Starting Rads in January 2017

At my planning scan this week I found one reason why we don't immediately get creams. I was told not to use anything yet because depending on the reaction will call for different treatments. Although I'm mostly hearing pinks and burnt so what else do you need to start the process?

I was totally unprepared for the tattoos too. Doc used the word "marks" not tattoos during the initial consultation. I've read the word on this board but have been in a bit of a haze and couldn't remember if anyone actually said temporary or I just hoped they did. I asked. Mine are permanent but "might" fade over time. I don't have a constellation and am super pale. It looks like a pen splattered. Maybe not that bad but the downplay of what I've been told already and what's coming is concerning. And it's coming this week.

I've been dealing with some major neuropathy as well. Got to the heels this past week and tingling in my arms and legs as well. I had my port removed about 10 days ago and was told to stop taking my multivitamin a week prior. Being a good girl I did what I was told. Okay, fine, I ran out around the right time. And then forgot to get more until a few days post. I had also read b6 is good for neuropathy. When I finally got them there was no b6 at this store and I was too tired to go anywhere else so got b complex. I've been taking them quite regularly this week, which is amazing for me, and the pain is subsiding. I'm not sure if this really is what's best but it's doing something and making it more than tolerable.

All I can say is "my poor boob!" Now a dark pink/light red with the radiation treatment outlines very visible. It doesn't feel too bad more of the occasional shooting pains many of us are familiar with-the kind that make you wince for a second. Some itchiness at the clavicle, soreness under the armpit and nipple. A word of advice for the about to be or newly radiated be certain to get your lotions/potions under your armpit- I think I was not as diligent there and can see the difference. I am also just plain tired out this weekend- still doing things but not a lot of motivation or energy.

The above was my short whine- really it is all not too bad- definitely do-able, hoping to truly turn the corner soon. 3 more boosts left this coming week (18/21). For those just starting or waiting to start- you can do this. You just grit your teeth and wait for the time to pass and it does pretty quickly.

Best to everyone who reads this.

Keep moving around and drinking that water ladies!

hello everyone. I'm on day 7 of 20 here so far so good skin wise but I'm so fatigued I slep almost all day yesterday and I have a really sore shoulder, collar bone neck and lung, They just hurt the whole time now. Looking forward to getting finished.

Starting my 2nd week of radiation today, plus I have my herceptin infusion on Wednesday. Hope my body holds up with this "double whammy" this week!

Today was 9th of 33 rads. Last Thursday and Friday the fatigue hit with a vengeance. I was surprised it hit so early on. I perked up a bit over the weekend, then a couple hours after rad treatment, it came roaring back. I wonder if it will get more intense with each treatment or if this is the level it stays at. I will be walking or sitting and my eyes just close. If I'm sitting, I will cat nap. Also, I have trouble finding my words. It's just intense fatigue. Then I'll bounce back for a little bit

hello Ladies.

RitaR551 - yes the fatigue is brutal. I can relate to you. I feel like a zombie sometimes. (A nice one)

Pammac47 - I get you on the pain. I'm working part time but I don't think that will last much longer.

Yesterday the radiation machine broke down! I called at 10:25 a.m. to confirm that I would see the doctorafter my 2 p.m. radiation. Then the machine breaks down at 10:30a.m. They didn't call to tell me because I had to come in to see the doctor anyway. And the machine is still broke today! I just can't believe it! I texted my RO and said I was really worried. He wrote back that us patient will have to make up for it on the weekends.

So I've done 15 of 25 rads, missed yesterday and today because of the breakdown. I really want to get this over with. I'm so disappointed.

Warm thoughts to all of you.

Thanks to all you lovely ladies for talking about how it really is... I finished 15/22 today, and although I really want to be upbeat-this is no big deal-happy face for the whole world girl.... sometime this shit just sucks, and it makes me feel a little better to know I'm not the only one. Here's my rant... red, itchy, weepy bumps, mostly on chest where I've gotten more sun exposure in my life, and it's a part where they are using electrons instead of protons (whatever that means Dog tired (drive in traffic at 6am, rads at 7:15am, drive in more traffic until 8:30am and work until 6pm... eat...fall into bed and do it again) And I sprained my ankle a couple of weeks ago, and it just doesn't seem to be healing at all... So... bitch moan bitch moan.

But on the other hand, there are a bunch of amazing, supportive people here who mostly ARE upbeat, and happy, and don't mind too much if you need to complain some. And I am reminded of how very lucky I am. And I'll be at 18/22 at the end of this week... and then at the end of next week, I'll be ringing the bell (that's what they do at MDAnderson when you finish rads) Happy day everyone, and thank you all so much for being here!

CC2016 - I had my #1/30 today also.

They drew all over my chest showing how big the area is they are radiating. I am shocked at how big it is. I will ask tomorrow if they are really treating that whole area.

Thanks to all of you for sharing your journey and validating all that I feel at every stage.

Hope everyone has a restfull evening.

ElizabethAm- lol. Well, she's young, so I'll give her that.

Like others have said, it's good to come here and hear what others are experiencing.

JenRich- I can only aspire. I am retired and can't imagine maintaining the schedule I had (when working) AND doing rads. You go girl! Just proves women are tough 😉

kksmom I had a meltdown the day I had the scans tattoos done as well I was in floods that night (I didn't have chemo) I'd had a long break 2nd operation mid November then week before Christmas had the scans tattoos I was lying there thinking I'm a sick person, that all passed, however last night I broke down I was sobbing I had to go to bed at 6 slept the night till 8, I mentioned it to the nurse today, I knew tiredness was a side effect but I didn't realise crying and feeling down was also. heactual treatment is grand painless I get a free bus there and back supplied by the clinic ,but I'm tired and emotional, I've done 10 of 20 so half way to finishing on a good note my skin is in great condition so far I'm sure that will change though

Someone in an earlier post described me as one of the "lead cars"- and now I have crossed the finish line. 21/21! 16 plus 5 boosts for a total 52.5 Gy over about a month. I had fewer days/fractions of treatment but each treatment was stronger than the ones for those whose treatment is stretched over more days.

I can no longer call my breast any shade of pink it is definitely lighter to medium red depending on the time of day and lighting. it is about a third larger than the untreated breast although it never returned to normal size from the first core biopsy in September. Little bit itchy, very sore nipple and underarm but everything seems "intact" (as they say). My breast is throwing out an amazing amount of heat. I am tired and feel low level crappy. My stomach has been messed up for weeks. Fortunately my shoulder and arm feel pretty good- that was my worry prior to start.

Saw the RO this week- she said I was fine and would see me one final time in three months. I have had low expectations of my interactions with the staff since my first visit-they are pleasant but not particularly engaged. It is a bit of a radiation mill here-16 machines -400 treatments a day. There was no bell to ring....

Mango popsicles are now officially my favourite food.

I have a few more weeks of keeping up with the lotions/potions. I have read enough posts here to know that I am not out of the woods as far as skin reactions.

I worked right through treatment with a few 3 day weekends. I didn't mind really- work was a good distraction. I was hoping to travel to Washington for the Women's March this weekend but better to lie low and go to the local. Would hate to have a reaction far from home or push myself more than I should.

Hang in there everyone- the end of treatment may seem a long way away but you will be there before you know it.

I start tomorrow.

I suddenly feel kind of afraid. I got marked today and just felt like I was on another planet...frozen in an awkward position for an hour while they drew all over me and talked about things I had no understanding of.

Just surreal. Plus the RO came in briefly during the middle and didn't even say anything to me which bugged me. Hello, I Am Over Here?!

Guess it's just time to fasten my seat belt again, close my eyes, and hang on...feels like I have been reminding myself to do that for most of this year! Argh.

I had a lumpectomy on Dec 8th, 1cm tumor with clear margins and no lymph nodes affected. I started radiation therapy on Jan 12, 2017. I have to have radiation for 6 weeks Mon-Fri. So far, it has been a pleasant experience. The radiation equipment is brand new and they've had it since 2015. I go into the radiation room with a cotton blouse and no bra and the radiologist accommodates me into a cradle (made to my specifications) opens my blouse and then closes my house, but does not button it for the treatment. What I like is that I can keep my own blouse on (it has to be cotton). Each treatments lasts about 5-8 minutes; however it takes about 1/2 hour from the time you enter until you leave. Everyone is very pleasant. I was given a cream to apple for any burning which has not occurred. The cream they gave me was Calendula First Aid treatment for minor burns and sunburn. I was also told that I could bu Aloe Vera 100% gel. I haven't had any burns and my skin is doing great, but it's only been 5 treatments.

I was diagnosed as stage 1- T1b, No Mo - (1cm, luminal b, ki-67 40). The oncologist recommended chemo (because of the ki-67 rate of 40), but I refused. I have to take letrozole and I don't look forward to taking it because of the horrendous side affects, but I have no choice. The radiation therapy is not too bad. I'm just lucky to be here. Good luck with your radiation. Soon all this will be a memory for both of us.

hello Ladies,

Naps - I love your description of getting marked : I suddenly feel kind of afraid. I got marked today and just felt like I was on another planet...frozen in an awkward position for an hour while they drew all over me and talked about things I had no understanding of. It's so true! It's like being in a Twilight Zone episode.

I saw my MD today. I have E. coli again. 2nd time this month. Good thing is the urinalysis identified the exact strain and I'm taking meds. One thing I've learned is to tell my doctor all my little aches and pains and even worries. Because there is usually a solution. I felt like crap during my 6 months of chemo and radiation has exhausted me emotionally and physically. So sometimes I think why say anything, it's just the toxins from chemo in my body. Everything in my system is messed up.

I told my MD how I felt when I was getting radiated. How I feel 'I'm really sick and this huge scary machine confirms it. I have cancer.....oh my god!' So he asks me: "why are you getting radiation? What will happen if you don't get radiation? What is radiation doing for you?" So he tell me I should say to the tech: " aim good! " and I should think "I'm saving my life". " I fight to save my life"

( my MD is a very passionate person)

Hang in there ladies, we're fighting to save our lives!