January 2018 RADS group

My place does the tattoos, but not fluorescent

Tpralph, Enjoy your cruise! Good for you. I have an 11-night one planned for the Panama Canal in April. My physical med dr told me no hot tubs or saunas and to not ever cut the cuticles for risk of infection. Those will be changes for me.

If it helps anyone, I had all axillary nodes removed 12/1. Physical Med Dr (one of the tops in Chicago for Lymphedema) showed me a very easy exercise (2 ways) using a bar. I had a thick carboard tube (like for shipping a document that needed to stay rounded vs folded). Lie down on the bed with your head on your pillow and lift with both arms as high as you can over your head. Hold for 10-15 seconds. Repeat multiple times. Also, stand with hands on tube/bar/cane/old broomstick handle and do the same over your head. It's amazing how my range of motion is getting back more quickly doing these exercises, and how you can stretch the affected arm when you have help from the other. I am assuming this will be great during rads.

I was told I would be tatooed for my Rads. There is a video I have been told to watch, which I haven't yet. I will before I go on Jan 2nd.

Sounds like everyone is doing well. Love that this will be easier than chemo. Since I am now on the upswing from my last surgery, I feel more energized to get this behind me and get going.

I, also, haven't noticed any crazy SEs from the hormone therapy. I do notice some joint aches at times. A hot tub would sure help that.

Hello everyone! I just finished RADS last week and wanted to pass along the notes I got from my Johns Hopkins team since it seems to be the only place that writes instructions down! I have done very well so far using calendula cream I bought at the hospital alternating with Miaderm, which contains both calendula and aloe. Best wishes to everyone!

Hi all,I finished treatment 9 today but I will be going well into January. The two Holidays are pushing me out a bit. No major SE’s so far. Using Calendula right after treatment and covering in aquaphor at night . I am doing 23 prone whole breast and 7 boosts. No tattoos so far, may avoid them as my stickers are staying put.

PVM, I didn’t know anything about rads on our back, just wonder how they do that. I have been using Aquaphor since I was on taxol due to dry skin , I got used to using Aquaphor so I don’t mind the greasy anymore. Ifinished 12/30,almost half way there. Yay!!!

DownNotOut, I completely get your feelings about the tattoos... I was so upset about the idea, and I have a tattoo on my hip! I think it's the idea of having something so permanent on my body, not by choice but because of this diagnosis. I will sayv, however, after I got mine, it became a non-issue. It's so incredibly small that I don't even notice it.

And I have to go back to be resimulated, since they decided to do my exchange surgery in between chemo and rads. Hoping I don't need another tat

DownNotOut i agree with the ladies out there, if the tattoos bother you then maybe see if they can do something else like markers or anything else. When i got my six they did not hurt at all & i was like you thinking oh great now i shall have marks that everyone can see but to be honest they blend in with my freckles that i already have & they are in places that are not exposed except 1. I do agree though its something that marks us for life but ti think this journey has already marked/changed us for life.

CindyNY - i started to put lotion on my skin from day one of rads so i would suggest to maybe apply the lotion once a day before you start to keep your skin moist. So far i am doing okay i have had 7 sessions & now am starting to feel a bit tender. No red just tender. I am not getting tired & appetite unfortunately seems to be the same, what can i say i love food lol

Paulette - the tech told me to apply in my back as i guess they start my machine on the side of my breast & he wants me to get all sections of my skin. I know i was thinking this is strange but oh well its just a bit of extra cream on my shoulder blades. Sending you big hugs that you SE do not get worse. You are halfway there wooohhooo the home stretch is almost there

Kim thanks again for the exercise tip i have added that into my daily routine as well Though i would also share a link of stretches i have been doing every day for those of you that may be interested. Have a great day ladies, happy holidays & Merry Christmas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnO02bKMLkA

PVM, I do put lotion on my back every night, but I can't do that right after radiation, arms aren't long enough to do ... Hahahaha! I check my back daily, no color change at all thanks God. Thank you for the link, great exercise!

Skin is holding up, after a day rest, it is back to normal, next week will be only four days zapping then another three days off which is not bad. I was tired yesterday glad to have extra days to recovery.

Merry Christmas to everyone and enjoy the days with your family.

Thank you! Happy holidays to all.

I hope everyone had a delightful Christmas! We had a couple of inches of snow on the 24th, perfect. It is currently 3 degrees. Brrrr. Staying in today!

Thanks for the youtube link of stretching exercises, PVM.

I need to read all my Rads instructions, since I go a week today for the mapping/planning. I guess until I go, I won't have much input about the skin changes and tatoo issues.

If it helps, because I noticed I cannot reach my back for putting on lotion (and my right arm won't reach the way it used to), I ordered a lotion applicator, much like a loofah back scrubber on Amazon, last night. I didn't even know they made such. I was wanting the loofah for shower but came across the lotion applicator with a long handle, so I ordered both. I figure that would be helpful going into the Rads therapy.

I will say the exercises (and time) have helped with getting more range of motion daily. I do hope they will help each of you!

Hi, I go for my simulation and then first treatment tomorrow. I am a little nervous because the very top of my lumpectomy incision is still red. I don't know why I am so apprehensive about starting radiation. I didn't feel this way about the biopsy or lumpectomy. Weird, huh? Oh well, one step closer to being finshed. I hope everyone has a good week

PauletteK, thank you. I think radiation is making it real. And good for you, more than half way there

Hi hhuey, I haven’t seen you for awhile, nice to see you here. This will be the last step of this journey. I’m doing 30sessiins also, on 13 right now, tomorrow will be my 14,end of this week I will be the half way there. This is easier than chemo and it will go fast also.

DownNotOut, my RO told me that a hypofractionated whole-breast radiation schedule is 3 to 5 weeks. I know nothing about a 5-day radiation treatment, so I am of no help there. Is this treatment a clinical trial that you'd be entering?