Spring 2014 Rads

Thanks flagirl!

 yes I do see that light at the end of the tunnel! The herceptin infusion every three weeks til Dec won't be a biggie at all, I'm used to that. And everything else is behind me! Just need to get through rads!

Wow, I just finished #3/25 radiation tx, I also went back to work last week, I am soooo tired. Last week was a short week, I am off on Wednesdays and Friday was a holiday. I don't know how I will manage, I worked throughout chemo and did fine. I guess with surgery and now rads it is catching up with me. Is anyone else exhausted after rad tx? And this is only tx#3,WTH!!

So glad some of you are almost done with your tx! 

Hi Momto3boysaz, I have silicon implants and have completed 20 of 28 rads so far. Had a small subcutaneous infection in the breast that is not being radiated that was taken care of with an antibiotic. So far I do not see any implant related issues.

lots of posts! I love It!! peeled more over the weekend underneath my new "breast" they put me on the antibiotic today (not sure it's that bad but i'm all about clearing this up pronto!) I was chosen for the regular silver infused one - not the new honey - kind of glad cuz it sounded super messy!!

Vintage i was worried about getting wiped out also & that was not the case for me - of course i didn't do much but go to work and then couch sit til bedtime

Faery so is it like a wet suit top? or lighter? can u get short-sleeve?..i will internet shop...

Anne i'm afraid the tightness stayed with me the whole time - mostly bad towards evening -felt better in the morning. I would take 1/2 hydrocodone after work & it would ease up.

never had to hold my breath don't know what that's about...will see the Doc tomorrow...have a Herceptin treatment Wed but after this week will go for almost a month without ANY appointments of any kind!! cannot wait!! 14 days til FL CANNOT believe i'm almost done 

Hang in there, ladies!! the sun will rise

Mom- good luck to you too!

Gram- I am so much more tired than I thought I would be too. I hope that it goes away soon.

Not- yeah, like a wet suit top but I picked out one that is not tos tight. There are long and short sleeved ones. Check out amazon, kohls and pacsun

Momto3boyz-

I am little bit ahead of you-started 4/9 so a little behind faerywings above. Your doctors are so right-everyone is different. I went into radiation thinking it would be a piece of cake besides scheduling work and arranging for my 3 year old during treatment time. One of my sisters had radiation for IDC and really had no problems at all. My surgeries for DCIS were more involved than hers and my location-under the nipple-obviously is a sensitive area. I have had a difficult time already but as my surgeon said you have to consider what you went through before hand and we are all different. Once I got more realistic in my expectations I have set my mind that I can do five more weeks-some women have chemo for years, I can do this. So it will still be a piece of cake comparatively just not the flavor I expected! In terms of creams, the PA at radiation has given me a couple creams, suggested cortisone for itchy areas already starting, and I am able to use aloe a friend got me. I live in SW Florida so it is already mid 80's here. I cheat on the shaving once a week with new razor each time but I am told I won't need to or want to pretty soon. For those looking for coverage try looking at Columbia SPF shirts-very light weight. We use on boat and I just steal my husbands. Good luck to you all.

I'm hoping for a good path report tomorrow at the BS's office which will mean radiation in stead of chemo. I wanted to address the implant issue. I have saline implants and my PS removed the one in my left breast and put a temp expander type in there because he said rads could cause it to harden. I will have it removed and get new implants about 3-4 months after I finish rads. I'm interested in why you were able to keep yours in.  I wonder if it has to do with saline vs. silicone

Hi VintageGal,

I live in Portsmouth - most of my care was at Lahey in Peabody but it's such a hassle to drive there every day so I asked to have my treatments done in Dover so I would not miss so much work.  I go to Wentworth Douglas and love the team there!  The techs are wonderful and my radiation oncologist is awesome. 

20-25 seconds might not sound like a long time but it can be!  I have to hold for 30 seconds for the first treatment and then 15 for the second treatment.  It will be SO MUCH easier if you practice every morning.  Also, heads up - when I first went for the sim, I had to take a full deep breath (which is easier to hold) but for my treatments, it ended up being like a 3/4 deep breath so I had to adjust!  At first it feels like you don't have enough air in your lungs.

I know right?  About the goggles?  Would be more comforting to watch the line yourself to know if you were in the zone!!!!

Are you going to Dover for your treatments?

Donna

Good Morning Ladies!

Had my first rad yesterday.  Left me with a couple questions.   Has anyone else been told not to use Ibuprofen while on Tomaxifen?   Reason for asking as the tech girls in the radiation room suggested a Advil before I come in each day and was told by friend not to take Advil or Motrin while on Tamoxifen.  Not a fan of Tylenol so trying to figure out what I can take that won't interfere with the Tamoxifen.  

The girls so recommended to use Coconut oil on the radiated area.  Where would I find Coconut oil?  Looked at Wallyworld yesterday however I could not find it by the lotions.

TY

Pam

I think I love this board . Thank you for all the insight!  

Homemom~ I had a lumpectomy and they did an MRI on implants before surgery to ensure no leaking, etc.  They never mentioned removing it, but last week after my 1 month surgical follow-up PS came in afterwards (I got to MDA, so multidisciplinary all in one building) as I wanted him to see me before rads and truly discuss what I could expect.  But, he did expect me to have some issues and explained what could happen?  I don't know maybe the area being radiated.  It is my left side, 3:00 close to my chest wall.  They weren't sure if they could get clean margins, but they did 1mm.  I don't have much tissue either.

Havetolaugh~Hope it gets easier, but all my Dr's cautioned me that it might be very easy, but it might not they cannot predict how each of us will react, skin, fatigue etc.

I'm one of those lefties that has to hold her breath too.  Or do righties have to hold their breath too?

On the tamoxifen issue, I've met with oncologist, but will meet with her again after rads are over to begin tamoxifen and it will be 5 years.  Any cancer only feeds off estrogen if you are ER+ and that is the type you want, so many anti-hormonals they can throw at it.

Hi Donna

 I was born and brought up in Portsmouth. I've had all my cancer care at WDH cancer center! Great bunch of people there! Had my second rad today then a quick vist from rad onco dr.  I will be there next Tuesday for a longer time, I have my Herceptin infusion in the morning then rads. 

 And you have dogs? 

Lyn

Anneb, what is the prescription crème----Is it Xclair?  Let me know if it is I found a way to get it (my insurance won't cover) and youget 1 tube free for every tube you order---a great great deal.

congrats Girlstrong! Happy Dance for you!

#15 today. So far, so good! My sleeping pattern is messed up for some reason the past few nights though. Maybe the chemo fatigue is gone and I am back to my old insomnia ways.

I hope the rest of you are doing well!

Congrats Girlstrong !  It is always encouraging to hear about those who are finished.