MARCH 2018 starting RADIATION

Feline - I think the simulations does make a difference. My RO showed me the set up scans they used and everything today. He showed me how far from my heart the beams were and told me how much radiation it would actually be to both the heart and the lung. It was interesting and reassuring! I'm trying to do some form of walking every day. I've also had salads a lot, but last night we did homemade mini pizzas. Not as healthy. :-)

Operamom - My treatment is pretty short. I would say probably less than five minutes for the actual treatment for sure. I think that's pretty normal.

Veeder - Where did you get your bras? Are they sports bra style or regular style? Front or back closure? I've had a hard time finding cotton in an actual women's size that are back closing and not sports bra style. I ordered one that mostly cotton, but has some spandex too, but I'd be curious where yours came from. I'm sorry you lost your phone!! That stinks!

Sekerim - Enjoy the beach! Don't worry about your marks or frankenboob. Just enjoy yourself!! It's good that your schedule worked out!

Double Bloom - Two miles! I'm impressed! I am lucky to hit a mile right now. I need to lose weight...just to generally be healthy and reduce my cancer risk for the future! I stayed pretty even during chemo thankfully.

Paco - My nurse told me the lines didn't matter that much because they use the tattoos and xrays more than anything else. The lines just help as a starting point. Though the tattoo kinda hurt, I think the stupid finger pokes that I get when I get my labs done hurt more than anything else!

Marigold - My allergies are not great in either the spring or the fall! My allergy doctor said to close the windows in March and don't open them until Nov.! LOL

kay - Do you have to keep the tape on every time? I read something about tape tearing skin when the skin started to blister, so I was more than willing to get the freckle-sized tattoos!

(whew...that was a lot to catch up on!)

Today when my RO showed me my scans from the set up and went over what their dosage-ist decided, he explained that from where the clips were from my lumpectomy (aka my tumor site) and where my two levels of lymph nodes are, they couldn't get the dose high enough to effectively cover both areas without the breast getting so much radiation that it would have made the burns "bad". I can't remember what word he actually used (dumb chemo brain), but it was that the radiation would have been too much for my breast tissue to handle if we tried to cover both areas at the same time in 20 sessions.

I'll be interested to see where my skin is at in a week. I thought last night I was having a little bit of ache in my lymph area, but I could just be attributing something else to rads. I haven't been doing anything special to my skin, but maybe I'll put coconut oil on after treatment. Do you guys think that helps?

In any case, I have three treatments down and 30 to go! Woohoo!

Today I finished 5 of 21. Each session lasts about 5 minutes. So far I haven't felt any fatigue or skin issues. I'm not putting anything on my skin per my RO's instructions.

My RO mentioned some interesting things today about radiation. He said that women who are post menopausal and ER+ do not need as much radiation as women who are pre-menopausal and ER+. He also said radiation to the super clavicle area creates a higher risk of developing lymphedema than radiation elsewhere. He also mentioned that women who had ALL sentinel & underarm axilary nodes removed on the side where the tumor was, do not benefit from radiation treatment to the nodes because all of those nodes are gone. Chemo takes care of any stray cells. He said this information is based on more recent scientific studies, and new technology. BTW, he also mentioned that post menopausal women do not need as high a dose of Estrogen Inhibiting hormones as pre menopausal women. Hmmm. Food for thought, right?

Glad to hear all of you are doing well so far with your rads. Have any of you started hormone therapy? I haven't started yet because I want to wait until after radiation is completed. If any of you have information about anti estrogen foods and/or supplements, please speak up. Also, any info about boosting the immune system would be of interest.

Thanks for listening.

Hello all. I had my 5th of 21 radiation treatments today.. So far, it feels like its bruised under my right breast, although the skin looks fine. I feel tightening where the tumor was, so my RO suggested stretching, although my range of motion is really good. It helps to do yoga, so maybe I'll add more sessions. I slather the area with Eucerin daily, but I expect the skin will be more affected in the coming sessions.

The radiation sessions are very short. I am in and out in 10 minutes. They are very efficient. The hospital is 15 minutes from my house, and then I head back to the park and ride to get on the bus to work. I feel fortunate as I have read that some of you have to travel so far for your treatments.

I am still recovering from my 16 rounds of chemotherapy. So glad that's over because it really beat me up. It made me very tired, so much so that I stopped working for about five weeks. I feel less tired now. I think the toxins are slowly working its way out of my system. Still have lingering neuropathy. I'm taking gabapentin and LGlutamine, but I don't think I'm taking high enough doses of LGlutamine to be effective. I'll have 16 doses of radiation and five boosts. I'm looking forward to the end of this process.

My hair is trying to come in, but I don't like the way it looks. I shaved it off again the first time it sprouted, thinking it would thicken when it came in again, but no luck. It's very sparse and mostly grey. I'm used to being bald, though, and I don't mind walking around with just a beanie during the weekend. Otherwise I'm in a wig at work, which I'm not crazy about, because it's so hot and itchy.

I hope everything goes smoothly for everyone. We're almost to the end.

The wonderful nurse at my radiation facility said that there's really no good way to tell who will have a skin reaction. Just because you are fair and sunburn doesn't mean radiation will impact you badly. Time will tell for all of us, but thought it might make you feel a bit better to know that it's not a given you will burn.

I'll be working through rads too. Was hoping to have a late afternoon appointment so I could go home and rest after, but the facility is only open until noon so mornings it is. My physical therapist (who only treats cancer patients) emphasizes how much activity helps fight fatigue during rads. Radiation kills red blood cells which is what causes fatigue. Being active helps with red blood cell production. She says brisk walking is enough (30 minutes a day 5-6 days a week ), but to see activity as an important part of your treatment. We have a large dog who gets a few 20 minute walks a day and I'm trying not to pawn them off on the kids to ensure I keep moving. I hope it helps.

Kayrite, Good luck today. I'm on my 3rd treatment and no changes at all. I just lotion up after my treatment to keep the skin form drying out at all. Do you have tape or clear round stickers? I have the stickers and haven't had any problem with tearing my skin and I've had them on for three weeks. I'm going to see if they can change all of the stickers each week so they don't have a chance to really break down the skin. On a funny note, my marks look like the west side of Nevada. Have a great day and you'll do great! Gentle hugs.

Hope everyone else is doing as well.

AMH51 - Hi, I am working during radiation treatment but I am working shorter days (5 hrs vs. usual 8 hrs). I leave early at noon to go for radiation. I do have to take a nap after radiation because I cannot make it until bedtime.

Re: tattoos - I did not receive any tattoos either. I have the the magic marker markings and clear stickers over them which get replaced whenever they start peeling off. I was worried about skin irritation from the stickers but have not had any problems so far. For reference, I am on #14/33.

Thankfully, the fatigue has been letting up since yesterday. It was bad for about a week.

As of today, 2/25 done. Afterward, I talked to another BC patient who's at 20/25. She said she had no skin side effects until last week, but aloe and Aquaphor really helped. She had a BMX and said the scar started to get darker at the same time her skin got red, flaky and sore. For her, fatigue set in quickly.

It was interesting to get a perspective in-person from someone using the same machine (deep breath hold) for breast cancer.

A random list of topics and my extremely important thoughts (cough cough):

My center uses tattoos. No other options offered or mentioned. I don't mind my three ink dots. I've had more painful blood draws.

I have X-rays every session. The longest part is waiting for a RO to review the X-rays and okay treatment.

I've also been told that how fair you are doesn't affect whether you'll burn. But I've also been told that IF you do sunburn easily, you're more likely to have severe skin side effects. But everyone is different and it's hard to predict these things and no on can really say because ....

I sometimes think cancer's motto is, "Your mileage may vary."

Neuropathy: The supplement Alpha Lipoic Acid is recommended for it. Cold gloves and cold socks can give relief. And if used during chemo, may prevent it.

I'm still exhausted from Xeloda. A month after stopping, my hand-foot syndrome can still make walking more than usual painful. Since I did pretty much next to nothing while on it, walking more than usual doesn't take much. It's frustrating. I dropped two clothing sizes the first two weeks after finishing X but less than 5 pounds. I was that swollen and bloated. My weight remains stable but my clothes are getting loose again. My MO says these symptoms are normal.

YMMV

kaywrite, I’m sorry you had a difficult first day. It will get easier once you figure out where you need to be. Then try to relax and take some slow deep breaths. My hands go numb so I just wiggle my fingers. As for the circle stickers I have 25 of them along w/ the west side of the state of Nevada in black and green and black x’s and lines on both sides and down the middle of my chest. Just remember it will all fade away and we will all feel normal again. Stay strong and have a great weekend!

10/20 done - half way!! I've got some pinkish colour now and just today it started itching. ......must ....not ......scratch. I hope everyone has a great weekend off. Pamper yourself!

Kaywrite, Your poor arm and hand! What you described sounds worse than simply a limb falling asleep. I'm glad it eventually resolved itself. Like Veeder said, the first day seems to be the worst.

Today was treatment 7 of 21 for me. Still nothing to report such as discoloration and discomfort. I'm not even pink yet. It makes me wonder if the machine is working properly.

Nancy, I have the State of Nevada on my chest too, along with tape and tats.

Petey, I'm sorry you're already sore and tender in the treatment area. We truly are all different in the way our bodies respond to treatment. Try to stay on top of the discomfort before it gets worse.

For those of you who are feeling fatigue during rads, I read on another thread that consuming 50-60g of protein per day during radiation treatment really helps. That is a lot of protein. Quinoa and Chia seeds are high in protein so I've been adding Chia seeds to everything including my morning smoothie. I add Quinoa and Chia seeds to my salads at lunch, and with anything for dinner. I searched online to figure out how to properly cook Quinoa, and found some yummy recipes. I also added a low sugar, high protein drink called "Muscle Milk" (from Target) to my morning smoothies. So far all this protein has actually helped to keep the fatigue away. However, the nurse at the rads facility said no one escapes fatigue by the end of treatment. I'm just waiting for it to kick in. I have felt some back pain, but I've always had that. Apparently exercise such as stretching and walking is supposed to help with fatigue, so I've been sitting at the computer stretching my arms and shoulders. Don't laugh! That's at least some movement for this ancient body. Many ladies on BCO talk about running marathons, walking everyday, lifting weights, etc. I'm just happy to be alive and awake.

Thank you Nancy, Veeder, Meg, Petey - Yesterday (2/21) was a breeze. In and out in ten minutes. Normal arm, etc. Veeder - the pinched nerve thing sounds right. When the RO laid my arm across my face (thanks a lot for that by the way) and told me to move my fingers and I couldn't, I told her she might as well have laid a lamb shank on my face. Good lord. Anyway, day 2 was normal. And as I told all the medical-like folks in the room (and there seemed to be so many, teaching hospital) who wondered it it was ok to laugh at a half-naked woman with a dead arm and a Basquiat painting magic marketed on her chest: whatever it takes.

I've started using the calendula and aquaphor, as preventative treatments, but no difference after 2 days. I felt a bit tingly in the irradiated area, a bit stiff. Thanks to all of you, I'm ready for any number of possibilities. Bring it on. (but not too on...)

Protein! I am not a vegetarian, but I eat quinoa every week - it's a staple in my house because of the versatility, refrigerates well, and so many tasty mix-ins. I work four long hard days in downtown Atlanta every week and like to have my breakfast and lunch ready to grab and go in the mornings. So I eat quinoa for lunch a lot. Two of my favorites: first of all, make a batch of quinoa (1 cup of quinoa to boil in 1 3/4s cup water, bit of salt). Cover, let cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat. (check to assure all water is gone - these are times and temps that work on my gas range). Now the mixers: 1. while still warm, move quinoa to a large bowl. Add 1 cup frozen peas, stir well let sit 5 minutes. Stir in a drizzle of good tasty EVOO. Let cool. Zest one lemon into the bowl. Chop up a bunch of parsley and mix everything. This is delicious and nutritious on many levels. 2. In room temp quinoa, add chopped mint (I use all the leaves from the plastic container sold in supermarkets), several small green onions sliced very thin (or chopped chives), and 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese. Mix well.