Winter rads 2014-2015

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  • WndrWoman
    WndrWoman Member Posts: 333
    edited December 2014

    Glad you have done so well Gongshow16. Almost finished

    Do you know if you get new tattoos for the boost?

    Welcome fossf

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  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 575
    edited January 2015

    This is our list of Winter Warriors as of December 31st - 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 Happy........................ 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 Happy

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

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

    December Start

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

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

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

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

    SCMom - Dec 11.........................ILCMom - Dec 15...........................  Linzer – Dec 16

    WndrWoman - Dec 16 .............. sweetbanker - Dec 16 ....................  labelle - Dec 17 

    Slavrich - Dec 27........................InGodshands - Dec 18 .................... Catie57 - Dec 18

    PoppyK - Dec 29 ....................... kpmacmill - 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........................... Fionascottie - Jan 5

    Cath57 - Dec 29 ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,fossf - Jan 7....................................... Nancy6540 - Jan 12

    January Start Dates Not Known

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

    Lulubelle1 - Jan ?

    No Start Date Yet

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

    Sjacobs146 - ?

     Happy= Hooray Finished!


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  • WndrWoman
    WndrWoman Member Posts: 333
    edited December 2014

    Thanks, Coyote, for keeping the list.

    I read your recent posting on fall rads and comments on cording. Breastcancer.org has a helpful description of cording under side effects. One variation involves the whole arm.

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  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 575
    edited December 2014

    Thank you for WndrWoman.  I went over and read the article.  That was not only informative, but I do believe it is on point.  I'm surprised it is not a radiation se because I did not have the problem until recently.  It's been months since surgery.  I have several appointments in January - one with every specialist for check ups.  Guess I'll be adding another. 

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  • Carynbrit
    Carynbrit Member Posts: 51
    edited December 2014

    Rads#12 done Friday.. back to it on Monday. (had day off for Christmas and will have New Years off too).

    No blood work here (no chemo).. Friday was on the table for a while..re lining up.. yet more drawing on body. Techs are really nice.

    Tired on and off.. but i was always exhausted like that before all this started. I wish I had help at home a bit.. seems like i 'look' okay therefore do not need any help. (its complex) Hubby has a cold and is 'tired' so has spent the last few days napping..I want to smack the crap out of him most of the times.

    Anyway.. skin holding up 'okayish'.. red in areas..esp sermona on boob... and the area where it was leaking before I started.. thats crusty looking and vile.. apart from that.. just getting on with it.

    I must admit that I am waking up just feeling scared to death.. mainly because we are goign to have the tamoxifen discussion here mid January...

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  • Birdgirl11
    Birdgirl11 Member Posts: 51
    edited December 2014

    Carynbrit - I'm with you on being nervous about the tamoxifen. Also looking at starting in January. It seems you work your way through the unknowns of one hurdle, only to see the next one looming ahead. And yes, because we "look" healthy, it seems people forget or don't understand what we are going through.

    Hugs and encouragment to you, sister. We are stronger than we feel, right

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  • Fionascottie
    Fionascottie Member Posts: 78
    edited December 2014

    I was glad to find this group! Radiation begins Jan 5 for me...a dry run on that first day. I have my tattoos and Sharpie marker under waterproof tape I was asked not to remove! I had 6 rounds of chemo in the summer, surgery (a lumpectomy ) on Oct 23rd and it's time for Step 3. There has been a delay because a seroma problem slowed healing from surgery. There is still a small hole that is not yet healed and my fingers are crossed that it won't delay things again. The seroma problem after surgery meant packing the wound and waiting for healing from the inside out. A whole new experience for me!

    My tumor was on the left side and my RO said initially he might put me on my stomach for treatment in order to protect my heart. When I went for measurements, etc. he decided to keep me on my back and have me hold my breath , a move which apparently moves the heart down and away just a smidgen. Has anyone else done this for a left side tumor site?

    I've read several pages of posts and I see aquafor and aloe mentioned, as well as calendula lotion, for skin care during these treatments. Is this always an "after treatment" application? I've seen mention of cotton bra necessity elsewhere. Are the rest of you finding that to be true ?

    Glad there are companions on this journey! Not a journey I ever expected to make!

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  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited December 2014

    Crynbrit, If you don't feel like doing something then don't do it.  Take care of yourself first, your housework will be there when you get around to it.  If your husband doesn't like the way you keep house, then let him do it.  My husband has not let me do anything around the house since this journey started for us in May.  I go to work everyday and when I get home I sit and relax while he fixes dinner, does dishes and cleans the kitchen. 

    Fionascott, I don't think any of us ever expected to go on this journey, but I am very thankful for all the advice from these great and awesome ladies. 

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  • linzer
    linzer Member Posts: 164
    edited December 2014

    Wndrwoman... Livestrong is through the YMCA. Here in Mass you get 12 weeks of 2x week classes and a free membership for the three months. It's supposed to help you get back on track after cancer treatment. I go tomorrow for an intake. The classes start Jan 13th at my Y, which coincides nicely with the end of my rads.

    Call your local Y and ask if they have the program.

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  • Jlynn13
    Jlynn13 Member Posts: 21
    edited December 2014

    thank you! I'm praying that radiation is much much easier.

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  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited December 2014

    I start rads tomorrow. Any last minute advice? I already ruined one bra with the sharpie marks from the simulation.

    Fionna, My treatment is for the right side, but I know others on this thread have discussed holding their breath during rads for the left side.

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  • sweetbanker
    sweetbanker Member Posts: 22
    edited December 2014

    Had my first treatment December 16. I am on my stomach and the hardest part so far is the mapping and weekly xrays. I guess cause your on the table longer.My breast is a little pinker and has gotten sore the end of the week. If this is all I get I'll be very happy. Taxol knocked me for a loop so only 6 treatments and had a 6 week break between since last treatment to heal. Getting Herceptin weekly was concerned of the side effects but so far so good. Only time I want the weeks to fly by.


    One day at a time

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  • yikes1
    yikes1 Member Posts: 120
    edited December 2014

    Hi PoppyK,

    Since you do not know how your skin will react I do highly suggest applying whatever your radiation place suggests

    to use from the beginning to keep the area moisturized.

    I have tattoos so not sure how to deal with the sharpie marks and the bra, but I once used hairspray to get out ink marks from clothing.

    thinking of you-

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  • Jlynn13
    Jlynn13 Member Posts: 21
    edited December 2014

    poppyk I have my first rads tomorrow also. I'm very nervous and praying forminimal side effects.

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  • Jlynn13
    Jlynn13 Member Posts: 21
    edited December 2014

    fionascottie my tumor is also on the left side and I have to hold my breath in order to move my heart down some so it gets less radiation exposure.

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  • Gongshow16
    Gongshow16 Member Posts: 26
    edited December 2014

    Yikes:

    The aloe is in a dark bottle that must be refrigerated, brand is called Lily of the Desert. Health food/supplement store is probably your best bet. The Glaxol cream is just called Glaxol- you can get it just about anywhere... Costco had the best price for a large tub of it. The Aloe is cold but really cools the skin. It goes on quite watery but you have to let it soak in for about 20 minutes. I put the glaxol on a little while after the aloe.


    Good luck everyone. It's Monday again... 5 more to go!

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  • Cath57
    Cath57 Member Posts: 47
    edited December 2014

    Good luck tomorrow kpmacmil Poppyk Jlynn13 gretchy on starting your rads, I'm right there with you, nervous about SE , especially the long term ones..... Sigh , but we can do this!

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  • Cath57
    Cath57 Member Posts: 47
    edited December 2014

    Good luck tomorrow with you 1st rads kpmacmill PoppyK Jlynn13 gretchy. I'm right there with you! I'm nervous about the SE , especially the long term ones , but hoping & praying for the best . We can do this!

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  • Nomatterwhat
    Nomatterwhat Member Posts: 587
    edited December 2014

    Good luck to everybody who is starting radiation this week, you can do this.  It is much easier than chemo.  Remember to take an old shirt to put on under your bra/clothes to save them from being ruined from the sharpie markings.  Remember your aquaphor or whatever you plan to put on after your rads treatment.   I will be thinking of you tomorrow as I do #27.

    Poppy, have you heard from Badhairday lately?

     

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  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 575
    edited December 2014


    I hope tomorrow goes well for all of you beginning the rads journey this week -  PoppyK, kpmacmill, Cath57, Jlynn13, and gretchy.  It really does seem to go by quickly.

    Welcome to our Winter Rads support group Fionascottie and sweetbanker.  You will find lots of friends who understand what you are dealing with here. 

     

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  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited December 2014

    Nomatterwhat, I haven't seen her around the boards. Hope she is okay. I sent her a pm.

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  • WndrWoman
    WndrWoman Member Posts: 333
    edited December 2014

    PoppyK (love that photo) - I had trouble with my shoulder, upper arm and shoulder blade cramping while holding my arms over my head when I started. Now, just before I go in, I do a few shoulder rolls and some gentle side to side twists and raise my shoulders to my ears a few times. That seems to loosen me up.

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  • WndrWoman
    WndrWoman Member Posts: 333
    edited December 2014

    Another thing that helps me is to plan what I want to think about during radiation - food shopping list, Christmas thank you notes I need to write, replaying a holiday gathering, etc. During the long mapping session I mentally walked through a botanical garden we had recently visited. I keep my eyes shut, so I just try to transport myself. When it doesn't work, I just count and find that calming and providing a focus.

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  • Pita119
    Pita119 Member Posts: 85
    edited December 2014

    I am done...done...done yahoo!!!

    Rad #20 finished this morning. Overall...not so bad. I did start to blister a little and am a little sore where there is a red rash. Thinking of all of you as you get through this...it will be over soon!!!!

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  • Jlynn13
    Jlynn13 Member Posts: 21
    edited December 2014

    thanks for the good wishes. Has anyone had to wear a compression sleeve to reduce the risk of lymphadema? I had 10 lymph nodes removed so at risk plus radiation increases risk. I was told to wear compression sleeve for 9 weeks( 1 wk before rads start, 6 weeks of rads and 2 wks after).

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  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited December 2014

    Pita, Congratulations! I hope to come through this as well as you did!

    I'm leaving soon for my first rads. Have to feed the pets first! Has anyone used coconut oil? Several have mentioned aloe, but I'm curious since I have coconut oil in the house.

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  • Lulubelle1
    Lulubelle1 Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2014

    Hi Everyone,

    This is my first post. I have been lurking for a couple of months now. I met with the RO on December 17th and she ordered a mammogram before I can have my treatment planning session. Has anyone else needed to get a mammogram before radiation. I go for the mammogram on the 31st. My tentative treatment planning session is scheduled for Jan. 5th. I was hoping I could start radiation soon as I am quite anxious and want to get it done.

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  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 575
    edited December 2014


    Hi Lulubelle - I put your name on the list of Winter Warriors. I said that you will start in January with an undetermined date because we have all listed our start date as the day we start counting.  It seems at first we start counting up from 1.  Toward the end, it seems that we start counting down - "only 5 more."   I don't know about the mammogram but someone who has a more similar situation to yours will answer that. 

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  • Jlynn13
    Jlynn13 Member Posts: 21
    edited December 2014

    Congrats Pita so glad you are done and one step closer on your treatment journey

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  • yikes1
    yikes1 Member Posts: 120
    edited December 2014

    Hi Lulubelle1,

    Yes, I needed a mammogram prior to planning for radiation treatment.

    I was told it was to get a baseline and be sure nothing new showed up.

    I also was not in a rush because I had a lot of pain after my surgery and they wanted to let some of the pain decrease.

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