Winter rads 2014-2015

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  • Birdgirl11
    Birdgirl11 Member Posts: 51
    edited December 2014

    Forhisglory - I had the same types of responses from my RO concerning side effects - including nausea and dizziness. They denied it could be from the radiation and made me feel stupid for even asking such silly questions. Yesterday I had it with my RO. He entered the room saying he needed to go "down the hall" for something (obviously more important than me) and could only check in for a second. Yesterday was Sunday and there were only a handfull of patients being treated. Made me so mad I was fuming!

    It seems RO's for the most part are concerned with that small area of your body they are treating and nothing else. If you are having side effects, I would continue following up with your MO if they are good or even your general practitioner. Hope things do level off for you soon. I did find with the nausea I felt better when I had somthing in my stomach - preferably protein. We are all so different, but trust your instincts and listen to your body. You know your body better than anyone else. Hugs

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  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 575
    edited December 2014

    This is our list of Winter Warriors as of December 22th - I'll do my best to keep it current. Let me know if it needs a change. 

    October / November Start

    MeneK – Oct 24............................. MagicalBean - Oct 28Happy......... Mmtagirl - Nov 3 Happy

    MarieBernice6234 - Nov 4 Happy ... Hope50 - Nov 5 Happy..................  dennyvol - Nov 5 Happy

    CAS4 - Nov 6 ............................... Beachbaby65 - Nov 4 Happy.......... CoyoteNV - Nov 10 Happy

    Lush61 - Nov 13 ..........................  Rosa54 - Nov 13 ........................  Yikes1 - Nov 17 

    Beachlady28 – Nov 17 ................ Nomatterwhat - Nov 17 ................ LMVerma  Nov 18

    katieC12 – Nov 18 Happy............... Lorrilynne - Nov 18 ....................... Gongshow18 - Nov 20 

    Birdgirl11 - Nov 23 .....................  Perfectlyimperfect39 - Nov 23 ....... Singsing1020 -Happy

    December Start

    Pita119 - Dec 1 .......................... SandyLovesLucy - Dec 1................ AnasNana - Dec 1

     HockeyCat - Dec 3 ................... .CanuckMom Dec 4 ........................  MeanMomto3 - Dec 4

    JustJean - Dec 5 ....................... runningcello - Dec 9 ....................... arynbrit - Dec 10

    eileenpg - Dec 10  ..................... ForHisGlory - Dec 10 ..................... Davida58 - Dec 10

    ILCMom - Dec 15......................  Linzer – Dec 16 .............................. WndrWoman - Dec 16

    labelle - Dec 17 .........................Slavrich - Dec 27..............................InGodshands - Dec 18

    Catie57 - Dec 18........................PoppyK - Dec 29 ............................ kpmacmill - Dec 29 

    Cath57 - Dec 29 ....................... Jlynn13 - Dec 29 ............................ gretchy - Dec 29

    December Start Dates Not Known 

    Minnielee - Dec ? .................... surrrrana99 - Dec ?

    Coloradocancermom - Dec ?

    January Start

    reader425 - Jan 2..................... Purrrrana99 - Jan 5........................... fossf - Jan 7

    Nancy6540 - Jan 12

    January Start Dates Not Known

    Windgirl - Jan ? ....................... KGotThis - Jan ?............................... Bippy625 - Jan ?

    No Start Date Yet

    Shuf - ? ....................................bjeaneg - ?  .......................................Shayne36 - ?

     

     Happy= Hooray Finished!

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  • Pita119
    Pita119 Member Posts: 85
    edited December 2014

    Forhisglory & Birdgirl11,

    I'm not having any nausea or vomiting with my rad treatments but I see the dr. every week & every week he specifically asks me if I am. So, I'm assuming since he keeps asking me then nausea, vomiting diarrhea could possible be a SE of radiation. I know a couple of the girls that I talk to while waiting for treatment have said that they've been having the nausea & vomiting since starting rad treatment.

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  • Jlynn13
    Jlynn13 Member Posts: 21
    edited December 2014
    • hi CoyoteNV I'm new to this site and am starting rads dec 29 th. can you please add me to the list
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  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 575
    edited December 2014

    Hi Jlynn13 - I can see this has been a long year for you.   You will find that the other members of this group will be very supportive of what you have gone through and what is going on now.  I my opinion, radiation therapy is much easier than what you have already gone through.  Welcome.

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  • Bippy625
    Bippy625 Member Posts: 890
    edited December 2014

    Hi coyote! ,my date will be january, moving it forward a few wekks to recover fully from surgery......as soon asi know I will relay new date. Thanks for keepin track!

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  • Birdgirl11
    Birdgirl11 Member Posts: 51
    edited December 2014

    Pita119 - thanks for sharing. Glad your RO keeps tabs on those things and asks you about them. Sounds like you've got a good one! It's so helpful to hear with different RO's from different areas say about these things

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  • ForHisGlory
    ForHisGlory Member Posts: 64
    edited December 2014

    thanks for all the feedback...makes me feel better! I am not taking anything new..I only take synthroid and have been on the same dose for years. Wish I could find something else to blame it on. I guess it could be stress related though. I'm glad someone finally gave me meds to try and fix it. We'll see!

    Day 9 was yest and I have a small rash starting and itchy! Guess I need to start with the Aquaphor now....

    Merry Christmas eve's eve! :)

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  • Singsing1020
    Singsing1020 Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2014

    I finished my 6 weeks of rad last Friday. I just wanted to let everyone know that the whole experience was not that bad at all! My skin turned a bit pink, but it was not painful. It did not hurt. I was a bit tired. But not that bad at all. I still walked an hour every day, cooked and cleaned and went skiing! I did have dry mouth, but it just made me drink more water. Water is good for the body. So now it is all done. No more running to the hospital after work and fighting in the traffic in the dark winter hours. No more worries about irritating my skin. I am so happy! My advice is

    1. apply something immediately after the radiation each time when you change back into your own clothes.

    2. Ask the nurse for some soft pads to put inside the bra to make it comfortable.

    3. Drink a lot of water.

    4. Just follow the signals of your body. If you are tired, then rest. If not, then try to get some workout like walking or yogo!

    Good luck to all of you!

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  • SandyLovesLucy
    SandyLovesLucy Member Posts: 204
    edited December 2014

    Singsong1020, Congratulations! I'm glad it wasn't too bad for you. I appreciate the reminder about drinking water.  I know I've slacked off since my chemo ended. Also trying to maintain a more consistent exercise routine. It does really help with energy level.

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  • WndrWoman
    WndrWoman Member Posts: 333
    edited December 2014

    I have just joined, but I have read the whole thread. Thanks to all for sharing hints and experiences. Way to go for those finishing. I am lucky to have a center a short drive away with wonderful staff. Feel cared for as a person, not just a body.

    I was surprised drinking water was just mentioned. My RO's instructions include drinking 8-8oz. glasses of water daily not counting caffeine drinks. I have been doing that and appplying cream since day one. Have had 6 treatments.

    My challenge has been bras or whatever. I bought a couple of cotton bras but they don't have cup sizes. I slid out of the bottom of one and the other squeezes both breast together. I am a 46D. Hence my username because I have gone with the Wonder Woman look of sports bra over cotton shirt - cami, T or turtleneck.

    Will be with you all into February. Thanks.

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  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 575
    edited December 2014

    Interesting things going on in my rads area.  Dr said that it might increase in aggravation.  It is.  It really never bothered me much at night before now, but it certainly does now! It is rather sore in the deeper tissues.  Something to be aware of. 

    We have been rather OBE'd around here in the last couple days.  In my brilliance and feeling well, I decided to hostess Christmas dinner.  For me, that really means hitting the kitchen in a hard way.  Of course, all the guests (and me) have special food needs.  Non-gluten, non-dairy, low-carb, Paleo diet.  I've been learning some new cooking techniques.   I'll probably gain weight trying various non-gluten bread recipes!  Sunday, we went to a friend's house for a little party to celebrate my final rads; we came back home to water running down the driveway into the street.  Hubby was cleaning the pool filters earlier and left them out to dry for some repair work.  He didn't turn off the switch to the pump, so the pool was getting drained.  It was 1/3 down and dropping fast.  That's one way to clean a pool.   Yesterday, we decided to put a leaf in the dining table. We had not expanded the table since we purchased in 5 or 6 years ago.  It jammed and we couldn't get it open or closed.  We had to dismantle the table, sand down the runners and reassemble it.  Then, I had used our daughter's maiden name rather than her married name when I got her airline ticket.  She hadn't printed it out and didn't see that it was wrong.  She has no ID in her previous name naturally.  Bless Southwest Airlines, they made the correction with a smile (I could see it on the phone.)   Well, I'm going back to the sample kitchen to see if one of my newly adapted recipes works.  Merry Christmas to all.

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  • eileenpg
    eileenpg Member Posts: 467
    edited December 2014

    Coyote+Funny!!! That is how life goes.

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  • WndrWoman
    WndrWoman Member Posts: 333
    edited December 2014

    Coyote, One of my friends yearbook quote is "Life is just one damn thing after another." Of course some of those things are great, like having your daughter come home. Hope all the others work out.

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  • MagicalBean
    MagicalBean Member Posts: 362
    edited December 2014

    Thanks for the heads-up Coyote. I have that soreness too. Nothing terrible but I sure felt it when I rolled over on my stomach last night.

    Yea for finishing, SingSing. What a nice Christmas gift.

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  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 575
    edited December 2014


    Yes, all is working out fine.  Thanks.  It really was kind of funny.  We have come to the conclusion that plans are almost always overcome by events and you just better be able to roll with it.   

    The recipe was down right nasty.  Fortunately, I made a sample size. 

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  • windgirl
    windgirl Member Posts: 340
    edited December 2014

    hi Coyote!

    My start date is still not determined (recovering from surgery and have not had the sim yet) but it will be January, will let you know. I hope everyone is doing well and getting through rads fine.

    The more I read about this step of our treatment the scarier it sounds to me! I know it's easier to get through than chemo but the long term side effects really scare me. I started this journey saying I will do whatever is needed but really dreading the radiation part. I will do it as it is standard of care for people like me but just having a hard time coming to terms with it.

    Take care everyone and wish you all happy holidays!!

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  • gretchy
    gretchy Member Posts: 106
    edited December 2014

    I start my rads Dec. 29th, 2014. Everybody's feedback is helpful. I will be certain to take care of myself the best i can! Thank you and good luck to all of you.

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  • Beachbaby65
    Beachbaby65 Member Posts: 68
    edited December 2014

    welcome all newcomers, I had my final rads Sunday! I am so glad to be done with very little ses for now. In fact my skin is healing beautifully. I will enjoy the holidays then meet with my oncologist and probably start tomaxafin on Jan 5 th. That is what scares me the most. I guess I need to join the group for that. As scared as I was to start rads it ended up being fairly easy. Skin issues were dealt with quickly the worst for me was the commute. Hugs to everyone, stay strong, lots of callendula and aquafor and hydrate. You will get through it! Merry Christmas everyone!

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  • MagicalBean
    MagicalBean Member Posts: 362
    edited December 2014

    Congrats, Beachbaby. I'm glad you breezed through so uneventfully.

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  • WndrWoman
    WndrWoman Member Posts: 333
    edited December 2014

    Thanks Beachbaby65 for the encouragement and good going.

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  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited December 2014

    Congrats, Beachbaby!!!  I am behind you by a couple of weeks.  I will join you on the Tamoxifin board soon. 

    Windgirl - you sound like me dreading the rads and doing them because all my doctors and my husband said I didn't have a choice.  I had a hard time coming to terms with doing radiation since my cancer was gone and doing rads every day was even worse, but kicking and screaming I went.  My techs are simply amazing!!!!  They are so attentive and take such good care of me.  I still don't like the every day ritual, but I had #25 today and am now counting down to early January.  How time flies even when you are not having fun.  You will do fine, just remember to use your aquaphor and other lotions the doctor gives you.  My boss promised to get me a bell to ring and buy donuts to celebrate the day I am done.   

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  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 575
    edited December 2014

    Congrats to you Beachbaby!  That's great.  Our smiley faces are growing!

    And to you Hope50.  I remember you said today was to be your last day... Happy Birthday! 

    Hi to you too Windgirl. I know the feeling of not want to do it.  It's just too mysterious.  Can't see it, can't feel it (at the time). It travels through the smock and blanket... and Zaps ya'.  I kept wanting to ask, "And this is doing exactly what?...that is aside from possibly making a crispy critter out of me."  I had few side effects from the rads during my treatments, but I now can tell that it happened.  I'm feeling a bit beat up.  Nomatterwhat is correct. The daily routine is not pleasant.  For me it involved a RT commute of over 3 hours, but I whined about that at the time, and was given lots of sympathy from everyone here.  It is amazing that it goes by quicker that you might think.

    Take care all, and Merry Christmas!

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  • Beachlady28
    Beachlady28 Member Posts: 54
    edited December 2014
    Hello to all: Going for my Boost Prep today and will also get rad whole breast # 27 out of 33. Don' t like rads any more than Day # 1 but if it will keep the beast away I tolerate it. Not looking forward to more tattoos, inkings, positioning, markings etc. Tough to keep the emotions in check. My whole breast and especially the underside is bright red. I have the gels and creams lined up in the bathroom and use them 3 to 4 times a day. Here is the list: Aquafor, Vitamin E oil, alo gel with lidocaine (no alcohol), calendula cream, hydrocortisone 1% for itching. Got them all over the counter. Slather the stuff on (except the hydorcort-put on itchy areas only). Then use a clean makeup brush and dust the entire area with corn starch which will prevent the area sticking to your chemise, bra, shirt. Also gave up on wearing a bra...just wearing a real soft chemise, even at work no one could tell. Just wore a loose sweater and scarf. Wear the chemise inside out so no seams touch the body and is more comfy. My onc Doc said to try whatever creams work...I began the creams and gels on day 1 so I got no blisters but the sharp electric shooting pains are horrid but they do pass.
    Hope some of this info is helpful to all. Enjoy the holidays.
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  • WndrWoman
    WndrWoman Member Posts: 333
    edited December 2014

    Beachlady28 thanks for describing your routine. Due to comments here I now bring my cream and put it on in the dressing area instead of waiting until I get home. I asked the RO's nurse about dusting with corn starch. She said I could do it but they had taken it off the instruction sheet because of some findings about the corn starch "feeding" fungal rashes. Years ago I had such a rash in the fold under my breasts, and the dermatologist told me to stop using talcum powder and air dry for the same reason. Since I have a history with that rash, I am skipping the corn starch. I know what you mean about being sticky though.

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  • Birdgirl11
    Birdgirl11 Member Posts: 51
    edited December 2014

    Wndrwoman - I didn't use the corn starch either for the same fungal possibilities you mentioned. I used a cleanex instead. Looks a little funny and leaves some interesting wrinkles on your breast, but it saves the bras. I'm getting pretty good at lining up the top corner of the tissue with where my bra goes :

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  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited December 2014

    Wnderwoman, I had that rash under my breasts for several years when I went through menopause and a nurse told me to put a cotton sock under my breast to absorb the wet. I now use the cotton sock to keep the bra off my skin as I go through radiation.

    Happy Holidays to all. 

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  • Cath57
    Cath57 Member Posts: 47
    edited December 2014

    Here I am on Christmas Eve day gathering research about rads . I start my treatment on the 29th of Dec. My RO won't be in until my first day of treatment & I still have some unanswered questions. When I talked to her nurse, I could feel her eyes rolling . I told her, " sorry, I'm one of those that questions everything , & am a how come / why person & am proactive in my medical care.". She said that I could go in early to talk to her. A few days ago I came across a post on FB, "Live Strong" a non- profit organization that was instituted by Lance Armstrong. They referred me to NavigateCancer, & an oncologist Nurse Practitioner called me & spent 45 min talking & listening to my concerns. She could not advise but she could give me questions to ask my MO. She didn't roll her eyes but was impressed with my knowledge of my cancer & my proactive approach . She wished everyone else was proactive. At any rate, after talking to her , I didn't feel like an obsessive lunatic ! I'm sharing this here because I feel that it's a safe place. Now that I "vented", I'm going to lay this aside , pick it up next Mon & enjoy the day in preparation for our family Christmas festivities.... Time to make pumpkin bread & brunch casserole! Merry Christmas to all of you ladies who are on this journey! Hugs!

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  • Pita119
    Pita119 Member Posts: 85
    edited December 2014

    Cath57...you should feel very good about yourself that you are proactive & question everything in regards to your healthcare. I, too, am like that & if I weren't, it probably would have been years before my bc would have been found. Working in healthcare has also given me a lot of insight as to what behavior is acceptable when dealing with healthcare workers who brush patients off. Today I had rad #19 and will have my last treatment on 12/29. Except for being tired, I really have done pretty well with it. No redness, blistering, itching...everyone is different how they react to it. Good luck and Merry Christmas!!!


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  • eileenpg
    eileenpg Member Posts: 467
    edited December 2014

    Had my 7th rad today. For past 2 days noticed my left arm(side of radiation is now swollen(edematous). I will ask on Friday when I go back. I have had since the 4 th round of chemo a lot of fluid retention in lower body. I am probably carrying 10+ lbs . I have gained that much during chemo and ate nothing due to terrible metal tatse.Any one else have the problem with arm? Another lovely SE

    Merry Christmas!!

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