Winter 2015-16 RADS

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  • El_Tigre
    El_Tigre Member Posts: 520
    edited March 2016

    congrats Ag!

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

    Kate, You are young and will have a real battle with hot flashes for some time. My RO prescribes Effexor, which is an antidepressant, for women suffering from them. It has shown to ease hot flashes as well as hormone replacement therapy. I went through menopause 8 years ago with very mild hot flashes. I'm haveing very, very few and only while sleeping now that I'm on Anastrozole. Everyone is different, good luck!

    http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/effexor-vs-hrt-for-hot-flashes

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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited March 2016

    Welcome Welcome barbe1958 - so so sorry you are here and I see for a 2nd time (many hugs to you)!! But so glad you found our awesome group! Good luck starting on the 21st - let us know if you need anything

    WooHoo Happy dances and High Fives AG3 - Congrats on finishing! So glad your skin and expanders held up! Good luck with exchange surgery in 6 months

    DiDel - the pain in back and down arm could be from your neck and holding arms up over head everyday! I have similar issues and have a comprised neck -seeing PT tomorrow for evaluation.. hope yours gets better! Thanks for sharing TE exchange surgery is easy and love the "taking off heels" reference - have had my TE's since May of last year and can't wait ...

    Jowe - I would have felt the same way.. I got 4 Zaps and had to be aligned 3 times during them each time - nothing ever changed with position of machine so I would push back on that and maybe ask RO .. hope doe not happen again

    Kate - great to hear it only takes a few days post Rads to feel better mentally and I am at place where I would pay top $ to get rid of nightly hot flashes.

    mairew - WooHoo almost half way point!! Hope 2nd half goes fast and smooth

    Twnkltoz - glad to hear all going well and so agree increasing activity not easy ...

    Duzy - hope you had fun at the Wedding and Armpit not too sore!!

    Windward - I usually "air dry" cream/lotion application for 10 minutes or so and then put clothes back on - hope your skin holds!

    Jclc83 - Great to hear from you .. Clavicle/Collarbone area has been and still is the worst spot for me. Mine is now open and really sore - hope yours holds on ..

    Suz-Q - thanks for sharing the link to the article - my OBGYN prescribed Effexor for me for Chemopause Hot Flashes and I just filled the prescription - have not taken it yet as I am struggling with taking more meds but will probably give in soon..

    Duzy, Brimton, DiDel and anyone else finishing this week - here we go into our last week!! Pinch me am I dreaming! While I am 100% Irish and normally celebrate - St. Patrick's Day now has a new meaning for me! Good Luck this week!!

    My skin in foob/breast, armpit, back shoulder blade and under foob/breast are really really red but holding. As you can see Collarbone area did not hold .. it is so painful!! RO gave me sample tube of Burn Cream 1% Silver Sulfadiazine to use 2x per day and nothing else on it - started that Thursday and not any better yet.. so glad full zaps are done!

    image

    Hugs to All ...

    Mary

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited March 2016

    Gentle hugs to you Mary!

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  • luzeelu
    luzeelu Member Posts: 101
    edited March 2016

    Yikes, Mary! That looks so awful! I hope it heals up quickly.

    Wow, miss a few days and it takes a while to catch up with everyone. Congratulations to everyone who finished up this week!

    It's been nice to have a couple of days off, although I'm not too thrilled about daylight savings time right now. Sleeping well has been a problem for me for a while now, even prior to my diagnosis. I never had problems sleeping until mid-2014 or so. Supposedly it has something to do with aging and I'm 66. I started taking melatonin back then and I still take 5 mg each night before bed. Even so, I wake up around 2 or 3 am. Had been taking an ativan then, which helped me sleep for several more hours, but now the MO says I must wean myself off of it. I've been taking half of one for the last few days, and will reduce that to a quarter some time next week. I guess I'll have to take another melatonin again after that. It's just too frustrating to lie awake in the middle of the night. Benadryl no longer helps with that.

    My skin is holding up well and the RO is surprised that I'm not pinker. OK by me! I'm still using only the aloe gel they gave me, although I did try some plain aloe from my plant the other day. The gel is very sticky.

    Several of you mentioned joint pain. I seem to have bone pain, or discomfort anyway. I feel it in my lower back, thigh bones, and shin bones. Ibuprofen helps a bit so I take a couple of those before bed. No one told me not to take it!

    17 down, 11 to go. Moving along, I guess!

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited March 2016

    luzeelu, 5 mg is not a lot of Melatonin! Take 25 mg and you'll probably sleep through the night. It's not addictive and teaches your body to go to sleep and stay asleep. You can also take another Melatonin in the middle of the night and you won't get that drugged feeling you get with a prescription med.

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  • luzeelu
    luzeelu Member Posts: 101
    edited March 2016

    Thanks, barbe1958. Might have to try that once I wean myself off the ativan.

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  • SeekingSerenity16
    SeekingSerenity16 Member Posts: 13
    edited March 2016

    Congrats to all who have finished! Mary, so glad you are finishing this week with that awful reaction . I am wishing you strong healing powers!

    I've finished 25 of 26 whole prone, 7 boosts to follow supine. I feel great! Mild itching with redness. No sign of blistering. Still use aqaphor in AM and miaderm in PM. Added 100% pure aloe as needed for itching. Still keeping up with all activities.

    As for systemic medications and supplements, my RO and techs told me that I didn't have to stop anything. They said their concern is only that I stick to recommended topicals in the radiation field. I started taking Allegra for seasonal allergies with their blessing and it has the benefit of reducing the itching I have at my collarbone.

    I was told by my MO and BS to start Tamoxifem the day after radiation ends. They said it had no impact on outcome of radiation...

    Best wishes to all for mild SEs. In my mind all the perspiring I do with nightly cycling pushes out the toxins. Tell yourselves what you need to in order to get through this.

    Never forget the power of positive thinking. You are all amazingly strong determined survivors!

    Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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  • Duzy
    Duzy Member Posts: 134
    edited March 2016

    Ag YEAH for being done.

    Barbe1958 welcome and this is a very supportive group to help you through

    Ok so we are moving into another week. I hope everyone had a chance to get some rest and gear up. It just makes us that much closer to finishing and letting our bodies start to heal.

    Mary I am with you - mostly Irish and now St Patty's day will have a whole new meaning to me as we have our last treatment that day.

    Brimton I continue to peel each day. Pretty much the whole area under my armpit has peeled. I am hoping they will give me something for it tomorrow. My RO originally said nothing else until I finish my boosts then he will subscribe something different to help it heal.

    Have a great week everyone. I hope everyone can have minimal SE and skin issues.

    Mary, Brimton, DiDel - this is it our last week. I will be thinking of you everyday. Good Luck with the boosts. I started to get a little emotional today so I am pretty sure I will be having a good cry on Thursday.

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  • Kokomo26
    Kokomo26 Member Posts: 64
    edited July 2016

    Congrats to all who finished this past week and have moved on to boosts or not.

    Mary....sending healing hugs your way and to all dealing with skin SEs....or others.

    Finished 8/16 but only 4 this week as my machine is being serviced. My RO recommends 5 boosts to give me 4-5 % extra protection. What were you told about your boosts? Curious if you were given a choice or not?

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  • bella_16
    bella_16 Member Posts: 14
    edited March 2016

    Dorothy- I am scheduled for 16 treatments, with 4 of them being boosts. I start those tomorrow. The boosts will focus directly on the lumpectomy area. And no, I wasn't given a choice. Also, my machine was down last week, and I missed 2 treatments too!! Good luck!!

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  • jodes001
    jodes001 Member Posts: 92
    edited March 2016

    Hi all!!

    First radiation treatment tomorrow, and first Herceptin only(every 3 weeks) also. I really hope radiation doesn't fatigue me, i just went back to work!


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  • Brimton
    Brimton Member Posts: 87
    edited March 2016
    Here we go everyone. Good luck this week all. MARY that looks Yucky. I am so sorry. Hang in there we are almost DONE. DUZZY I feel your pain. So glad we are on to boosts! My scar is looking a little red but only have three more to go. I too will be thinking of you holding hands. We got this. DOROTHY no choice here on boosts in fact my RO added two more last week. UGH. JODES good luck drink fluids. Welcome to our group it's a good one. I got pretty bummed on Saturday so tired of this the creaming up the fatigue the uncomfortableness. Not wearing a bra now my underboob is peeling it looks like a smallish blister that has broken open. My nipple also has some smallish open areas. So not wearing a bra is uncomfortable too. Just ready to be done. I, of course, still have the anxiety that I have done or not done something and this ugly monster will rear it's head again. My family is supportive but how does one begin a new normal life? When will all of this fade into a bad memory? Or will I constantly be waiting
    for the next time?
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  • DiDel
    DiDel Member Posts: 1,329
    edited March 2016

    My treatment was to the tumor bed like one giant boost right below clavicle . ..Mary my area looks and I suspect feels like yours. I don't know how I'm gonna make it through 4 more days. I don't hold my arm up I think it's a little lymphedema fluid build up straining muscles or pinched nerve..I do have to turn my head in a weird position . .all I know is I need a massage stat!!!

    I just put calendula and aloe and it's burning, I might need to rinse it off. I'm more nervous for this week than my first day

    Duzy Mary Brimton..I will be thinking of you all as we go through this last week together, those just starting it's over before you know it..those in the trenches you're almost there..Hang on everybody ! !

    Hugs to all

    Diane

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  • Kimmer33
    Kimmer33 Member Posts: 386
    edited March 2016

    i am suffering with a super itchy rash on my chest - i filled a couple prescriptions to alleviate it but they dont seem to be helping. What are you ladies doing for itch amd rash? Hoping it starts to heal this week, this isnt fun

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

    it seems everything in this trouble causes that. what I find best is calamine lotion, the old type with no additives

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

    Calendala's first inactive ingredient is alcohol and that's what my RO wants me to use. Or Aloe. Both burn when there is a rash and I've stopped using them I've moved on to Welenda (at Amazon) it's mostly zinc oxide but has to be washed off hours before rads. Good for night time. I put it on the rash thick. If it's still itching, I put calamine on top with a cotton ball, dab it on, let it dry. If it's still itch or pain and burn, I put lidocaine in the worst area right before sleep. No thanks to aqufor now but it was good when I had burning and numbness in my arm after surgery for some strange reason. When I shower I let it dry for a while before I add the Welenda. I'm also taking a zinc tab because it's good for the skin 50mg. I use olive oil soap or hospital soap or RO said cetafil - I didn't like it, or Dove - haven't tried that. I don't like soapy soap. Miaderm is very soothing but has Calendala in it. It's good if there is no broken skin.

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  • brithael
    brithael Member Posts: 224
    edited March 2016

    Haven't been on in a while, and it took a bit to catch up. So happy for all of you who are finishing rads, and those of you who are halfway through. I get started tomorrow after two sessions of lying on the table half-nude while people drew on me, took many pictures and said repeatedly "when you're ready, take a deep breath, then hold." NOT looking forward to the grind, but glad to be on the road which has an end.

    Anybody been given radiaplex cream? This is what my RO uses.

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  • Twnkltoz
    Twnkltoz Member Posts: 215
    edited March 2016

    Hi all, today is two weeks since my last whole breast treatment and one week since my last boost. The red is definitely fading, although it looks like more of it is going to peel. Under my arm is much more comfortable, and it's much easier to use my arm and do normal things. Still slathering on the Miaderm!

    I went tango dancing last night, and it was so good to get out! I got tired much too fast for my taste, but at least I got some dancing in.

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  • Moondust
    Moondust Member Posts: 510
    edited March 2016

    Jodes, hope your first treatment went well. Does Herceptin have fatigue as a side effect? I'm doing okay so far with just rads. I'm not noticeably more tired.

    Twinkltoz, so glad to hear your skin is improving! Dancing - that sounds so fun.

    Brithael, good luck tomorrow. My place uses Miaderm. I wonder how it compares to radiaplex.

    Half done now, Two more weeks whole breast, then boosts.

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  • Katja23
    Katja23 Member Posts: 46
    edited March 2016

    This morning they were behind schedule, due to some glitch with the daylight savings time change with the computers and other systems. When I came in (and I think I am the third person of the morning with a 7:24 time slot), the the radiation patient reserved parking spaces and waiting room were empty, as usual, and eventually a male patient left (don't know he parks). But it took even longer before I got in. I would say 20-25 minutes behind schedule. So, I actually got to meet and talk to the woman after me. Sometimes I don't even see her, either because she is still changing as I leave, or I am in and out so quick she has not gotten in yet. (I'm rushing out to catch a train.) So, I learned that he's closer to the end of her treatment. The interesting thing I learned was that this was her second breast cancer, her first having been 22 years ago (must have been in her late 30s then), but the first time was more aggressive than the second time. She needed chemo the first time, but not the second time. I didn't ask about surgery. The cancer was obviously in the other breast, since you cannot get radiation twice. She said she "sailed through" radiation the first time, but is feeling the fatigue more now. Age could be a factor, she believed, and I know two others who had radiation in their 30s and they did not feel it much. (I'm in the middle, at 50.) Anyway, I did find it encouraging that a second breast cancer can be less than the first, although I hope it never happens to me.
    And I didn't mind taking a later train today, because then I met someone I knew on that train whom I had not seen in quite awhile.

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  • Andraxo
    Andraxo Member Posts: 410
    edited March 2016

    Today was the last of 11 with the bolus, and tomorrow the regular tx (without the silicone? sheeting) begins...17 of them, then maybe 6 boosts after that. My skin is red, but OK. Wearing a conforming spandex T or Tank under a bra on the occasions I wear one when I'm out. Still trying to live my life as normally as I can...which means as close to what I would do pre-cancer. Snowboarded yesterday afternoon - that was all my legs could handle, but it was big fun to be outside - YAY! - and let cancer thoughts leave my brain (except when I needed help getting up from my heel edge). Ran 5 ridiculously slow miles this morning. Feeling much better mentally the past several days about all of this, but wonder when the next wave of despair will hit. I'm sleepier for sure, but still wouldn't call it fatigue.

    Hooray Twnkltoz for dancing!! :)

    So sorry to see so many with skin breakdown, rashes, itching, etc. UGH! Hope the healing comes quickly! Also, happy to see so many finishing up this week. Lots of new people joining/starting too. We are all in this together for sure!! It would be incredibly harder without all the support and encouragement here...so grateful for it.

    love and hugs to you all!

    - xo

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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited March 2016

    Thanks Barbe, luzeelu, SeekingSerenity, Dorothy, Brimton, Duzy, DiDel and all on the well wishes of my not so fun clavicle burn! It is really is not fun but I guess it could be worse - armpit and other areas are holding on still..

    Welcome Welcome jodes001 - so sorry you are here but sooo glad you found our awesome group! Hope #1 today went well - how many treatments will you be getting? Let us know if we can help..

    WooHoo Twnkltoz - I know how much you missed your dancing!!

    Brimton - Oh No not an open blister - hope not too bad - get the burn cream from your RO - it does help! As far as your anxiety - maybe say something to your RO or MO to see if they can help if you think you need it! For me I am just trying to focus on short-term goals and being happy to be done treatment - spending more time with my kids - going back to work .. trying not to think to much beyond that and the what if's .. not easy!!

    Didel - same to you on getting some burn cream .. when I put Calendula on my clavicle area I about screamed - my RO gave me the silver sulfadiazine cream - can only use 2x per day but it does help and so hope you find relief with neck/shoulder!

    luzeelu - glad you are doing well! Hope your last 11 go smooth and fast for you

    SeekingSerenity - glad you are doing well - good luck with your boosts - so close to the end!

    Dorothy - I am getting 6 Boosts with 3 left! I was not given a choice and did not question it! To be honest I am fine with throwing everything at it that I can .. the boosts really are not a big deal - takes longer to put the gown on then to get the boost!

    bella_16 - Good luck and well wishes to you with the start of your boosts this week!

    Kimmer - my RO gave me early on - prescription for betamethasone cream to use 2x per day and then she increased that to 4 times per day about 4 weeks in - still using it and it does help the itching a lot .. not sure if that is one of the scripts you got.. hope you find relief

    brithael - Good luck starting tomorrow .. I was not given radiaplex cream .. but have heard others used it!

    WooHoo Moondust on hitting halfway mark - hope the rest is smooth sailing for you!

    Brimtom, Duzy, DiDel & adarkadapted - here we go girls - I really can't believe we made it - seems like yesterday we were just talking about getting started!! Will be thinking of you as we finish and the rest of the group! My husband is going out of town for a business trip that I months ago told him it should be fine - ugh - full kid and dog duty for me! My boys want to take me out to dinner (I think though I am paying) on Thursday night to celebrate :)

    Hugs to all

    Mary

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

    Gals having burning and itching during last part of treatment- first of all- am so sorry- it WILL get better but may get worse before that.....I was pretty burned at end of rads and by a week afterwards was charred. HOWEVER< it gets better soon once treatment is completely over. I really think the benedryl cream and by mouth helped BUT those dang cabbage leaves really DID help pain, itching and the heat in the breast. No kidding! I (try not to visualize this) would put a cooled cabbage leaf on the area and lie on my bed with the ceiling fan going until the heat went out of the breast tissue. Would get a fresh cool cabbage leaf and put it on to sit in den and watch tv....you can actually feel the heat in the cabbage leaf when you remove it. There is a chemical reaction that occurs. Just my 2 cents worth. Sending healing vibes and hugs to each of you as you continue through this!

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  • Musosgirl
    Musosgirl Member Posts: 387
    edited March 2016
    Day 12 out of 33 done. I have a cold, so basically I crave protein and sleep all day. Haha--I started my period too and DH keeps making brownies and I keep smothering them in peanut butter--so much for the weight I lost during chemo. I am grumpy and miserable. And sad. So sad. 4+ weeks just sounds so long. My skin is crispy and brownish red. Very tender when trying to sleep on that side, but I am only using aloe for now and that's working. Glob it on good when I get home and then immediately fall asleep.
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  • Twnkltoz
    Twnkltoz Member Posts: 215
    edited March 2016

    @andra, you are a rock star! Snowboarding? Amazing! I'm happy for you that you could do it.

    Meeting my running group in the morning! I'll be walking, but I missed my friends. It's good to be back out there.

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  • Sunnyone22
    Sunnyone22 Member Posts: 191
    edited March 2016

    Greetings ladies. I read all your posts with great interest AND trepidation - I'm scheduled to begin my rads tomorrow. I've been "pre-treating" with Miaderm for the past few days and drinking a lot of water, of course. I always drink lots of water. I'm just very nervous about all the burning, peeling and even open wounds some of you have experienced. I'm grateful that you share the information with the rest of us, but knowing I face 28 treatments, I worry about what the later days/weeks will look like for me. I won't have any boost at the end of treatment because I got that during surgery (Intraoperative Electron Radiation treatment) but I know I'm still in for a slog.

    Thank you for sharing as much as you do - it's comforting to know other women will be on the 'table' tomorrow at the same time as me.

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  • Twnkltoz
    Twnkltoz Member Posts: 215
    edited March 2016

    welcome and good luck, @sunnyone!

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  • Brimton
    Brimton Member Posts: 87
    edited March 2016
    Hi everyone Yesterday I saw RO for the final time during treatment. I have two more boosts to go 30/32. My underarm is better RN came back from medical leave who was VERY helpful. Oh how I wish she would have been there all a long. They say you continue to cook for a week after the whole rads are over. She also said that sivadeen can dry so don't use it too long. I have been feeling a bit down just sick of the cream, not wearing a bra etc. My family tricked me into going out for lunch at one of my favorite place. My daughter did my hair which I thought was sweet. She took a Monday off without pay as we all thought it would be my last day. Then to my surprise a bunch of my friends were there with balloons and we all had lunch together. I wanted to cry. How wonderful! ANDRA I continue to do all my walking and exercises but snowboarding wow! KATJ hang in there I am glad you connected and got a emotional lift. DEDIL I am so sorry about the arm. CRAP I wish I could hug you. DUZZY thinking of you. MARY I know you have more responsibility this week but it might actually help by taking your mind off of things and the fatigue. I have been thinking of you with two children and dog :-P Thank you all of being here with me you all helped me in so many ways. I am grateful.
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  • KateB79
    KateB79 Member Posts: 747
    edited March 2016

    Wow, this thread moves so fast! It just took me over an hour to catch up!

    I'm sending lots of love to every single one of you. I have to say: near the end, the image of all of us in a circle holding hands is what got me through.

    My update: I finished rads last Wednesday. My skin got redder and more itchy (my RO said it would do this) over the weekend, but now I appear to be healing. HEALING!

    Keep going, ladies. Bravely forward through it all. We've got this.

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