Winter rads 2014-2015

Congratulations, Mmtagirl! You made it!

13 treatments done and I'm starting to shut down emotionally. So far I had been able to stay positive and upbeat. Maybe it's because the fatigue is setting in, but I'm going back to the place where I don't want to think or feel, just kind of make it through. Bleh. Anyone else get to the point where they just shut down

congrats on those finishing up!! I start 8 boosts next Monday and then I'm done!! The fatigue has set in big time along with everything else. I've had really bad back pain on my radiation side. At least there is a light at the end of the tunnel. One week on anastrozole and so far so good with that.

How is everyone's hair coming along for those who had chemo? Did the boosts burn worse?

Hi ForHisGlory,

I had posted about this previously, will try to go back and find it.

A few thoughts from what I remember from others:

One person had a stomach bug at the time.

One person had an issue with a medication she started.

I was advised could be due to going to radiation on an empty stomach.

It seems that something else could be going on at the same time, but since you are also starting radiation it makes sense to think it is due to the radiation.

I know I once took a pill that created a metallic taste in my mouth - so please be certain you did not start a new medication that could be causing the symptoms.

Regardless of the cause I hope you feel better soon because the last thing you need are more issues!

16 down, 14 more to go! So far so good. My skin is holding up- a little pink but not too bad. I really wish this was finished before Christmas but I'll still have a few 'boosts' in January. Just finished a great book written by a cancer survivor. "Life in the balance" by dr. Marla Shapiro. She's a Canadian doctor who had her own show and did medical reporting for various Canadian news shows. It's a good read and gives some interesting perspective to this hellish journey we are all on! Well, almost Friday ... Looking forward to a couple of days off treatment! Keep smiling...

to CoyoteNV,

thank you for the list update.

Hi Kelly, We start on the same day. I haven't had my sim yet, but your experience would make me lose it, too!

Hello Kelly, It's nice to see another July gal on the Winter site.  This is another super supportive group.  You are definitely not alone in this part of your journey either. 

Personally, I think this part is easier than the previous one; however, it does sound like yours is more difficult than mine.  I think Puffin had the same left side issue that you do. She is still active in the July group and also in the Fall rads group if you have questions for her.  Hopefully, you will handle the claustrophobic feeling once you get used to it.  The time of the treatments is really short...just a few minutes.  Unfortunately, you will have to be thinking about what you are doing during yours.  I usually drift off in the first 30 seconds. 

I'm probably not the best person to talk to about side effects of radiation. I had #23 today and I'm almost embarrassed (but happy) to say that I am not having any skin issues at this point.  If things suddenly go south, I think I can deal with one more week of treatments.  RO said that I have great skin - aside from the old and saggy parts (says me).  I do get tired, but it is nothing compared to how I felt during chemo.  I couldn't get upstairs without a sit down most nights during chemo.  I almost race up the stairs now. 

I am so excited to have the weekend off, especially since I missed my last weekend because of the machine breakdown on Friday.   It's raining on the desert tonight, and we should have snow on the surrounding mountain tops when the clouds are gone tomorrow.  That is as close as we get to a white Christmas around here!

Hope all is well with everyone for a good weekend.

Hello everyone!

Just finished #17 today and 16 more to go. I started out pink the first week and last week they decided to change the dosage as my skin was reacting quite a bit and so soon. Boy am I glad they did! I'm now red and dark brown, itchy and blisters appeared today. Starting to go bra-less more now for comfort. Fatigue really set in yesterday and it seems to hit about 2pm (about an hour after rads). I'm concerned I won't be able to handle my schedule at work if this keeps progressing! I'm a dental hygienist and my schedule is jam packed over the Xmas break. Has anyone had issues with continuing to work through all of the treatment?

ForHisGlory....I wasn't feeling real nauseous but I lost my appetite! Nothing sounded good at all the first 2 weeks. By the third week I had lost 7 lbs and was told to not lose anymore! I was kind of excited and then for the first time a dr told me to stop it! It figures!LOL

It sounds like this has been the week for pity parties! I'm so glad to hear I'm not alone. It seems like my moods are swaying from one side to the other all of the time. I'm so tired and I keep thinking ...where are all of those friends that wanted to help?? They always say "let me know what I can do" (and I was guilty of that in the past) but yet I'm not one to call to ask for help! It would be so nice to have someone call and just say " hey, I'm bringing you dinner on Monday!" I live alone and cooking for myself right now just isn't happening! By the time I get home from work, I'm beat! But I feel guilty asking too.?.? Oh my moods are killing me right now!

I'm seeing a glimmer of light I think! Halfway there.....

Lorrielynne, One of the best things my friends have done for me is bring my family meals. There is a website where you can set up a meal schedule/request in about 5 minutes. Your friends will receive a email notifying them of the meal schedule and they can sign up for dates that work for them. You can specify what kinds of foods you can't eat, time for the meal delivery and which days you would like meals. My family's meals are set up for every other day during the week, but you can set whatever schedule would work best for you. Here's the link:

http://takethemameal.com/

Shayne, I'm sure others will chime in, but it is my understanding that radiation is most effective when it is done every day. Welcome to the group!

Hello Birdgirl11
Yup I feel the very same way some days. Going to daily rads is emotionally draining as it is a constant reminder of what we are all going thru. Most days I am in that very small space between tolerating treatment and bursting into tears on the table. I tell myself it is just a few minutes long and will be over soon and if this is what will keep the evil beast out of my body then so be it. Just had # 19 and am getting quite red. Using aloe gel with lidocaine, Aquafor, and vitamin E. at least 3 times a day. After trial runs, finally found undergarments that work for me which is: Jockey Elance Supersoft sleeveless chemise turned inside out (so seams do not touch skin, got at Macy's), then over that I wear a one piece stretchy bra- has no clips, metal, hooks or anything. You have to step into it like the top of a bathing suit and pull it up. May have bought the bra at Sears? I can tolerate this combo all day at work, then remove it for rads and go braless the rest of the day but keep on the chemis only. Also I wash these items with Dove plain unscented soap.
But here is the big ? What in the world is up with these sharp shooting breast pains like a knife? Almost worse than post surgery pain !!!!!!!!! And Doc says this is normal....well that together with the itching is too much. Any ideas?
Also hi to all brave warriors on this great thread. Hello to fellow Jersey girl Pita119.

 Thanks for the welcome MagicalBean and so glad you are nearly done.  It's encouraging to me just starting this part of the process, to hear of so many that have gone through it without too much difficulty.  I bought Calendula at the Nurse's recommendation but I like having another suggestion.

Hi ForHisGlory -

Don't always believe what the treatment team tells you. Just because they work with radiation doesn't mean they have all the answers. If it varies anyway from the norm, they always say it is not from the treatment. Hope it doesn't continue in that way.

MarieBernice6234

Hi Beachlady28,

Not happy to hear you are itching.

From reading your recent posts - I am wondering if you are using something to help the itching, like a cortisone cream (if allowed by your doctors)?

Wow, so many new people on this list. I'll try to shout out to you all individually in a later post, but for now, to all: "Welcome!"

I just completed 7 of 27 rads to my left breast. I do special breathing where they tape a transmitter thingie on my diaphragm and I've learned to inhale and hold it to get to 96.3. I have absolutely no idea what 96.3 means, except that they're happy when I maintain my breath at that level. It keeps the rads from hitting my heart. I do one long and one short dose of radiation on each side.

After a nasty reaction to Medline cream, I am now using mediaderm about six times a day. Techs and nurse suggest using it as much as I can after rads. I'm supplementing with Boiron Calendula and I've got fresh aloe Vera if it gets really red.

I'm having itchy underarm. Can't shave and can only use Toms of Maine deodorant. Radiation hits left underarm on the way to left breast. It gets hot and itchy! Ugh!

I joke that I've hijacked a popular song as my anthem: "My boob is on fi-yerrrrr!"

I found out yesterday that I'm ER+, and for DCIS they only want to offer tamoxifen. I'm not so happy. After 3 very unpleasant hormone threatments back in my 20s for endometriosis, I've always said that I wouldn't do hormone therapy again unless there was a gun to my head. I guess there's a gun to my head now.....

I think that will mean that I've gone through the menopause experience a total of 5 times. I'm so tired of it.

So, now, I'm researching tamoxifen and all its side effects are scary. However, a recurrence is scarier, so....

I hate BC. hate it hate it hate it

Sorry to be so negative, but I think I've hit the "flat" stage that so many talk about. I just can't get excited about anything; BC messes with your head as much as it messes with your breasts!

The ladies on this list are amazing. Inspiring, encouraging, knowledgeable, and so, so compassionate.

Watch our for JustJean though, she'll tease you with cookies!

Birdgirl -

We are about the same stage of the game....I've done 17 with 16 to go and am also feeling a bit down. I find surrounding myself with friends has helped.

I also debated (briefly) about putting my dx out there on Facebook but really knew I NEEDED to! First reason was if it weren't for another friend of mine posting hers, I might not gave gone for my mammogram when I did!

Secondly, I wanted to "pay it forward" and encourage all of my girlfriends to get theirs. I was surprised to hear from several that had never gone and did so because of me! Mission accomplished!

Thirdly, the love and support I've received from those friends means the world to me! Although I'm still struggling with asking for help, I'm working on it. :-)

Just thought I'd share my reasons for sharing! I'm not shy about it as I feel the more that I tell, the more that may be saved. Just like I was!

This is definitely a great place to vent, cry, whatever you'd like...we will all support each other.

Hugs sister! You are halfway there!!