January 2018 RADS group

Down Not Out...sorry to hear that news, I know it must be disappointing. Lack of control and ability to plan has been one of the hardest things for me in fighting this disease. I'm a list maker and a planner - so when things change from the timetable I thought I was on, I have a hard time. Psalm 31:15 (My times are in Your hands...) has been a verse I refer to often. Hang in there, and praying that the biopsy results are good next week.

Amy...sorry your skin has gotten so bad, hopefully this weekend's break will help. I have a spot that's pretty red and I noticed today is starting to peel. Thankful for a two-day break!

Down, such a bad news. Take a deep breath and eat couple chocolate.

DownNotOut, I'm sorry to hear this news but I agree that its good it has been caught now. Keep us updated on the plan, you'll get to the finish line.

Down, as gigibee said, it’s good to catch all of them. You would be more upset if they didn’t find the tumor on the other breast.

Hi everyone hope all of us enjoy the no zapping day!

Downnotout, I am sorry to hear your news. My seed placement was cancelled because they saw something on my left breast and wanted to do a biopsy instead. Luckily it turned out to be negative and I am hoping the same for you

Just wrote a long post and lost it when my iPad decided to restart for no reason!

Today is my practice session. I had a hard time laying still, absolutely motionless positioned on my belly for my planning session so I am feeling a bit anxious about today. My neck is not all that flexible without all this stress and the cold temps. At my doctor's suggestion I am going to take a very low dose of Ativan. I am so not a pill person but not sure that is serving me given all the challenges. So I decided to take it. Will be happy when this step is over since the treatments at least will be quick. As in most things the anticipation is creating the most anxiety. I am so grateful for this forum. Thank you, Down, for starting this thread. 😘❤️

today was # 3 of 20. I can see that doing this daily is going to be a time consuming process. Also, I was surprised to start seeing redness already. My RO assurred me it's normal. I was just surprised, worried that this didn't bode well for soreness later.

I'm really sorry about all the turns in the road DownNotOut. Hopefully they will get this all straight for you. Just keep plugging away, here's to hoping you don't use all your vacay time.

Hugs, gentle hugs

Happy Monday & rads day ladies, i have now finished 15 of my 21 rads. Tomorrow i have my last regular rad then for my last 5 i shall be doing boosts. My techs said that the first session would take a bit longer as they have to xray you but then it would go faster than my normal rads & would give the rest of my skin a break. So far my skin seems to be holding up, i know everyone is different & experiences different SE but i am super grateful that LE has not shown its ugly head as i heard that rads can cause it too & that's one of my worries developing LE. My skin looks like i have a tan, kinda pink/light redish. Its a bit tender but not too bad. My nipple seems to be the most sensitive area, its not peeling more pink/light redish. My underarm is dark, looks tanned not red just dark & as my long scar is under my arm it has gotten darker too. I have been applying my glaxal base twice a day & leave it thick to absorb into my skin. I am keeping my fingers crossed that my skin holds up till the end of my treatment.

VL22 i am not sure if my treatment is what you shall be doing the 16 regular & 5 boosts but i am Canadian i thought i would chime in. So far so good & i was told the SE are pretty similar to the longer treatment no major difference just shorter time doing rads & i can say from my experience so far so good so hoping this as well for you

Towardshealth i agree with Paulette it will may seem a bit longer which may cause more anxiety but all shall go good. Once you start your sessions the holding still does not last that long once they have you mapped & positioned. Wishing you luck not that you need it as you will do amazing

smwusaf yay 3 down 17 left to go!!!! Keeping fingers crossed your skin holds up too which im sure it will. Not sure if your appointments are always the same time or around the same time but once you develop a routine it does go by somewhat fast lol

Have a great rads week ladies & wishing us all minimal SE's & a good week.

Hi VL22, just wondering how your mapping went? i’m in on Friday and petrified. does it take long? Do they say anything. i’m such a nervous nelly. thank

Yay Paulette! That must feel great. Just saw your advice to me earlier and it all rang true! Thanks

Number 1 for me tomorrow. Still feel drowsy from the Ativan I took but I am happy that I won't have to have another long session again. Tomorrow I will get into my regular morning routine. Arrive at 8:15 and treatment at 8:30. I am going to waking up early each day. Do those of you who go first thing eat your breakfast before r after treatment

Elfmcg I totally understand your anxiety and felt the same way last Tuesday. The most challenging part was laying still but the tattoos (done at the very end) if you get them were almost painless. As with most things the waiting and anticipation is the most difficult. You will do fine no question. We are going to do this together week by week! Here’s hoping that this week goes quickly for you and you will update us on how it went. Hugs!

Toward, my appointment is late at 12:20 so I have breakfast with egg many time I even have half of cup protein drink. If you don’t have time, drink your protein drink before. You can do what Amy does, even you don’t feel like eating make sure have your protein. From what I heard we should have 60-70 G protein. I asked my RO he said just eat normal. But I believed what I read in here. I apply green tea before lotion, I asked the nurse there, she told me no one does this in my clinic. Lol I’m the only one.

Cindy, do you have LE? I’m thinking what kind of workout I can do in the future, beside walking. Thinking to join yoga class maybe it helps,

Towards, my treatments are at 7:35 but I'm an early morning person. I definitely eat before I go.

Question - Does anyone else experience some swelling, or fullness (heaviness)? I was already still having some residual swelling at the lumpectomy area (not the lymphnode area). It seems like it's more.... The nurse said no extreme temps on the radiation site, so no ice packs. This could get uncomfortable if it gets worse.

Hi VL22, yes, i’m still having aches in upper back, under ribs and sides, loads of wind, numbness in wierd places. Also, the centre in the soft part between ribs there is a spot there that feels a bit tender the odd time, where my underwire from my bra sits, that causes me bother sometimes, kind of where the gallbladder would be i think. I think it could be from reflux issues from taxol though, hopefully, as it’s generally after spicy food or the veryodd glass of wine i had through the taxol. did you have anything like that?