Winter rads 2014-2015

I'm done!!!!! Yippeee!!! Just finished my last treatment, 30 total - 23 whole breast and 7 boosts. My skin is already starting to fade from the whole breast tx. I didn't have any skin issues really. Very, very red which has turned brown, but it never hurt. The only area where I got raw was my clavicle, and after a couple days of covering it with a Mepilex pad and aquaphor, it started to heal up. I feel very, very lucky. Good luck to those still finishing up, I hope it goes by fast.

Quiggy, I wish they made that in a body spray size! Everything I have hurts today, and rads this afternoon! Have a nice evening.

Every day I attend for rads I am reminded to drink plenty - more than just the usual tea/coffee etc.

Does everyone get this advice and does it help?

My centre has no molds, no sheets, no head positioning,no foot fastening but a small bolster under knees, and the technicians move me about to line me up with lasers/tattoos - one wears gloves, another has cold hands but no matter it is all done with humour, it is surely worse for them to have to do this about 30 times a day and I am sure nakedness is such a given that they don't notice. I think it is much less an issue in the UK where we have topless models every day in a leading newspaper. I had quite a few male doctors endeavouring to find the hidden lump at the beginning of this journey that I really do not care who sees bits of me.

Music is available on request but I doubted their taste and decided not to have any. It does seem that they are unable to forecast who will get what side effect and how badly. Each person has a different programme dependent upon breast size, tumour position etc. and if one considers the variation in drug sea it is not surprising that there is a wide range of effects of rads.

Get rid of that gross bra display! How can they be so insensitive?

At least we will be through treatment when the spring comes! All the best to you all.

Gemmafromlondon, I have been told to drink water constantly during chemo, surgery, and now rads. It also keeps my blood pressure up so two fold for me. But it really does help. I drink 4 to 6 bottles per day of water.

CassieCat. You will do just fine. Glad you are ready to get going.

Beachbum102. Hang in there. Can you take Tylenol or something? Tylenol definitely helped me sleep a couple of nights.

Hi Everyone. I have been reading these boards for the last couple of months since my diagnosis. I have learned so much here. It helped immensely in knowing what questions to ask my BS and what to expect during this journey.

I saw my RO today and will have a CT done in a few days and start rads in a couple weeks. I will have 2 tattoos, a head mold and will be holding my breath (lefty).

KPMACMIll, congrats on finishing. 

Cassiecat, you can do this!!!  Is this the end of your journey?  I hope so.  When I finished it was such a strange feeling for me to have all this time on my hands.  I wasn't running to this doctor, or that appointment, or trying to remember which appointment was next and when.  I caught myself several times checking my cell phone during work to see if I missed a call from a doctor. 

beachbum1023, I hear ya, body spray would be awesome. Ladies...you'll be happy with the results, ask your RO's about lidocaine.

Nomatterwhat, it's almost the last thing. I'm also doing Herceptin infusions every three weeks up to August (and Tamoxifen for 5-10 years, but hopefully that's no biggie!).

Yikes1, great that your MO is willing to assist.

Had 2nd RADs today. I was left exposed during the initial setup. One of the guy techs came back and covered me up and apologized for the oversight and indicated they covered us up not because of harm from radiation but to ensure we felt comfortable, warm and for "Modesty". I told him I think I lost all modesty way before starting RADs, he chuckled. By the way I had a different female tech today who left me exposed -- my assigned female tech was out. The new female tech was not as "forthcoming with information" as they prep'd me nor friendly. She sounded like she was scolding me for moving after taking the x-rays. I politely said, "I don't remember moving nor did I adjust myself". The male tech stepped in quickly and polity explained the issue as both could see I was not happy with the female tech. It showed me that the demeanor of the tech has a lot to do with our experience during treatment. The RO came in before I left and apologized. I guess the "word" got out quickly that I was not a happy camper. The rest of the treatment the male tech took the lead (big smile).

kpmacmill - So glad that you are done...done...done!  It's a long haul through all the stuff bc (refuse to give it caps) throws at us.  Glad it went well for you.

Yikes1 - Gosh, I'm so glad that you ran with the ball! I know that your heart is in it.  How great is that.... your RO is on board with it.  "Perfect." 

farmerma - hope your day hurries up and gets here for you!

Welcome to the Winter Warriors board, Allmodestyisgone (You, my friend. definitely need a nickname !  I hope your journey through rads is an easy one.  Fortunately, time goes by amazingly fast

Cassie, happy to hear you got your date so you can get this step behind you soon. I had my 10th treatment today. I have 15 more full breast and 8 boosts left. I got a lumpectomy so mine maybe more in number than yours. So far it is moving pretty quick, although with every treatment I am anxious to see if my skin will change. So far I have tanned a bit but my understanding is that skin issues really start after the 3rd week so fingers crossed. My center recommends aloe so I have been putting it on three times a day. Initially I could not find 100% aloe they recommend and got Lilly of the earth aloe from wholefoods. It's 99% and seems like it has some vitamins in it too. Yesterday I finally found the 100% one (fruit of the earth brand) and used it before bed but I really like the other one better. This 100% one did not dry as quick and seemed to stick make my skin stick to my tshirt. Maybe I just have to wait a bit longer before wearing anything. So I decided to use them both. I also got aquafor, only because I saw it mentioned here but I was not too fond of it after one use so I continued with the aloe. I did have some swelling by my 3rd rads and continue to have it. It feels like my boobs when I had pms. Other than that no discomfort during or after the procedure.

Ladyb, I don't have fatigue but I do feel more sleepy. I am passing out on the sofa if I lie down, and this started with the rads. I still continue to go to work full time but if I have skin issues or feel sleepy during the day I will prefer to work from home. As I mentioned above, my main side effect so far is swelling.

I wish you both, and everyone else going through this now, lots of good luck.

Windgirl, I just had rads #12 today, and I just let it grow. But my armpit is red, tender, and starting to burn. I deal with it, and they can too!

windgirl, I shaved the first week then stopped because started burning. Now I'm shaved on the right and "natural" on the left.

I love that we have this place to ask things like this.

Glad everybody seems to be coping well with rads. Don't know if it is the water drinking (I normally hate the stuff!) but I have not felt the least tired so far. Have to drive 40 minutes each way and now half way through but I am only doing three weeks and am told it is possible the ses may start in earnest the end of this second week. So far just a bit sunburned and itchy. I'll keep you posted.

I asked today about differences in molds etc.and was told that they were an expensive addition that not all centres could cope with and also required massive storage areas which would not be practicable at the hospital as they treat so many people at a time for so many cancers.