Spring 2016 Rads

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  • ejmann44
    ejmann44 Member Posts: 89
    edited June 2016

    Yay to Paxton and Jill! Had my first treatment today. If all goes well should be done by August 12. Is there going to be a July thread or do people just keep posting here?

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  • Sheri64
    Sheri64 Member Posts: 113
    edited June 2016

    Congrats Payton and Jill, feels good to be done. I am 2 1/2 weeks out and healing well.

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  • Truffles1214
    Truffles1214 Member Posts: 31
    edited June 2016

    Congratulations LTF and Paxton!! You did it!! Let the healing begin!!

    Paxton - It sounds like you have been on this road for awhile, just like me. Chemo, surgery, radiation.....July 18th cannot come fast enough! It must feel amazing to be finished!

    Welcome ejmann44! It sounds like your first treatment went smoothly. The moderators usually begin the new threads. I'm not sure if they plan on starting a new thread for summer rads. You should stay with us! I have found this thread to be so helpful and informative. I hope you do as well!

    I have 12/25 this afternoon. Almost halfway! I'm still feeling/looking pretty good. I'm slightly pink, but no discomfort or itching. I saw my plastic surgeon this morning. He said he is pleased with how well my skin is holding up. Hopefully, all will continue to go well.

    I hope that everyone has a great week!

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  • gardengypsy
    gardengypsy Member Posts: 769
    edited June 2016

    Hi Everyone~

    At my rad appointment today, a nurse was looking at my meds list. She gave me some information that I thought was pretty important.

    Be careful about antioxidant supplements during radiation treatment. This is a time when we want to use free radicals to our benefit. She told me to hold off on taking things like Turmeric, Co Enzyme Q10, Vitamin C and others. This does not apply to all supplements, just the antioxidants.

    It made a lot of sense to me. Ask your doc.

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  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited June 2016

    Ejmann, I'm just posting here, because I've gotten so much help and so many tips. Plus they have really made me feel at home.

    Gardengypsy, my MO told me that while going through chemo, and my RO said the same thing. No antioxidants. due to no rads on July 4, I will be done August 8.

    val.

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  • Carlsoda
    Carlsoda Member Posts: 249
    edited June 2016

    Congrats to Lovestofly and Paxton! I hope the healing process is smooth and fast!

    Day 7 for me and just a nice pink glow. I am not expecting to have too many troubles, I am pretty fair skinned but I have good strong English skin that can take the sun...meaning it's impossible to tan and I don't burn very easy :)

    Gosh I did not know about the antioxidants as I am taking Gaia extra strong turmeric. I will need to ask about it on Thursday.

    Ejmann, there is a summer thread that just got started. I am going to continue to check out both as I have learned so much from these lovely ladies here in the spring group!:)

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  • New-girl
    New-girl Member Posts: 358
    edited June 2016

    Congrats Paxton and Lovestofly!!  Now you can enjoy your summer without the daily reminder of cancer.  Yippee!!

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  • Jacklin
    Jacklin Member Posts: 162
    edited June 2016

    Congratulations LTF and Paxton on finishing!! Heal well and quickly now.

    I had 13/25 today and my chest is blistered. I saw my RO afterwards and she said that because I'm doing bolus treatments every other day (jelly boosts), the blistering of the skin was to be expected. I am to continue using saline soaks and then use flammazine of the blistering 3 times a day. I can also use Lubriderm on the other radiated skin (she suggested keeping it in the fridge, the cold cream feels so good) and also Pro Shield Plus when I'm wearing a shirt. Since it's only my hubby and I at home, I spend most of the time after rads without a shirt on, so much easier on the skin and the cool breeze either from the fan or the air outside feels good.

    Ejmann, love the chains, it brought back so many fond memories of when our children were small. What a wonderful idea and a great way to keep your children involved too. Love the messages to you as well - so tender.

    For all the Canadians here, Happy Canada Day on Friday and to our American friends, Happy July 4th on Monday!!

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  • Deaconlady
    Deaconlady Member Posts: 158
    edited June 2016

    Congrats lovestofly!!

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  • PlanB58
    PlanB58 Member Posts: 157
    edited June 2016

    Congrats Jill and Paxton

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  • buttaflydiva
    buttaflydiva Member Posts: 88
    edited June 2016

    Congrats to those of you who are finished!! Whoop whoop.

    I had my first treatment today, I saw someone else above who had their first as well. I was scared really not sure why. I knew it wasn't going to hurt or last long. I guess I'm just emotional today. Only thing that has me wondering is they marked me up with what looked like a marker, and my instructions say not to remove any dyes used on your skin, but before I even got home it was smeared and rubbing off, then after a shower more came off from just a little water. I guess I'll just leave what I have left on and see what they tell me tomorrow

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  • tbalding
    tbalding Member Posts: 449
    edited June 2016

    Congratulations Jill & Paxton!

    ejmann, love chains! I mark off the calendar they gave me with my appointments. Hope it goes quickly & you have minimal se.

    I'm at day 12/21. I'm very fair and normally burn easily. But even though it continues to get redder every day, it's still not as bad as the worst sunburn I've ever had. I do have some fatigue, but other than last Friday when I had to give in & nap, I've been able to keep going. The itching started today on the chest, which was the first area to start to turn red at beginning of second week. Now using hydrocortisone cream there as well as cream they gave me at beginning. Underarm & side starting to get pink. Nipple still tender.only 4 whole breast treatments left. Then 5 boosts to tumor site. What should I expect from the boosts? Concerned about the affects on the incision area.

    buttaflydiva, they put tape over my marks. They also told me they can get them back if needed. Just don't use a wash cloth on them. I had a reaction to the tape & now they use a paint pen & re-mark about every other day.

    Hope everyone has a good tx day tomorrow!

    Hugs, Trish

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  • DFWFLYGIRL
    DFWFLYGIRL Member Posts: 146
    edited June 2016

    Congrats Paxton and Jill...awesome!!!!

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  • Hootowl
    Hootowl Member Posts: 26
    edited June 2016

    Congrats to Paxton and Lovestofly!

    I guess I've officiallystarted the peeling phase with 6 boosts to go. I'm just hoping the Aquaphor and calendula will prevent weeping and raw skin. I wonder if I need Silvadine or Pro Shield (not even sure what that is), but the peeling is in the axilla area.

    Buttaflydiva, they told me not to worry about the marks that weren't protected with tape because they were for the initial mapping.

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited June 2016

    I've missed you guys!! BLUF (<--acronym we use in DoD; stands for bottom line up front) is the wedding was *wonderful*, pig roast was great too (one of the organizers estimated 160 attendees this year), all of my kids are gone again ( :-( ), and I am s-l-o-w-l-y getting back to normal. More comments in no particular order:

    Deodorant--there was a question about what kind to wear. I didn't change mine at all, didn't experience any skin reactions as a result, just a little sore as I'd rub it on the affected side.

    I was sitting in my kitchen working yesterday, had gotten something out of my fridge that's got a lot of stuff people left in it over the weekend, thought it smelled bad, lit a scented candle, caught some newspaper (and a roll of paper towel) on fire, threw it all in the fireplace before burning the house down (hooray!!), and ended up with a burn on my finger, but I immediately thought, "I got this!" Grabbed some of my aloe gel from rads and slathered that on the rest of the day. Finger is in pretty good shape this morning!!

    Nipples--despite my RO always saying, "your poor swollen nipple!" when she looked at it, mine never got particularly bad. One of the nurses *did* tell me, though, that if I had issues post-tx, I could try nursing pads. Can't remember if she suggested putting anything on them but maybe there's some help there for someone.

    Cabbage--bought a whole head before starting rads and never did use it! Not even for coleslaw!

    Paxton and LTF--HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'd suggest you schedule a HUGE event soon to *totally* take your mind off the last month of your life. Worked for me. ;-)

    Supplements--I was told at my initial consultation with my RO--before surgery even--not to take *anything* while going through rads (although I'm not any prescription meds). I think that's the only thing they want you to continue through tx.

    Update on my hooter--in hindsight it sure looked angry, was fairly itchy, and made me think twice about creams/bras/clothing, but it was never terrible. No blisters, no peeling. I am now 15 days since last rads and I made the executive decision about two days ago not to put any of the special fancy creams on my hooter. I'm tired of thinking about it. I'm tired of deciding which 2-3 of the six things I was using on it to grab that day. I might throw on some Miaderm after showering (just to use it up) but no more several-times-a-day. I just went and looked in the mirror (also something I never did much during tx, and particularly not since finishing, because really who has time?)--it's definitely more tan/mottled than red or angry. Did not know I have this tan ring around my nipple! It all left my brain space pretty quickly given what was going on last week and I see that continuing. I have a check-up with my RO on 7/22. Til then I'll be trying to get my house back in order, missing my kids, being pretty lazy on weekends, . . . .

    For all of you mid-tx or just starting--this too shall pass.

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  • Katzpjays
    Katzpjays Member Posts: 237
    edited June 2016

    Double celebration today with my last radiation treatment trumped by my 31st wedding anniversary. Have to share the before and after (marriage, not my boob) in honor of my DH who has been a prince in honoring that "in sickness and in health" vow. So grateful.

    imageimage

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  • DFWFLYGIRL
    DFWFLYGIRL Member Posts: 146
    edited June 2016

    Great pics KatzPjays...congrats on the anniversary!!!

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  • cbowle
    cbowle Member Posts: 55
    edited June 2016

    Congrats Katzpjays! I LOVE the photos and you guys look wonderful before and after! Me and my husband will be celebrating our 27th anniversary on July 8th and will be spending a week in Mexico (my week break from rads).

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  • Katzpjays
    Katzpjays Member Posts: 237
    edited June 2016

    cbowle-Mexico sounds like great fun! That recent photo I posted was on vacation last month. We were off the coast of Monaco. I started rads just after we returned. The break is really therapeutic. Wishing you a fantastic time!!

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  • Lovinggrouches
    Lovinggrouches Member Posts: 530
    edited June 2016

    katz, love the picture!!!

    Ejmann, love the chains picture!!

    Hugs to all!

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  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited June 2016

    congrats Katz!!


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  • Truffles1214
    Truffles1214 Member Posts: 31
    edited June 2016

    Congratulations on finishing rads Katzpjays! Happy anniversary as well! I love the pictures!

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  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited June 2016

    Katzpjays

    Congrats on finishing rads, and on 31 years of marriage. I celebrate 37 in Sept. Time does fly.

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  • Paxton29
    Paxton29 Member Posts: 221
    edited June 2016

    Katz, congratulations on finishing, but more importantly, 31 years with the one you love! That's wonderful that you know he's always there for you. My 25th anniversary is in July. I don't know how that can be true, it hardly seems like it!

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  • Carlsoda
    Carlsoda Member Posts: 249
    edited June 2016

    Katz...just too cute!! Congrats on the anniversary and finishing radiation!


    No radiation for me today..they couldn't get the equipment up and running. They gave me a choice of coming back later today or tacking it on at the end...guess which one I choose :) I actually needed a day off...was not feeling well yesterday or today...but I think I am finally starting to feel better tonight

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  • tbalding
    tbalding Member Posts: 449
    edited June 2016

    Congratulations Sue on finishing rads & Happy Anniversary! We celebrated 23 in March.

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  • Grazy
    Grazy Member Posts: 373
    edited June 2016

    Lots of long marriages being celebrated this summer... we're having our 25th next week and will be going away for a few days to celebrate - really looking forward to getting away after the last four months. I remember when my parents had their "silver anniversary" and I thought they were so old..... :))

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  • Hootowl
    Hootowl Member Posts: 26
    edited June 2016

    Congratulations, Katzpjays!

    Ingerp, glad all of your events went well. I loved your post. I too have a cabbage in the refrigerator that I have not used nor eaten yet. I also have a large array of creams, ointments and powders to use to the point of confusion. I'm pretty much just alternating them now. I only have 5 more boosts so I'm hoping to fend off any major skin breakdown. I'm looking forward to the weekend and seeing my son and pregnant (first grandchild) daughter-in-law.

    Hugs to all

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited June 2016

    Katz--*love* the pictures!!

    We are a bunch of old ladies here, aren't we? :-) Hubs and I will celebrate our 30th in December, although it frequently goes unnoticed. Our youngest's birthday is the day after, and both my in-laws' birthdays are the day after that. It kind of gets lost in the shuffle.

    Grazy--where are you going? I thought about treating myself to a few days away when this was all over but July will be busy for me work-wise and then. . . I don't know. I went from all three kids being home for the festivities to all being gone so I was poking around airbnb yesterday for a possible trip in November to see my youngest in Montana. Cheered me up just thinking about going to visit one of my kids!

    Hootowl--I'm a little jealous! My best guess is I'm still on the order of 5-ish years away from grandchildren but am already looking forward to it. When is she due?

    And re: the fancy creams and lotions, while I told y'all I was just done with it, I got together with some friends last night and one of them with a little medical training said I really need to keep slathering stuff on while the skin continues to heal. I guess she's right. <sigh>

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  • Grazy
    Grazy Member Posts: 373
    edited June 2016

    Hey Ingerp, so glad to read that your wedding/pig roast weekend was a great success and that you've got some time to rest now! You've had a VERY busy few months! I'm glad to hear that your skin has held up pretty well, too! A few of us were very lucky in that regard and that should give comfort to the newbies on the Summer Rads board if they check in on this Spring 2016 board; thankfully, not everyone has a hellish time, but if they do run into problems, there's lots of good solutions and advice on here.

    In answer to your question, we're going to Quebec City for our anniversary trip - it's a wonderful little taste of Europe without having to fly across the ocean (we've only got four days to get away because my husband's in Spain right now on business - he'll fly home and we'll immediately depart). While I always enjoy my European trips, it's also nice to vacation in my own country. We lived in Montreal for many years and took frequent trips up to Quebec City, so it is a special place for us. Before heading to QC though, we are starting off our anniversary trip on July 5th - our actual 25th anniversary - at a quaint little town in Ontario called Niagara-on-the-Lake, which is where we spent a great deal of our "courtship" and where we were married. We're definitely travelling down memory lane for this particular anniversary! I hope you find some time to get away as well! We all deserve that bit of respite once treatment is over!! :)

    Katz, your before and after photos were beautiful - congratulations, again, on your anniversary and conclusion of rads!

    Hugs to the rest of the Spring crew as well..

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