Summer Rads 2014

Yay Aff!! So glad you're done!

I have a question for the ladies with lumpectomies that have finished rads.  I'm closing in on 6 weeks out and now I have probably a size C on my bc side and a DD on the other.  It's like everyday it's getting smaller and smaller.  Anyone else noticing this? 

Yay, Amelia, so happy for you, enjoy your freedom. No Sunshineinky never noticed this after my two lumpectomies, but could be the skin has shrunk some from the rads and will probably settle out in time. Stephanie

Amelia, what a great way to start the week!! congratulations!! I think I may have a drink with Sunshine now!

Sunshine, I too am noticing a little shrinkage now although the skin is feeling more normal. I was probably only a B(maybe B+) to start with. Then after surgery and during the peak of rads it was swollen but now it is getting smaller. I am wondering what is due to rads and what to  related to the surgery. I wondered where the piece they took out had gone. Taking 6 by 5 by 2+ cm is quite a bit out of a B. One nipple is higher than the other now but compared to what the ladies who have had Mx have been through its nothing at all and it looks pretty good. Still I am hoping it will stop shrinking.There are other parts of my body that I would not mind shrinking instead....

I worked with a lady today that is a 10 year BC survivor! Awesome lady! She developed lymphedema at year 7. She had a right breast masectomy and she's the first person I've ever met with lymphedema.  It's horrible.  Her arm and hand were probably 4x's the size of the unaffected arm.  She had never been on BCO so I shared the lymphedema page with her.  I'm hoping she can find additional resources to help her better manage it! 

We are all at risk.  Some more than others.  

Yay Aff!!!!! So happy for you!!!!

PeterandWendy, ouch!! Hang in there, it will get better!

jbok, hope the boosts go quickly for you!

Diane, I used 1% hydrocortisone cream, it helped a lot.

Sunshine, thanks! I read about the pain in your leg. I've experienced it also. I actually took a week off of the tamox for the vacation, and it went away. Started taking again yesterday, so far so good. 

Have a BS apt. tomorrow. Going to ask his opinion on why a mammo so soon after radiation. Haven't seen rettemich post in some time. Hope she is well.

Louanne, Rettemich posted on the Tamoxifen threads on Friday so hopefully all is well

aff and amelia, congrats on finishing!! hope the rest of your summer rocks!

peterandwendy, all I can say is OUCH! Hope you heal quickly.

I'm using 1% hydrocortisone cream on my rad rash. So far it is working for the itch and inflammation. Tomorrow is my boost setup, doc day and then PT checkin. 

I also got good news last night. My Mom is getting released from Rehab/Nursing Home after being in for congestive heart failure and she had to get her strength back. This was due to a sore on her heel/foot that took over 8 mo to heal and she lost strength as she wasn't supposed to walk on it. So glad she will back home!

Hello Ladies,  Would appreciate some advice from you experienced rad ladies.  Yesterday, at treatment #8, I discovered some red dots mostly in the middle of my chest.  They weren't there after a shower several hours before.  It's from the rads, but I had done a strenuous workout on the treadmill that morning and sweated profusely.  Since I was at home, did not have a bra on but wore a nylon fabric shirt.  RO said only cotton next to my chest.  I've only been able to find cotton bras which are sports bras that you have to pull on over your head - no front or back closure.  Also, they rise high under the arm which could cause a problem later.  These were cheap ones from Walmart.  Has anyone been able to find ideally a cotton bra with front closure??  If so, where?  Thanks!

Hi everybody, I finished my rads today!!!!! I got a certificate lots of cheers and hugs and a hat with a tassle. It felt so good to be done. I have to go back in a month to see the doc. but all finished! Both my kids went out to lunch with me to celebrate and tonight my husband is taking me out for a nice meal.

Hope all of you have a great rest of the day!!!

Hugs 

I'm here, I'm here. LOL

I had family in town that I hadn't seen in about a year. So I haven't been on the computer much. THEN, my girlfriend abducted me and brought me back to San Diego with her. How dare she. She said something about I needed the break. She was right. While my family was in town I found out the my brother has gone off all of his meds. He's diabetic and has Parkinsons. Unfortunately, he is also an alcoholic.  We all knew he was. But couldn't get him to stop. He lives by himself, we were able to get him to let us take his glucose level. It was 570. He is refusing any help or treatment and doesn't even want to discuss it. So, all we can do is to try and keep tabs on him. I'm just afraid he will go into a coma at home and nobody there. 

I did go back and try  to catch up. 

So congratulations for all that have finished. Woohoo!!

PeterandWendy, that looks painful!! I used the soaks a few times and they do help. Hope it goes better for you. Hang in there, we are all in your pocket.

Izzysmom, You look FAB-U-LOUS!!!

jbok, Good luck with the boosts. Almost there!!! 

Sunshine, yes I too have noticed  a change in size. I was told that would probably happen. I'm suppose to meet the the PS next month to schedule any adjustment surgery. I'm worried they will do it to soon and I will keep changing. A little I can see but if like you it gets more than one cup size......

Sorry if I missed anyone. 

Everyone have a Great week. 

Gentle Hugs to all

Hi all,

This is such a crazy ride; definitely a roller coaster that I wouldn't choose to buy a ticket for!  

Rads are definitely a b*tch. I was lucky and was able to have the shortened version of 16 treatments with 2 boosts. Finished up a week and and a half ago, and still pretty red/brown, with a definite circular area of red where the boost was.  Peeling a bit, especially underneath, which itched intensely before the peeling started. Rest of irradiated area is kind of getting spotty, like maybe some of the normal color is coming back. This whole experience has been one I hope I never have to repeat. The surgeons throw out "lumpectomy and radiation" like it's a cakewalk, and it's definitely not. The whole radiation experience has been worse than I expected. It seems like the treatments available to us, while much better than 20 years ago, are still pretty brutal.  I hope they ultimately find a way to work with the body's own defenses to fight this awful disease. I have to keep reminding myself that all this horror is still better than the disease itself. One of you  (my apologies for not recalling whom) said that the main side effect of the aromatase inhibitors is life.  That stuck with me, and I need to have that kind of attitude about those drugs and the rads. 

Cancer is the gift that keeps on giving. 

Thanks for letting me rant!

Sunshine I was told by my BS when all this started that I can have surgery to even out the difference once this is all over and at the time I didn't realize exactly what she was talking about. She also told me I have 5 years to get it done and insurance will pay for it because it is no longer considered cosmetic. I finished my rads today !!! so a glass of wine it is..

Hi ladies just checking in to update you on recovery after rads. Would like to know others' experiences too. Four weeks post rads and I am still having pain now and again in chest area. It has also affected my range of motion which had improved during PT prior to rads. Underarm and chest area tightened up again. Skin is still holding up well. Still dark and a little peeling under arm, but no more itchiness, and no other issues. Still VERY fatigued. 

To all of you starting out or still doing rads.... Good luck, it's really not so bad, especially after chemo. Know that the end is in sight ! 

(And nothing to do with rads, but yeaaahhhh my hair is finally coming in !!!!!)

3rdtimenow & sailingwind - thanks for the bra recommendation & the cotton handerchief idea! 

Debster. So happy to hear you are done and going to have a great day with family.