Starting Radiation August 2017

Shocked, I haven't heard of the study and I'm HER2+ but it seems like a combination of an AI and Ibrance, both of which are widely used from what I've seen here. I agree, the SE's look bad but so do most medications, right? Maybe a Q&A with your MO would help.

Shocked - My shoulder is hurting too, and I have pain in my upper back too - not rib pain though - feels more like the area is tender - feels more like a muscle pull. They want me to go back for more PT. You should definitely raise to your RO. I know they told me that broken ribs could be a rare but potential SE of radiation. The study was mentioned to me, during my 2nd opinion for chemo. I am curious whether it will be raised during my follow up Onco meeting. We haven't discussed the drug therapy in detail yet. Do you have to be post menopausal?

Good for you, Rebamacfan! My RO told me her patients who do the best are those who are active. It's sounds contraindicative, but exercise is supposed to help combat the fatigue. I was glad my fitness classes were in the morning because by late afternoon I was too pooped to do anything! The good news is that the fatigue gradually abates once you finish rads.

MJ

I asked my RO about green tea after radiation and he said to try it. I also have a friend that is an RO (lives far away) and she had no objections using it.

I will let everyone know how it goes on Monday.

I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend!

1st wknd after full wk of rads. Was careful to observe my body. Nothing earth shaking but all annoying. No physical activity other than walking for about 30 min. Getting more tired. Not sure how I can make to rad, PT and support group on Wed

Mimi

Hi everyone, I have been taking a bit of a break this week from forum. It was my first week since I had my mammogram at the end of December that I had zero doctor appointments. It was so nice! It makes it a bit hard for tomorrow. I have my first radiation treatment and I go back to work. I have been out since early February. My RO did say for me to have radiation after work so I don't feel any fatigue because I will be sleeping. I hope he is right.

dang I am spoiled. My zapping is 10 a.m.

#7 out of 30 (or 29 bc due to the fact I cannot make it to the last day, RO may make it 29) slightly hotter. No other appt today so I came home and topless in the house)

Nappy nap time.

Mimi

Mamaoz,

glad your employer is supportive.  Mine also.  Since bad mammo very late last yr, I have not worked.  Even though my job protection expired per company policy, I was told to take all the time off to get treatments. boy I am getting them  all. colonoscopy, skin cancer screening, hysterectomy  etc.   I used to worry about my job quite a bit. But I have to be alive and well to worry. 

 ouch too much driving to rad place for you.  I  see myself asking DH for the treatments towards the end bc it is tiring. guess I am blessed again. 

Today was real zapping #6. I don't even see a tint of pink on my chest. I know it will change very soon.  I found Eucerin lotion which I paid $6.00 from Amazon is the best. My second favorite is cool Aloe gel. Third is green tea.  Aquaphor is good but very hard to remove residue from my finger tips.   I thought of buying miaderm but I am going to see how Eucerin holds up.   I have some fluid build up due to lymphedema (4/19 pos nodes). Panicked a bit in the beginning about not being able to use Flexitouch pump. Had to refresh MLD.  Can't wait to use the pump again. 

I live in central FL and this heat is outrageous.  I have been walking  early mornings before my zapping sessions. So far 30 or 40  min per day  has helped. 

One more thing, the first few sessions I  was so tense holding on to the bars above my head.  Wearing some sort of fabric gloves helped (I wore compression  gauntlet in both hands)  I  finally started relaxing my hands. The neck rest gave me similar issue but wearing a hat helped. 

Hi Shocked, i'm starting my radiation later this week.  I am doing 15 sessions with I think 4 boosts.  I requested the hypofractionated course.  I went for an opinion at a 2nd "cancer center" and their hypofractionated course had no boosts.  My oncologist wants to do several because she says I am young, 50 years old.  She said if I was older she wouldn't do them.  I have read articles, trials, posts, etc.....most say that the side effects are much less, my fingers are crossed.  I have been doing a few crazy things before beginning, i'm putting on organic aloe and coconut oil, i'm drinking a lot of green tea and Fiji spring water.  I'm eating a lot of veggies and doing a few miles on my treadmill each day.  I also ordered an organic cotton bra, several organic cotton oversized t shirts, and ordered organic cotton sheets for my bed.  Hopefully some of it helps !!!!  I'm preparing myself as best I can and giving the rest to God.  Good luck to you, stay positive, it will be over before we know it !!!  xoxoxox

Rebamacfan, I had #6 today too. I'm finding that I'm much more relaxed now, as my hands are just resting on the posts. I distract myself with the music playing overhead from whatever radio station they play in the room (one room has much more current music compared to the one I'm normally in). I'm keeping track of each day and going to have the most bizarre playlist when this is all said and done.

The worst of it so far is the progressive pinkness, but nothing awful at this point. 20% done....keep on keeping on, ladies

#7 out of 29 done!

Uneventful. Saw RO today instead of Wed. Lost a couple of pounds since last Wed. Got an OK re green tea

Nap time bc I have two more appts today.

Hi! I start on Wednesday too. I'll think of you when lying around being zapped. Out of curiosity, were you told to apply Cavilon barrier spray a few hours before radiation treatment? The RO nurse stated it was a standard preventative treatment. I got some and it is to be sprayed on tonight then tomorrow morning and every day before treatment. I plan to swab with green tea afterward. Best of luck, my friend(s).

Sarah R - I have heard of impact on the heart. I know when they map you they try and avoid at all costs. My radiation is on my left side, too. They told me the radiation will nip a bit of my lung but not my heart. I had them show me the CT scans and ask what steps they are doing to avoid heart and lungs. Please ask your doctor about the green tea and emu oil before using. I was told no kind of oil because of radiation burns - please ask. Let them know if you have any kind of allergies or sensitivities to adhesive or markers. I ended up with 5 tattoos because of that. I wish you the best!

9 out of 30 (or 29) done. Little bit more pink. Exercise definitely helps. A bit more tired. I finally saw pinkishness on my right side😕

Mimi

vyxxn: I'll have to try that tea bag, this is my fifth treatment today and my nipple is getting sore. My skin is pink but no pain