Summer Rads 2014

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  • ncollett
    ncollett Member Posts: 862
    edited August 2014

    love the shirt lizzismom

  • lyzzysmom
    lyzzysmom Member Posts: 654
    edited August 2014

    Thanks Nancy!

    Hi Sue, It sounds like you are doing great! 23 in and skin not reacting. You're on the home stretch!! I basically gave up wearing a bra during rads and found cotton tees worked well.

    Went to Kohls and bought a nice Bali bra yesterday now that I am done but I have come to the conclusion that there is no such thing as the  perfect bra. I am 36b so I got a medium as they have changed a lot of the sizing on bras especially the stretchy ones. Its comfy but the band feels a bit tight on the widest setting even though its supposed to be for a 38b and up. Similar thing with the Genie bras which are supposed to be similar to the Ahh bras. I need a large. otherwise I feel like there is a tight band round me. Most of the stretch ones are synthetic too so they dont stay cool. Somewhere there must be a soft cotton bra with just a touch of spandex for stretch but I am still searching. Does it exist or is it a myth like bigfoot??

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

    Hi Izzysmom, I bought Bestform at Kmart, but I think, Wallmart and Target might have them too, 99% cotton and just that little bit of spandex, they are front closure sports bras, very comfortable. I have even abandoned them now, though. I love the Ahh bra for regular use, I find it very comfortable and for anyone who has had recon without nipples the inserts are great for giving contour. I only have 4 boosts left, but am having lots of pain this weekend from all of the underarm burns, and tightness. can't wait until this is over.  Glad you're doing well Sue. Good luck to the Monday and Tuesday ladies.

  • Debster
    Debster Member Posts: 82
    edited August 2014

    Hi 3rdtimenow I am having a rough weekend too. I will be glad when it is all done and we can move on from this. It is fatigue for me that has gotten a grip on me. I hope you get to feeling better and have a good night and weekend. We only have a few more days of this thank goodness!!! Gentle hugs to you...

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

    Thank you Deb, hugs back to you, Stephanie

  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited August 2014

    I have had significant fatigue the last 10 days.  A touch of nausea some afternoons. Final full rad Monday and then 5 boosts!

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

    Can anyone explain about cording? I am having a lot of pain and tightness especially when reaching, lots of swelling and burning and peeling. I can not use silvadene or ibuprofen. I had my last full breast on Thurs. how long before you started getting relief? Thanks for any replies. Stephanie

  • aff
    aff Member Posts: 279
    edited August 2014

    Stephanie - my cords were visible and very painful. They started in my armpit and stretched almost down to my wrist. They were very tight and made it near impossible for me to stretch my arm out straight, almost like a tight rubber band was in there. It was also very painful to the touch. I started physical therapy the day before radiation and the cording just resolved last week. I am very thankful I went to PT throughout rads. 

  • Amelia123
    Amelia123 Member Posts: 96
    edited August 2014

    Thanks for bringing that up, Stephanie. My arm and underarm area also feel tight and especially when I reach up. Didn't think about cording, so I'm looking forward to what people say. I am able to use Silvadene and it has helped with my peeling, but obviously not with the tightness.

  • aff
    aff Member Posts: 279
    edited August 2014

    Stephanie - I should have added that I do have some swelling and tightness that is only related to rads and is not cording. The area between my armpit and breast is somewhat swollen and feels very tight but it is not the same as the cording. Cording usually causes tightness in the arm, mine was worst in my forearm, away from the rads sites. 

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

    Thank you Aff,    Amelia, how much longer for you, sorry I've forgotten? Hope we get some relief soon. Stephanie

  • Sunshineinky
    Sunshineinky Member Posts: 461
    edited August 2014

    Stephanie I'm about 5 weeks out and I'm happy to say all that weird tightness is gone! They make a lidocaine gel (prescription) that helped me tremendously on the burned areas that were not open.  It numbed it just enough that I was able to move and stretch my arm pretty good during those last weeks of rads.  It really does get painful and I think the more it hurts the less we use it which causes more pain! 

  • Louanne
    Louanne Member Posts: 101
    edited August 2014

    Yay Rosie!!!! Congrats on finishing. Love the picture!!!

    Glad you got through the talk Lisa, not so sure I would. My kids hand me tissues in church when tears are in my eyes when certain songs are sung.

    Nancy love the T-shirts.

    Rosie, thanks for the picture of the supermoon. I wouldn't be out there if there was a danger of being bitten.

    Amelia, so sorry you will miss your vacation. Make time when you can, it is really healing.

    Thanks to all who commented on the pictures if I'm forgetting anyone. Just got back yesterday, and trying to catch up on work I missed during the week. Yesterday was spent unpacking. Hope all of you are having a very relaxing weekend! 

  • Amelia123
    Amelia123 Member Posts: 96
    edited August 2014

    Stephanie, I've got #28 of 28 tomorrow, followed by 5 boosts.  Then I will party like a rock star! Sounds like you are almost done.

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

    Thanks, Sunshineinky, I'll ask the doc about the gel tomorrow. I have been using over the counter Lanicane, so far and made the mistake of putting it on an open spot, wow I saw stars and couldn't sleep that night for the burning. I am just using aquifer right now, as the itching is better. The biggest problem today is the swelling and that tightness, it just started out of the blue, glad to hear yours has subsided. The fatigue this weekend is bad too, haven't ventured out of the house since Friday.    Amelia you go girl, we got this. Stephanie

  • aff
    aff Member Posts: 279
    edited August 2014

    Last day for me tomorrow! I spent the day making cookies for trays for the techs, nurses and doctor. They have been awesome so I wanted to do something nice. I can't believe it's over!!!

  • Sunshineinky
    Sunshineinky Member Posts: 461
    edited August 2014

    Yay Aff!! I'm so excited for you and in your honor I'll have a small glass of blackberry wine that I made myself!! 

    Stephanie, praying for some pain free days for you!

    Louanne glad you are home and that you had a great trip!

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

    Yay Aff, celebrate tomorrow. Thanks Sunshineinky.

  • jstundie
    jstundie Member Posts: 12
    edited August 2014


    Congratulations Aff!

    Amelia, you're almost there! It won't be long now.

    Has anyone had anyone soreness in their back? I'm experiencing some in my shoulder blade area. I was thinking that it may be from the way I was positioned during the six weeks of rads. I started feeling sore 2 days before my rads were over. I'm sure it will clear up soon.

     

  • MomtoIrishQuads
    MomtoIrishQuads Member Posts: 128
    edited August 2014

    Ncollet - I also have vitilago and rads does do strange things - I get white spots.  (this is my second time for rads - first time was 3 years ago with DCIS and not clean margins).  I do think that vitilago leads to more pigments changes during rads......but I'm never going to be a pole dancer so I don't mind.  

    I'm 10 treatments into a 22 treatment plan (with 5? boosts at the end).  So far, so good - started to itch a bit after Friday.  I didn't have much last time around on my other breast - hoping it's the same this time.  I'll take this any day of the week vs. chemo.  Although I'm very tired - and have been sleeping 10 to 12 hours a night.  Insane. 

    My MO doesn't want me to start Armidex until rads are done. 

    Deb

  • ncollett
    ncollett Member Posts: 862
    edited August 2014

    Deb my vitiligo is pretty much all over my body and my breast is totally without any pigment. Im sure they will let me know what to do its just a little scary. I also have Diabetes and my PCP said Im already immunocompromised so Im to call him the min I am not feeling well so we can keep on top of things and hopefully not have too many complications with all this treatment. 

    Hopefully will find out what my plan for Radiation will be tomorrow

  • dfroberts
    dfroberts Member Posts: 12
    edited August 2014

    Hi all! 

    Today is # 20 of 25 followed by 8 boosts and I've been holding up pretty well.  My rash is wildly back and itching like crazy - makes me want to back on the steroid I was taking for my pinched nerve since it also helped the rash!  I've been working through all of this and for the first time I'm a bit uncomfortable in a regular (non-wire) bra - so we'll see how this week goes. 

    What have you all found works best for your itching?  It's only the rash which is at the top of the breast - rest is very red but okay.

    Love all the pics and stories - so glad to know we're not alone!!

    Diane

  • jbokland
    jbokland Member Posts: 890
    edited August 2014

    Full Rads finished....5 boots to go!  Looking forward to wearing a V-neck top tonight without a blue line and sticker to cover!

  • aff
    aff Member Posts: 279
    edited August 2014

    Done! Done! Done!

  • ohiofan
    ohiofan Member Posts: 206
    edited August 2014


    Aff.......great.....great.......great!!!!

     

  • Crazywabbit
    Crazywabbit Member Posts: 563
    edited August 2014

    aff-  WOO HOO all done

    go enjoy this beautiful day and the next and the next ............

    JB  Getting real close. funny thing about my boost was that the machine made a completely different frequency buzzing noise then the regular txs, and only 2 zaps instead of 10 or 11

  • jstundie
    jstundie Member Posts: 12
    edited August 2014

    Congratulations Aff

  • peterandwendy
    peterandwendy Member Posts: 10
    edited August 2014

    image

    Four days out from my last treatment and the whole area looks like the skin in my underarm. Ugly and uncomfortable. My RO has me doing saline soaks three to four times and day. The heat that is pulled from the burns is amazing. Good well ladies.

  • lyzzysmom
    lyzzysmom Member Posts: 654
    edited August 2014

    Aff, CONGRATULATIONS!!!

    JB, You go out and enjoy that V neck. Just make sure to slather that sunscreen on if you wear it tomorrow!

    PeterandWendy, That does look so sore, glad the soaks are helping, Hang in there, its nearly done. Once its over it does start to improve quickly.

    Barbara, my boosts were completely different too. A different part of the machine was used and it was one longer zap instead of 2 shorter ones from different directions.

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

    This could be my picture, PeterandWendy, hope yours improves soon. I had a pretty bad weekend, but feeling much better today, 4th day out of full breast, the swelling has gone down and now lots of peeling.    Yay Aff, party on.       Crazywabbit, yes boosts are different and really quick.       Dfrobrets, lanacain worked for my itch.                Justundie, my back has been hurting the last week as well, I think it is all of the positioning, pushing and pulling and staying still in that position, as least that's what I'm telling myself. lol. Three more to go, but who's counting? We ALL are!   Hugs to all, sorry if I forgot anyone, Stephaine

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