Fall Rads 2014

Psalm34-4, it's hard to tell if my girl is swollen.  Everything removed was from the underside of my breast so it kind of "hangs over" and my nipple faces towards the floor rather than straight out.  So I look very full on top (considering I don't have much there to begin with) and not so much on the bottom.  My bras seem to fit when I bother to wear them.  I find that right now I'm happier without them.  

There's no bell at our center.  Apparently they give a certificate.  

You'll find that the biggest thing with the rads is just taking the time for them.  I've had very little in the way of SEs, luckily.  Looking forward to establishing a new schedule starting Friday (I'm done Thursday!).

Enjoy your time with the kids!

Hi Blownaway...I don't have any goggles and the camera doesn't usually work, so my last two sessions I did the breath holding technique with no tech support. It was fine. I find that if the therapist is supportive and confident (comforting?) it really makes a difference to how well I can do with the breathing. Even though chemo was very challenging, I find the radiation to be more intimidating... I guess because you are alone with a large machine and exposed... It is Thanksgiving in Canada...Happy Thanksgiving everyone...I feel more grateful than ever!

Woohoo Jen, good for you! 

I'm 1/3 of the way there and I hate wearing a bra, it reels sore under my arm where the bra rubs. Problem is my right side TE is flat and weird shaped and the RO won't let me get it filled till done. The left side is like a softball, I keep trying to come up with ways to even them out. I sewed a pad into a tank top, and I have a shirt with pockets that I tacked a pad on with velcro for work cause I get so hot,  guess that'll have to do for now. 

Congrats to all you ladies getting close to the bell...I cannot wait!

Wonderwoman - so far I have only seen a little pinkness (I've done 4 rads out of 35).  It's kind of like if you were to very sensibly and slowly try to get a tan on your breast. I am using Aquaphor even though I most like don't need to yet. If tanning dries out your skin, rads can't be much different. Later, if/when I start having a problem, I intend to take a leaf off the aloevera plant in the flower bed at work every day and apply that first, let it dry and pat Aquaphor on top of the aloe. I too am up for any suggestions from the ladies further along than we are. 

i think i was on some sort of "im finished" high this weekend.  Friday and Saturday were awesomely normal days.  Starting about an bour ago i feel like i have hit a massive brick wall.  Ugh.  Feet are up. Tomorrow is a new day - time to start getting regular about exercise.  I do still feel some pain...ro said it will get worse before better, i guess she knows what she ks talking about.

Ps: dont wait until you need the aquaphor.  I slathered it on right after every treatment and after every shower starting day 1.  I believe it helps prevent or at least will minimize damage. 

Wonderwoman: I start rads tomorrow. When I had my sim last week RO told me vanicream, aquaphor, and aloe were all good to use, to start using them once or twice a day right away, and not to put anything on within 2 hours of radiation. Check if your RO has any preferences.

another week done, 10 done, 23 to go. And what a week, rads, blood work and PT. I can't wait to say I am a survivor and leave this all behind. No problem with anything, kids say a little red by Friday, all gone by Sunday and back to rads on Monday.i am using aquaphor and aloe several times a day. 

My PT told me something that made sence but no one explain it to me before. Why skin problems, and why some much worse than others with rads? She said most get the sunburn because the outside is heated up and the skin starts to break down, okay we all heard that. But then she said, the rads also, kills good and bad cells on the inside, okay knew that, but I had not thought that thru  the inside will send lymph, and blood to heal the tissue, that leads to swelling which will cause the under layer of skin to be damaged as well. Anyway, for those like me who experiencing lymph and swelling anyway, I may get open sores because of the swelling inside. Anyway, I am hoping for the best, so far, everything is great and I am working on the outside skin to not get damaged, anyone know how to help with the swelling and inside damage? I am not prone to outside damage, great skin, never problems, even as a kid no pimples skin heals fast and great for cuts, no scars, even all my surgery scars as a kid disappeared, my kidney transplant scar is almost gone and the breast cancer three scars are probably gone in ten years also. But I do have problems with swelling, my ankles, my elbow, swell all the time. I have had lymph problems since the third surgery for the cancer, and I asked and she said yes the arm and the chest area is swollen. If anyone has answers I would like to hear them, I don't remember anyone mentioning anything about inside swelling and skin break down.i want to do what I can to prevent the problem. 

Started at the gym with week, walked a mile every day, carrying 2 lb weights I  each hand. Felt good to just feel normal for an hour a day, and not thinking about cancer, but laughing, having fun and struggling to push threw the pain, take the next breath and wanting to give up, I guess it is like Cancer, but at least everyone around you, friends and family are all in the same boat. (We go to the gym as a team, friends and family). 

Wishing and praying you all have a good week.

Willowreed84, my RO told me to use Aquaphor once I had redness.  I suppose I could have used it sooner but I'm not a lotion/gel/or whatever it is person.  It happens a whole that we all get different instructions on so many things.  Medicine is still an art.

My nip is extremely sensitive.  Has nothing to do with rads but from the nerve disruption from the lumpy.  My BS says it will get better but patience is necessary.  Lots of it.  Just think, you get to choose how your new ones look  Good luck with your rads!!!

Giles: it is so good to read that you're at the gym laughing and having fun with your friends. You deserve some fun after what you've been through.

Today was my birthday, turned 63. Had a really nice supper at a Mexican restaurant with friends. Everyone told me how good I looked, makes me wonder what they expected. I told them makeup and a wig create miracles!

Gilsmt, for swelling maybe try a compression bra? I have worn one since my lumpectomy due to size issues, and had no swelling. Designveronique.com has great compression garments and sleeves. 

Congrats on being done today MarieNJ!  I actually start today.  So glad to hear you have had no real SE.  I am hoping for the same.

Puffin, Happy Birthday!!!! Glad you had a great day.  Wasn't it nice to look so much better than everyone seemed to expect?

MarieNJ, congrats on your last rad Tx!  Just think of all the time you'll have.  I have my last on Thursday (33 of 'em).  Glad you haven't had side effects!

Puffin, 30 minutes seems an awfully like time.  Maybe the breath holding makes the difference.  Mine are about 10 minutes.  It definitely helps to remind yourself to relax those shoulders - many times during treatment.  I have no issues with my shoulders but they do feel rather dislocated at the end of each session.  Such a relief to move them.  You'll figure out how to make it more comfortable after a few sessions.  One down!!!

So I went to the PS to get deflated today and the PA talked me out of it. She said that if they radiate deflated skin it will be more difficult to inflate later.  Since this was optional, I decided not to deflate. I have to call the RO office and reschedule everything

Jules- that's cool, we don't have PA's, only NNP's, Fellows and attendings.  I love the NICU! My skin was a horrible mess despite putting aquaphor on it twice a day and using the mepilex AG. I am 12 days out since my final treatment though and it is looking great. I had blisters, peeling, hyperpigmentation, redness, itching, stinging...... Yuck! So thankful it healed so fast.