JUNE 2018 starting RADIATION

Had my third treatment today and it went really smoothly- I finally figured out how to avoid most morning traffic and got there with time to spare! I also know the drill that after the receptionist sends me back, I can just change into a gown and wait for the tech to come and get me, rather than waiting for them. I had my first treatment on Friday then had a two day break, but I swear that after my treatment yesterday everything on my right side felt tighter immediately. I had an appointment with a regular doc right after (turns out my chemo treatment may have exacerbated my hearing loss and now I'm definitely looking at hearing aids ....ugh) and he gave me a very useful analogy for radiation, that it is like when you get sunburned and you know that it has happened immediately and yet over the next few days it feels worse. The image of getting sunburned on the inside seemed to make so much sense to me and I really do feel that I'm already starting to have effects, despite the fact that my RO said that it is usually more gradual. I'm getting a lot of tightness in my cancer side and I can see that my arm is not extending fully when I raise it over my head. I'm going to send a note of to my PT to see what she thinks because I'm not scheduled to see her for another 10 days. I also asked the doc if it was OK to keep taking Tylenol and he told me that up to 3000 mg every day is fine and that they don't even worry about that much for long duration. It definitely makes me feel better because I am really feeling like I need it as much as I did post surgery.

I'm also having what feel like mini-hot flashes, but I'm technically menopausal now so I don't know if that it is. It only lasts for a few minutes, but I feel like my head is heating up. Anyone else feeling this?

Day 1 starting on lucky 13 for me! In our house its a positive number since my son was born that day so hoping it continues to bring me good luck! Nervous but glad to at least be moving forward! Somehow I managed to keep all of my stickers and marks on for the last week waiting for today. We were at an orientation for my daughter the last two days outside in the heat too! I was soaking wet all day both days and so worried the stickers weren't going to last but like magic they stayed in place.

Here is an odd question.. Do any of you still have the surgical glue on your skin? I was told to just let it come off on its own, not to rub etc. It's been a full 4 weeks and only small bits and pieces have come off. I have a huge line straight across where they removed the nipple and area around it. I'm wondering how the glue is going to react to the radiation? Will it heat up or cause problems?

Chelsea - good idea on the alarms to get the water in! I need to do the same!

Pumpkin - thank you for the advice!! I was kind of wondering about those stickers at the end, especially after not losing one for the last five days! They are stuck on there good!

Well the tech actually brought it up before I could. I still have a LOT of glue across there. No problems as far as the treatments but she suggested I start "picking" at it to see if it would loosen up. The spot under my arm and the one of the left side its all gone but those are both a lot smaller so I was really following orders of letting it flake off naturally! It's gross looking so would really like it gone now!

For cream he suggested CeraVe and My Girls?

Thanks for clearing that up for me! I guess they all have their own way of doing things..

Puzzlewoman..I see you are almost 2 weeks through rads.. Hope you are doing well through it all.

MiCyn - thanks! I haven’t noticed any pain or sunburn like skin yet, but the nurse noticed I was starting to turn pink. Now I think I’m seeing things, lol. Then she tells me it was her last day, she was retiring after 40 years! I was like but I was just getting to know and really like you!! She said she would miss her patients, but it was time.

However, the fatigue is staring to get to me. I do not have the same level of energy I did before. I am determined to walk every day (at least 6 days a week) to help, but it’s still creeping in there. It’s really nice to know I can come here and get support and maybe offer some.

Puzzlewoman... Awww, that sucks when you really click with those that are taking such good care of you, and then you have to get used to someone new. One of the gals ( I haven't met yet) is on maternity leave, but I keep hearing such great things about her from others. So of course I want her to come back to work NOW.. lol !

I also walk daily, always have, but I am upping my steps.I hope it gives me more stamina. My DH tells me I'm gonna wear myself out before I even start rads. Hope he is wrong.

Do you have to do the breath holding technique during rads? That worries me more then anything. My RO, and RN say don't worry, you will be just fine. Easy for them to say! I didn't do so well when tech had me do it on setup day. What he said would be 10 seconds was more like 30 ... I just couldn't last that long.

Good luck today, tomorrow! Enjoy the weekend, do something FUN! And rest when you need to of course.🤗Cyn

DCMCD57 - We had surgery the same day and I still have quite a bit of glue!

I did lotion up a couple of times after the first treatment so maybe that will start to make a difference on it and get it off. I tried picking at it last night and well it's not going anywhere!! I realized the nurse probably mentioned in because as my skin gets irritated it might be a lot harder to get off! RO also told me I could apply it up to 2 hours before treatment? I thought I read others were being told 4?

MiCyn - I was not told to hold my breath at all? It was never even brought up but I know others have talked about. Although I was probably holding my breath a little yesterday as I was freaking out a little and trying not to go into a full on panic attack.

My RO told me yesterday to keep pushing the exercise daily! Get in as much as possible including lifting/weight training. I know that might not be possible for some but I'm planning to make as much effort as possible even through the exhaustion. His only suggestion was finding a way to hold my arm away from my body to keep it from rubbing and to try to keep movement/friction in the general area to a minimum. We have a spinning bike/heavy weighted wheel that will actually be perfect since my arms are forward on the bike away from the area and its low impact so minimal bouncing around in general.

MiCyn-I also never heard of holding my breath till someone mentioned it on here. I was told to lay still and just breath normally. I have also never had stickers. lol I asked about it yesterday at rads, the ladies said they are just a pain and they try to avoid using them. Typically only if someone refuses the tattoo.

The fatuige stinks, felt pretty good yesterday morning so went for a hike. Hours later all I felt was that I had caught my breath. The rest of my body felt like I will still miles in on my hike. Feel much better this morning, planing on hitting up the museam with my kids in a bit and hoping that will not be too exhausting and just good walking.

be sure to lotion underneath the girls and the armpits!!!! Oh my armpits!!!!

MAC58,

Nothing to worry about. You will be so surprised. Good luck and try to have a great weekend!

I was the same way before I started. I was so worried I bought enough creams and aloe to go to rad for a year! I finished 11 accelerated rads so far. My skin is a little brown but other than that, I feel nothing. I wish I could send you my leftover creams. Good luck ladies!

MAC58 - I had my first session on Wednesday and I was a mess! I had built it all up in my head and had to fight off a panic attack the entire time. In the end it was so uneventful I felt silly. I just expected more, of what I have no idea?!? I was on the table less than 10 minutes. Lining me up probably took the longest and that was just them shifting me slightly. The actual treatment was just some short quiet buzzes and really took maybe 2-3 minutes. The machine was on my left side (I'm having my right treated) angled above me, buzzed 2-3 times then rotated over to my right side lower out of view and buzzed 2-3 times. That was it, they came in helped me up and sent me on my way. Yesterday was more of the same, just kind of boring really. I didn't feel anything at all, no burning, no heat etc. As far as glue, I have a ton(I'm slowly picking it off now) and they weren't at all concerned.

Kelligirl - thanks! I will use the hydrocortisone when I get home, or buy some at lunch. Good luck with the glue!

MAC58 - I felt the same way! So nervous and huge anxiety before I started. Now I've gotten to know the techs and dr and nurse (but new nurse Tuesday!) and the wonderful receptionist - she's always so nice and happy. And the process itself is not much to deal with. It's the side effects and having to go every week day. We will all get through it!

Green eyes - I went ahead and got some at lunch. I’m not waiting! Thanks.

SandR - I am sorry to hear that it was so expensive even with your insurance. When I was looking for a surgeon, the first surgeon I met was in my network, but the facility, MRI, anestheisiologist was not covered by my insurance. So I changed my surgeon to a dr that was affiliated with a big hospital that is covered by my insurance. But at each step, I made sure the dr and the treatment was covered by my insurance. Currently, my rads are covered 100%. Thank goodness for that. I admire your positive attitude despite of it all. Good luck and go enjoy your life now! Congratulations!