January 2018 RADS group

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

    It’s Thursday already, tomorrow will be Friday then I’m going to have three days off, clinic closes on Martin Luther King Day.

    Yes I bring my lotion and green tea to change room, I can’t believe how much Miaderm I used up.

    PVM, thank you for sharing the after rads instruction, I’m having more fatigue than before, I hope it won’t get worse next week. I’m having my boosts next week. Will finish whole breast this week.


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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited January 2018

    It is so interesting how different this is for all of us. My room has dimmed lights and a huge illuminated picture above me of a tree and blue sky. They also put warmed sleeves on my arms so they don't get cold. I like the aquaphor as well but it is messy. Get some telfa pads if you are going to put it on right after rads or wear an old shirt underneath. I have already ruined a shirt.

    I use Native Deodorant. It is only available online and is more expensive than regular deodorant but it works really well and contains no aluminum or sulfates.

    Tomorrow is my last one ladies! I plan to pick up some donuts for the techs in the morning. I have my follow up with the RO in 6 weeks. He told me to keep up the regimen for 3-4 weeks but to stop using the cortizone after 2 weeks.

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  • BellWAMissy
    BellWAMissy Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2018

    Hello Everyone-

    I've been doing lots of reading but not any postings. Learning so much....

    I had surgery 12/6 and then got an upper respiratory infection right after. I was down for almost 3 weeks with the crud. Still not 100%. I did a follow up with the surgeon yesterday and had fluid build up in the lymph node site which he drained. Almost 1/4 cup of fluid!

    I just completed my simulation today. Will start treatments on 1/23. I'm scheduled for 20 sessions. DH says I've been in "warrior mode" since diagnosis- but that simulation flipped a switch for me. Have been emotional all day. Not sure if it was the unknown, the supremes after draining yesterday or just "I didn't want tattoos- no matter how small". Figured this was a group that would get it. Good thing about the tears is that it helped me clear my sinuses that still aren't draining consistently!! Got to find that silver lining 😉.

    Thanks for "listening".

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

    Hi Bell, sorry that you have to join us, we are here to support each other and laugh a little and cry a little. So go ahead and vent we understand Cancer sucks!

    I cried so much the last few months sometime I wonder when would I stop crying. Get yourself ready for the zap, 20sessions shouldn’t be bad, it goes quickly.



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  • Elfmcg
    Elfmcg Member Posts: 91
    edited January 2018

    Hi everyone,

    i had my mapping today and tattoos placed,was freaked out about the scan but they didn’t seem to have seen any issues, i’m provisionally booked to start on the 29/1, will be good to start the next leg of the journey. Everything is so scary and new, but hoping for the best. Hope everyone else is doing well.

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  • smwusaf
    smwusaf Member Posts: 129
    edited January 2018

    First full week done. I'm glad for the break this weekend. Does anyone else get headaches? I'm not sure if this is related to the rads or not but I've been getting headaches all week. :(

    On the bright side I am taking care of my 9 mos old grandson this weekend. His parents are off skiing. We love keeping him. His smile always cheers me up. :)

    Welcome Bell! I'm a crier too.... Nothing wrong with that. :) Sometimes it just feels good

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited January 2018

    I did it! Had my last rads, rang the bell, hugged my techs, my nurse, cried my eyes out and walked out of the place I've been going every morning for 6 weeks. Had to laugh, the song playing during my last rads was "I Ain't Missing You at All"! I brought donuts for everyone too. It's been the worst year of my life and I'm ready to be done with active treatment. Wishing all of you the best and minimal SE!

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

    Hi Bell, welcome to the club no one wants to be in. Very supportive gr.oup you're in.

    Rads visits go pretty fast. The first session is the longest and its truly not bad. Its ok to cry, a release of the emotions. You'll see those of us doing 16-33 treatments, all different stories. But we support each other, give each other tips & suggestions if anyone mentions a problem. HUGS to you, you've got this!

    OCDAmy- Perfect song, CONGRATS on finishing!

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  • JenRuns
    JenRuns Member Posts: 350
    edited January 2018

    So excited to *finally* have my radiation schedule .... start Monday. Definitely combing through all your posts to get an idea of what to expect!

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  • scaligirl
    scaligirl Member Posts: 74
    edited January 2018

    Oh my goodness time is flying by. I haven't read everything since I last posted but welcome, welcome, welcome to everyone new. I hope your treatments go smooth and with minimal side effects!

    OCDAmy, congrats on finishing! Must be such a relief :)

    I had #13 of 30 today so almost to the halfway point. I am definitely noticing the skin changes since #10. I have darkening under my arm and my breast is most decidedly red. No itching yet so hopefully the Avocream I am using will keep things ok. I am glad to be having a longer weekend break from the treatment. I'm sure my skin will appreciate it too.

    I'm officially going back to work nx friday. I had take off work while I was in chemo because it just wrecked me and I travel for work. My Onc gave me 4 weeks after my last cycle to recover. I had thought about extending my leave for rads since I still can't travel with going in every day for treatment, but I am feeling fine so really want to go back anyway. I'll work from home for the duration and get to rest if I really need to. Hopefully it will help me feel more normal even though I am still getting rads for 3+ more weeks.

    Anyway, I hope everyone has a great weekend with minimal SEs.

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

    Welcome Jen, you will be fine, you’re one tough cookie.

    Amy .... 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻 Yeah!!! This is it, done with all the treatments.... time for happiness!

    Going for my last whole breast today, skin is holding up but got very fatigue. When I nap after radiation I don’t even want to wake up. After I woke up I felt like in a dream. I’m doing my protein drink also, today I have someone coming to visit me after radiation and I’m going to try no nap, will see what happens.


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  • DownNotOut
    DownNotOut Member Posts: 99
    edited January 2018

    OCDAmy, I was hoping to log in today and see that you RANG THAT BELL… I was not disappointed! I am so happy for you and hope you have a wonderful weekend full of quiet celebration and rest!

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  • gigibee
    gigibee Member Posts: 192
    edited January 2018

    Yay Amy! So happy for you! I've been bad about posting both places (Dec and here) so here I am at the weeks end, 22/30 done, one more whole breast on Monday, my skin can use a break this weekend. Excited to lose some stickers on Monday. I never got the tattoos.

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  • Lewhy
    Lewhy Member Posts: 54
    edited January 2018

    Congratulations OCDAmy! I can't wait to ring that bell. I just finished 12/20 and am getting tired. Hi Belle, I think the tears are needed sometimes. I had my moment last night! SMW, I had headaches the first week and a half. The nurse said they are not a SE, but I have to wonder because I don't normally get headaches. I made sure to drink enough water and they have gone away. My neck is never comfortable laying there for radiation so maybe they are from being tense. Good luck everyone. Rest up this weekend

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  • GlowBoobies
    GlowBoobies Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2018

    I started radiation on Jan. 4. I am 7 treatment in and have just started feeling the effects of it. I'm so glad you started this thread. It will be nice to have someone to share the good days and the not so good days with

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

    Lewhy, tried to be relaxed so it helps.

    I am enjoying the non zap days, yesterday I was so tired today I feel much better. Fatigue is hitting me and skin turned red and little uncomfortable. Five more sessions to go .... yay!!!



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

    Going for 13/16 this afternoon. I'll see the RO after rads, I need to ask what follow up takes place. From what I've read from other ladies, my skin will get worse before better.

    I went to sleep 2:15AM, and woke up at 5:20AM for no good reason. Since dx I wake at any hour, but can also sleep a good 8 now & then. So I suppose I shouldn't complain.

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

    I usually sleep about 6 hours, I found myself very sensitive to caffeine. Yesterday I had half a cup of coffee, I got so much energy, I didn’t nap and stayed up late.

    No zapping for me it’s holiday in US. Tomorrow will be 26/30,counting down!

    Good luck Cindy.


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

    I'm in US, my rads place is open.

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  • Towardshealth17
    Towardshealth17 Member Posts: 47
    edited January 2018

    Congratulations to OCDAmy! Must be a great feeling ! 🛎 👍🌟

    Today was 5 of 21 for me (16+5 boosts) my center was open here in New Jersey.

    Happily I caught up on my sleep yesterday. I find the beginning of the week a bit daunting since I have 4 more consecutive days to rise and shine before the break of dawn. I am a turtle in the morning and need to move slowly. I know it is just a few weeks but I am trying to resume all the activities I put aside during dx, surgery and recovery. I still am avoiding additional social commitments when I can. As we know finding balance is challenging.

    Hope everyone has a good week with minimal SE.

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

    Hello all. Congrats to all those finishing up and almost there! Just started today...no "holiday" for me...ha All went fine. I kept my eyes closed the whole time. It honestly was less than 10 mins. The technician said they wanted some more x-rays, which is normal the first day, and they also will likely do some each week. Anyone else hear that? Also, I will see the RO every Tuesday throughout RADs. Really nothing to report, as I guess changes come in time.

    1 down out of 30+...I know I have 30+ treatments. Not exactly sure how many yet.

    Kim

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  • HersheyKiss
    HersheyKiss Member Posts: 550
    edited January 2018

    Kim, I have x-rays taken on Wednesdays and see the RO on Thursdays. I asked him about the purpose of the x-rays, and he said that he checks to make sure everything is still correctly lined up (ribs, sternum, lung).

    My treatment center was open today as well. The parking lot was really quite empty, and I was the only patient receiving radiation after lunch. Treatment today was very quick.

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  • VL22
    VL22 Member Posts: 851
    edited January 2018

    Also did my first treatment today. Not only did I get X-rays, but was lucky enough to have to get two extra tattoos! It was fast, but man are you exposed! I just wonder if in 100 years, people are going to be like “ can you believe how they used to treated cancer?!”

    Good luck to all!

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  • KCH2018
    KCH2018 Member Posts: 6
    edited January 2018

    Great suggestions about the sleep mask. I'll dig mine out.

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

    I guess California clinic got more holidays .... hahaha , I really don’t mind to have extra days rest. My skin likes to have a longer break. Skin on my breast is turning tanned but the skin on my collarbone is red and started peeling. I think I have very little peeling on my breast. Fatigue is the biggest issue for me.

    Prayers for all of you who started and almost finish. It is not that bad, just load up your lotion daily.


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  • PVM
    PVM Member Posts: 136
    edited January 2018

    hi ladies hope you had a great rads day to those that had rads today. Had my 2nd last rad today & my skin is going to be thanking me tomorrow when I'm done lol My skin is holding up as best as it can under the circumstance. I picked up pastries to give my rad techs tomorrow. Wishing you all minimal SE week ladies & good positive vibes 😀

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  • JenRuns
    JenRuns Member Posts: 350
    edited January 2018

    First treatment today too... I also had scans, it sounded like they’ll do them every week to make sure things are all good.

    I asked about lotions... Interestingly they said not to use anything until/if I have an issue. Then they’ll give me a cream to use. She said they don’t want to risk having an issue and not knowing what’s in the lotion. It jives with what the RO said the first time I met him... they’ll give me something if I need it.

    So now the obsessive brain kicks in... when will I need it... will I know... will it be too late.... ugh .....

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

    Jen, They gave me couple sample on my mapping, also I used Aquaphor to moisturize my skin week before my radiation. I guess they don’t want you to any lotion at all.



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

    Today 13/16, RO said to mix the hydrocortisone, the aloe & the Aquaphor together in your hands. I said but the whole area isn't itchy. She gave me a look, nurse too - so I said, oh it will become itchy?! Anyway, I did that and what a mess in both hands. LOL I'm sticking with putting them on one at a time. I've noticed my underarm is less red, now leaning towards a light tan.

    I also have xrays taken each week. Didn't mention it to me until I got in the room. They're quick.

    To those starting, you've got this! To those of us finishing or near the end, this too shall pass! HUGS all around.

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  • Katiejane777
    Katiejane777 Member Posts: 109
    edited January 2018

    Hi Everyone,

    Glad to hear everyone is doing well under the circumstances. You all sound like you are rocking your Rads. I start tomorrow. I am still very teary. I'm going to get an appointment with the psych as I need an impartial person to talk to. I had a bit of a scare this week with a pink breast, some dimpling and some raised marks that look like puffy stretch marks. Totally freaking out it's something serious. I saw the breast physio who noticed the dimpling too and pinkness. She said it could be some lymph that has pooled and not been able to escape. I saw my GP straight after and she couldn't see the dimpling (it was still there when I looked when I got home) but wrote me a script in case it got redder or hot and encouraged me to call where I was having Rads and get them to look at it. I did that so I'm going to see the nurse who will get the Rad Onc in if she thinks it's something to worry about. My breast Is slightly enlarged but it could be everyone touching it and the lymphatic massage the physio gave me. I'm scared and hope I'm just being ridiculous like my family thinks I'm being. I just want to do rads and get on with my life. Is that too much to ask? Much love to you all and gentle hugs

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