Starting Radiation November 2017

Linwentz; control freak...funny you say that because that is SO ME! OMG... for as OCD as I am; Im like I have no control over this so Im just letting God do what He does best. Again, honestly, i think thats where my anxt comes in because its like i want all the answers, and I want it done, I want it done now; and I want it done quickly. I want to know how it feels, how it looks, what to use, what not to use and how much of whatever to use (lol)... BUT I know thats not the case so Im being patient and obedient.

At my job we do this thing called One Word; its a book about choosing a word and identify why that is who you are. Oddly enough my word for the school year was 'choices'. I guess I had no idea how many Id have; but at the same time, how many I wouldnt have. RIght now; im choosing life, health, and peace of mind. So for all of the 'controlling' that I'd want to do right now...my 'choice' is already 'chosen' for me and that's to follow doctors orders! Relinquishing my control is not so easy sometimes, but I guess in this situation God is showing me that He's in control and you know what IM GONNA LET HIM!

I thank everyone here for posting their journey; you never know how somewhere in a line or two how it can uplift someone else and help them along the way.

Lifechoices, you made a reference to school. Are you a teacher? I retired in June and am so relieved I only have myself to contend with. Teaching ruled my life! If I were still working I know I wouldn't have the energy to take care of myself like I do now. And I love the "one word" idea. Last year my word would have been "exhausted" and now it would be "betterchoices" Even though I am not in total control, I do have the power to make better choices

NikJ, thank you for your reply. Can you described a typical breakfast, i.e., protein and fruit, or just protein? I am diabetic so have to be careful of carbs anyway. When I do have a smoothie, I typically use water, berries or green apple, spinach, ground seeds, and a scoop of protein powder. I always have good sugars after those.

ref breakfast and carbs and rads; check with your RO. Mine advised I need to eat lots of protein each day to help my body rebuild tissues that rads are killing.

I do have 3 eggs for breakfast each morning.

NikJ, thanks! I will probably add eggs on a regular basis; I guess when people go through something like this, the usual flies out the window. I have been told I am not supposed to lose weight, so am hoping to at least maintain where I am. I did lose quite a bit after I switch to Alkaline Diet. Have a good week.

My simulation was yesterday and my first treatment is today. The RO is going with 21 treatments at a higher dose. The first 16 will be whole breast and the last five will be zeroed in on the site where the tumor was. Anyone else on this type of schedule? I'm wondering if at a higher dose at each tx if the side effects show their ugly head faster and harder?

Sheilasatthebeach, thanks for your tip also. I hope you don't have too many more rads. I am counting down the days til the 20th. I'll do anything to keep the fatigue down! I have seen lots of posts about long term fatigue. I am looking for ways to avoid that, so will have lots of research to do.

tfrank, hope your first rads goes well. I am having 16 treatments, but nothing specific to the tumor area, therefore no boosts.

Good luck with protein to avoid fatigue Linwentz. We are rooting for you

tlfrank- I just posted on Oct rads that my skin was sunburned red looking and RO told me it was time to start using aquaphor in addition to calendula oil. He said aquaphor heals skin.

I applied it a few times yesterday and today my skin is pink not sunburn red. Hope aquaphor continues to help my skin. I have 11 rads rrmaining

Dodgersgirl, 11 more to go. I hope you get through them without heavier side effects. I am preparing every way I can. I am sure I'll be less anxious once I've had the first rads, and we sure hope bad weather won't make us miss any appointments. Good luck

53nancy - My RO gave me a sample of Calendula Cream - it's in a white tube with pink accents ...(figures. I'm starting to hate the color pink) , as well as a sample of a product called Miaderm. I have not tried either yet though, so cannot recommend one over the other.

Thanks, DodgersGirl, I think someone else made the suggestion about the undershirts, so I have that on my shopping list. But I might even find something at the local thrift shop. I found a lot of "big" tops from there on a bag sale and they won't be tight on me, but my intention when I'm done with RADS is to send them back! The Aquaphor if found is for babies, so should be good for tender skin. I am going on to Amazon again to check the Calendula. Thanks for your help, and have a great week.

Sunnyjay - I haven't actually had a real treatment yet, my simulation run through was yesterday. Today (in about an hour - Yikes!) is my first real dose. I got extremely dizzy during my mapping session so yesterday at the simulation I did find, that if I closed my eyes and concentrated on breathing evenly I wasn't dizzy.

I start mine tomorrow (11/15/17) 4 weeks of daily radiation with Thanksgiving and weekends off. Trying not to be anxious or worried. I went through Chemo and worked full time all the way through and the side effects were manageable. Most that I talk to say this is easier. I think its that it is every single day that makes me dread it. At least with Chemo and infusions it was every 21 days. Would love some words from those who have been there.

Angelsgal57

I am doing it before work every morning and glad I am a morning person and the hospital is only a block away. Cant beat that. I am very fair skinned so the sunburn part of this concerns me. Keep me in the loop on how you are doing.