December 2017 Radiation Group

Paulette we are going to start radiation on the same day & i am sure it will go amazing for both of us as with all the other ladies on this thread. We shall kick some radiation butt with not too much burning. I am a bit nervous i wont like just like you Paulette as for me i am going to get the radiation under my arm as well due to having some positive lymph nodes. What scares the crap out of me is ending up with lymphedema as a result of the radiation however my radiologist says risks are low blah blah blah but then he is not the one being zapped & with less lymph nodes under his arm. Ladies i have heard that drinking at least 2 liters of water a day helps out as well with the skin, not sure if this is true or not but i am going to be trying anything to minimize the burn as well as aloe applying it to the burns. My radiologist told me as my skin is a bit tan not that i had sun this summer however i will end up with permanent dark spots from where i had radiation. I really like the idea of picking up scratch tickets, one for each day of radiation, i think i will definatly do this as well.

Ellyn27 - my yoga teacher taught me to do alternate nostril breathing. Here's a little tutorial if you're interested: https://www.artofliving.org/us-en/yoga/breathing-t...

It's a technique that I find relaxing during stressful times, however your beach scene sounds lovely.

Best wishes to get this done sooner rather than later.

I posted this in the November group....re-posting here just in case some have moved into this group.

One of the lymph nodes in my armpit has become quite tender. Also, my pectoral muscle and breast are very achy. Any one else experiencing this? Today will be my last full breast treatment, will have 5 boosts beginning tomorrow. Eating protein at every meal, lathering on every substance known to man....trying to minimize these side effects but I feel like I'm starting to lose the battle.

My RADS appt for today got cancelled due to machine being broken. Normally I would be OK with this, but I was supposed to end Dec 22nd (Friday), but now they will add an appt to the end and I will have to go the day after Christmas, the 26th. I host Christmas day so having to go on the 26th in the morning just sucks. Hopefully it will be back up and running tomorrow. I guess there are worse things to whine about!!!

Protein - yes, very important. I made a pot of split pea soup (my fav) and a bunch of hard boiled eggs to have on hand. I've been roasting veggies like crazy because I love them and it's great to reheat a few when I get hungry. Today I'm baking some fish for dinner to have with a big salad and sweet potato. I've been trying to make extra when I cook so there's leftovers.

Can I ask what the benefits of having lots of protein are? No ones mentioned that to me before, but if it helps I’m up for adding lots to my diet!

Jelly - you are funny! I believed the tech in that clinic are women, I haven’t seen a male tech. I’m praying for an uneventful 30 treatments, maybe I asked too much from God.

Gigibee - I’m about the same age with you, but my DX is different from you, much higher risk, so I did chemo now I’m goiing for 30 radiation. I wouldn’t know what to suggest, go with your heart tells you.

Hello all. Today I had the first delay in my treatment: 40 minutes behind schedule because the computers were down. But it was rather sweet to see all the patients in the waiting room, many with their spouses. Seems like a few of us have been wiping away tears a bit this week.

Ellyn, how mean of them to try to ruin your Christmas! We will have to make a point to toast to you on Christmas Eve and again on December 26 when you are done.

Redhead I'm glad you came back!

Tlfrank, my RO said to expect tighter pecs and that it is important to keep doing all of the assigned stretching exercises throughout rads and for four weeks after. See if that helps.

And khunter, good luck! I did way too much reading in advance and it is SO much easier than I expected. You got this.

I feel bad for all of you that have to endure changes in your schedule due to broken equipment and computer problems. Georgia--I love the idea of giving Ellyn a little shoutout on Christmas Eve. Her situation is really sucky😠 I usually try to find the positive side to every situation but this one bites the big one!

I have felt a tighter sensation right where my bra would rub. Interestingly I ditched my bra weeks ago but it still feels like I am wearing (a very tight) one!

Two more rads treatments to go. I am very much looking forward to closing the book on this chapter

gigibee; nice to meet you too ;-)... yeah today #7...still no crazy SEs; just breast tenderness as if my cycle was about to come on (which I must mention); im not on any meds as of yet but somehow my cycle stopped ... not sure if this is a SE that I wasn't aware of; but I meet w/my RO today; I'll have to ask. I know that w/being on Tamox come Jan that was an SE, but hmmmm... maybe it stopped early...OR...maybe im just 49 and it was about to stop anyway (lol).

But Im counting down; and tomorrow will be another week complete and before you know it I'll be ALL DONE!

gigibee; as for the prone position, its not bad at all. I guess when I first heard of it I was like oh my thats gonna be uncomfortable; but oddly enough its not. I feel like now when I lay on the table its like one of the number beds; my body just molds in place. yesterday my appt was at 1:50; got there at 1:42; they shifted me maybe 2-3xs and I was in position...i counted as the machine loomed over my body; and i was dressed and back to work in 30min....#teamwinning!

As for finding time in your schedule; it'll work out i promise! For all of this that's abnormal; I try to keep everything else normal (work, church, family, etc)... I was a bit tired the other day, but honestly I dont know if it was because of rads; or because I was just tired.

I thank God that Ive been able to work everyday since my surgery (minus 4 days); I figured if He's working; then so am I!

NONE of us would have planned this journey; wanted it...NO PARTS OF IT... but now that we're on it, we fight, we win and we celebrate life!

I've attached the Morning Message for today; I think we all can use this! HAPPY THURSDAY ALL!

gigibee; thats funny because I find it relaxing too. literally the other day when i was laying there; i was like im going to ignore the loom and take a nap. lol

PauletteK; Im old enough to know that all that we ask MAY not be given...But Im also old enough to know that it doesn't hurt to submit our request to God and YES sometimes its yes; sometimes no...other times He may say 'not right now'. I've always been a prayerful warrior but my prayers are a bit more different these days, a bit more specific. Im such a controller and OMG; my OCD can be crazy sometimes, so for all things that I can control..I DO... for those that I can't HE DOES! and im totally ok w/that ... My prayers for you as you go through your rads. I'll keep you in mine as I continue to pray for 'less is more'...lessened SEs but more than enough for my healing!

Ellyn27; Dinner tonight will be late because I work; rads and then Im my church admin so I have some work to do at the church (then rehearsal @ 7pm)...where do I find the time. Im thinking I'll be heating chicken and finishing off my veggies.

I dont eat alot of red meat so for protein Ive been doing Atkins shakes in the morning; about 23g or protein... i dont like to eat alot before my rads because I dont want to have to 'go to the bathroom'...lol; so ive been doing salads w/chicken or tuna for lunch (about 18g). Dinner last night (because chicken gets OLD quick); i had grilled turkey burger (just the burger, no bun) green beans and corn (about 9-12g)... i also try to get some almonds or nuts in as im sitting at my desk.

Dinner tonight is turkey chili with lots of beans. Beans & lentils are an excellent source of protein (which I often forget about!