Starting radiation September 2017

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  • Vixen17
    Vixen17 Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2017

    you're welcome deedledee! If you try it please let me know how you do!

    And here's a blurb about manuka honey. It's also the thing that works on MRSA. I tried post the link but this website won't let me.

    Search for medicalnewstoday.com, article on manuka honey dated Sept 27, 2011.

    Hugs to you too!

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  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited October 2017

    it is so good to hear i am not the only one who can't keep a straight mind. Whew.

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  • lovepugs77
    lovepugs77 Member Posts: 296
    edited October 2017

    I'm having the brain issues as well, but I still blame mine on chemo. I seem to be "losing" words...I often have to stop mid-sentence because I can't remember what I want to say. :(


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  • JennD
    JennD Member Posts: 29
    edited October 2017

    I am 14/16 then taking a break before my 4 boosts. Spoke to my RO Friday about the brain fog and he said it's definitely from the radiation fatigue. Felt better knowing I wasn't just losing my mind and now I see others are experiencing the same. Sorry to hear that! I'm starting to peel and super itchy so a short break before boosts feels like the right thing to do. He did say I could forgo them altogether but I feel like I've gotten this far and I might as well finish them. But the sound of being done in two days sounds good too

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  • MommyErin
    MommyErin Member Posts: 187
    edited October 2017

    MamaOz- good to know about antibiotics. Thanks! Woohoo for finishing up this week! I'm halfway as of tomorrow.

    Kaso- I hope you can get your stress under control! Not fun!

    Violamama- Glad to see you're almost done! I hope everything checks out with your lymph node.

    Eleanor1960- Welcome. Sorry you're here, but glad you found us! I hope you get your pain figured out.

    Shelabela- you got this! Home stretch. Hang in there!

    Bmm11071- Glad to hear your skin is holding up. The fatigue is real though. Hang in there!

    Carmstr835- So sorry to hear about your seroma. That doesn't sound like fun atall! I have cording as well and will start PT again next week. Hoping to keep it under control.

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  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited October 2017

    lovepugs, I do that too. I was talking to my boss and all of a sudden i completely forgot what I was saying. I actually left the room I was so embarrassed

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  • Radmonkey
    Radmonkey Member Posts: 83
    edited October 2017

    12/30 done. Just a little tightness. No skin discoloration yet. I had a nasty cold with cough since Sunday. I told the rad techs just in case I had to cough during breath hold. Luckily, it hasn't been an issue and I'm getting better. Keep healthy, ladies! Use your hand sanitizer! Cough and cold season is here.

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  • Canela
    Canela Member Posts: 26
    edited October 2017

    MamaOz, I know exactly how you feel about that pill bottle. The first time I took exemestane I just stared at the bottle for several minutes. I really didn't want to take it. Chemo, surgery, radiation--those are much more clearly defined and finite. Taking those pills makes this damn disease a chronic condition that won't soon be over.

    Today was day 21. It was originally supposed to 28 sessions but now it's 30, the last 5 will be boosts. Lots of pink now, occasional itchiness and pinpricks. Things are getting tight now. I've been doing the recommended post mastectomy exercises throughout and I'm definitely feeling a difference.

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  • MamaOz
    MamaOz Member Posts: 432
    edited October 2017

    canela thanks for sharing .. I have 2 more rads to go!

    Im the color of burnt toast and it hurts to touch.. going to PR tomorrow before my session so hoping it helps with my lymph system I noticed my right thumb is swelling a bit freaking me oit!

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  • SuzyFL
    SuzyFL Member Posts: 29
    edited October 2017

    Only 2 more days of whole-breast radiation left for me (21/23) and then next week I start 7 boosts. Im so excited to be near the end, because I am very itchy and cannot wait for my skin to start calming down. My RO said I will see a big difference in my skin next week since we will be finished with the whole breast rads. The fatigue has been worse this week, I have been taking some pretty good naps. MamaOz I too am staring at my bottle of pills, getting closer to the next stage of this journey.

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  • Castigame
    Castigame Member Posts: 752
    edited October 2017

    sisters,

    Lets get her done. I know it is easy for me to say. After rads are healed you will feel your fluid retention goes down quite a bit if you have had lymph nodes removed.


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  • deedledee
    deedledee Member Posts: 63
    edited October 2017

    Thanks for the positive note from the other side castigame. Good to hear!!. Still having forgetfulness and it's hard to concentrate sometimes but I'm giving myself a break . Seeing MO tomorrow with DH. MO requested he come. Yep it's time for the AI discussion. Am nervous to see that bottle too. Finally got to have a conversation with RO regarding Lymphedema. Seeing Lymphedema specialist the next day. Am on a long flight the 20th. Hoping there's a compression sleeve I can borrow. Won't be time to get one in from measurements.

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  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited October 2017

    deedledee, are you going on a much needed vacation getaway? Hope so

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  • MamaOz
    MamaOz Member Posts: 432
    edited October 2017

    youralmost there Suzy!

    I have last one tomorrow😊

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  • JennD
    JennD Member Posts: 29
    edited October 2017

    mamaoz- that's awesome!

    Suzy - we have a similar diagnosis but it's interesting to see different treatment plans. I am done my whole breast today 16 treatments for a total of 42.5 Gy or 4250 cGy then 4 boosts. What pills are you taking? I'll start tamoxifen after but I'm premenopausal so no AI's for me yet.

    Deep breath everyone! We got this

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  • MelDent
    MelDent Member Posts: 16
    edited October 2017

    Can't wait for tomorrow. After the 13/20 tx, we're going on a family weekend visit our freshmen in college. Haven't seen him since Aug. 26!!!!!

    JennD- I'm also premenopausal- did your MO ask you about doing Lupron shots to put you into menopause so that you can do AI's? I've been so on the fence about what to do....??? Any advice is appreciated. :D

    So glad to read all of the "almost done" posts and how everyone is doing.

    Have a great weekend, everyone.

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  • SuzyFL
    SuzyFL Member Posts: 29
    edited October 2017

    JennD.. I will be taking Tamoxifen, as I am premenopausal too. I said 7 boosts, but maybe Im wrong, it might be less but I know I will have 7 targeted rads treatments starting next week.

    Deedledee wherever you may be going, I hope it is a relaxing time! I wore my compression sleeve in August while traveling and it was surpisingly comfortable.

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  • JennD
    JennD Member Posts: 29
    edited October 2017

    deedledee- Enjoy your time away! I hope you get that sleeve and some relief for your time away.

    MelDent- MO never mentioned Lupron but we did discuss opherectomy (spelling) because I have some issues in that area as well. I decided against it because of how hard it slams you into menopause. I haven't heard much about the Lupron except on here. It sounds like it might be a good way to see how you do before having ovaries removed. I'm surprised they didn't suggest it but to be honest AI's scare me just as much as tamoxifen. I have some osteo in my neck already and don't want to take any chances speeding that's up. Are you concerned about tamoxifen?

    Suzy- I'm anxious about the boosts because my skin is already a bit of a mess. How are you feeling about it? My rad techs and RO haven't said much about it to me so I'm not really sure what to expect. Either way I have to start next Tues.

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  • Cpeachymom
    Cpeachymom Member Posts: 518
    edited October 2017

    Mel- just putting my two cents since you were asking about Lupron.I'm premenopausal and currently getting Lupron and taking tamoxifen. As I understand, the Lupron puts you into menopause by shutting down your ovaries, and the Tamoxifen blocks the cells from using any remaining estrogen. The Tamoxifen is worse for your bones if you are premenopausal, but strengthens them if you're post menopausal. Because the Lupron is making me menopausal, the Tamoxifen should be strengthening my bones according to my MO. The AIs would be bad for my bones she told me. Plus with the Lupron there is chance of "breakthrough " estrogen, and the AIs aren't good at handling that.

    Oh... half way today! 14/28

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  • MelDent
    MelDent Member Posts: 16
    edited October 2017

    Thanks Jenn and Peachymom! I really appreciate your replies.

    I haven't done a lot of reading about the AI and Tamoxifen differences. I made an appointment with my GYN to ask her opinion. I really trust her and since we're talking about those kind of issues, I'm sure she has some good advice. I have heard good things, from people whom I know, about Tamoxifen and nothing about AI's.

    My MO gave me the impression that if I'm not in Menopause, then I have to have Tamoxifen, but he prefers AI's and those only work on Estrogen- which is not produced from the ovaries, so he wants to induce menopause and give me AI's.

    I feel like this is all a can of worms, which keeps getting bigger and bigger...... :)

    Hugs to you all. Have a great weekend!

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  • JennD
    JennD Member Posts: 29
    edited October 2017

    Thanks for the info peachymom! My MO said very little about the bone issues with tamoxifen that I recall but it feels like there was a ton of info being thrown at me. I've just been focusing on one thing at a time. My dr didn't mention preferences at all. It's been give me info and leave it in my hands, very nerve wracking trying to wade through it all

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  • deedledee
    deedledee Member Posts: 63
    edited October 2017

    Congrats to everyone moving on through the Rads journey. Almost there everyone! Thanks for the well wishes. Yep I'm heading to Kauai for two weeks of vacation. Had it planned before all this started. Have wonderful friends joining during the two weeks. We're relaxing, swimming and celebrating. My friends and DH have been by my side every day and now it's time to celebrate. MO gave approval,today, to wait until after vacation and also a business trip across the country before I start. Got home to find pharmacy has the prescription ready. Will be staring at the bottle now...until about Nov 15th....

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  • MamaOz
    MamaOz Member Posts: 432
    edited October 2017

    Deedledee, enjoy your vacation!!

    Peechy and jenn thanks for info

    My mo made me think tamoxifen was more toxic for gyn issues... I am menopausal but also have osteopenia bordering on osteoporosis.. she wants me on the arimidex anyway and plans on having me get a shot to boost bone health..but wow I just dont know...

    Ive set appt for Tuesday to run it by my obgyn

    Today is my last radiation!!


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  • MelDent
    MelDent Member Posts: 16
    edited October 2017

    Yay- celebrating with you Mama Oz. One more week for me!

    Have a great trip Deedledee! I'm doing a similar mini- vacation the week after next. (Celebrating) and relaxing!



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  • deedledee
    deedledee Member Posts: 63
    edited October 2017

    Congrats Mamaoz! We move into the next list of choices so quickly, don't We? Enjoy your weekend and breathe....You've completed Radiation. YAY

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  • MamaOz
    MamaOz Member Posts: 432
    edited October 2017

    thank you deedldee and

    Yes I rang the bell today and burst into tears!

    Guess it was more emotional than I thought it would be

    I am definately the color of burnt toast..and burns ... hoping it doesnt get much worse the next few days...

    Its been a long year.. wishing all of usa healthy , thriving future

    You most likely will find me on the hormonal therapy threads navigating my next phase on arimidex..

    The very best to all of you

    Mamaoz


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  • GlasgowGirl99
    GlasgowGirl99 Member Posts: 47
    edited October 2017

    MamaOz - congrats on finishing your rads!

    I also finished mine on Wednesday. 15 whole breast followed by 5 boosters. I live in Donegal, Ireland and had to stay in Dublin for the 4 weeks of radiation treatment as my local hospital does not provide this service. Traveling to and from there was not an option, an 8 hour round trip! It was so hard being away from my family Monday to Friday and I lived for the weekends and prayed hard for the end of treatment but here I am, back home with the 20 sessions behind me.

    I am feeling a little more tired each day but was told to expect that for next couple of weeks. I am a little red but not burned as such. Still applying my E45 cream liberally. The skin on my lumpectomy scar was slightly broken at the end of treatment but nothing to worry about and it should heal quickly.

    I have been on Arimidex for 2 months and so far have not noticed any SE’s. Keeping everything crossed that will continue.

    My journey hasn’t been as long as a lot of other people. This was partly because my chemo was stopped after 5 cycles as wound didn’t heal. I was supposed to get 12 taxol so my treatment should have lasted at least another couple of months. I’m now finished all the “big” treatments as I call them and can think about getting back to my “old” and “normal” life! It’s a strange feeling but a happy one ☺️☺️

    Good luck to all the lovely ladies here. You can do it girls. Sending all the luck of the Irish your way 🍀🍀❤️❤️

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  • Anna-33
    Anna-33 Member Posts: 192
    edited October 2017

    Do all of you have sideeffects, redness (...) from the radiation? I am half way through and can not say I see or feel anything...

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  • deedledee
    deedledee Member Posts: 63
    edited October 2017

    Woo hoo meldent. So happy for you 🌹

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  • Cpeachymom
    Cpeachymom Member Posts: 518
    edited October 2017

    Hi Anna,

    I'm also at the halfway point and very little going on for skin reaction. Some very minor pinkness, looks and feels more like dry skin than anything. I'm grateful and expect it will probably get much worse before I'm through. I'm being super gentle with all the skin that's being radiated. No rubbing, scrubbing, scratching. I'm also using aloe everyday and after every treatment. They use a bolus every other day on me to bring the radiation closer to the skin surface, so they are watching and expecting a more extreme reaction according to my RO.

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