Fall 2013 Rads

ok. Tell me if this a bad indication... I started last Thurs - so had two days, after the second day I noticed a slight pink blush. It cleared up over the weekend. Monday was fine, but after today I see the pink again. This was only day four! Am I doomed?! I have been diligent with my emu oil and calendula gel too - and no oils before rads either. It's making me nervous!

thanks Annie - that's good to hear! What about hardness? I've been seeing an occupational therapist because of the fibrosis caused by the surgery, and that had been helping a lot! But I'm now feeling like its reversing! I only have 6 more therapy appts, and 26 rads... I've been managing to keep wrestling my emotions up from the depths, but I'm afraid this could do me in if it continues!

Well ladies I am off to my first zap today. Yesterday was the trial run. A little nervous but onward and upward.

Good day to everyone else in their treatments.

jbdayton, good luck today. You will do fine!

Cakes, congrats...I am right behind you. Only 3 more reg, then on to boosts. I started Femara in August and was happy that my MO didn't make me wait until rads was done to start. The more cancer-killing, the better. I am doing fine with the drug. I started taking the medication at night, but was sleeping poorly, waking up every 2 hours, wide awake (so annoying). Yesterday, I took my pill in the morning because I forgot (oops) and I had the best night sleep for a long time last night. So I am switching to morning to see if that helps. I do feel like Tim Conway's "90 year old man" from the Carol Burnett show every morning....but I am not sure I can blame that on the Femara. LOL

I haven't noticed it being so cold in the room at my center, but maybe I am just having a hot flash and I don't know it. LOL

So yesterday, the RO told me that I was doing "above average" in the skin holding up department. 25/34 so far. Was good to hear and I am definitely doing well. I am very fair and was definitely expecting the worst. But I have had no fatigue, only mild discomfort and no skin breakdown/peeling. Not everyone has the same reaction to radiation....so if you are just starting out, don't freak!!!

Hugs to all the radiated and radiant ladies!

Sandra

honeybair - will the rad techs let you place a hand towel over the side not being radiated? I am given a hand towel to cover with and they move it to the side when tx starts. The long pants and socks are a good suggestion for the "radiated and radiant ladies" (love love MsPharoah).

MsPharoah - I don't know why my Onc is waiting to start me on the Femara but I appreciate the suggestion to take it in the AM. I often have trouble sleeping at night. I will be on the Femara for 10 yrs.

jbdayton - good luck and don't hesitate to ask questions at your appointments and here. The Ladies here are wonderful and very supportive of each other. We are all different so what works for one may not work for you but then again it may. So much good info here.

SophiaMarie - I have my blood work done next Thursday, the day after I finish my boosts; I won't get the results until Oct 21 when I see the Onc. I will let you know if my results are screwy.

I got my seroma drained again: 250ml! It feels much better and a little better range of motion. Two weeks ago it drained 300ml. I'll take what improvement I can! I was so cranky yesterday due to unpredictable delays and scheduling other appointments after morning rads. I'm working on rescheduling PT (WHY would they schedule it 15 minutes after rads appt when rads is 30 minute minimum and takes 15 minutes just to get to the other location). Now I make sure I bring my bag with water and a book so if I have to wait, I have my stuff. I'm also backing off of sharing too many details with other ladies in the waiting room. It is pretty crappy going through treatment twice but it gets a little tiresome talking about it and getting the pity or fearful reactions. I need to keep my spirits up going there twice per day and these little things are helping.

I'm enjoying my Relaxation class for the study. It's one on one and starts with stretching. I can really feel those stretches! Then I do some guided imagery. I lay on a mat, close my eyes and the instructor talks for 10 minutes. She's good and soothing. The goal is to become familiar with how your body feels relaxed, truly relaxed. Then five minutes of deep breathing. I go each day.

12/44 done! Now bolus only once per day for the next week.

Cakes.....my onc told me that I will be doing 5 years and extending to 10 if the results of the studies come back indicating that the extra 5 years is worth the risks. Interesting that your doctor is saying 10 years from the start, maybe he/she have some inside info on the study results that are supposed to come out in December. I have heard that many have their treatments sequentially so that side effects can be managed better. I guess because I did chemo, my doctor figured everything else was a "cake walk"?? No matter, the sooner we start, the sooner we finish. I would have liked to have radiation while I was on chemo but I hear that radiation interferes with chemo. I had my bone density test and I am only mildly osteapenic (sp), so sure hope my bones hold up.

So with Femara and when you take it...I think that depends on what side effects you get, if any...and which ones bother you the most. The reason I started off at night is that I was told I would have joint pain and that taking it at night allowed you to sleep through that. I am not having joint pain, thank goodness. The side effect I am having is insomnia and so far that is about it....except my husband says I am extra bitchy. HA!

Cider, great progress on your treatment and sure hope you get the schedule adjusted so it isn't so stressful. Are you able to have any fun or is the day filled with treatments, appointments, etc? I think if I was far away from home, I would probably drink a few bottles of wine....wait, they told me I can't have any!!! I think what you are encountering in the waiting room is the result of pinkwashing....people believe that caught early, there is a cure for breast cancer, even my doctor told me that he could "cure" me. Really?? I intend to live like I am cured, but I will not live in denial. That is the best I can do.

Love to the radiated and radiant!!

S

Thanks MsPharoah and canuck46-At this point in time, I really need to hear some positives. I have heard from a couple of women that live nearby that rads just makes you tired. This whole thing has made me re-examine my life. Plan on going part-time next year after this phase is over.

cakes and sophie maria, thanks for the blanket and hand towel suggestions. I will ask for some cover today. Just took my tranquilizer which really helps enormously in lying inside that machine with my arms held over my head for the duration. Receving radiation is one lonely feeling.

Love to all you ladies.

Ladies...I don't think any dr is going to tell you it's ok to drink alcohol, however there is no problem drinking during radiation treatment. My MO told me it was ok to have a glass of wine each day during chemo....but she failed to tell me it would taste like spit. LOL. Have a brewski everyone...it's Octoberfest! Just don't overdo it.

Love, MsP

Hi Strong Women: I just finished radiation treatments yesterday! 25 plus 5 boosts. I cried last night - the first time since diagnosed. I am very raw and exhausted. My RO said my skin held up well though it looks very "angry"....she is right! So I used miaderm, aloe gel and "My Girls" boob cream-all of which I ordered from Amazon. I used all 3 items at 4 times per day. I did feel some nausea at the beginning of treatment and then again during the boosts....it seems like Drs do not want reveal what to expect...but when I met with RO and advised her that I am leaving town for a week of rest.....all of a sudden I received bottles of saline solution and gauze as the skin will now shed. The best advice is from these boards and all of our combined experiences!

I am sending good thoughts to you all for a restful long weekend!

I am here to answer any questions regarding my experience!

Lisa

Session no 4 completed this morning and for some reason when I got into my car to leave, the tears just started to flow. My MO is going to put me on Effexor because it will help with my post mastectomy pain and over all muscle tension. Depression is what I suffered from 12 years ago while undergoing radiation. Now it is so uncomfortable because I have to lie with my head turned to the left and my arms overhead for the duration of the treatment.and it is a miserable experience. All this before the skin begins to change and burn.

Hope all of you have a good weekend and that it is pain-free in every way.