Summer Rads 2014

Rosie,

I started chemo in March and my last period was March 31st. My Oncologist told me that I will take Tamoxfen until I am completely through menopause, which she said will be about a year. Then, she will switch me. She did blood work when I finished chemo and said that I was pretty menopausal, so, like I said, one year on the Tamoxifen.

Sunshineinky, My RO said that not wearing deodorant is an "old wives tale." But, I have now stopped. I wore it through yesterday, but I will not wear anymore under my left arm until radiation is over. I live just outside of Tampa, so believe me, one can get pretty stinky this time of year. I will start to carry baby wipes in my purse.

Barbara- I have no idea about the deodorant but my RO said it had to do with the metals in regular deodorant.  

Louanne- We can wallow around together! I felt like that yesterday and for most the day today.  I drink those premier protein shakes they have 30 grams each! Seven more... we are so close! 

Cannoli I think you're making a good decision to not wear it wives tale or not.  

Rett- I apologized early on.  I'm really thinking they've zapped my stinky armpits lol.  I'm seriously not smelling them! 

Hi all! I had my 1st appmt with ONC RAD on Tues 6/24. Really like my RO doc! He was very very thorough and answered every question I had, which were lots! So he said I will do 6.5 weeks rad of which 1.5 weeks boosts. He wants me to have a mamm before they schedule my CT sim. Is this normal? He wants to do a final mamm before my rad starts to double check no other suspicious areas. Freaking me out some, but I am fairly confident they did a thorough review when they found the DCIS and also day of surgery had ultrasound. Anyway it is scheduled for 7/1. He said I could wait like 2 weeks if I wanted as the compression may not be too comfortable. I am healed from BS on 6/3 but not sure I will like compression post surgery but want to get going on getting this rad done! Good news is no Tamoxifin or other followup!! As far as diet, dairy is really hard to give up, but I'm trying. Have to find some stores to find substitutes for cheese and occasional ice cream!

Sunshineinky- glad you're on the home stretch! Must feel so good to almost be done!

Cannoli & Rettmich-I'm trying the cornstarch and bought an all natural deoderant too. I used the vit E oil (boy it is sticky icky!!) and pure aloe gel (seems fine) Doc said to use it 3x day prior to starting rad. I may have to do the under bra t-shirt trick too.

Guess my srart date is still a few weeks out. Just want to get going and be done!!

Have any of you gone in the pool during rads?

Ddgm - I am more than half way through rads and went to the pool today. I didn't ask my radiologist since I had every intention of doing it anyway. I doubt that he would have objected. My skin is intact and I needed some fun. I bought a 50+ UPF swim tee from Amazon for under $20, and wore a large floppy hat as well. Except when in the pool, I stayed in the shade. Had a great time and am so glad I did it. I am going to wear the swim tee when I go to a parade tomorrow.

I also had my port taken out a few weeks after chemo ended.  I'm jealous of all of you who were able to get blood drawn through the port! I was hoping that was the case (assumed, actually) but they only used the port for chemo infusions.  When I asked why they couldn't take blood from the port the answer was they were not allowed.  Instead I had to suffer while they stuck me looking for my hidden veins.

rettemich- I ask ALOT of questions too. OK, so they do compression during rad???? does everyone get it? I was told I'd be lying on my back on a table. 

dgdm- my RO said no pool because the chlorine can dry out the rad skin. I may ask again or just wade!

sunshineinky- tell me more about the pics. what for, how often,  of what (like zoomed or what), do you get to see them,

all- how often do they draw blood during rad?

Mripp the pictures I saw because I asked! I haven't saw this last set.  They used the rad machine to do pictures each Tuesday and during initial set up and boost set up they used the machine and a digital camera.  I had labs every other week.  My counts dropped just a bit but have remained within normal range.  I don't think all ROs do this.  

Rett all my skin has has came off my aerola it's white now and weird looking.  I just pray it grows back.  I've been snooping past rads boards and I'm tempted to ask on the spring board for their advice! 

Louanne today has been a decent day! My Sentinal node incision feels like what you're describing. However I have a burn near it and I can't really figure out which of the two are pulling! I'm addicted to protien shakes.  However I can drink them and eat cookies with them lol.  I can't wait to have more energy so I can walk more and just be more active!

Missing, no not everyone is compressed. from what I was told it depends on the machine that is being used and  where and mostly how deep the tumor bed is. As the electrons are shallow compared to the photons.

They only did a blood draw before I started rads.

Sunshine, oh that sounds painful. Not to get personal but how's the nipple holding up? Good idea about scouring some of the boards think I will do that too.

Hi everyone, I go tomorrow for my CT scan and tats so I can get started with Rads. I sure hope this goes better then it went for me with chemo. I am very thankful that this thread was started and for the information from you ladies to help us get through this as easy as possible. Have a great day !

curlyq - yes I have a sore throat also. I am getting supra clavicular rads I addition to the breast/axilla. My RO said it is not I common to get . Mine is in the very lower neck on the RT side. Feels tight and scratchy like aspire throat with a cold.  I still can swallow OK.  Only 4 more to that area (26 SC while 28 whole breast) 

Today will be 2/3 done #22/33

bet you never thought that skin growing would be a cause to celebrate.  Hope it heals completely soon. 

So happy for a 4 day rads week. 

So I bought some vit E oil yesterday that is "oil" consistency. Throwing away the first bottle that I bought that is icky sticky! Has anyone here used emu oil? I've resd on other discussion boards that they have used it successfully.

Well I'm looking forward to a girls day today for my granddaughters 10th bday. Taking her shopping, pedicures and lunch! Have a great day everyone!

Starting rads tomorrow.  Already mapped and tattooed.  33 and 3 boosts on my DDD droopy lumpectomy.   Let's keep in touch.  I am still trying to get over chemo.   How about you guys?   I was Stage 1, No positive nodes, .8 millimeter  TRIPLE NEGATIVE GRADE 3    Goodish and Badish           Leah