December 2017 Radiation Group

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

    Amy, this give you a break for your skin (better way to look at it) how many boost do you need to do?


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  • lifechoices2017
    lifechoices2017 Member Posts: 242
    edited December 2017

    HAPPPYYYYY BIRTHDAY and CONGRATS REDHEAD! Finishing your zaps was the best gift of all! I pray that your day is as WONDERFUL as you are!

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited December 2017

    Paulette, no boots. I think they only do boosts on lumpectomy. Yes, I'm glad for the break but worried to let so much time go by in between treatments.

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  • Rhyfelwr
    Rhyfelwr Member Posts: 88
    edited December 2017

    OCDAmy, my RO told me that when he went into the business, he sort of figured that the machine would go out and need a service call a couple times a month, and that was sort of expected. Now, he says, it seems like it is once a week. I sort of equate it to the copy machine at work -- it seems like there is always something not quite right with it. (And of course, the paper jams when you are under a deadline!) I named the machine "Bert," because it reminded me of one of the big slow trolls from Lord of the Rings, I guess. I actually sat in the waiting room for 90 minutes once, just so that I could avoid a tack-on at the end.

    Blessings to all for the weekend.

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

    I’m going to keep my fingers crossed for our radiation machine, Amy ..... we can’t worry too much.

    Blessed to all for better 2018.

    image

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  • PVM
    PVM Member Posts: 136
    edited December 2017

    Happy New Years ladies wishing you all love, happiness & most importantly health in the New Year! Hope all of you have a safe night tonight with your loved ones saying bye bye to all the bad in 2017 & hello only blessings in 2018. Tonight i shall be attempting to put mascara on my baby lashes, fix my fluffy new hair & get dolled up to go out with my friends to our usual bar where i shall dance 2018 in & say so long 2017. Here's to a blessed 2018!!!

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  • Redheadhere
    Redheadhere Member Posts: 22
    edited December 2017

    Thank you all for bday wishes. I don't normally care for my bday day but this one was the best one yet after all.

    I wish all us warriors quick recoveries from treatments and to be cancer free in 2018 and way, way beyond!

    Stay strong ladies! I know you will all get through this difficult time and continue to be the very brave women that you already are.

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

    Before we wrapped up 2017, one more question. Can you take any painkillers for the burning pains? Did it work?

    I felt some burning pains under my armpit from time to time, I worry it might get more intense next week, so I ask. Maybe I should check with my RO also.


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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited December 2017

    Paulette, my RO said I could take Advil but if it got worse he could prescribe something stronger. I'm wondering about a cream with lidocaine. Gosh it's getting worse, so uncomfortable

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

    Amy, I am using Miaderm it has 10% or 5% lidocaine there. After I put my cream, it really helped last night. That's good I can take Advil. OMG, so you suffered from this burning pains ..... oh no! Not many people talked about this pains. I went back to read the thread.



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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited December 2017

    Paulette, it's not really pain, more like stinging. Like a really bad sunburn. I think it's the peeling skin that is the worst. I have a bolus each time which is supposed to allow more radiation on the skin so I guess it's working. Happy New Year! I'm glad we connected on so many threads and have done this together.

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

    Amy, you’re right, it’s like stinging, it like needles pains and doesn’t last long. I don’t even know how to explain to my husband. Yes I’m glad that we connected on this rough journey. Praying 2018 will be much better year. Have a safe New Year Eve!


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  • Neanie44
    Neanie44 Member Posts: 73
    edited January 2018

    Happy New Year Ladies,

    After stalking this forum for weeks (LOL), I decided to just say Thank You to all of you that have shared. I have learned so much to prepare me for my radiation treatments to begin on Jan 3rd. I have been a ball of confusion. Wasn't sure whether to join the Dec forum or Jan forum, since I thought I was starting treatment in Dec but RO decided to wait too after holidays. With most of you finishing, just felt out of place, but reading your stories I somehow feel connected to all. Lifechoices2017... I danced with you! Redhairhere.. Happy Birthday!

    Here's hoping that at least we can enjoy tomorrow until life takes over again.

    Be blessed!!

    image

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  • lifechoices2017
    lifechoices2017 Member Posts: 242
    edited January 2018

    Good morning WARRIORS! ok... trying to read the last few post, i love naming the machine Bert! ... im done with the zaps, but i too feel the pinching, stinging under my skin. Doesnt really hurt, i guess its just the zaps doing their work from the inside out. Neanie, thank you for dancing with me...i pray that your rads will be quick and seamless. Lastly, thank all of you for riding out the storm; with me... and together! No-one outside of this disease will ever truly understand what this all entails. Im thankful and blessed to be in a community of women; of friends, WARRIORS that i can lean on; pray with, learn from and most of all be strong with. I wish each of you a Blessed New Years; and im trusting that 2017 has only made us stronger for 2018!

    image

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  • DownNotOut
    DownNotOut Member Posts: 99
    edited January 2018

    I've been out of the loop for a few days but woke up wanting to check on all of you & start the new year feeling strong and hopeful with you all! So many victories in the past week! Much to pray for,too, with SE's and machine problems. I want to again thank this group for walking this road a little ahead of the Jan RADS group and letting us learn from your experiences. Be blessed in 2018!!

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited January 2018

    Thank you Neanie! Those of us who have finished will no doubt check in on the January group to provide as much support as we can.

    And adding my thanks and best wishes to you all!


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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited January 2018

    This is such a great group, I’m so fortunate to be part of it. Wish all of you have a better 2018,since 2017 sucks!

    Lifechoices you sure are the spirit of this thread, you helped me when I was down. Amy glad to meet you in many threads and we can share our rough journey together. DodgersGirl..... you always are my teacher here.

    image

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited January 2018

    last night we built a huge bonfire and I burned all my cancer papers! It was cathartic. My daughter filmed it. The best was burning the booklet "managing nausea and vomiting during chemo."

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  • lifechoices2017
    lifechoices2017 Member Posts: 242
    edited January 2018

    PauletteK; thank you for such kind words and OCDAmy YEAH FOR YOU! I bet that was one heck of a fire!

    I must share something with you all; yesterday at church during morning worship we had our Praise/Worship and Testimony period for our New Years Eve Service. I shared my 'testimony' of my journey. I didn't go into detail but I was able to share that in 2017 there were some challenges and changes; some expected, some not so much. I went on to say that sometimes things happen in life and we dont know why. We ponder, we question God, we question if we did something wrong in our health...but when it all boils down...life just happens. As I shared, I went on to say that earlier this year my mom and dad both had eye surgeries; at the ages of 72 and 79... and I was the one to take them back/forth to appts; not all but most. Who knew that months later Id be taking myself back/forth to appts. With all that said I let them know that Im here; and for those that are like 'well what could have happened because you look fine' (Sidenote; i had only shared my story w/about 10 ppl in my church congregation of 150 or so)... I was like yes, I do look fine and I feel fine; but you only get to see the exterior. Some days the inside is in turmoil; but I know that there is a God. I thank him for His cover, His protection, His healing and most of all for keeping me in a sane mind. I ended with for all the changes and challenges of 2017, I don't regret them (the situation yes)... but 2017 has only made me stronger for 2018 and the years to come. I didnt cry and I wasnt sad... more so; I was uplifted and could only give praise to God for carrying me through this journey.

    WITH ALL THAT BEING SAID... today, I had to take my first tamoxifen pill; and guess what...I CRIED! I was like, no wayyyy... these hormones will make you cry later; not even before you start taking them (lol)... but I prayed to God as I downed my first pill and I thanked him because it could have been the case that a 'pill' would not have worked...But I thank Him for this little pill. Scripture says: Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

    Im believing that I have been faithful in my prayers; in my obedience and in my trust in God. I believe that He will make me ruler over many... not of people, but in health and that I will glory in the joy of the Lord!

    Sorry for this long post; but I just wanted each of you to know that in our weakness; is when we are the strongest. Stay strong my warriors. We are fighting this together. But the best part about is that we have the 'chief' of them all fighting for us and with us and I can only believe that if God is fighting then there's NO WAY that we'll lose!

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  • PVM
    PVM Member Posts: 136
    edited January 2018

    Lifechoices you are such a beautiful soul i am so glad your on this post/thread. I am sending you a big hug & i know that God will definitely protect you & watch over you & all of us. We have had a very hard 2017 & have been through so much & like you said yes we may look fine outside but inside is a different story. I find that i am a different person, stronger. Your words are very touching & they made me cry, yes i am on tamoxifen since September & shall blame it on those little pills too :)

    Amy good for you for burning your cancer papers & booklets, i am sure that must have been a liberating moment. Great way to ring in the New Year. I hope that your machine does not break down so you dont have to push your ending date back again. Wishing your skin does not get worse as this week progresses. Stay strong you are almost there.

    Paulette hope the few days off were good for your skin to heal & your getting ready to zapping tomorrow. Stay strong as tomorrow is one day less from your finish line.

    Have a great night ladies & wishing a great week ahead for us in Rads & to those ladies done wishing your skin to continue to heal

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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited January 2018

    Amen, Lifechoices.

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  • gigibee
    gigibee Member Posts: 192
    edited January 2018

    love it lifechoices!

    good luck this week Paulette!

    OCD Amy- love the burning idea!

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  • Neanie44
    Neanie44 Member Posts: 73
    edited January 2018

    Hi All,

    Hope everyone had a good New Years Day.

    lifechoices, we so admire your strength for sharing your story. As we go into this week, let's pray for working machines, minimal SE and endurance to keeping fighting.

    Georgia1.. Thank you. As I begin my new journey those week, I'm sure I'll need all the knowledge and support I can get, but the best part is.. I know where to find it- right here with you ladies. ☺

    Night Night

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  • lifechoices2017
    lifechoices2017 Member Posts: 242
    edited January 2018

    Thanks PVM; PauletteK and gigibee...

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  • lifechoices2017
    lifechoices2017 Member Posts: 242
    edited January 2018

    Thanks PVM; PauletteK and gigibee...Neanie44!

    YES...we will be praying for fully up and running machines; smiling techs and yes minimal to NO SEs!

    And you are so right; for all of nothing that the Drs; nurses, techs share with us. They'd be amazed at how much we learn from one another in these post.

    My RO was like 'you dont have to start lotioning before your sessions', but he did say to be sure to stay lathered during your treatments.

    WELL...I didn't listen to him...lol... i started lotioning a week before (like Dodgersgirl said) and I had my routine down! On my last day of zaps (16 w/4 boost) the RO and nurse tech was like 'your skin did great'. I have the under skin 'pings and twitches', but no itchiness or skin irritations. I was like, yeah because I didn't listen to YA'LL! lololol (i didnt say that), but in my mind I was like THANK goodness I had you ladies because had I listened to them, things may have been different.

    So yes, continued prayers for those that are currently in and those starting rads. YOU GOT THIS!


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  • Ellyn27
    Ellyn27 Member Posts: 147
    edited January 2018

    Hi ladies and happy new year!!! It's been 1 1/2 weeks since my last RAD. My only side effect during RADs was I developed about a 3" circle above my breast that got red and itchy. I was told to use hydrocortisone cream there and Aquaphor all over the area. It wasn't actually itchy, if I just press on the area it feels better ... weird. Anyway, I'm here to report that today when I look, that area is now calming down and looks like it's getting more tan. I remember the nurse telling me that Aquaphor will be one of those things you buy and then have it sitting around in your medicine cabinet for a long time because you won't use it up. Well, I'm more than half-way thru the container and I plan to use it until it's gone. I go next week to the MO to find out what pills they want me to take. I started wearing bras when I go out and I'm starting to feel normal again. At night I still load up on lotion and wear an old cotton tshirt under my jammies.

    I had a wedding to go to and could not for the life of me find a dress that wasn't low cut. I didn't want my red patch to show and everyone asking about it. I was crying in the fitting room. Seems we cry alot haha!!! Finally at another store I found this little black dress that fit perfectly and had a mock type neck. I was so excited except that it was sleeveless and I had to buy a little jacket to cover up my arms, plus it's freezing out!!!.

    I love the bonfire idea. With this cold/freezing weather, I may just do that!! Good luck ladies. Keep eating your protein to nourish the good cells to heal from the inside. I keep you all in my prayers.

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  • gigibee
    gigibee Member Posts: 192
    edited January 2018

    ellyn27 glad to hear your SE’s were not too bad and returning to “normal” sounds like a plan.

    I totally understand regarding the dress, everything I tried to wear during holiday season showed my stickers somewhere. Bralettes help a lot , comfortable and some of the back styles hid my marks.

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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited January 2018

    Good morning ladies, it is Tuesday zapping day again. Maybe I should go to January thread. #17 I’m coming.

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited January 2018

    Up all night with stomach bug that has taken down most of my family over the holidays. Had to cancel rads this morning...tack on another day, ugh! I feel crappy.

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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited January 2018

    Oh no Amy, did you catch it from your family? I heard some caught flu and it turned into stomach flu quickly. Take care !!! Hugs!


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