Winter rads 2014-2015

I don't care about the tats. The ones on the side won't be seen. The one in the center, very visible and I keep forgetting and think I dropped something there. LOL

No biggie to me. My scared and misshapen boob is much more noticeable.

Wow busy discussion this weekend.

JenniferE no I will be going to the hospital Summitt in Oakland. The techs and my RO were great for my simulation. I don't start rads for about a week

My RO said not to put antany lotions or creams on my skin. They will give me stuff as needed depending on my skin condition. Aloe vera gel is the only thing is should get.

I can barely see my tattoos. They do blend in with the freckles, etc. that I already have. Sometimes the techs had to use a marker on top of the tats just so they could see them better. Now that I'm going the boosts, they have a clear plastic template that they drew my scars on, so they are actually using my scars as a reference point. Once I'm lined up, they take out the plastic and put in the lead form

Hi! My cording pain which had resolved itself has now come back for a week now. Guess it's due to rads, can't think of anything else. This time I can't see a thick cord like before but it goes all the way down to my hand and reminds me that it exists every time I extend my arm sideways. I know this is something very minor and can be fixed, but wanted to post and let you all know since we report possible side effects here. Hope everyone has a great Sunday

scubawoman, I have had some minor breakouts as well. Nothing too terrible, but I have noticed that SE.

Today I'm very itchy/irritated. It's a patch of skin below my clavicle, toward the middle of my chest as opposed to near my armpit. 11 more treatments and 7 boosts...

I was fine up until #13, then the rawness and itchiness started. Ugh, RO gave me cortisone cream which has hekped but half my chest is still red. I am allergic to Aloe so can't use anything with it. Are the boosts really much more intense and are they everyday? I was under the assumption they were?

Thanks windgirl, I was hoping they were everyday so not to make this any longer!

Thanks Gemma. Sounds like we are of the same temperment. Am meeting with a genetic counselor on Wednesday, and if they do the tests will probably tell my brothers if results might be important for them, but probably won't tell them until radiation therapy is over and I'm on the hormonal therapy for a while. Part of this is self-preservation, I'm not sure I could endure the hand wringing and constant anxiety.

Here's to moving forward on our own!

y boosts will be the same dosage strength but just focused on the tumor bed.

This is a great conversation. I decided not to tell my 93-year-old mother (who lives in another state) about my Dx until after I'd had my surgery, at least, and probably not until after all treatment was completed. Unfortunately, my plan was foiled in a way I never anticipated, when the brother of my closest childhood friend, who still lives in my hometown and is my mother's dentist, happened to tell her when my mother went there for a routine dental exam! My friend had just been home for a visit and had told her brother, but he was not supposed to pass that along to my mom, and it was just chance that she then had the appointment with him. I got a frantic call from her, of course, and had to talk her down and reassure her that I was going to be fine. It was okay after that, but I would much rather she had heard it from me first, and I was really mad about it. I didn't tell a lot of people in my life, because I didn't and don't want a lot of sympathy, and I don't want to talk about it all the time in other walks of life. I did tell my close family members and several close friends, eventually, but not that many friends. It's not a secret and I don't care if people know, but at the same time, I don't want it to be the focus of my life any more than it already is! Of course I felt my daughter should know, because it's now part of her family medical history, too. We're very close, so I would have told her anyway. My close friends who know are there for me without being overbearing about it, so I feel fortunate in that.

I did the same only told my son, mother, sister and close friends. I told my direct boss and the owner of the company but did - do not want all employees to know. Since I only have had rads so far so good.

I was told that the boosts are electrons and to expect less issues even though they are concentrated to the tumor bed area.

By the way, my radiation therapists said my skin looks great. I told them that to me it looks like my boob is gonna fall off they said they have seen thousands and I'm good. I say this because I know how darkening of the area can look scary to us, especially those who are just starting. I posted a pic of my skin below, I didn't have peeling or discomfort other than the occasional swelling. So if you are headed to where I am in terms of color, you may not have a tough time. My underboob is significantly darker than this, yet no issues there as well. Fingers crossed for boosts! I finish Friday the 13 😱

windgirl, my skin is looking similar, maybe a touch lighter, after 17 rads.

Tomorrow is my final Rad treatment, I'm thrilled and nervous about the next step. My RO said I'm NAD (no evidence of disease) as of tomorrow.

I put together a gift basket with "cuties" and chocolates. I'll give to them along with this message:

Thank you to the entire Salem Cancer Center team.

From my initial visit, you've all been warm and thoughtful. Each of you, in your way, helped me to endure weeks of treatment and difficult times.

From ....

- the friendly and helpful reception team

- the house keeping team whose hard work gave me a clean and pleasant place to wait or change for treatment

- the friendly radiation technicians with their warm smiles and respectful and gentle care (gonna miss the warm blankets)

- the entire nursing team, you showed me compassion and care and were always ready with ideas to help me make it through treatment -- when I fell to pieces and tears, there you were there helping me face another day

- the doctors with the life saving expertise and guidance

Cancer is painful, overwhelming, depressing, scary and life changing. Remember that many of us have no medical experience so this is pretty foreign territory! When fighting this battle, acts of compassion and gentle care impact us in ways you may not ever know. A look, a word, a touch, warm tea, warm blankets.. it all matters.

I thank each of you for the role you played in helping me beat cancer.

I wish you all good health and long happy lives.

Well said quiggy - it is all too true. There are many medical conditions which change life but possibly cancer is the most scary. Let us hope we all stay fit and well for a long time. Are we all Naddies now? I hope so. But especially for you today - open up the champagne and celebrate!

Windgirl - good pic! Mine was paler but a bit mottler and quite dark under the breast ( the tumour was right underneath the saggy! fold). It's two weeks now and it is getting a little paler I think.

sjacobs146 - heck! that's bit much. Hope you get a tax rebate on the strength of it!

Sorry Kayfry that your mother learned the way she did - that is just the problem - people yap and do not seem to think that it is an invasion of privacy to spread other's health matters around. I am sure your mother understands your concerns for her.

It has been truly wonderful to share concerns, opinions and hopes with you all and to know that each and every one of you have trodden or are treading this path. All the very best.,