anyone starting radiation in September

Today I went for the CAT scan and tattoos. Everything went well. I like the clinic I am going to and the people were nice. The only hard part was holding still for 15 minutes (or however long it was) for the CAT scan. Also dealing with the emotions like 'this is going to make you sick for life' and garbage like that. 

My next appointment is Monday the 24th and I officailly begin on the 25th.  

~ Helen  

I have been in my second week of radiation.  I already did chemo and my Surgery in July so this was the next logical step.  I did fine at the Pre CT set up for the radiation but I must admit I had a bit of a mental meltdown on the first day of the real thing.  It just seems counter-intuitive to lay calmly on a table while people shoot high dose radiation at your body.  They had to stop for a few minutes to wait for me to collect myself so I wouldn't be moving but they were very nice about it.  I suggest you bring an IPod if you can because the Sting music (the Fields of Barley) in the background made me cry even harder!  That being said, the other 7 treatments have been fine and they get quicker as they get to know you because they can set you up faster and get in a routine.  My skin is only mildly red at this point.  I guess the 3rd week it gets pretty angry.  Good luck to all of you...just one more step to get through.

Amy         

Are you worried about lymphedema?  That is  a major concern for me I think the risk is something like 30% if you have had axillary dissection + radiation.

Joanne

((Amy)) I'm sorry you had a hard time. It does seem counterintuitive to have radiation beams aimed at your body. I take comfort in knowing that this is a highly researched and technical proceedure, so most likely it will be OK. 

My husband has been going to many of my appointments with me. He asked me if I wanted him there for the first one. I said I don't think so. We'll see if I change my mind. I go for the trial run this Monday (24th).

Great idea about the ipod. Music always helps me.

Pam, sorry you are feeling depressed. I hope it passes soon.  

Weet, they said to use Lubriderm, eh? Mine said to use 100% Aloe Vera, which I happen to have, though it might be getting old, so I will buy a fresh bottle.  They also said Sween (?) lotion could be used. But it has a fragrance, which gives me a headache. So I'll stick with the Aloe Vera. 

Whew, I hope I can remember all the things they told me to do, and to not do. I'll have to read all those papers over again. 

~ Helen

Helen and Jayhawk. I was told to use Lubriderm to keep the area moist. If I burn they said to use 100% aloe but to keep using the Lubriderm as the aloe will take the burn out but is very drying so the moisturizer is a must. I also was given a "recipe" for a treatment if it burns. think it is just salt and water but I will put it up tomorrow for anyone who would like it.

Hello Ladies,

The "recipe " from the hosp. is for a Saline Soak.

Mix 4 cups of water and a level teaspoon of salt and boil for 10 minutes. When it is cool place a clean soft cloth in a bowl and pour the solution over it.Put the cloth on the reddened, cracked or open area for 10 to 15 minutes but be sure to remove the cloth before the cloth dries.Leave the exposed area to the air for another 10 to 15 minutes.It can be done 3 or 4 times a day if needed. Very simple but supposedly very good.

I had a wonderful surprise last night. We were going out with friends and when they arrived at our place my friend presented me with a hand done quilt she has been working on for me for the last few months.On one corner it has a breast cancer tag on it saying " Quilted for my courageous friend and then my name, hers and the date." Of course I cried, it is so beautiful but the work and thought she put in is even more special.We are now off to my son's for my DH and my 3 year old grandaughter's birthdays.

Can life get any better !!!

Pam and Helen good luck tomorrow, the build up to it is much scarier than the actual thing, you will be in and out.

Hugs to all

i started august 27th, so i've done 4 weeks so far. my left breast is a bit pink, but that's it. i've been using sween cream when i remember, and not wearing underwire bras. i only have 4 non-underwire bras, so i supplement with camisoles, and just wear DH's shirts so no one can tell the girls aren't being supported.

((Weet)) That is SO sweet!! I'm getting tears in my eyes, too. What a total blessing for you. God has given you a dear friend!   Ahh you are a grandmother, how wonderful. I look forward to being a grandmother one day.  It will be awhile, my oldest is 15!

I'm feeling pretty peaceful about tomorrow. My dh reminded me that there is radiation everywhere. I turned on the light and he said - you just were exposed to radiation. That helped me to think that it isn't so bad to be irradiated. I looked up the word irradiate and it said "illuminate and enlighten." Hmm there must be a lesson in that. Perhaps this trial is an opportunity for me to be enlightened into a higher purpose for my life.

Weet, thanks for the recipe.

Darleen, congrats on finishing one week!

Playwriter, I'm glad your hair is growing back in and hope it comes back in a wonderful way for you.

Blessings,

Helen 

I got a chance to speak in front of the congregation of my church this morning.  I prayed and I read verses in the bible dealing with God's grace.  But what I found that really shaped the direction of what I wanted to say was the dictionary.  I looked up the word grace and read the definition:

a. The freely given, unmerited favor and love of God. 
b. The influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.  

That was the definition in the dictionary but I got to thinking about how many different definitions there truly are.  I came up with a few definitions that God has put in my own personal dictionary.

Receiving treatment for a life threatening disease despite the fact that I had no insurance and no money

My surgeon telling me that she is honored to help me and I would never have to worry about getting a bill from her

The surgery that removed the entire cancerous tumor in my breast

Waking up from surgery - 4 different times

My children

Being able to humble myself enough to let a friend help me shower after surgery when I was unable to do it myself

Friends taking care of all of the carpool duties to all of the girls' activities

My boyfriend

The chemotherapy that ensures that there are no cancer cells lurking in my body

Participating in the Race for the Cure and experiencing the overwhelming support of other survivors and co-survivors

My parents

A garage sale to raise money for the girls and me because my treatment left me too sick to work

Friends scrubbing my bathrooms, vacuuming my house, doing my laundry, cleaning my kitchen and mowing my lawn

Phone calls of encouragement when I wasn't sure I could hold the phone because I was so tired and ill from chemo treatments

Standing here breathing

Having someone come to my front door and say, "I don't know you but God wanted me to give this to you."  And then hand me an envelope with money

Prayers, lots and lots of prayers

When I was looking really bad from chemo and standing in front of the mirror crying and saying how bad I looked only to have daughter tell me, "you just look like my mom"

The nurse who gave me chemo calling me just to see how I am doing even though I am not her patient anymore

Everyone in this church

A benign ovarian tumor

My youngest daughter choosing to follow Jesus and her baptism

While sitting in a waiting room to receive yet another treatment, the wife of another patient walking away from me to cry because she didn't want to upset me - having the strength to pray with her when she returned - her thanking me and telling me that I was her angel that day

Two dogs lying at my feet

Being able to minister to others while being completely taken care of by others

Being alive

The list could be much longer but I'm giving a testimony, not a sermon.  All these things just reinforce the fact that God's grace is all around us and that He uses His earthly angels to help us.  We should experience His grace in a manner that sustains us and carries us through this life into the next one.  When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I would have wished for something different but now that I am on this walk, I wouldn't trade it for anything.  If it weren't for cancer, I wouldn't have been able to see so much of God's love and grace in others or in myself.  I am undeserving, as we all are, but God has chosen to love us all unconditionally and I am appreciative of that now more than ever before.  I can't say thank you enough to God and His angels here on earth.  

I found a scripture verse that I think sums it all up for me. 

Acts 20:24  However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

Patti

Hello gals;

Patti, sounds like you have a very positive attitude despite set-backs..good on you!!

Weet, the quilt sounds like it is filled with love. I think we are courageous ladies!! In fact, that is what I want my tattoo to be (can't believe that I actually want one!!)

Jayhawk, my breast was not sore but just below...the rib area feels strange?? that's the best way to describe it... and I, too, have only had 2 tx's!! Holy!!

Playwriter, my hair HAD grown bigtime the wk. I was away and now, it fell out...WTH??? Also, a chunk of my eyebrow disappeared...ok, who took it?? Fess up ladies!! So now I am baldER and look like shit.. I was at church this morn. and a sweet gal that I haven't seen for a few months sees me and starts crying! Ok, I did NOT look good today and the missing brows don't help...LOL

Pam, I had 2 meltdowns just prior to starting this 2nd journey...thought to myself "Is chemo not enough? When does this end?" but then I pulled up my panties and life goes on... right?? So it goes with the territory!!

Amy, when I had my tx, I asked if they had any ACDC and they said that I could bring my own music in...SO tomorrow I will then Beaches by Bette...followed by the Beatles! Hopefully I won't cry...or jiggle to the music! HEEE HEEE

Take care

Cath 

Patti, what a beautiful testimony. I too have grown so much in my faith since this all started.

Cath I have losted all my eyelashes and brows--I miss them!! My hair is coming back like an old man all around the sides but not on top, bless tell me it will start growing.  My last taxol was the 15 of August! i am still on herceptin until May. they say that slows growth.

Playwrite my prayers are with you that your ultrasound comes back fine. let us know.

Debi

Hi all, I start rads on Friday (7 weeks post chemo).  It was a hard decision to make as I only had 1 positive node and so rads isn't mandatory, but decided better safe than sorry.  Had the sim. today, and got the three little dot tattos.  Kind of odd to have blue freckles, lol, but considering that I have no breast on half my chest, not such a big deal.  Anyways, will be reading up on what you all are going through, and if you have any advice pls let me know. 

You're comin' down the home stretch, Playwriter. I'm glad to hear you are only pink so far. How did the ultrasound go? Any news there?

I had my 2nd Rx today. No biggie at this point, eh? A friend will come with me tomorrow. I will enjoy the company. I want my family to see the radiation machine, whatever you call it. That thing is an amazing piece of technology. Though I have to say it scared the heck out of me with the beeeeeeeeeep the first time. Was praying and remembering someone calling it R2D2, that helped.

How are others doing? 

Weet, they told me to get a compression sleeve if I fly (some forgot to tell me so I thought I'd mention it). The rad doctor gave me a prescription to see the lymphedema clinic to get measured for it. Did someone mean a filtered mask like you get to paint, while flying?  What about the smack of vitamins you get with "Airborne" made by the schoolteacher for germ attack?

Cynthia, I had rumblings of a period yesterday, 9/26, i started rads more than a week ago on Tuesday (32 changed to 33). Also, the doctor called after last week's pap, I HATE when they leave a message and don't say what's wrong! She never calls me!!!!

I had had an abnormal pap earlier and thought it might be because chemo gave me a yeast infection. Apparently I have something else to worry about (is that premature?!!, maybe she just wanted to chat, ha!)......during chemo I had anti fungal pills and then was advised to take Monistat 3 because it seemed it still itched (and I forgot the pills for 3 days while i had cousin company). 

I too planned on getting my ovaries out as soon as it can be scheduled after rads, and before the end of the year.

I have discussed it with a lot of people on the forums and groups, doctors, the oncologist said no because my Mom is brca negative (but he is the only one), but I'm going to try to get tested myself and will go ahead regardless, due to my Mom having been dx'd with ovarian cancer June 1998. She has had 2 recurrences, 2001 and 2003.

Kate

I looked at Walgreens and could not find 100% aloe, and the Internet was confusing...someone said 100% gel isn't same...?