Starting Radiation in May 2017

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  • Goincrzy8
    Goincrzy8 Member Posts: 387
    edited June 2017

    Congrats Connie. I am planning a trip with my grown kids and grandkids when I am finished.

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  • RoseRN1
    RoseRN1 Member Posts: 153
    edited June 2017

    Congratulations Connie! Starting to get a little redder now

    RO just ordered Silvadene and a tube of Triamcinolone for rash. Doesn't really itch or hurt that much

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  • Tappermom383
    Tappermom383 Member Posts: 643
    edited June 2017

    Whoo-Hoo - congratulations, Connie!!!! Enjoy that celebration tonight and don't worry about the house - tomorrow should be for you and not for housework. Push it all aside and luxuriate in your freedom!

    MJ


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  • Peetie1
    Peetie1 Member Posts: 73
    edited June 2017

    Congratulations Connie 1230!!! It sounds to me like you have earned a few days to sleep in and rest!!

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  • Stella5Bear
    Stella5Bear Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2017

    I was just at my radiation dr today. September will mark my third year surviving IBC. I was a little nervous today which is normal on these dr check ups. The nurse asked me routine questions and told me I was "very lucky". My dr came in a did her exam. She told me I looked great and recommended one more check up next February. I couldn't believe it! We hugged and I bounced my way out very happy.

    I will add that though that this cancer took 11/2 yrs of my life. I still have side effects from chemo such as tingling in my feet.

    I wish all of you speedy recovery. I know first hand how hard it is. I am happy to answer any questions about my process if you want to know. Best to all of you out there.


    My cancer was stage 3 IBC, double mastectomy, tested positive BRCA-1, oophorectomy and reconstruction.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited June 2017

    Stella5Bear-

    Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring story! We wish you continued years of being cancer-free!

    The Mods

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  • bravepoint
    bravepoint Member Posts: 404
    edited June 2017

    Connie - Glad to hear you are done and have plans with your family. Enjoy!

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  • ReneeF
    ReneeF Member Posts: 11
    edited June 2017

    Hi all! Just started radiation last week. 6 out of 30 done. I feel a lot of pain (throbbing and aches) and I have already started turning pink. Being that it gets progressively worse as treatment goes on, I'm really worried about what is to come. Anybody else have early onset symptoms? Plus I was so lucky to have nausea as I started since it was on my left side. This just doesn't seem like it will be as easy as my dr sai when he said I was going to sail on through. Ugh!!!

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  • Tappermom383
    Tappermom383 Member Posts: 643
    edited June 2017

    Renee, I've had 16/33 treatments. I'm a little pink and have a rash under my right (treated) breast). My breast is quite sore; the therapist said the stabbing pains I have are not from rads but still from nerve regeneration. My biggest side effect has been fatigue, which seemed to set in very quickly.

    I'd express your concerns to your RO - I assume you see him/her every week as I do. There may be a different cream or lotion you can use. I've been using aloe vera gel in the morning and then a special cream, Emprizone, a friend bought for me. She had used it 10 years ago and had no skin problems at all.

    I'm surprised I'm not pinker than I am as I'm so fair and burn if I even think about going out in the sun. But rads are a whole different ball game.

    I hope your SEs don't get much worse. Best of luck with the rest of your treatments.

    MJ

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  • RoseRN1
    RoseRN1 Member Posts: 153
    edited June 2017

    Renee f are you using moisturizers?

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

    Renee - Make sure you let someone at your rad center know about your skin concerns. There are creams that will provide some relief. Also, take a look on pg 2 of this topic for a lengthy post I did regarding rads, as it may help to give you some ideas.

    Sorry to hear about those of you with nausea issues. Fatigue was the worst of my rad SEs - just try to treat yourselves gently, ladies. You can do this! Healing thoughts and gentle hugs to all in need.

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  • Connie1230
    Connie1230 Member Posts: 192
    edited June 2017

    Hmmm, I had some nausea issues last week too but didn't associate it with radiation. Maybe that's what caused mine. It just came out of the blue and I had it off and on for most of a week.

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  • ReneeF
    ReneeF Member Posts: 11
    edited June 2017

    yes, using the lotion they gave me 3x a day. Keeping the area as dry as possible.

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  • Goincrzy8
    Goincrzy8 Member Posts: 387
    edited June 2017

    17 down just about 1/2 done. Planning a trip the weekend I finish with my kids to celebrate. Regular RO out of town this week, so saw her partner. Today's appointment with him was quick. She looks at my skin, listens to lungs and heart. He sat on chair asked if I had any concerns, be sure to use a mild soap like dove, wear a sports bra and use aloe vera. Didnt look at skin or listen to heart and lungs.

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  • Tappermom383
    Tappermom383 Member Posts: 643
    edited June 2017

    #18 today - 10 more regular treatments to go plus five boosts. My RO is out of town so saw someone else. I showed him the rash I have under my treated breast. He said it looks like the beginning of a fungal infection (ewww) and said I should be sure to pat the area dry. I never had anything like this prior to rads. He said if it gets worse, they'll give me an anti-fungal ointment.

    Has anyone else had something like this?

    MJ

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  • Peetie1
    Peetie1 Member Posts: 73
    edited June 2017

    16/20 today. Four boosts left to go! My skin is pink, but it doesn't look that bad. Right now the worst SE that I am having is fatigue. I am really sorry for those of you that are experiencing nausea. I had it the second week with some other symptoms, and it went away after the second week. Hopefully it will be the same for all of you!

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  • Badornettp
    Badornettp Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2017

    I just saw my MO two weeks ago and no chemo. I am having 15 sessions of radiation and 7 years of hormone (2 years of taxofin and then 5 years of arimidex) My practice radiationis tomorrow then I start on Monday. I am a little nervous. I am really nervous about the fatigue because I work full time even though my company boss is very understanding. What type of issues should I be aware of fr the radiation and/or hormone treatsments. Trying to figure out what to wear the at my visits hat will make it easy for me and them. What about bras during treatment? I am a 36C concerned about going bra less.

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  • RoseRN1
    RoseRN1 Member Posts: 153
    edited June 2017

    toppermom, i've had fungus under breast, especially if you go to gym a lot. For me it's due to having large breast and sweating. They usually give nystatin cream or powder to use. I do Dove unscented for sensitive skin, but concerned because it contains a moisturizers and afraid it would be too moist. Also try to expose your breast to air as much as you can

    renee, let them know you are getting pink this soon. I just started to burn the other day, but with the silvadene and steroids it looks so much better.

    Today was #25 so last of entire breast rads. Monday will start the first of 5 boosts!

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  • RoseRN1
    RoseRN1 Member Posts: 153
    edited June 2017

    Badornettp you will have to be topless for rads. I just wear jeans and a large top. I've been wearing a larger size bra (when I wear one) and a larger size top, just to be comfortable. My nipple and areola have been swelling and sensitive . I change into a hospital gown and naked from waist up, but gown comes off when I get into the room because I get my regular radiation face down with my breast dangling down thru a hole in the table. My boost will be supine. Some wear their gowns backwards and just untie it for the rads . FYI lanolin is great for nipple issues

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  • SJI
    SJI Member Posts: 69
    edited June 2017

    I just finished my 13th rads have 3 to go plus 4 boosts. Fatigue has been my only se. I added more protein to my diet and it seemed to help.I am self-employed so I need to keep working. Part of my fatigue is due to the 4- hour roundtrip for each appt.

    Something weird has come up. My breast has swelled up in the area of the lumpectomy - 11 o'clock position. The bs drained fluid out during a followup appt yesterday. It didn't reduce the size much. Today I got a cat scan after rads. They said they would have to make some adjustments since the breast profile had changed.

    I was told rads made your breast smaller not larger. Has anyone else had something like this?

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  • Nancy618
    Nancy618 Member Posts: 374
    edited June 2017

    SmileeGirl: Thanks for the heads up, but the swollen areola and the inverted (partially) nipple can also be caused by radiation. My RO checks me once a week and hasn't said anything. I'm sure she would if she were alarmed.

    I had the first boost treatment today and #17 out of 20 total. My skin is barely pink on the upper part of my breast. Some itichiness, very minor. The nipple is tender, the areola swollen. And today was the first time I noticed that the breast is smaller than the non-treated one. But since I started wearing cotton sports bras, it's not really noticeable when dressed.

    I was given some creams on Monday, but used only Miaderm twice. And I broke out, so I stopped using it. I have strictly been using cornstarch and have only the minor issues.

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  • Nancy618
    Nancy618 Member Posts: 374
    edited June 2017

    Connie1230: Congratulations on being DONE!!! 3 more days for me! We're celebrating this Sunday because my birthday falls on Father's Day this year. The kids and their SOs are coming too. And then in a week, we'll head up to our cottage for 3 weeks. I plan on doing LOTS of resting and recuperating. Which leads to a question...for those done with rads, how long before you were able or told you could go out in the sun. I love to lay on the air mattress in the lake and go for pontoon rides and would prefer not to have to wear tee shirts!

    Stella5Bear: Congratulations on your report. Very encouraging for us who are going through treatment.

    Badomettp: I was a little apprehensive before treatments started, especially the day of "staging" where I had to lay still for 45 minutes. But once the actually treatments started it was a BREEZE! For me, the only SE that really has been debilitating is the fatigue, and I'm told what I'm experiencing is minor. I just don't have the stamina that I used to, nor the strength.I had #17 of 20 treatments today and the first boost. But I went out this morning and hoed my garden by hand and cut the dead peonies off the bush and while I was tired and sweaty, I was able to shower and drive myself to treatment and back with no issue. Usually by the end of the afternoon is when I really hit the wall and I just am too darned exhausted to do anything. Dinners have been pretty meager and whatever I can manage to slap together.

    I got some bras from Meijer that are the most comfortable. Hanes, I think, mostly cotton, sports bras. I also got some Fruit of the Loom sports bras from Amazon, but they aren't quite as comfortable. All you need to "worry" about for treatments, is wear something 2 piece, because you'll be given a robe and take everything off from the waist up. The treatment for me takes less than 5 minutes.



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  • SJI
    SJI Member Posts: 69
    edited June 2017

    Just as I was thinking things had gone smoothly and as I was counting down my radiation treatments (I have 3 plus 4 boosts left) my breast became infected. So today's treatment was cancelled. I was on the table ready for treatment when the decision was made. I'll be on antibiotics for 10 days and may be able to have radiation on Monday. Anyone advice?

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  • Goincrzy8
    Goincrzy8 Member Posts: 387
    edited June 2017

    Badornettp wear comfortable clothing, a 2 piece because you will be naked waist up. I am face up, and once treatment is done, I put on aloe vera before I leave the office. I have switched to the white Dove soap, I wear a genie bra, not the best support but it puts no pressure in left breast area. Your post does not show your information not sure if you had Lumpectomy or Mastectomy. You will get through this, and lots of people here to support you.

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  • RoseRN1
    RoseRN1 Member Posts: 153
    edited June 2017

    SJI my breast has swelled with rads. I think when it's over a lot of gals shrink

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  • Peetie1
    Peetie1 Member Posts: 73
    edited June 2017

    SJI-I am sorry to hear about the infection and that you had to stop treatment, hopefully you will be able to continue on Monday. Does your RO have any idea of what caused this?

    Nancy-It is great to hear that treatment is going so well for you. I sure wish that I could say that I am as productive as you are as I go through treatment. I am doing a lot of resting lately...

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  • MexicoHeather
    MexicoHeather Member Posts: 365
    edited June 2017

    TGIF: #19 of 33 rads today. The skin looks good. The AC has threatened to break. 90* in FLA, so please pray it resets itself. My friend visit was good, although I see she cracked my toilet seat. Oops! Oh well, it was still great that she made the trip.

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  • Connie1230
    Connie1230 Member Posts: 192
    edited June 2017

    Nancy618, I asked about swimming and was told to put on a lot of sunscreen particularly on my chest area that was hit by radiation that would be above my swimsuit line. Someplace I read that this area may always be sensitive to the sun. I intend to float on a raft in the pool tomorrow if the rain stays away. BTW, a dermatologist at Mayo recommended Blue Lizard sunscreen but I don't think that's waterproof. He also recommended anything with zinc. Mayo sells Solbar zinc along with the Blue lizard (also available at Amazon) but I really prefer CVS zinc as it goes on clear instead of leaving a white film like the Solbar does. I have brachioradial pruritus in my arms so a good sunscreen is very important for my arms

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  • Nancy618
    Nancy618 Member Posts: 374
    edited June 2017

    SJI so sorry to hear about your infection. Any idea what caused that? Hope you'll be back on track soon.

    Connie thanks for the sunscreen info. I bought some 50 spf botanicals from Australian Gold, all natural. I saw some sunscreen for sensitive skin on Amazon and thinking I should get that too. Especially when we go to Florida in February. I think it is called Cotz. I also saw the Blue Lizard, which was twice the price. I'll have to check out CVS although there aren't any near me. I like the idea of clear

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  • Connie1230
    Connie1230 Member Posts: 192
    edited June 2017

    MexicoHeather, our AC broke last year over the 4th of July week when we had a houseful. We'd planned to replace it in the fall as several neighbors had to replace theirs so we knew we were due. It was a miserable 24 hrs til it was replaced. I hope yours is still going. If you're itchy like I am, that could be pure misery!

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