Winter 2015-16 RADS

Congrats, Twinkltoz! What cute stuff your fiance got for you! (I'll have to show your post to my DH as a hint.)

Kimmer33 and MissV, so glad you are done! I am 1/3 done.

My RO presented my case at the weekly "breast board" meeting, (because last week I told him I had changed my mind about having chemo and want to have it). It gave me a good feeling that he thought my case had enough unique characteristics to have everyone look at it. None of them thought chemo was inappropriate. They decided I should not get adriamycin as part of my regimen because of the possibility of "radiation recall", where your radiated skin reverts back to looking and feeling like you were still being radiated.

Congrats to Twinkltoz, MissV and Kimmer33 for being done. That must feel great and how sweet of your finance Twinkltoz

I had the doc look at my armpit today and he said he will not do the last 2 bolus because my skin is going to peel. So last 3 will be regular then on to boost. He also gave me a pain prescription in case I need it They say if it turns that dark it usually means it will peel. YIKES!!!!

Mary glad you had a great weekend. I am jealous of your hair. It looks great and growing in thick. Mine is very slow. The wedding picture is perfect

D

Wow - I'm getting teary picturing all of you who just finished with big smiles and the thoughtful things that are part of your celebrating. Hooray for being done!!

Mary - my RO won't consider other topicals unless my skin gets bad. Early pink isn't going to get me prescription strength topical steroids, though I have non-prescription topical steroids on hand. I tan very easily (Italian skin) so this morning it just looks a little tan now instead of pink. Maybe that will be my cycle...pink by Thursday, tan by Sunday....though with the expected progressive worsening every week.

Week 2, day1 down - #5 overall. Such a long way to go.....

- xo

Oop, forgot to post a pic from work today. Apparently radiation attracts alligators, so be careful out there;-} !

Hi,
Am starting rads on Wed., for 28 days. Had the simulation last Wed and was like being on a rack for 40 minutes. I would have told them all my secrets to get released sooner, but it is done.
Will wait to download the great list of tips on this Board until needed. Though I will try to remember to hydrate. I read somewhere about protein drinks from Costco, so I am now stocked up.
Hope everyone's days are flying by.

Windward

BIRDYSMOM love the pic! Duzy Love your short do. I hope you heal up. We are short timers now.

It is chaos at my clinic. They merged/teamed up with a local hospital and all of their radiation patients have been transferred to our site. They said until they wrap up the current patients the schedule is crammed packed. Maybe they should have wrapped up the current patients at the hospital and just sent us the newbies? Last week I didn't have to wait long but today I waited over a hour to go back for treatment and then another 45 minutes to see my RO--see her every Monday. I was even there early! Left 2 1/2 hours later... I feel so bad about it but I scheduled post-op appt.s before starting radiation and of course they are at the exact time I am supposed to have rads--I gravitate to the 2:00-2:15 slots. I had to ask that we move two treatments this week and they had to get special permission to work through lunch. They apologized (I felt even worse!) and said normally they can be more accomodating but the timing was bad.

I have a question for you ladies. Anyone have rib pain? The two ribs just below my boob are tender. They are the only ones in the radiation area not covered in breast tissue. I would blame my bra but I don't wear one except to go to treatment and didn't wear one all weekend. RO said it's normal and will probably get worse. Her PA said he isn't concerned but if it still hurts a month after radiation they will x-ray for mets. Of course he added that my chances of that based on my pathology are practically nil so we ignore it. They are so helpful... But it would make me feel better to hear if someone else has had this side effect! Some of you have mentioned collarbone pain--maybe same prinicple just opposite end?

Congrats to everyone who is finishing!

Birdysmom, that's a great picture. I hear you on the Herceptin--my mitral valve is misbehaving now, only very slightly, but enough to make me worry. My MO wants to keep going with Herceptin, since my LVEF is still good. . . . But, yeah, it's our right as patients to make that call. Are you taking Tamoxifen, too?

Musosgirl, my RO says that rib pain is normal. I haven't had any, but he asks me at every visit whether I do. It's especially common in areas not covered by breast tissue--I know this because I have no breast tissue left!

Tomorrow is my last day of rads! I have no idea how I'll adjust. I could sleep in, at least the rest of this week (spring break). I could get up and go for a walk. I could do any number of things OTHER than lying on a lead table with weird goggles and a snorkel-type thing. . . .

Bon Jovi was playing on the radio this morning, and I thought to myself, "this is one messed up tanning bed." I've never been to a tanning bed in my life; I'm just guessing.

I survived my first rad. It was a little intimidating. I felt so exposed. They were nice there but very business like. They took x rays first and before I knew it the female tech said you will get your treatment and she was gone. I wasn't sure if I should close my eyes or just look at the ceiling. So I decided to close my eyes. After laying there awhile I felt this presence. I opened my eyes and the male tech for standing there with a marker getting ready to mark me up some more. I'm sure I jumped. He asked if he startled me. I told him yes. He said I walk very lightly. I told him he was very quiet when he came up to me. He drew on me some more and then took pictures of my marked up breast. I was happy when it was over and I could cover up. He gave me some wipes to clean up. I tried to clean the blue marker and it just seemed to smear. I felt like I looked like I had a blue smurf breast.

Today I got up and was ready for my 2nd treatment. I got a call from the office and they told me the machine was down and I wouldn't have my treatment today. I hope that isn't the sign of what is to come.

I am so grateful for the information I get here.

hi all

congrats to those who are done! Hugs and speedy treatments to those who have just begun and those who are in the midst of it.

I had my final "zap' yesterday (9 wks PFC)! Feels weird and scary to not be doing anything invasive at the moment.

Ag23, I had c-cups before this "experience" and my fills were painful when my skin was getting to it's limit. The horrible tightness and lack of deep breathing because of the pressure was always bad the first 24 hours after a fill in the last few apts. they recommended (though I would forget) Valium an hour before the apt. & stretching the chest pecks out.

El Tigre- Love the photo. YAY- you are done!

Yay, El Tigre!

yay @missv, @kimmer, and @el_tigre! And all those finishing this week!

Guess where I have to be today? NOWHERE! I'm cherishing it. Although I am going for a walk. Time to get back in shape!

Dear Karen I can totally relate. The first week is not too easy but it gets better. I told a friend that I now know how a person can start to feel close to a kidnapper (not that this is even a bit that bad). But who wants to do this right? now I know all about the techs their children, their families, their rehab projects, where they live. They no little to nothing about me but I'm exposed everyday... You are rockin it EL TIGRE. Congratulations to everyone finishing. You are warriors! I had the attachment to the kitchen aide today (boosts) A new RO came in to mark me up. He kept patting me. UGH. I know he was trying to be nice.. Tender under the arm and itching four more to go! MDOC yes boosts until 3/15. then I will be like a leprechaun dancing a jig. You all will be too in my visual on 3/14!! WARRIOR ON HUGS TO ALL