Spring 2014 Rads

I am finally finished my Rads!! Doctor told everyone I was the one that broke the machine (I was the last one to use it before it broke). I said it just couldn't handle all my awesomeness!!

I rang the bell...then cried. That caught me off guard! 

Yay Andrea, congrats!!!!

When I finished chemo it was just another day since I still will be there every 3 weeks til Dec for herceptin infusion. Kind of a let down. I will definitely celebrate finishing rads. I just did #5.

I was told that you can resume shaving and using deodorant as soon as rads are done and only if you have no skin breakdown, otherwise to wait until the skin heals.  I shaved all throughout rads, but the treatment for me was not to my nodes, so the skin under my arm was not affected.  I had been using Toms as well, but for me, it just was not effective enough.  Returned to the good old toxic stuff.  I did research and there is not definitive proof that deodorant of any kind promotes bc, but that belief is out there and I too wanted to try to avoid the stuff, but BO is just not an option for me.

I had male techs more than female and actually found them to be more concerned and caring.  Really sweet young men.  They explained that rad techs were originally often trained nurses, thus mostly female.  It is now a separate specialty and attracting all kinds of male students.  I only had to expose my mastectomy so do not feel modest about that at all, but the techs were still so careful to cover me up as much as possible.  My RO just lifts up my top like I am a child.  Kind of shocked me at first, but then realized that he was a totally brilliant nerd and could be on the Big Bang Theory, so he just gets the job done using the most direct route.  Glad he is not my obgyn!    

Havetolaugh----my surgery was right before Mardi Gras, so I said, unfortunately, this year I am not bead worthy........HA.

I have a guy and 2 gals who do my rads---and frankly, I like him better than one of the gals.  But they are all pretty kind.   I took my Xanax at noon, and sailed thru my treatment just fine.   One of them got concerned cause she heard Xanax but thought Ativan and demanded to know if I drove.  HAHAHAH

TB- you are so funny about your BBT nerd-dr.  Although, could you imagine Sheldon being a medical dr? especially an OB/GYN???

I was so ready to get this break today and tomorrow. The exhaustion is really getting bad for me. I have no idea if it is from the rads, the Lyme, the abx I am on, or my freaking hemorrhagic style period, but I slept almost all afternoon yesterday. This has to get betetr soon!

andrea, congrats on finishing rads!! Happy dance!Will you be on HT?

Love reading your posts! Needing a laugh now and then.

I found out yesterday that I am doing 23 full and 8 boosts, (I thought it was 10 boosts) so I only have next week left for full and a wk and a half of boosts. I feel like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

I started putting my California Baby cream on rt after rads appt and it seems like I don't get the pain I was feeling before...or, maybe my nerves and tissue are done being beat up and don't have anything left to feel!  Nurse said to apply 2 or 3 x's. They were telling me once/day when I started. Some pink, but not too bad so far. My LX scar is almost gone. I was afraid the rads would make it worse.

I hope you all are able to get out and enjoy the week-end.

I discovered I had breast cancer from a mammogram done in late January of 2014.  Had a lumpectomy and sentenial lymph node removal in early Feb.  My tumor was less than 1 cm with clear margins and no lymph node involvement.  I knew I would need radiation but was shocked when first oncologist seen felt chemo was recommended in addition to radiation.  I did oncogene testing and my score was 29.  I sought a second opinion who felt chemo would not decrease my risk of re occurance more than about 5%, and that my best option was radiation followed by drugs such as aromatase inhibitors.  This became my decision for treatment.

I have just finished my 25th radiation treatment of the entire breast.  Starting next week I will start 8 boost treatment that target only the bed of where the tumor was removed.  You receive the same dose as before only it is sent to that specific area, not the entire breast.  So far I have handled radiation very well.  My breast at this time is sunburned looking with some tan looking skin close to my incision area.  Mild burning feeling at times mostly relieved with Myoderm cream application twice daily.  Starting to have some mild fatigue but not bad.  Fatigue seems to hit later in the day.  During all this, in early March I tripped over my Great Dane and fractured my left wrist.  Wrist did not heal properly so 2 weeks ago I had surgery where screws and plates were placed to stabilize the bone for proper healing.  Only missed 1 treatment of radiation due to surgery.

I've been through a lot in the last few months but am doing well physically and emotionally.  I feel very lucky to have been treated by all the professionals in various areas.  Would I want to do it again, heck no, and hopefully I won't have to do it again.  If you are in the early stages of learning you have breast cancer you have many options for treatment.  Educate yourself as best you can, listen to the professional, make your decision and don't question it once it is made.  Hope this narrative helps fellow women going through a difficult time in their lives.

keepthefaith- thanks! I need to have a sense  of humor to survive this life!! Although I could live without auto correct on my iPad!!!!

I start taking Tamixifen in a month. So far I have  done well through four surgeries (3 lumpectomies on the left and one one the right) and 33 Rads. I really hope HT goes as smoothly.

My hats off to those if you who had to endure chemo. I am so impressed by your strength!! My Oncotype was 18, so both RO and MO recommended no chemo for me.

My armpit is healing nicely with Silverderm, and everywhere else was fine, so I can't complain. I can't say that I noticed the fatigue, but I have noticed a sudden surge of energy this last week. I just figured my body was tired of everything it had been through all winter and was glad to see spring finally arrive.

I have to say it is so nice having you ladies to share with. I feel like I can't dump on my family so much, and bless their hearts but they can't really understand what we are going through.

Gentle hugs all around!

Andrea

Mom to 3Boys 

Awh I am sorry you feel like that. It's tough. 

Between being bald, having no breasts & yeah now the rad marks showing I figure some one will say something to me. But so far, not really. Then again, I am right out there, so I probably beat them to it & stop them in their tracks LOL

Hang in there, some how I hope you can get to feeling better. It is what it is, this is how things are now, it ain't pretty but we did what needed to be done to save our lives!

I'm with Vintage - be proud of what you are enduring! this is NOT an easy task & many many people have no real clue about the toll, mentally & physically. I am the opposite - sometimes I want to shout it out - Hey people!, I am doing horrible things to my body to try and fight off the cancer growing inside me & i'm mad & sad & not afraid to show it!!! 

I wish we could start a movement for a better cure - cuz this one is jacked up

sorry to speak out so in the midst of all you loving kind women but it upsets me to hear women like momto3 worrying about what people think of her - when she is just taking the only steps given to her, at this time, to keep cancer from taking her life!

Courage & strenght to all you women enduring the "cure" !! it is a tough road - and we may have times( i know i did) when it all seems too much to bear - but ultimately - we are tougher

Hi ladies,

My "stupid things people say" story: I had a cable man come by yesterday. I answered the door with my almost hairless head. He immediately said, "are you trying to grow your hair back from chemo?" I politely answered, "yes, I am TRYING!"  He asks me when I will be done with radiation...how does he know I will be doing radiation? Then, he proceeds to tell me how his wife, who is overweight, got BC 8 yrs ago (like it was her fault) and "she had the kind of BC that can kill you!"  (She is okay, btw).

???  I didn't even know what to say. I think I changed the subject at that point and he rambled on about something else.

This past week I have been feeling much more empowered and been able to go out in public with nothing on my head several times. A year ago, with 12" 's of hair,  I would've never thought it possible. It's amazing how strong we really are, isn't it? Your encouragement and kind words are so appreciated!

((HUGS))

Redheaded1 and Faerywings I am kind close to both of you in days of treatment I am wondering how you two are doing skin wise. I had 12 of 33 on Friday and woke up Saturday afternoon after working with more red splotches and multiple small blisters all over chest-not actual breast but more collar bone to cleavage. SO ITCHY! Tried Cortisone and Radiagel from radiation oncologist but didn't help much. I worked all weekend and it is making me nervous to have so many small open areas even under scrubs. May need to wear a t-shirt, too just for extra protection. I am so thankful they had to cancel Thursday because of issues with machinery. See Dr today so will see if he has anything else to help itching and please if someone else has recommendation I am up for it. Really not sore but crazy itchy! Faerywings I grew up on beach in NJ-most of my family still there not sure area where you are from. I moved to Florida first at 19 so I have had more than my share of sunburns and unfortunately have already had skin cancer. I have put my freckled fair skin through the mill already- I think it is fed up with me!  Hope you all got recharged over weekend.

Have2laugh---What crème (radiagel?  is it a gel)  did you say you were using?  Could you be having a sensitivity to the crème?  Maybe you need something that is thicker like a creme.  (Cetaphil, Calendua from a health food store, or Aquaphor for over the counter--I'd suggest X-clair if your doc will give a script. You cannot have a nut allergy and use X-clair)  You need to apply it from your clavicle to below your boob then go from your middle between the two breasts to the your side, including your under arm and the tissue that comes from your shoulder down to below your armpit--- because that area is up above your head, it gets exposed, even if they are NOT radiating your lymph area. Be sure to cover the entire breast well, including underneath, sides (both), and  underneath.  If you have stickers, try to go Around them so they stay put, but up to the edges.

Be sure to be generous with the crème.  I am going thru a 75ml tube a week, applying it after treatment, at bedtime and early am ( I get my rads at 1pm so I put it on by 7.  Do not apply any cremes closer than 4 hours to treatment) 

I was told to use hydrocortisone crème for itching.  I haven't yet. But if your skin is doing this you should.  DO NOT APPLY closer than 4 hours to treatment.   I was told to apply it at least 20 minutes AFTER my crème.  You want your crème on first, and absorbed.

I bought mens cotton U necked sleeveless T shirts (wife beaters) at Target. I have also got cotton sports bra that is one size bigger than I need.  I put the cotton t shirt on first, and the bra over the top.  This sort of keeps the crème from staining my bra/clothes, but not entirely.  XClair is tan like foundation and it does not wash out well.

I can tuck it under the boob to protect skin from rubbing. And It jus feels nicer.  I sleep in the t-shirts to with a pajama bottom.  Yes, sometimes they see the t-shirt. 

My skin is doing ok.  I am using the XCLAIR prescription crème. BUT, I have a fungal infection underneath by breast--and so I am now putting Lotrimin on it and they are re-checking it today.  This is something I struggle with every spring/summer because I am big busted.  I made a "prop" out a empty toilet paper roll covered in a cotton sock and stuffed it underneath to keep skin from touching skin over the weekend....

Keepthefaith- Just got home from treatment and saw PA today.Trying Topicort twice a day which I just picked up-essentially higher concentration cortisone type cream. I did learn that radiation will take care of all little precancers so will save some time at dermatologist down the road. The PA is very nice girl as is everyone else there but I do miss seeing the radiation oncologist. I saw him before any surgery so it is nice when you touch base with someone who has been there each step. It also doesn't hurt that he is handsome, super smart and nice-plus he hugs all his patients each visit. Other than my family I am usually not a hugger but he is reforming me! Coincidentally, my surgeon and my radiation tech are also good looking guys. You would think spending a few months topless surrounded by handsome men would be more fun than this! Oh, well. Hope this last regular week is kind to you!

mom2threeboys---I had 7 markings.  Mine were big and black .  But by 6 treatments in, I was down to just three.   So perhaps, some of them were to help me find the area to lotion up,  So take heart---it wll get better.   Think of them as red badges of courage. 

First they took the one away that was underneath my breast,  then a couple days later the one on the far outside (actually on my side and not my boob) and then the ones at upper part.  Now I just have one on the outer breast near my scar, one smack dab between my breasts and one one on the breast not being treated.  they asked me Friday if I'd like a tattoo for the middle one, and I said no.  I understand them seeing the big black mark, but I am scared they might mess up trying to find a freckle size dot on my already freckled and spotted skin.  I too overdid the sun tan thing in my younger days..... 

I'm glad you shared your feelings---it helps me to know that I am not the only one with the anxiety and the frustrations.  We are all in this together, girlfriend, and the folks here will be right there for you.