Summer Rads 2016

Hi All! Just finished 22 out of 33 treatments. Having pain and itching on my chest area mostly. I start boosting on Friday. Looking forward to this coming to an end. Then on to Tamoxifen. The fatigue is real, although RO says that there is no proof that radiation causes it. Having bad reflux as well.

Grey, do you have a patient advocate or breast care coordinator at your cancer center? Do they offer any therapy? This sounds like it is going to be a rough ordeal for you and you need someone who is in your corner. I hope you find a good solutio.

Grey, so sorry you are going through all of this. I agree you need someone on your side. Don't be rushed into radiation or feel pressured to start immediately. I know for me, it's gone fast and not too many troubles with skin. It's just red/tanned and itchy but lotion feels oh so good! And each treatment is super fast! HUGS!

On to number 25 in the morning! yippee. finish this week out and move on to boosts next week to finish off my 34. Grey- don't be freaked out, everyone handles this completely differently, and it is completely doable. I personally think surviving the diagnosis is the hardest part. Yeah, it can be uncomfortable, but it is what saves us right? We want to be the 95% not the other way around. You can do this. I know that I have met some really great women at the center going through the same thing at the same time, we are the Sisterhood of the Bad Boobs. hey- anything that helps....Ok, I am just going to ask - I don't know a delicate way to put this- is anyone else having digestive issues? Seriously.....I wish I could run in the other room away from myself!

dressagegkb, my RO was "puzzled" by my fatigue after treatment #3 & my tummy issues. RO suggested more protien in my diet. Getting plenty of that in my meals already.... My naturopath recommended Rhodiola 2xs a day for RAD fatigue & ginger for my sad belly. Both have worked since starting last Tuesday. Maybe it would work for you? My good friend takes rhodiola for stress & likes the effect. 😊

Grey know that we are here for you giving virtual hugs. Your boyfriend sounds despicable how awful. So sorry you have to deal with this along with this dreaded disease. Know that rads are not that bad for everyone.

if you can update your profile to include your diagnosis this way others with similiar diagnosis can weigh in and give support.

JenniferJo, you are so funny! I seem to have been having digestive issues every Thursday/Friday so far... It usually resolves by Sunday so I haven't pursued anything else.

Grey, it is times like these that we find out who we should really include in our life. If that is your bf's attitude, you are better off without him. That leaves room for you to bring something better into your life.

dressagekgb - definitely the fatigue is real. My RO has acknowledge the fatigue and nausea as coming from the radiation. Wonder why docs are so different? I actually had a little relief from fatigue the last 3 days. However, starting to get a little itchy...

My RO recommended to be careful with too much antioxidants. Not sure if Rhodiola is one. But anti-oxidants during radiation can lead to cancer cells not being as differentiated (we want them to be differentiated DURING so that the radiation can best do it's job.)

Hi there. I will be starting rads in September. :-P

What is/how do you do a saline soak

Hello All

Sending virtual hugs to my fellow rad sisters.

Skin is holding up but very inflamed. Creams are working. Soon this will be over.

Welcome 1step! Radiation, if you can believe it, goes super fast. Don't be intimidated by # of treatments. It is amazing how fast it becomes routine and in and out super fast!

5 treatments left!!! All boosts!!! I met with my MO today and she told me it can take up to 3 months to get over radiation fatigue. Isn't that crazy, I was thinking 2 - 4 weeks, not 3 months. And they pushed up my tamoxifen start date. I was going to start on Monday August 15th, but they decided Wednesday August 10th would be better. Oh well, but it's better to just get going I guess.

(((Hugs))

Hello All

One more all breast, nodes, neck etc, then 5 boost. I can't believe I'm down to double digits. It's been a long journey. I found chemo much harder than rads, though I'm having some serious skin issues and fatigue. My RO says my fatigue could linger for months.

Chemo seemed to drag on for me, but rads has flown though more of an ordeal than I thought, but definitely quicker. But then my chemo was almost 5 months. thats why these boards are so helpful, everyone has a different experience. I burn rather easily in the sun, and though my RO said that was not an indicator of how I would do with rads, i think it is.

Happy to help LMV! Your not actually soaking it in water, just laying a wet cloth against your skin so for me it didn't. In fact my skin was so hot (and still is) that it wouldn't take long for the cloth to get hot. It really helps me when I do it, I just hope it gets less painful soon. My MO looked at me and said he thought I would be okay with rads but he never saw how pale I am - he only saw me with clothes on ....so I think skin type does factor in somewhat. He will be happy to know that I found his chemo much easier than the rads!

Rads will fly by. It is just tiring going everyday. Now I'm down to just Herceptin, although I don't feel like I've completed rads yet because I am so sore!

I can't believe I only have 5 boost left. When it started, it seemed like FOREVER. Now it seems like it has flown by.

I'm having my last treatment today. They miscalculated(?) and its 33 instead of 34 treatments. I'm happy but also having some mixed emotions about it. I didn't particularly like going everyday but there's a kind of comfort knowing they are watching me. Going from being in a doctor's office five days a week to no days a week is a bit unnerving. Like the safety net is gone and I'm walking that tightrope without one now. I know it's not like that and I'll be getting scans and regular follow ups, just venting. Plus my hormones are all jacked up so I'm feeling especially weepy and vulnerable today.

Gentle hugs to all.

Polka, I have been having the same feelings (I have 4 left) but trying to focus on all the continued care I will be getting for the next 5 years. It does help knowing we are not alone out there!

Had my first booster today, took a long time to get set up but they are still doing two fields, one from the right and one from the left, just focused now towards the tumor bed. My very dark skin should hopefully start healing soon

I am also very pale but luckily no real skin issues...I never really burn or tan much anyhow. But my left breast is now beautifully tanned (and red) but not sore!