Winter 2015-16 RADS

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  • Tessio
    Tessio Member Posts: 46
    edited February 2016

    I love the kitchen aide reference!!

    Zaps are 19 seconds, 5 seconds, 20 seconds, 20 seconds, and then electron beam 30 seconds. I have such a hard time relaxing even with ativan. Must think positive thoughts!! I will try breathing in prayers for us and exhaling thanks today. Thank you so much ladies for sharing.

    leaving now for #15.

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  • Fearless1956
    Fearless1956 Member Posts: 106
    edited February 2016

    Hello everyone.  I haven't been here to read posts for a week or so.  I see have there's a lot to catch up on.  I have had a busy week at work and at home.  A good thing because it keeps my mind off of the C word.  My husband and I got a new doggy about 3 weeks ago that's only about 8 months old and she's been good "therapy" for me since we've been trying to work on her training. 

    For those of you just starting your rads this past week -- Marijen, Seeking, Biscuits and Junipercat --- hang in there and use the words of wisdom found here to get you through.  JerseyGirl is right in that this is a great group that offers much support. 

    Andra -- welcome!  I'm impressed that you are still running.  That has to help with your overall well-being.  I just don't know how you have the energy to do it.  I used to be a runner about 3 years ago and one day, maybe I can get back to it.  I probably need to with the weight I've put on since then. 

    Zelda33, 2mnykids, catfurr and lindab142 -- congrats on finishing your rads!  I rang that same kind of bell, Linda and catfurr!  What a great feeling that was!

    KateB79 -- as I mentioned once before, I love your positive attitude.  Your sense of humor in the way you look at your cancer journey is inspiring!  Who would have thought to compare the linear accelerator to a KitchenAid!  How funny (but true)!  Congrats on the purchase of your house.  That's just another way of saying you do have a future beyond breast cancer.  Good for you!

    Twnkltoz -- I have a cough that comes on at times that I hadn't really thought about it being related to rads but I guess it's possible.  My throat actually feels like it is tightening up when I cough and it's more of a hacking cough.  Are your symptoms similar? 

    I'm hoping my side effects from rads are all soon gone since I'm almost 2 weeks post completion.  My skin has now started turning darker in color and still having the itching but not as bad as it was initially.  No peeling yet either..........still slathering on the Miaderm.  My RO told me that when I see her again on the 23rd for a post-rads check that she will probably switch me over to Vitamin E oil for my skin.  Anyone who's finished with rads used that? 

    Hope everyone enjoys their weekend and finds a way to stay warm.  The high here in the Atlanta area over the weekend is around 40 and I have plans to be outside part of the day tomorrow----I'll be bundled up for sure as I can't stand the cold!  Hurry up Spring!!!

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  • Scotland219312
    Scotland219312 Member Posts: 237
    edited February 2016

    Hi, Everyone! I've done 15 of 30 zaps. So far, no major SEs to report. A bit of fatigue and I'm turning pink. El Tigre, my chest is getting tight, and I don't even have expanders. This seems to be going faster than chemo.

    I am also fascinated by the machine. I can't decide what I want to name it.

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  • 6feetover
    6feetover Member Posts: 320
    edited February 2016

    JuniperCat: heya! I'm getting my rads in the prone position as well, and I noticed pinkness *and* puffiness after the very first treatment. Today was Zap #5, and my underarm area stings and feels tight and sore again (I'd needed pt prior to rads due to intense pain and axillary "cording;" I'd regained my range of motion and the cording had started to resolve). Suckage!

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  • 6feetover
    6feetover Member Posts: 320
    edited February 2016

    morelandks: I know that your question wasn't directed at me, but I'm 6'1" also (closer to 6'2", but whatever)!

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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited February 2016

    Happy Friday All - so happy for the 2 day break - I hit double digits today with #10 WooHoo! Still 24 to go but will take the small success! I am more red than pink from clavicle to underarm and down center and a good inch or so under my Foob - feel more heat on the front and itch on back shoulder blade. I have constant feeling of lump in my throat and forgot to ask RO yesterday when I saw her ..the left side of my neck is as red as my clavicle so thinking that is impacting my throat somehow .. I know some of you have same or similar symptoms.. not fun! Fatigue as some have described is like being hit by a truck all of sudden - amazing! RO did not seem too concerned about how red my skin is already - just said to keep using lotion! I get so amazed and sad by the production line at my center .. so I have a key card to check in under a scanner at front desk. I then go immediately to changing area put the crazy gown on and then go and sit in patient waiting room (mostly same people) - There is no cell signal at all so you either jibber jabber with other patients or read .. I use my phone and take notes on the day as there have been some funny things like the 2 ladies both scheduled the same time as me that are always there before me and it is my sole mission in life to get there before them and today I did but got there 30 minutes early - HA! Next - Patients are called back via overhead speaker so as we sit there and when you hear them come on the speaker everyone stops talking and sometimes they call for a Dr or something else so it's a tease .. I find it very funny as 10 adults look up at this speaker hoping your name is called like we are back in school! It is also sad they have set it up this way as there are so many patients to treat.. anyway my rambling is done - anyone else have similar setup ??

    VickiRides - thanks - I will have to check my cancer center to see if maybe they do acupuncture or can refer me ..

    SailorGirl15 - good for you and so hope you feel better soon! A little alarming too that you now find out they were hitting your stomach ..

    MissV123 - Wow - I am wih Cubbie - would have freaked me out if the machine stopped working while I was on the table - glad all turned out OK .. I am useless at night too

    Duzy & Brimton - I am right with you both - started on 2/1

    KateB - smiled and thought of you today as I looked at my Kitchen Aid Machine - thanks for levity

    JuniperCat - hope today's #2 for you went well and took less time! Hugs to you and adarkadapted and anyone else in prone position - can't be too comfortable

    TallnTerrific - hope PT helps - can relate on emotion part of feeling like cancer here to stay like a life sentence - I am starting to forget what it felt like before diagnosis!! I am just hoping for all of us that months after all treatment has ended we can forget this at least put in a place in the back of our minds not the front! Hugs to you!

    LindaB - great pic -you are beautiful!! Glad you are healing!

    Catfurr - I was specifically asked about Vitamins and told only my B-Vitamins were OK during rads. Thanks for sharing about shoulder pain - I may have to consider PT

    LMN - so close - Congrats to you Monday - Ring that bell loud!

    Twnkltoz - Oh No - hope you feel better -sounds like maybe stomach virus - we had that here a few weeks ago and has been going around- feel better quick!

    Fearless - best of luck with new puppy! We rescued a 12 week old boxer/bulldog mix back at the end of October - definitely great therapy and distraction - nothing like puppy love!!

    Have a great weekend all!! Stay warm those in Arctic Air Territory - Sunday looks brutal temp wise!

    Mary

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited February 2016

    4 down, 29 to go. No problems yet, but woke up very thirsty in the middle of the night with a slight headache. Someone at bco said sometimes headaches are due to dehydration. Makes sense because I was way more sweaty than usual. After #4 went to the mall (got some exercise), used the massage chair - $4 for 12 minutes - that was great. Didn't realize how tight I was after three surgeries. Felt a little ill, kept on shopping and it went away. Maybe I'll reserve a day for the mall every week. Now a 3 day break.

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  • MissV123
    MissV123 Member Posts: 79
    edited February 2016

    Number 17 for me today....18 to go, although the last 9 will be boosts....I had the numbers confused before....can I ask someone to explain what bulox is ? I cant understand if you are referring to Boosts or something else.....

    I was also taken off my multivitamins,and told to stay on B complex, I also take Biotin....

    My stomach is upset most days . Not eating right for sure, but today was terrible, came home and was throwing up for an hour.....perhaps it is a virus....all I really can do is tea and toast....I did loose 30 lbs since october, but I think it was stress,shock and everything else combined....I did get a bullet and I am trying to at least get one good drink in me a day...kale , cucumber and such...but not today !

    As far as NORMAL.....I have no idea, because when the Rads are over , then its time to worry about the meds...which ones, and the side effect of all of them...Yuck... oh yes, and then it's time for another mammo ! .Im going to my Med Onc on March 23rd to discuss all the above.... Will we ever not have worry?

    Congrats to all who got to ring the bell ! I just love the pictures ! And good luck to everyone starting their Rads.....

    Everyone have a nice quiet weekend...stay warm and sleep well.......v

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  • HappyHammer
    HappyHammer Member Posts: 1,247
    edited February 2016

    Kate- YAY....so glad you talked and they heard you at rads..shot of tequila, haha..gotta love a sense of humor- especially when you developed a plan together and it worked for dealing with the angst of rads. Again, YAY!

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  • Quiddler
    Quiddler Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2016

    22 down, 8 to go. (3 regular, 5 boosts). I've seen folks talking about zap times. Mine are 11 seconds for the first one (machine is over my right breast pointed down to zap me downwards through the left breast). Second zap is 7 seconds (pointed upward from below my left breast) and third zap is 4 seconds from same position as 2nd, but the machine makes a lower-toned sound for this one. I've never asked the techs why the third one sounds different...honestly don't really care. Time on the table is 5-10 minutes in the prone position with my arms over my head. I haven't had any issues with shoulder pain, probably because I started taking yoga classes right around the time I began rads. I told the doctor that Downward Facing Dog was harder on my shoulders than lying on the table. heh. I see the doctor every Monday after treatment, and the tech take new pictures after every 5th treatment to make sure they're still zapping me in the right places. They usually re-do at least 2 or 3 of my 5 markers after one of these sessions.

    Skin began getting noticeably pink last week. This week there is swelling and the skin is getting red. My left breast can be itchy and tender at times, but overall isn't too bad. I'm putting RadiaPlex lotion on 3-4 x day. No coughing, no throat problems, so that's good. Though, I did switch to a very lightweight bra today to be more comfortable. (It's so lightweight it's practically a cutoff tank top!) I had a lot of nipplage because of this (hee!) but just wore a scarf to try and minimize it a bit. Oh well. My coworkers will just have to deal with that for the next couple of weeks.

    I haven't seen a bell in the office I'm being treated at, and actually hope there isn't one, because it will be awkward when they tell me to ring it and I say 'no'.

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  • TallnTerrific
    TallnTerrific Member Posts: 114
    edited February 2016

    morelandks I an not as tall as I used to be but height it important in my family. I am 5'10, have two sisters 6'3" and 6'1", nephews 7'3", 6'10" and 6'9" several nieces over 6'; my own sons are both 6'4". We just made being tall cool in our family. That is why I chose the name. We used to always say that when we were teenagers.


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  • TallnTerrific
    TallnTerrific Member Posts: 114
    edited February 2016
    I only have 4 treatments to go and will be done. I don't have too much redness. I have a bit of fatigue more nausea than I would like, bad taste in my mouth, and yes, the shoulder pain. Today at PT they told me it is the rotater cuff causing the pain and with exercises and four weeks of PT we will strengthen the muscle there and the pain and weakness in my right arm should go away. What is weird is that the right side is not my cancer side that is getting rads. I don't think we have a bell at the treatment center, but I will sure hit the gong at my home next weekend! Love you all! And keep praying for all of you that you will be protected.
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  • TallnTerrific
    TallnTerrific Member Posts: 114
    edited February 2016
    Ok one last thought: cancer is like having gray hair. While you can get treatments, cut it out, cover it up, once it has started to grow in/on you it is always there waiting to emerge. But it does not have to define us. We will continue to be who we are and feel how we feel. A positive attitude goes a very long way toward changing how we feel. Pat yourself on the back after each treatment (virtually , that is). And focus on the good things around you and the joy of the world. Make lists each day of what went well, and ask people around you to tell you what went well for the. Listen to upbeat music and be creative everyday in some way (drawing, painting, music, cooking, sewing, writing, telling stories etc.). Hug people more than usual and call or connect with loved ones everyday. These are the things that can keep us living life and feeling alive, no matter what cancer does to us!
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  • phoebe58
    phoebe58 Member Posts: 193
    edited February 2016

    hey everyone - happy weekend and to some a long weekend :) Had my second to last treatment today - now I have to wait til next Fri for final one, due to schedule glitch I will be out of town next week seeing my PS. Red, tender, puffy, itchy and tight, but nothing opening up. A very weird thing is happening though this week. I haven't seen any other comments about it....... my radiated breast is suddenly getting moley -- holy moley, like several little very dark freckly [but raised not flat] spots -- esp on the underside near the crease where it is now darkest tanned red. When I asked RO today, he said vaguely he had heard about that, but it's 'not' new moles, and will resolve in a few months........!!! Anyone else have this???

    PS My RO has never once examined my breasts, although previous RO did [now on maternity], only the nurses and rad techs. Is that typical?

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  • JuniperCat
    JuniperCat Member Posts: 658
    edited March 2016

    Hi! I'm finding this prone position to be very uncomfortable! I had my second treatment today. The RO and the tech thought my redness was from an allergic reaction to the styrofoam that was placed under my breast. Today they covered it with a cloth before doing the treatment. After a few hours I noticed that it was still bright red on one very specific area. I'm not quite sure what to make of this!? I'm starting to feel a bit bewildered.

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  • JerseyGirl22
    JerseyGirl22 Member Posts: 342
    edited February 2016

    Whew! Had #20 yesterday! Doc is happy with my skin and my progress. Itching has started, but not too bad. They did the SIM for my boosts yesterday and drew the boost area... also put stickers over some areas and asked me to try and keep the drawn on area for them... that should be fun in the shower... I noticed the last few days I've had a bit of a knot in my throat every once in awhile and some mild nausea. It goes away after a bit, so we'll see if it continues or not...

    Have a great weekend everyone! We're heading for record cold temps in our neck of the woods, so I'll be cooking and baking all weekend...

    Warrior On!

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  • Suz-Q
    Suz-Q Member Posts: 205
    edited February 2016

    I am surprised at so many of you being tall. I'm the shortest female in my family at 5'7" and always wished that I was a couple inches taller! Did you know that one study linked height to an increased risk for breast cancer? It is not conclusive. Just thought you might like reading about it. There are many articles on the net about it, but I thought this one was more balanced

    http://www.nhs.uk/news/2015/10October/Pages/too-soon-to-say-being-tall-increases-cancer-risk.aspx!



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  • abigail48
    abigail48 Member Posts: 1,699
    edited February 2016

    have to eat more food to take care of the extra humanity, &easy then to eat not so healthy food, meat etc

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  • HappyHammer
    HappyHammer Member Posts: 1,247
    edited February 2016

    Saw this and thought of each of you- we are an AWESOME group brought together by stupid BC. Helping one another through it is truly a gift- we "get" it. Thank you for being part of this journey!

    image

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  • Suz-Q
    Suz-Q Member Posts: 205
    edited February 2016

    I wish we had a "like" button. I don't always feel the need to write anything, but would like the opportunity to concur with many of the posts!

    Really nice HH, I "like" it!!!

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  • Brimton
    Brimton Member Posts: 87
    edited February 2016
    hi everyone
    Will be into week three next week. So far so good! I'm creaming up.
    Modc524 I need to show up "ready to go" basically with a front button shirt no bra. I barely wait in the waiting room. They are usually ready for me when I show up. I don't get there early NO WAY. I do feel nervous driving there because I don't want to be later either LOL.

    The techs are pretty good. I have had my husband and a friend check out the computer board while I get zapped. I think they get asked that a lot.

    I called about how much all this is costing... I was told $2,000. Per day. WOW
    30x2,000= 60,000. For that I think they should answer all our questions.

    I have been feeling weak kneed. I thought it was due to the squats I have been doing. Now I'm thinking differently.

    Modc and Duzy We are a team. I will think of you each as I go day by day.
    I didn't realize you get a new sim for boosts. Thanks for the info. I get five at the end.
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  • KateB79
    KateB79 Member Posts: 747
    edited February 2016

    love it, HH!!

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  • 6feetover
    6feetover Member Posts: 320
    edited February 2016

    Suz-Q wrote: "I am surprised at so many of you being tall."

    So am I!!! Wherever I go, I'm almost always the tallest person there - and that includes men! LOL!

    Not sure what I think of that study, though. If being tall were truly linked to cancer, then why aren't the Netherlands and Scandinavia plagued by the nightmare like we are? Wonder if there's a way to access breast cancer stats for all of those countries (highest percentage of tall people)..?

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  • etnasgrl
    etnasgrl Member Posts: 650
    edited February 2016

    Brimton......Wow! You're getting off cheap!!! I looked at my patient portal the other day on MD Anderson and checked my newest bill. They charged $23,845.00 per week for my radiation! I had 4 weeks so that's $95,380.00!!!! I about fell over.
    It's all pending insurance right now.

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited February 2016

    I checked mine too! 13,000 for sim and CT scan. $2077 per day radiation.

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  • JerseyGirl22
    JerseyGirl22 Member Posts: 342
    edited February 2016

    etnasgal, I'm at MD Anderson, NJ.... I don't know why I didn't realize that was where you were being treated... I'm not even going to look at my bill status for insurance for this right now... just the cost of chemo alone was enough to make me want to pass out....

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  • Brimton
    Brimton Member Posts: 87
    edited February 2016
    I didn't include the sim... Oh well we are WORTH IT!

    Thanks HH we are in this together.

    I am 5'9. maybe we are closer to the sun.... Hehehe

    I am trying to continue my normal excersize routine. Walking 1.5 per day and floor excersizes. I hope I can keep it up.
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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited February 2016

    Not to mention the money they waste. We ARE worth it!!

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  • DiDel
    DiDel Member Posts: 1,329
    edited February 2016

    Congrats to everyone who rang the bell this week!!! I've been crazy busy with work and I can't tell if the fatigue is rads related but yesterday I finished 10 of 34 and I fell sound asleep at 8 pm until 4 am this morning i got up fed and walked my neglected pets then went back to sleep for 2 more hours I've also not had much of an appetite barely eating a meal a day..I feel filled all night after 1/2 of a sandwich for lunch.


    Mx girls ....my shoulder and back muscle have been killing me..and it's funny Monday the nurse looked at my skin I'm getting chest wall right below clavicle zapped then she looked at my back!? Am I getting baked through and through??? I will mention to RO on Monday.


    I did acupuncture after chemo for joint pain and it was amazing!! I did 5 sessions but by 3rd one I was 85% better and felt like my old self after all 5, I highly recommend it and insurance may cover it.


    Hope everyone is staying warm tonight.it's bitter cold here!

    Diane


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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited February 2016

    Ok Didel, thanks for answering my question. I'm checking into it on Tuesday.

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