JULY 2018 Radiation?

Jersey Mom,

I am hoping to start radiation either 30th or Aug 6. I have an appt the 26th with RO and hope to do simulation that day. We will need to keep in touch through this next step. The steps seem never ending, huh. I, too, am not afraid of the radiation, but only of the side effects. I also think, through NO research or crystal ball, that radiation will be shortened some day in the near future. I almost joined a clinical trial with a shortened rad time but then decided not to gamble.

Did they explain why X's on back? That sounds scary. Hope they don't go that deep!

From what I understand, I will receive 30 treatments, of which the last two will be boost. Ironically, I read where the boost is actually a lower dose of radiation but directed at scar.

Keep posting. I will post when I know more. I am especially concerned about the redness and peeling which I understand does not happen right away. I also have a two hour drive each way but Cancer Center has provided discounted hotel rooms I can check out

Prayers for us both and all pink sisters.

Carol

So far, I have not noticed a lot of size change. But, I think that can happen over time after radiation.

Marymc86 - Congrats on finishing!

I've had 3 out of 21. After todays blast, the guy says, "see you in a couple days" instead of "see you tomorrow" which always brings me to tears. So two days off, then back to the grind. My hospital is an hour away so the drive is what is wearing me out already. I turned pink on Day 1 and got the stabbing pains I was warned about. I breezed through chemo (as much as you can breeze through chemo). This radiation so far sucks the most. I've lost my Polly Positive from the last seven months.

I'd like her back!

jerseymom12

I am nearing the end of my 30 radiation treatments. 8 left. The last 5 will be boosts to the tumor removal site. I was scared about doing radiation treatments. I have 4 small tattoo marks. Radiation treatments are a bother to your daily schedule and working adds to the difficultly. My Radiation team is great. They work to limit your time with them. It takes longer to change clothes. You will get drawn on to show your radiation treatment area (washes off) so that you will know where to add your lotion.Treatments become a routine and will become less scary.

My skin has slowly turned to red and began to itch. I use an over the counter 1% hydrocortisone cream for the itching. My RO recommened using Udderly Smooth body cream from day one. They gave me samples. I also use it in the morning and before bed. I began using Aquaphor lotion along with the Udderly Smooth cream after my second week of treatments in the morning and evening. To limit my skin reaction I use the Udderly Smooth body cream after my treatments before I get dressed. It also made my breast feel better under my clothing.

I had stabbing pains after the lumpectomy and they continued with radiation. My pain with the radiation treatments is manageable. Ibuprofen helps. I am a belly sleeper so it is tough to sleep some nights. You will get tired. I take naps sometimes to help. I also took half days at work when needed.

Clothing is the worst. I wear a cami bra without lace and limited seams with loose tops. This is difficult with work but a necessity for me.

Good luck. Power through.

Today will be #6 of 33 rad treatments. I am worn out, I have no energy. Won't want to guess how I'll feel at #33. I am 56, work full time and have a 10 year old (bio granddaughter) I am raising. I've been on hormone blocker for just over 30 days. What are you doing to keep your energy up? Any suggestions? Help.

Welcome, jdg33! We're so glad you've joined our community, and hope you find support connecting with members who've been through the same. We hope the rest of your treatment goes well!

The Mods

I am one who is having an emotional meltdown with radiation treatment. I had #7 out of 21 today and was in tears in the changing room. Again. I know better than to let my emotions get me while on the table during radiation because I can't wipe the snot off because I have to lay perfectly still.

Here was my lightning bulb moment with radiation, though: After seven months, I've had it with cancer. The rush of the diagnostic appointments, then months of chemo followed by two surgeries, and then this. I'm just tired of it all. I've had a chance to think, to realize I have cancer, to realize this is my life, and I don't want to be doing it anymore.

For me it's also this: radiation is completely ALONE. No one gets to stay in the room with me. I'm laid bare in an uncomfortable position, and then everyone leaves. I know it's for less than 10 minutes, but still. I get "dumped" on a daily basis. At least with chemo I got to talk to people while being posioned.

Not that knowing this makes it any easier. I'm just using it as an excuse/reason why I've lost my ever loving mind.

Hi Ladies-

For those of you who were talking about vaginal bleeding after hysterectomy/menopause: I had the same symptoms. I went to my primary, and then a gyn PA, and it turns out I have a rectocele. This is a LOVELY condition (just kidding) that happens as a result of extreme constipation/diarrhea and vaginal atrophy, which is part of menopause.

So, now I'm waiting for an appointment with a uro-gynecologist to figure out how bad it is. There is a chance that my vaginal wall has ruptured, and that stool might be leaking through my vagina. Not kidding. You have no idea how much I hope this is not happening.

I am 14 treatments into radiation, and I have no idea if there is a correlation between the symptoms I'm having and radiation. But, it could just be where radiation falls in the cancer treatment--post chemo, which for me, really messed with my digestive system. I am looking forward to being done with medical intervention, and now I might have to have surgery to fix this thing.

Trying to stay positive, but feeling a little down about it.

Thanks Anniescouch. Now I'm 8 days past radiation and am very surprised that I had the skin reaction finally AFTER it was over. I finished 19 sessions on July 20th with very little reaction. But the following Monday....itchy linear welts showed up. Also, I've turned BLACK in my armpit! It doesn't hurt, but I didn't think my RO was going to target my armpit. I'm a bit concerned. Think I'll call this week to report it. I still think radiation went better than I expected. I did feel fatigued last week, so I got to bed earlier than usual. Fatigue is better now, not gone, but better. I agree with whoever said drink water. I also want to say to those who have been crying on the table...I was an emotional wreck on the first day. The last day I was smiling and happy. It's been a long 7 months for me, too. 2 surgeries, but no chemo. I had signed on as a new Realtor and had just begun training when I was diagnosed. Financial stress, job stress, medical stress. I finally just backed off from work and concentrated on cancer and getting through radiation. Thankfully, my supervisor and coworkers understood. Take care of yourselves. It will get better soon. As I say that, I'm headed to slather on my aloe and vitamin E cream. Keep doing it after rads, too.

My nipple hurts and has hurt from Rad 1. It doesn't feel like burn; it feels like tenderness and absolute pain when I'm trying to go to sleep. Ibuprofin does nothing. I'm about ready to go for bigger stuff.

Weekend break is over - back to the zappery grind tomorrow.

Hi, I'm popping in from the August thread to ask a question - for the CT mapping, did you go alone or bring someone?

I've just read a couple people report their radiation mapping CT scan showed suspicious masses - even though they're not looking for that, if they see it, they have to deal with it. I'm wondering if I should bring dh with me for this thing, even though it sounds like for 90% of it he can't be with me anyway... but if there's a serious talk afterwards, maybe he should come just in case?

Thx TrailDweller! Dh pretty much decided on his own to come with me. He thinks the entire building is super depressing so he doesn't like me going there by myself.

I am having #19 of 33 today. My right clavicle seems thicker, more protuberant than the other side. It is scaring me. Anyone else have this? I am having the supraclavicular node nuked and will have a tumor bed "boost" for a week at the end. I had a pathologic complete response by MRI and pathology so I am feeling like I am getting myself into more trouble than needed. They keep adjusting me on the table mid treatment and that makes me nervous too. I plan to ask the radiation oncologist about this tomorrow and my medical oncologist on Friday.

I just finished radiation treatment number 17 out of 35, tomorrow is "hump day". So far I have been doing well. I have a mild sunburn and am quite tender, but I expected that. I had a real problem with fatigue the second week but a good friend who is also fighting cancer gave me some ginseng pills. She said her RO said "they helped some people". I started taking them and the fatigue has been much better. I have been able to keep up my regular exercising routine although I still am tired in the evening and go to bed early, but I even managed a 34 mile bike ride this morning!