Spring 2014 Rads

faerywings - I took an hour and a half for me, three tries. I'm now done with 20 of 28 and doing pretty good. Skin is tanned (some red blotches) and I'm using aquafore to keep it moist but so far so good.

Faerywings - mine took about 30 minutes yesterday.  Today I go for #1.  Out of ????  I never asked - we only talked about standard protocol v the study.  I am assuming 30 sessions but do not know if there are boosts.  I really did not ask a damn question to my RO - I just want to be done.  He said somethings that made me nervous about my "cancer" that no one had ever said so I shut down.   I know no cancer is a good cancer but I felt like he was telling me I that my outcome was not so great.   

Flagirl - The tats are simple.  Just 3 tiny dots.  The tech put a drop of dye on my skin and then did just one needle stick in each place.  I don't have to fuss with markers that fade or tape that comes off. 

Anne - glad you are enjoying the visit with family!

faery, I don't think it should take too long.  It only took my techs a few mins to get me marked and line up the laser beams on me that first time.  I finished 14/21 today.  I only have two full breast txs left and then the 5 boosts, but I was pretty tired today.  I can safely say I think the honeymoon period is over haha.  I am unable to nap or anything during the week, my job is intense and stressful and I am sure that does not help things.  But I made it through and am looking forward to the weekend as well.  My skin has held up amazingly so far.  There is just a slight discoloration where my surgical scar is on my breast. No redness, no itching, nothing -- yet!

We have tornadoes in the area tonight!  Yuck!!

We will indeed get through this.

My sim went amazing well! Got more sharpies and tattoos and I am all set for Monday, The hardest part was trying to breath naturally. I kept taking shallow breaths and then needing to take a bigger one. I asked the team how to best do it and they said to breath normally. That's good b/c I think I would have made myself hyperventilate on monday!

Anne- oh my, I don't know how you are dealing with that kind of wait time. That is brutal!! I have been waiting since monday to hear from my Lyme Dr about my last round of blood work and whether I am going to re-start my IV abx, and it making me  Have a wonderful visit with that fam!

BigD- tornadoes probably scare me more than any other natural disaster. Be safe! Rest up this weekend and good luck with next week.

Travlmom- I am sorry to hear that you shut down. I can't say I blame you one bit. But don't forget that sometimes what we imagine to be is way worse than reality. Many years ago, when I was pog with my dd, I was exposed to some illness, can't remember what it is now. When I spoke to the dr-I-didn't-like-from my group, I asked what would happen to my baby from them. He told me he didn't want me to worry so he wasn't going to tell me. What?? The only thing I could focus on was that my baby was going to die. Turned out that that it was something much less that that.

What is curcumin?  isn't it a spice?  Did you need a script????

Macy - I would mention the pain to your team.  I was having pain in my right shoulder, outside the treatment area, after the first two weeks of treatment.  It turns out that I ended up with a mild case of tendinitis in my right shoulder from the position.  My team worked quickly, but being in the position 5 days a week still took its toll.  My RO recommended Motrin to help deal with the discomfort.  The Motrin helped, but I still feel discomfort when I raise my arm above my head.  My last treatment was yesterday.  I was told to keep an eye on it and call if I need to before my 1 month check up. 

Red:  I'm entering my last week of radiation treatment -- 30 of 33.  I used aquaphor since the first day and didn't notice any significant changes in my skin's color or texture until week 5 (of 6 and 1/2).  I also have lupus.  I had discoid lupus first, which affects the skin, and now I have systemic lupus as my kidneys leak protein.  However, my last nephrologist visit had my protein leaking down to 0 which I think is a result of the chemo (at least something good came out of that).  I finished 4 rounds of TC on 1/8/2014.  Sorry, lost focus, back to radiation.  The roughest part is going everyday.  I live in NY, NY and commuting to the hospital is the worst of it.  You stay in the actual treatment room for less than 10 minutes.  The first few weeks they treat the entire breast.  You just pretty much lay there and you don't feel a thing.  I'm close to the end so I receive more localized treatments where the focus is moreso on the lumpectomy area.  I stay in there less than 5 minutes now.  It feels like a long process, because it is, but gotta do it.  I have a size 44DD breast and my cancer was on my left side.  I am an African American female and from my under arm on down is pretty dark -- about 3 shades darker than my normal complexion.  Underneath my breast -- it's dark, the skin is irriated, and peeling a little.  Sometimes I get shooting pain in the left breast but nothing unbearable.  What's really weird is that my breast has dots like a dalmatian -- NOT SEXY.  Lol.  The RN told me those were hair bumps and they would go away once the treatment ends.  What?  I never had on my breasts before.  Geez.  Oh, and your arm starts to hurt from being prone in the same position for a while -- day after day.  When I looked up radiation skin care on this website, I noticed cornstarch can be used on the breast but lightly -- like a dusting.  I think I'm going to try that and see how it goes.  Good luck to you and hang in there.  You can do it!!!!!  God has us covered.

Remember that rads is trying to kill cells.  Taking some supplements that promotes healthy cell development works against what your treatment is trying to accomplish.

Tammibaby--thanks for the info.  I have not been diagnosed with Lupus, but I have had an elevated ANA Titer result every time its been tested since I was 30... so I mentioned it to the RO during our first consult and she said we would not do the Boost at the end because it might cause the skin to thicken up like the skin on your thighs...  I get those little bumps you are describing from sun exposure--so maybe it is just a little skin break down.  if so, it will eventually go away.  They keep telling me (nurses) that I need a loose fitting cotton bra, but they are hard to find.  I bought a nice one, then I swelled after my lumpectomy and now it is too tight.

The WAlmart sports bra's just don't provide enough support.  I am thinking about trying a nursing camisole thing? 

I hear you about the arm being sore--my surgeon didn't give me any exercises after my lumpectomy and the RO wasn't happy, so Mon a.m. I am to pick up some from her to start doing.  I am going to a cancer center in central IL where I live for my treatments--I was a volunteer gardener working on the butterfly garden outside the treatment rooms for 2 years before I was diagnosed.  I had been in the builidng before, but walking in as a patient was almost more than I could bear.  I think I have 2 wonderful doctors here, but they are so very busy. 

So glad to find this discussion board---I have a lot to learn and this has been such a blessing to read all the tips and advice and encouragement.   

Mikesgirl--thanks for posting about your emotions.  I know you will do just fine.  However, You have just made me realize when I cried all day Wednesday that it was normal..... I went for simulation and it took longer than I expected and I was prepared for 3 tiny tats and got 7 large black marker X's .  I looked at myself in the dressing room at the Cancer Center and if there hadn't been two other ladies sitting on the bench I would have lost it.  I cried off and on all day. and like you said--- I am tough as nails about just about anything.  I am waiting for the phone call about when the "verification" and rads schedule will start.  I cried when I was first diagnosed too--one minute fine, next minute in tears, not doing one damn thing related to the cancer. A lady at the mall put her arm around me, told me she was a survivor and "ITS THE C, Honey, It's the C" that makes you emotional.  I have treasured that moment and wisdom ever since. 

I did not let myself go there but I totally know how you feel.  Not having to go through chemo first, I think that the radiation and going to the cancercare centre made my cancer dx finally feel very real.  Seeing the radiation equipment and all the other people with cancer and finally YOU are a cancer patient.  I put on my social worker cap and visited with everyone else to keep myself out of the role of cancer patient.  It got me through it, but I had those feelings and could have had a complete breakdown.  A good cry or two or three is very healthy, I just did not want to do it.  But I definitely have had my tears too.  Just trying to choose my moments

So...a bit more on what to expect. I'm now 5 days post rads, and I'm now beginning to think the worst is almost over. I was fine until about the day before the last one (a Sunday, so no zaps). Then on the day of my last zap my skin broke down in the most charred place and began oozing what looked like pus (doc and nurse insisted it's normal and just skin sloughing off). Anyway, larger areas broke down Tues, Wed, Thurs, and I went back to the RO on Friday to check if it was ok (not infected). RO said it looked typical and said she thought today or tomorrow (day 5 or 6) would be the worst. It's pretty painful and I'm sort of holed up at home today, but parts are drying out and beginning to peel, which I think is a good sign. After several days of Vaseline embedded gauze, which kept everything moist, I've let it air out, and while it has tightened up a bit, I think this was the right choice. I can't touch the broken skin to put lotion on, but where the skin is intact and new, I'm putting Aquaphor or Biafine.

Trying to control the pain is the current issue, as I can't take the big stuff during the day. Although a little depressing that it gets worse after you're done, I can't imagine hauling myself on that table with my chest looking like this! So, I'm glad the worst part came last...I do see the light now.

TB, can you wear a bra yet?

Lonnie713 - re:Lymphadema - my RO gave me an rx for PT and I went for an evaluation/education last week. I have some range of motion issues with my surgical side so will start PT this week to help with that and to monitor the possible Lymphadema flare up. I am also getting an Rx for compression sleeve and glove to wear when exercising, doing yard work or flying.  You may want to ask your RO for a PR eval.  

Had my planning session, got tattoos - not bad but I now know I won't be getting an artistic tattoo. Can't imagine sitting still for all that. Will start radiation on 4/16.  Thanks to all who are ahead of my schedule for sharing tips!  

Hang in there all - we will be done with RADS and can rest a bit so we can enjoy summer!