Winter 2013-2014 Rads

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  • Furfriend2
    Furfriend2 Member Posts: 299
    edited February 2014

    BTW,

    I am 6 weeks out from chemo and just a little bit of white fuzz is starting to sprout on my headLoopy!!! 

     I lost all of my eyelashes and my brows are almost gone now.  I see microlashes starting to come in though, yeah!!

    Fur

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited February 2014

    Lilyluv:  Radiation can most definitely cause blood issues and this may also contribute to your fatigue.  They can address the white blood count, but you will also need to take it easy and eat your protein. You are also more susceptible to infection right now so lots of TLC.

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  • lauriekaiser
    lauriekaiser Member Posts: 8
    edited February 2014

    you are right, Miminiemi.  bag balm was used to soothe chapped udders on milk cows.  People have been using them on their own skin for decades.  It works but has a strong odor (My opinion.)  My RO recommeded Aquaphor.  I used it on my breast, my lips for chapping and on my hands for dryness.  It doesn't have any odor. My dermatologist recommended it for my lips.   There is never a "good'  time to get cancer but for me, the winter is especially hard.  It's cold and dark where i live.  I'm tired enough that I don't feel like engaging in hobbies that I normally would like to do.  Am I indulging in self pity?  Does anyone else feel this way?  What have you tried to feel better?


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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited February 2014

    Laurie:  May I join in your pity party.  I live in Manitoba and we have broke records for the worst ever winter.  And you can just imagine how bad that would have to be.  I have been rewarding myself after radiation treatments with tulips, etc. for the house.  Once it does start to warm up, I cannot even imagine the mess from all the flooding we will have.  Oh I just cannot wait to dig into my garden! 

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  • mcgis
    mcgis Member Posts: 291
    edited February 2014

    Hi All! Tomorrow is my last of 33 rads! I used Udderly Smooth religiously. I took it with me so when i went to change back into my shirt I just slathered it on in the changing room. I have one spot in my armpit area that is peeling a bit but with tomorrow being my last one/boost I think I should be ok. I've been massaging my implants here and there. They seem to be ok. Does anyone know how long radiation lasts in your body and how long we could expect side effects. I know we are all different but is there a general time? Could it cause problems with my implants months from now? 

    I do have some fatigue. I'm OK during the day but by 6pm I am done. I am so ready for bed. Making dinner and getting homework done is so difficult. We eat out a lot.  Wonder how long that will last? 

    All my best to you all. I think the worst part was having to go everyday. I wear my husband white undershirts to bed so the lotion doesn't ruin my jammies. Udderly Smooth isn't too greasy and at bed I put enough on that you can still see it on my skin. Don't forget to get your back and armpit area too!!

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  • RedReading
    RedReading Member Posts: 2,143
    edited February 2014

    LilyLuv keep asking questions. Your RO should be answering them every week. And no this isn't a Canada/US thing. This is common courtesy. Your doc is not so important that he can't answer those things you inquire about. Don't let him do that 'principals office ' thing to you sweetie.

    Furfriend I started same day as you but I'm on the Cdn protocol. It'll be interesting to compare SE's between the two protocols. I have 16 plus 4 boosts. 3 days in, I am pink especially on my nipple, and fatigue has already got me. I want to nap now and it's only 3:25 pm. Sigh

    TB90, we had a Raleigh guy who came around with cure-alls and stuff in powder form that you could make root beer and coke out of. Lol swore by his ointment for years and years. Now using Ozonol as our cure-all.i

    Minus Two - we don't have Walgreens up here. Sounds like they sell everything. Lol. (((hugs))) hope things are going better for you now.

    Annikka, Yay to not hearing sometimes. You're further along than you thought. What good news! 

    Kim, still thinking of you girl. What's happening? Are yiu okay?

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  • sbpop
    sbpop Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2014

    Laurie, I understand how you feel about feeling low. I wonder if some of my feeling crappy is because of new estrogen drug, but the weather gets to me, too.  Dont be too hard on yourself. I think a little pity party is okay if we just dont let it last too long. I had a really good cry on Friday for no particular reason (other than thinking about my cancer and rads, which is a good enough reason!)   Its good that you recognize you might be having a little pity party.  If you know what it is, its easier to overcome.  I try to find something to do, even if its just reading a book or taking a nap. Magazines are good. The don't require a lot of concentration. 

    Let it out, girl!  Feel those feelings then let them go. This, too, shall pass.

    Love, and God bless,  ♥♥♥

    Susan

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited February 2014

    Furfriend, Red, Sbp and me.  We all started rads within two days of each other, if I have that correct.  If I omitted anyone, please join in.  Mcgis, we all wish we were there, but thanks for your encouragement.  I want to go back to check where Lilyluv is at, but if I do, I will lose this page.  Now I almost have all my ducks lined up :)

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  • Furfriend2
    Furfriend2 Member Posts: 299
    edited February 2014

    Red,

    so in Canada the protocol is 20 rounds of Rads., US- it is usually 30/33 depending on stage of cancer? I am not familiar.

    Thanks for sharing,

    Fur

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  • sbpop
    sbpop Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2014

    Furfriend, Red and TB90, 

    Starting rad 4 treatment tomorrow and thinking of all of you. Hope we have a good, side-effect-free week!

    Is anyone working while doing rads?

    Love, and God bless!  ♥♥♥


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  • annika12
    annika12 Member Posts: 433
    edited February 2014

    the only way I can get over the fatigue is to ignore it lol napping makes it worse !! Through my entire ordeal (started in may2013) I have kept myself on a strict eating, exercising, resting and sleeping schedule it seam to work for me :) I'm glad its winter but also can't wait for spring and not so many doctor appointments !!!! I have come to really really not like Mondays ....weekends I feel so "normal" and then SLAM Monday hits you in the face.......I'm a cancer patient again :( 

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited February 2014

    Sbp; I wanted to work as I thought how it would help me to feel normal, but my dr. would not let me.  She is quite protective and even my short term disability worker told me to just stay home.  I love my job and have been "volunteering" throughout my surgery and treatment.  My DH (a trained chef) and I have been providing the teens cooking lessons and I still see a client or two who is very much at risk. I am a suicide prevention worker on a First Nation Reserve.  It is not (always) stressful work for me as I have been doing this for 31 years and it really is so easy to prevent most suicides when we know that someone is feeling suicidal.  It is when they do not tell us that it is so difficult or when addictions are added to the issue.  I love working with the youth as they are sponges for nurturing and care. 

    But I am very fortunate that I can choose when I am going to work.  And good thing too as my apt time changes daily.  Can you believe that??

    Are you going to work?  Lots of women on here have.  Let's hope we are all feeling very well throughout all of this.     

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  • TB90
    TB90 Member Posts: 992
    edited February 2014

    Annika:  Where are you in your rad treatment?  I get how hard it is to face the treatments during the week.  I hate entering the CancerCare doors.

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  • RedReading
    RedReading Member Posts: 2,143
    edited February 2014

    Sbp, I'm on day 4 tomorrow too. I'm working through this. You?

    Furfriend, yes, the Cdn protocol is 16+4. The rad intensity is higher but skin damage is less, or so they tell me. This protocol is also being used in the UK and parts of Europe. It has been tested for 15 years and there is no measurable difference in survival rates or recurrence from what I've read. The US docs are lobbying pretty hard for this protocol. In fact, a number of my US BCO friends are already on it. 

    TB90 I think LilyLuv is with us if I recall correctly. And I'd like to join you in wishing Mcgis well on her last day of rads. 

    Yay! Pocket party!!!!

    Kim?

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  • TeamKim
    TeamKim Member Posts: 568
    edited February 2014

    Red -- thanks for asking about me.  I am fine -- a little burnt, especially under my armpit, but only one more whole breast zap, then 5 boosts and I am done.  This was a busy weekend with lots of phone calls with DS who was hit in the head with a pitch during baseball practice on Friday (he's a freshman in college on the other coast), and they are putting him through the 6 day concussion protocol, even though they think he is probably fine.  It is hard for him to be patient with the enforced physical and mental rest, and hard for me not to be there to mother him through it -- a test for all of us, for sure.  So I have been reading here on our thread, but not posting much for a couple of days.

    Mcgis -- congrats on your last day tomorrow, if I got that right?  Whoooo Hoooo!!  Pocket party for sure!!!  Red, it's your turn to bring the bubbly!  Check in with us, Mcgis, and let us know what it feels like to be D-O-N-E!!!!

    So nice to see that we have a group on the same schedule just starting out last week -- you all can compare notes as you go along.  

    Sbp -- I have worked throughout my chemo and rads treatments (I am a professor) out of the necessity to support my family.  Staying home was really not an option.  In the end, although there have been some difficult days, I think I have gotten through it easier because I was working.  It gave me a reason to get up and get dressed, and once I was at the University, I always had more energy and plenty to distract me from feeling sorry for myself.  I think if I was at home the time might not have passed as quickly for me -- but that is just me.  Everyone has to decide for herself what is the best course, but most important is to listen to your own instincts for what is best.

    Lily, as some others have said, CBC (blood count) test results are helpful for the docs as they can see how well our bodies are rebounding from the treatments.  I learned a lot about blood counts during chemo.  Rads can impact blood count as well -- it is important to eat well and to drink a lot of water and other fluids, since your body is working hard to repair the damage from the rads zaps (the zaps don't only get cancer cells, they damage healthy cells too -- but given the right fuel in the form of a good diet and fluids, new healthy cells can grow, where the cancer cells just die off -- at least that's the plan).

    Fur, good to see you again -- I am about 9 weeks post chemo and have about a half inch of hair -- it is so exciting to see that fuzz coming in, isn't it?  I can't wait until I have enough to actually look like it is a hairstyle so that I can sometimes go out without a wig or hat.

    Annika - I have always hated Mondays, and BC has made my attitude worse.  But try to keep your eyes on the prize at the end, and cross those days off the calendar, Mondays and all the other ones.  Treat yourself so something for each week when you make it through!

    Hope you all had good weekends -- all of you in the frozen Northeast, please be careful, and everyone have a week of smooth sailing with treatments.  (((((Hugs))))) to you all!!

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  • Miminiemi
    Miminiemi Member Posts: 340
    edited February 2014

    I think the under arm tan is very common.  Mine sure is.  But tonight I'm babying that raw peeling moist area beneath breast.  Used the Domboro and think I'll not use lotion on that moist area.  Any thoughts on that?  I left it bare all during Downton Abbey tonight, but then did the soak.  A friend had a nurse suggest a hair dryer on cool for a different body part.  So, no lotion there???

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  • alfranco
    alfranco Member Posts: 200
    edited February 2014

    28 done. This week I start my 5 boosts. Starting to peel and itch. Hope you are all doing well. Congrats to those that are finishing.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2014

    Re-asking Mcgis question - 

    "Does anyone know how long radiation lasts in your body and how long we
    could expect side effects. I know we are all different but is there a
    general time? Could it cause problems with my implants months from now"

    I to am hoping to make it through w/o too much damage to my implants since my PS has already refused to re-do implants in radiated skin.

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  • TeamKim
    TeamKim Member Posts: 568
    edited February 2014

    Miminiemi -- I have been airing out the girl in the evening, then put on a layer of Miaderm and let it soak in, then put Aquaphor all over and dab a little Neosporin on any sore sports.  I do my soak in the morning, and use the hair dryer on cool to dry it thoroughly, then just use Miaderm (it absorbs all the way and doesn't stay greasy for going to work).  My zaps are at 3:30, and in the dressing room I slather on the Miaderm and follow up with Aquaphor when I get home.  Over the weekend I have also used some 100% Aloe gel in between during the day, and it feels so nice -- the feeling only lasts about an hour, but it is a relief during that hour -- my underarm spot is sore constantly, but hasn't peeled.... At least not so far. 

    MinusTwo -- if no one on this thread gets back to you and Mcgis, you might check out the Radiation Recovery thread and ask your question there -- they have some distance from the end of rads, and can probably give you guys some help.

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  • Miminiemi
    Miminiemi Member Posts: 340
    edited February 2014

    Teamkim.  I'm all done with rads, but have a raw peeled spot.  I think I'll let it dry out tonight and see what the nurse suggests in the morning.  I'm flying to Arizona tomorrow, so want to heal up or stop from getting worse. Thanks..  I don't have miaderm, but do have aloe, vitamin E cream from doc, hydrocortisone cream. Calendula cream.. ...they all moisturize pretty well.  I'm just not sure I need more moisture there!

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  • Lilyluv
    Lilyluv Member Posts: 160
    edited February 2014

    thanks Redreading TB90 and Kim.  I,ll mention the blood test tomorrow.  Something tells me that he,ll just say that it,s normal for this then.  PArdon the weird typing...have a hard time typing on the iPad.   THE doc answers questions but you just get the impression  that none of this is unusual and so everything will straighten out on its own.  He doesn't give any suggestions about diet.  Even the nutritionist didn't mention protein or any special nutrients.  She basically said to eat 6 fruits and vegetables every day.      The nurse did say that if you're tired to give yourself permission to rest and that exercise can help.  Tomorrow is last whole breast rads and setup for boosts.  I imagine there's some sort of follow up.  You have a meeting on the last day with the nurse.   I sure won't miss any of this.  They show you a chart to indicate your level of fatigue which is kind of meaningless.  I can be energetic at 11am and then laying on the couch a couple hours later.

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  • annika12
    annika12 Member Posts: 433
    edited February 2014

    TB90- Today is 20 out of 26 full and then 8 boosts. I also have a clean my med port out appointment ( they cant get blood from it)and a herceptin treatment !!!

    Teamkim- I play soccer in an over 30 coed league on Friday and Sunday Its my treat at the end if a week. I love how the other players see me as just a player :) When I was to sick to play they treated me as an" injured" player who is coming back !! 

    Happy Monday everyone !!! So thankful for all who did this before us ........

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  • LanaM
    LanaM Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2014

    A radiation brochure I have says "radiation therapy does not kill cancer cells right away. It takes days or weeks of treatment before cancer cells start to die. Then, cancer cells keep dying for weeks or months after radiation therapy ends." On side effects it says "most of these side effects go away within 2 months after radiation therapy is finished. Late side effects may first occur 6 or more months after radiation therapy is over. Everyone is different." Hope that helps! I am 23 days post rads & feel pretty good! Good luck all!

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  • LizzieK
    LizzieK Member Posts: 67
    edited February 2014

    Hi MinusTwo

    Just wanted to clarify the radiation itself does not stay in your body but it's effect on the cells does continue over time.  My own experience with radiation with my other cancer (throat in 2011) was that the effect on your body gets worse for a while (skin, fatigue, soreness) and then you start to heal.  The skin heals the fastest (about 2 weeks) because those cells divide the fastest.  I got twice the breast radiation dose to my neck and still have some redness and some new spider veins on my neck where I got radiation 3 years ago.  There was a good post from a radiation oncologist on this site explaining exactly how radiation effects the skin.  

    I am headed for my last treatment today at noon, will post tonight.

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  • mcgis
    mcgis Member Posts: 291
    edited February 2014

    TeamKim...I'm done! I am very very happy that I can check that off my "list" of things to do, to get done during this journey. I do think I would be more celebratory if I didn't have lymphedema because that is a life long thing to have to deal with. I'm glad it's over though and it's nice to not have to go everyday.

    My best to you all. There is a light at the end of the tunnel!!

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  • lovewins
    lovewins Member Posts: 881
    edited February 2014

    Hello ladies...I haven't posted a lot here I am at 23/32 treatments.  I have very fair skin and large breasts and unfortunatley my skin broke and it has been very painful this past week.  Last Friday my RO suggested I take a break and I wanted to keep on going so I had my last treatment on Friday and called today to say I am taking a break and asked for some pain medication.  I have been back to work and going to radiation so I haven't spent as much time here as I did for many months because I am too tired.  I have a question maybe someone can help me with....after the skin break I am not sure how much pain I need to endure to continue on.  Last night I kept waking up and a lot of moisture is coming out of my breast.  I will see the RO on Wed. when he is in again but I am just wondering how much pain to expect as I finished rads.  I wish you all the best in your journey and I am thankful for any info. 

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  • dragonfly45
    dragonfly45 Member Posts: 25
    edited February 2014

    I just was on the spring rad site when i saw a link to this site.  I started reds on 2/10 and have completed 10 of 30.  I am feeling pretty good right now but am aware that could change any day now.  My R Dr, has me using creams twice a day everyday, no long hot showers.  I would check with the rad Dr's before using bag balm, however my sister is a farmer and they use it for everyting.   I cannot use my salve for four hours before treatements, and have been given only several creams to chose from that do not affect the rads. Even my deordorant and shower soap have to be all natural. 

    I had to have a cyst aspirated the first week of rads.  Apparently it was aggraviated by the radiation and just blew up.  It was very uncomfortable until the surgeon aspirated, and it is much smaller now and more comfortable, however it may come back and would have to be aspirated again.

    I feel bad for you out there who have to pull teeth to get info from your dr's.  I am blessed that mine are very forthcoming and have been wonderful.   It is difficult to be dealing with everything we are going thorugh and then not have a sympathetic Dr.  Try making a list of questions ahead of time.  I did this in the beginning and it really helped.   

    I finished Chemo on Jan 24 and am patiently waiting for my hair to grow back.  Nothing yet.  I have very skimpy brows and the eyelashes are a sad state of affairs.  I vowed however to use mascara even if i only have one eye lash.  :):) 

    Have a good week everyone.  The countdown is ticking its way to SPRING!, Warm sunshine, maybe some hair and Rads over! 

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  • desalonde
    desalonde Member Posts: 41
    edited February 2014

    Hi, I am in the boost phase and I have today received boost #6 out of advised 8 and completed 28 treatments of whole breast.

    Is there anyone else out there who has had 28 whole breast and 8 boosts? I am really worried about the higher boost dose and wonder what your experience has been with later side effects on the breast appearance and consequences to arm stiffness or edema, etc

    Thanks

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2014

    I was supposed to start rads in January with many of you. Unfortunately, I developed a few lumps that had to be investigated before starting. I'm happy to say, I had my first zap today. I'll be getting 25 regular zaps and 6 boosts. I was told not to use anything on my skin other than 100% Aloe Vera Gel. I've kept up on the thread and was thrilled to watch many of you graduate. Thanks to everyone that has shared information. I've learned a lot from all of you. TeamKim, thank you for being such a wonderful team leader to us all. One down, thirty to go.

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  • Rlsteadman
    Rlsteadman Member Posts: 76
    edited February 2014

    Checking in. I am 5 days post rads. I peeled a lot under my arm over the weekend. It is a light pink underneath. My boosts were close to the nipple. It was pretty sore over the weekend but it feels better today. Congrats to every getting close or finishing rads!

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