Summer Rads 2014

Hi Issysmom and Sunshineink, your replies helped, I will remember that after the first day, which includes the tattoos, the other days will be much shorter in that painful position. I will also keep the injections in mind, if it gets too bad.        

   Hi count it all, I also live in Az. and I can remember during chemo, I had a lot of trouble sleeping, but I think it was mostly due to going so abruptly into menopause. Living in the hottest place on earth, LOL doesn't help. The night sweats were the worst for me. Are you on any hormone therapy? They can interfere with sleep also for the same reason. I was just starting to sleep a little better,and now I will be back on hormone therapy again after my rads are done. The fun just never ends, but I do like your sentiment, it's less tiring to be optimistic, I am a work in progress. I will be out shopping for corn starch and an aloe plant tomorrow. Thanks, Stephanie

Sunshineink, unfortunately no cure, I just found whatever nightwear I could in terry cloth, so at least it would absorb and I didn't have to change several times a night, slept with the fan on all night and kept ice water near the bed. No fun, terry is hard to find, but I found some coverup type things in the swim suit department. As they say on my Alzheimers caregiver board, we're all in the same boat and the damn thing leaks. Hope this helps a little.

Hello everyone, I will start RADS on Wed. of this coming week. I have had a hard time getting myself mentally where I need to be lately but I have been on here almost everyday reading your posts and just knowing others are going through this as well helps. Thank you all for sharing. I have to have a bone density test Monday and then  biopsy the following Monday to be sure I don't have anything else going on because I had one monthly cycle during chemo and I have not had one in 2 years. I have to say it truly messed with me and my ability to focus and do what I have to. Any ways just wanted to say thanks for sharing and I am ready to start Wed. so I can get this part done. I have 30 to go.... Have a great week everybody!!!

dedster.  The time will go by faster then you know it. 

My only problem now is the intense itching over my collar bone area.  Tried everything including cutting fresh aloe leaf and scooping out the flesh. I need to ask for a steroid cream this morning, OTC hydrocortisone did not help. 

Rosie

Me too. I feel like flubber. I am 4 weeks PFC and just when I think I'm back to normal, I am challenged by a hill or set if stairs that leaves my heart pounding and me huffing and puffing.  The Florida heat is incredible right now, hard to get motivated to get out and walk! 

saw the RO today and got a prescription for a steroid cream to use on the collar bone area where it is itching and driving me crazy, I will pick it up in about 30 min.  Since I saw him today it counts as my weekly doc visit, even though I just saw him on Thur last week.  I guess it will be my last one since I finish on Wed and my doc visits are Thurs usually.   No sim. for the boost, he said it is all done on the computer.

7 more to go, no more to the SC area as of today

Sam they brought the wound care people to me.  My center is connected to our hospital so they consulted with them.  I'm sure your PCP would give you a recommendation or ask your RO.  

I have splotches, dots, and a variety of other things on my chest Sam! 

Jbok and Rosie I hope you catch the elusive energy monster!! 

My first RO appointment is July 21.  How soon do you usually start from first appointment?  Anyone else starting around that time?

Dee

Just got back from the BS. I've had inner arm pain from my armpit down past my elbow. I thought it would resolve so I let it go for about a week. It did not resolve and has gotten worse so I called the BS...cording! Ugh! She wrote a prescription for physical therapy. Hope the pain does not affect my first rads appointment on Thu. I now have the start and, more important, end date set in my head and do not want to delay. 

Just reporting on my experience so far...

Today was Day 20 of 25 whole (left) breast radiation. My 25th day will be on Monday, July 14. I will then be given a three-week break (in order to travel out-of-state) and will have 5 days of boost to the lumpectomy spot (above the nipple) from Aug.4 - 8.

My RO was right on with what to expect. I saw nothing the first two weeks. During the third week, my breast area was a little pink. Last week it was more so. I am just now feeling uncomfortable and having a little trouble sleeping at night. (I wake up when I roll onto sensitive areas.) At each treatment, I am receiving a 30 second blast at about 2 o'clock on the clock dial (irradiates the inside right section of the breast, and then the machine moves to about 9 o'clock to do another 30-second blast at my underarm/ left side of the breast. The areas where I am most uncomfortable are under my arm (also where the incision is from my SNB), under the breast, and especially the inside/upper part of the breast. That part stings and kind of itches because the skin is reacting to the radiation because of previous sun exposure over the years. My RO prescribed a steroid cream today for me to apply twice a day to that area.

My doctor had recommended a lotion called Remedy which I use three to four times a day. (I bought two big bottles on Amazon.) Our hospital also has it available in the treatment room to be used after treatment. When I met with my RO last week, she said that we probably were going to need to switch to Aquafor and that she thinks I will peel. (I am fair-skinned.)

What I have been doing at night: I had some pain pills left over from surgery, so two nights ago, I started taking one at bedtime. When I wake up during the night, it has helped to put a cool, damp washcloth across the affected area. I also find that when I lay on my right side, and the inside part of my left breast lies against the right breast, it hurts, so I roll up a soft dry washcloth and insert it between the breasts. I also have a bottle of pure aloe (100% alcohol-free) on the night stand and will lube up with that during the night. I also have a fan blowing on me from the side of the bed. 

All these things seem to help.

I really haven't felt an overwhelming amount of fatigue. I go to bed early but always have.

Karen, sounds like you are getting a handle on the SEs.   a 3 week break, unusual but nice to be able to do your trip.

I saw the RO today and got a prescription for triamcinolone steroid cream. I have used it 3 times already today and it finally seems to be calming down the intense itching. Nothing I tried all weekend worked, other then ice but could not stand that for long.

Karen, my RO said the Rx says four times a day but he said to use it as much as needed. Yes it was a LONG weekend of unconfortableness.  Thankfully today was my last RT to the supraclavicular area snd I refused to call the on call doc for itchiness. Just 7 more to go.

Barbara and Karen, I know the itching. The tapes on me are starting to drive me crazy. All the Dr.'s are on vacation this week. With the exception of a few, to cover. I met with the NP for another issue. Was telling her about the itching and the spot that was burning where one of the tapes came off along with the skin. She recommended Domeboro solution. it's OTC thought yeah this isn't going to work. Well I ate my words. after the soak and cream, all I can say is AHHHHHH

Those of you that read my post about the the pain I was having, I feel validated. I saw the NP. She was Great!!!! After a quick exam she said that I was defiantly inflamed. She told me to take 2 Motrin 2xday for inflammation and some pain pills so I can sleep.  And she actually wants to see me again next week.

Between the meds and the soaks, I might just make my last two. 

It sounds like those of you that are just beginning, are planning well for your adventure. It does go by fast, really as you get into a routine. Good Luck for those just starting.

About 38 1/2 hours until DONE!! But who's counting.

Hello ladies, Glad to know that there are 4 of us starting this at the same time and can be in each others pockets.

Yay! for those of you who are finishing up.

Hope everyone has a good evening and great day tomorrow!

Rosie, The machine was broken here too! I arrived for my 9:20 but the computer was broken so I went home and then back for a 2:50 afternoon appt. instead. It was 30 miles of driving but I didn't want to miss a day so 9 down 24 to go.

Tomorrow they are going to do another simulation ahead of time for the boosts so I will take an Aleve or something before I go. I am a little confused because they mentioned 3. I thought there would be 5 but I am sure they will figure it out by then. Its funny, they positioned me just slightly differently today and the shoulder was o.k.

When I had dermatitis at the end of March which lead to the discovery of the ILC (Yeah for dermatitis! Kind of..) the doctor gave me a corticosteroid cream that worked well so I think I will take it with me and ask if that is suitable down the road or if they want a different Rx. The Domebro sounds good too.

KT, It sounds similar to what I was told to expect, nothing much until around day 12.

Rettemich, only about 37 now!

DeeC, I had my initial meeting on 6/12 and started on 6/24 but they could have started sooner if I could have managed so I think it varies.

Everybody, have a great day tomorrow!