December 2017 Radiation Group

Good Morning All...

TODAY is my 8 of 20 (the last 4 will be boost) so really Im 1/2 way there w/whole breast...and ALL PRAISES TO GOD that I have no SEs. I feel fatigued some days, but honestly I can't say that its due to the rads because I keep a busy schedule anyway. I began rads Nov 29th and since then I've put up (3) Christmas Trees (home/moms/work). Ive worked at least 6hrs a day (Mon-Fri); and then go to rads. At least 2-3 days after rads I have errands, Im the Pastors Admin; Choral Director for (2) choirs and sing on 3 choirs; I enjoy my family and my fella and I make it a point to continue our date nights... so with that being said for ALL of the 'out of the norm' this process is; I still try to keep what CAN be normal; normal.

Redheadhere I was thinking about the massage thing; but wasn't sure...but now I'm going to make it a point to add that in my schedule. I too apply my creams like 3-4xs a day (Miaderm after my shower; at noon (2hrs before rads); right after my rads and Aquaphor at bedtime). My nurse tech and RO were very impressed with my skin last week and said that SHOULD I make it through this week; id only have (3) whole breast and then the (4) boost. SO Im prayerful that God continues to protect and cover me through this process.

And I too love my rad techs; I mostly wear skirts/dresses, but because I only have to take off my top I've worn all skirts. I wore pants on Friday and they were like...OMG, you have on pants. I was like that was my Friday treat. They were like well we've been impressed w/you getting up on this table everyday in a skirt and 3inch heels! lol... i didn't know they were aware, but i guess so.

I haven't been working out as I should; prior to my diagnosis NOT ONLY did I work out; but because I was at the YMCA so often; YES i got a PT job there (as if i have time). I'm not there right now because of drs appts and all; but I do miss being able to at least walk the track. Im hoping to get back to that when my sessions end. Im free of ANY MEDS (blood pressure, diabetes, etc) but I'll be on Tamox as of Jan 1; and I want to try to keep my health in a good place.

I PRAY for all to have a WONDERFUL "RADS" week! Be blessed...

PauletteK; you have no idea! But you know what...its called LIVING and enjoying LIFE! I did it before and God willing Im gonna keep on. I told my family; if God is working then SO AM I! Actually when my nurse tech and RO saw my skin they were like GREAT JOB! I guess you never know what to expect because everyone is different. But I make sure that I drink plenty of water; and I also do an ATKINS shake in the morning (as Im dressing) since that's protein filled. My meals have been consisting of tuna; chicken, veggies, fruits, nuts as they want you to be 'healthy' and your body to feed off of good energy.

And yes, my 'cream' schedule has been working out great. Even on the weekends I do the same because I don't want anything to change my routine. I made a point to purchase cotton bras from Lane Bryant (44DD here) and also I have 5-6 mens XL cotton tshirts that I sleep in so that nothing is abrasive on my skin.

Although Im a Bath and Body girl; I lotion my left arm (lol) and then I'll spray my neck and back a little and my wrist (and maybe atop my clothes once dressed) ... but I dont put ANYTHING on or near my rad sites. Also, I only use dove soap. I don't use a rag or loofah on the right side AT ALL; I just hand lather my right arm; armpit and the breast/chest area (just dont wanna disturb any skin and want it to stay intact).

I think after reading so many of the post I really had to make up my own routine; but so far its working. In my mind Im like getting through this week w/NO SE's would truly be a blessing. Knowing that Id be 13 of 20 rads done (w/only the 3 whole breast next week) shoot...Im feeling like a champion!

I keep a journal and each day I write a thank you to God for his cover and His protection over my body; my life. AND... my coworkers; after each session we have like a 'dance'... I have my rads sheet and as I mark it off we just get up and do a little jig for a minute or two and then its back to business.

I CANNOT WAIT until Dec 29th when Im all done. I told her I may do the moonwalk or breakdance...lol

Half way completed. Today was 10/20. I haven't noticed any SEs other than a bit tired at times and feeling a little swollen in the boob, but the RO today told me she noticed 3 little red dots and she's expecting I will start to have some itching there. She said if I do, just to use OTC hydrocortisone cream. I mentioned to her that I was originally to end RADs on 12/22 but because the machine was down I have to go back 12/26 as my makeup day. She is going to check with her "team" to see if I can get a double treatment on 12/22 so I can be done before Christmas. Fingers crossed on that, although I'm not sure how I'll feel after a double treatment (and they will be boosts).

I was told my last 4 treatments will be boosts. They said the first boost day they have to redo all the mapping because they focus in on the area where the cancer was. They also said it's less radiation on those days, even though it sounds like you are getting more.

Amy and Ellyn - have you tried melatonin for sleeping? It works well for me.

I only have three sessions and it works fine for me. Fatigue could be from my chemo since I’m only 4 weeks PFC, it is hard for me to tell.

Lifechoices2017 you will also end treatment on my bday. Wish we could toast or dance together to celebrate.

Met with my surgeon today and I have Axillary Web Syndrome. So more stretching and massaging for me. I just knew I should be doing more stretching and massage but didn't want to overdo it based on what my post-op instructions were. Always listed to your own body! But should be pretty easy to overcome and get back to normal.

Redhead- sorry to hear that you have cording, did you surgeon refer you to a PT? From what I heard cording could be pretty painful especially we are doing radiation and we need to stretch our arms up. I read you are a massage therapist you will know better than me.

Today is my first day of radiation, another step toward completing treatment. Lifechoices , love that scripture quote!

I finally was able to make an appointment with an RO for this Thursday. Really looking forward to getting this ball rolling since I'm 4 weeks post LX. Still trying to get an appointment for second opinion RO. Also waiting for pathology second opinion from Sloan-Kettering sent a couple of weeks ago, & for mammaprint and Myriad results. I'm following you ladies because due to delays I'm a few weeks behind you. But I am sending you good thoughts! As far as increasing protein, my husband has started cooking fresh spinach in a little bit of butter in a big skillet, and once it wilts scrambling an egg (6g protein) next to it in the same skillet, s&pto taste, then melting a slice of Havarti (7g protein) on top, then serving it on a piece of nutty multi grain bread (13g protein/slice). It is so delicious I could eat it every day! Lots of good stuff in there for us & one skillet to cleanup!

Had 11/20 today. I'm starting to see my one arm pit tan a bit haha!!! Other than that, all good. The RAD technologists told me that I can get a double boost next week so I can end next Friday and not have to go back the day after Christmas ... YAY!!!!  The only thing is that you don't get 2 sessions back-to-back, you have to wait at least 6 hours in between. So, I'll have to make 2 trips that day. No problem, I'm just so happy to get it over with.

I usually see this one woman when I go for my RADs. She goes in just before me. She has shoulder length blondish hair and usually wears a knit hat. Today she walked into the waiting area to leave just as they were coming for me. Today her hair was about an inch long, it was dark with grey streaks throughout. She must have been wearing a wig previously. I had to do a double take because I didn't recognize her at first. Tomorrow when I see her I plan to tell her how beautiful she looks. She must have had chemo before RADs. I think these women look so beautiful. I certainly have learned so much thru all of this, so many life lessons and it has changed me in so many ways. I keep all you ladies in my prayers and am thankful for each and every one of you.

Love that scripture choice lifechoices. Gigibee, good luck today. After today when you know the routine of things you will have less anxiety. Georgia1, you have to be so excited to be ending this week ... YAY!! PauletteK, I'm going to have to look into the melatonin, thanks.

PauletteK; THANKS! I have a journal that I started when diagnosed; it allows me to write out my feelings and when i want to scream I write in CAPS! lol... but for the most part, im good... no screaming, a few tears have been shed...but I have to stay lifted; it keeps me going; BUT GOD!

Boost as im told by my techs and RO will focus on where your incision was for your surgery. Right now Im doing whole breast; but the boost will focus mainly on the surgical site. I meet w/my RO on Thursday so I'll ask more. But thats what I was told.

PauletteK - I found this article explaining what boosts are and since I'll be getting them, I was curious as well. It appears to be for those with DCIS and had a lumpectomy followed by whole breast rad treatment (WBRT). 

https://www.astro.org/News-and-Publications/News-and-Media-Center/News-Releases/2016/Radiation-boost-reduces-local-tumor-recurrence-for-DCIS-patients-following-WBRT/

Redheadhere, thank you. And my final 4 are boost as well; can't believe that they'll be starting next week. 20sessions dwindling down.....yeahhhhh!

Got to my session today and one of my fav techs was at another location:( I was like, didn't I tell him (TK) yesterday same time same place! Oh well, I was in at 2:36; dressed and out at 3:04.

OCDAmy, I'm gonna get a pic of my techs as well. TK better be there!

But all in all its all good. Just finishing out this journey to move on to the next... Warriors At Work...to be continued!!!!

PauletteK, we are all in this together. The tighter the links in the chain, the stronger we are. On those days when your link feels weak, know that we all are holding you together... and vice versa. I'm smart enough to know that even under normal circumstances, we crumble...we are all now under extremely abnormal circumstances so hey, if I get 'shook' or feel some kinda way..fine! But what I don't do is stay 'some kinda way'! This is not easy, but im alive!

Honestly only a few people in my surroundings know of my diagnosis, if I counted it'd be like 25 people; and thats excluding most of my coworkers, church family etc...I chose not to share right now because I didn't want my story compared with others and I wanted my emotions to be my own. I didn't want ppl calling my mom, dad etc with horror stories. So what I did was the opposite, I shared it with those that would uplift and pray with me and just be an ear, a shoulder....and then I found you all! What a blessing!!!

So trust me when I tell you, my uplift is not my own...but God and you all...and those that I've invited on this journey.

I'm glad to be able to be that sunshine, because even in those moments when my rays aren't as bright, I have my supporters, my team players and my prayer warriors.