Starting Radiation August 2017

Twills: They also want me to join the Pallas trial but I am afraid to. Are you seriously going to join? I want to do everything that I can to help myself but the side effects seem huge. I got the information mailed to me and there is one section that says that it could possible make your cancer worse. I would assume that since it's helped more advanced stages of cancer that it would more than likely help early stage cancers too but I didn't like that comment and I am a little paranoid. Two years is a huge commitment. I've thought about joining hoping to be on the Arm B with no medication. Speaking of the medicine, it's super expensive, $10,00 per month! That would be $240,000 for the treatment!

illimae: My nipple is much darker and my skin on the inside of my breast has developed large pores. How exciting! Not.

Hi VLH,

Of course, it's okay if you sneak into the group. Welcome! I'm sorry you are having to go through all this alone, but I hope you will find support on these forums!

As far as swimming, my RO said that the chlorine may irritate my radiated skin somewhere down the line, but so far, it seems to actually help it. I don't know why. Maybe it's the cool water? I plan to keep swimming as long as I can so if I do have to take a break, I hopefully won't lose all my fitness before I can get back to it again. I've also got a goal of losing 50 lbs, so having to drop one of my main forms of exercise is daunting.

And don't worry about sounding like a downer, you do not! These forums are a place to come and unload when you need to, so I hope you will continue to post and join in the conversation!

Lori

inccmd - my radiation therapist said giving the tattoos is her least favorite part of the job. It stung but was over quickly.

I had a total of 33 treatments - 28 regular and five boosts. I didn't notice any difference at all with the boosts. They did some additional mapping (on the machine, not the CT machine) before the first one. And I got three new tattoos; the therapist said they will serve as a guide for where I had radiation this time in case I need any in the future (perish the thought!).

My treated breast was definitely warm, got a bit red and I developed a rash. But all in all, not bad at all. You'd never know I had anything done now (I'm five weeks out). I'm still a bit sore and do get those zingers from nerve regeneration.

Best of luck to you as you round the finish line!

MJ

Thanks for the warm welcome, Lori! I agree on not losing access to the pool. I read a study about women gaining weight after breast cancer treatment with hormone negative women faring worse. After losing over 100 pounds, going the other direction is simply NOT acceptable! My survivorship plan cited the Mediterranean Diet as a good eating plan, but that would be tough for me since, sadly, I'm not a fan of fish or veggies. Best of luck with your weight loss goal!

Littleone, I'm so sorry to hear about the infection. Boo!

Lyn

Inccmd tamoxifen definitely depends on how old you are. it's for premenopausal women. My MO said 5 years for that and 5 years on an AI which is for post menopausal women. I am 49 so it makes sense with my age. She did also say that we would see how I'm doing when the time comes as well.

When I go in for radiation they always ask me what kind of music I want. I have been asking for hard core butt kicking music (five finger death punch, skillet, etc). He asked why that music bc that's definitely not the norm they get asked for. I said, well I'm kicking cancers ass up in here so I need some ass kicking music to go with it! He laughed. I'm also the sports mom that makes the highlight videos for the football, wrestling and lacrosse teams for the hs so I'm well acquainted with that music. I actually enjoy it now lol. I also visualize the cancer cells shriveling up and dying as I'm getting my radiation...sounds corny I know.

On a side note: yes the tattoos hurt but I was very disappointed they made it so boring. I asked for Barbie pink or purple tattoos. Apparently there was no color choice. They take the fun out of everything lol

ShockedAt48, I have two appts set up to talk to the trial rep, won't make my decision until after those appts. I wasn't told the cost of the meds but was told I wouldn't have to pay for them so that wouldn't be an issue. You said you want to be on the arm that doesn't receive the Med, is there a benefit to that? Why join then? Maybe I'm missing something. The side effects are definetly a concern to me, I'll have lots of questions. I've definetly been through enough but I'd like to hear what they have to say. I try to be positive but sometimes I'm scared of reoccurrence and only 45 yrs old, however, quality of life's is also important so I'll just have to weigh the risks out when I get the I info.

Thanks Goofycat, I checked with my gynecologist yesterday and she has access to my records thank goodness. I had no idea how I was going to be able to give her everything. All of my Dr's are part of a medical group with online access to my records.

Myrtle, I have also completed 7 of 30 but mine are in the afternoon. I use a mid morning work break to take a 15-20 minute walk, then another at lunch. I had been waking 5-6 days per week for the last 2 years, even through chemo and the only fatigue I've had was the week of my last chemo, if you can fit some walking in, I highly recommend it.

I don't know about the bruises but are the rad techs moving you around on the table. I had one grab my side with her boney little hands to move my hips and it hurt. I think they sometimes forget we're people, not objects.

Hi All - I am just catching up on pages of this thread. I have now completed 15, so I am at my halfway point. The last 8 are boosts. I had my simulation for the boost and I did not need any additional tattoos

My radiation time has decreased significantly as well. Apparently, they were taking xrays each day after set up and prior to radiation to make sure my alignment was correct. Now that the therapists are confident with the set up, they only take the pictures once per week. That could be a possible explanation for decreased times mentioned earlier.

Also, I asked why I was not a candidate for the hyper-fractionated therapy (I was not given a choice) and I was told it was related to my positive lymph node and the nodes that are being treated, and that my hospital may be slow to adopt. I try to compare myself to other peoples descriptions to see if we are getting the same recommendations but sometimes it is hard to tell!

I was told 10 years of hormonal therapy. I was told I would start on tamoxifen and move to an AI after menopause. I am having horrible hot flashes, on and off - all day and night. I am so uncomfortable. My husband and I are battling over the thermostat. It is the first time in our marriage were I am turning down and he is turning up. I am not sure if they are from the chemo or the chemo is putting me into menopause (not a bad thing).

Tomorrow is my midway point- Day 10 of 20! I have noticed that I am more fatigued. Also I'm having a bloating issue, which is strange - I see no articles about bloating and radiation. I can't eat as much at once. Look poochy! (or is it fat from stress eating since this lump initially detected??) Maybe related to inactivity. The other day had my first "hit the wall" feeling. I had run 3 errands the day before and paid for it. Luckily I telecommute as a college professor and don't have to deal with going into an office. I have found if I work with my feet up in a lounge chair and a lap desk, I fatigue less than if sitting upright at the desk! A hopefully helpful tip! Bedtime is coming earlier and earlier! Giving myself permission to rest is hard.

CTJ1108 I also have session number 10 today, but only a third of the way through. I started back at work part time last week. On Friday evening I also "hit the wall". Thought it may be all the driving back and forth to work and then back and forth to radiation. Glad for the weekend break. I will see what this week brings.

I am finished!! Today was my last radiation treatment. I was very emotional with the techs and the doctor. I'm glad it's over - but you do get close to everyone when seeing them everyday! I am ready to get on with life and not have that daily reminder. Next week I have my appointment with the MO to get started on Tamoxifen.

Lyn, I don't use Tom's deodorant. I use Schmidt's Tea Tree deodorant (all natural) for sensitive skin. I got it on Amazon. It works well for me and after the initial application or two, it goes on smoothly.

What kind of coconut oil are you using? I use fractionated coconut oil. It is a liquid. Not the cooking type, but the type used with essential oils. It absorbs almost completely and comes off in the shower. Perhaps you could try that.

As for the cornstarch, I apply that with a soft make-up brush. It works great, with no irritation. I actually just use 100% cornstarch that you use for cooking. And it is very soothing.

Hooray CharleeCat!! Way to go!

Today makes 11 of 25, so 14 to go. So far no pinkness and no fatigue! I'm beyond relieved, and my RO is happy too. It is such a comfort knowing I'm not the only one going thru this. Hang in there everyone. We've got this!

Lin

VLH - I used the Schmidt's Tea Tree as well during rads. Like CharleeCat, I got mine on Amazon. I'm finished w/ rads now but am still using it b/c I truly like it that much.

It's a great feeling of release, isn't it, CharleeCat. Not having to drive there and back every day was so nice. Not only do I miss the therapists but I also miss the other patients I met - we all had our appointments at the same time every day and got to know each other. But that doesn't mean I want to go back! When I went for a follow-up visit with my RO, my favorite therapist came rushing out to give me a hug - so sweet!

FYI - I did not experience any further skin problems after my treatments ended. My redness faded fairly quickly. I'm still sore (surgery still? Rads?) but not all the time. I've given up on trying to wear my old bras - they're just not comfortable. I love the camisoles I bought (some padded, some with built-in sports bra); they're a little warm when it's hot but I'd rather be warm than sore!

Best of luck, CharleeCat, as you move on to the next step. I'm post-menopausal so I'm on Arimidex (generic) and am doing just fine so far (dare I even say that out loud?).

MJ

CharleeCat: Congratulations! I will be in the same boat as you tomorrow since it will be my last day of treatment!