Summer Rads 2014

Yay Aff! That gives me wine on Friday, Monday and Tuesday! 

Izzy, I got release from my RO till October! I do have a MO appointment on the 28th.  I'm already getting nervous! My liver enzymes were elavated in May but they think it's from all the Tylenol and other meds that I was given during surgery.  Hopefully they'll be down this time! 

Sunshine, Tylenol can definitely affect liver enzymes so hopefully they will be back down.Those little pills are stronger than people generally realize as they are OTC.  Going to the doctor will never be the same again...... Not looking forward to seeing MO next week but on the other hand it feels weird to not be having any treatment at all at the moment.

 I started to use my regular deodorant and very carefully shaved my armpits today which is nice.The things we look forward to !! The line from rads stops just below but RO is seeing me early so I hope I don't get any irritation or he will know I've been naughty!

Nancy, Toms of maine original unscented is what the ROs seem to recommend. Its better than nothing but not a whole lot. I had a ton of laundry!! Chrystal was also recommended by one of the ladies here. I have not seen that one though

Enjoy that brandy and wine ladies, you deserve it. Sunshine hope your leg feels better. I took Tamoxifen for 5 years, other than hot flashes and some hair thinning, not too many SE. Hope your will go away.         Picture was great Jbok. have to have a sense of humor to get through this.          Hi, Izzysmom.        Ncollette, Tom's of main, doesn't help much, but it's something. I remember back awhile some were having shoulder problems, how have you recovered? I went in with a bad shoulder and now it is really painful, hate that position. Will start boosts tomorrow and will have to be in that position for awhile for the set up, dreading it so much. Good news done on Thurs. so you can have a glass of wine on me. lol Thanks ladies for being there. Stephanie

lyzzysmom...we are about back on the same schedule...done with rads...(still celebrating!) and I will also see my MO next week to find out about drug...worried about SE's too but like seeing on here that some friends only had mild warm flashes!  Not sure if I will be on tamoxifen...I tried to save the info. Others wrote about things that can be taken for side effects...I hope I can find it on my devices if needed!

Will see my RO Monday to check on my skin...I did an experiment and only used coconut oil since Wednesday

to see how it helps and I think it's a great moisturizer! Messy and need to wear old tops but no peeling!  And I had horrible burn!  I wonder what he will say?   RO was very specific on what to use and coconut oil was not on his list!

You are so right about Tylenol and also ibuprofen which is a blood thinner...at the start of my journey my liver function numbers were elevated to the point where chemo was delayed...hubby and sister thought cancer spread to my liver ( and I was clueless and didn't even go there...), then MO ordered pet scan and liver biopsy...to see why it was elevated after pet came back clear...night before biopsy I took Advil as I had some pain and knew Tylenol May raise numbers...well nurse asked if I took blood thinners, Advil etc....yeeks! Almost couldn't get biopsy done!  Anyway, I think liver function numbers being high is pretty common sunshineinky ....mine were fine after awhile...but have been taking Tylenol and Advil due to leg pain...

Good luck girls!  School starts for me next week with work days so I probably won't be on here as much...nice to be getting back in the game!  Will check in on my peeps...Rosie

Found out yesterday that next Wed I do boost prep which they said is new xrays, new measurements and markings. I think I have 5-6 boosts at the end of rad tx. Now, rash is staying the same. Hope skin continues to be good! #19 of 33 done today!

Have a great day!

IN ONE HOUR, I WILL RECEIVE LAST BOOST.  SURGERY OVER, CHEMO OVER, RADIATION OVER.  THEY HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THEY CAN DO AND SINCE I AM TRIPLE NEGATIVE, NO NEO ADJUNCT MEDICATIONS.  IT WAS ALWAYS IN GOD'S HANDS ANYWAY.   I DID WHAT I WAS TOLD TO DO AND NOW IT IS OVER.  GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU         LEAH

Leah and Julie,  congratulations on being done, now get on with living. That is the hardest part I think. 

Leah and julie  congratulations on getting done.!!

I have had some pain in my ribs on my back so my RO had me to go get mastectomy bras fitted so I did that today and to my wonderful surprise my Insurance will buy 4 a year. My Ro is trying to figure out if my pain is from the rads only or if my bra is aggrevating it where the rads are hitting.

Only 2 more and then I am done

Sunshine enjoy your wine!! I may just have to join you Tuesday.....

Have a wonderful weekend everybody.  Hugs

Congrats Leah and Julie, celebrate this weekend, Job well done, now get back to your lives.  Debster you will be done soon as well, I have been having some back pain as well, I think it is from all of the pulling and pushing to get me into position everyday, wonder if it's the case? Hope you feel better. Stephanie

CONGRATS Leah and Julie!!!! Time to celebrate!!

Stephanie and Debster. I had some soreness in the ribs but its seems to have cleared up since the rads ended so it must have been rads aggravating it. The shoulder has been ok since they finished the whole breast as the boost position was easier. The boost set up was a bit uncomfy due to the pulled muscle in  my other arm but for the actual boosts they pretty much let me put it up myself as long as it was out of the way as the boost is such a small area so that was good. There was no forcing the position.

JB. They never did any bloodwork during, maybe because there was no chemo.There was a full work up my the MO before so I am guessing he may have another one done next week to compare.  

Rosie, I went to the gym at lunchtime and used a coconut moisturizer and whatever they had in their shower dispenser. It all seems to be settling down and the coconut smells so nice.

I jogged (slow motion) for 2 miles on their track today and did some weights for strength too and the darn weight keeps going up pre drugs. Yikes!!. The local Y does not do the Livestrong but the gym has some good trainers and physical therapists. I may ask if anyone has experience with cancer patients or others that have been put on drugs that can affect joints, bones and weight to try to optimize the exercising. 

Anyway ladies, Here it is! The tee arrived.Its 100% cotton and covers the hips.. The medium was just big enough to go round my behind. I got the grey in case the black shows white dog hair or the white shows black dog hair......They seem like a very nice company that sent it. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!

Wonderful news for everyone finishing with rads/treatments!! 

I have had 10 radiation treatments and my breast is starting to get pink.  Looks like a light sunburn.  I see my RO on Mondays so will see what she says. I also have my boost setup next week. I was told 8 boosts which seems like a lot compared to what you all have had.  I am her2+ so maybe that makes a difference.

I warned my DH I will be raiding his drawer for white undershirts soon!

I am getting Herceptin every three weeks so my MO still checks my blood.  Also, they ultrasound my heart every three months and my liver has a cyst that is checked periodically.  I am getting zapped so much it is a wonder I don't glow in the dark!

In between all this I try and live a 'normal' life.

Love the pictures, you all keep me laughing.

Dee

Hi Cmp, I used cut up cotton shirts as well, just placed a rectangular piece under the bottom band of the bra and another smaller piece on the side under the arm half in and half out to protect from any seams. Hope that helps. Stephanie

Forgot to add that when I needed some bras (and didn't want to spend a lot since they were "temporary") I went to Walmart.  They have a big selection of cotton ones at good prices.

Hi! Everyone,

I have 10 more TXs to go. 5 regular and 5 higher dose boosts to my tumor site. I had Stage 1 A  with clear SNs. My oncotype score was 20 and MO said chemo not necessary.  It was invasive ductal ca that was removed with clear margins during a partial mastectomy.. I have lupus, too so RO really watching me closely for a skin reaction. Using RadX moisturizing cram lavishly and no reaction  23 TXs in.  My doc has a no bra rule and I bought men's cotton white wife beater tshirts one size too small. They are long and fold nicely under my boobs to absorb sweat and provide a bit of support, too. Hugs

Sue