Spring 2014 Rads

Hi Phebe.  I've been visiting the So whats for dinner page and the radiation recovery page.  Some of the Spring Rads gals are there.  Also the one on Arimixdex/Anastrazole.  Hope you are doing good

I still have some pain in the boob and some numbness, and I see the Med Onc end of August for my '2 month" check up after starting my Arimidex.    I'm walking 2 miles 5 days a week and losing about 1 lb a week with that and watching my died via Weight Watchers.  So doing good.

Hi Ladies, I am on the the summer rads thread but thought you could answer this question better. I will finish rads on Monday and am SO fatigued. How long does it take for your energy to start coming back after rads? (I'm on herceptin every three weeks as well) . I have my godson's wedding in another country 4 weeks after rads and have not booked my ticket because I feel so lousy now, don't know if I will be up to travelling then. I really want to go to the wedding but just hate the thought of, and don't know if I will be up to, the hassle of international travel.

Thanks Redheaded. Did you have skin issues during rads too, or just afterwards?

Hello all, Looking for some advice on timing of getting a compression sleeve fitted now and wearing it pro actively during rads which will start in a few weeks.  Weeks ago I had an education session by a PT who specializes in lymphedema.  She took baseline measurements.  I was concerned because I'll be flying for the first time post BC treatment in Oct. She strongly advised to wear a sleeve and gauntlet on any flights to prevent bringing on L E, and I plan to do tnat. I have no LE symptoms now, but I know that rads can possibly bring it on. PT said wearing sleeve would not prevent LE, but in her patients really helps prevent arm acheyness. I do upper body weight lifting at the gym and am in good shape physically, and asked if not being in upper body shape is the cause of arm acheyness.  She said No, women in good shape often get the acheyness and its from the inflammation from the rads.  Any experience or thoughts on this?

Oh, I asked her about the timing of the fitting for the sleeve because I know that rads can cause swelling which would mean that any sleeve fitted now may not be the right size post rads.

Thank you!

Mz_mes:  Are you using Eucerin lotion?  Believe it or not, I am still using it twice daily - I think you will see a great improvement if you can do it in the morning and then do it before you go to bed - if you get into the ritual of applying, it will be so much better. 

Haven't checked in here in ages, but DEBIIC---I had a problem under my boob during RADS--it opened up and was red about 3 weeks in.  But it didn't get bad till the 3rd from last treatment and then afterwards.  BUT IT DOES HEAL.  YOU CAN"T EVEN TELL IT now.

MomMOM--how many lymph nodes did they take?  I lost 8 total (2 sentinel and 6 that were in the way).  I haven't flown, but I didn't get any swelling during rads in my arm at all.  I did notice when I mowed my lawn during rads that my wrist watch left a mark.  But my surgeon wasn't real concerned and our Lymphdema people said ---EVERYTHING in MODERATION.  They did say if youwere going to fly you should have one. 

Don't know if any of you are still out here---but those of you who were taking Curcumin/Tumeric, how much of it did you take a day?