January 2018 RADS group

Scaligirl i count the zaps too, i believe mine are 18 or 19. My mind tends to wander a bit however then i lose my count lol. Oh boy that must have sucked having the machine break down while you are ready to get your treatment & then having to go back. I had that happen on my first rad, the machine i have been assigned too was down & they had to take me to another machine.

MmeMarais hope all went well with your first treatment. One less till you are done all your cancer treatment. All shall go good you will see.

Cindy & Amy sending good machine not breaking down vibes to you both & hope no more breakdowns so you can both not have to add another day to your end date.

Katiejane777 you are not alone. I cry at every consult (or in the car after). Even though I know my prognosis is good it is still so overwhelming and scary. And I'm frustrated that I have to deal with all this information. I've never even had surgery before, much less a life threatening disease. My daughter has been very helpful too. She goes to a lot of the consults with me and my husband. I call her my scribe. she takes copious notes. My son went to the surgical consult but he works crazy shifts so we just keep him up to date. Plus, he doesn't mind discussing the cancer but was uncomfortable seeing my boobs on the mammogram. LOL.

Going for a bone density test today. They want a baseline to monitor bone loss once I start the meds. 1st rad tomorrow at 4pm. My RO doesn't do tattoos. I'm all marked up with stickers and a sharpie! Some have fallen off when I work out. The nurse said not to worry, they can remark me. They took pictures.

This is the winter of my discontent..... but spring is coming.

Sarah

ps. and I think I have a yeast infection. geez, I didn't need this.....

Katiejane77 its normal to cry when you get dealt with a diagnosis such as BC. Its alot to go through but your in the right place where we all are going through similar & support each other. You will get through this just fine. For me Rads are so much easier than chemo & you shall kick butt in your rads treatment so stay strong & if you need to cry you let it out but then continue to stay strong. hugs

smwusaf glad to hear all went well with your bone density test & its alot easier than all other tests. Good luck tomorrow with rads all will go good you will see. The first appointment is always a bit longer as they normally do scans before you start & have to set you up but then all will go fast. Its honestly not that bad & once you get used to your techs & so forth you will see time will go by fast. You will be fine.

I had rads today & saw my RO, my skin is holding up good so far, its slightly pink but not that bad. Before i started rads my RO was a bit worried as im big chested i would have issues but he was pleased today & said my skin should hold out for my last 9 treatments. I am not having issues with tiredness or lack of appetite yet but that may change by next week who knows but the countdown has begun for me woot woot.....lol Have a great week ladies if you are doing rads or will start next week. Also as my RO told me today not to forget putting cream on my shoulder & back as the laser apparently hits there too. I have been using Glaxal Base & its worked for me, I just slather is all over the place now...lol

Hi all. I just had my mapping done yesterday. Was supposed to be at 10, but the machine needed servicing, so they rescheduled until 1pm. That makes me a bit nervous on the first day. Got my 3 "tattoos" as well - a tiny bluish-black dot in between my breasts and one on each side as well. I asked if I could choose a color, and they just laughed and said that was the only one they had. My RO said I was healing well from my 12/1 surgery, and I do feel the ROM and pain/numbness has improved greatly. I will go back for a trial run next Thursday, then I start the actual 6+ weeks on 1/15. To say I will be done with all the major treatment by next month sounds wonderful!

Wishing everyone no SEs, rest and patience to make it through. A lyric came to mind: "It's a new dawn, it's a day, it's a new life for me...and I'm feeling good."

My machine worked fine today! 5 down/11 to go; last day 1/18. I'm using aloe after treatment and Aquaphor after my shower & before bed.

I meet with my MO 1/9; she's on vaca threu then. She read me my Oncotype score of 19 over the phone on 12/19. I'm trying to get the printed copy now; its not in the system at Onco practice. Spoke with Genomic Health, they'll fax it to me. Lots of decisions to make and I want it in my hand to help me.

#cancersucks HUGS to all!

Hi everybody, just finished #5 of 20. My skin still looks good, except for one spot at the top of my incision from lumpectomy in November. It has been red ever since the surgery, but everyone has looked at it and they said it's okay for now. I have not had any side effects except for a headache that starts every afternoon since Sunday.

Glad to hear everyone's skin is holding up well! One more day than 2 days off!!

Okay you all, funny story for today. As I was leaving the hospital where I get my rads treatment, I see an old truck pull up to one of the handicap spots in front of the hospital doors. This truck has got to be circa 1975. It's maybe 50 feet from the doors. So as I am walking out I see this older gentleman in the truck moving his handicap placard to hang on his rearview mirror. No biggie. And then as I get maybe 10 feet away from his car I hear it... AC/DC "Back in Black" absolutely blasting inside his car. It was SOOO loud it just made me crack up! I smiled and gave a head nod at him as I passed him. I smiled huge all the way to my car. First, I love that song! Brings me back to high school. Second, you go man! Rock out in your car as loud as you can for as long as you can! I proceeded to blast "24 Magic" as I drove away. Made my day!

On a side note, my machine only beeps the entire time it's going so there is nothing to count other than seconds. Oh well

Cindy, I have some fatigue which a short nap helps already. How bad is your fatigue? I have chemo before, so I know fatigue will take time, took me weeks to get my energy back. I have 30treatments and I just finished 18,12 more to go. So far my skin held up fine, turned a little red no itch yet. I’m praying no blisters please.

Scaligirl, the guy might have hearing problem Hahahaha

Gigibee, we will keep each other company, cheering for each other.

Cindy I didn’t know you are still having chemo while you’re doing radiation, no wonder you are tired. I don’t know how you handle both of them at the same time! Hugs!

Cindy, I am more fatigued now than I was during chemo! My skin is getting really bad. I hope when I see the RO again he gives me something stronger. I am not blistering yet but very itchy and skin is all peeling and irritated.

okay. 1/20 done.

I am glad that I was able to get my appointments before 8am for the most part. That will make my life easier.

#7 of 16 done today. Nothing showing up on my skin yet, but at gym workout I feel the tightness inside.

Glad for the no rads weekend, frigid cold & wind who cares...I won't have to go out in it! Hugs to everyone, stay warm, and slather on lotion.

Hi ladies I'm done no #14 have 7 left (2 reg & the last 5 boost). So far my skin is holding up okay so far i am getting a bit tender on my nipple it's a bit pink & my under arm is getting darker. I am not experiencing fatigue or loss of appetite mind you im thinking the loss of appetite wouldn't be so bad maybe I could lose a few Christmas pounds lol On a positive which is the only positive I now have no under arm hair lol. Amy & Paulette I hope your skin does not get any worse, hugs. Cindy hope your tightness gets better by the weekend, i was told not to do heavy exercising during rads just minimal so i try to do walking & my stretches once I'm done rads & get the all clear will go back to the pool.

Ladies wishing you a great healing weekend & may you skin heal for next week rads. Keeping fingers crossed we don't get any bad SE next week.

smwusaf, I feel you! The appearance of my breast makes me really sad too. The breast is shrinking and the incision is becoming increasingly buckled, dimpled, and deep with the passage of each day of RT.