Winter 2013-2014 Rads

smrlvr, I am exactly 3 weeks & 2 days post chemo. I have my first radiation zap tomorrow. My Mo wanted me to wait for another week or 2, I did not. My WBC is very low, no Neulasta on chemo # 8. So I have no energy. Today, the pain in hips & legs has eased...that is wonderful cause I have had the bone pain for 5-6 weeks. It seems from reading though that a lot of women breeze through without the side effects that bothered me. I still have the stinkin port. My surgeon wanted me to leave it in...scary, why? The only reason is to need it again, which I cannot  think  that way. Anyway, I wanted to start rads & not hassle getting it out before..but lots of women post that it is easy. I will talk to him again & schedule it the week after rads are done. Also need to start Arimidex then...

Lovewins...good luck & congrats on final chemo

Good evening all! Back to rads tomorrow - #6/33 (incl boosts) for me! My center gave me a lotion to use and that's all I've been using. I was going to say I don't have to pay for it, but I imagine they're billing insurance for it! I can't imagine those having to go through this without insurance - just saw my chemo bills going thru insurance and it was around $120,000 just for the chemo! I'm going to add it all up when I'm done (biopsy, port surgery, mastectomy surgery, chemo, rads and eventually port removal surgery). 

I hope everyone has faith, family and friends this Christmas and that the new year brings us all good health and much happiness! Lana

Minus Two, thank- you for that information. I had no idea they would use that for a MRI. I did not receive a MRI at dx. I  actually thought a breast MRI was like a X-ray. I did ask my MO if I could have a MRI when I have my first mammogram after tx. She said no,  I was shocked, she said she thought insurance would not pay for it. I am actually more concerned about the healthy breast, as I have lobular cancer, it is called the " sneaky" cancer, difficult to see, find on a mammogram. I was also told that they do not plan on Pet Scans, or CT scans after tx.. I do not know how often they plan on blood work, I will start Arimidex after rads...I will learn more as the process continues..I have great veins but was happy not to ruin them on chemo...thx again

Having some sharp and achy pain in my bc breast that started yesterday. I'm sure it's nothing! I am wonder though if there is anything going on would the CT I'm have the 26th for sims show it? I am going to have to not think every ache or pain in my affected breast I feel is reoccurance or something missed. Oh well radiation will zap it once I start on the 6th.

Merry Christmas to all in our group!     2014 will be an easier for everyone..

Leslie, I still get sharp, achy pains in the lumpectomy breast, my surgery was 3 months before yours, I think it's just the healing process...good luck with your simulation...

Merry Christmas to all! 

HI

I just found this site and message board and am happy to read all the messages from others dealing with this!

I started rad therapy last week and had my 5th treatment yesterday.  I noticed at dinner last night and again all day today that nothing tastes right.  I seem to have lost my sense of taste.  I have read that this a side effect of chemo, but I haven't had chemo... only rad.... and no where can I find it listed as a side effect of radiation only.  

Has anyone else had experience with this?  Thanks!

I hope everyone had a great holiday. Today is rads 3/33 so far all is well. The techs are very nice, the appointments are right at 15 mins except for the day I saw the doc which was an additional 15 mins. There was one little discrepancy the nurse said not to use anything on the treated area until it's needed, the doc disagreed and said to use something right away and apply twice a day. She recommended Aquaphor and calendula cream. 

Hugs and kisses to all!

Thanks TeamKim for the taste article.  Gee - I was not overweight to start & I've already lost 57 lbs.  I really can't afford to lose even one more pound so I hope that rads SE will by-pass me. 

Cari, welcome to our rad group, I also had no idea about the taste buds. Mine have been whacky for 5 months, so not sure if I would know he difference.

Minus2, that is a lot of weight! I have lost 20, still struggling to eat, I have to force myself...weird..hope it gets better for you

Leslie, I am with you...goodbye 2013... Hello to 2014.... It has to be better...

Hi all! I haven't been keeping up w/the boards as much during rads as during chemo bec. I've been able to be active & busy w/more normal things this time Today will be 17 of 33. Hardest thing about rads is how the appt. breaks up my day - really interferes w/work. No real SEs yet, knock on wood. Occasional soreness, zingers, & my nipple is extra sensitive. Using aquaphor at night, aloe vera gel in the morning, bec. the dr. said to.

I got something of a Xmas gift - my hair is finally starting to come back! I have dark fuzz on my head that just started to be noticeable in the past week. I'll still be wearing wigs & hats for a while, but I'm glad for a sign of life up there.

Candi07 - yep, they do weekly X-rays at my center, on Mondays, & I meet with the dr. on Tuesdays & he checks the scans & does a brief exam. 

Here's my situation on timing of chemo end and rads start: I finished my chemo on 12/19 and I start rads on 1/6, so scheduled just a few weeks later for me. I think my MO wanted me to wait about 4 weeks before starting, but I had already met with my RO and had the sim appt scheduled for 12/30...trying to take the lead and get this over and done with.  My MO said to wait 3-6 mos. before having the port removed, so I will hit her up on my next appt in early March to get this scheduled with BS. 

My hair is not growing any too quickly IMHO, so I'm taking biotin (2/day) as well as using Nioxin (system 2 products). It is growing, but I was hoping that I could go without the wig when I return to the office following rads (I plan to work from home in the meantime) but doesn't seem like this idea of no wig is realistic at this point. I worked straight thru chemo, so am hoping the fatigue is not bad...but I guess we'll see as things unfold.

I'll report back after my sim appt on Monday.

Wishing everyone a happy new year! Out with the old and in with the new...bring on 2014 and let's make it OUR year!

TeamKim, I am with you on catching the light to find some measurable hair growth. It's there, but don't get excited because not much....

Cruiser May, my MO wanted me to wait also, why ? She made me wait too long to start chemo, I shudder that I did not get in her face & scream NO ! My next battle will be waiting to get the Arimidex prescription. I will finish rads way before my next appt. with her....arrrrgg....I saw the Biotin products in Costco, I see that women on this website are using it, but was not ready to put another chemical in my worn out body....should I be using it ?

BethF7, good luck with the Taxol SE..,..it took almost one month for the bone pain to ease up, I still have a little neuropathy in legs & feet..

Reading back on most of my posts,  I sound like a whiney, complaining ol' woman. I wish we could all of met  "before", I really am a positive go getter, athletic, active person. So, thanks to all for letting me rant..

Looking forward to 2014...