Spring 2015 Radiation Sisters

Tomorrow will end the 6th week of my 36 treatments and today I started the first of my boosts. I had an MX on my left side and it showed extensive DCIS in addition to my primary (stage 2) IDC very close to my chest wall. So anyway, last week was when I really had to curtail my walking workouts because my underarm is so raw. I've had a bolus (mesh) used on my chest every day until last week when it was changed to every other day. Along with that I was supine, and had to do breath-holding. Frankly, except for the rawness (now using 1% Sulphadiazine Cream...which is amazing!! BUT MESSY!) and the fatigue which means I'm sleeping about 9-11 hours a night (but not well), that breath-holding was difficult. I had to hold my breath for about 30 secs. for the one side, and then about 25 for the other side. But now, the boosts....no breath holding which is awesome.

They do place something over my chest (flappy skin?) but it's always warmed up and feels fine.

I personally love all the radiation techs I've had the pleasure of dealing with and my RO is a hoot! (He looks a lot like Stewart on Big Bang Theory).

From what I've read, I'm having more treatments than many of you, but if you have had the major "burns" that I'm currently experiencing what did you do to keep something against the burns to 1), keep the cream on the burn area, and 2), to keep the cream on the area, because without a barrier, the cream just gets absorbed into your clothes.

What I'm doing right now is buying extra small long-sleeve workout jerseys (I'm kind of small) so I can keep a large micro-fiber piece of cloth over the cream and my chest without it shifting all over. It works ok, but not great. Since I can't have any cream on my chest during my treatment I simply wear hoodies or something loose that I can unzip and get zapped at my treatment.

Yay Jesika63!!

Day 4 of 30 for me...lots of swelling going on and driving to the hospital an hour there and an hour back is exhausting...no treatment tomorrow...it really will be a "Good Friday".

Jean--I had an echo right after my lumpectomy. My scar was right where they needed to put the wand. That was definitely painful. But later, I had to go for another one around the third week of rads. I did OK that time. Is your skin under your arm and under the breast OK? If so you will most likely be fine. I hope that helps.

Readytorock--Happy Dance!!!

FINISHED!!!!

I will still check in each day to support and cheer everyone on. Thank you soooooooooooooo much for helping carry me through this. I'm truly grateful. You all have a loyal and forever friend in me. See you tomorrow!

Thanks for the encouragement about the echocardiogram. My rads doc also said it should be ok. I saw my sweet great granddaughter Valentina this week. She is growing so fast and loves her bouncy chair. Yes, it's hard to take in but my daughter is a grandmother. Wishing you all a blessed Easter and Passover. Love, Jean

Mombie - congratulations on finishing!

Glad you are getting a quiet and restful day. Take some time to decompress! I hope your skin doesn't get any worse.

Yep, sims on the 16th. Will have my post-op FU with the surgeon on Monday.

I just finished my 2nd week of rad. Feeling okay, just a little redness. Started Anastrozole last week and not noticing any side effects so far.

Hi to all my rad sisters!

I feel so good - I came to work this morning and my co-workers had flowers delivered to celebrate me being done treating for cancer!! 

I can't say how lucky I am to have a good job with very understanding co-workers who have been so understanding for the last eight months!!

Happy weekend to everyone!

Just checking in. I'm glad to see everyone is getting through it.

JJ--I think what you are describing is among the "normal" possibilities, but I would show your nurse or RO just the same.

I hope everyone can get lots of rest this weekend. Take care.

I never had much swelling or hardness, but I did have a little. My RO checked my skin at least once a week. JJ, ask about it Monday, for peace of mind.

I'm three days out from finishing and things are already healing. It's amazing to me. I'm almost done peeling except for the boost area.

Farm--Completely clean skin before treatment. Having things on your skin during treatment can interfere with effectiveness and/or cause you extra skin damage. I showered every morning before treatment. There are some who my suggest doing other things. Your RO will have the best advice for you. Some docs don't like the use of cornstarch because it can dry out your skin. Only use it in the creased areas, where sweat and wetness are difficult to manage. Use a moisturizing cream everywhere else. Check with your doc about what cream. I used all sorts of things, natural and otherwise. I trailed cornstarch all over. I hope someone has a better answer for applying it. I still need to use it even though I'm done. So glad you get to start soon! It's a relief to get going and a relief to get done.

Cassie is right, I'm healing pretty fast in most places. I don't think I will peel much except for my boost area. I'm struggling with the boost area because it's directly in the crease under the breast. I turned out to be allergic to the non-stick pads from the doc's office and the ones in the store, so I am having trouble with the wounds sticking to each other and everything else. I keep ripping them open. Not sure how to fix that. I found a cotton pad and I'm using very thick layers of antibiotic ointment and Aquaphor. I woke up with those pads stuck to me. I had to take a shower and carefully remove them. The wounds even stay wet and sticky with the use of the cornstarch. Getting a little frustrated, but I know this too shall pass.

Jean--Glad you are half done! Yay!

I'm still really sore. I'm starting to worry about starting rads on the 20th, though I've still got 2 weeks to heal up. I just didn't really expect this much discomfort. The worst part is that both the biopsy and lupmectomy were done thru the same incision around the edge of my areola. I think there must be nerves regenerating because my nipple is SORE!!! That's even worse than the soreness of the LX excision area healing. I've been applying a couple of different salves - one with multiple essential oils and one that's coconut oil, aloe, and lavender. Then I've been applying some hydrocortizone to the nipple and scar. It looks good, not red or inflamed, but it's just really sore.

Jean,

I probably can. Will meet with the surgeon tomorrow. I figured out that the amount of tissue taken out is similar in total area to a golf ball. Different shape, but about the same surface area. It's no wonder I'm sore. So, I'll see what the surgeon says tomorrow and if we have to push back so that I am more healed, I can deal with that. Our plan was to start less than 30 days post-op, which I realize is more aggressive than their usual 4-6 weeks.