Summer Rads 2014

Hello to all you ladies,  my first time here.

I just completed #16 of 20 radiation. Had lumpectomy on R breast for DCIS in June.  I'm very tired, taking naps and cutting back on work.

I have a question.  Has anyone else had vertigo or dizziness from the Radiation.  I started getting light headed and dizzy after #10. The nurse and 3 doctors at the clinic tell me this is not a side affect of radiation, that something else is causing it.  I actually passed out last week.  I've even been given a presc. for Xanax to help me relax.  (side affects are Dizziness - DUHHH).  I found an entry on this site from 2007 from 'arnica' who said she suffered from dizziness during Radiation.   This morning when I showed the nurse the entry from Arnica who said she and 6 others suffered dizziness  during radiation and she was told she had a virus, I was told that "NO, this is not a side affect of Radiation."  I feel like I'm in a Dean Kontz novel.  I keep saying  "I'm Dizzy from the rad"  and everyone says "NO, you're wrong."  Today I feel very dizzy.   Gonna go take a nap. 

FYI:  I am a healthy 61 yr old with no other medical issues, average weight. I still have a good appetite, and I'm eating  very well.  Any feedback will be helpful.

I have been getting dizzy headed a lot lately too-but mostly when I have a hot flash-which is frequent.  I have mostly felt like these are associated with the hot flashes.  Would also like to hear if others are experiencing this.

I actually fell down about a week ago-getting out of bed.  Very unstable on my feet and slurry even-had been asleep for 4 hours, but woke up out of sorts.  Banged my foot and arm up.  Luckily, I fell backwards instead of front wards-could have been a disaster with a TE full of 900CC of saline.

At what point can I assume the skin is going to be ok?

Aff -- Hope you are feeling better today. Hot flashes are a funny thing - no rhyme or reason as to when and why. Try to continue with your walking. Ask the Cancer Center whether they have acupuncture. I have been going to acupuncture regularly, and it seems to help with joint pain and fatigue. They also have done studies that indicate acupuncture helps hot flashes too.

When I first came on this Board, I really didn't think I was going to make six weeks of radiation. Thanks to you all, I've got 24 under my belt and 4 to go.  Since yesterday the fatigue is starting to set in.  For no reason, I suddenly feel wiped out, and all I want to do is shut my eyes. My underarm is quite burnt, and feels like it is burning. I am also getting the tightness back - similar to the cording which I had right after surgery. I use a lot of fresh aloe, Aquaphor, and Cetaphil intermittently.  I keep telling myself that this too shall pass.

Ddgm1003  I was told that the skin changes would peak at 2 weeks after the final treatment.  

I thought I did very well through the whole chest and node treatment, just varying shades of red.  Two days into the boosts an area under my arm started turning bluish black, then it blistered and the skin peeled.  I was left with a large red area, then it turned light pink and eventually white and starting to peel again.  Since this picture was taken, the skin is all red, the brown spots have started to blister and the original area is about twice as large.   My LE specialist tells me this is not "abnormal", but I wish someone had told me it was a possibility.  It is painful, but relieved by Mepilex dressings to reduce friction and OTC Pain relief.    

Not saying this will happen to everyone, just that it is a possibility and if it does--it's ok.  

Good luck to everyone during treatment this week! 

Hello everyone. Well I think I am finally here. Had my first appt with RO (is that right abbreviation for the radiologist?) last week and tomorrow I have my first appt for the mapping/simulation. I was thrown off schedule or I should say my schedule I had in my head, because I had to keep my drain in for almost 5 weeks post surgery. Then I had to go see my MO for my referral for rads and she was on vacation. I shouldn't complain with all this time off but I feel I am going backwards instead of forwards. I gained 15lbs. since starting chemo, I have had something going on with ankle pain before my dx of CA, and now weeks of inactivity....went into a blah blah blah period, and am now sleeping way too much trying to make my days shorter so I don't eat!!! Well, 3 weeks ago I said enough of the inactivity I have to start walking and get the weight off. Now I get lower back pain. hip pain, knee pain and leg pain just walking a couple of blocks. I have increased my walks gradually but wondering where all the pain is coming from. I was walking fine right after surgery, in fact I could walk 4 blocks to the office without a problem. I don't know if it is a post chemo thing, the extra weight, the inactivity, laying in bed sleeping 12+ hours or what. I hope whatever it is will go away soon. It hurts to try and sweep and mop my house which has never been an issue even during chemo. Trying to read this thread from the beginning so as not to miss anything or repeat too many questions. So far I like the facility, it even has a Zen Garden, the staff that I have met so far and my doctor so I am pretty comfortable with that. Reading all your posts I pretty much know what to expect so I am comfortable with that part. My dr. however told me no swimming which is going to be a real bummer b/c I am having my house tented for termites on Sept. 8,9, and 10th and was planning on going to the campgrounds (KOA) and relax poolside ...but the shady side. Oh well have to make other plans. I got approved for DART which is a low cost transportation service which is a God send but it is also going to be a hassle but I have to look on the bright side...it cost me $20.00, including tip, round trip to go the other day by cab and DART will only be $8 round trip and we are not allowed to tip. Well I think I took up enough space with my blah blah blah....it's just my nerves about tomorrow.

Rosie, I hope your boosts go better. Do you know what area they will do? I can relate to the frustration and I didn't have chemo but the rads was something that hit me like a ton of bricks. I am almost a month out and had a meltdown today and I don't even know why. Not sure if it was just everything or the meds, all I know is I want my life back. Hang in there it Will be over soon!! ((((((((((Hugs)))))))))

Sam2u, all I can say is ouch! That does look painful. I know some people hate to, but maybe just a little break to allow the skin to heal a little, would help.

Ddgm, yeah your skin should peak about 2 weeks out. Then the healing will really start. Once it starts it goes pretty quickly.

Charusa, RO= Radiation Oncologist.  

Debic punch your uncaring friend lol

Aff I had horrible bone pain when I first started tamoxifen.  A lady here messaged me and said that I should try claritan so I did.  I was absolutely amazed at how it got rid of the bone pain.  I took it about two weeks and haven't needed it since! 

Sam, my whole underarm and breast looked like yours.  The Mepilex was a life saver.  I changed it every two days and only had to use it 6 days total.  By the time I finished rads, I was totally healed.  

Started my new job today! It was great but I worked an 11 hour day and it has wiped me out! 

Welcome to the new ones! 

aff...made myself go out tonight to catch the sunset...we saw a rainbow too, so I know that had to be a good sign for a promise of better days ahead....

Sunshine, so glad you like your new job. don't overdo it!

aff, so glad you are feeling better today.

Rosie, your nearly there! Yup rainy days make it seem worse.

Sam, I hope everything heals quickly!

Charusa, Welcome, A zen garden sounds lovely. You may want to take something like an Aleve before you go for the simulation. Its ok but it can take a little time and get a bit uncomfortable. After that the sessions are faster.

I had a bit of a meltdown too today. Had been crying a lot the last few days. Today was first boost and it took a while to set up, felt like another simulation. I am on my side and had to ask them to let me put my arm back down while they were waiting for the doctor to come and check it out.

When I got home I had to go lay down and felt almost delirious, clammy and sleeping on and off all day. When I got up I felt so lost and stressed. Eventually I gave up and took a lorazepam (life saver) even though I know I will eventually run out early. What the heck! We all should be able to ask for a bit of extra help going through this. An hour after that I was able to do a little exercise and then go clean my fish tank. 

I have to work the rest of the week, albeit mainly from home so just hoping I can stay awake at least some of the time!I have been off for 5 days and done nothing much except rads sleeping , TV, and exercising.

Rosiesride, absolutely beautiful picture. Thanks for posting!

Deblc, Oh my goodness, makes me think of the saying, "with friends like that you don't need enemies"

charusa, Welcome!  Lots of wonderful ladies here. 

Thanks everyone--I am one week out from completing all radiation and the healing process is starting.   

Mepilex is a foam dressing that reduces friction and protects the new skin.  Ask your RO or nurse for it if you have large areas that may start opening.  While there is no medicine in them, they do really help.

Rosie-you can do this!!! I found the boosts to be much easier and I hope it will be the same for you!!

Mripp--I have LE and the specialist told me to be careful about cuts, bites, etc.  So I try to wear bug spray and gloves when I can.  She also told me that a cut is inevitable, just to be sure to clean it and monitor for infection.

Hi, Everyone--

I have been lurking for months, but today I want to shout.  After 8 rounds of chemo, I started radiation on 6/16 & had my last of 8 boosts today!  Very happy to have reached this point, but found myself tearing up a little during treatment today, thinking I've done all I can & now the wait starts.  Nurses recommended using Miaderm 3x daily & have only had a little skin darkening--no breaks and no pain.  Had a month off between the end of chemo & start of radiation & felt good going in.  2 weeks after starting the fatigue set in & I developed severe diarrhea which the radiology team said had nothing to do with it, but my family doctor thought otherwise.  Two more weeks of feeling like crud, but worked my way out of it & ready to head back to the gym tomorrow (without my wig!)

Best wishes to all as our journey continues--

OK4Now Congratulations!! I think the staff at The RO Office become part of our support team. We get used to seeing them  and having them treat us every day, then suddenly we are done and on our own. Its got to be a strange feeling for sure. I will miss them.

TangandChris. Mine is the same. I chat to the nurse for a few mins and then the RO comes in and takes a quick look, only a couple of minutes.

Mripp, sounds like you have a busy day. Enjoy the party!!!