Winter rads 2014-2015
Comments
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Cassiecat - I am so sorry about the insurance trouble you do not need that on top of everything else you have going on. Hope your RO can get it worked out quickly.
I had my initial appointment with my RO today. Got the CT scan and all marked up to start radiation on March 5th. Will have 30 total treatments 25 regular with 5 boosts at the end. I will be in the prone position so my back is all marked up instead of my breast area. My husband was given strict orders to make sure the marking or the plastic tabs did not come off and if they started to get light or loose to remark so we don't have to do that part over. I really liked the team that will be doing my treatments they were very nice and explained everything before they did it especially before they touched me since I was laying on my stomach so could not see what was going on. They answered a lot of questions for me and I will be able to wear my hat as well as a gown. They will keep me covered except when they can't and only the necessary areas will be uncovered and only when necessary. I was so nervous about this appointment but actually feel much better after it. My RO said aquaphor is his lotion of choice but if there is another I prefer that is fine just check with him prior to using. He also said it would be fine to use my Emli cream if it becomes necessary. He said I probably would not see any burning until 2 weeks in or so.
Congratulations to all who are finishing and hoping for little to no side effects for those still trucking along. This site has been a wealth of very good information I am very glad I found it.
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magdalene51,
I had my last full RAD today as well. I start my 7 boosts tomorrow.
My skin is screaming! Under arm, band from nipple to understand arm.... OUCH!!
We got this, we're nearly there! Let's hope our skin, and patience hold on!
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For those who had rads in the prone position, what do they do with the marks that they make on the back and do they mean no permanent tattoos? I forgot to ask the techs.
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Done! The tech said Iwould be full of radiation for the next 2 weeks, whatever that means!They were so nice today at my final treatment, hugging me and saying they were going to miss me. I even cried a bit on the way out. I have met so many great people on my BC journey. There have been so many caring and sincere medical people. It has made such a difference. I stopped on my way home to fill my Tamoxifen RX. Here we go! When one door closes another treatment door opens, I guess!
Congrats to everyone that finished, is almost done, and those starting!
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Good evening ladies - finished #23 rads today. My chest has a rash with tiny red bumps, itchy and annoying. My armpit is pretty dark red, but I keep clothes off it for air and it seems to help. The rest of the area is just tanned so far. My ribs ache a bit on the side. But it feels like a sunburn so far. I slather on the 100% clear Aloe Gel and Aquaphor at night and keep it uncovered so it seems to help. Clothing makes it all itch. Go figure it is below zero, not a good time for a tube top!! But soon this will all stop, forever!
Keep going, it's Game On!
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lane4, thanks for your message. It's wise advice to catch my breath and see what changes come. In a few months or so, guessing my boob will find its "New normal" and then I can figure out what to do and what I can afford to do.
It's hard not to feel overwhelmed and despair when I see me in the mirror. It's the reality others don't see because we all hide it. Sometimes I want to scream or cry when people say I look good. They have no idea that I'm mutilated and deformed, in pain and mentally exhausted not to mention worried about dying or recurrence of bc. Makeup and clothes help to create the facade that tells others I'm ok.
Sorry.... I'm a little blue today. Tomorrow will bring fresh new hope.
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Hi quiggy, we all have those days, allow yourself to have "one of those days". Don't beat yourself up over it. I feel a lot of those same things. My hair is 1" long/short, not really long is it? My eyebrows are crooked, but I can make them straight with wonderful cosmetics. My eyelashes are tiny, but thank you Maybelline! My vision is blurry some days, and sorry if I stepped on your toes! I have to go wash my hands, but really rearrange push and pull my boob where it belongs. Sorry if I am tired, I am exhausted from fighting for my life! And after all of that, I do look good, and Thank You very much for noticing!
I hope you feel better, I am going to rub in some more Aloe and go to bed. I am tired from rads. But almost done!
Have a comfortable night, and tomorrow game on! We will do it again.
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Quiggy-it is hard to do what you are doing! Everyday brings a new range of new emotions. There is new hope, as you move to the next phase. We will make it, never look back!
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Annie88. Three cheers for you!!!
WheelyGirl. My RO said no creams with zinc or other metal during treatment - same as no deodorant. Glad you like your team.
Quiggy Thanks for going beneath the surface and speaking truth. I only had a lumpectomy but I can relate to panicky moments of fear. You've already shown us your good days. Just know that you don't face the tough ones alone. You have voiced feelings on behalf of many dealing with this disease.
Beachbum102. In these cold temps, we have our heated boobs to keep us warm.:-)
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My RO looked at my skin yesterday, and although I have a very pink/red square from below my foob to my armpit and up to my neck, he doesn't think that it will open up since I only have 4 regular treatments (lymph nodes/chest wall) left before 7 boosts. I sure hope he is right. My skin is itchy so I have been putting hydrocortisone cream on it plus continuing with the Aquaphor 2x/day. He told me to continue this. It is strange that some ROs are all for creams, and others are not. I can also use whatever deodorant I want but no need since the radiation is zapping that area so no sweating is going on. Has anyone found that they need more to eat during rads? I changed my diet to no/low fat and no refined sugar after my diagnosis and lost 20+ pounds, but my weight had stabilized until I started rads. Now, I am down 4 more pounds (5'2 and 104 pounds) and trying to eat more so I don't loose anymore.Cassie-I agree stupid insurance, but I bet your RO will get it resolved quickly. My insurance denied my MRI after diagnosis but the BS got it covered.
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Well, it's only day #3, but the tech had me see the RO today because my skin is already quite pink along the bottom. She says she doesn't usually see that coloring until about week 2. All RO said was "I don't think it's infected" and that they'll keep a close eye on it. It's very itchy along the inside (which is where my tumors were) as well as the whole areola/nipple. It's kinda driving me crazy. Getting a little worried. Anybody else have such an early burst of color?
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Wheely, I too have the marks on my back with magic marker type pen, which meant no tattoos for me. I was happy about that. They use them to line you up in the same position they did your scans when you are getting the treatment. They use a green light that comes from the wall I think.
I just got marked for my boosts and they are in the front as I will be on my back for those. I was assured the boost radiation is superficial and therefore no lung or heart impact even though I will beon my back
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Thank you ladies, I'm super lucky to have found you and this board. The support we give and get is pretty amazing.
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Today was the halfway point! 18 done, 17 to go
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Wheely - I just finished 25 treatments prone and have had 3 of 8 boosts done. My back was covered with magic marker for the first week and then the techs were able to set me up without any markings at all. They are using a clear plastic template and magic marker now to do my boosts, so I won't need tattoos at all. Doing prone avoids heart and lung damage (especially important for "lefties") and helps to prevent radiation damage to the underboob. It's worked out well for me. I'm sore but my skin has stayed intact. Good luck - and make faces at your cancer cells while they're getting nuked. No one will catch you.
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Well this is good news, yay no tattoos. My chemo made my mitral valve regurge go from moderate to severe which is why I will be on my stomach. They told my husband to watch the markings very closely to make sure I do not wash them off before next Thursday. Ha, he is retired, I told him it will give hime something to do...lol. I have a cardiac MRI Monday to find out my surgery options for repairing the mitral valve. My ankles are huge everyday when I get home from work even with the lasix. It's weird but I am actually worrying less about both...I guess my mind can't decide which thing to worry about the breast cancer or the heart so it has decided not to worry. I plan to make really big faces since the techs won't be able to see my face. lol...I am that much closer to being done with breast cancer treatment. hoorah!
Hope all of you ladies are doing well today and have very uneventful treatments the rest of the week!
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I have an appointment with the RO on Tuesday after seeing the BS. They are planning to do my sims the end of next week and start my rads on March 16th. I am so looking forward to getting to the end of this. Love, Jean
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This is our list of Winter Warriors as of February 26, 2015 - We are still growing! The Winter Warrior sign up will be over soon. Our Spring will be a new beginning.
October / November Start
MeneK – Oct 24
.................... MagicalBean - Oct 28
......... Mmtagirl - Nov 3 MarieBernice6234 - Nov 4
... Hope50 - Nov 5 .................. dennyvol - Nov 5 CAS4 - Nov 6
........................ Beachbaby65 - Nov 4 .......... CoyoteNV - Nov 10 Lush61 - Nov 13
.................... Rosa54 - Nov 13 ................. Beachlady28 – Nov 17 Nomatterwhat - Nov 17
......... LMVerma Nov 18 ................ katieC12 – Nov 18 Lorrilynne - Nov 18
.............. Gongshow18 - Nov 20 .........Yikes1 - Nov 20 Birdgirl11 - Nov 23
............. Perfectlyimperfect39 - Nov 23 Singsing1020 -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 ............... carynbrit - Dec 10 ForHisGlory - Dec 10
........ Davida58 - Dec 10 ....................SCMom - Dec 11 eileenpg - Dec 16
.............. Linzer – Dec 16 ....................... WndrWoman - Dec 16 sweetbanker - Dec 16
........ labelle - Dec 17 ....................... Slavrich - Dec 27InGodshands - Dec 18
....... Catie57 - Dec 18 ........................ lilactulip - Dec 18 PoppyK - Dec 29
.............. kpmacmill - Dec 29 .................... Jlynn13 - Dec 29 gretchy - Dec 29
...............Bellegirl - Dec 30 January Start
reader425 - Jan 2
................ILCMom - Jan 2................................ Purrrrana99 - Jan 5Cath57 - Jan 5 ......................... Professor50 - Jan 5
...................fossf - Jan 7Lulubelle1 - Jan 8
............. lescover - Jan 8 ....................... Nancy6540 - Jan 12 .Saltygirl - Jan 12 .......................aj103014 - Jan 12
.................... Fionascottie - Jan 13 Magdalene51 - Jan 15 .............. quiggy - Jan 19 ................................. Annie88 - Jan 19
chtease - Jan 19 ....................... Bippy625 - Jan 20
......................Dacre - Jan 20 feelingoverwhelmed - Jan 20 ....KYBLUEEYES - Jan 20 ....................Beachbum1023 - Jan 22
Cavalier - Jan 22
................ mqt64 - jan 26 ................................ Sjacobs146 - Jan 26 Windgirl - Jan 28 ....................... Hotdogmommy - Jan 29
February Start
JeniferE - Feb 1 ....................... LARock - Feb 2 ............................ Chrissie29 - Feb 2
gemmafromlondon - Feb 2
.keri71 - Feb 6?............................. ladyb1234 - Feb 9CassieCat - Feb 12 .................. Texas94 - Feb 16 ........................... Leslie58 - Feb 16
farmerma - Feb 23 .................... Dotwithkitties - Feb 23 .................... SunnySydeUp - Feb 23
Allmodestyisgone - Feb 24 ....... brandyrose - Feb 26
February Start Dates Not Known
intothewoods - Feb ?..................... MaggieCat - Feb ? ..................... ThinkingPositive - Feb ?
March Start
Kayfry - Mar 4 ..............................WheelyGirl - March 5 ................. Booklady1 - Mar 9
zjrosenthal Mar 16 ...................... Redhead01 - Mar ? ...................... cbooklvr - Mar ?
Special Sister Warriors and Warriors who stopped for a visit, but for various reasons didn't stick around. No start date determined. We wish them well.
Minnielee; surrrana99; Coloradocancermom; Shuf; bjeaneg, knittingPT, Shayne36, KGotThis, ckr1956, funthing42
Mary59G
- No Rads needed !!= Reported Complete = Should be Complete by now. -
Congrats Annie! It's a great day! I hope you celebrate today.
Wheely and zjrosenthal - Good News that you finally got your start dates. You both have waited a long time to get it going. Gotta get started so you can "Get'er done!"
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Wheely, I have marks on both sides, kind of directly under my armpits but lower over the ribs, and one big mark right in the center of my chest, but none on my back. I got only one tattoo at my simulation, which surprised me, and I didn't ask whether all these purple marks (which are covered with clear plastic stickers) are supposed to stay on through the whole duration of my treatment, or if some or all of them will be replaced with tattoos when I go for my set-up the day before my first actual treatment this coming Tuesday. Are you going to be positioned on your back or your stomach for your treatments? I'll be on my back, so if they'd put marks on my back, no one would be able to see them once I'm positioned.
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Wheely, I just asked this question about whether you'd be in prone position. Sorry, I didn't go back far enough to see you'd already answered it.
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10 more treatments....including today's treatment!!
I've seen many posts regarding thyroid issues. Has anyone had any problems with their voice? I'm asking b/c on Feb 1st (and I know the date b/c it was the super bowl) I woke up during the 4th quarter of the game with a very sore throat. Which turned it to a what I would consider a "cold".
During the recovery time....I began to lose my voice....not sick any more...figured it was laryngitis.
It's now 2.26.15 and I still have no voice.....I questioned everyone about it....and was told that it had nothing to do the radiation.....hmmm....
Has anyone had this issue? I don't even know what to do at this point!
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Annie88- Congrats on reaching this milestone!
Kayfry- I just had #2 today. The gooeystickers and sharpie were removed yesterday on my first day of treatment and replaced with tattoos. They are in the same areas you describe.
Cassiecat- thanks for the calendula cream suggestion. It's lovely!
Chtease- thanks for the visualization technique... I picture I'm on the Buzz Lightyear ride at Disney shooting my laser gun at those miserable little cancer buggers!
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ps....it's really hard to ask questions when you have no voice....everything is a "whisper" unless I really try to SHOUT...then it is a louder whisper LOL
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On another note.....there doesn't seem to many complaints here on the home front regarding my voice and/or lack of.
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Well today is my first day of radiation and as I write this I am actually sitting in the waiting room.
I've already had an appointment where I had a CT scan and got two small tattoos and am told I will get two more of them today. It's a bit awkward alright now as I dont always know where to go or what to do but I feel like I will be a pro before too long.
Anyways, wishing everyone else luck!
B
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Quiggy - just wanted to say that your post really spoke to me. I'm not the only one who feels this way. I look in the mirror and it's scary. I feel sometimes like a shell of a person, like I'm internally broken but only my eyes really reflect the pain I feel. Otherwise I dress normally, add some blush so I'm not too pale, put on my prosthetic bra and wear a head covering. These are things I do to make other people comfortable while inside I'm screaming angry.
Just wanted to let you know your not the only one who feels that way and I think it's perfectly normal. Sometimes I get resentful of just random women with their eyelashes and hair and normal chests. It's a hard thing, but your not alone. That's why I love this community.
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dacre, what did the RO say? I would think that it would be a red flag during treatment. I usually get sent to someone else since chemo and rads doesn't have side effects. WTH?? I have seen 16 different Doctors now. And they always tell me the current problem is caused by the chemo etc. Thank You very much Adriamycin for the heart damage. Thank You Taxol for regrowing my tumor is 6 weeks. And on and on it goes.....
I would have them either figure it out, or send you to someone that can help you. Ridiculous! That is not acceptable!
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dacre-I had no issue with my voice, but my rads didn't go neat my throat/neck.
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Cassie, so sorry to hear about your insurance woes.Your ro should be able to fix that for you.
Quiggy,thank you on 2 counts. I loved your post about living post treatment. I could also identify with your posts about those moments of being overwhelmed and in despair. I think we all go there from time to time.Yesterday was one of those days for me. My boob hurt no matter what I did, when I looked in the mirror I looked tired and old. The swelling was taking me back to those scary and painful days after my lumpectomy and the methylene blue dye disaster. I was having shooting pain into my areola and nipple that are still discolored and hard and numb to touch. Guess I had a little pity party. Today was better.Only 1more regular treatment and 5 boosts next week and I'm done!
As far as tattoos go, I got 4 that I can barely find, one on my back, one on each side and one on my boob. I've been on my belly as I'm a lefty. For my boosts they just did sharpies but I didn't have to worry about them washing off. No more tattoos.
Dacre don't know about your voice but your ro should know something.
Congratulations Annie and welcome to those just starting this path. May your road be smooth and se few.
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