April 2015 Chemo Crew... Starting in April? Please join us!

sheshe when do you get your pathology reports back I'm so anxious to hear your results!!!!

HAIR! Ksusan you have HAIR! So happy for you!

Off the top of my head (where this hair growth may still drop next week, but here's hoping it doesn't):

Generally speaking, radiation hits the area where you're more likely to have cancer cells lurking--chemo is systemic (like napalm), radiation is local (like a house-to-house search for enemy combatants).

Advantages: Kills cancer cells in the areas around the tumor that was found. Reduces recurrence and (depending on your particular characteristics) reduces mortality a little or more.

Disadvantages: Long-term side effects--the major ones being thickening of the skin, reduced range of motion, possible cardiac effects if on the left side, reduction in lung function, scar tightness or stretching, small chance of causing another cancer, skin discoloration.

That said, I was told by two ROs at different clinics that the lung function reduction wouldn't be noticeable even though I have asthma, and that stiffness, tightness, and range of motion could be managed well by PT. I've started pre-radiation PT for range of motion and scar adhesion now so I'll be in good shape to start; what I and the PT do during radiation will depend on how much my skin is compromised during treatment.

The most frequent short-term SEs seem to be temporary skin discomfort or pain, skin damage, and fatigue. The fatigue seems unrelated to what level of fatigue people had in chemo, if they did that. Some people also find the process frightening or impersonal. I intend to reframe any feeling of being a piece of meat as "The techs are busy making sure everything is lined up very precisely." For those who have already done chemo, I'm guessing part of the difference is that in chemo, the nurses are watching you for signs of a bad reaction, and possibly chatting more, plus their most Star Trekkie gadget is an IV machine, whereas radiology has the giant Imperial Stormtrooper rotating zapping apparatus. (Yes, I know that's Star Wars, not Star Trek. I read a lot of science fiction.)

I'm in the "5%, maybe up to 8 or 10%" range of recurrence reduction for radiation, and only around 2-4% decrease in 5-year mortality, but I decided to do whatever treatments I can tolerate, and both ROs recommended radiation based on my characteristics.

I assume you've looked at the recent radiation threads?

I'll have my simulation on 7/1 and start the next week. I will report back!

Edited to add: Sheshe, that bites! Keep breathing and call Monday early to get someone moving on this. The photo I posted is an enlargement from a phone photo--it works well for detail (though I do wonder, What are those scratch-like scars from? Why do I have a discolored triangle of skin at my crown? Oh, the body....)

Would it be OK to join your group? I had my first treatment yesterday but did not find a group for June and have been following you since the last week of April.

A little about my self. I work for a school district. I am IT support. Actually a do just about everything. Network administration, IP phones, computer repair, technical support, etc. They just hired me an assistant in time for my treatments. The whole administration and faculty are so supportive and work with me any way I need. There are about 5 of us there that have our bouts with cancer.

My first breast cancer diagnosis was in 1996. Went until 2011 when I had my first re-occurrence. Then in 2013, and now again. In 2013 I had tumors in my lungs and bones. I went on a 2 year trial GDC-3200-PIK3. In one year all trace of cancer was gone from my lungs and bones. July was to be the last month to be on this trial. My PET test in April showed 1 cm and 1.3 cm lesions on my liver. I suppose the cancer has mutated. I don't know. I have started another trial yesterday. The trial drug is Vantictumab and it affects the cancer stem cell and has showed good results. They are adding Paclitaxel to it. First week is Vantictumab and Paclitaxel, 2nd and 3rd is Paclitaxel, 4th is off week. They gave me Benedryl and a steroid. Was not bad at all so far. The worst was they took 16 vials of blood for testing. Luckily the nurses all are experts at sticks and I never felt a thing, or maybe I have been stuck so much in the past that I have no feeling. Drinking lots of water, taking Clariten, stocked up on lemon, lime and orange fruit pop-cycles, and teatree oil. Also have my lint brush oil ready for when my hair starts falling out. Because of the last trial my hair hardly grew any, so kept wearing wigs all that time. My DH said he liked me wearing the wigs because instead of an hour getting ready, it takes me about 20 minutes. LOL! He is my biggest support. He is such a big help. I feel so sorry for him. Every time we get a re-occurrence (notice I said we, as it affects us both) I sometimes catch him watching me. We have faith that God will once again provide my healing.

I want to tell you that each of you ladies have my utmost respect and awe. Each are and will continue to be in my prayers.

I also was told to just wash fruits and veggies really well. And peel them if at all possible and to avoid buffets at all costs.

Yes--"avoid buffets and salad bars" was mentioned, too. I've brought food to potlucks and served myself what I'd prepared and other cooked foods right at the beginning to avoid both unwashed fruits and vegetables and the germs of my fellow humans and sticky children. My hosts have been very understanding. There's a new Cambodian restaurant in town and I've been waiting to try it until I'm less vulnerable--maybe in another week!

I hear that. We're constantly going to friends and family's houses for get togethers and everyone has kids- young sticky germy kids- including myself. I usually bring some yogurt, my own filtered water, and some other goodies along with me. Everyone is so understanding about it. Even had to pass on some yummy homemade cake because my MIL used unpasteurized milk for the frosting. It was a sad day for me but I filled in that void with some mint ice cream

I have been only eating fruits and veggies at home and washing really well first. Not much raw, I usually steam or roast. I'm very selective, local grown or USA grown. I was told to avoid any restaurant fruits and veggies as they probably haven't been cleaned well and most likely from out of the US. I had an incident with blackberries grown in Mexico several years ago. Brought them home from Costco, washed them and ate them. I was in the hospital for 4 days with a parasite. It was brutal!!! Fever, delirious, vomiting, diarrhea, horrific stomach pain.Came to find out that Mexico irrigates their crops with contaminated water, sometimes sewage. No amount of washing will get rid of that nastiness. I have nothing against Mexico but after having been so very sick I can't eat what is grown there. Just keep in mind my experience. I was strong and healthy and I can't imagine I would have survived that with a compromised immune system from chemo. Yikes!

Andrea, I didn't ice. For one thing, my MO has concerns about it, and for another, I have diabetes so I have to be careful with temperature extremes. I have moisturized my nails several times a day, used a tea tree anti-fungal treatment on my toenails every day (sometimes my fingernails as well), kept my nails trimmed, and worn socks to bed. So far, so good.

#13: I am grateful for many interesting things still to learn about.

I'm very interested in everyone's info and opinions on radiation here, especially the ladies who have reoccured. I have a feeling my onc is going to leave it up to me since he says I am in that grey area...but with a positive node I think I want it. I have no plans for recon, so that's not a factor, and am seeing a lymph edema PT on monday to have a plan in place to head that off.

On the plus side, he says I get my port out exactly 3 weeks after last chemo which is July 17! I'm gonna make a paper chain and rip links off like a kid counting down to Christmas I'm so excited!

How's everyone feeling today? Has your throat funk cleared up, lynne?

Ginger, are you still in the hospital?

So I drink the Suja juice cold pressed juices - I haven't had any trouble but think I should not be drinking them? That's all my fruits and veggies?

Welcome Woodburns, though sorry you have to join. The women on this board are awesome!