Winter 2015-16 RADS

Tessio - my only broken raw skin is my armpit too - looks like a moon sliver on it's back thumb size pendulum shape -- likely from friction. It happened 6 days after rads done, and was advised to put on polysporin, but bag balm sounds way more fun! Today 10 days out it's still red and raw but no worse or bigger and getting less painful, so think it's mending. I have been braless for 3 weeks.

Fearless - thanks for the reminder on deep massage. I want my skin to heal a little more and then will start. I have swapped to more oil based products [coconut, emu] now that Miaderm is empty.

I am stiff and achy when I first move, but blame the Letrozole. Never had extra x ray scans during my treatments, they just carefully lined me up within their # parameters, but to my understanding the dosage is waaaaaayy lower than rads. Noticing a lot of fatigue, and another annoying symptom is developing -- I keep misplacing things and spend a ridiculous amount of time hunting -- not my usual:(

i also get xrays once a week. I'd rather do that than have them irradiate the wrong area!

Feeling better today! 9 to go after today's treatment.

mairew, I use Miaderm cream, and at night I use TriDerma... My skin held up really well. This week, with two regular treatments is when I saw redness, not pink. The areas that are red won't be getting hit during boosts, so they should begin to heal shortly here...

As for X rays, I get them every week, too... Boosts, here I come!

Junipercat - I saw a PT that said 6 weeks after rads to do a deep tissue massage but I'm checking with my RO tomorrow about it. Does anyone else know if you have to wait that long?

12/33.

This is moving like a turtle.

Rash on my upper back (shoulder blade), and small patch on my chest appeared a couple of days ago. It's itchy and annoying, and my RO said I could use hydrocortisone cream, which mildly helps. I see her tomorrow and will get more advice, I hope.

I noticed my WBC has been a bit below "normal" ever since I started rads. Last round of chemo was a WBC killer, but that was in late October, so I find it hard to believe they didn't rebound in all that time. Another thing to ask my RO. Looks like it's time to break out the notebook that I was so happy to put away after chemo 😜

I'm getting better with my consistent breathing, and am still working on haikus - I post them on Instagram when I feel like it: my username is tannerglass if you're on IG!

Nice to see so much support here, and will try to add my 2 cents when I can.

12 days of nausea and they aren't buying it. It can't be rads. Any ideas on what it could be with no other symptoms? Anyone? I didn't have chemo btw

Hello All,

I see some familiar names from our October chemo group! I had my radiation CT today with my first 2 "tattoos". It was supposed to be yesterday but the CT machine was down. So I had to have it today after my #7 Herceptin infusion. This was the first infusion without my DH and it was a tough day. Not that anything was that difficult, I just was not expecting them to take photos of me lying on my back with my arms above my head. And one of the techs was male. You would think it would no big deal after 2 babies and everything that comes with BC but I felt so exposed. Chemo was hard, but I'm really not looking forward to the next few weeks.

I am hopeful that I will only have to have 21 treatments, but I won't know until next Tuesday when I have my simulation session (and get my third "tattoo"). They scheduled me for 33 treatments, saying it was easier to remove appointments than to add them. Still discouraging.

I am feeling down tonight, but I know I should feel positive since I am done with the "bad" chemo. It's just really hard to feel positive when I still face radiation and Herceptin infusions until September. Plus my family wants to go to NYC for vacation over spring break, which will be 3 days after I finish radiation (if I only have to have 21 sessions). The idea sounds great, but I have no idea how my body will be by then, and it's really hard for me to feel excited.

Also, for those of you with joint issues-I have been having trouble with my knees the last 2 weeks, and I am now 6 weeks PLC. I have a very hard time coming up out of a deep crouch. I think it must be lingering effects from the chemo, since I have not yet had radiation. Again, very discouraging.

Thanks for listening-I feel like this is the only place I can post this. I had not been on the boards much because I was trying to forget for a while, but I am so glad you are all here!

mdoc & brim WHOOP WHOOP!!! So happy to hit halfway mark...I glared at that bell today I just wanted to ring it so bad!! Praying nothing changes me last day...st Patty's day..and I will be celebrating..even if its in bed with my eyes closed.

Durham thanks for the advice. I've been rinsing and mouth is feeling much better. I think as long as I stay hydrated I'm good.

Amy I'm sorry you're down. I remember after chemo the joint pain made me feel so down. I did acupuncture and highly recommend it. You're allowed a down day. We've been through a lot. Just as long as you don't let it last. I personally believe in retail therapy to lift my spirits. We all deserve a nice little something for ourselves. Hang in there you'll be through this before you know it

I'm off to bed good night everyone. Tomorrow is one day closer to done!

Diane

Amy I wanted to add...if you're not comfortable with male techs tell them. It's not a big deal they will/should accommodate you.. I can't get the bold off 😕

I am very VERY uncomfortable exposing my mx reconstruction to anyone and everyone has been extremely considerate I am only having rads to tumor bed near clavicle and they cover me with a blanket. But you should speak up I had this bitch of a nurse and for two week straight she ruined my Mondays . ..I finally told the Dr's and they made sure to switch then three times the linen vendor was in the rads area restocking supplies I told my RO I found it stunning that they would allow a vendor here while patients are bring treated . I told him I'm half naked and feeling vulnerable as it is I don't need a non cancer patient or professional gawking at me..he does stare and it's horribly uncomfortable, haven't seen him since.

We have lost enough..give me some dignity please

Diane

I asked an RO about massage today (mine is out this week, so I saw another one), and she said that I could have a massage as soon as I though my skin could stand it. She then outlined the area around my scar that will receive boosts next week, and I'll do the sim tomorrow. Because my armpit is swollen, she said they won't do boosts to that part of the scar. Apparently, this is common. Who knew? My armpit will certainly enjoy the break: it is becoming increasingly unhappy.

They did routine blood work on me before I started rads (and a pregnancy test), but nothing since. X-rays every week.

JuniperCat: the shooting pains can last for years? Yikes!

Peabrain: the fatigue is also plaguing me. Early morning and late afternoon are the worst. Exercise seems to help temporarily. There are times that I know if I sit down, it's over

Martini, thanks. Mine started after only four days too. Is your med working? I was told it causes bad constipation. Now they want to do a blood test looking for something else. I have researched and I find it can happen with BC. We'll see. Bet they don't find anything. I did wonder if it's the calendula, so I'm switching to aloe for a few days. Are you getting dull headaches

marijen, yes the meds help. No, haven't really been suffering with headaches and the few I have had I can chalk up to clenching my teeth! I'm an having joint pain and some pain in my leg on the same side they are radiating. My RO is a young woman and is open to anything is possible and our bodies can definitely show its reaction to treatments very differently.

I hope they give you something to help with the nausea.

I'm always amazed that our treatments and their recommendations on creams etc can be so different. I would have thought there would be some continuity among the BC community.

I see you gave started hormone treatment as have some others but I was told I had to wait until after rads.

Thanks Diane-I think it was the fact that he was taking pictures of me and I wasn't expecting that. I will keep it in mind to mention it to my RO if it continues to bother me.

Brimton-yes-I feel left out and ignored as well sometimes. I know it is not intentional, but I do get the feeling that my husband is pretty tired of hearing about all of my aches and pains. I'm getting tired of it too!

I have Aquaphor, Aloe Vera gel, Jeans Cream, Calendua, and a cooling towel, which came in handy last night for my hot flashes! Wish I'd gotten that sooner.

Martini-I have gone through quite a bit of Zofran (ondansetron) with my chemo, and I learned to take a Colace with each dose. That really helped with the constipation. I refilled my prescription after my last round of chemo just in case. Glad I did, sounds like I might need it!

I was bad last night. I drank one glass of wine. I was carried away in the moment with some coworkers. I was never a big drinker, but would have a 3-4 a week prior. I feel like crap today. I guess, my body has no tolerance or it is all in my head, like my other SEs.

My skin is not improving in armpit. 11 more treatments (6 more whole breast) Worried that I will have a break from treatment....worried about the next step too. Tamoxifen for me too Kate! Feeling Blah today!!!!

DurhamGirl, just make sure it's powder that doesn't contain any talc. I guess talc can cause scatter or some such thing.

Tessio, I have a glass of wine (or two!) a few times a week with dinner. Life is too short to give up the little things.