Winter rads 2014-2015

Hi Farmerma. Welcome to the group nobody wants to join.

I started Tamoxifen after rads. I was told that it's easier to determine what TX is causing what SE when they are done separately. But-you will find that no one has the exact same DX, medical HX etc, and TX can vary quite a bit from person to person.

I had no problems during rads, but I'm retired so I was able to take it easy if necessary. I did take an afternoon nap on occasion.

You'll find everyone here is in the same boat, more or less, and the experiences of those who have completed this process will be invaluable.

Congratulations, Wnderwoman!!!! 

Farmerma, Both my MO and RO wanted to take one thing at a time so I started Arimidex three weeks after finishing rads.  I worked everyday through rads and had very little problems with my skin.  Although some nights I would come home and sit and watch my husband cook dinner, but for the most part I functioned okay. 

yikes1. My center routinely does a blood test when you start. I think if you just had one elsewhere they would put that in your record. A lot of women come having just finished or coinciding with chemo. My RO mentioned something about bone marrow but I did not understand. My results were fine so I did not need any further tests as radiation would not change things blood wise.

Professor50. Glad to know we have a point woman in case of nuclear emergency. I have an image of you with a raised tube of radiagel charging forth.

congrats to all those DONE with rads! I start on 2/9 (so your date is right CoyoteNV). I am nervous about starting. Thanks I to those t hat settle my nerves. I was one that took a beating from Taxol, the so called easy chemo, so I focused on some of the major SEs others were reporting. I can't wait until my 5 weeks are up.

hi! tamoxifen after rads for me too. No seromas

Welcome, farmerma!

I had been on an AI for almost 5 years when I started rads. My MO had me continue the AI through rads and then had me take two weeks off and then start another AI (Aromasin), so I've only been taking the second one for a week.

I also have two jobs. My full time job is an office job and my 2nd job is a work-at-home job. I never missed a day on the day job - my rads were at 8am and I would be at work by 9 and just work through my lunch hour to make it up. The night job was a little different. After about half way through rads, when the fatigue started to hit, I started gradually cutting back on that job because I was finding that I was making mistakes because I was so fatigued. So I spent a lot of evenings in the recliner until rads ended. I'm working my hours back up on that job, though, which is good cuz I need the money, lol!

Off to do the dishes! And glad that I have enough energy back TO do the dishes!

JJ.

Good evening Ladies, I finished rads #9 today, I have some tight feelings under my arm, and the skin feels warm. It feels a little like a sunburn right now. I put the aloe gel on but that doesn't seem to do much yet. I just hope it stays this way!

Good morning WheelyGirl, my treatment area for rads does go all the way up to include the armpit and shoulder area but it may be because of my Stage IV. This is a one hit wonder treatment plan for me. Or as I call it, go big or go home! It is painless, quick, and the days go by fast. I have #10 today already. I apply 100% clear Aloe Gel after rads, and several times during the evening. I wear soft tees and no bra to promote healing and keep the area clean and dry without pressure. And I still follow healthy eating and consume plain water to hydrate. And a walk does the body and soul good! I hope your rads go fast, and well!

Wheely. I had no nodes but the armpit was impacted. That was my first area to get red and peel. Harder to get the cream/gel to the skin with the unshaven hair. Try to keep your arm away from the body to let air in and to avoid friction as much as possible.

Wheelygirl, I have not bought any bras yet, but I did try sports bras that I have and they worked well. I don't wear a bra now, but I do wear sports top with support so I can use my foob. Right now a bra is annoyting for me.

Also, WheelyGirl, I think side effects vary greatly from person to person. I have worn a bra everyday during this time and have gone to work and it has been no big. I took some advil one day for some mild discomfort. My gel would seem to really be rapidly absorbed into my skin the first few weeks. More recently it seems to not be absorbing as much so my bra/shirt sort of sticks more. But that's the only complaint I've had. (That and just being pooped...)

wheely, me too. i had one node loaded with cancer pre chemo, but zip left in it at surgery and nothing in the other 14 they took out. Even so, they are zappin my pit.

I will say, today was 15 outta 25 and not bad as I feared. Maybe it is the dunkin donutsI sling to my techs every week?!

My chest is fine, not even pink. Pit is pink, and tight feeling. Lidocaine is a dream. I mix my rx cream with the aloe solarelief gel, and go to town. No worries!

Hi Kayfry, I started rads on 1/26 and so far so good. Super quick, and no issues yet. The skin looks a little tan, but I put 100% aloe gel on it, and the techs and nurses said it looks good so far. They said to pat the gel on and let it dry, do not rub the skin. Wear larger loose soft shirts and no bra if possible. Take warm not hot showers, and do not rub the wet skin. I have 28 treatments, 18 to go. The RO said she would evaluate my skin and tolerance before she decides on the boost. I will keep you posted.

Wheelygirl, I had no lymph nodes involved but still got radiated from the neck to the ribs, front to back, including the armpit.  I see a lot of clients during the day and most of my attorneys are men, so I had to wear a bra to work everyday.  I actually cut a long piece of foam and pinned it to my bra.  It made one of my foobs stick out further than the other, but it certainly helped the skin issues.  At night I had a wrap from my mastectomy and put a soft hand towel against my skin and then wrapped my body to help keep my skin from touching anything.  For me, radiation was easier than chemo, by far.  I had 33 treatments and didn't have time to think about them, as I did them on my lunch hour every day.  My wonderful techs knew that I was on my lunch hour and always had me in and out in about 45 minutes, except when I had to see the RO and even he tried to get me out of as soon as he could.  You can do this, piece of cake!!!!!!