Starting radiation September 2017

I'm not in the September group but I made my team chocolate covered strawberries and pretzels. I make chocolates for Christmas presents and this was quick and easy for me. They seemed to enjoy them. I’m sure they would love cookies.

Today was #17. I'm so itchy

I initially thought cookies, but I bought a lovely orchid. I wanted to add cheer to any room that my plant would be in. Afterward I was sorry I didn't fill the waiting room with orchids and pictures. The atmosphere at my top notch cancer center- Smilow- really lacked. It was as blah as the robes. And speaking of these, if I was crafty I would have left belts to secure the robe that needed to be left open in the back.

i made mine cookies

Ladies,

I am a week and a day from ringing the bell, and my nipple is strawberry red with some breakdown in the crease...ouch. I am also continuing to have pain in the breast. I start Tamoxifen on the 13th, and I am not liking the sound of the headaches that some of you are experiencing. I am already having thermonuclear hot flashes, so not sure if they can get much worse. Fatigue continues to be a real thing. Heading to bed now because I am having my port removed in the morning - hooray. Target date of returning to work the first week of December. Thanks to each of you who continue to post and share your journey. It just helps to visit with those who know what it is like.

Wednesday night blessings to all~

((( ))) Shelabela. Hoping tomorrow is better with good rest and energy for you.

Me too Lovepugs.. the blistering under my arm is super icky. I have been the salve and cream queen lately! LOL. My husband got me a tiny fan that plugs into my iPhone so I can circulate directed airflow. 2 more boost days then back to whole breast and then I’m done... as they say Ladies.... “just keep swimming, just keep swimming”. Thinking of you all.

Hang in there girls your almost done!!

I feel you Lovepugs! I have a horrible smell in my armpit as well - I asked and the doc said it’s the smell of dead skin.... yikes. I’m using Silvadene on that area now to prevent infection. Today is a boost, and then back to whole breast. Scared to see what that will look like. We’re all in this together, keep sharing.

Update! I saw the oncologist yesterday and ALL tests have come back negative for cancer, so I have chosen NOT to do chemo. I have decided to do the radiation, not because I really want to, but because it makes sense that if there is a possiblity of stray cells in the breast, to treat it without affect the whole body. Most people are not in agreement with my decision, and perhaps the radiation is also a compromise for them, but the oncologist will have a teleservice meeting with me in January and I return to see her in April. She asked me if I would leave the door open for chemo, and I said yes. I got a call today that I go to see the radiation team tomorrow, so things are moving along. I hope things are going better for all of you.

I ended up not getting a treatment today. Yesterday one of the radiation therapists called to see if I could come in early because my mold was a little soft. I did, and it took forever to get me positioned correctly. I was on the table for an hour and fifteen minutes. Today was bad too. After over an hour, the RO came in and said that they were going to scan me and do a new plan for my boosts next week anyway, so we could just do a new mold and scan today. I have tomorrow off, and should start again thursday. So I still have 4 regular treatments and five boosts to go

RO gave me some silvadene for the moist peeling. Am I supposed to slather a ton on, or just a little?

lovepugs- when they gave me the silvadene, the nurse was specific to only put it on the open spots. It won't help on the burned skin because it is just to keep the sores from getting infected. I put it thick on the open spots and the regular cream around it.

Today is my very last treatment! The pain has started to lessen under my arm, so I'm thrilled! If I could just do something about the tightness before it gets worse, that would be a load off my mind. Reading up on radiation fibrosis last night had me freaked out. I'm guessing the skin and muscle tightness is normal and I can work it out once things heal up? Yeesh! What we go through! It does help to know I'm not the only one going through all this, as much as I hate to see you ladies struggling too.

How many are still doing rads?

If your done how are you feeling?

I am feeling ok. Still very tired

It's now 5 weeks post Rads . I'm getting regular energy level back now. It feels great. Just returned from vacation. Peeling is done and was able to keep up with an active schedule. Swimming in the waters of Hawaii was very healing both physically and emotionally. Will be starting the AI next week. Wishing everyone a great recovery.

It took longer than they anticipated for the dosimetrist to create my new plan, so I didn't start back up until yesterday. Since I missed three days this week, they had me come in this morning. Seven more to go!