Starting Radiation November 2017

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  • Linwentz
    Linwentz Member Posts: 133
    edited December 2017

    53 Nancy--sorry you're having a rough go of it right now. A long week-end break might be just what you need...then you are done on Tuesday!Whew! I hope you sleep well tonight and feel better tomorrow

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  • AngelaJL
    AngelaJL Member Posts: 94
    edited December 2017

    Nancy, I will actually finish on Saturday! Due to the machine being down for a week plus, they’re having me come in on the weekend.

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  • AngelaJL
    AngelaJL Member Posts: 94
    edited December 2017

    And I'm done! Woo hoo!

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  • 53nancy
    53nancy Member Posts: 497
    edited December 2017

    Angela, so happy that you are done. A round of applause. This phase is over for you and I hope your healing will go well.

    Linwentz, I am and will be okay. Don't know why the worry has crept in again, but I can get past it. I had a so-so sleep Thursday, but last night got eight hours! So unusual for me. :) have a great weekend

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  • AngelaJL
    AngelaJL Member Posts: 94
    edited December 2017

    Thank you, Nancy! It's great to be done and a little odd to know that the next step for me is a follow-up mammogram in March. After 4.5 months of constant planning, treating, recovering, etc., there's nothing I need to be doing for the next 3 months

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

    AmjelaJL-- congrats on finishing rads!!

    Now to figure out what to do with all your new "free" tin

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  • sunnyjay
    sunnyjay Member Posts: 238
    edited December 2017

    I know I've been MIA in this thread but I get email notifications so I've been trying to keep up with everyone. Congrats to those that have finished. Please continue to keep us posted in your post-rads experience. For those experiencing SEs, hang in there and trust your medical team. My team has been pretty wonderful. I do have a couple of rads techs that have type A personalities so when they're together I feel the tension. But I know they try to be civil in front of the patient. I'm glad my techs are on rotation so I don't get these two together very often.

    I finished 22 of 28 yesterday. And I still get a little anxious when I'm on that table. The ceiling art with the blue sky & trees, as well as the music streaming into the room, gives me some comfort. I met with my RO this week and he gave me calendula cream to add to my arsenal. I've been using aloe vera 3 times a day up to this point and have not had any skin iasues. My armpit is darker and my breast is a little pink arouns the edges.

    So hopefully this continues to go as well as it has. I am anticipating some skin irritation closer to the end and the weeks that follow. So we'll see... Have a great weekend, everyone!

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  • Milkweed93
    Milkweed93 Member Posts: 41
    edited December 2017

    Hey all! I've been in insurance hell for the past week and haven't caught up with you all yet! Thanks Amy for starting this thread.

    Update on me: Just finished 9 of 30 rads and just starting to get a little itchy and rashy. I will up the aloe and calendula to 3X a day instead of 2. I had debated on when to schedule my sessions. I had one friend that said end of day was best for her so she could have her work day, then go home and rest. Another friend said beginning of day because the machines can break down and when they do it's usually later in the day. I chose end of day and wouldn't you know, so far the machine or computer has had problems 4 days in a row! Fortunately, I was still able to get my session in on the days; I just had to come in even later. Hopefully, they have worked out the kinks or whatever it is that they need to do. My rad tech is a quirky guy who I'm fine with, he just isn't that warm. It's okay, I'm only there for a few minutes. I am doing the breath hold technique and he had to adjust mid treatment because my RO didn't think it was still aligned properly. I have more marker marks with clear stickers now. I don't even see where they tattooed me.

    I live in Santa Barbara county, and while I'm not near the fires themselves, we are getting a lot of smoke and ash blowing our way now. I just feel so toxic with the radiation within and the air quality without, you know? I have air purifiers going in our house all the time, and I'm trying to eat and drink as "clean" as possible. But I can't get my usual walks in and I love to walk. California has had a hell of a year!

    For those of you who have done the 30 day, when did you start feeling the fatigue? I am scheduling clients in my 4th and 5th week and don't know if I should lighten up my days ahead of time or not (I'm a massage therapist). I know everyone is different, but it seems like fatigue is what we can count on on this rad trip!

    Thank you and congratulations to those who have finished!

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

    I just started my radiation last week, now I’m 2/30, I have been lurking this thread from weeks and love all of you. Congrats for the ones who finished and I am praying for minimal SE.


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  • AngelaJL
    AngelaJL Member Posts: 94
    edited December 2017

    Milkweed, I only did 21 treatments, but I was feeling fatigued by the third week.

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

    Angela, you are close to finish 🙌🙌🙌 yeah!!! Beside fatigue, how’s your skin??


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  • AngelaJL
    AngelaJL Member Posts: 94
    edited December 2017

    I actually finished on Saturday! My skin got very dark pink (and itchy and tender!) during the last week of treatment, with brown patches that the RO thinks might still break down. These are in my armpit and under the breast. The skin around the nipple has been brown and flaky/peeling since week 2.

    But the tenderness and pink color are fading day by day. It's been a week since my last whole-breast treatment, and I think that's why there's improvement overall.

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  • chronicpain
    chronicpain Member Posts: 385
    edited December 2017

    I am not getting radiation now, though it was recommended for me to start it in January. But I read through most of the November ladies month's posts to get a since of your typical experiences.

    Were any of you told whether or not you could take a soaking warm bath twice a day if you wanted, (assuming no open wounds or dressings) or were you told only to shower and avoid baths?I have been taking twice a day baths for years to help control my chronic muscle pain and thus keep my strong pain med doses down, so not being able to do this for a month or more would be huge for me.

    Holding arms over my head for even five minutes, much less 30, is painful ( barely made it through the bone scan) and having to hold my breath twenty seconds at a time as the RO recommended she would do to protect my borderline heart, (I am 63) is another concern. I could not tolerate a prone MRI at all, too much pain on my muscles from the metal and pushing, so prone radiation to protect the heart is out.

    I will probably decline radiation, but still have till January to decide.



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

    Chronic Pain - I’m about your age also, I suggest you do more stretch so you can feel comfortable holding your arms over your head. I had problem after surgery and I worked with my PT now I don’t have problem anymore. Also I couldn’t hold my breath as they wanted me to, however with the newer model radiation machine I don’t have to hold my breaths. As you MO and find a clinic has the newer machine. I’m from Bay Area, not sure which part of California are you in.


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  • 53nancy
    53nancy Member Posts: 497
    edited December 2017

    chronicpain, I was told I could have a lukewarm soak as long as skin wasn't broken. There have been no skin issues until last night; rash and itching. Thankful that last rads is today, then see the RO

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  • AngelsGal57
    AngelsGal57 Member Posts: 145
    edited December 2017

    AngelaJ,

    Thank you so much for starting this site way back when we began. I have two treatments left to go and I never thought I would get here....It has gone by so quickly in so many ways and even going every day has an extra benefit in that my husband and I have gotten closer as he has had to get up early and drive me to treatments and back. Such a blessing since it feels like he and I have done this final part together.

    For those of you just starting out, don't be afraid. I was NOT looking forward to this 20 treatment plan and the reassurance from the gals on this site has made a huge difference in how I have come along in the journey. We are definitely going through this TOGETHER! Even lying in that room with the big monster machine we can be comforted knowing that we are not alone. I found my trust in God deepened while I prayed and the machine hummed and did its thing. I have also found a lot of helpful advice and info from each of you who have gone before us...

    I only have 2 remaining treatments to go and have been blessed beyond measure by all of you and your being on this site with me.

    Stay strong, be encouraged and keep the faith!

    Angelsgal57

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

    Angelsgal- so happy you get through this journey soon, you will see the end of the tunnel soon. I totally understand how hard this journey, thanks God for being there for us and also our husbands. Can I ask you did you have any swelling during this treatment? If you do, can you remember when? I think I should go back to read this thread, I used to lurk this thread, since I have chemo mind I can’t remember things I read.


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  • tlfrank
    tlfrank Member Posts: 199
    edited December 2017

    Finished my RADs yesterday! Yay.....It was difficult for me, and my skin is bad, especially in the armpit. I have blisters, and tremendous pain. RO said the skin will take around 3 weeks to begin healing, fatigue will continue for a few months and that my skin will be sensitive to the sun and wind (? - really?) for a year. I keep telling myself it could have been worse....Really happy to be moving on. Hormone meds are my next step....seeing the Dr Jan 8th. Good luck to us all.

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  • 53nancy
    53nancy Member Posts: 497
    edited December 2017

    tlfrank, I am so glad you have finished rads but so sorry to hear about complications. May your healing go quickly; I hope they have given you something for pain. Hugs.

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  • AngelaJL
    AngelaJL Member Posts: 94
    edited December 2017

    Tlfrank, Congratulations on finishing radiation! I'm sorry to hear that your side effects are so bad. I hope you heal quickly!

    AngelsGal, are you done with radiation now? Was today your last day?

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  • AngelsGal57
    AngelsGal57 Member Posts: 145
    edited December 2017

    PauletteK In answer to your question. I believe I have had some swelling under the surface. Muscle stiffness too. I haven't had any blistering, itchy skin, dry or sunburned skin. I have now finished all of my treatments as of last Thursday the 14th the week of my 60th birthday and the doctors are amazed that my skin looks so amazingly normal. just a hint of pink. It is extremely sensitive to the touch, and sore and I have had intense fatigue but that is all. I have been taking a whey protein supplement that boosts the cysteine in your cells that enable them to heal. I believe that has made a huge difference even in how I assimilated chemo.

    I hope that you have a good experience too. My faith has been strengthened and grown and I have found a confidence in sharing with people and making new friends that I never had before cancer.

    Angelsgal57

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  • AngelsGal57
    AngelsGal57 Member Posts: 145
    edited December 2017

    AngelaJL- So glad to hear from you! I have missed you.

    YES my last treatment was on the 14th. I started getting all of my Christmas baking done to give as gifts and didn't get online at all. I am amazed that I have had some swelling under the surface. Muscle stiffness too. I haven't had any blistering, itchy skin, dry or sunburned skin. The doctors are amazed that my skin looks so normal. just a hint of pink. It is extremely sensitive to the touch, and sore and I have had intense fatigue but that is all. I have been taking a whey protein supplement that boosts the cysteine in your cells that enable them to heal. I believe that has made a huge difference even in how I assimilated chemo.

    I will be taking 4 weeks of temporary disability off of work to heal beginning Dec 28th and I wont be back to work until Feb 1. looking forward to a nice long rest. I will be starting hormone blocking pill Letrozole at that time and if there are any side effects at least I will be home to deal with them. Do you have any experience with these meds...I will have to be on it for 5 years....

    Angelsgal57

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  • AngelsGal57
    AngelsGal57 Member Posts: 145
    edited December 2017

    Hi everyone. I need to hear about those of you on Hormone blockers. Which one worked for you and which do you suggest staying away from?

    Angelsgal57

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  • Katcan
    Katcan Member Posts: 10
    edited December 2017

    I started my rads November 16,17. I have only 3 more treatments but I am in the hospital with costochondritis at the radiation site (left breast) and my # 9 right lung viral pneumonia since March. Not sure if they will let me completed radiation and I am not sure if I want to. Anyone else experience radiation costochondritis

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

    Katcan-- so sorry you are in the hospital. Hope you are released soon.

    My RO believes I have costochondritis (rads to my right chest area) and have a pain med to help deal with the pain. My rads were Oct 23 -Nov 30. costochondritis pains started about 2-3 weeks after rads. Not sure how long it takes to heal. Pain is not continual, for me, but definitely gets my attention when it hurts.


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  • AngelsGal57
    AngelsGal57 Member Posts: 145
    edited December 2017

    Hi my friends Angelsgal57 here.

    I am so sad. I cant seem to get any support like I did while going through radiation on the Femara site. I am very anxious about starting this drug as the side effects remind me of my Chemo reactions and I cant face 5 years of Chemo-like se's.

    Miss you all.

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited December 2017

    Angels, I was on Anestrazole, the generic for Arimidex for 4 months prior to surgery. My MO was try to shrink my tumor with endocrine therapy. After four months it had not shrunk much, but didn't grow, so I had surgery and started chemo. I will likely got back on it after rads are completed. I had no real side effects. I was pre-menopausal when I was diagnosed so along with the hormome therapy, I was getting a Lupron shot to stop my periods. Those two things combined put me into quick menopause which was not fun. For me, it was just the hot flashes and night sweats that were a bother.

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

    AngelsGal57-- I had an appointment with my MO yesterday to discuss hormone therapy. She talked about the AI drugs and which she preferred but said we could try different ones if SEs are an issue. I kept reminding her I wasn't menopausal yet which she could not accept. She took blood to verify or not. I got a call this morning that I am not in menopause yet (I think I would know since I am on my period this week, jeez) but she wants me there so they are working to get insurance to approve Zoladex (monthly shot to shut down MTV ovaries). So I am waiting for a call back to plan the next step.

    I am worried about bone pain and a lack of sleep but hoping for minimal SEs

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  • 53nancy
    53nancy Member Posts: 497
    edited December 2017

    Just want to wish everyone a Happy Holiday season and all the very best in 2018.

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

    Merry Christmas to everyone! I’m still doing radiation Ifinished 12/30 still have a way to go.


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