Summer 2015 Rads

QMC - Yes, just think of all the blades and antiperspirant we're saving on As you mention though, remembering to do the one can be harder than just doing both... Cancer really does complicate life in ways NO one would ever expect.

It sounds like you've got a good relationship with your RO, which is so helpful, of course. Good luck with your course of treatment.

FWIW - I didn't find myself cranky (although VERY assertive with the RO's assistant and the techs the first few days) but there was a constant, low-level depression - and I still agonize a bit over what I'm doing to my body via RT. I probably would have done an MX if it would have avoided RT and I still truly regret that wasn't the case. .

Hopeful: well, it's only the one visit so far, so I'd hesitate to call it a relationship quite yet, but I'm comforted that the "first date" went well. He's chatty without being saccharine--oddly, I do appreciate knowing a bit about the doctor! they know so much of us. But it helped to know that the neurosurgeon was from Chicago: during the followup visits, I could say "in early October, I managed to walk from the Lyric to the nearest Red Line stop, but a month later I managed from Randolph (light rail station) to the Lyric and back again." rather than try to guess at miles and minutes. But he also does (or did with me) seem to pay attention to what the patient's concerns are--for me, swimming at the Y--and manage to NOT give a yes or no answer, but rather "We can't possibly tell now how you'll react over the course of the radiation. Go ahead and swim for now. That's why we see you every week during treatment, so we can adjust things once we do know how you're affected."

Peruna: if you've gotten this far in my message, you may understand my heartfelt "Oh, I do so hope you can swim again soon!"

klanders I am having left breast radiation but they haven't mentioned a breathing machine to me.RO said I'd experience a 10% reduction in lung function which would be compensated for over time. Did they tell you to use it right away or did you have a side effect that prompted it?

MizMimi - I am at the SCCA (Seattle Cancer Care Alliance) - and am incredibly impressed with the quality of care. They have two hotel like facilities that you can stay at while you are getting treatment, both much more reasonable than a hotel - I believe it is $70/night with no lodging taxes, and they have a shuttle that takes you from the lodging to the SCCA. I am doing the four week set and not the protocol that you describe, but this place (which is part of an alliance between the UW School of Medicine, Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center and Children's Hospital, is definitely at the leading edge of treatments. I am lucky that my husband is from the Seattle area, so he has friends and family that I can stay with during the week.

So far, so good at 8 treatments. A bit of tenderness and some pain in the parts of my underarm that hurt after surgery, some fluid retention. RO said I'm getting a little pink, but I can't see it. Today I switched from straight aloe to Miaderm, and we're trying Ibuprofen for the swelling.

Yes, I've gained a few pounds though diet and exercise haven't changed.

No one's mentioned areas on the back that I should be attending to... Are there certain positions or areas that affect the back more than others? I haven't felt anything in areas other than a big rectangle -- that is now pink/red after 23 treatments-- that completely covers my breast and reaches to the area of my SNB incision (right breast/side; I'm also on my back with no mould or breathing instructions. I just lie there with arms above my head and head turned slightly away. I get about 30 seconds of burst from one side and then the other).

I can still wear regular bras, but have switched to a non-underwire and it feels a lot better. I have some softer ones, but they don't have back openings and I don't like pulling stuff over my head (especially as I have to worry about the wig going all askew!).

I was kind of all cheery through the first part of rt but now I'm feeling a bit more down and a bit more fatigued. bleh.

Just two weeks more to get through... but that seems FOREVER at this point. Maybe I should get something analgesic to put on... my breast doesn't hurt, but it feels... something... slightly itchy, slightly irritated, slightly hot... just not comfortable. *sigh*

--

But it is great to hear from people who have recovered from all this stuff, even if it takes a good long while!

Hi Ladies, I had a question. Sorry for not being as active. Hoping for some feedback. I'm en route to my rad session. After today I have 8 more of 33left. Noticing some strange feelings and just realized may be chemo aftermath or rads.

Very emotional! Cry at cartoons. Thinking my period is trying to come back and I'm having a really long pms. Been very hungry.

Knee pain! Usually have w stuff knee from running or runners knee. Is manageable. Actually running and stretching helps. I've not been running lately. They're not stiff, now they hurt!

Muscle soreness as if I've worked out. It's my glutes and thighs.

Anyone experience any of these? Gonna chat with my RO today or tmw. Thanks for your help!

Mary (and whomever): heck, indulge in a full-body massage if that's your thing. But I can well understand not wanting yet another stranger, no matter how professional (and most massage therapists ARE professional), seeing any more of your body much less touching it.

I'm dreaming of a spa package at Spa Nordstrom once I'm done with radiation, but tastes vary.

Hi Mary!   I haven't posted lately either.  I think I have 11 rads left, got sent to the nurse yesterday because of reddness, bumps, itchy skin.  Radiation Camp just got a lot less fun.   I have also noticed tightness in my leg muscles - gluts, hams, groin, calf.    I really think it is resurfacing of the neurological effects of chemo as it started right after my first TC.    I just lost my eyebrows and most of my lashes even though I am 8.5 weeks PFC so I guess it takes a while to work through your system.    Let us know what your RO says!       Hang in there with the blues.   Cancer sucks.  Hugs to you (can you bike away your stress instead of running?)  

Love Jenny       

oh Hopeful, you are so right.... I can't go home again!

april25 you asked about areas on your back to be concerned with. After reading other posts on here I had the same concern since it hadn't been mentioned to me by my nurses or doctor. Today I asked my radiation technicians and they said it depends on what angle your treatment is coming from...in my case and in many cases they do "tangent" treatment which means the rays are at an angle, not going straight through chest..so she pointed out where I might have effects and it was more on my side sort of behind my armpit, not on my back. So, I guess, ask this question about your treatment so you can moisturize where you need to.

I'm 5/20 down. I'm feeling really tired and wondering if anyone else has experienced that this early...was expecting it two weeks in but not so soon. I didn't have chemo, so this will be first treatment fatigue I'll be experiencing.

BayouMama, I felt the MOST fatigue the first couple of weeks (and they were short weeks due to holiday, etc.). The last couple of weeks have been much better in that regard, although I can't say much for my concentration . With luck you'll find the same thing; that as you body adjusts you feel more normal. DO keep up on water (you cannot drink too much!) and protein. That helps.

Midgiemoon - Thank you! I know I really needed that little piece of tranquility today - to say nothing of the rainbow. I'm sure we're all feeling better now.

24/25 today. Fatigue hit like a freight train yesterday. Before and especially after. Spent the day in bed. No walking this week. I have some medihoney dressing on my clavicle as I'm very red there. Rest of me is pink, pink. Calendula cream has been wonderful. Ran out and tried aquaphor this weekend. Oh, awful! Not cooling at all, so sticky. If I had to use it, I would put it in the fridge first, but it would be harder to spread? I feel for you all using it. Just seemed to get hot on me.

Weekly skin checks after tomorrow's last dance. Not sure if I feel like ringing the bell. RO said expect fatigue and burn to peak this weekend, then subside. It's going to be a long one. DEXA scan Thursday too. So sick of doctors. I want to rejoin the land of the well

It's great to hear from people who have finished! I'm not looking forward to getting more red after I'm done, but hearing that things started getting better after that is very reassuring.

I'm pretty sure that the two angles they are treating me at probably miss my back... They are about 180-degrees from each other, on side then the other. But I'll check with the RO the next time I see him. Or the techs. I haven't felt anything on my back, and there's a definitely square red area on my front, almost exactly around my breast, so I'd probably notice if it went around to my back, since it feels a little itchy (but not) and sensitive.

I've been using Calendula and Aloe Vera... I tried some Aquaphor last night and I'm definitely not a fan, but I might work some in now and then just in case it helps... but the other creams/gels are much more pleasant--not as goopy and greasy, anyway.