Summer Rads 2014

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  • stephaniegee
    stephaniegee Member Posts: 81
    edited July 2014

    Has anyone experienced any pain in their breasts after treatment? I am having some shooting pains in my affected breast, kinda weird...

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  • aff
    aff Member Posts: 279
    edited July 2014

    Congratulations, Sam! I hope you get to enjoy the rest of your summer. 

    Welcome, Jstundie and Susu!

    14 of 28 today! Halfway there. I finally feel like I'm headed toward the finish line. 

    Supraclav area is definitely darker than the rest. I ran into someone I know in the supermarket a little while ago and she asked if I had been out in the sun cause my chest looked burned. Still 14 to go so not what I wanted to hear. It doesn't look that bad to me. 

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  • lyzzysmom
    lyzzysmom Member Posts: 654
    edited July 2014

    Susu, I am so sorry for the loss of your twin sister. That must be  so incredibly hard. When you lose someone you love so much even something like BC does not compare. I am sure she is watching over you and will help you through this.  Hopefully your incision will heal soon and your RO will be able to put your mind at ease over the radiation to the left side. Welcome and good luck!!

    Vicki, are you using a moisturizer and did they give you any exercises
    to do? If you have just finished 5 I am guessing that you must be due to
    see the RO to check how you are doing. Hopefully he/she will be able to
    help.

    Coastal and Sam, Congrats!! Did you get to ring a bell? I want a bell next week, otherwise the only place I know with one is Arby's and there isn't one nearby !! 

    Julie, You husband sounds such a sweetie and your avatar is adorable! I changed mine to my doggie, the real Miss Lyzzy today.

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  • mripp
    mripp Member Posts: 106
    edited July 2014

    Susu, Jstundie  and Julie-- a big welcome! We're here with you!

    Sam2u- Whoo hoo!!!!!! Must feel awesome!

    All, I'd like to add a pic/avatar but apparently my pic is too big or internet too slow :( Any suggestions?

    Izzysmom- I'm on day 5 and using my Miaderm 3x a day, trying to get my 2 quarts liquids and eat lots of protein. So far all looks normal (less the scars!) Had new xray films today so RO can review how the rad and line up is going and I see RO Wednesdays.

    How's your Tx going vettegirl, victorialee and dfroberts?

    Stephanie, no pain after Tx for me yet, but it's still early. Someone else can reply. I've read of "zingers" here or on another thread.

    Well, I let the cat out of the bag when I posted that I was doing rad on my fb page. Alot of support flooded in and lots of friends "had no idea". I also told my city council at our workshop meeting last night (when I gave my monthly report) that I was going to be missing some work over the next month or so, will work 1/2 days as I'm able, due to a medical condition. Not 1 member said anything then or after the meeting. I don't know what to think. I know my mayor had told some of them earlier, but I asked him to not give details until I was ready. My Mayor is totally supportive and said my #1 priority is "my health", not work! And I can take leave as I need it. Very cool!

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  • Debster
    Debster Member Posts: 82
    edited July 2014

    Yay Sam!! congratulations!

    Stephanie I did my # 15 today as well. I am having some fatigue but so far not to bad. I have started coughing some so I will ask about that if it continues because my RO told me they will hit a part of my lung. Other wise doing ok.  Hate that the fatigue has hit you like it has but glad to hear your skin is holding up good.

    Have a good night every one and hugs to all......

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  • Deblc
    Deblc Member Posts: 479
    edited July 2014

    Stephanie I don't have a breast as I didn't have reconstruction, but I had increased pain on my surgery side as time went on. The same kind of shooting pain I had after surgery, also pain on my side (rib area)  and underarm. Also I am getting very "stiff" again which had improved a lot during PT I had prior to rads. My RO seemed unconcerned, he says that it is probably caused from inflammation and the ribs can get sore from rads. I personally feel that rads somehow aggravated the surgery site, hence the increased shooting pain. I find that my doctors, from surgeon, MO and RO really don't understand the extent of pain/ side effects that I have. 

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  • victorialee
    victorialee Member Posts: 20
    edited July 2014

    Hi all! Hope you have had a nice evening!

    Lyzzysmom - my RO has only asked that I use Aquaphor after treatment and before I go to bed at night...no exercises. I have started back to exercising with yoga. I started doing planks this week and I felt something odd in my upper under arm like the pain I felt after my lumpectomy. The RO nurse said that was called cording and that I over did it and to move slower into the exercizing. I go about 4x a week. I hear you about the bell...I want to ring the bell when I'm done. I've looked around the office and I don't see one. Maybe they bring it out when you are done?

    mripp - its good feeling the support from people. I tend to keep my bc to myself but find when I open up most people are pretty awesome about it.

    stephanie - Yes! I do feel pain sometimes after treatment. I felt it Fri (#4) and today (#6). I asked the nurse about it and she said it was the scar tissue at the tumor bed. Kinda makes sense. Said I may also feel the zingers....totally to be expected. BUT my tumor bed is right under where my seat belt rests on my chest (left breast) and I have to hold the seatbelt away from my chest the whole way home. Today I decided to stop at the auto store and bought one of those sheep skin seat belt covers.....heaven!

    Today was 6/33 for me and they explained how they take xrays every week to make sure the field is still correct. So they took an xray, did the first two treatments up high, rotated low and took another xray and then two treatments and then one last xray. It added a little time but not too bad. They did tell me the field was still good.

    So my only SEs are feeling a tightness/ache in the tumor bed, a little swelling and fatigue. I'll take that easily over skin burns! ;)

    Hang in there everyone.

    Vicki


     

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  • aff
    aff Member Posts: 279
    edited July 2014

    Victoria - if it is in fact cording make sure you keep stretching the arm and try to get specific exercises for cording or axillary web syndrome. I am dealing with it right now and it has become quite painful, especially when I go to many hours without my exercises. I am actually going to physical therapy 3x a week and it has helped a great deal. BS said it could take up to 12 weeks for cording to resolve. 

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  • victorialee
    victorialee Member Posts: 20
    edited July 2014

    aff - thanks I will look into specific exercises to try and ward off something worse for the cording. My right shoulder already has tendonitis and I certainly don't want something flaring up in my left arm. Its amazing how so much is affected by BC - I won't even go into how I can't think straight! LOL

    Vicki

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  • Lisaj514
    Lisaj514 Member Posts: 719
    edited July 2014

    Stephanie, yes yes, I'm the one that mentioned zingers also in my breast after rads. Done on fri 7/25 and have had a few each day. Only lasts a few seconds, figuring its nerve regeneration.

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  • Susug
    Susug Member Posts: 193
    edited July 2014

    hey ladies. Well I had a turn of events today. I went in for genetic counseling.  My small cancer 3mm and grade 1 stage 1 triple negitive with radiation only may turn into a lot more than I bargained for. They sent the blood work off today. If this comes back positve WOW!!! descion descions. 

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  • lyzzysmom
    lyzzysmom Member Posts: 654
    edited July 2014

    Mripp, I use Photoshop Elements to save my big photos as small ones.Then there is an option to save for internet. (.gif) If you use Windows Paint that allows you to resize and then save as a .gif for internet too. There is likely something on smartphones too but I am not very smart with my phone!                                                                                                  Your mayor is very cool indeed, has got the right priorities! We need our nap time. I expect they are just being respectful in not saying anything. 

    Vicki, those seat belt covers are such a relief. They should be on the list of things to get for anyone having surgery or rads.

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  • lyzzysmom
    lyzzysmom Member Posts: 654
    edited July 2014

    Susu, I so hope your blood work all comes back O.K. Fingers crossed and (((hugs)))!

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  • 3rdtimenow
    3rdtimenow Member Posts: 256
    edited July 2014

    Susu so sorry you have more waiting to do, it is the worst part, hope the blood work is not more worrisome.                     Stephanie, and Lisa, you're right Lisa my doc says the zingers are the nerves trying to regenerate after surgery.        Aff and Vicki and Deblic, having some tightening too, doc did not know of any specific exercise, other then gentle stretching, I am reaching up the wall like I did after mastectomy.                                                                             Debster, yay for being half way through, hope the cough is not related. I probably missed someone, like you Vicki, I'm so tired I can't think straight either, but I wish you all the best. Stephanie B.                       

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  • stephaniegee
    stephaniegee Member Posts: 81
    edited July 2014

    thanks for the feedback, I think zingers is exactly what I've been experiencing. This board is so helpful, thanks.

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  • Rosiesride
    Rosiesride Member Posts: 513
    edited July 2014

    victorialee...I had minor chording and did PT for about 6 sessions...definitely helped and now I feel it starting again as I haven't been doing the exercises and massage for it!  Worth the time going for pt even if it's a few sessions to get exercises.

    Interesting conversation with a nuclear scientist friend who I ran into last night...he asked if I heard of TOMO radiation therapy...if I had 1/2 a brain left since chemo I would explain it but basically it's a more precise radiation given in " slices" ....saves good cells with more precise target and helps prevent radiation burn.  Wonder if anyone has that therapy? I googled it...I may ask my doc about it just cause I am interested...

    Going for my 20th out of 25 whole breast today!  Then hopefully only 5 boosts not 8... Would 3 more boosts really make a difference in recurrence. I.want.to.be.done.!!  Will ask doc Monday,

    Yay for gals who finished or who are close to it!

    Crazywabbit ...is your hubby the retired RO?  Maybe he has heard of TOMO rads therapy...have a great day girls! Rosie

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  • victorialee
    victorialee Member Posts: 20
    edited July 2014


    Rosie,

    I met someone in the Rads waiting room that was only getting a week of radiation. She had some type of device implanted in her that hooked up to another device by 5 wires. A radiation bead would then travel down the wires and hit various places at the end of the wires. The treatment would take between 5 - 13 minutes based on the life of the bead. She would go twice a day and be done in a week. I'm not sure of what her lumpectomy specifics were but I found that interesting. I don't think that was the TOMO radiation you mentioned but something I never heard of. I wonder what the difference was as I may have loved that option to be done in one week versus 7 weeks. My RO nurse said to be careful listening to others in the waiting room as you don't know their backgrounds. Noted. :)

    Vicki

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  • Debster
    Debster Member Posts: 82
    edited July 2014

    Vicki, I had that balloon implanted in my breast for one week of radiation when I started all this mess but once they did my surgery I no longer qualified for that type of rads. You have to meet all the requirements and I did not because I had some LVI so 6 weeks it is. I don't know how it was suppose to be done as far as the bead and such but my BS removed it a week after my surgery and when she pulled it out it looked oval in shape it was flat because she had drained water she had put in it to keep it in place. She said it would go in the same spot my tumor was if I could of had it. It is called Mammosite. I had mixed feelings about it because it seemed like a lot of rads at one time to me but it would of only been one week.

    Hope everyone has a great day!

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  • aff
    aff Member Posts: 279
    edited July 2014

    I am officially past the halfway mark! Woo Hoo! 15/28 today.

    Started the dreaded Tamoxifen last night. Thank goodness I took it right before I went to bed. It made me feel very weird. I know that's not very descriptive but I don't know how to explain it. I don't remember any of them but I feel like I strange dreams all night.

    Hope everyone is doing well.

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  • Amelia123
    Amelia123 Member Posts: 96
    edited July 2014

    Susu - welcome! So sorry to hear about your twin.  It looks like you were diagnosed very early, so that is great.  Keep up your positive attitude!

    Well - my page was not refreshed and there were about 30 posts I did not see.  Susu - fingers crossed for you.

    aff - I also had #15 today. Just passed the halfway mark and happy about that. I'm breaking it into 2 segments - the 28 and the 5.  Might be silly but it makes it easier for me.

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  • Amelia123
    Amelia123 Member Posts: 96
    edited July 2014

    aff - I started Tamoxifen the last week of June. I felt a bit "off" the first few days, but then quickly felt like myself.

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  • peterandwendy
    peterandwendy Member Posts: 10
    edited July 2014

    Julie, I am so sorry you have experienced so much loss. My mom has been gone for 20 years and I miss her everyday. My skin is holding up, but my underarm looks nasty. Welcome to the group, I stalk often.

    Lynn

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  • peterandwendy
    peterandwendy Member Posts: 10
    edited July 2014

    Alf, I have been on Tamoxifen for about six weeks and I have zero side effects, I hope things go better for you.

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  • jhodro
    jhodro Member Posts: 240
    edited July 2014

    Hello ladies!

    I had my simulation today. I'll get 33 treatments - 28 full and 5 boosts. I got my tattoos and they made the mold. It was not painful, well, ok the tattoo on the chest bone was uncomfortable for sure. Whatever that chemical is in the mold - eeewww - smelled disgusting and how hot did that get?! It felt good because it was cold, but still! What is in that concoction?? Anyway, I'll go one more time for a dry run, and then I officially start 8/18. Which happens to be my first day of not working, since I resigned my job last week. Too much time to spend in a place that makes me very unhappy. Not what it was promised to be, especially after my return from being off 12 weeks for chemo. 

    Hope you're all doing well!!

    Oh, and Susug…my small cancer, about the same size, was originally going to be a rads after surgery only situation. But I just finished 16 weeks of taxol and Herceptin, and will continue the Herceptin for a year. Gotta take it day by day, that's for sure. Good luck!!!!

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  • Sunshineinky
    Sunshineinky Member Posts: 461
    edited July 2014

    Hi ladies!! Ohhhh I love seeing this board so active.  Sounds like most are doing well too!

    Jhondro I had no mold made but ended up with a bunch of tattoos.  I will eventually have a couple of them removed.  

    Lynn I started tamoxifen on the same day I started rads.  Crazy weird bone pain the first week but nothing other than night sweats since.  I'm hotter than blazes at night! 

    I added tumeric and biotin to my supplement arsenal two nights ago.  The biotin because the tamoxifen is thinning my hair.  The tumeric I've just read good things about it.  Is anyone else taking these?

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  • jstundie
    jstundie Member Posts: 12
    edited July 2014

    Congratulations to all those who have finished their treatments!

    It's treatment number 22 tomorrow. Then only 3 treatments left to the entire area and 8 boosts. My skin is holding up alright. Some redness, especially my underarm and I have also noticed a rash. I don't know if the rash is from the treatments or from the lotions? It could be a combo of all three. Has anyone else noticed little red raised dots on the treatment area?

    I feel a little more tired today. Some days I have no fatigue at all, but other days like today, it gets to me and I have to take a nap. Otherwise, I'm holding up alright.

     

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  • Macintx
    Macintx Member Posts: 118
    edited July 2014

    Ugh, today was supposed to be 22/31 and the machine was broken (fuse blew) and they have to ship the part in so it won't be fixed until tomorrow afternoon.  So now 2 days cancelled and tacked on to the projected end date.  Some people would be happy to get a break, but I want it over with.  Plus, my skin is fine so far, so I was hoping to hurry up and get through my last 4 whole breast without too much of a problem.  

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  • aff
    aff Member Posts: 279
    edited July 2014

    Macintx - so sorry about the breakdown. I know we all have that end date in mind and pushing it back is a huge letdown. 

    Jstundie - my RO said 1% hydrocortisone cream is ok for any itch and rash

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  • Amelia123
    Amelia123 Member Posts: 96
    edited July 2014

    Macinttx - that really sucks.  My machine was broken one day, which pushed my last day into the next week.  I was on the verge of tears, so I know how frustrated you are.  At least you are getting close - I'm over a week behind you.

    Sunshine - does Tamoxifen usually cause hair to thin? Mine is just growing back and I felt very deflated to read that.

    jhodro - we have the same number and boosts in our plan.  Why did they make a mold for you? Just curious because this is only the 2nd time I've heard of that.  My breastbone tattoo was also the only one that hurt, brought a tear to my eye. Enjoy not working, I hope it makes things easier for you.

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  • Sunshineinky
    Sunshineinky Member Posts: 461
    edited July 2014

    Amelia I'm not sure that it's a common side effect but I've read it in many places that it happens.  Mine appears to be near my crown.  I have super thick dark hair with ALOT of sparkles lol.  My hairdresser noticed it immediately as did a girl I used to work with.  I am not stopping my tamoxifen regardless.  I did not have chemo so this is my only other treatment besides surgery and rads.  I need it.  

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