December 2017 Radiation Group

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  • Vixie65
    Vixie65 Member Posts: 10
    edited December 2017

    Hi all. I'll be starting radiation soon (probably next week). I get to lay on my back and grasp a bar that is behind the top of my head. My arms and shoulders got really sore and tired during the mapping, and my hands were tingling near the end of it. Will I get used to this odd positioning after a few treatments?

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited December 2017

    paulettek-- hope your first rad treatment was uneventful. Each day brings you closer to finishing.

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  • Linwentz
    Linwentz Member Posts: 133
    edited December 2017

    Vixie65-- welcome! my arms, hands and shoulders hurt During the mapping--it was all so awkward, uncomfortable and un-natural but I got used to it. Plus, treatments are much quicker than the mapping.

    Paulette--thinking of you on your first treatment day. Hope all went well!

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited December 2017

    Vixie, the mapping takes longer than the actual treatment. I think I am in the room for less than 10 minutes. I am laying on my back with my arms above my head but they are just resting on a pillow behind my head. I don't have to grasp anything. Some mediation or mental exercises might be good to keep your mind off of it. Yesterday I had an itch on my nose but concentrated on something else and it took my mind off of it. Good luck.

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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited December 2017

    Thank you ladies, I finished my first uneventful treatment .... Yeah!!!! One down, 29 to go!!!

    My position for radiation is both hands up rest on top of my head, no bad to hold so it is not bad. They have a mold made up so each time, I will wrap my hands up on top of my head. I asked so many questions I didn’t get around to ask what model of the machine used on me. Schedule seems to be pretty tight.

    First appointment seems to be longer it was almost 20 minuets, they told me tomorrow will be short. My mind just wondered off to some vacation I had so I don’t have to think of a machine on top of me turning. My appointment scheduled after lunch, soon I might dose off.... lol

    Vizier - I was nervous this morning. It shouldn’t be bad for the first week or two from what I heard. Afterwards I don’t know,


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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited December 2017

    Amy, ugh for missing a day. What if we all make a pact that every time the machine breaks we buy a new pair of shoes and post a photo? Ellyn, are you in?

    Dinner...hmm...my dear hubby is making a veggie chickpea and chard dish, which we'll have over brown rice. And I'm going to add a piece of pre-cooked salmon from Whole Foods. Then if I feel like dessert I always eat 1/2 of a dark chocolate and peanut butter KIND bar. It has 8 grams of protein per bar and I swear I seem to be getting addicted...

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  • Linwentz
    Linwentz Member Posts: 133
    edited December 2017

    Georgia1--LOL about buying a new pair of shoes 👠 every time the machine breaks down! That would at least make it worthwhile for me.i do love my shoes!

    I just read an article about healthy vs unhealthy protein bars and KIND was on the "good list." It sounds like a good way to incorporate a treat with protein

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited December 2017

    Linwentz, if wine had protein I'd be all set!

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  • Linwentz
    Linwentz Member Posts: 133
    edited December 2017

    Georgia--You do crack me up! Boy do I also wish wine contained protein!I have limited my wine intake to Friday night only. Thank goodness tomorrow night is Friday

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  • Kiwi-in-Thailand
    Kiwi-in-Thailand Member Posts: 26
    edited December 2017

    I’m totally with you Georgia.. I try to limit wine to the weekend and today is Friday... yipee 🍾

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited December 2017

    Georgia, love your idea with the shoes! I was bummed out I had to miss one. I had a last rads day highlighted on my calendar and now I am going to have to cross that out. Cheers to a glass of wine on the weekend.

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  • lifechoices2017
    lifechoices2017 Member Posts: 242
    edited December 2017

    GOOD MORNING ALL! FINALLY FRIDAY...

    WELCOME to all the 'NEW WARRIORS'!

    Ok, so while at choir rehearsal last night I was reading these post and I AGREE! I too wish that wine was LOADED w/protein. I like the idea of a pair of shoes for a reward totally winning!

    I too have limited myself to only 'wine on the weekends'. My fella and I usually have a date night between Fri and Sun; so I make it a point to celebrate our time with a glass of wine on whatever day that is.

    Today is my #8 session of 20...1/2 way for whole breast and then 4boost... as of today; still no skin SEs; swollen and tender but no pain. Told my RO it feels like 'period' breast. He was like 'ya know, i hear that alot'.

    Actually yesterday when my RO looked at it; he was like 'your boob looks fantastic'...I was like I think so too ;-) When I told my boyfriend that; he was like 'i concur'. lolololol My nurse tech said that some SEs would have started by now but whatever im doing, to keep it up. So PRAISE THE LORD for that!

    HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY ALL AND ENJOY YOUR RADS FREE WEEKEND! WOOT WOOT...



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  • Linwentz
    Linwentz Member Posts: 133
    edited December 2017

    And...it's a wrap! I have completed all 28 regular treatments plus 6 boosts with minimal SE. Huge sigh of relief. Now for the next part... wait... there is no next part. Since I am ER/PR- there is no hormone therapy--just meeting with the BS & RO twice a year & of course the mammos. I asked my RO if she recommended anything--I am open to any alternative/holistic/complimentary care & she just said to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

    So, you ladies that are ER/PR- is there anything you are going to do to help prevent/minimize a reoccurrence?

    Meanwhile, tonight we are going out to celebrate and I just might have two glasses of wine

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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited December 2017

    Good morning!!! My second session today, I’m thinking should I do green tea ? Anyone is doing green tea so I can get some tips?


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  • tlfrank
    tlfrank Member Posts: 199
    edited December 2017

    Linwentz - congratulations! Enjoy your celebration tonight! I have 4 boosts to go, then I can celebrate. I'm ER/PR + though so I do have a next step....

    PauletteK - I bought green tea bags, but ended up drinking the tea instead....LOL oh well.

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  • lifechoices2017
    lifechoices2017 Member Posts: 242
    edited December 2017

    Linwentz....YEAHHHHHH... Break out the champagne (or green tea)... Thats awesome!!!!

    tlfrank...I too will have a 'next step'; Tamox on Jan 1... but its all good and its all GOD!


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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited December 2017

    Linwentz, congrats on finishing with minimal side effects. Hoping for the same. Enjoy your glass of wine, cheers to you! I am HR positive so my future is on AI since chemo put me into menopause. When I asked my MO how long he said "5 years to....forever?" He also suggested a clinical trial that I am considering that combines AI with Ibrance for early stage breast cancer.

    tlfrank, you are almost there as well, can't wait until January gets here so I can be finished.

    Paulette, I am following my RO's skin care instructions as he was pretty adamant about it. So, I am not doing any green tea.

    Fingers crossed the rads machine is working today, I don't want anymore delays. I am going to our office holiday party tonight and will be enjoying my weekend glass of wine.

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  • Ellyn27
    Ellyn27 Member Posts: 147
    edited December 2017

    Linwentz - Congrats to you!!! I may have a glass of wine this weekend to help you celebrate haha.

    Georgia1 - I am SO in for buying a pair of shoes every time the machine breaks down. The regular machine was back up today so I only missed one day, so I guess I can only get one pair ... at this time :) I did see a pair that caught my eye. You are so lucky to have a hubby that makes these great meals. My husband would never eat that dish with the chickpeas, brown rice and kale. I would in a heartbeat, he wouldn't.

    9/20 done (one day off due to machine being down). No SEs. I hope you all have a wonderful stress free weekend. I haven't bought any Christmas gifts yet so I better get on that or I'll be on the naughty list for sure.

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited December 2017

    Linwentz, congratulations! You are an inspiration. Yay you!

    TGIF to everone!

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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited December 2017

    Linwentz- Yay!!! Congratulations!!!

    Tlfrank- I’m drinking green tea also, I might just follow my RO using cream only.

    Georgia TGIF 2/30 done, 28 to go!!


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  • gigibee
    gigibee Member Posts: 192
    edited December 2017

    I like the shoe idea! Congrat's to all who are finished!


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  • Rhyfelwr
    Rhyfelwr Member Posts: 88
    edited December 2017

    Hello, all.

    Don't know if I belong in the November or the December radiation group! Doing it both months. I've so resonated with some of what people have posted here.

    ANXIETY: I have found radiation so much more difficult, emotionally, than chemo. I loved my chemo nurses and spent 5 months of my life with them. I always felt safe and very human and loved there. Radiation is so cold and lonely and dehumanizing. The techs are all nice, but they leave the room, and then sneak back in and do things I can't see while I have to stay so still. I am getting used to it, but I don't like it. OCDAmy, I hear what you are saying.

    I am looking at one more week of treatment. I am down to boost treatments now, which are quicker than the super-clavs for my lymph nodes plus full breast for everything else. My skin is holding up -- I'm using aloe with vitamin E, calendula gel, coconut oil, and a homeopathic calendula burn cream (my RO is pretty chill about my using what I like). It burns and stings under the surface, and the scar tissue from the lumpectomy is swollen, hard and painful. Too bad it is too cold to go topless this time of year!

    If ya'll will have me, I'll stick around. My handle means "warrior" in Welsh. Some days I feel like that. Many days, I don't.

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  • Rhyfelwr
    Rhyfelwr Member Posts: 88
    edited December 2017

    How are ya'll managing about dealing with the holidays while being in treatment? Have you been able to communicate to your families about how much energy you have and what you are going to be able to take on this year? This is a hard one in my house.

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited December 2017

    Hi there! Great topic to raise about the holidays. I am hosting only one sister, her husband, and her 22-year-old daughter, and just for three days. They all know about my diagnosis and treatment, and I expect they will be cool if I say "let's order takeout" or "I'm going to bed." I have no Christmas tree yet; my husband is going to get it Saturday so we will have a pretty short and basic holiday.

    On radiation being dehumanizing, I get it. Some of my techs are great, and personable and chatty. But a couple are not. So I have to say "tell me when you are going to leave the room" and "please tell me what you are doing" a lot with them! I consider it me training them for the next person. :)

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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited December 2017

    I have only done 2 sessions so I don’t know what to say yet. The techs I saw they are nice, and I asked a lot of questions . They seem to be rushing not like the chemo nurses. I can see they have a full schedule so they don’t have time to chit chats.

    Rhyfelwr - so you have burns and even sting inder the surface, and you even mentioned you have pains. Can you tell me when did you started having pains. What kind of pains do you experience? Did your RO give you any painkillers? I like to make plans for the holidays, hope pains won’t kick in that soon.

    Just wondering anyone have Lymphedema problem when you're doing radiation? I only did 2 sessions but I can feel my fluid is starting to build up. I'm using my flexitouch pump, I just didn't want to tight up my chest, worrie it might irritate my breast or underarm.

    As the holidays, my family knew I’m still doing treatments so I don’t plan to have anything in my house. We are going to my niece house this year.

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  • Rhyfelwr
    Rhyfelwr Member Posts: 88
    edited December 2017

    Paulette, I started feeling a bit of the sting from the very beginning. Started using lots of aloe, which helped soothe the surface. The deeper pain in the breast began sometime during the second week of treatments. My RO nurse has suggested cold packs (not directly on the skin!) and a combination of ibuprofen (for the inflammation damage caused by the rads) and tylenol (for the sensation of pain resulting from the inflammation). So that is what I have been doing.

    It has not been debilitating. By this time, I think we have learned to put up with a fair amount of discomfort! I keep an ice pack in the freezer at work, and I carry some ibuprofen and some tylenol with me. And I vent occasionally to my nurse friend! But I am able to get through the day without it being a problem.

    I don't want this to be something that you are afraid of! Heaven knows there is plenty lurking in that closet!

    Rhyfelwr


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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited December 2017

    Rhyfelwr -I’m praying I don’t have your pains, six weeks could be a long time to put up with pains especially we have to do daily sessions. Hope you will be finishing soon.


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  • Vixie65
    Vixie65 Member Posts: 10
    edited December 2017

    Thanks for your responses, everyone. Now I have a second question. Were you able to exercise during radiation? I do yoga and specific neck strengthening exercises. I also walk. 

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  • Linwentz
    Linwentz Member Posts: 133
    edited December 2017

    Vixie65--I had no problem exercising during Rads. As a matter of fact, I think it was extremely beneficial in reducing fatigue. I tried to walk everyday and although I didn't do yoga per se, I attempted meditation and breathing exercises. I see no problems on continuing your neck exercises either.

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  • Redheadhere
    Redheadhere Member Posts: 22
    edited December 2017

    Today is the start of week 2 of 4 for me. No side effects whatsoever. I am walking at least 1 mile every day and sometimes 2-4 miles. I'm also doing gentle yoga every day before I head to treatment. I am a certified yoga instructor and massage therapist. I really think gentle stretches prior to treatment helps my mind and body get ready. I'm also very gently massaging my incision areas in a circular motion in an effort to desensitize the area and reduce the buildup of scar tissue. This week I will start to get entire body massages every week. The hospital I'm getting treatment at offers special price massages for cancer patients, nice. I also apply aloe vera 3x per day.

    I love my rad techs, they are very talkative and friendly. I usually have a question every day, even some not related to me but overall radiation, and they are happy to take the time to answer me.

    Yesterday was a difficult day for me in that while I'm glad 1 week is behind me, looking at 3 more weeks of this was a bummer. I'm not a fan of the 'holiday' season and I'm not sure yet if the addition of this is going to add one more thing for me not to like or (hopefully) will give me a bright spot to focus on. My bday is 12/29 and this year I get 2 rad session on this day to end my treatment. We are making plans for the holidays with the disclaimer that we might not show, just in case.

    Congrats to those who finished treatments last week, you are my encouragement that this too will pass.

    Stay strong everyone going back to treatments this week. Big healing hugs coming your way.

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