Starting Radiation August 2017

Congratulations Charleecat!! And early congratulations to Shocked!!

Shocked, yay, done with rads!

Charleecat, I've been on tamoxifen for about a month now. So far I've had some joint pain in my fingers and night sweats, both manageable.

And thanks for the laugh, "my own personal summer"

Just finished my whole breast today. I have only 4 boosts left! Woohoo!

@llamalady -- is the green tea treatment only for those who did not have mx? My RO told me that women who have breasts at radiation have less chance of skin burn than those of us who have lost our breast.

I am at 12/28 treatments. My chest is definately red at center of breast area, close to breastbone. Not noticing any red under arm or at collarbone where RAD is also directed. I have use the green tea treatments every day starting at day one. I don't notice the pads pulling out any heat. My chest is just skin and bone, no fleshy padding at all. Does that make a difference?

thanks for your help /mmb

Mimie, I had some itchiness, and when I mentioned it, they right away said use some hydrocortisone cream. Be sure to let them know and ask. The cream did the trick, and I use it occasionally now. And I have used Motrin as they suggested.

Hi mmbNaples - I wish I knew how to answer your question. I have seen ladies that have used the tea both lumpectomy and mastectomy. Unfortunately I do not know how they did or what their outcome was. I'm no expert of any kind on the science, medicine or natural medicine to know if having extra tissue would help. Maybe it would but I honestly just don't know. Thinking about your question does make me wonder if the extra tissue of a breast makes it somehow more protective or creates a better barrier or sorts but I just have no idea. I do know the tannins in the tea help w/ stinging and burning so maybe you're getting some benefit from it even if not the full benefit you would like to see. It is interesting that you're having less issue w/ the armpit area and upper chest and your thoughts may be spot on that it's just tougher on an area that is so fragile without any "cushion" to speak of.

I'm sorry. I wish I could be of more help to you. For what it's worth, if it were me I would probably continue it since some areas are doing ok and would hope that it would at least keep the skin issues to a lesser degree. But that's just me. I know we all have to make the best decisions we can for ourselves in the moment. I'm glad to see you're almost 1/2 way there!!! I looked at the halfway mark as having made it to the top of the mountain and the 2nd 1/2 was climbing downhill :-) Made it much easier in my crazy brain!!

Best of luck to you!! Cindy

Today was 10 of 30 and my weekly RO meeting. Going well so far, only some skin thickness and slight left breast hardness, common in those with the reduction/lift per RO. No fatigue yet, I know it may still happen but I'm walking a lot to keep it a bay, worked for chemo

I hope those of you with aches and pains get relief soon.

Inccmd and CharleeCat- thanks for your advice. I told the techs before my treatment today and they told me to take either Tylenol or Advil before my treatment each day. It worked great today and pain has subsided. Can't wait for the weekend to come and 2 days off. BTW I bought a tray of cookies to bring in to my techs tomorrow to celebrate finishing week 1.

Legomaster,

I am getting PT for arthritis. Lymphedema is ok for now. I cannot wait to use Flexitouch pump for LE. Counting down.

I still feel fortunate despite all.

Mimi

I didn't have a chance to post yesterday but I graduated from radiation and they gave me a merit certificate. One of the techs hugged me and I almost cried. I saw the nurses for my end of the week appointment and mentioned the horrible fatigue I got the night before my last session. My radiation oncologist does not believe that radiation causes fatigue. He thinks it's actually good for your body. He doesn't believe plutonium causes cancer either. He's quite an oddball. He told me that for years he didn't believe that a woman's breast could swell from radiation. He finally accepted it a few years ago and said he didn't know what he was thinking. He said that there are virtually no side effects from radiation. A professional has indicated that he knows what he is doing. I hope so!

So yesterday I felt like I was going to go to sleep driving there. The nurses suggested that I exercise which was what I have been doing. So I force myself to walk last night. On my way home I see a small fire in the hills by my house and call 911 to report it. By the time I get home it's doubled in size and I realize that's it's REALLY CLOSE TO MY HOUSE! We were almost evacuated but they got the fire contained in time! So many emotions yesterday

Just started RT on Tues, so 3 down 25 to go. done with chemo, done with lumpectomy (right breast only). So, tired of it all...

Is it possible to already be feeling tingles and fatigue? I've had very few side effects from the chemo (compared to most). But still get chest heaviness apparently from the projeta (which I finished in April) and leg achiness.

Don't understand why at this point I'm feeling more emotional than everything else...Up to this point everything went great.. I'm told I've handling everything well above average.

(tried to put most of my treatment in the personal info, not sure if I got it all right.. Had project, herceptin, toxetere carboplatin. Still getting projeta every 3 weeks)

thanks for the kind words. I wouldn't say I'm "stoic". I've been told I have a great attitude..blah blah. I've tried to keep it all in perspective trusting the professionals that keep telling me all will be well. Drs and Nurses have all said I've done exceptionally well through out the process. This week, though, I've been cranky and tired.

My husband keeps telling me I'm entitled and to cut myself a break.. Just trying to figure if I'm overthinking what I feel physically or if it really is already effecting me.

I miss being able to work out as I had started a program in Jan 2016. Lost 40lbs before I felt my lump in Nov. Was able to get to the gym a bit even during chemo, but since the end of chemo and my surgery, and now radiation, I'm told to not overdue it. sigh. frustrating!

MAP1002 - It is weird, I had a hard time emotionally starting radiation also. I think after getting through chemo, the thought of starting a new phase for 6 weeks just through me over the edge mentally. I actually requested some sessions with the social worker (which I didn't feel I needed during chemo). They were helpful, but I think that some time to adjust to the new phase of treatment also helped too, and I found myself feeling better. I am feeling a lot of fatigue. I was a little tired in the beginning, then felt very energetic. I just finished day 20 and the past few days I have been exhausted again.

I finished my radiation treatments today!!!!!!! Breast is tight, pink, and incisions tugging sensations. Aquaphor seems to work the best for me and now I finally get to use it daily (I was told to only put it on nipple area during treatments). I have used the green tea daily, also.

The radiation therapists were very kind and explained everything along the way. I hope that everyone has the same positive experience with their treatments.

I am glad this forum exists to hear from others. It sure has helped me along the way. Thanks for all the good advice.

Have a great weekend!

I've done 5 of 20 and also experiencing queasiness. It started day 3. I have radiation at 3pm, and have no appetite for dinner. I will mention it to my RO when I see him on Tuesday. I've been exercising daily and working part-time, so far no fatigue, but plan to rest and catch up on Netflix this rainy weekend. I have swelling, and soreness, and an almost constant headache. Techs recommended Tylenol for the soreness and it's helping the head ache too, how convenient. I'm very emotional during this phase too, had not planned to be as this is close to the finish line and not invasive. But as I lay there getting zapped I pray it won't effect my heart or lungs. I'm not sure, but I think I feel a tingling on my breast during radiation. I mentioned it to the techs and they didn't think it was from the treatment...15 to go...