Starting Rads in January 2017

Thanks Mod!

Checking back in, now at 24/30. Fun facts, updates, requests:

Accidentally made all the post notification emails go to junk folder but I think that might actually be a good thing. Anxiety of so many new emails coming through daily has dropped a ton. I never realized it effected me until it didn't. Might just turn off the notifications and check in when I feel like it from now on! Might be something to the social media anxiety mumbo jumbo...still love y'all but you might be making me crazy!

Didn't have any skin issues until this past week. Turned dark pink and the last couple zaps got really uncomfortable afterwards. Applying way more creams and oils than ever before. So glad it's the weekend and that there are only 6 more to go. I think the final 5 boosts are going to be right where I'm most uncomfortable though.

Laugh it up ladies...I had a mammogram yesterday. Had it been the week before or even earlier this week it probably wouldn't have phased me. If you don't know yet, and if you still have your breast, you get smooshed in a few extra positions and a few extra times since you're special. Just wanted to get it over with so I dealt with it and didn't punch the tech. Prayers for what I suspect is another member of our club. This center has a radiologist give the okay to change and go home after a quick review but there was a delay yesterday. A tech finally said that she was in with a patient. I've seen the radiologist before and she used words like "suspicious" and "concerning" and within a few days I was part of this club.

Anyone having any weird pains not zapped skin related? On and off the last few weeks I've had horrible pain in my thumb, index and middle fingers, hand wrist, forearm of my zapped side. Typically at night - waking me up in tears at least once - and sometimes in the morning - making it difficult to hold my coffee. Insult to injury for both, IMO. It almost feels like carpel tunnel pain but I have done NOTHING to cause a flare up. Living an extremely boring life right now. RO doesn't think it's related to his stuff and doesn't think it's lymphadema but will keep an eye on it. Of course, there's no pain when I meet him. Ever. And this past week I've been getting a weird sensation on my back/shoulder blade area, also on the same side. I see my MO this week and will bring it up with him but will expect him to blame it on the chemo still. The neuropathy has gotten better but this has been worse than that ever was.

I can report I'm not sure about the rads fatigue. I'm tired, yes, but can't be sure exactly why. BC has controlled my life decisions since late May, I'm mostly done with rads - and rads daily travel (which is worse than rads itself, I think), rads is STILL not the end since hormonal therapy will take years and will begin shortly, I've had a great sinus gunk hit me this past month so I wake with a numb hand and clogged nose most mornings, I've got 2 active kids with their own schedules, I'm in the midst of a job search with all the anxieties of getting hired to have a job vs getting hired at the "right" job. Pretty sure it's just life fatigue, honestly.

Whimper and whine time over, thank y'all, love y'all. Time to send a few more applications and take a nap!

This is my final week of rads, yeah! Getting 8 boosts, had 2 last week. Am having 2 tomorrow 6 hours apart, then singles rest of week, so I can be finished on Friday. Whole breast radiation went really well, no burns, and only minor rash in small area. I think mometasone cream RO prescribes really helped. Hoping boosts go just as well. Will check in later, everyone have a great week. Warm temps all week here in Ohio!

Rita- I love your painting / slogan. Thanks for sharing.

I'm 19 days since last rad and since it's blistered, broken and peeled it's starting to look good! And a lot less pain.

Now if only I didn't have the neuropathy! And the pregabalina makes me so spacey.

Have a nice weekend everybody.

ok, I have finished 10 rad treatments. I thought all was going well. I have walked after rads and also shampooed several rooms in my house.

Now Saturday, I broke out on a rash. Prior to treatment I asked RO if I should do anything and he said no.

I did buy cream to put on.

Saturday, I did wear a bra that maybe was too tight. But the rash is basically everywhere.

So my question is can I continue rads. I have 5 left and not sure how many boosts

caligirl55 - sorry about your neuropathy, I feel like it's one of the worst side effects of chemo.

Positive - that's too bad about your rash. Did you find out if you can continue rads?

KK's - I'm happy you're doing so well. Hope it keeps up.

So I'm 19 days since last rad (I had 25) and things are looking good. It amazing me how skin can heal. I'm still really tired - I call myself a "part-timer" because I can only do a 1/2 days of things. Or 1/2 of what I did before cancer. Still glad to be alive.

Remember you're suffering to save yourself. Short term pain, long term gain.

Warm thoughts toward all of you.

Carrie...that fatigue hits us harder than I thought too.

Positive...hopefully your RO was able to help answer your questions today.

KKsMom...yay for last week of rads...good luck

SuMarie...that's the right spirit girlfriend

Ladies,

I'm posting more in the February group now since it looks like I might start rads in February or March, but I have a question for all you more experienced rads patients.

When you put on Aquaphor or something equally as sticky and slippery, what are you wearing to keep it from sticking to your clothing?  Seems like even an exercise bra might be irritating, but maybe not.  Are you wrapping yourselves like a mummy in bandages?  I have an extra long length of one they wrapped me in after my lumpectomy I could use at night.

Any advice from you the veterans?

Thanks!

Ruby ....some people used nursing pads or shoulder pads in their bras.

DiV....so sorry about your soreburnt throat...I can't imagine. I got blisters down my throat during chemo and I thought that was miserable.

Done! Yesterday was my last Rad. I feel like I've been set free! Now on to healing.

Hang in there gals. It DOES end

RitaR551, what a great feeling to be finished! Today is #31 for me, 2 more and I'll also be finished! Ruby, I wore camisoles or mens thin tank style t shirts (pack of 4 for $7 at walmart) that I can just pitch when I'm finished. Good luck to everyone!

DiV - sorry about the burnt throat. They told me I may get that also because of the way my esophagus is curved. Did they have to adjust your radiation because of the amount of weight you lost? I'm trying to lose weight and am succeeding but I don't want it to mess up my radiation. Thanks!

kshorten and suprsurvivr thanks for concerns and prayers. Doing much better today. Can finally eat yahoo and skin on neck is starting to dry out double yahoo.

Kshorten i didn't plan on losing weight it just happened cuz it was very difficult to eat. Could only eat creamed soup or mashed potatoes and gravy. I hope and pray that you or anyone else doesn't ever have to deal with the sore throat from radiation cause it is really painful. My voice is still barely a whisper but getting better!

hope you January girls don't mind a question about back pain from the table. I've done 10 sessions and when I get up from table it's really sore. Not sure why cuz I'm there maybe 5 minutes but it enough to tweak it.

As you can assume, any other pain gets bc girls extremely worried.

Thanks in afvance:)

Finally, I had my last radiation treatment today, woo-hoo!!!