January 2018 RADS group

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  • Elfmcg
    Elfmcg Member Posts: 91
    edited January 2018

    Thanks Towardshealth and PVM, it feels like i should be happy to be done with chemo, but now my anxiety spikes again with this next part of the journey, and yes, it’s great to have people to check in with during this whole debacle! onwards and upwards. I will of course update on how Friday goes. I think i will be getting a few tattoos alright! Beautiful, hah

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  • CindyNY
    CindyNY Member Posts: 1,022
    edited January 2018

    I met with my MO today. I'm posting 3 places ... We reviewed my Oncotype score of 19. She said with chemo about a 3-4% benefit. She left it up to me, I've opted out, no chemo. Benefits do not outweigh the side effects.

    After #8 rads I've noticed my breast is fuller, looked perkier than my right one. Sunburnt look underarm & upper chest. Odd ball pain in breast & under arm, but brief.

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

    VL22 I did a lot of stretching and the few weeks between final chemo and radiation helped my body got back in a better shape. During radiation remember to do your stretch daily because your muscles will be more stiff.

    Smw, oh yea, I got swelling on my arm, breast and underarm. It gets worse toward the end. Nipple is the worse for me.

    Cindy good for you that you don’t have LE. Nice to have a good workout program.


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  • VL22
    VL22 Member Posts: 851
    edited January 2018

    Paulette - thanks for the advice - I will be sure to do that.

    Elf - had that pain too, but it stopped with the Pepcid. Good luck on Friday

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  • Elfmcg
    Elfmcg Member Posts: 91
    edited January 2018

    Thanks VL22, mine is much better since i took the antacid too, just on and off the odd time. I hope rads goes brilliantly for you, i’ll let you know how friday goes. fingers crossed xx

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  • Towardshealth17
    Towardshealth17 Member Posts: 47
    edited January 2018

    Hello everyone. I am so confused. I thought I posted my update here earlier, haha BC brain right?

    Well I had my first Radiation Treatment today. One down, 20 to go 🌸

    All went pretty well, had two more tattoos, which were uncomfortable for a while but the rest was fine.

    I am feeling some different feelings especially under my arm where I had the lymph nodes removed but I feel like it is too soon for SE and that maybe it from the exercise I did yesterday.

    I decided to spend the day resting for the most part and I did some prep for healthy lunches.

    Elf I will be thinking of you on Friday!


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  • DownNotOut
    DownNotOut Member Posts: 99
    edited January 2018

    Hello and I am so PROUD of all of you making it through RT with grace and gusto! I'm praying for your skin and tender parts and counting down with you! I hope the weekend brought relief to you who needed a break (been praying hard for you, Amy, Paulette, Cindy, PVM, and all of you others as well). Welcome to you who are just getting started.

    I thought I was having a biopsy today but I showed up with my DH and it was an ultrasound only. At first I was frustrated, but consented to the U/S and guess what? The 23mm x13mm "concerning area" (ended up being in a scary spot right behind my nipple - I spotted my MRI image on the computer) could not be found! The radiologist couldn't find it either :) Have you gals been praying or what?!? Only dilated milk ducts and a little thickened skin, ?perhaps some fat necrosis from the radio-opaque injections prior to SNB during my original surgery (haven't heard of that happening before, but...). So there was nothing to Bx today anyway, and it would be in a very difficult spot to do. I'm waiting to hear from my RO about the need to proceed with a MR Bx on that little spot on the left side and maybe this right side, but it may be much ado about nothing. I think I'm relieved! I'm hoping for a phone call tomorrow.

    Elf - are you wearing an underwire bra? You may want to read suggestions from the group about where we bought good soft bras without underwire while we go through our treatments (I got mine at Target and Walmart). Paulette - that's a LOT of protein! Good for you and thanks for the info. I have no idea how much protein I am getting but I'll start paying attention.

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

    DownNotOut, that is awesome news. Whew! Please keep us posted.

    And to all: best of luck to you and know it does get better. I'm three weeks out post-RADS and my skin is all healed up.

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  • CindyNY
    CindyNY Member Posts: 1,022
    edited January 2018

    DownNotOut- I'm rooting for you, and you're in my prayers for all good news!

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited January 2018

    Down, that is so great! Ugh the worry we all have to go through! Hope you get back on track soon.

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

    Down, I pray daily, I always pray when the machine zapping me. Also I pray for all the pink sisters, this is how get me up everyday. I’m so happy for you, get ready girl!


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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2018

    Down, That is great news for you! Just catching up after many days absence, and I am glad to see your latest post.

    I have my "dry run" tomorrow morning, then I start Rads on Monday. I am so ready to get this going. I see there are some SEs, and it seems they are quite varied. I guess I will just deal with things as they come. Someone mentioned they are putting on the Aquaphor prior to treatment. I didn't think about that, but that's a great idea.

    Also, has anyone thought about laundry detergent and irritation, or is that taking it too far? :) I was thinking of buying some Dreft perhaps and using until Rads is well over. I am a natural strawberry-blonde, fair-skinned, easily burn kind of gal. Also, certain fabrics annoy my skin. Quirky for sure! :)

    I will do better in checking in now. For all of you nearly done, and those moving right along, WTG!

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  • hhuey
    hhuey Member Posts: 151
    edited January 2018

    Hey ladies

    Going for my dry run today and will start radiation tomorrow..I have about an hour drive each way so the next six weeks should be interesting. I have been prepping my skin with aloe gel and aquaphor each day and have been putting comfrey cream on my scars. Hoping I dont burn too bad or peel or blister. This is the last phase of my journey after already going through 16 rounds of chemo and a bilateral mastectomy. Im hoping this goes quick and smooth. I also read on here somewhere that some women bring green tea soaked cotton balls and dab their skin right after treatment and then apply the aloe and aquaphor. I think Ill try that as well.

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  • smwusaf
    smwusaf Member Posts: 129
    edited January 2018

    hhuey, good luck tomorrow! do you know how many sessions you have to have? I'm sorry about the drive, that is going to be such a chunk of time for you every day. I travel for work and like to listen to podcasts when I'm driving. Makes the time fly. My favorite podcasts at the moment are Planet Money and How I Built This. I'm always asking others what they listen to so I can get ideas. :)

    hugs

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2018

    hhuey, Best of luck as you start this final journey to wellness! I just used the Aquaphor I bought after my shower today. It feels great! Thanks for the green tea tip. I am probably not that disciplined to do. Praying you have no SEs from the radiation, except long-term good ones. Safe travels on your long drive each way. Mine's about 35 mins each way -- not too bad. I will consider it my part-time volunteer job for the next six weeks.

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited January 2018

    Best of luck hhuey! I hear you about the last phase in a long journey. I too have had it all...BMX, chemo, rads and then I will go on AI. I hope all of this crap did the trick. I am so ready for this to be over and I can get my life back.

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  • CindyNY
    CindyNY Member Posts: 1,022
    edited January 2018

    Hhuey & KimPossible - you got this!

    I'm 5 minutes from my house for rads. Long drives I know can take a toll, crank up some favorite music, maybe check out audio books at the library, or as suggested pod casts. HUGS to you!

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  • hhuey
    hhuey Member Posts: 151
    edited January 2018

    smwusaf- looks like I have 30 sessions scheduled..I normally just listen to music on the way..might have to get some cds burned or maybe try a podcast like you said and see how that goes to bide the time..

    Kim- good luck to you as well..hoping for the both of us no long term side effects but positive ones

    Amy- all looked to be well after surgery except for a .5mm grain of residual cancer in one node so who knows what else is in there so I'm hoping this radiation kills whatever may be left



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  • HersheyKiss
    HersheyKiss Member Posts: 550
    edited January 2018

    Kim, I bought all® free clear detergent for my laundry. I have sensitive skin anyway and don't want to take any chances with possible skin irritation.

    hhuey, best wishes tomorrow! I've been bringing a small tube of Aquaphor with me to treatment. I apply it in the changing room immediately afterwards. It feels so soothing on my skin.

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

    Hi everyone, we have a big group for January.

    Hhuey, I do green tea before lotion and it works really well for me. I can tell the different the different. Ask your RO what lotion you should use. My RO only wants me to use Miaderm only. I can use Aquaphor in other area but not treated breast. I can put Miaderm two hours before radiation, some RO won’t let you put lotion before rads.

    I have 25 regular and 5 boosts. I actually used Aquaphor since taxol time.

    Finished #23, met with RO he said my skin is holding up well. The small break up is getting better now, he doesn’t think my skin will break, and I hope he is right!


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  • DownNotOut
    DownNotOut Member Posts: 99
    edited January 2018

    Great to hear from you again Kim & Hershey, and welcome Huey! Congrats on starting your RT. I'm praying for little or no side effects for you both. I got a call and they have scheduled me for biopsy under MRI next Wednesday for this pesky little thing in my left breast. Hopefully all will be clear and I'll get a path report back quickly so I can jump into RT with you soon.

    My niece's husband is a health nut and he makes a salve with comfrey. It sounds sort of similar to calendula but from a different plant-based source. Has anyone else out there used it besides Huey? He uses it for cuts and scrapes, but also to help heal ligaments and muscles from gymnastics injuries. Seems to have true healing properties and I am intrigued but I never hear anyone really talk about that product & I wonder why?

    When I have drive times, I love checking out books on CD from my local library which has an extensive collection. Sometimes Classics that I should have read but didn't, and sometimes something just for fun or to learn something new. Sounds like an opportunity to expand your mind, especially after the hell you've been through, Huey!

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  • KCH2018
    KCH2018 Member Posts: 6
    edited January 2018

    I'm very happy to find this forum. I had my mapping last week and expect to start RADS on 1/15/18. Finished chemo on 12/29. I hope to work through RADS. I hoped to have the treatment first thing in the morning so I didn't miss much work. I've heard fatigue is a major side effect. How much has fatigue impacted you through RADS?

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

    KCH, after chemo few weeks I can skip nap, however third week into radiation I need nap again. I actually passed out couple hours after rads. Now I’m into fifth week, I nap about an hour, some people are doing better than I do.



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  • CindyNY
    CindyNY Member Posts: 1,022
    edited January 2018

    Naps - last 2 days, #9& #10 of accelerated rads, I've fallen asleep during 6:00 news. 15-20 minutes and I'm fine. I don't work, retired, but workout an hour a day in a cross fit boot camp type class. If you're tired, close your eyes, everyone seems to be different on being tired.

    Traveling ladies, those traveling far to get rads, it occured to me to tell you to bring your aloe, or whatever lotions your RO says to use, with you. Then right after rads you can lotion up for the drive home. I've noticed the seatbelt also kind of bothers me, across left breast & chest. Maybe toss a small pillow, or a travel blanket folded over, in your car in case you feel any irratation from the seatbelt during the long drive.

    We are much stronger than we know. HUGS to all!

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  • smwusaf
    smwusaf Member Posts: 129
    edited January 2018

    There's a group in my town that makes and donates small pillows that are given to every lady diagnosed w/ BC. I used it a lot after surgery in different ways. Under my arm will I worked on my computer, while I slept as support for my breast and in the car to keep the seat belt away. I put it away as I felt better. I put it in my car again yesterday because I noticed my seat belt was starting to annoy me again.

    I think that was about the nicest gift ever, obviously started by someone who went on this path before me. :)

    5 of 20 yesterday. It doesn't sound great when I say that but my daughter responded back to me by saying "Great mom! You're 25% done, that's awesome". That was encouraging. We definitely need encouraging people around us. This thread is great for that too!

    Heading off for #6 now. Happy Thursday!

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  • Towardshealth17
    Towardshealth17 Member Posts: 47
    edited January 2018

    Hugs to everyone here including those about to start. I have found this a long week but nothing I can’t handle. Glad to be getting in my treatments. Just home after 3 of 21, my practice was Monday. My appointments are very early so that I can get to my kids house on Wednesday to babysit, so that means I am getting up early every day and napping in afternoon and falling asleep early. Not sure if this is a SE or just the stress of getting started with RADS and figuring how to keep up with the rest of my life.

    Also trying to listen to my body and eat more when I feel hungry. I keep hearing that exercise will give me more energy but after a very active weekend I am just not feeling it.

    Looking forward to a quiet weekend to recharge. I am sure I am not the only one! Tomorrow is Friday!! 👏. Will be thinking of you ELF and prayers for Down and all my sisters. 🤗

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  • PVM
    PVM Member Posts: 136
    edited January 2018

    Happy almost being done rads week ladies hope your all having a great rads week with minimal SE. We are almost at the weekend which is relaxing/healing skin time. Had my rads today & saw my RO whom told me my skin should hold out till I'm done. I have 3 rads left & they are boosts. My skin looks like I have a tan, around my nipple is my most sensitive area & red but no peeling of my skin. Under my arm in dark not so much red just darker hope it lightens up after I'm done & healed & my incision looks dark as well. I was given a booklet today & thought I would share with you ladies :)

    image

    image

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2018

    Great advice about bring the lotion to put on in changing room post treatment. Will do that! I used the Aquaphor yesterday and it feels so good. I am using it all over my body...ha IL weather is harsh!

    I have a devotional cd I am listening to on the way and Sirius on the way home. All went just fine today with the "trial run." I just kept super still, which they commented on how great I did, and closed my eyes. Ready to start the countdown on Monday morning. I started walking again yesterday -- it was nice enough to get outside. 2.2 miles at a brisk pace. I have a treadmill, so I am going to use it. It is here in my home office, and I just stare at it most of the time. Ha. I really felt good after the walk yesterday. My neighbor said we can use the village gym each Wed afternoon, because weather will be back to winter in the morning.

    I do appreciate ALL the advice along this last part of the healing journey (apart from the hormone therapy).

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  • gigibee
    gigibee Member Posts: 192
    edited January 2018

    I bring a baggie with creams, telfa pads, lidocaine gel and aluminum free deodorant (I have been using Arm and Hammer) and apply all of it after treatment.

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  • smwusaf
    smwusaf Member Posts: 129
    edited January 2018

    I take my sleep mask and wear it during treatments. The lights are super bright and I find with the mask on I can pretend I don't have a group of people staring at my boobs.....

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