Winter 2015-16 RADS

Brightsocks i too was a bit fearful but had my 2nd treatment today and it was just fine. I feel it's always the fear of the unknown. And so much of that fear disappears as soon as you meet the techs, see the room etc etc. good luck tomorrow

In total I will be doing 15 treatments with one boost. I have been reading what people have been using and I think I am ready.

I have Skin Cooler sheets that I will place on as soon get dressed. Manuka Honey, Aloe and Glaxal cream. I will make sure my skin will be clean when I return the next day. I will have protein snacks in my car and water ready to drink. Oh and a big red marker to place a X on each day as it passes. I made a bunch of meals for my family so it will be easy to pop food in the oven so one less thing to think about.

mary great hair! Mine is the same color amd dont get me wrong, i am not complaining about the lack of gair on my legs, it's been quite wonderful to not worry about shaving!

Durhamgirl, my rad buddy, your hair is awesome!!! How you doing?

So does anyone NOT have a B/O problem? I have not worn deodorant since chemo started mainly because i wasnt going to work anymore but then realized i dont need to even wear itback at work because i do not smell. Is it chemopause and lack of hormones?

Ok mdoc, Compazine is the other one she offered. But it's for SEVERE NAUSEA and VOMITING and ELDERLY DEMENTIA. (of course that was unsettling- but I won't take it personal). I don't have SEVERE, what I do have is added stress and hard time sleeping. I don't want constipation. It's already a problem. Zofran is not covered by my insurance, I have it though because that's what they ordered for after my surgery. I didn't need it. It's too expensive. Ativan it is. And I'm glad I didn't rush into it with the Compazine. Thanks for your help.

Good Evening Ladies! Finally had my sim today and will start on March 2nd for 16 treatments (maybe boost) I was told after 60 some RO dont think its necessary but my RO prefers to do it. At the sim I was told I needed the ABC (active breathing control.....snorkle device) and practiced on it and got my 4 tattoos. Really hope I dont mess up and more of my heart gets zapped. I remember Kate saying it tasted awful....how are you coping now? Did you get used to it? I wonder how many left sided bc ladies have to use it? It will be about 8 weeks since my surgery on Jan 6th so praying it will still be effective.

Brightsocks, that Gaxal cream was the one they recommended as well. Would like to order the Miaderm from the US...Amazon.com wont ship to Canada and Amazon.ca charges for a 2 pack $233.08 !!!!! I will call the co tomorrow to order directly from them. Then I will follow the tips Mary and others listed to get my other supplies.

Last week my MO told me the bump above my breast scar and also the SN is a hematoma and will go away in time. But, of course, worried about what the rads will do to it. Did anyone get rads when they had one ?

Please know how much I truly appreciate all your postings, tips, advice and everything else. I dont feel so alone in this battle when I read your comments. My family is great and supportive but you are all my warrior sisters in this club we never wanted to join.

May you have a restful night so that you are ready to tackle whatever tomorrow brings.

mdoc524 - I'm not able to"get" my hair to do anything - it has a mind of its own!! happily for now, it is inclined to (a) grow and (b) grow relatively straight which leads to (c) staying down. I do wake up with some crazy bed head though :-)

HH that's interesting. How does Benedryl make you crazy? Yes, I've decided I will ask for the Ativan, maybe tomorrow or the next day.

Yay for all the pics ringing bells, with hair and oh, a new baby.

I finished on 1/22 and I'm still sporting my white men's T-shirt and still using aloe. I couldn't use aquaphor at all, I had a reaction to it.

My RO gave me a domepro (spelling??) soak when my skin broke. It helped a lot, but gotta do it 3-4 times a day, so it's at home and not a work thing. But I could use aloe at work. Used a Tshirt and tore one up to put under my breast to reduce contact.

Having a little energy back, but until today, I've been really down - depressed and making mountains out of molehills. I have bipolar disorder and this happens in Feb. I have to work on a positive attitude again.

Next week, I see a medical oncologist about taking drugs. Trying to keep an open mind, but my life is already a roller coaster and I don't need/want any more mood swings. Not sure I can take it.

I'm up past my bedtime and just wanted to see how you all were doing ... and to check in.

Linda B.

congratulations everyone that is finishing! You are an inspiration. I must say again, I love the hair pics and conversation. Catfurr were you at IU Simon Cancer by chance?

Completed 17 of 33 yesterday. I am reddish purple in armpit, using cabbage leaves to cool after treatment and special care cream 2 a day and emu oil on the weekends. Should I request something else? I will see the doctor tomorrow, I don't want to move to twice/weekly, because I don't want to drag this out......

Peace to all today. I will take my 0.5 Ativan 30 minutes before appt.

Here's my fuzzy dome. I had my last chemo on 11/25, and trimmed the white chemo fuzz once the real stuff started growing in.

Marijen- I used to take oral Benedryl for allergies and it made me sleepy and cranky. During first chemo treatment, the IV Benedryl caused me to have muscle spasms that were so crazy my arms were flapping like a bird and I could not stop any of it- PA was called and she ordered IV Ativan because I started having a panic attack. I didn't want the Ativan- not sure why now-at the time thought I would lose all control and wanted to be awake during the treatment. Then, I had to go to the bathroom. At one point, the PA and 2 nurses were in the BR WITH me- looking back on it now, it had to have been a little funny. My DH and DS were there as well and, I was back in the room, flapping in the bed and refusing the Ativan- it was given anyway, as I really needed it. DH finally got in the bed with me- and, I fell asleep w muscle twitching but the flapping ended.

At apt with MO a week later, he explained that some people have that type of reaction- it is dose related. My chart was noted and they went to 1/2 dose after that. I still had some small muscle twitching with that but it was manageable. At the last treatment, the nurse missed the note in chart abt reduced dose...here we go again. So, after all of that- I just have a mental issue along w the physical one w IV Benedryl.

Mdoc, I'm in the same boat with chemo/menopause... I'm 47, and haven't had my period for 8 months. I'm asking on Monday for her to check my hormone levels. We've briefly talked ovaries out, but not a full convo about it... I'd much rather take an AI, since the studies and trials are showing it works better for ILC patients.

Kate, I get dizzy and woozie on the table, too. I think it's dehydration for me, too. However, yes, my mind goes to the dark place whenever it happens.

The Ativan question... Mo prescribed it for nausea during chemo. I also was prescribed the other two, but only took Zofran once for an extreme nausea episode. Have only ever take Ativan since. Now I take it to combat the anxiety, and the nausea I get from anxiety and rads... You're not alone...

Does everyone feel ill during or after radiation? If so at what point in the treatment schedule?

Hi Brightsocks - I do not feel ill on the table or after (today is #21 of 33, so I assume it would have shown up by now if it was gong to be an issue). I do feel dizzy regardless of where I am when I take Ativan. I am fiend about hydration - I drink 2-4 liters of water a day, on top of whatever else I'm drinking, and for me, I know it makes a big difference in how I feel (so far my skin has held up really well too). Obviously, I can only speak to my own situation - everyone's experience and needs are unique, so talk to your docs and persevere in doing whatever you gotta do to feel better. (PS - what color are those socks?? :-)

I drank a quart of water and ate a Greek yogurt during my dizzy episode, and it was gone within about ten minutes. I think we figured out the problem: I needed water and protein.

Repeat after me, all together now. . . Water and protein!