Fall 2013 Rads

HI all

First day for radiation today- It was kind of weird- thats what I would call it. I felt like I had heartburn all day which is kind of strange as I am not having clavicular or axillary area radiation. I also felt cheeks flushed like a hot flash....wait....maybe it WAS a hot flash haha. My time is going to be moved up to super early (0730 am) which I think will be a good schedule for going to work afterword.

I would like to add to the playlist an old disco classic by Donna Summer- I Will Survive

Yay Gracers..,, only a couple more! Yeah... im red/pink but feels better inside since stopping the "whole boobie zaps!"

I was also told ill still keep "cookin" for a bit, but I feel really good about how it looks.., a little peeling when I shower.... but no breakdown! Its all gonna get better from here on..... 

Hang in there everyone...... there is light at the end of the dark and dreary "treatment tunnel" ::)

Bounce,

I am also one of those who got early symptoms from rads, about day 2 or so. Tenderness and swelling inside, and sore nipple (which later turned to itching nipple). My RO said while it's not common that early on, it does happen. He also said it is inflammation. He also told me that it would get worse, which I was not happy to hear, but it never did really get any worse, just stayed about the same. My breast also swelled up somewhat, and felt hard. Now that rads is done on that side, it seems to be softening up some. But at least my skin held up very well. Now the other side is halfways through rads, and starting to look bigger and swollen, too. I had half hoped they would shrink some and get a bit perkier, since I am fairly large breasted, but alas. They have gotten bigger. And now hyper-pigmented. Nothing ever got bad enough to require pain mess of any kind. So, hopefully yours will get better, or at least no worse.

One thing you mentioned though, is that no one seemed to care when you told them. I think that is the worst part, when you feel no one even cares. I felt that way last week when I complained yet again about my intensely itching breast to my RO, and he just said how great aquaphor was, even though I told him I had been using it and it didn't stop the itching. And for some reason, at that visit, he did not even look at the skin. So, I left there feeling really dejected. Like, he didn't care. And I really do like him. He's one of my favorite doctors. But this week everything was fine when I saw him. Who knows, guess it was just an off day.

So, if you are concerned, you should make sure to mention it to your RO. Or techs, of nurse or someone, just to make sure everything is normal for you.

Thanks, otter like, for that info. I guess I am a "younger" one, too. If you consider 47 young .

yippee Itiswhatitis - finished!! Fantastic - you have become a Rad Grad. :-)

Well! That's interesting to know about which antidepressants conflict with Tamoxifen. I have been taking Paxil for many years. It has worked beautifully for me from day one. It scares me that I will have to stop taking it and find a different med.

Summergal, it really pays to do your own research on your particular type of cancer. They are always referring to your TEAM of doctors, nurses and techs. What team????!! I don't feel like I have a team. I also feel alone and dejected sometimes just like you. I saw my BS 2 times. Once for the initial consult and once before my surgery. I don't have an MO, was never assigned one. Is that normal? My OB/GYN never has contacted me so I got a new one who I will see after rads are finished. I have seen my RO 2 times and will see her again on Friday. So far, I am happy with that.

Summergal, it's not ridiculous and I know how you feel. It's all so nerve wracking. I have such anxiety before my rad treatments. People tell me that it will go away or get better but I can't see that yet. I hate the whole process, it's dehumanizing, cold and clinical. I can't wait to get off of that damn, freakin rad table & get the hell out of there.

My skin is good so far. I am pinking up. I haven't bought any creams yet, I'm just going to wait & see. I don't want to spend the money if I don't have to. Aslo, I am using the same body wash as I always have. Jergens Ultra moisturizing Shea Butter. I hope it's ok to use it.....I'm not going to worry about it! Too many things to worry about already!

Hi summergal

Fret not - you will be back with your regular soap 2 weeks after rads end and it will be wonderful to come back to it.

I have been wanting to buy a particular kind of baby liquid soap for a long time because I remember the smell from years ago when my children were babies but it is a lot more expensive than regular soap so every week for the past at least 12 months I have resisted the urge to buy it each week. I can be rather frugal sometimes.

Now on orders from the Titty Nurse as I call her I am to use only baby liquid soap during rads so I finally got to buy my soap without feeling guilty.

Someone wrote recently that driving her crazy nowadays is a short trip! I think that is what you are feeling. It takes a lot of strength and energy to deal with the big tough issues so there sometimes isn't any left to deal with the little things.

I almost cried in frustration waiting in line to pay at the supermarket yesterday. I just felt like it was such a waste of time! But I explained to the lady in front of me that I had had a tough day and usually I wasn't so impatient and she smiled and that helped me calm down a bit. I think sometimes just expressing what we are feeling is a help.

My first weekend since starting rads is coming up and I feel like a kid being let out of school for summer vacation. HAPPY. HAPPY.

And thanks again to all you amazing ladies for helping me out last night. Today was so much easier for me during treatment and also afterwards dealing with the discomfort.

Summergal - do something nice for yourself - a little treat of some kind next time you are feeling down.

Today I splurged on a Veggie Juice. The little shop that makes them didn't have parsley or coriander so I went to the grocer a few doors down and bought some and got the juice bar to wash it and put it in with the rest of the veggies.

I figured my body could do with the extra vitamins. It tastes pretty bad but I was happy as could be drinking it up. Felt like I was helping my poor old boob in some way instead of being mean and zapping her!

Hugs to all.

Thanks, Denilynne. It's so good to know I'm not alone in what I'm feeling. Hugs.

Bounce! Yer killin me!

I was given a lotion called Alra by my RO's nurse and it works great. I am halfway through my sessions and so far some pinkness but no discomfort. When I first began radiation I had crying jags after each session. Since focusing on positive things and playing word and mind games, even reciting song lyrics, my time passes quickly and the crying jags have stopped. I take a Xanax 2 hours before each session which has helped, especially with the muscle discomfort from the arms held over the head. Also, I have met some interesting people while in the waiting room whose company I have enjoyed. But I am so looking forward to graduation day. This is my second go-round with radiation. I had it 12 years ago and it did me in emotionally back then.

My RO recommended the Xanax and wrote the script for it. She is a super doctor with a wonderful attitude.

Congrats to all who have completed your sessions.

@Bounce - Excellent. Monty Python rules! I'm definitely Humor Gal throughout all this. It's cancer, a disease, not the devil, is kind of how I've approached it. I started a blog called "The Deadly Debates", because that's what I feel like it is. The cancer (called Lil' Perv in my household, because, you know, it didn't go for my lungs or colon, but straight for my fun bags without permission!), is technically a part of me. It built itself out of my body, my cells. So, I figured we were in a deadly debate for the body. Too bad for it that I'm far smarter and kick ass on the debate podium. Goodbye, Lil' Perv.

Humor is awesome, don't delete your post!!!

Hi Otterlike - please send a link to your

"The Deadly Debates"

Dusting boobies with corn starch is a great way to keep them dry and its allowed.

Makes a hell of a mess but it works.

McKatherine - the humor in my family is amazing.

My husband is kind, sweet and sensitive. He has a benign brain tumor - a vestibular schwannoma diagnosed about a year before my breast cancer which may need to be removed.

Before my lumpectomy while discussing all possibilities and being rather tense he looked at me sheepishly one day and said - "Just think of it as getting something off your chest."

At which point I told him: "If I have something I need to get off my chest - you need to give the doctor a piece of your mind - and that my friend is called giving tit for tat!"

Now I am sure this same exchange could have caused a serious rift in another house but we both just fell about laughing like little kids.

I guess its a fine line to know how far one can go with humor and when to just back off and let a person be.

Congrats itiswhatitis!!!

Bounce, love the manicure! Your daughter could make a fortune setting up shop outside a treatment center.

Paddle, thanks for burn gel advice. I may need to order it. One more week of regular rads for me. Counting down! Not sure how Many boosts yet. 

Have a wonderful RRR weekend!

Only 5 more to go for me, Ladies!  My RO prescribed Silver Sulfadiazine Cream this week - it has helped.  Still using my aloe, calendula,  and Unda 270 ointment too.  

Peace to each of you!