Starting Radiation October 2017

LoJo, you continue to be an inspiration to me. I cant quite wrap my head around the thought you're nearly done with rads, good grief woman!!

Gigilala, good luck today, first one down!

Dodgersgirl, have you continued to feel dizzy?

Theresa

hi gang.....new to this thread.....I had my simulation 9/25 then started radiation 10/16. 10 down, 20 to go. I am getting 25 chest, whole breast and axillary doses then a 5 day boost. So far so good. Saw my RO today and she said the redness should appear next week or week 4. I use cetaphil 3 times a day and have aloe vera spray in the fridge in case it starts to sting. I am doing a lot of yoga as they told me that would stretch the areabetter than anything else. No noticeable fatigue so far which is good. I am trying to stay active per the team’s recommendations. Back to work next week after a 6 month hiatus so nervous for that. I am a nurse practitioner so I work days, 16 hr night calls and 24 hr weekend shifts. Fingers crossed I can manage. Happy weekend (aka 2 day radiation break) everyone!

I asked the tech today about molds. He said it’s mostly for big breasted women with pendulous breasts. They use the molds to hold the breasts in place. Since I barely have much left I don’t need one. He said they don’t use them much anymore either.

I have a bar I need to clasp my hands onto and there are some forms that I can rest my arms on.

Today was quite a bit shorter than yesterday and my arms made it through without any aches. The physio therapist said that your skin repairs in a couple of weeks but muscles can take up to six months to repair from the radiation. I've started my exercises to help.

1 down, 19 to go.

Hey! Yes, it's a relief not to have to fit in the Rads appointment for two days...

I am feeling a little stinging and tightness around the underarm and breast but haven't really noticed any colour changes... You?

@DodgersGirl Have you tried the Cavilon spray?

It's Monday again... #14 out of 25 today... Getting there.

it's Monday

#3 of 30 today at 11

Herceptin at 11h30

I have a long day

#17 today out of 21. 4 more to go!! My last whole breast rad was yesterday with todays and the rest being boost. I am started to feel the emotions kick in as I reach the end of my treatment. I've also come down with a bad head cold. No fun laying on your stomach with your head twisted when you can't breathe.

I_brain-congrats on being done!!

DogersGirl & gigilala-i have had dizziness too on and off throughout my treatment but the first week was the worst. Hope that gets better for you both.

utjoy, so sorry to hear of your loss. What an ordeal to go through both breast cancer and the loss of your husband simultaneously. My heart goes out to you. When my first husband passed away at the age of 44, my kids were 8 and 12 respectively. At that point, I had to be the strong one in the family. Today, my daughter is married, my son is in a wonderful relationship, and I have remarried to a terrific man.

I hope you get tons of support from your family, your friends, and all of us here. I wish you solace and healing, and hope that the rest of your radiation treatments go smoothly.

utjiy, sorry to hear about your husband. Tough to deal with at this time. Stress you don’t need.

My intro here...newby:

I lost my mom to cancer in February of this year before being diagnosed myself in April. She had breast cancer in 2005, but had treatment for it and was almost all clear for about 5 years. In 2011 or 2012 she was diagnosed with early stage lung cancer (she was a lifetime non-smoker and didn't have much exposure to it) and battled that for another 5+ years after surgery to remove it was unsuccessful. Her passing was difficult, she went downhill quickly after being diagnosed with brain tumors in November, that were also treated with radiation. During this same time, for the last 3 years my MIL was also battling kidney cancer. We lost her in July of this year as well. So it's been a tough year for us.

After reading things on this board since April, I'm finally going to try to be a little more active in case I need the support. So diagnosed in April, surgery May, chemo June through August and just started radiation last month. Today will be #15 out of 30 with no S/Es so far other than redness. My radio oncologist, who I see every week, seemed to indicate I can expect more pain soon so now I'm looking into ways I can minimize any S/Es that happen. Right now I've only been using Adamia lotion every morning but haven't been in the habit of putting something on right after radiation which I do each day (M-F) at 3pm after work and then go home. Today I feel like fatigue is setting in a bit, as I got plenty of sleep last night and I'm dragging a bit now.

Good luck to everybody here going through this stuff now and I'll try to check in often to provide any support...and in case I need any myself!