Spring 2014 Rads

Hello to All,

Had my simulation CT today, scheduled to start my first of 33 tx march 10th, the same as Pam358. My center scheduled me the same time each day, except on my Herceptin infusion days, then rad tx prior to infusion. Almost cried when I got my 3 dots (tattoos), never had a tattoo before, now forced to get one due to cancer, that just stinks. I finished chemo ( 4 AC, then 12 weekly taxol with herceptin) February 3rd. Had my first full herceptin on February 10th, every 3 weeks till November now. Will have to have ovaries removed, can't take tamoxifen, developed deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism from chemo. On injection for the next 6 months to a year for blood clots. I've been off work since mastectomy in August 2013, will stay off until treatments are completed.  

I still have neuropathy in fingers and toes from taxol. My taste buds seem worse now then when I was still taking chemo. Nose bleeding has stopped. Battling fatigue still.  Are any of you still battling symptoms from chemo? I have started to drop some of the thirty pounds I gained from steriods by watching what I eat and keeping track of calorie intake. 

Best of luck to all during this new phase of our journeys.

Had my last chemo today! YAY!!!  Second consult with RO yesterday and will meet with him again on March 18 for a planning session.  I can't wait to have functioning taste buds again.  And I'm anxious to get my brain back.  I know it will take time, but the clock has now started.  Life is good!

I had my planning appointment for radiation today.  My chest is all marked up with purple sharpie. Simulation will be on march 10 and then I will probably start the following week. RO says he recommends aquaphor and aloe for skin care.  No vitamin C, E or fish oil supplements allowed.

Still feeling tired and having those pains from taxol.  I am looking forward to chemo SEs to be gone, but RO says radiation fatigue will hit after the first two weeks.

Have a great weekend, ladies!

I am half way through chemo!  I have an appointment with the RO next week.  The BS says the radiation therapy will start about 1 week after my last chemo.  Outside of moisturizing what else can I prep for before radiation?

AnnFM - sorry to hear about the blood clots and PEs.  There are genetic factors that influence if you get blood clots and PEs.  I have had blood clots and PEs since I was 22.  I take coumadin every day to prevent DVTs and PEs.  Right now I am on Lovenox shots until Chemo and rads are over.  I decided to keep my ovaries and not take any anti-Es.  My vascular surgeon did say Arimdex was a safer option than Tamoxifin.  Keep the compression wear on as instructed!  Good luck.

Good Evening Ladies,

I finished 4/31 this week. Today was canceled due to bad weather conditions and roads. I'm feeling tightness in the area and fatigue. Not too bad so far. I haven't had any skin problems.

dragonfly, 13/30 - almost half way there!

Macy, I bet you can't wait to be done with chemo. I guess I better not complain about my one hour commute each way. Two hours - that's brutal.

Ann, I really didn't want to have the tattoos. I did my best to get out of them, but in the end I relented. I'm also getting Herceptin infusions during rads. Sorry about your blood clots on top of everything else.

QuirkyGirl, One of my tattoos is at the top of my cleavage too. They tried to make all my tattoos really small.

mapgirl, you may want to check out the Winter Rads thread. So many of the ladies on that thread are finished with rads, and there are some great tips.

TB90, congratulations on finishing your first six!

Mary, last chemo - WOOO HOOOO!

smr, Aren't the drawings wonderful? My drawings where on for over four weeks. I managed to keep them on without fading though.

Special thanks to our leader, Pam!

Quirky, right now no tattoos, just purple sharpie all over my chest.   They drew all over my chest! but I think next visit I will end up with the tattoos and one will be where my cleavage was.

Thank you, Pam, and my best to you for your upcoming Rads.  Looks like we will be having them around the same time.

Finished day 5 this morning. I'm surprised to feel pretty fatigued early in this process. Skin is good though - no reactions. Welcome to anyone who is new. Good luck to anyone starting this week.

Thanks for the info, MsJean. 

I just completed 7/25 today and so far, no SE's at all.  My house is filled with tulips and I plan to maintain this throughout March.  The commute is horrible and we have had snow, blowing snow, freezing rain, etc.  But I have actually made most trips on my own as I am feeling so well.  More snow in the future.  Will this ever end?!  For those of you about to start commuting, this weather will surely get better.  Advise:  Take a thermos of something wonderful to drink (no alcohol Lol) and lots of your favorite music.  I love travelling alone as then I can play my music as loud as I like.  

I love the idea of a butterfly tattoo.

Hi Sunnyside.  I am a police officer undergoing radiation on the right side.  I have been placed on light duty for the entire course of treatment.  We were worried that my vest would exacerbate skin problems.  I am grateful that the department is taking care of me, but I have to say that I am bored most days.  I guess it is a mixed blessing.  I just found this site this morning, so maybe I can pass the time doing something positive. 

Redlessi . . . I have a nurse at my radiation group that is assigned to keeping my skin healthy.  You need to be very careful what you put on while you are being radiated.  My suggestions is to take to RO or the staff in the officer before you put anything on the area that is radiated.  I have a special radiation gel I use 2 times a day, was told not to shave and also told to only use certain soaps and deoderants while in treatment.  If they have not told you, ask and ask again until you feel comfortable that you are informed

Hi StillrunningNLM!  I did decide to stay out totally, my RO felt it would benefit me to be able to just focus on this and nothing else.  Had #1 of 31 today, went well - they gave me Aloe Vesta to put on my skin twice per day, they will adjust the type of cream as time goes on or the need increases (guess it's just best to let them handle this since it is what they do on a day to day basis).  Feeling good, hoping to stay that way.  RO said usually at 3 week point that people start with the burning and/or fatigue issues, I'm hoping to avoid all of it (fingers crossed).  I will be seeing the dietician this week, as its part of the program where I am going - looking to get solid advice on avoiding the fatigue issue.  Seriously considering starting to take Ginseng to head anything off (lots and lots of articles on this, but seems nobody on this page has tried it).  Stay Strong!

Just something I discovered today.  If using aquaphor, put it on while wearing a disposable rubber glove.  Trying to wash it off your hand is a mess, gets all over both hands, rings.  Nurse said three times a day, after rads, afternoon, and before bed.  Shower in the morning before rads to make sure it's all off, then repeat.

1 of 33 done, let the countdown begin. No problem at all with my shoulders.  The techs aren't making me stretch as high as when I did the mold. Sides of the mold are just keeping my arms out of the way of the machine as it moves around.

I've heard of women getting the pink ribbon tattoo, but it just didn't appeal to me.  I'm leaning toward a monarch butterfly.

Girlstrong - The breathing technique is to help keep the radiation off of your heart. I'm having rads after a MX but on the right side.

I had my simulation yesterday and started treatments today. I have 27 more to go. My RO doesn't believe in boosts. It's so weird lying there while they draw on your chest, do a simulation, erase the marks and draw new ones. And then pictures. Good grief.  I hope the rest of the treatments go as well as today. I was delayed two weeks because of snow and really anxious to get started.