November 2018 Starting Radiation

Hi everyone,

Urdrago71 - I continue to use my R arm.

If I was to develop swelling near the radiation site or R arm I will avoid fast, repetitive motions like the upper body Elliptical just for now - until I complete Rads.

I walk fast on the treadmill and swing my arms when I walk and that is fine. It is so important to keep moving and work on range of motion of my shoulder joint. When you are resting on your back on the table, the set up for the treatments have your arms over your head holding to bars during the quick treatments.

I think the Calendula Cream has been working well for me, so far. I know this is cumulative radiation so near the end of the planned treatments may cause some issues - hopefully none or minimal.

It's really great to hear from so many going through this. From what I gather, everybody reacts differently, It's hard to predict.

Alice - I hope your rads place has a bell, if not I support bringing your own. Hoping those blisters heal quickly.

Appyfan - good luck on zap number one! It was emotional and scary for me, but #2 today was much easier.

Spoonie- thank you for the updates and glad to hear you're healing so well! Sorry for all that you went through, but love that humor!!

Ghostie - I hope that heals soon so you can get back on schedule, glad you got a little break.

Sillyoldrabbit- good luck tomorrow. I have a shot through my back too, but I am doing the breath hold andmy RO assures anything that touches my heart or lungs is “well within tolerance” - I can only pray that’s true!

Urdrago - Congrats on starting, hoping the next 29 go even easier! I'm so stealing your sign off - drink water, slather creams, and be kind to yourself!

Hello,

Yesterday was my 60% done mark - finished 15 out of 25. My last treatment will be 11/30 with the Thanksgiving holiday. I am also doing the wet towel bolus - and I was also very frustrated with the lack of communication about this from the RO. (Out of all my doctors, the RO is my least favorite.) It does seem like this wet towel intensifies the skin's response to treatment.

I'm experiencing some redness, but worse is a rash right where my bra touches my breast toward my cleavage. (I tried going without a bra but then the shirt is constantly rubbing on the area, so that didn't help.) At my Tuesday appointment with the RO, she recommended hydrocortisone. That seems to be making it worse - irritating it more. I plan to meet with the nurse today for hopefully another option. I think what is most discouraging is knowing this all peaks the week after, and knowing I have 3+ weeks before things will start improving, and that in the meantime this will get worse.... It's a lot to deal with. The RO did say she would consider abandoning the wet towel bolus after my appointment with her next Tuesday.

I appreciate reading everyone's experiences. Everyone I know personally who have been through radiation has seemed to breeze through it. Not looking like that will happen for me.

Linda

Egregious, good luck w your simulation. I am nervous about mine for the reasons you mentioned.

Linda2119, I feel fortunate that my RO listens and I feel he's invested in my care. I'm so sorry you're having a rough time w yours. This journey is difficult enough without having someone seeming to make it more traumatic. Every step of this process has me mentally screaming, "reduce the trauma!" When I'm done with active tx, I am going to give a list of things that I think could be better to my trusted MO. (Almost all involved my BS who I thought just did not give a s**t)

I was supposed to have just Thursday off for Thanksgiving, and resume rads Friday, but now I'll get a four-day weekend, yay! Unfortunately I have to go in bright and early this Sunday, ick. But I'd rather do that than add a day at the end. I even went there during an early snowstorm this morning just to avoid an add-on day.

Lucyred, I will be having 16 tx as well so thanks for sharing your experience. I was on Xeloda for colon cancer 3 years ago! That's how I knew before my OncoDX score came back that this cancer probably wouldn't respond to chemo. It already didn't respond to chemo, lol.

DWiseley - your welcome. It’s not bad really. The radiation techs are really nice and that helps with any anxiety from it.

I am not looking forward to the xeloda again but yes I didn’t respond well to the chemo the first time

DWiseley - I’ve only taken 2 cycles (for 2 weeks straight per cycle). I didn’t get HFM disease but I did have some nausea and lack of appetite. I had to take zolfran with it. I have 6 more cycles to go after radiation.

I'm 3 days in and my anxiety is getting better, thankfully. The tech (is that what they are called??) that does my treatment has been really great. He took the time to answer all of my questions and even gave me some skin care suggestions based on what he sees.

Linda2119 - I'm sorry you're having a hard time. I'm using the towel daily, but I'm only getting started. Can I ask how far in did you start to have skin issues? Everything I've read has me scared of how bad it can get. I haven't seen my RO since my consult 6 weeks ago. I kind-of feel like I was thrown in blind

AliceBastable - I get to go Sunday morning (7:00!) instead of Friday, too. I'm ready for a few days with family, not thinking about work or cancer treatment and where I need to be when!

Hi ladies! I'm almost halfway through treatment and just wanted to provide some encouragement for those of you who are nervous about it. I'M OK SO FAR. Really. Still no side effects yet, I think what's helping is I'm applying Miaderm immediately after the radiation treatment. I also apply aloe vera in the morning and night.

The only difficulty I'm having is that it takes a chunk out of your day (I'm 40 min. to an hour away, so all in all it's 2-3 hours with the drive) and I'm still working through all this. I get to work from home which helps, but then I've been working ridiculously late into the night. I told my boss last week that I need to start taking one day off a week just to focus on health and healing, and that day was today. I may take more time off depending on how things go, it would be nice to have the paycheck but also we need to prioritize ourselves and our health, right? But it's a balance...

For those of us who were questioning what gets scanned, I also met with my doctor earlier in the week and he was able to show me the actual X-rays of what gets radiated etc. Nothing from the back or underside. Most of it is from an angle and it does very slightly touch the lungs but not in a major way. There is an overhead angle but on that one, they actually block it so it doesn't get to the lungs, but is much more localized.

Anyways, I'm through 14 of 30 sessions and still fine! I would address everyone individually but I don't want to leave anyone out, but please know I've read your posts and am supporting you, and I hope that those of you who are nervous about it can feel a bit more reassured that it's possible to skate through this, and those of you who are having some side effects, you have my absolute respect for soldiering through. And I hope something of what your reading on this board can help you through it! For me, I would recommend Miaderm and staying hydrated.

Oh - another thing that's probably helping me stay super positive is that I'm allowed to bring my little emotional support dog Domino! The radiologists and staff all welcome her and look forward to seeing her, and they bring her into the room while I get set up, and then walk her out while I'm getting the treatment, and then bring her back in. She's so well behaved and I'm posting a pic here just for the good vibe!

Domino, shes beautiful..Our pets do comfort us and make this journey a bit easier..

You're welcome all! I'm glad she helps brightened things and will share another pic on my next update.

Stay strong ladies!

Pebbles - Love domino, thank you for sharing that sweet face! So cool that they let you bring her along!

Today is 5/33 with the bolus and I’ve already noticed a slight tan on my breast. I apply miaderm directly after treatment when getting dressed and switch between that and aloe multiple times a day. My RO says 4 and my MO mentioned the sweet number is around 5 daily slathers - I’ll do whatever I can to keep moving along.

The first week seems to go by quick. I have the same Sun-Wed schedule as many of you with a 4 day weekend, nice little break in the first couple of weeks.

I appreciate the updates and love hearing the positives, and sorry to hear the negatives. I hope for quick healing. Gladthat sims are moving along and treatments are getting started.

Linda - I hope that rash clears up quickly. That is one big thing about the bolus that worries me.

I enjoy going braless (trying to see the bright side in my foobs) so hoping to prevent any rubbing. I practice hot yoga so I worry how that will react as the reactions intensify.

As Urdrago says - drink water, slather creams, and be kind to yourself! 💕

Mlghtn and all others who are posting their experiences and products, thank you! Your posts make me feel less alone in this whirlwind of tx.

Egregious, I lived in Akron til I was 10 then moved to Lima. I was exposed to a lot of carcinogens... Isn't Middletown near Dayton? I imagine there are lots of Ohio women on this board! O-H