Summer Rads 2014

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  • Sunshineinky
    Sunshineinky Member Posts: 461
    edited May 2014

    Barbara I wondered the same thing about the sunscreen.  I just have no idea!

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  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 513
    edited May 2014

    crazywabbit...I think that's where my friend bought my sun guard shirt at target...we may have to wear a lightweight scarf...uggghhh NC summer heat...I would rather stay inside...good question about sunscreen on clavicle area...not sure?

    Sunshiny...did you have chemo?  I am not going in the public pool as I have my last treatment Monday...just not sure of bacteria and I don't want to get sick at the end of this chemo trip!  I will probably start to swim in a few weeks...I just want to get some energy back after the chemo....glad you found a shirt...I think any higher collar tee would work...Rosie 

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  • rettemich
    rettemich Member Posts: 369
    edited May 2014

    Think I am going to jump in also. Even though technically guess I would be spring, but I too am in AZ and it's already over 100+ so as far as I'm concerned, It's Summer.  I had my first round this last Wednesday.   When is the earliest anyone has seen side effects? I went to put some Aloe on my skin this morning and went over the nipple and just about went through the ceiling. My boob has been feeling Full since the first treatment. Now I am really concerned if my poor little, well was little, nipple is going to handle this.  

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  • Sunshineinky
    Sunshineinky Member Posts: 461
    edited May 2014

    Rosie I didn't have chemo and we have our own pool. Even with my own though I made sure it was chemically balanced.  While in radiation it's my understanding your blood counts can drop.  My RO checks my blood on Tuesday's.  Hopefully it'll still be holding this Tuesday! 

    Rett my breast has felt exactly like you described since the first time.  It doesn't hurt as long as I don't touch it but it's very sensitive especially around my nipple and it just feels full.  

    I see you've been on tamoxifen a full month.  How's that going for you?

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  • rettemich
    rettemich Member Posts: 369
    edited June 2014

    Sunshine, Thanks for your response. At lest now I know it is not just me. Just was amazed how sensitive it is.

     And as far as the Tamox, I guess considering it's been doing ok. I so far haven't got hot flashes, just hot. That could also be do to it's over 100 here and my house isn't the coolest. My biggest problem so far, started last week, is insomnia and brain fog. I can go to sleep but can't stay asleep. I was taking it in the morning and starting tonight I am switching to bedtime. I also tried some Motherwart tincture last night, when I started to wake up again, and I tossed and turned some. But at least wasn't up for 2 or 3 hours. I'm also taking Effexor and will start taking that at night too.

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  • AnnBR
    AnnBR Member Posts: 853
    edited June 2014

    My first treatment is tomorrow and I am more than ready to begin this next step in my journey. I guess they are going to do a hybrid type of treatment, a fixed beam and RapidArc therapy, going deep into the tissue. Has anyone else had this type of treatment?

    Ann

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  • Crazywabbit
    Crazywabbit Member Posts: 563
    edited June 2014

    Ann, not sure what type RT that is, I am doing IMRT, At RT #2 today, I counted  i had 8 different positions and total of 11 Zaps, 3 positions zapped me twice. i also checked with the nurse about the SPF sunscreen, OK as long as not rubbed in hard, not scrubbed off and not zinc/titanium type.

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  • Sunshineinky
    Sunshineinky Member Posts: 461
    edited June 2014

    Good luck today Ann! I'm not sure what kind of treatment that is.  I'm having traditional whole breast radiation with 25 treatments to the whole breast and then 8 additional boost to my surgery site.  

    Thanks for checking on the sunscreen issue crazywabbit!

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  • Crazywabbit
    Crazywabbit Member Posts: 563
    edited June 2014

    Sunshineinky, best to check with  your own RO. Mine tends to be very easy about taking or using things. Others are much stricter. 

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  • ktfelder
    ktfelder Member Posts: 45
    edited June 2014

    I had my first treatment today. It was a very long time lying with my arms over my head. Pretty miserable. They said the first time is the worst as they are making positioning adjustments and have to have the RO approve the positioning. They are a radiation oncology factory - 4 rooms! Told me to start putting Aquaphor on my skin tonight, and every night, for now. Gave me some samples. 

    I'm so glad to get started. Now I know what to expect and am one day closer to having this behind me (as much as that is possible!) One down, 33 to go!

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  • Sunshineinky
    Sunshineinky Member Posts: 461
    edited June 2014

    Crazywabbit I'd already added it to my list of questions to ask! I see my RO every Tuesday and have bloodwork done.  

    Good luck KT! That first visit sucks! The other visits are much faster. Tomorrow will be treatment 10 for me! So far so good!

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  • ktfelder
    ktfelder Member Posts: 45
    edited June 2014

    Thanks Sunshine!

    Do you mind my asking; your RO does bloodwork each week? Is that typical? What are they looking for?

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  • AnnBR
    AnnBR Member Posts: 853
    edited June 2014

    ktfelder, today was my first day too. It took about 20 minutes but they were taking X-rays so next time it won't take as long. Holding my breath was tougher this time than when I was being mapped. I meet with my RO on Wednesday and I'm going to ask about topical creams to use. While I was in the crowded waiting room prior to my treatment, a lady came out and rang the bell. Everyone started clapping. I was so touched and could feel tears running down my face. So many of us in this journey....

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  • Sunshineinky
    Sunshineinky Member Posts: 461
    edited June 2014

    KT they're checking my blood counts to make sure they are not dropping.  It's standard in the office. I didn't know until last week they even did it.  Our techs are great and he noticed I looked tired and asked me how my counts were.  Well I AM tired lol but my counts were fine  its my tamoxifen that is keeping me up at night! 

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  • ktfelder
    ktfelder Member Posts: 45
    edited June 2014

    Ann, I really love the bell story!

    Sunshine, this is the first I have heard about checking blood counts during radiation. Can others chime in here? Is this typical? What are they looking for?

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  • Sunshineinky
    Sunshineinky Member Posts: 461
    edited June 2014

    KT my understanding is they are checking my white and red blood counts and my platelet count.  I'll know more tomorrow so I'll let you know exactly! 

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  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 513
    edited June 2014

    I asked my Ro about bloodwork as I thought I should get my port out...they don't do it routinely ...I wish they did!  I will  see RO on Mondays...will start rads June 23... Just finished my last chemo today!  My girls came with my sisters and my twins sang amazing grace for me and others...one older gent started singing when my one girl had to stop as she was getting choked up...what a wonderful ending of this part of my journey...always see the blessings through the storm!  Got to ring the bell too! Rosie

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  • Crazywabbit
    Crazywabbit Member Posts: 563
    edited June 2014

    Rosieride, big congratulations on finishing your chemo today. Now a few weeks to recover before Rads.

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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited June 2014

    Rosie - are you getting the port removed? I hope to get mine out before Rad.  

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  • rettemich
    rettemich Member Posts: 369
    edited June 2014

    Sunshine, I was talking with my MO this morning and telling her about my insomnia. Said I didn't want sleeping meds. She told me what they use at the hospital is Benadryl. I am giving that a try tonight. She said it should be fine with my meds.

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  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 513
    edited June 2014

    @ jb...I think I will keep my port until July 14 and get it flushed...want to see how I feel ...I think this last treatment may knock me out as my 5th was hard...don't want to think about even the minor surgery of port removal..I start rads June 23....but if I think I can deal with it I may get it out shortly after rads start...just don't know how I will feel week before rads to get it out...that was my original thought if my RO wasn't doing bloodwork, which he doesn't do routinely.  So I guess I am up in the air about that??

    Barbara...thanks!  What a great feeling to finish!  Seems like yesterday this whirlwind started and life was turned upside down!  Hopefully getting back to normal after summer!

    Rettemich...I have always used 1 Benadryl as sleep aid...I recently tried tamazapam and I think the Benadryl worked better for me! Rosie

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  • jhodro
    jhodro Member Posts: 240
    edited June 2014

    Congrats Rosie!! What a great way to finish chemo. Hoping for no SE's for you!!

    I am keeping my port for a year - I will have a Herceptin infusion every 3 weeks through to next April. 

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  • tekwriter
    tekwriter Member Posts: 216
    edited June 2014

    Hello all just found out I will be having rads after my surgery this summer.  Here is to smooth sailing for all of us.

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  • Crazywabbit
    Crazywabbit Member Posts: 563
    edited June 2014

    Rosie, I also decided to keep my port for a while.  I will be getting zometa every 6 months for 2 years. partly to combat bone loss from the Aromasin, but more because a recent study showed a significant decrease in long term boney mets when this is used in post menopausal women. I also hate getting stuck for blood etc. I have lousy veins that are hard to stick. I do not mind my port, great position and no discomfort from it.  do not mind getting it flushed eery month

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  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 513
    edited June 2014

    so Barbara ...could post menopausal women be on tamoxifen to prevent bone loss!? My mom had osteoporosis ....I have her structure but will get a bone scan soon...not sure if I am really in menopause yet...had period in feb at my first chemo infusion! 54 years old!! Crazy! Rosie

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  • rettemich
    rettemich Member Posts: 369
    edited June 2014

    Rosie, not sure about anyone else but I am post menopausal and they were originally going to give me an al, which I would have rejected, because of the bone loss and and few other side effects, but they told me they wanted me to take Tamoxifen instead. I was much happier with that. They also gave me Effoxer to help with the "menopause" side effects. Only been about a month but really just having some insomnia.

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  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 513
    edited June 2014

    rettemich...does tamoxifen offer the same benefit after menopause as the other drug.  I thought tamoxifen was always the drug for post menopausal women?  I almost want to take that because I worry about bone ...I need to look into the drugs more. Thanks! Rosie...I will be starting something after rads in august...

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  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited June 2014

    many questions on Tamoxifen. This may help:

    image

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  • Crazywabbit
    Crazywabbit Member Posts: 563
    edited June 2014

    tamoxifen  may actually help bone density.  I had trouble with endometrial polyps last year and the tamoxifen may increase that again. I also heard that AIs may work better for Lobular Cancer then tamoxifen but I do not know that for sure. 

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  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 513
    edited June 2014

    Barbara...if I do go on tamoxifen, since the risk of uterine cancer is greater, my gyno thought I should get hysterectomy...I am 54 and they have been watching a rather large fibroid for years....waiting for menopause to see if it would shrink...well never went into menopause!  So I almost feel like I would want tamoxifen, as I am afraid of bone loss... get ovaries and uterus out .  But you may be right about AIs for LCIS...I will add that to my list of questions. Thanks! Rosie. BTW...I ended chemo on Monday...stubbles growing back...is it ok to start taking biotin supplement?  I hate to call and ask nurse...just wondering as I thought I read some of you have been taking biotin...hahaha...pic of me ringing the bell after last treatment!  I am still on cloud nine that I finished...now to get ready for rads!

    image

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