Starting radiation September 2017

Congrats to Shelabela and MamaOz! I still have one week left.

bah1976...My RO only allowed me to use Aloe and then Aquaphor on top of that, nothing else.

bah1976- 1. I can use pure aloe (but if using the actual plant I have to wash the leaves and freeze to kill bacteria before use) and aquaphor. Calendula cream was also on the list, but my RO and nurse really push the aquaphor. So far using only aquaphor my breast and underarm area are only a little pink (18/32 treatments done) but my upper chest and neck are getting a little red. I'm having my supraclav radiated though, so if you're not don't worry about that area. 2. I'll be screamed every 4 months for the next year at least (body CT/PET), but I'm technically stage 4. My breasts are gone, so it's more so to keep an eye on my liver and make sure there's no new metastasis anywhere else

Dodgers Girl...I can only speak from my experience. I went from finishing chemo on 8/8 to starting radiation the second week of September. My counts were still not back to baseline when I started the radiation. I have been on short-term disability throughout the chemo and continued on it during the radiation per my oncologist's recommendation. I don't know what your job is, but there is no way I could have been doing mine. The radiation fatigue has been building slowly, and I am utterly exhausted for the better part of each day. I am trying to eat my big meal around noontime as I am literally too tired to eat at night. I know it affects everyone differently, and I know there are those who do work. You will just have to judge how demanding your job is and weigh that against the fatigue issue.

I start my boosts tomorrow and should be ringing the bell on Monday!

I was able to get short-term disability. I teach at a university and have a reduced course load. One of my colleagues took over my morning class (which was scheduled at the same time as my radiation treatments), and I continued to teach the other course that was scheduled for the afternoons. I am really, really glad I took short-term disability just to have a little bit of flexibility with regard to juggling the daily treatments and everything else in life. Those morning appointments really take over your life.

My final boost was today. My RO switched me from eurcerin to aquaphor at boost time. I never burned on the breast skin. My skin did become tan, irritated and quite itchy. It's easy to see which breast was radiated. My nipple is painful and burnt. Unfortunately I got a fever of 102 before the last 2 treatments, and my ongoing cough was thought to be either pneumanitis or acute viral bronchitis. I will await 30 days for the radiation to leave my system and start the dreaded inibitor lexatrole.Known side affects scare me, but I guess not as much as a BC recurrence.

Nice that everyone is finishing up. I started my boosts today- first of 7. My breast is not too bad but my nipple is very tender and swollen. My boosts are targeting behind the nipple, so I guess it will be more tender. The fatigue is the worst for me. It has been very bad. I am retired but work 2 part time jobs. One is at a university, so hard for me to call in sick. The students don't mind of course! I am taking it 1 day at a time. I am following the RO's instructions- exercise 30 minutes a day, drink lots of water, eat more protein, get allot of sleep at night but avoid sleeping during the day other than a short nap. It helps to keep moving but really hard to keep up with everything I have to do. My husband is having a major surgery 7 days after my treatments are over- so hoping my fatigue willl be getting better. I know that is not likely- but still hoping. Hang in there everyday, better days are coming.

17 out of 30 done. No burns, no pink. Slight irritation. I've been cranky and tired in the afternoons around 2-3 pm. I've used aquaphor, Miaderm and Aloe vera. I wear a tank top underneath a shirt. The aquaphor has been staining my tank tops, it reminds me of the breast feeding days.

As far as working, if you can set your own schedule, then it is manageable... however, even though radiation takes about 15 minutes, I've had to wait in the waiting room about 30 minute to an hour because they have been backed up. There were 2 days that the machine went down and I was "on call" to get my treatment. If I were working a 9-5 shift, it would be very stressful.

I started Tamoxifen Oct 1. My onc wanted me to start during radiation, which I've read others who have waited. I had hot flashes during chemo, and I still have hot flashes. That has been the worst SE so far. I also got a Lupron shot in September.

I'm starting tamoxifen as soon as I finish rads.

oh my goodness , so many of you are young women with babies!! God bless you all.. how hard is that!

I have an 18 mo old grand daughter who has been my inspiration throughoit this ordeal , but I am a grandmother

My rads finished last week , I am tired and my chest has become tighter each day , the aquaphor is helping but thankfully not raw...I started arimidex this week...I am on day 5

My best wishes and prayers to all, stay positive as tough as it may be.. and yes I find speaking with longer term survivors heart warming and hopeful

Mamaoz

I have 3 boosts left! I can't believe the end is near! My skin has suddenly turned a light brownish color across and under the breast and Im pink under the arm. My itching has stopped thank goodness.. It's so nice to know that so many ladies here are near the end of treatment. Wooooo hooooo!

Lyn, Yes! I am DONE!!! Was so happy to say goodbye to all the wonderful techs but had a good cry after I walked out. Such a huge weight being lifted. Thank you for thinking of me ❤.

I was told by the nurse 3-4 days of getting worse then I should turn the corner. They also said the next 2 weeks will be rough before I start to see overall improvement. Wondering if I should wait that long to start the tamoxifen. Did anyone else wait?

Happy Rads free weekend to all those still getting them and congrats to everyone who is done. MelDent was it your last day too?

Big hugs to everyone! Jenn

congrats Jenn! I cried after my last treatment also. Such a long road.

I started Tamoxifen Wednesday. 5 days after.

Monday will be my last boost and then appt with oncologist on Tuesday to discuss the follow-up treatment. Continuing to deal with fatigue, low appetite and discomfort/pain in breast.

I know I joined the group a little late, but I am still excited to share in your milestones! Way to go Jenn and MelDent. VLH thanks for updating on how you are doing. Keep us posted on when the fatigue actually begins to noticeably lift for you. MamaOz, how is the fatigue treating you? Any further post-rad symptoms? SuzyFl...almost there!

Enjoying my quiet Saturday morning of NOT having to go anywhere.

Cheers and blessings to all.

Eleanor, you're sooo close to bring done. I know how relieved you'll be to finish treatment.

YAY, JennD! I'm sure the tears helped release the tension we inevitably feel during this process.

The reddening on my chest has definitely improved the past few days so I think the 14-day timeframe is accurate. Since I've dealt with Fibromyalgia for many years, I don't know if my lingering fatigue will be predictive for others, but I'm pleased to share that the brain fog / disconnected feeling have improved as well. I'm looking forward to our impending cold front since I feel like I have "prickly heat" when I get warm. I blame Taxol for that funky side effect. Gosh, to be able to spend time in the yard with the dogs without melting. Woo Hoo!

Lyn

thanks deedledee for yor perspective I think its a culmination of the whole deal chemo.. surgery ....rads

Now that Im done active treatment Im feeling a bit dazed

Its hard to remember all I went thru this year as I think Ive blocked it somewhere in my fuzzy brain ...

now hoping the arimidex doesnt add any more trauma

Have a fabulous well deserved vacation!!!

Mamao