December 2017 Radiation Group

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

    Hi Lifechoices, Amy, Rhyfelwr and Neanie, I’m so happy for the two days rest, little nervous for the five days zap and this will be my last five whole breast zap also. After that I will have three days off, clinic closes on Martin Luther King Day. Then I will start my five days boosts.

    So happy to hear from you Rhyfelwr, what can I do to make my nipple feels better? Skin is not that bad, will load up lotion next week to fight.

    My RO only wants me to use Miaderm on the treated breast he said I can use Aquaphor in other area ........

    Amy, we fought hard in chemo we will do well in radiation! You are one tough cookie as I remember!


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

    Neanie, my RO is pro-miaderm (which has calendula as well as aloe) and also the calendula cream you can find at health food stores and on Amazon. A lot of women use one of those 2-3 times during the day and then do Aquaphor at night.

    I hope everyone has a good week; every day brings you closer to being done and ringing the bell! I did have SEs for three weeks after I finished but they were pretty minor. I think it is that the RADS treatments are damaging cells far beneath the surface and it takes awhile for it to be seen on the top layer of skin. But then healing happens visibly and rapidly too.

    Love to you all. You got this!


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  • Rhyfelwr
    Rhyfelwr Member Posts: 88
    edited January 2018

    Neanie, my RO recommended Aquaphor as the sort of standard ointment to use. I was a little put off by the petroleum feel of it and went looking for alternatives. Another friend of mine with a different RO at the same hospital used some calendula-based products as part of a study, so I looked for some lotion-like burn creams with calendula from the health market. My RO was pretty flexible about all of that, and I ended up using a combination of things. When the skin irritation got really hot and irritated, I used some silvadene cream that a friend of mine got me (it is wickedly expensive as a prescription, but CVS evidently has an OTC version of it for much less). For a while, I wasn't using the Aquaphor. Now, I am back to a calendula lotion, and I am putting Aquaphor over top of that to help seal in the moisture.

    All that to say that while you should respect the advice of those you trust, there is some leeway here, and you will not be doing long-term damage to yourself by not doing exactly what everyone else is doing. Use something that moisturizes, nourishes, and locks that goodness into your skin. The gals here have lots of good suggestions.

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  • Neanie44
    Neanie44 Member Posts: 73
    edited January 2018

    The closer the end of the day came, the more anxious I have become. I guess with just having 2 days last week, I didn't worry too much, but 5 whole days is a bit scary. I know.. we made it through chemo, but body, mind and spirit are tired. Just tired of being a big girl. Praying we all have a good week.

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited January 2018

    Neanie, I get tired of being a big girl too!

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

    My skin still red two days rest is not long enough for rest. Ready or not, we are going to have our five days zap days. 💪💪💪💪 Amy and Neanie we will compare notes this week!



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  • Rhyfelwr
    Rhyfelwr Member Posts: 88
    edited January 2018

    Neanie, hang in there! What you say sounds so familiar! I feel as if I am getting to be a bigger and bigger baby as this goes on.

    I think it is just a fatigue about approaching a new basket of surprises. It's not so much what the new thing is (mine is now worries about Tamoxifen) but the fact that I will have a whole new worry closet built into my mental house. Even if the actual monsters get smaller, it's still a new closet to deal with.

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  • Ellyn27
    Ellyn27 Member Posts: 147
    edited January 2018

    I finished RADs the Dec 25th and my itchy area above my breast is not itchy but still pink. My nipple area is a little pink also, I'm guessing from the boost. Anyway, I'm still using the Aquaphor. I put a kleenex over my boob and then put my bra on only because the Aquaphor is so greasy.

    Today I see my MO to find out about what meds I'll be taking. I need to quickly research questions to ask her now!!! I'm not looking forward to taking meds. I'm not a person that likes taking anything.

    Good luck ladies and continue being strong and eating that protein!!! I know I keep stressing the protein but I really believe we need to heal from the inside out.

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  • PVM
    PVM Member Posts: 136
    edited January 2018

    Good morning ladies happy week of rads with hopefully minimal SE. Had my 2nd last reg rad before i start my 5 boots on Wed. My breast & thyroid area are a bit pink, like i have a tan that turned red/pinky. My nipple is darker & is tender but no peeling or anything else. I keep on applying cream i leave it white to soak through & no bra just a comfy cotton tanki/bralette under my cotton tshirt.

    Neanie you will be okay, hang in there you will rock a whole 5 days of rads. Just stay strong & all will go good & keep applying your moisturizer.

    Paulette & Amy keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well & you have an okay rad week with no more damage to your skin. Amy you only have 5 left 4 after today woot woot woot you are almost there & Paulette hope your LE is not too bad & its being kept at bay.

    Phyfelwr if it helps i am & have been on Tamoxifen since Sept & so far so good. I take my pill at night at around the same time to help minimize the hot flashes as per my MO. If i can help with any questions regarding it please let me know that goes for any ladies that are going to take it or will be taking it. I know everyone's SE are different but if i can help with questions please let me know :)

    Stay strong ladies we are almost there, i know its sometimes discouraging if you follow all steps & are taking care of your skin & regardless end up with SE's. This battle is hard we have no clue whom will react harder to the treatments than others, wishing you all a good week of rads & minimal SE's & to those ladies that are done & are still providing guidance thanks so much.

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited January 2018

    The countdown begins! Four more to go. I met with my RO this morning after rads, he has been out on vacation and has not seen my breast for several weeks. He assured me that even though I think it looks bad he thinks my skin looks pretty good for where we are in the process. I told him I was anxious to get my implant surgery and did he see anything in my skin that made him think that would be delayed and he said not at all - so that was a big relief. He said to wait about 6 weeks before I go back to the PS because "sometimes they freak out when they see a radiated breast that hasn't healed " - LOL! I asked him what my follow up with him will be moving forward. He wants to see me back in 6 weeks and then probably 3 months, 6 months and then annually for at least 5 years. I didn't realize there would be that long of a follow up but I am glad to be followed and monitored.

    Since a lot of skin has peeled, it feels more comfortable so I feel like I will make it through this week. He told me he wants to hear when I ring that bell on Friday. I see my BS next week for my 6 month follow up and then the following week I see my MO and will start back on hormone therapy (I was taking Anestrazole before surgery - not sure if that is what I will go back on).

    Wish you all the best of luck this week. We are all so close.

    Amy

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2018

    Hang in there, brave women!!

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

    Amy 💪💪💪💪 woot woot !! So happy for you!

    Today is my #21 I’m telling myself things are getting to the end.


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  • gigibee
    gigibee Member Posts: 192
    edited January 2018

    18/30 "Staying Alive" was playing, ironic, yeah that's the plan!!! lol

    Starting to itch at the inner quadrant above cleavage, may add cortisone to the mix.

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

    Gigibee ..... great song isn’t it? Hahahaha

    Dumb question: how do you hold the telfa pad in place? Do you use tape or use Aquaphor lotions?



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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited January 2018

    Paulette, I put it over the aquaphor and it just sticks to it. The pads they gave me are slick, not gauze, so they stick but come right off.

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  • gigibee
    gigibee Member Posts: 192
    edited January 2018

    Paulette mine just seem to stay put, they have the clear plastic film on both sides of the pad.

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  • Ellyn27
    Ellyn27 Member Posts: 147
    edited January 2018

    gigibee - My RO had me use hydro-cortisone first and then put the Aquaphor over that. I don't know if it matters which you use first or not.

    I met with my MO today and will be starting Anastrozole. I'm scared to death of taking it because of the possible SEs. Hopefully all will go well. Just need to stay busy, eat healthy and try not to think about it. I'm going to start posting over on the Anastrozole/Arimidex thread. It's pretty quiet over there right now though

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  • tlfrank
    tlfrank Member Posts: 199
    edited January 2018

    Ellyn27 - I'll probably be starting the same meds. Scared of the SE as well. I'll know for sure in the next few days if that's the med for me. We'll have to compare notes.

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited January 2018

    Ellyn & tlfrank, I was on Anastrazole for four months before I had surgery. The only side effects I had were the night sweats and hot flashes but I was also being given Lupron shots to stop my periods so I am not sure if it was the combo of the two. I will likely go back on it in the next few weeks. I took them at bedtime so I didn't have the hot flashes as much during the day. When I go back to see my MO in two weeks I think he wants to be certain I am in menopause before starting it again. Of course I have learned that everyone is different but for me, it wasn't bad.

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

    Logging back in to send good wishes to you strong women, so close to finishing up! Remember the fatigue is starting to kick in a bit, so if you don't have that "fighting spirit" sometimes and feel low, know it is just that, fatigue, and give yourself permission to take a nap to build your strength back up. I highly recommend having your husband pick up take-out food and clean the kitchen for you too, but hey, maybe that's just me. :)

    Gigibee, so odd -- that top inside quadrant is the only place I got itchy and it remains red three weeks after finishing. Weird. I just used hydrocortisone for a few days while it was itchy and now I'm back to calendula cream.

    I'm on day six of Tamoxifen, not an AI, because I have osteoporosis. So Ellyn, the effect on your bones is one question you might ask.

    Onward!

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

    Georgia, my husband already took over my kitchen since I started chemo and took part of it back after chemo but now I’m happy to let him in charge again.

    Once I stopped radiation I’m going to meet my MO on 2/5 and I am going to be on Arimidex train also. He already told me I will have the infusion for bone, not sure how often is this going to be. I’m so lazy I have made my family doc and BS appointment, I think the radiation makes me tired.

    Finished #21, I’m ready for 22 .......


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  • Neanie44
    Neanie44 Member Posts: 73
    edited January 2018

    Hi There Ladies. Arimidex is what I told MO will probably prescribe, even though he doesn't think it will help much. I meet with him on 16th, so I guess we'll discuss then. At this point, like Rhyfelwr said, I have no more room in my mental closet either to think about anything else but other than my next zap. I listened to you all and counted my zaps today. Couldn't believe how it relaxed me and made the time pass. I had been getting tense as soon as the therapists would leave the room, like the machines would attack me or something. Lol. Gigibee- love that Staying Alive was playing.. Inspiration in the making. ☺

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  • lifechoices2017
    lifechoices2017 Member Posts: 242
    edited January 2018

    Good evening my fellow WARRIORS!

    I'm happy to report that I'm officially off of FMLA and back to work, regular schedule, regular hours!!! I started Oct 19th and outside of surgery date and the 3days following I've been blessed to work everyday; 5-6 hr days, still continued throughout my zaps and every appointment! Who knew one would be so happy to go back to work all day, yep THIS GIRL!!! GOD IS GOOD!!!!

    For those of you still zapping, as someone said counting them seemed crazy at first but when that last one was about to come I would say, last one...the machine would rotate over me and I'd hear the tech doors open...

    Im currently on day 8 of tamoxifen and other than the heat waves that come, I feel fine. I was sooooo worried about taking them, but as you all stated I'm not sure that my mental could harbor anything else. I just pray that if God has brought me this far, and if this pill is my path, then I'll follow wherever He leads.

    My prayers for all; those still in rads and those in between rads/meds and those now on meds. I trust that for all that we've endured that we continue to stay strong and stay encouraged. You all are the absolute best and the most supportive angels that I could have met.

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  • gigibee
    gigibee Member Posts: 192
    edited January 2018

    Ellyn , thanks I will try that!

    I will be going on a tamox as I am premenopausal. I went off the pill immed after my diagnosis and have had reg periods ever since. I had been feeling like something was wrong prior to my dx and attributed it all to perimenopause, little did I know, being on the pill could not have helped with my 95% positive hormone cancer.

    I see my MO Feb 12th, they said to come 2-4 weeks after finish radiation. I am scared of the SE’s but also willing to do whatever to avoid going through this again.

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  • lifechoices2017
    lifechoices2017 Member Posts: 242
    edited January 2018

    gigibee, I too was ER/PR+. I was on BCP (TriSprintec). I was dx Sept 25th and took my last pill Sept 30th. I had my cycle in Oct and Nov 4 and have not had one since. I just started Tamoxifen Jan 1 so I'm thinking it won't return. I turned 49 on Oct 28th so was also perimenopausal and already having hot flashes. When I called my Dr to inform that it had stopped before tamox, she asked could I be pregnant... Like NOT!!!! Lol... Its been 2mths now and nothing. I meet with my surgeon, MO and RO Jan 31st so I guess unless it starts back up, its gone:).

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

    Hi 👋 Lifechoices... so glad you are back to normal life. Thanks God.

    Today music was Apple Pie, then I was counting my 10 zap, now I even count how many sec for the long zap. Soon I will change to boosts then will be new game.


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  • lifechoices2017
    lifechoices2017 Member Posts: 242
    edited January 2018

    Hello PauletteK, yeah as normal as normal is...I really feel good, I feel new life and I'm just ready for 2018! And guess what, I would count my zap times too. Lol. I'd be like 1,2,3,...22...I think that was my longest zap. I'd try to count my breaths as it hummed. The things we do to make it through. So how many before your boosts?

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

    Lifechoices. I think we did this to relax ourselves. I have 4 more sessions before boosts, can you believe it? I stAted this journey since April last year. I still have many more appointments after radiation because I needs to do more ultrasound and mammogram also, then dentist. I want my normal life back also.


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  • gigibee
    gigibee Member Posts: 192
    edited January 2018

    lifechoices , wow hopefully you are done on your own,I am only 43 so I think I have some time unless Tamox throws me into menopause.

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

    Lifechoices you didn’t have chemo I’m surprised your period stopped. Do you think Tamoxifen made it stopped?



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