Spring 2016 Rads

Hello All

First week down. Have a little tingling. Been using aloe gel and aquaphor and cabbage leaves under my arm. So far so good.

I am dealing with some neuropathy that is made worse by having my arms manipulated during treatment. It is better these past two days. 24 regular and 5 boosts to go.

I took the weekend off and enjoyed my girls in their figure skating competition. They do recreation competition so it is just fun. They did very well. We all came home and crashed.

I start radiation on Tuesday. The girls and I are going to make a 33 link chain with construction paper so we can count down the treatments. It will be a day of cleaning up, getting caught up on laundry and spending quality time with the girls. They are very helpful and supportive.

I did not read everyone's posts because this thread moves fast. Here is hoping we all have a good week ahead of us.

Hello all. I got my sim done last week along with my tattoos. Doing my dry run today and starting the real thing tomorrow on entire right breast and axilla. My first cancer was DCIS and I had a BMX. 8 years later (now), I was initially diagnosed with DCIS again, but later changed to IDC stage 1, grade 1, ER+. Nodes are difficult to determine because due to the BMX, my nodal pathways were destroyed, (so I don't have an a or b designation). Surgeon did not do a SNB upon the lumpectomy. After a re-excision due to unclear margins, DCIS was found multi-focally and the IDC is just in the main tumor (1cm). I have had an ultrasound to look at my nodes (twice) and they appear normal. My MO indicates do to the size and stage of my tumor that node involvement is likely less than 1%. None of my doctors suggest a biopsy or PET. So... they are going to rad the nodes (just in case).

I am nervous to start, but am also anxious. The sooner I start, the sooner I can be done. But I am most nervous about my nodes. Scared that something undetected is there and has or will metastasize... Trying not to dwell on that, but will likely always be hypersensitive to any aches and pains now. Off to my appointment now...

Paxon29, Did you do anything non-invasive to check the lymph nodes? My MO is going to do an oncotype test, I think more for my peace of mind. The radiologist who did my ultrasound asked if I was having a PET scan, but when I asked my MO, he said no, it was not needed.

Jill, $150?!?? Have mercy.

Kechla, I didn't have an Oncotype done because my MO felt due to my relatively young age (45) and having bilateral cancer she didn't want to look for a reason to avoid chemo. She would have ordered it if I wanted it but I agreed with her (also had a high ki67 of 25 on the left). I had four rounds of TC. Nobody even mentioned the lymph nodes again, I think because there was no compelling reason to do an axillary lymph node dissection. The right side tumor was 9 mm and had a ki67 of 4. Then again, I had a positive margin on the right, but I didn't have that much tissue to take.

I wish I could be more help.

LTF - I'm with you. I have two more left and I am red and itchy. Looks like I am unlikely to have skin breaks though. Both my RO and my dermatologist are impressed with the relief I have gotten from Miaderm as well as the condition of my skin. When I brought the tube with me on visits it was the first time either had seen it.

Have a great day tomorrow as you turn the page on this step of the journey! Time to celebrate

Hi All! Been done for a week and had my skin check. Healing nicely and can discontinue the soaks and silvadone feeling much better. Hang in all! The last week of WB was the toughest for me.

I also got some shirts from Landsend. Getting ready to go to a B&B up North on Wednesday to celebrate our 31st anniversary and can't wait!

Katzpjs Wednesday will be a great anniversary for you as well

Ready to do this! The girls and I made this to count down the days. First day is tomorrow at 11:30.

I woke up this morning on my nipple was oozing, ouch. They keep warning me that my skin might keep getting worse for about two weeks, I really hope it doesn't cause I don't know how much worse it can get.

For those of you going through the burning phase, it does get better. I'm a little over a week out of my last rads. The burning and pain has stopped, but the peeling continues! UGH! Little bits of skin everywhere, but I'm using Aquaphor at night and Eucerin during the day. Hang in there!

#12 of #33 today and my skin is still holding up really well. The doctor checked it right after radiation today and said that the tanning of the skin was great and since I have darker skin and dark hair that might be saving me versus me being freckled and redhead. I'm holding my breath and praying I continue down this path.

Congrats to those who are finishing!!! What an amazing feeling it must be!

I'm so sorry for those who are dealing with the terrible skin irritation. I hope you're able to find relief with all the suggestions and info this group has given. There is so much valuable information here and I think we learn so much from each other. You all have help me so much in this journey!

Lovestofly- ordered a couple of the rash guards you recommended. Free shipping and returns so I ordered 2 different sizes to make sure I get the right one before we leave on the 9th.

Yay, Paxton!!!! Congrats!!

Paxton29..,CONGRATULATIONS!

congrats Paxton.

I'm done!!! My skin is a mess, but I'm done!!

CONGRATS PAXTON AND JILL.. HOORAY!!!!