starting rads feb 2017

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  • Pamela23
    Pamela23 Member Posts: 510
    edited March 2017

    Oasis--they had you start tamoxifin while doing rads? I wonder what the difference is? Everyone seems to do it after rads. I really want to wait a bit afterwards and get my body healed a bit before introducing something else my body has to adjust for!

    Good luck tomorrow Cowboy-up. It really goes fast. Seems like I just stared and I've done 13 so far.

    Elem--I'm right behind you. I'm feeling twinges in my breast too. At least we know something is going on in there! Not looking forward to the skin changes!

    Fightingirl--I'm still doing rads but I noticed a shift too once I was bouncing back from chemo. I'm 7 weeks PFC and for the past month I feel like things are going to be in my hands soon. What can I do differently to prevent this from happening again? It's so overwhelming! I keep thinking about recurrence. I feel like this protocol of surgery/chemo/rads/tamoxifin takes us through 10 years but then what? What in my body made this happen i the first place and how can I fix it so it never happens again? So I understand the mental challenges of being "done" because I don't think we'll ever be done thinking about it!

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  • Patti1746
    Patti1746 Member Posts: 49
    edited March 2017

    kshorten - I've never heard of Silvadene. Try doing a search on the forum, that may help.

    Pamela - No skin changes yet? Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones!

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  • Elem
    Elem Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2017

    owwwwww .. my breast is burning and painfful . I don't know if It can withstand anymore radiation . Had a rough night . Iced her down for some relief, but yikes , not a good feeling . It is really red too! Today I start boosts . Does anyone know if this is a more intense dose ? Or if burning will increase during boosts. I don't finish until next Tues. then tamoxifen! Little stessed this morning! ❤

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  • nem126
    nem126 Member Posts: 109
    edited March 2017

    Elem- the boost is just a focused beam to the area where your tumor was. It isn't more intense, and it should actually give the rest of your boob a break. I had the same question for my RO and that's what she told me :)

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  • nem126
    nem126 Member Posts: 109
    edited March 2017

    Anyone else experiencing "cording"? I had a little bit of pain and a feeling like a "tight rubber band" going down my arm from where my sentinel lymph nodes were taken. RO said to keep doing stretches to help it.

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  • Elem
    Elem Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2017

    Thank You Nem126 ,

    It looks so reddened and hurt so much . Justbgot the boost and theybreassured me this was normal! Whew , it had me so stressed as the look just seemed to worsen overnight as did the tenderness and throbbing.Evidently , this is normal.

    Have a great day ladies




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  • Pamela23
    Pamela23 Member Posts: 510
    edited March 2017

    Nem126-- I was experiencing lymphedema in my left arm which caused some cording. I was sent to a physical therapist who specializes in lymphedema. She has been doing massages and using her hands and a special tool to release the tension of the cording and had me do some exercises. I went to her twice a week for 4 weeks and it helped tremendously. Still have a bit of lymphedema so I'm signed up for another twice a week for 4 weeks session.

    Pattie-no redness yet. Today was only day 13 out of 30 though

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  • Fightingirl
    Fightingirl Member Posts: 409
    edited March 2017

    Nem126, I am almost done with physical therapy for cording. I had it pretty bad from armpit down into my thumb. Like Pamela, I started seeing physical therapist who specializes in lymphadema. The massages along with ultrasound have "broken down" or "unattached" my cords from things they shouldn't be attached to and I have only about 3 more PT visits and I should be good to go. I went 3 times weekly and was on lymphadema watch because my left arm was bigger than my dominate right arm. I will have to have compression sleeve for air travel and a few other changes for life. I would recommend seeing PT who specializes in Lymphadema if possible.

    Pamela, I'm so glad you understand. I feel half crazy for not being able to let it go!

    So I finished my multi-catheter radiation on 2/15 and today I woke up with one angry sore boob! I haven't had any problems except mild redness but today it is just almost achy and hurts even when I'm walking. Hopefully nothing to be concerned about there.

    Elem, I hope your pain goes away very soon!

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  • Patti1746
    Patti1746 Member Posts: 49
    edited March 2017

    Today was my boost day and thought it would be like any other. But they had to map out again and measurements were taken with a small ruler. I now have a circle drawn on my breast with white-out! Yes, actual white-out. Thought that was funny. Elem will be curious to know if your first boost day is similar.

    Trying not to let the whole thing stress me out while there, but it is pretty obvious I was uncomfortable with the whole thing. The boost itself is quick.

    Pamela - I started getting pink after the first week and red after 2 weeks. Now that the whole breast is not being zapped, hopefully the healing begins.


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  • annoyingboob
    annoyingboob Member Posts: 558
    edited March 2017

    oh no fightingirl - I hope you are not getting another infection!! Do you have another f/u appt soon? If not, I'd make one just to be safe...

    Xxoo


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  • Elem
    Elem Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2017

    Thank You fightingirl and Aboob ..I am feel worn down for sure .Please take care Fightingirl , it has been such a long road . Glad PT is helping you

    Yes Patti1746 my boost was exactly as you described except my drawing was witha black marker . They made a template at the end so I can wash it off tonight. But honestly, my breast is so red and sore ,I am just lying down and resting for the rest of my day. I feel beat. I have to work tomorrow , but am feeling like I am too tired!

    Please take it easy ladies , we have endured and I am feeling a little bit of a let down right now. Probably just tired ! 🌸💗


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  • Fightingirl
    Fightingirl Member Posts: 409
    edited March 2017

    Well, I mentioned to a girl here at work and she asked if this would be my first menstrual cycle since I finished radiation and it is! Hoping that's what it's from...normally both are a little tender but the left one feels so sore with all it's been through lately I don't feel anything on the right. I do remember that I did get my period the day after I finished radiation and that is exactly one week from today so it's possible. I remember now being so pissed because I had just wrapped up radiation and got those catheters out and the next day I was driving home from work and I had cramps...I was like I can't catch a break here!!!

    Elem, rest up and be good to yourself. Hoping you have your energy back for work tomorrow or that you are able to take the day off to recover.

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  • Patti1746
    Patti1746 Member Posts: 49
    edited March 2017

    Fightingirl - hope you are better soon. Never ending.

    Elem- although my boob isn't hurting, I am so tired. I have no energy and I have to push myself to talk a walk to get out of the house. Yes, my drawing was with a black magic marker but then with white-out on top. I have to be careful to not wash/lotion up, because it needs to stay on until next Friday. ugh

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  • Elem
    Elem Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2017

    me too Patti1746

    I just hit a wall this afternoon and feel exhausted. I was resting but today is my husbands birthday and I don't want to be a dud on his special day , I am trying to fet that second wind before he gets home.

    Boob still throbs every now and then and the burn feels uncomfotable. Ugh! Sorry to sound so dismal , but it seems to be catching up !

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  • Oasis2016
    Oasis2016 Member Posts: 52
    edited March 2017

    Did #10/25 so far so good. Almost 2 weeks on tamoxifen and already getting joint pains! Stiff fingers and also some pain at the knees. My appointment with my MO is in May, i wonder if i can wait that long. Hopefully the pains are not related to tamoxifen because I'm supposed to take that for 10 years.

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  • CeliaC
    CeliaC Member Posts: 1,320
    edited March 2017

    Yesterday was whole breast zap 13, with 3 to go & then 4 boosts. Boost setup also done yesterday - 4 more marks - with turquoise paint that stung like the dickens. Nipple pretty irritated and using prescribed Lidocaine ointment for relief. Some armpit and general boob sensitivity as well. Happy to have today and tomorrow to rest up and baby myself. Continuing to slather on the Miaderm and using prescribed Mometasone Furoate cream on most irritated areas. Dr/Nurse and Rad Techs say skin is doing very well considering how fair my skin is. Re: Silvadene - it is by prescription - have seen some discussions of it on internet. Best wishes to all for some healing time this weekend.

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  • Elem
    Elem Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2017

    my boob is sensitive on the nipple and around both incisions. It hurts and is red . Today and tomorrow and I am done. But even though I had the weekend off , my boob felt irritated the whole weekend. I think finding a bra that does not enhance irritation and pain would be amazing . Any suggestions?

    Well good luck everyone. I am looking forward to complete healing . Anyone here starting Tamoxifen this week or next?

    Love to you all 🌸

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  • kshorten
    kshorten Member Posts: 102
    edited March 2017

    Woo Hoo rang the bell this morning! Done!

    image

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  • Elem
    Elem Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2017

    Congratulations KShorten.. that is fantastic. Hood luck moving forward. I have 2 more boosts .. today and tomorrow , then I will ring the bell too . But start on a different journey which is called tamoxifen ! Have a great day . Hugs

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  • Elem
    Elem Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2017

    this is the bell that they have in my clinic.. 1 more TX and I'm finished with my rads. image

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  • annoyingboob
    annoyingboob Member Posts: 558
    edited March 2017

    1 more elem, you can do it!!!! I'm so proud of you!!! Rest up and I'll be listening for the gong sound tomorrow!!!

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  • Elem
    Elem Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2017

    Thank You Annoyingboob,

    You are right , I can and will finish the tx . Tomorrow. It has been so wuiet here now. Hope everyone is doing well and adjusting to re entry into life b4 BC . Seems like it has gone on a long time. So happy for everyone who are moving along and enjoying life .

    Love and light ❤XOX

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  • Pamela23
    Pamela23 Member Posts: 510
    edited March 2017

    That's quite a "bell" Elem!! Looks more fun than the traditional one. I'm at the halfway point as of today 3 weeks down, 3 to go. Keep us posted on the tamoxifen. I wonder if there's a thread for that too, probably. I should look into it soon. I'm hoping to postpone it a couple weeks just to heal from the 6 months of chaos on my body before taking something for 10 years!I'm going to look into any studies to see if it affects the effectiveness of the drug.


    Congrats kshorten and your hair looks fabulous! Hooray for your cold cap!!

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  • Patti1746
    Patti1746 Member Posts: 49
    edited March 2017

    Elem - you are so close! My last day was suppose to be Friday but we are expecting a blizzard tomorrow and the rad center will be closed. They will open on Saturday for my last one. My boob is very red and sensitive and I haven't worn a bra in weeks. But it's really the fatigue that bothers me. I do some cleaning and then I have to take a nap.

    kshorten - congratulations! What a great photo, you look so happy. Did you get emotional at all?

    I agree with Pamela - that is some bell.

    For people on the east coast - let's hope the storm is all a mistake.

    Thinking of all of you.


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  • kshorten
    kshorten Member Posts: 102
    edited March 2017

    Thanks everyone, so glad to be done. Patti I did get a little emotional, very strange, I'm going to miss seeing my radiation techs. You see them 5 days a week for 6 plus weeks and they kind of become like family. However I won't miss the treatment itself!

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  • Elem
    Elem Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2017

    Yes that bell is enoromous! I have seen a couple of people bang the gong , not too loud though! I am very much looking forward to the end of the tx. The techs at my place for the most part are good and very nice. There is one who seems annoyed when asked questions , which I feel like she should not be with patients if she is put off by that. Most of us are scared and concerned and empathy is required to deal with that . But anyway, I have no clue what her struggles might be , so I am just venting !

    On a more positive note , I am happy for all of us nearing the finish line.

    Praying for that Noreaster not to be as bad a predicted. I am watching the news and it looks pretty intense . Stay safe my east coast friends.

    My nipple and boob are sore , burnt and generally unpleasant, but the nurse said in a month , on my follow up , it will be amazingly better . Hard to imagine, but definitely something to look forward to .

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  • annoyingboob
    annoyingboob Member Posts: 558
    edited March 2017

    just to warn everyone - just b/c you ring the bell doesn't mean you are done - I was tired for a solid week after I finished, so continue to lather on the lube and be gentle with yourself even when you are home this week and next. and today is national napping day, so do your civic duty and take a nap!!!xxoo

    happy healing


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  • Oasis2016
    Oasis2016 Member Posts: 52
    edited March 2017

    Did #11 today and i can now see a different shade at my side just like a tan.

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  • Mamasha
    Mamasha Member Posts: 104
    edited March 2017

    KSHORTEN YAY!!!!!! So happy you are done. You look so happy.

    ELEM, just think tomorrow it's going to be over. You are going to be so relieved and happy! Good luck with the LAST appointment.

    For those of us on east coast, enjoy the beautiful snow! Gives us an excuse to nap since we can't go out.


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  • Elem
    Elem Member Posts: 327
    edited March 2017

    Thanks ladies .

    Congrats on #11 Oasis2016, Thanks Mamasha,Annoyingboob And all of my sisters. Oh I know exactly what you mean about the exhaustion and need for naps . I hit a wall everyday around 2-3 pm . I usually get a second wind, but feeling exhausted is a new norm . It did not hit me until rear the end of this tx. My soreness and because the pigment on the breast was dark to begin with , I am now sporting some ugly brown spots loooks like when you shave your legs and it sprouts . Anyway that is probably not a good description , but its ugly lil' brown dots!

    Enjoy snuggling on this cold night north east girls .. stay safe

    Love and hugs

    Elle Em

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