April 2018- Starting Radiation

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  • gemmafromlondon
    gemmafromlondon Member Posts: 138
    edited May 2018

    Please try not to worry too much - you may well sail through it all! I had mine a while ago but, apart from feeling a bit weary got it done without fuss. All the best

    Gemma

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  • Bauer4
    Bauer4 Member Posts: 47
    edited May 2018

    #5 of 20 done today!!!! I have not had itching or anything like that. A little pink, but I'm good with that. My concern is the swelling I am having. My left breast is 1 and 1/2 the size of my right. My bra doesn't fit right now and leaves an indention on the breast. Hoping my weekend off will calm that down a little. I am also having some sleep issues. I am not able to rest well. Anyone else have this?

    Have a great weekend off!!! HUGS to all.

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  • kaywrite
    kaywrite Member Posts: 219
    edited May 2018

    okkate - hurray for finishing rads. I am so sorry your (twin!) sister has to go through this - glad she's got you

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  • Dodgerick
    Dodgerick Member Posts: 72
    edited May 2018

    We are so nervous....our daughter's recent mammogram showed 3 suspicious spots. She’s had 3D imaging, a sonogram and a biopsy. They believe it’s probably benign, but they want to make sure (especially with my recent diagnosis).. Scary for this momma

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  • kaywrite
    kaywrite Member Posts: 219
    edited May 2018

    Dodgerick - hoping for the best. Understand a mother's concern, especially when she's undergoing treatment. Glad she's getting her exams!

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  • Okkate75
    Okkate75 Member Posts: 151
    edited May 2018

    First day of a week of boosts! It's cool to be face up and to see what's going on. It was quick, painless, and I'm ready for the next few days and then a break from this daily drag. Sending y'all good vibes for a good week. C'mon, skin, hold up!

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  • JosieO
    JosieO Member Posts: 314
    edited May 2018

    You’re in the home stretch, Okkate75! Cheering you on, hope you will do same for all of us just starting

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  • JosieO
    JosieO Member Posts: 314
    edited May 2018

    You’re in the home stretch, metoo2018! Cheering you on, hope you will do same for those of us just starting!


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  • metoo2018
    metoo2018 Member Posts: 64
    edited May 2018

    posted in my original March group but adding here too!

    DONE!

    So glad to be finished. My follow up with the RO is one month - I asked if I was getting any pictures/imaging and he said no it would just be a quick visit. If my skin is clear then I will think about canceling. it is a waste of time and I will see my surgeon a few days before for my surgical followup so I can ask her if there is any reason to follow up. My appointments with him now last 5 minutes and he charges a couple hundred dollars to the insurance company. I feel empowered to choose whether it is necessary or not and even though i am not paying for anything anymore it still seems wasteful.

    He said my skin may still change some in coming weeks and I have a bit of an open sore under my breast but my underarm area is already greatly improved with the silvadene cream I started last week.

    Tomorrow I will head back to my office for 2 days before heading out on vacation. Life is good!

    Appreciate all the support and info here along the way!

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  • Okkate75
    Okkate75 Member Posts: 151
    edited May 2018

    Congratulations, @metoo2018! I'm so excited for you! Huzzah!

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  • ctmbsikia
    ctmbsikia Member Posts: 1,095
    edited May 2018

    Congrats to those who are done!!  Glad to hear.

    I am heading down to the home stretch with 11 to go.  Yesterday was fastest time yet. In @ 3:58, out at 4:10.  They said Doc would see me today, so I sprinted out!  LOL Today will be a long one as they are suppose to plan for the 5 boosts, plus see the RO. I am fairly miserable but I should make it thru.  The radiation rash has begun on my breast.  Nipple is discolored, under breast red, upper chest peeling.  Also have like an achy spot under my arm and right below my shoulder but range of motion is fine. Not sure what that is and if I should mention it, I guess I will just in case it persists.  Feels like a bruise.

    Have a great day ladies, wish you all well!

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  • PrincessButtercup
    PrincessButtercup Member Posts: 200
    edited May 2018

    Congrats to everyone finishing up or near the end of the radiation road. I am about 1/3 of the way done, and getting into the routine now.

    Has anyone had any delayed effects of chemo at this point? Most of my doctors and nurses say that the chemo is out of my system by now, but my RO agreed that there could be lingering effects such as neuropathy. I'm also experiencing a sudden increase in bruising, especially on my legs. Very strange!

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  • 98hgmom
    98hgmom Member Posts: 37
    edited May 2018

    Congrats metoo and enjoy your vacation

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  • 98hgmom
    98hgmom Member Posts: 37
    edited May 2018

    I only have 8 treatments left. My skin is falling apart! Very rashy on my chest and underneath my breast. My armpit hurts pretty bad. Today they made up a magic potion to help my armpit. I have been slathering it on all day. I’m not sure what’s in it but I will try anything. I’m so glad to be almost done with this part of our journey. Good luck to all

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  • metoo2018
    metoo2018 Member Posts: 64
    edited May 2018

    98hgmom so sorry to hearing you are having such a tough time with your skin. They may give you a break in treatments to allow it to settle down. You may want to ask if they don't suggest it. Others here have had that happen. My last 10 days was when I had the most reaction and my underarm area was the worst for me.

    I am not about 9 days out from my last full breast treatment and my underarm area is clearing up nicely. Remains red but not as angry, and the area that looked like a really dark bruise has lightened up some. Under my breast is the only sore area and it is also starting to improve. I had my last boost on Monday, went back into the office for the first time yesterday. I worked throughout but had been working from home - not wearing a bra and able to apply lotions more often. But it wasn't too bad. I have a wrap dress and light sweater - I did not wear a bra - and it was very comfortable - well comfortable on my skin. I was a bit self-conscious but my close friends assured me that no one would know I wasn't wearing one. I never in a million years expected to go 6 weeks without wearing a bra and it was a bit liberating!

    I used the silvadene cream 3x per day over the past 10 days and I think it has really helped me. I've figured out what works for clothes and have a small supply of all my creams and potions with me for my trip in case anything flares up.

    I continue to be so thankful for my relatively easy experience and wish you all the best as you continue down your treatment path.

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  • PrincessButtercup
    PrincessButtercup Member Posts: 200
    edited May 2018

    Relief at last! I've been having what I think are extended reactions to chemo, still-- itching ,tingling hands and feet, chest pain, and pain in my spine. My RO prescribed gabapentin, and I'm starting to see a difference. He also assured me that yes, it's possible for side effects of chemo to hang on for a while even though the medication has left my system.

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  • ctmbsikia
    ctmbsikia Member Posts: 1,095
    edited May 2018

    I'll be in single digits after today.  I have an off  time of 10:30am tomorrow so I just asked  my boss for a vacation day.  I can do some household chores and rest of course.

    They took pics for the boost plan.  I'm just letting them drive, I don't want to know if they are getting the right spot.  I just hope the plan comes back in time.  I also saw the other RO on staff as my doc is away and they recommended using Lubriderm and aquaphor.  I just agreed-funny the other nurse and my RO have no issue with the Aloe and coritzone  I'm using.  My skin issues are normal and I'm not changing what I'm using now for fear it could make things worse.  My skin is recovering every night/day.  She (other RO) also said I had fair skin because she could tell by my big blue eyes.  Um, hello lady, try again, they're green!!   Same doc who checked my images before sending them off.  Just another day in the life.

    Hope everyone has a good day!


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  • Okkate75
    Okkate75 Member Posts: 151
    edited May 2018

    One more to go! I can hardly believe it. Those of you on the road, you'll be here soon enough. I finally lost a sticker today--I hope they can deal with that tomorrow.

    I've been having some trepidation about ending active treatment, and I met with a psychiatric nurse today who was really great. I'm happy to have this resource in my pocket going forward. I'm so excited to be done, but I'm also seeing the rocky road ahead as I navigate recurrence fears, my sister's breast cancer, and the new normal.

    But tomorrow I get to ring that bell, and that's what I'm excited about today. Take care, all!

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  • Dodgerick
    Dodgerick Member Posts: 72
    edited May 2018

    Thank you for your kind words kaywrite, the "waiting game is awful"!

    I'm ready for my life to settle down and get back to "normal"....too much stress! Ugh!

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  • TabzIsMyAngel
    TabzIsMyAngel Member Posts: 62
    edited May 2018

    #12/30 today. Can't believe I'm already over 1/3 of the way through. Rads are flying by & it's SO much easier than chemo! No skin reactions so far & energy level rebounded nicely since finishing chemo 3 wks ago. Had weekly meeting with RO yesterday. Actually spend more time talking with his nurse (who was also one of my chemo nurses) than with him. She takes my vitals, checks my skin & chats with me about how I'm feeling, then he comes in, says I'm doing great & asks if I have any questions. So far I don't have any that haven't already been answered here. Thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences to help us feel prepared.

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  • LiMa66
    LiMa66 Member Posts: 73
    edited May 2018

    23 of 30 done. Yesterday I got measured for the 5 boosts next week. My skin in the bolus area is red, itchy, and angry and the Frankenboob is more than twice the size of the other... but I know that this is temporary. I repeat that to myself multiple times a day. I'm so dang ready to ring that bell!

    Congrats to those who have finished and continued best wishes for those still in it.

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  • metoo2018
    metoo2018 Member Posts: 64
    edited May 2018

    Congrats Okkate! It is amazing as you finish up thinking how quickly it went when early on we thought it would never end. For those of you early on, or in the middle, hang in there - you too will get to the end of treatments before you know it. I hope your sister does well - no family should have to face back to back situations like yours.

    I head off on vacation today - my skin is healing nicely though I still have some occasional pain - advil takes care of it and I am taking silvadene with me because I think (at least for me) it has really sped up the healing and made a huge difference.

    I have a young co-worker (35) starting chemo today ahead of surgery and more chemo. Her road is longer and more difficult than mine so I continue to be thankful for:

    1. the timing of my mammogram which was late and randomly scheduled - earlier and the tumor may not have shown up and later it may have been a much different story.

    2. the resources that read all of my scans and biopsies and found what needed to be found and especially those that helped me navigate through the next phase or appointments and decisions

    3. The location of my tumor - outer quadrant on the right breast - think that made just about everything else easier from a treatment perspective

    4. My employer for being flexible and letting me work from home which truly made my experience much less stressful but still allowed me to maintain a level of normal.

    5. my rads techs who were professional and yet caring and hopefully did the best job they could aiming that radiation beam!

    6. my friends and family that were supportive and concerned but also respected my wishes to be normal and not treated like a sick person

    7. This community! Reading about others experiences - even when they were different than mine - helped me understand the scope and voracity of this disease and the warmth and compassion of people you will never meet but that share a unique experience.

    I'll be offline for a few weeks traveling around England and putting the last 6 months behind me. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers and will check in when I return.

    Virtual hugs to everyone!

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  • kaywrite
    kaywrite Member Posts: 219
    edited May 2018

    metoo - have a wonderful vacation - I hope it is relaxing and beautiful. Your post is gorgeous - we can find so many things to be grateful for among all the fear and anxiety. Thank you so much for sharing this positive message. Your gratitude changes the lives of everyone you mention, and those of us who read it.

    Post-rads breast recovery: Three weeks after my last boost my skin is starting to peel. Not like a sunburn peel. The whole-breast and boost area both turned pink, then red, then brownish tan (boost area looked almost bruised). I kept (and continue to keep) generous amounts of Aquaphor on it all day, using a nursing pad inside the smoother/shaper/sports bra to keep the grease off my clothes. My nipple was so brown I thought it bizarre - but then a few days ago while washing off the aquaphor during my evening shower, I used the washcloth on my breast and pink skin began to show through. Thus, my ultra-hydrated radiated breast skins literally washing off in the shower. Last night the underarm and boost area began to show pink splotches after shower. I'm going to keep using the aquaphor until the brown is gone.

    Bonus: the lumpectomy incision is barely visible three weeks after rads and the nipple shedding the brown skin. It's looking very good.

    Hope this helps.

    Thinking of you all chugging along to the end. Stick with it. Be good to yourselves, let people help you - it will be a kindness to all involved.

    Peace and hugs xox

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  • Okkate75
    Okkate75 Member Posts: 151
    edited May 2018

    Congratulations, @metoo2018! What a wonderful post.

    And for me--all done! It went by so much faster than I was expecting. It felt great to ring that bell and reflect on how far I've come in six months. I know the "survivorship" stage will bring its own difficulties, and with my genetic mutation I expect to confront this beast again, but today I am happy to be done with this part, to know I can make it through, and to have learned so much about how to hear bad news and keep moving forward. My sister has surgery scheduled for Tuesday, and I'm glad she has seen me make this journey so she can be less afraid about making it herself.

    Now to slather on some more calendula cream...

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  • Bbccats
    Bbccats Member Posts: 52
    edited May 2018

    Treatment 18/25 today. I am pretty red and in some pain so my oncologist has started me on saline compresses. He was quite sympathetic and said he was sorry and ...it’s going to get worse. Hmmm the last part I could have done without. Oh well forewarned is forarmed. Happy to have the weekend break ahead. Hope everyone is doing well. For those who are finished, congratulations!!! For those of us that are continuing, we got this!!!

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  • LiMa66
    LiMa66 Member Posts: 73
    edited May 2018

    25 of 30 today, finished the whole breast/lymph nodes treatments. 5 boosts to the mastectomy scar next week and then I'm done. My skin is a screaming red angry mess, especially the axillary area. Sitting here, topless, slathered with calendula cream & aloe, about to enjoy a new book. How's that for a Friday night?

    I hope y'all have a good weekend.

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  • HopefulAC
    HopefulAC Member Posts: 63
    edited May 2018

    16/28 done so far and I’ve developed a rash on the top of my breast:( it’s now starting to itch more and my RO just said to try hydrocortisone on it but I’m not sure that’s working much. Hopefully this weekend break gives me some relief.

    I’m thankful for metoo and Okkates posts as I needed some positivity and inspiration since 12 more seems like a lot but I know I’ll get through it.



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  • Bauer4
    Bauer4 Member Posts: 47
    edited May 2018

    10/20 down!! Starting to get rather red. This too shall pass is my motto!! Here's to the weekend off for us all. HUGS

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  • PrincessButtercup
    PrincessButtercup Member Posts: 200
    edited May 2018

    10/19 down here!

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  • ctmbsikia
    ctmbsikia Member Posts: 1,095
    edited May 2018

    6 to go!!!  Hope all is well with everyone.  I need to get some more aquaphor-stuff is so greasy but they have suggested I use that for the next 2 weeks.  I anticipate my skin getting just a little worse before it gets better, so thankful that this is almost over!  I am also expecting to possibly have another wave of fatigue-I feel fine right now, just have a feeling I may crash.

    It is sad to read some of the other topics regarding later side effects.  It's just something else to keep in the back of your mind, however, I really hope that by being prone I was spared any heart and lung issues, and since I did not have any auxiliary nodes taken I did not need that area treated sparing me any arm/shoulder issues.

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