Summer Rads 2014
Comments
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Speaking of interesting....I don't sweat! twice in my life I had a bead of sweat roll off my nose. Once was a infrared sauna and one when I was moving a rock in 2003.
I'm having occasional, mild hot flashes, but no sweating. I may just implode if they hit full on!
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Hi everyone!
#13 of 33 total today and so far so good. Still pink and have developed a rash, but my energy level is still good. Finally found out the cause of my back/shoulder/arm pain - a pinched nerve in my neck! Just what I need now, right? Hopefully PT will help.
Beautiful weather here in NJ - definitely helps my mood!
Diane
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I noticed someone mention skin types react differently to rads than the sun and I was wondering if weight makes a difference? The heavier you are the thicker your skin is? I guess the outer layer of skin is about the same in everyone no matter what we weigh, the difference is in the fat layers beneath the outer layer of skin...I so want to find something positive in the weight I have gained after chemo....LOL
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From the anecdotal bits I've read in discussion and elsewhere, it seems pigment doesn't seem to correlate with how much you'll peel, blister, etc. There's a bit of discussion under "A rad onc weighs in...", here is the link.
That said, my RO told me skin color can affect how long you have a radiation "tan." E.g. my skin is olive bordering on mocha, so I tan easily and a tan will stay around for months and months. She said I can expect this funny line going from my armpit to my sternum to hang around for a while. So I guess that cuts out certain outfits for a bit...
Edited to add - my skin held up well as far as "burns" go. No blisters or open wounds, just a tiny bit of crustiness and peeling in an area under my arm a few days after my last boost.
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Hello Everyone!
Just had my first radiation treatment this morning...I was able to start a week or two earlier than I thought
Other than the Sharpie marker all over my chest, all went as expected, and even a little easier than I thought. After leaving the treatment center the only thing I thought about was that both techs smelled like Wrigley's juicy fruit
One of the techs gave me Aquafor to use on my cancer side...she said if I start to have skin reactions they can give me something more. Any tips or shopping lists you can recommend? I'm glad to be getting started, but the idea of going 32 more times is overwhelming!
Wishing you all a great day!
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my skin is fair and I freckle easy. I've had minimal skin issues with rads and I feared it would be much worse. I'm 2wks out as if tomorrow. The boost area is slightly tan. It was pretty red at the end but never peeled or broke open. And the rest of the breast looks good. I did get darkening of my freckles around L breast the seborrheic keratosis spots I had got much darker also and rough. I'll take these issues as it could be worse. I'm feeling great post rads. I sometimes almost forget what I've been through and believe it or not chemo seems like a distant memory (3 1/2 mo PFC). It's great that it's summer! That helps having nice weather and to be able to get outside to exercise or just feel the sunshine...with SPF or course.
Lots of you are finishing next week I think...whoooo hoooo! That's great. You'll see, it'll go fast and you'll recover quickly. We are a resilient bunch, us BC ladies.
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On the plus side I am happy this happened to me while in Phoenix, great doctors, I'm only three miles from rads. Today is day four for me
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swissmiss, comfy soft loose bras and go braless whenever possible. I did just at home. Soft large tshirts. i had lots of sharpie markers in the beginning but when I asked if they were all necessary they said no and they reduced them to just 3 after the first few treatments to endure everything was in the right place. I was an easy set up and hopefully you will be also. I was in and out including parking, walking in and changing in less than 30 min. I'd get there a little early, to get in the zone as some say. Do some deep breathing and visualizing. I had a little interesting thing going with the techs. I'd give them a famous breast cancer survivors name at each treatment (they had to ask me my name each treatment and I got tired of saying my name so this started) and a little history about what treatment they had, type of BC, year of treatment etc. like did anyone know that Julia child had BC, and Martina Navratilova, and Sandra day-oconner. Well it kept me busy. Good luck to you. I had 34 treatments and now that it's finally over...it did go fast.
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Hey Lisaj, that sounds like an interesting & cool list. I'd love to read up. Any links you can suggest?
Welcome to those who are starting. My most important accessories were good-quality moisturizing lotion (unscented, medical grade) and some loose T-shirts I borrowed from my beau. I started going braless around week 3 of 4 (I was on an accelerated pace). I'm now about 8 days past my last one and started wearing bras again, but I'll put some soft cotton gauze on the inside where the bra is tighter on the affected skin.
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Nancy, I have a skin condition, not vitiligo, that a number of doctors have commented on. The MO kind of explained that it could be treated but still not sure what it is and I have had it for years. Anyway, it results in me having lots of little white spots missing pigment, including a lot on my chest. The rest of my skin is fair and freckly and burns in the sun. I finish rads tomorrow and its not been bad at all, some peeling after 30+ sessions and a sore nipple but those white spots have not had any problems so I am really hoping it will be the same for you. A darker skin tone does not seem to mean the skin will react less. Its all a bit of a mystery.
Wishing you clear margins at this coming lumpectomy so you can start rads soon and get this over with!! It does go over quickly once you start.
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aff - my SE with Tamoxifen have been minimal. I have little warm flashes (maybe 5-6 a day) but they don't really make me sweat and last maybe 20 seconds each. I just feel warm so I don't think it qualifies as a hot flash. I can't tell if they are from the Tamoxifen or chemo. I haven't had a period since January. Which I wrote down when my symptoms happened! Do you know if yours are from chemo or Tamoxifen?
jbok - I love that you don't sweat. That is so awesome! Especially considering you are in Florida - that's like a super hero power.
swissmiss - welcome. it will go by quicker than you think. I remember asking the same questions you did and now I'm on #21. My RO recommends Calendula Cream by California Baby. Good luck!
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I second the other ladies on comfy tees and going without a bra if possible. Also be careful with v-necks as the pinkness came a bit further up the chest than I expected! Dove soap and the Elta lite and Elta cream from the RO have worked well.
Very best wishes to everyone just starting!! 30+ seems can seem like a long time and feel overwhelming at the beginning but it flies once you get into the routine. I just bought the cookies for tomorrow, last of 33. Yeah!!
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hi iam from England I had stage 2breastcancer had op 3rd July clear lyth nond clear go for radiation treatment 20th this month all very quick be glad when all over I have my new granddaughter chrism ing 14next month so hope iam ok by then
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hi I feel just the same crying all the time thought it was just be being silly had my op 3rd July radiation on 20th this month got all clear but still cry hugs to you we will get over this we wemen are strong xxx
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ncollett...fair skin doesn't mean you will burn with rads...I have the Italian olive complexion and never had sunburns....Well my genetics was the reason I had accelerated burn with rads...very burned after 13 rads...took a 7 day break...got better and after my last 12, super burned again...so skin pigment is not a factor in radiation burns from what I was told ( and experienced!)...only 5% of people get this genetic factor for burning.
Lizzymom...I spent my day screening our kinders today and although it was a long day with rads in between, it was a great day! Being back with my school friends and families from last year with upcoming siblings...seeing some of my kids from last year...just a great feeling to be back!! A happy time! But it's also weird as I think about when I had to leave so quickly without having time to think about things...was it really me with cancer?? Sometimes I still wonder how this all happened...I know I will be too busy to think about cancer...but I also don't want to neglect my health...gotta find that balance.
Happy dance for finishing up lizzysmom!! Woopwoop ! Rosie
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toulula, swissmiss and sailingwind - welcome
dfroberts - I am from NJ too and I agree, the weather has been fantastic. I spent the afternoon at the state fair today (wearing my long sleeve rash guard, of course). The kids had a blast!
Amelia - I haven't had a period since January, either. I believe these hot flashes are from Tamoxifen. I did not really have anything like it until I started taking Tamoxifen. They are not terrible. They last 20 or 30 seconds. I don't get drenched in sweat or anything like that. Sometimes I don't sweat at all.
Jbokland - it is extremely interesting that you don't sweat at all. I don't sweat much. My husband has always been amazed at how little I sweat but not at all is very interesting.
lyzzysmom - can't wait for you to ring that bell (literal or figurative) tomorrow!
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I start rads next week I think. Monday is the digital mapping day. I also have an appointment at another cancer center. You all see my medical. Chemo was not recommended because the Oncotype DX was 12 yet I see members on this site with lower stage , smaller tumor and more lymph nodes proven negative and they still got chemo. What gives? I so so so dont want chemo that I am afraid that I am hearing what I want to hear and not what ought to be.
The rads scare me too.
BTW: I heard that Domsboro solution soaks, and AD ointment works very well.
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coastalxpat, here's one of the links I looked at for breast cancer survivors.
http://parade.condenast.com/79297/parade/celebrity...
It was interesting to read about Julia child (36 yr survivor from 1968), Melissa Ethridge (remember when she performed while going through chemo and was bald? She looked great!), Dorothy hamill, carly simon, martina navratilova, Gloria Steinem, Sheryl crow, Richard Roundtree. Well their treatments were just like yours and mine
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I love the list idea. Speaking of Melissa Ethridge, just try listening to her "I Run for Life" without losing it,
Today I finished ACT and couldn't be more excited! I don't start rads until September 2 but it's been great learning from all you wonder women. Thank you for sharing your experience.
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Rettemich what is a Integrative Oncologist? I am just looking forward to getting this all started so I can be do and hopefully get better.
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Toulula and RaiderGirl, Welcome.
RaiderGirl, Just my thoughts but I am guessing that they may have decided no chemo because your stage was based just on size, but you have clear nodes and Grade1 is less aggressive and you are ER/PR+ Her2-. I was told that a score of 12 means only an 8% chance of recurrence with the hormonal pills. Sometimes surgeons only need to take the 1 Sentinel Node and if that is negative then there is little chance of others being positive. Rads is not anywhere near as scary as it sounds. Once they have done the simulation (set up) appointment the others go quickly, just 10 mins a day and the machine is only on a fraction of that time. It just becomes a routine. It can make you feel tired so its important drink plenty of water, to nap when you need it and exercise definitely helps. I finish tomorrow and am a little tender but it has not been bad at all. Everybody's skin is different so its important to keep moisturizing.
Toulula, Congratulations on your new granddaughter!! Just get some rest before you go to the Christening and then enjoy it!! I am originally from England too. I have been in US nearly 20 years. I love it here but sometimes when we are trying to work out all the insurance and billing I think how simple it was in England when my mother was sick for a long time and also when I had an accident. Nothing silly about crying. Most of us need to cry sometimes during this. It just messes so much with our emotions.
Rosie, Those kinders will sure keep your mind off cancer. I am so happy for you being back with them! You must be soooooo ready to ring that bell and give your skin a chance to heal, next week? I do have that was it really me with cancer feeling. Sometimes it feels surreal, like its all happening to someone else and I am kind of along for the ride.
Aff, Glad you had a great day at the State Fair. I closed all the windows as there was a severe thunderstorm warning here but it just rumbled in the distance and DH complained it was kind of warm when he got in!
I left the cookies for tomorrow in the plastic bag from the bakery as I did not want to be tempted before I take them in for everyone tomorrow. Some of us heard a bell while we were in the waiting room last week so maybe there is one here. Isn't is funny , the things we look forward to now!!
Lisa, I love Melissa Ethridge. Was watching a YouTube of her performing Foolish Games with Jewel just last week, great voice and such a gutsy lady.
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Well have #12 in the books of 33. Still very little skin effect except showing some tan and slight pink on nipple. Noticed some small zingers after tx today and eyes have been really dry feeling last 2 treatments ( and I wear contacts). Started using more of my eye drops. Seems like some fatigue onset as my eyelids just felt just kind of heavy today all day, weird! Also found out yesterday that my RO goes on a 2 week vacation week after next. I'm really glad he gets a nice vacation, he deserves it! But I'm bummed I won't seee him during what might be the beginnjng of side effects....hopeful I won't have any, but probably???? I'll seee his associate, so hope the new RO is as excellent as he is (can you tell I really love my RO!) He is so good with me asking so many questiins, really takes the time to know his patients. I will get to see him my last week of tx so that is a positive.
RO said to start using pure cornstarch (the cooking kind) as a powder, especially under the breast to keep it dry as this is usually the area that will be affected plus under arm due to friction. And to continue using the Miaderm 3x a day. He said no pool due to cholorine. bummer! Well nice to meet some more newbies and welcome!! And good to keep reading how you all are doing.
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Just wanted to mention again for those starting - seatbelt covers. They are not perfect but I found they do help to stop the seatbelt from digging into you.
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kazzy, izzysmom, Melissa ethridge "I run for life" omg I know! Beautiful song and beautiful woman.
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You all are awesome and very encouraging!! Is there a list of things I should start getting like soap or lotions, bras etc while I wait to start?
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Izzysmom: congrats on finishing rads!!!
I'm counting down the days until I start - sooner I start, sooner I'm done. Then all that's left is Herceptin until April.
Have a great weekend all!!
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Woohoo, over halfway through! Just got home from rad # 18 (of 33). To my surprise, my skin is still looking fine. The mastectomy incision opened a little bit this week, so now adding Neosporin to the scar when doing the Aquaphor after-treatment smear. Can't complain.
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lyzzysmom - WOO HOO!!!!!!
The final 6...here I come.
ncollett - most of us have been told to wash with Dove soap. I would hold off on spending a lot of money on lotions. Most ROs are very specific about what they want us to use and they are all different. I would talk to your RO or nurse first. As far as bras, avoid them as often as you can. I bought a 10 pack of men's Hanes undershirts. I wear one every day. They are all oil stained from the Aquaphor I have to use twice a day. I can't wait to throw them all away when this whole ordeal is over. It may be as rewarding as ringing the bell
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Yeay!!! All done. There was no bell but they gave me a Graduation Certificate and threw confetti. They are all just so nice I will miss them and the ladies I see in the waiting room each day but will see them when I go back on 8/25 for RO follow up. Now nothing at all until I see MO on 8/20 which feels weird.
Ladies, what would I do without you. You are all wonderful and the support and camraderie here makes this whole process so much less daunting, and a whole lot less lonely than it could be!
Nancy, Dove soap and Toms of Main unscented deodorant seem to be pretty much on most peoples list although some have used Chrystal deodorant if I remember correctly. Every RO seems to have their own preference for lotions and moisturizers and some hand them out so check before. I bought Aquaphor but have not used it. They gave me Elta lite and cream but many here like aloe. I gave up on a bra and just wore a vest over teeshirt if I needed a coverup but am only a B cup. Some ladies here like the Ahh Bras I think they are called? so I am going to check them out too as so many bras are not comfy at the best of times. Are you a Colts fan? I watched my Pats last night on TV and they were like duh!
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Congrats, lyzzy!! Another milestone completed!!! Best wishes.
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