Summer 2015 Rads

thanks durumama for the info. For now I'm still on gold bond but suspect soon I'll need to upgrade to something heavier. I have been swimming tho and just put Vaseline on as a barrier. No issues which I'm thankful for. I have a sore throat for the last couple days. Think it's from rads to the collar bone area. Otherwise tired mid day. Didn't expect that so soon but I haven't been sleeping well so that probably has an influence.

Pboi, I noticed my skin getting tight and pink after five sessions, but it didn't bother me. I'm at 20/28 now and it's just in the last few days I've noticed it feeling hot and itchy.

I have noticed the exhaustion is getting worse. I'm trying to get a nap every afternoon because I'm having trouble sleeping at night.

I've also noticed I've have become increasingly scatterbrained over the past week or so. Has anyone else had this? It could be chemo brain still. Or maybe the exhaustion from rads. Both in combination probably. Can't remember what I'm doing from one moment to the next.

Hi,

ksusan, I am 6/33 today... Feeling ok, pretty tired, though. Today I felt tightness in my biopsy site when I was holding the handle during treatment. It's a new pain, and I am hoping not the beginning of some kind of complication. I just saw the doctor yesterday and this pain was not present...

I have been working full time this week and last, but I am starting my short term disability next week. I have a 40 mile commute each way, and by noon I am wiped out with 3 hours left to go before I drive back home for my treatment....

Have a good day,

-~Midgie

As of yesterday I am halfway through my WBI (7 boosts after that). I've found that I have less late afternoon fatigue his week than the first two weeks. Hopefully some of you will find yours leveling off, too.

Knock on wood - my skin is holding out well so far. I'm using SweetHope's suggestion of a cold cloth applied immediately afterwards. I freeze a fingertip towel overnight, put it in a zip lock along with my aloe and throw it in my purse on the way to RT. I apply the aloe right after treatment and then position the icy cloth where it covers as much of the treated area as possible. I also take Aleve before tx to reduce inflammation. I've been planning to use a re-usable cooling band but haven't been able to pick up a new one yet. I do think that cooling the skin after tx. has helped a lot. There's still swelling (which is ugly and I hate) but it's better than being fried.

Good luck to everyone. Hang tough.

PB - I hope it does for you! I think it's harder for those such as yourself who are just coming off of chemo but, as my RO keeps reminding me, everyone reacts differently!

Darumama. I'm interested in your ovary supression shot? I Was 49 at diagnosis and still having periods. I too had 2 periods during chemo one on a/c and one on taxol.. My onc said I'll be on tamoxifen only after rads. I see arimedex is post menapause. I have a younger female onc so I'm curious what your onc is saying about your supression treatment

LiveD, When the doc first mentioned that he wanted to do arimidex instead of tamoxifen I was pretty surprised. I'd never heard of arimidex. He told me there are fewer side effects and better results. I found this article on BC.org which helped convince me. http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/20101003 .

Since I was still menstruating prior/during chemo he told me we'd have to do ovarian suppression with Lupron. Rather than saying "we're going put you into artificial menopause" he said "we're going to put your ovaries to sleep," adding that the Lupron would only work as long as I kept getting shots. I could always stop. This kept me from freaking out in his office. However, he wants me on arimidex for ten years. I will probably really consider having my ovaries out. My doc had me do an extended panel of genetic tests, beyond BRCA (I know I'm neg). The results may help inform whether the ovaries come out sooner rather than later. My doc has been practicing for about 20 years. He came highly recommended by BS because he's up on the latest research and his practice participates in a lot of studies.

Yes, radiation apparently does damage the lymph vessels as well as the blood vessels. (That's one of the reasons I'm really working at keeping up my workouts during radiation - I want to encourage as much circulation as possible as well as fending off fatigue.)

Radiation's damage is a lot more subtle than chemo's, I think, but it's there nonetheless and most ROs don't really go very deeply into the side effects, short or long-term. They'll be mentioned briefly but you really have to probe to get the details.

Cancer - the gift that keeps on giving.

I'm not on anything hormonal until after rads. I think I'm due to get Femara for 5 years or something like that. I've been getting Herceptin for the HER2+ through chemo and for a year after... but that's not hormonal therapy. I'm glad I was post-menopausal right before DX... One less change to worry about! Had my hot flashes years ago!

My rads schedule has been bounced around this week. Apparently it's time for a lot of doctors' vacations and other doctors have to double-up to cover for them, so I'm having to go in early for the next couple of days! Luckily, my schedule is totally flexible these days, so I don't mind. And I'm staying at my sister's place, which is just about 10 minutes away...!

I'm DONE!!! It was almost anticlimactic! It feels weird to know I don't have any appointments at all for almost 2 weeks!

Congrats Molly! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 I forgot how many treatments you had. How is your skin now? Any tips for those of us still at camp?

PB

Here you go: A chemo/radiation diet/exercise/well being thread: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/833450

congrats Molly. Hopeful.thanks for the tip, yes I should be taking my calcium, magnesium. I have a dexa scan next week, and depending on the results, I may start on zometa for bones, and to possible protect against mets. Four more. Ran part way there, only about a half mile, but it felt LONGER. Skin holding up. The soft tank under a supportive sports bra has been the secret for me w exercise. So much more comfortable than a tight sports bra on tender skin

Hello everyone! I have not decided on radiation yet and just posted a lengthy question on the DCIS board regarding my options. https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/68/topic/833455

Frankly, I am concerned with future risks for doing left sided rads. My heart and lungs supposedly will be out of the field in supine position using the Active Breathing Coordinator machine.

The rad onc. proposed treatment to begin 1-2 months after I do lumpectomy (if that's what I choose) and will last 6-8 weeks.

I am not sure why I am posting this. I am nervous and I haven't even made up my mind yet what I will do.

Do you guys worry or did you make up your mind and move forward and hope for the best??

Anybody know if there's a length of time one should wait after radiation before a DEXA? My RO has deferred the answer to my MO, who is about to go on maternity leave. Thanks.