they can only do the internal rads with lumpectomies so I was not eligible. I've heard about it and was very interested until I found out it was not appropriate for me. I don't know if anybody on this thread so far has had it. If not, you might search for other forums more specific if you have not already. Best of luck to you, I hope the SEs are not so bad.

The last of 37 radiation treatments tomorrow! My arm pit is burning and peeling too. It's not pretty.

I think I am going to start radiation tomorrow.  Get the results of PET scan 1st.  Not looking forward to it from your experience.  I will have all of my left breast radiated, 38 rounds.  Lots of liquids and lotions????