Fall Rads 2014

I don't think onco factored in, RO told me 3 weeks of rads before I even had the oncotype done

We did the "dry run" today. Tomorrow I think I start the actual therapy. They drew all over me and said they would rewrite them each time. I guess tomorrow is #1? When did everyone start the Aquaphor? I have to stop by the pharmacy and get some

Finished round 6 today. I am more pink today. Very tired and my under arm and breast are very tender. Of course my RO said the same thing as some of the others. Its too early for SE he didnt expect them for another week or two but Im telling you what I have them. Not everyone is textbook doc... right? 

Hi all,

I just finished 15/30 rads -- that doesn't count the boost sessions. I have triple positive IBC, stage IIB, and, luckily had a 100% response to chemo. Radiation has been easy compared to my almost 6 months of neo-adjuvant therapy. I've only got one hot spot  I credit Miaderm for heading off other skin issues.

I do have a bit of a sore throat from rad spillover and, between my surgery and rads, my back and shoulders are a mess. Otherwise, I have to say rads have been the most livable part of my experience.

bride

Peggy, good luck on your last rad today!  I hope you stick around.  You really have been a wealth of information.

HomeMom, They told me to start using the lotion they recommended starting with first treatment.  I've only had 2 treatments now but have been lotioning up the girl morning and night.  I have extremely fair skin and want to do everything I can to protect my skin.  

Bride, you are half-way there.  Good luck on the remaining treatments!

My RO told me to start using my cream twice a day even before I started rads, but to not use any cream within 2 hours before my rad treatment. He said Vanicream was also OK to use, or Aloe or Aquaphor - whatever made me comfortable. So I'm using the Vanicream to start with, not as greasy and soaks in good.

Bride - I've come down with a sore throat but just assumed I had picked up a bug.  Sure hope it is not rad related....my cancer is on the right and my sore throat pain is also on the right (I've only had 8 so far).  At my first appt, I had asked for a lead apron (don't know what its called) to cover my thyroid gland but the doc acted like I was a nut case. I already have thyroid issues and I've read that some women develop low thyroid after rads.

Peggy, I look at the sun and I burn. I don't think I have ever really been tan in my life.  I created a countdown calendar to place on my fridge at home.  I cannot wait for this to be over.  I have been fatigued since surgery and usually hit a wall around 2 pm.  I am so not looking forward to having even more fatigue with the radiation.  So far I have only missed 6 days of work but I have warned my boss that he may get a call telling him I am too tired to come in.

BlownAway, I really hope the sore throat is just from a bug!

Almost a week from my 25th of 25 treatments.  Exhausted this week - - having a little trouble sleeping, and a LOT of trouble getting up in the morning.  Luckily my husband has been getting up with the kids, I just can't seem to do it.  My 13 year old broke my heart last night...said her hair looked so good and she had wanted to show me before school.  Ah well, it's been the "year of me", and I do feel some form of normalcy coming back.   I'm just needing extra sleep.

I used aquaphor every day - right after each treatment and then right after my shower or right before bed if I happened to skip a shower on a particular day.  I don't think you can use too much aquaphor.  RO was right, skin continues to get worse after treatment ends.....  here's me:

(see the shine from the aquaphor?! LOL!!)  I have a small square on my back too.

Congrats Peggy on your last rad!

Thanks for the picture jen.

Thanks, WillowReed.  I was surprised when I got all choked up saying goodbye to the radiation therapists.  They were so supportive, especially when hubby was in dire condition, a very safe place to state my concerns.  They made the whole treatment quite nice.  It was only the grind of going everyday that was hard, not the treatments themselves.

Nancy, the only time I've been dizzy with radiation is when I get up off the table when I'm done.  Then it took me a minute to get past it.  Nothing like you've experienced.  Make sure you are resting and hydrating.  You're still extremely close to your lumpies and are recovering from them.  And remember:  BREATHE!!!

Peggy ,So happy for you. Did you get to ring the bell? 

I will have my 15 treatment today. Not red just a little tired. I think there are a couple of you on my same schedule. If so how are you doing after 15 treatments?

I had my lumpectomy last week and my radiation consultation appointment is in November.  My HER2 test was equivocal so the surgeon is re-doing it so I do not know about chemo yet.  chemo scares the hell out of me.   I have poor pitiful me moments and just start crying.  It has been a rough 2014 and I also turned 60 this year.  My husband went to the Doctor back in March thinking he was getting a touch of bronchitis, and ended up having open heart surgery.  My son's house exploded in July and he spent 5 and a half weeks in the burn unit at Memorial Herman in the medical center. (you can google that story:  house explosion/willis Texas/July 22nd)  Of course, they lost everything, but we still have him and his wife.  Did I mention they are living with us?  Mean while, I found my lump, turned 60, had a mammogram, then an ultrasound, then the biopsy, and lumpectomy. How is the radiation, really?  And does it really  make you tired?  I am tired now, and I just had a lumpectomy.  The surgeon tells me she got it all, and my lymph nodes were negative.

ER+ PR+HER2 equivocal 2+  FISH study HER/CEP17 ratio 1.4, average HER2 spot count 4.3 (not sure what this all means)  I am told positive ER and PR is a good thing.

SKBrown, What a terrible year you've had.  Try to breathe for a bit.  You still have healing that needs to be done from your lumpy.  Wonderful that she got it all and the lymph nodes were clear.  I'm thankful hubby and son are doing well along with your daughter-in-law.  Let them help you as much as possible.  You really do need to rest.

My year wasn't as awful as yours but plenty stressful.  I'm 69 and the fatigue along with the exhaustion I had before the rads meant I hit a wall about 2-3 o'clock.  Hubby was in the hospital extremely sick with pneumonia.  I'd be there at 6:30, off to rads in the morning (which were right at the hospital), back to him.  By 3 at the latest, I was done.  I couldn't do another thing except go home.  Sleep helps but the fatigue just needs rest more and quiet.  So plan on getting extra rest.  I had few problems with other side effects.

Please update your profile to reflect your current information.  It helps us advise you.  Much hugs on belonging to a sisterhood none of us wanted to join.  We're here to help.