Summer Rads 2014

It's been awhile since I've posted and I'm just catching up on everyone's posts.  I finished my 7th rads treatment today. I have 18 full breast and 8 boosts left.  Based on what everyone else is posting i thought I would share what my instructions have been. 

I was told after the fourth treatment to begin using a mild soap on the area, like dove, and to only use miaderm two times a day. My appointments are at 3pm so I use the miaderm first thing in the morning and then before bed at night. I was told not to use anything else on the area between my tattoos at all.  I am to use natural aluminum free deodorant, and the only shaving I can do on that side is with an electric razor - which I HATE!!  I get this big rash after i shave so I think I am going to have to stop soon depending on how much I react to the rads.  I am allowed to swim but need to rinse off as quickly as possible afterwards to get the chlorine off of my skin. 

So far the treatments are easy.  I have pink skin, my nipple is sore if anything brushes up against it, and my "zingers" are back where I get those quick shooting pains from the nerves that were damaged by surgery.  All very manageable at this point though.

The two things I am having issues with are trying to still work full time, be a mom and wife and fit in an hour and a half to two hours to travel to and go through treatments.  And I am already really feeling exhausted at times.  Not just tired, but like I need a nap or I will fall over on most days.  I know I am probably doing too much but as much as my boss is super supportive, I still have to get all of my work done.  The only thing in my favor during the summer is my kids are so active at summer camp during the day that they are going to bed a half hour early. That being said, my DH was on a business trip this week so I was alone. I am hopeful it might get better when he returns...maybe.  

I think someone did post about this earlier, I am contemplating removing at least one tattoo based on where it is, and potentially turning the one on my side into something to signify the journey.  Is anyone else?

Hugs and best wishes to all!  

Lina I have those same "zingers"! 

Rett, they said the boost would use the same machine.  

At this point in life.... I hate pink too.  I never hated it until I got my diagnoses.   So no pink ribbon for me either.  I have a daisy on my lower neck.  My daughter has the same one.  We did it for her 18th birthday lol.  I don't recall it hurting.  

I will be finishing radiation number 13 today....14 left to go after today. I'm going back to work at the office Wednesday for the first time since February, I've been working part-time from home, and I am scared. So far, I have no burns or anything from radiation, with the exception of my left breast turning a bit pink, but I know it's coming, and I hope it does not interfere with me going back to work. I need to go back to work to begin to have some kind of normalcy in my life again.

My hair has finally begun to show signs of life. It started out as "peach fuzz" a couple of weeks ago, but now my normal dark color is starting to come in. I had a breast cancer tumor marker tests a couple of weeks ago, and it was within normal range....thank god.

Has anyone on this board with "olive" color skin been through radiation.? Just wondering how you made out.

I always thought of pink as a watered down version of red, now I know it's really it's core.  I don't mind pink anymore.  

Hello ladies, just wanted to update you on how quickly radiation side effects can change. 18 hours ago I posted that I had no pain. I must have jinxed myself because I was miserable last night and it just came on suddenly about 10pm! I have an open area under my breast, where skin has came off. I am swollen (my dd's are more like dddd's on the one side) and when my arm brushes the side it just flat out hurts.  

I only have 4 more whole breast to go and then I start my boost.  I plan on laying in front of a fan today to give it as much air as possible.  My understanding is that as quickly as it gets worse, it can start to get better! So there is my hope! 

Rosie, I had my chemo on Mondays also. Finished 4/21. So every Monday after was a little celebration. I had my taxol dd so 2 weeks after when I normally would have gone to chemo we went out to dinner to celebrate. Also took a nice walk by myself and reflected on all I'd been through and appreciated the beauty of the trees, blue sky, green grass, flowers sprouting, breeze in my face etc. this Monday I will be 9 weeks ofc

Cannoli I have 33 treatments total. 25 whole breast and then 8 boost.  I'm really hoping when my boost start this coming Friday that the underside of my breast will heal.  I was shocked myself at how quickly it happened.  My therapist and nurse checked it yesterday, bragged about how good my skin looked because I have seriously never been red at all.  It is itching this morning so I'm hoping that's a sign of healing! 

Cannoli how many total do you have?

Good morning.  I just found out yesterday that I will have 16 regular and 4 boosts for a total of 20.  This is much less than I thought.  I am very excited about the change.  I will find out next week when I get my tattoos my start date. 

Hope everyone fees better today.

Jhondro I thought I was going to slide through too! My daughter is a dietician so I've been heeding her advice and doing no less than 60 grams of protein a day.  I like to think that's why I've not had a widespread issue.  I've laid naked from the waist up for 2 hours under a fan! The area feels MUCH better.  So much so I think I'll now shower and get out of this house! It's a beautiful day here in KY much to pretty to stay indoors!

Ann that is exactly how I described mine.  The only time it's painful is when I put it over my head (they modified the way I laid to accommodate it) it's quite painful at night though when I sleep.  

I'll be so happy to get a shot! My PCP said that the earliest appointment at the ortho was Aug 6th! I hope I can find someone else to see me sooner! Let me know how the shot goes.  I have heard they can be a bit painful.  

Jhondro I drink Premier Protein shakes.  160 calories, 30 grams of protein and 1 gram of sugar.  I absolutely love them. I drink one in the morning and one right after my treatment on the way home.  

Rosie I am better today! I have had zero burn but what I did have was skin that died on the underside of my breast.  Now that skin is coming off.  I had a bit of pain but now that it's managed (with 800mg of ibuprofren) I'm feeling ok.  Do what your RO recommends.  Someone said that Rads is a mind game! How correct they are.  I have 8 boost and all of those are to the scar.  Thankfully I only have 4 whole breast left.  I'm hoping that the boost aren't as hard! 

My impingement is from a shoulder injury back in February. I reached into the backseat of the car and picked up my too heavy purse and something popped.  Before I could get anything done I had my BC diagnosis then after surgery it's been much worse.   

Anyhow good luck tomorrow.  You'll be surprised at how quick, easy and painless it really is!

Sunshine, glad to hear it's better today! Hope the rest go smoothly!!

Sunshine Glad to hear you are feeling better. Protein shakes are great I use those too.

mripp, I like the Mediterranean Diet, except they dairy, ugh I love some of my dairy. 

My dd just started working at Sprouts. So I am looking forward to her discount to buy good meat.

 I would wait and see what you RO tells you is ok to use, well it will probably be the nurse.  I do use a cloth under my bra, I used a old cotton tee shirt that I tore up. My RO said some girls use a tank under their bras. After I put my Aloe on I cover it so the bra doesn't rub. Some Dr.s don't use anything, but personally I will always use my Aloe, and a good cream. They may even give you some to start. Mine gave me a big bottle of Aloe. And some samples of Aquaphor. I like my emu oil that is mostly aloe.  Fruit of the Earth is the one they gave me, it has no dyes or alcohol. I think Walmart carries it. Also, I think a front closing sports bra is great. You can get right to it if you need to put lotion on.  Put the Aloe in the frig when you start to heat up it feels sooooo good. I have 7 whole and 5 boosts left and I just have a pink "tan". But Everyone reacts differently. And it's not over yet. Oh my nurse just said to use a gentle soap. I just use an organic one. I did buy a crystal deodorant which really works. Just don't use before your treatment.

Sunshine-I am so sorry you had some issues!  I am glad to hear they seem to be improving already.  

I am done with 8 out of 33 treatments and already a little red and swollen but really hopeful that might be it!  (Fingers crossed)

Mripp - I have not heard of following the Mediterranean diet yet but I do believe that is an over all very healthy diet so I can understand why it would be recommended.  My personal opinion would be to not buy anything in advance because there are so many different stories that I have read on these boards and I don't know why the doctors recommend different things but I have to believe there is a reason.  My RO had told me to only use miaderm and dove soap and absolutely nothing else.  Wait to hear what they recommend and why and then go on your shopping trip. 

Dgdm - glad to hear your treatments will be better than expected!  

Hugs to all!!  Hoping for a good week!