November 2018 Starting Radiation

PS The upper part of my chest (in pic) and inner area towards sternum were actually where I had the worst rxn, the breast itself and underneath were not as bad. They said this was due to where the tangent beams intersected and because I had the most sweat glands there. I also use the "my girls" calendula and rosemary cream containing, vitamin E, vitamin B5, coconut and avocado oils. The my girls is pretty expensive but the emu oil is cheap (like $15) on amazon. I realize everyone is different and I know Ive posted some of this before, but I'm really happy with my outcome so just thought I'd share some more .

Hi Appyfan - yes, I'm done today too! Woot woot! Congrats to you. Here is Domino cheering us, and for those not done yet (lavenderlee, rileycat, etc.) cheering the rest on.

Honestly I am not going to miss that drive. It's so weird to think I can wake up tomorrow and not HAVE to drive anywhere (I'm working from home through the rest of the week).

Radiologist told me to keep up with the lotioning and hydrating etc for the next couple weeks as we are at the peak of the radiation effect now. Also that 4-6 weeks from now is when we'd see any side effects heal. So I guess now is patience. My skin is good too, tanned, not red, but I got that one blister (now healing) and a couple scratchy areas / radiation burns. Same thing, in an area I didn’t realize they were radiating which is higher up because for me they wanted to target my nodes and the nodes to the neck. Had I known, I could have prob avoided that too as everywhere I lotioned is great.

The radiology therapists told me they would miss Domino! Never mind me lol, it's all about the Domino effect. 🐶🐶

Here she is from today, complete with a well deserved treat for accompanying me to all the treatments!

Appyfan, I made the same mistake, so now my armpit is the sorest spot.

Idkidk, I'm so glad you're better!

I'm two days out and no better but not worse than during tx. The RO said that patients on hypofractionated schedules tend to get more severe SE's before they see improvement, but what I notice in people's posts is that it varies from person to person.

AppyFan - I'm in denial too LOL. I am fine during the week so inclined to say I never got the fatigue, but last Sunday I slept 'til noon. Coincidence? :-P The husband also slept til noon though... so maybe it's just a busy work week catching up with us. I'm also working while doing this.

CarolAnnie - glad you are doing great 2 weeks out! I think you're over the toughest of it, so if you're good now, you're good!

Idkidk - SOooo glad it's much better for you. Hope it continues to heal.

lavenderlee / egregious / wised / rileycat / mlghtn / sillyoldrab / urdrago and others hope it's going well for you through the rest of radiation, and/or the healing after if you've finished your sessions like me.

I'm pretty good a couple days out, actually just feeling like there's a lot of work to do, not sure if it's good or bad that I'm back in the office full force on Monday (have been working from home during rads).

I've been reading this thread daily, but haven't had much to report. It's wonderful to know that even those with the worst side effects have survived and are moving on. I've got 4 more zaps to go. This past week, I finally started to notice some small pink spots all over the radiation field and some larger, rather angry looking areas on the underside and towards my armpit. However, none of them are causing any pain. They look like they ought to, and it's puzzling why they don't. (Not complaining here!) I've switched from using a grab bag of products to just using Miaderm 3-4 times a day. It contains aloe and calendula, so it seems to make more sense than using these other products individually. Very much looking forward to ringing that bell this Thursday!!! Wish it was possible to put it all behind me and call it DONE. But I know the fear of recurrence will haunt me for years. Wouldn't it be great if we all could just erase 2018?

Wised, sounds similar to my pass 2 years. Fiance' passed in March 2017 had stroke. And just as I get back to some what i thought is normal 2018 slam with cancer. Wishing u a better 2019..

Sillyoldrabbit. Sounds like ur skin is holding up well. I have those bumps as well and always pink color on chest. But tan in my armpit .

I did notice today that the back side of shoulder i have rash as if radiation is going thru. I will say something tomorrow when i get there. I dont have anything new going on and 10 more treatments to go.

sillyoldrab - nice to hear from you and glad you’re only 4 zaps away. Just think next weekend you will be done!

Urdrago - I have marks on my back from rads so definitely it goes through all the way there. I didn’t lotion as much there but am now with post treatment.

Egregious - so nice of you to always chime in with words of encouragement!

Wised / Urdrago - OMG what a strong, incredible women you are. What you've been through, I can't even imagine. In Thailand they say our loved ones stay with us just looking after us from their side of things and I would like to believe that.

I wonder how much of our cancer comes from traumatic experiences and stress... I’ve always been pretty healthy but in the last couple years, we lost my mother-in-law (whom I had a close relationship with) to lung cancer, my favorite uncle and aunt passed away, and our littlest sweetest dog Kit Kat also passed In March this year, which was heartbreaking for me as I’m a “paw mom” - no kids, just the pups, and I’ve raised Kit Kat and Domino since they were pups and we rescued Tucker when he was little too.

I know I always post pics of little Domino and an occasional cameo from Tucker. Here’s Kit Kat whom we still miss everyday. They say the sweetest hearts are the weakest hearts and that was her.

Anyways, sometimes I think it’s the weight gain and sugar that could have led to the bc. Sometimes I wonder if it was all the stress from these events. But trying to conquer and keep my head above water and stay as positive as possible considering. You ladies are great and strong and also helpful in all that!

Kit Kat cuddling up to me

Pebbles. thanks for chiming in and explaining u have it as well. I didnt lather my shoulder or over my collarbone to other side, but I do now..

Sillyoldrabbit, thanks for sharing the info about a book i will look for it at library or online. We all gave a journey does seem odd we all have stress prior to diagnosis. Sorry about ur loss. I wld be completely lost with out my fur baby.

I always thought ai dealt well thru stress. Looks lile my body hasnt.

Ergregious, aww thank you, im crossing my fingers. Thank you for noticing I added color and thinking about adding a touch more. How are you feeling

lavenderle, I hadnt seen a post from you in a few days. how is ur skin holding up? Will you be ending treatments before the New Year? Due to all the Holidays I dont end until Jan 4th. Cant wait!!

Sending good vibes to u all..

Hi urdrago, sooo tired but I can see the finish line for rads. Last day is Thursday. It's been an intense time with treatment. I feel grateful for the support of family and friends and you guys here. Hope your path ahead goes smoothly. Did you see Wised started a new thread for hormone treatment called Starting/Declining Hormone Therapy. Lot of familiar faces there.

Hi Lavenderlee! Happy for you that you'll be finished up before the new year. Happy 2019!! And that puppy is adorable. Good going on stepping back from hosting this Christmas. Other people can help us. We just had our family gathering, early because folks are traveling next week. I sat in a chair and ate and unwrapped presents while everybody else did all the work. Once I forgot and jumped up to chase the one year old down the hall, caught him, and came back and said Ooops! Old habits.

Sillyoldrabbit, I think you and I are ending on the same day. Raising a cup - cheers!!

This too shall pass. Keep up the good work with lubrication and hydration.

Sillyoldrabbit, Today is 23 for me out of 33. I have til Friday and than a break. So I'm hoping to hold up. I've notice the same thing itchy rash using cortisone in my mix of gels, and aloe. Than I restart the 26th for 3 days with another break. Finishing the first week of Jan.

Cheers to Egregious and urself !!

Tomorrow will be a most exciting day! Congrats to SIllyoldrabbit and Egregious for finishing (although I'm cheering a bit early). I looking forward to wrapping up the whole breast treatments. Urdrago, so close - you're into single digits with me!

Sillyoldrabbit, I was advised to keep my skin lotioned during chemo as it tends to dry you out. Also, my RO mentioned to keep up with it before and after treatments for sometime to keep the skin happy. Sorry to hear you're getting into that itchy, burn time - you've held up amazingly! I agree with you that the cause is likely not one thing. Shrug shrug indeed.

Am I the only one battling fatigue or general malaise?

Hydrate, slather, rest, repeat! Good night!

A ten month journey over today! The bell had such a lovely sound.