Thanks so much to all for the virtual hugs re losing my ring . Since you asked, no, I am not required to remove hand jewelry for tx (just any necklaces) - I'm just really, really foggy with the fatigue and then it was an Ativan day to boot, so I left it in the washroom or changing area. In some ways it is an inconsequential loss, but it hits all my emotional buttons of loss and of feeling so much less myself due to SEs and blah blah blah. So, thank you for letting me whinge at all of you and for responding so kindly.

MAIRWE - re tatoos, I agree is totally your choice. I really did not want them either, but got them because my docs insisted. They said it helps ensure the precision of the zapping (ok, they didn't use the word "zapping") - they really care about getting down to the millimeters and covering exactly and only the targeted areas, and, well, I obviously care about that too. The tats are extremely small and not that noticeable - look kinda like freckles. So, I decided to go ahead with it, and maybe I'll have the top one removed if it bugs me after everything is healed up.

Today is 23 out of 33 for me (and the last 8 are boosts, so I only have a couple more of the big area comprehensive zaps - "big area" includes my whole right side chest and clavicular node area). I am experiencing extreme fatigue (slept 12 hours last night and I still feel like road kill this morning), but minimal skin impacts - some scattered splotchy redness, some itching around my collar bone and center breast bone ( i.e. those areas that have had'some sun exposure over the course of my life) and some soreness around and under the nipple. Overall I am amazed at the relative mildness of my skin reactions, especially given how fair skinned I am (seriously - fish belly white - I have a hard time finding makeup pale enough and I'm all about SPF 50 but still get sunburns, etc.). So, for those of you starting out with rads, take heart! There is a wide range of SE experience possible, and maybe it will be awful, but maybe it won't!

Have a restfull weekend everybody and virtual hugs back!

Kim

I am still obsessing over this. Sorry peeps. If anyone got the stickies instead of tattoos did they bother you at all during the treatments? How often did you need to get new clean ones on. My stickies are a bit grubby already and its only been a few days. Did they get itchy? The Rad dr leaned towards using the stickies but said it was up to me.

Brightsocks & JuniperCat --- I finished up the 16 day treatments on 2/2/16.  At the beginning, I also could feel more of an irritation and slight itching right after each treatment.  It wasn't until around the 10th-11th day that I could tell that my skin was starting to get pinker.  The last week and then the week after finishing were the times that it was most pink/red and very itchy!!!!  It definitely does get worse before it starts improving, even after radiation is finished.  When I've gotten sun-burned in the past, I would tend to get "sun poison" with little itchy bumps and that's kind of how my skin reacted to radiation.  I had some of the same type of little bumps more at the upper part of my breast/cleavage area.  Those bumps and the skin then started turning "tan" looking about a week to 10 days after finishing radiation.  The itching has subsided, the little bumps are gone and the skin is just a darker color.  I am very fair skinned & I've been pleased that my skin has held up as good as it has.  Suz-Q's comments are on target---everyone's experience is different and you will make it through the treatments just fine.  

Morelandks  --- That just makes me sad to hear you lost your wedding band.  I'm praying it gets turned in or shows up somehow or another.  Our emotions are on such a roller-coaster ride anyway and we don't need any other issues making them worse. 

KateB79 --- Weird is definitely how it feels when rads is over.  For several days, I kept thinking I'd forgotten my appointment.  Once your done, it's on to the "new normal."

Mariew --- I had the stickies vs. the tattoos.  I was gentle with those areas in the shower so as not to scrub the sticky or the markings off.  Anytime the technicians noticed that they were coming loose or looked "grubby," they changed them.  Mine never really itched or bothered me. 

Anyone else who has finished rads started on oral hormonal-type meds yet?  If so, what are you taking and are you having any side effects?  Or maybe I should leave that question for another forum. 

Cancer Patients Who Miss Radiation Treatments at High Risk for Relapse

@Cancercompass.com

3-D mammography improves cancer detection and cuts 'call backs' over three years

Study offers first look into long term performance of 3-D mammography screening

Date:

February 18, 2016

Source:

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

@sciencedaily.com

Just got back from zap #2. I'm a bit tired and will try to get a short nap if possible. I'm pretty sure the tiredness is left over from chemo and not from rads at this point. Friends are coming over this evening for pizza and a card game so I don't want to be wiped out by early evening.

I'm curious about all the differences we have here. I got 3 little tiny tattoos, which was no big deal to me since they're just dots. Meanwhile, I'm not allowed to put anything on my skin until after my 5th treatment and they gave me some sort of aloe gel to use. I've also been told to NOT put it where they marked me and I'm not supposed to wash the marked area either. They said they could redo the marks, but I'd have to lie on the table for a while so they could do it. Today went very quickly so I'll try to keep the marks! I get the bolus every time as well, although not for the first zap. They put it on me after the first one and then I think they do 3 more. They're all very brief.

It's supposed to warm up over the weekend so I'm hoping I can muster the energy to finally walk my dogs down (and back up) my very steep driveway again. I used to do it every day back in my real life, but it's been at least a month since the last time. It got very cold and we had a bunch of snow a couple of times and I was wiped out from chemo as well. I've been so cold this winter, which is unusual for me. I kinda like winter. Pretty sure it was the lack of hair!

Hope everyone has a pleasant weekend!

MarieW. I have stickys. they put a big x under them with a sharpy marker. One of mine came off. I didn't take a shower because I didn't want to marker to wash away. They just redid it and put another sticky down. the techs were fine with it. Since then I asked to have one changed out. Mdoc The basket will have bannana muffins some fruit and fair trade chocolate. My daughter says they will just want chocolate chocolate chocolate and that I should bring them something every week. I too have red spots not sure Oriya acne from the cream or some sort of blister. But today was 14! Almost half way through!!

Fearless- Glad you are finished with rads and are healing well! Yes, I started Arimidex about 2 weeks ago...have had some hot flashes at night- not terrible and not in the past week. Also, was just in a bad mood first week but that has subsided as well. All in all, going much better than I feared it might! You've got this! Hugs!

Yay!!! So happy that you found it!!!

morelandks- all I can post is: YAYAYAYAYAYAYAY. You didn't need to lose your ring during rads...sanity and confidence....short term..maybe. Ring of 25 years...no- just NO!

Mary..happy to hear your shoulder is feeling better. Also thanks for telling me about your left side situation and not needing the snorkel. And the tip on the calendula cream. I will look for it.

KateB79....I was not told about needing goggles...why are they used?

Suzanne1971...I feel your fear about the breath matching...was it better today?

I am finally done!!!!! On Thursday I had my last treatment and no bell at my rad center but they give everyone finishing a stuffed bear! Very kind but not so rewarding as making a lot of noise. I have really enjoyed this very active board! A few things to say before I go:

1. I am fair and freckled and I did not blister. See pic. That is the worst of it, so don't worry too much. I do not have much itching either. Mary, I also used a steroid cream prescribed by my doc(Momentasone), and so I doubt a steroid injection would be problematic. I will say some evenings I would be pink or red and wake up with nothing the next day. It just happens. Also you do get "exit wounds" in the back. They aren't as bad as the front, but the radiation goes through us. Scary isn't it.

2. I love all of you on this board!!!!! You are all amazing women doing extraordinarily well with a very difficult disease and treatment regimen. I prayed for all of you every time they zapped me!

I love you all and hope to see some of you on the aromatase inhibitor boards!!

Michelle

Hello Ladies,

Congrats to TallnTefrrif looking good! And Im so happy for Morelandks, for finding your ring.......

Well today was number 22 ..4 more regular, and 9 boosts to go.....but....today woke up with a case of Shingles running down my right leg ! Yup Shingles.....I had pain in my thigh for a couple of weeks thinking it was just muscle pain....and terrible headaches ,really bad for a few days...and today....noticed a beautiful red rash running down my leg....went to Dr and now have added Valtrex, Neurontin ,and Leviquin to my daily routine....so remember my mantra "Never Give Up ,Never Surrender" well today my mantra consisted of a lot of four letter words and tears....

I just cant win....hope all have a peaceful weekend....Im staying in my bed in my pajamas for the next two days.....night all......

Oh Twktloz, Im sorry , what a let down.....and we are allowed to feel sorry for ourselves ,, just mark 3 more damn days on the calendar....uggggg....have a better day...

Twnk, so sorry to hear about the add on! That stinks! Sending you hugs...

MissV123... Crap! So sorry to hear about the shingles. That can be quite painful and on top of everything else, it just seems like too much of a burden. I am sending tons of healing thoughts your way...be well