Spring 2014 Rads

ouch,  Vintage Gal! I'm set to start rads this coming Tuesday. I'm eager to get it going but still haven't fully recovered my energy from chemo and now I have a cold. It may be a long time before I feel normal, huh?

Hi Ladies,

Finished rads on Wednesday! So glad to have it out of the way. I am healing very well. Never had the real bad reactions that some of you are experiencing. Some mild itching, red bumps,  sensitivity and pain, but I am healing well and the only red area now is the boost area. The rest is tan. I never had fatigue. I will meet with my MO soon to start HT. 

Have a wonderful week-end! 

Gramof2boys - we will finish at the same time! My underarm is dark (not red or pink) and I have a tiny fold area when I hold my arms above my head that the tech said will get red.

AKJ  so far I have no fatigue from rads though the nurse and RO keep asking and telling me to expect it. I said NOPE! I do not plan anymore fatigue! LOL  I started rads one month post BMX and two month post chemo. Started back at the gym just before rads and sure hope I don't lose any stamina or strength I have gained. Good luck! 

Vintagegirl-- Yes, it sorta looks like that but I have a large oval patch of bumps midline.  I have a perfect straight line from mid breast to the the underarm, like a sunburn line from wearing a tube top----I mean straight as a pencil line.  It still feels hot this a.m., which has never happened.  I slept till 8:30, which also never happens.  I put on the Aquaphor and while it feels very moisturizing within a short period, it burns and itches. I think it is in response to my rubbing my skin.

Has anyone else been told by their RO towards the end that the crème they are using may have stopped being effective and they should switch out? 

If so, did you see improved results/

Hi Gramof2boys

I have been thinking of what to get the techs also- I finish a week from this Wed. I've seen a lot of people mention baking cookies, but it don't bake, so that isn't going to work. So I am going to get them a fruit bouquet. It's where they cut up fresh fruit and make them look like flowers. It's different, pretty and healthy. I think the name of the company is Edible Treats or something and I believe it is nationwide. Just a thought...

HI ladies! How is everyone doing? Hope that you are all enjoying not having to go to rads today! I am 1 1/2 weeks out and wow, am I peeling! I was being a baby the other day and whined to my friend that all I want is to be able to wear a bra again! I am also tired of raiding my son and hubby's closets for big t shirts, mine are all more form fitting.

I am feeling a bit "off" -- more "bad" news from my Lyme dr that my white blood cell count has dropped very low again so I am off my I abx for a while. I know that my body is just desperately trying to get its equilibrium back.  But I have never been a patient person, so why the heck start now??? 

Anne- I bet since the techs proab get lots of cookies, a fruit bouquet would be a very appreciated change of pace, esp since we are entering bathing suit season.

Red that amazed me too- how perfectly *straight* the red lines were. Crazy, right?

Hugs to all of you!

hugs fakery wings, that's what happen to me during taxotere chemo. My white blood cells were very low but it went back to normal. Lots of prayers going your way

Redheaded1

 you may be having a reaction to the petroleum product in the aquaphor like i did.The 100% aloe is so much better for me. At least we have the weekend for a break!

Hi everyone 

I went to a health food store and got aloe gel, but wasn't sure if it was the "right" one so I took it with me to rads. The tech took it to the Dr to check, and she said it is fine, but not to use it till I finish treatment. I am flying home to Ft Laud a few hours after I finish treatments, and won't need it there- I have a huge aloe plant in my backyard! I am using Radia-gel only - don't know if it is helping at all. I've been using it since day one, so I have no idea what I would be like without it. I am very red and it is starting to hurt, but I only have 2 full tx's and 5 boosts left.

Anne

Redheaded1 , flagirl,

Today I feel that I am getting my energy back, littlebit. But yesterday and Friday, I experienced fatigue as never before. 

Looks like this is going to be pattern ahead. 

I have question, Do you feel same fatigue during boost also? Or do you start getting your energy back during week of boost? 

I am going to have 30 total treatments, Out of which last 5 will be boost. 

LindyWindzy, thanks for information. Feels like my nipple might need cool roll coming weeks. 

Hi all---might be a bit better today, I slept till 9:oo a.m.  I am just amazed at some of the things your RO's are letting you try----- I got all my papers from my Doctor out and re-read all of it and it says nothing hot (heating pad, hot water bottle) and nothing cold---(ice bag, etc), no tanning beds, no heat lamps, no sun bathing. or sun exposure   to the treatment area.    I gave the Cetaphil crème another try, it didn't burn quite as much .  I am still really red under arm under boob and where my breast incision is.   There is a patch on my middle chest that when I shrug my arms inwards, feels like it will crack---but to touch it or look at it, it doesn't look tight or real bad.

Fight BC- my nurse says that the fatigue diminishes a couple of weeks after treatment stops----.  She told me Friday to take it easy over the weekend-- My nipple felt really sore during weeks 3-4 and then now, its not so tender.   I am not doing boosts.

Anneb take care---be sure to tell them about the pain.   I am not sure the Rad Techs would mention anything or not to the doctor.  I am going to have hard time getting two back to back after the Friday and weekend experience.    I would welcome a two day break in between Monday and Tues.......

ps: don't tell my Onc! lol

I use miaderm.  I just recently developed a burn on my collar bone that's it.  No rash, no blistering.  Other than that, I have no SE's.  This is my last week....woot woot.  Friday can't come soon enough.  

keeping the faith, muska, not buying it- Thanks for the encouragement! I really am in awe of you ladies when I see all you are conquering. Not buying it -you said something I can relate to when you said you looked around and you wondered who else might be going through the same thing. We never know what others are going through. A few years ago after the birth of my youngest,who is three, I went into heart failure. I remember being out and about trying to grocery shop-regular things with a newborn and adjusting to medications that at times really dropped my blood pressure. I literally had to ask a stranger to stay in the rest room one time in the grocery store when I had her in the stroller. I felt like I was going to faint and I thought damn it I am not going to faint AND wet myself in this store. Moral of the story-a year later I was able to come off meds and my preop echocardiogram was my first normal one but during the time I was having major heart troubles I looked like just another 40 year old mom. (aka Tired!) Sometimes what another person is going through isn't obvious so let's hope these times make us softer and even more kind to others.

Have done fairly well but last week has been a challenge so Redheaded1- I can relate. Extremely red/purple and sore-especially site where lymph nodes removed and nipple. I think we all just react differently-my sister who also had radiation is horrified when I send her pictures of skin-she didn't have any trouble. RO nurse practitioner says I look great for how far in. Doesn't feel that way but 6 more boosts left done-thought was next Monday but forgot holiday so week Tuesday. Tech said I can double celebrate Memorial Day- I quickly added it may not be the only double that Monday! Happy to be closing in on end and coming off working all weekends!!! Have decided 3 12hr shifts on nights just too much last few weeks so taking day of FMLA each week to get done. Good luck to all that are healing and those still dealing with treatment this week!