Anyone start rads in October?
Comments
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I'm enjoying the sense of humor here.
My best friend of many years has not stopped crying since I told her of my BC. She is someone that takes to her bed with a hangnail.
Dear friend though, just overly sensitive. I comfort her.
Another dear friend sent me the funniest e-mail on what I could use my bras for that I would no longer need. His/hers soap hangers in the shower. Plant hangers in the kitchen window. Wind sock.
This friend is strong. She is bipolar, and has been down the road that makes one a strong person far too many times.
Keep laughing ladies.
Tx #2 today. Also started Arimidex, might as well get this show on the road.
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Layne
You're going to have to hold it down a bit----Red Octobra-less Girls set me to giggling and I know this stuff is working because my ribs are beginning to hurt. Hey, we could plan a calendar and fill it with pics of Red Octobra-less Girls!---well, maybe not
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Ferretmom,
I have put off starting the Arimidex until after treatments are done. I decided to deal with one thing at a time. Keep us posted.
Brenda
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Hi all,
Back from radiation simulation, all went well, have 4 new tatoos. And a very nice person that did them, did not give me a strange look when I asked her to match my tatoo on my ankle.
So they said 28 regular and 5 boosts, no break between them unless I want it. They also said no radiation to my lymph nodes so deoderant was really not an issue, just nothing on the boob area within 2 hours before treatment. The cat scan was kinda spooky, but I got through it. The tied down feeling does not go over well with me. I have one more chemo to go next thursday, then right into radiation. No reason to wait as far as I was concerned. Also, he said I will be cured. I questioned that and he said with aggressive chemo and radiation, I will be rid of the cancer I have. That does not mean I could not get it again, just not this one recurring. I also appreciate some humor with all the bad stuff we go through, we need it. Like I must have left my boob in my other bra kinda thing. -
Wow you gals have me cracking up big time!! Whew!
Great to come here for a laugh. I like the Red Octobra-less gals.I had Tx 12 today almost half way. My breast is just a little pink, doesn't hurt at all. Was thinking I was getting tired, but think it is due to getting up earlier w/ my kids. This AM I slept in a bit and feel way better today. So, so far so good energy wise and boob pain wise.
I am hearing you about comforting other people. I am so glad for email, so I don't have to explain everything over and over. You know they call to find out how you are and you end up feeling worse after they called. Hello. I send out periodic emails to family and friends and it works great.
Best wishes to all. Layne, keep us laughing, we need it!
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Hi, Ferretmom--I'm considering starting the hormones while on rads also. The onc threw that option out there and said it's up to me. Is anyone else taking this route? Let us know how it goes. I think I'm going to wait a couple of weeks into rads to decide. I haven't even been mapped yet and just finished chemo this week.
Debbie M. -
All, I am planning on tamoxifen but my medical onc is also talking after rad treatment. Also, our hospital is part of a study that includes the lupron shots with either Tamox or an AI combo. It's a random study but not a blind study. Only four women will be selected from our hospital so by the time I'm through with rads it may not even be an option for me. Anyone else part of that study or considering it post rads?
As for rad tattoos, I have a couple of other regular tats on my body. I have them in places that wouldn't normally be seen in business clothes. Well, now that I have my lumpectomy scar, node biopsy scar and the rad tats, I thought I would take a picture of the area and give it to my tattoo artist friend and say 'what do you make of this?' You know - connect the lines and dots and see if something meaningful shape emerges. Might as well dress up the area. Anyone else thinking of doing this?
A fancy boob tattoo ought to get them talking when I go in for follow ups and mammograms.
Debbie
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Oh, my goodness, I am cracking up over what to do with the bras!
On a more serious note, I do still have my breasts, and I suspect my right is going to burn to a crisp. I always do.
Anyway, I went in yesterday, they molded the form thingy to my body, took films, and gave me three tats. Monday, they'll tweak some stuff, and then I'll have my first rad treatment.
Am I the only one who's been told "Do not wear a bra during treatments!" (A few times?) Yikes! What am I going to do with my girls? It's still hot here in Houston; I'm still wearing t-shirts! At age fifty, they're not exactly perky, anymore! This is ridiculous!
I called a good friend to tell her that I might not want to leave the house much, and she shrieked, "OH, GIRLFRIEND! We need to have lunch and discuss this. We can't have this AT ALL!" (We generally meet about twice a week for lunch "and stuff.") Anyway, it's just really nice when your friend's priorities are so well lined up with your own. haha -
I got some sports bras that look more like half t-shirts, and got them a size bigger than normal. It will give me a little support, while having something soft next to my skin. Also, the oncologist said I would have little if any problem with the bottom of my boobs getting irritated. I don't know if it is because I am small or they won't radiate that part since the tumor was on the top. They are cotton, I will see how they do. I just hate the thought of going braless.
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I was also told no bras, at least with wires. To go with chamis and sport bras. The pull over your head kind can be a torture if you go and buy it new. I've been a runner for a while so I have some that have been stretched a bit and are easy to get on and off. Garnetann, it was a good idea to go a size bigger. Also it would be very comfy to wear those chamis with the built in bra with a nice button blouse over top. You'll look mighty nice stepping out for lunch, Motherbear.
Debbie
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"Free the Boobs!" Another thing, since I am node negative, he won't radiate the nodes, which he said if I have had no problem with lymphodema by now, I probably won't have any at all. He said radiating the nodes does raise the risk of lymphodema. He also said most people have reactions underneath and by the collar bone because underneath does not air out as much and by the collar bone there is no padding. Just FYI
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Hi all, my office said to go braless as much as possible and wear a 100% cotton bra if I do wear a bra. I have a sports bra that I got at Walmart was cheap. Since I am home most of the day, I wear loose T-shirts that have a design on the front and go bra-less. I refuse to go out in public w/out a bra, I'm sorry. One thing I did when my 1 cotton bra was in the wash was wear a vest. Vests are great at covering.
Layne, I'm glad I'm not the only one that stinks. Today I finally made my powder out of corn stach and baking soda, someone said to put them in a clean sock with a rubber band. I think it helps with the stink!! Was thinking about adding a drop or two of essential oil to make it smell nice. Though I only have peppermint on hand....hmmm not the usual scent for that sort of thing. lol
Anyway they say not to shave and la la la...sorry have to shave to cut down on the stink.
Motherbear, go out with your friend, you'll need it. Wear a vest or something to cover up the 'girls.' Hee hee I've had friends come with me to Tx and that has been nice.
Regarding Tamox, my onc doesn't want me to start until after Rads, and that is fine with me. Not excited about taking Tamox, but I'll cross that bridge when I get there. Of course I didn't want radiation either, but here I am.
Debbie, I'm not a tattoo person, but I like Layne's idea of a zipper. lol Hmm I'm sure there might be something cool you could do while connecting the dots.
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Wow! What's all this about airing out? I don't go for CT and tats until Oct. 24. This is interesting stuff I am hearing from you all who are ahead of me in this phase of treatment. Does airing out allow the boob tissue to cool off?? My rad onc did such a good job of explaining things to me but no mention was made of cotton shirts, etc. The good news is that I've always hated bras and have never found one that fit well. Never mind that my generation was of the bra-burning sort. Consequently airing out won't be a problem for me. I discovered those minimal walmart fruit of the loom things a while back and they are comfortable.
Love the humor. So glad to be this far along and past chemo that humor is a great relief!!
Linda
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Right now, shaving is not an issue for me as my pits are baby smooth from the chemo. I don't know if I will actually have to shave them before radiation is over or not. I figure I won't have any pit hair until about the middle of November, and will be done with radiation the middle of December. We will see. Do any of you guys have pit hair?
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Hi All,
Garnetann, I have no pit hair yet either. Since I work at home, I can let the girls dangle. I am 5 weeks out of chemo with the white hair sprouting from my head like a baby chick. I also have my trusty mirror at my desk. I use it to look up my nose to see if any nose hair is sprouting. <it gets slow on conference calls> Still no eyelashes. Best I can tell, not even close to starting pit hair.
I should take the picture of the canvas the tattoo guy has to work with and send it on to him. I haven't jumped at it yet since I probably should wait a few months before having it done. Time for the body to heal from chemo and rads.
For those of you just coming off chemo and into rads like me, I must say I feel pretty dang good 5 weeks out from chemo. I know from what other girls are saying about rads, that will change again once we are a few weeks into rads and the fatigue sets in. I have my 5th treatment today. It does show me it will get better.
Motherbear, did you gals do lunch? How was it?
Debbie
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Hello all,
Everyone must be busy enjoying their Saturday, cuz it's been quiet today. I'm so glad to have 5 treatments down and after my hot and pinking reaction to the first one, I am glad to report that nothing got any worse with the next 4. No one actually told me to go braless, just to avoid underwires, but I was feeling itchy and confined and paranoid today at work and couldn't wait to get home and free the girls. Tank tops with a shirt over the top may be happening soon!
I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!
Brenda
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Hi ladies,
I havent participated with any of you but since I finished rads in March 07 I try to check in on those of you who are starting....someone here posted something about a less greasy cream...my rad onco gave me Silvedine which is a really thick, white cream, it didnt seem greasy at all....the other thing they gave me (and I kick my own behind) I had one small area that the skin broke through so they put this medicated gel pad thingy on it...I should have kept the package so I could tell you ladies what it is....Now that did the trick!!!!! I had an extra one but I sent it to another lady from a different rad group so I will try to contact her and see if she by chance kept the package or remembers what it is called....
I did a total of 33 rads with the last 9 being boosts but other than weekends had no time off....I was a long haul but very doable...
Hope you all fly through your rads and jump back into a normal life once your through your journey!!!!
Hugs
Jule
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Hi everyone. I'm new to this discussion. I'm 7 treatments down with 26 to go. Do you guys get to actually wear gowns? I have to take off my clothes in the rad room and put them back on there too. It feels a little weird. Also, I got a tip from an intern during my second lumpectomy to help with the scar. He said to buy Vitamin E tablets, poke a hole in them and smear it on the scar. I checked with the rad nurse and she was ok with it as long as I cleaned it off before treatments. I think it's helping.
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Does everyone generally get pretty tired from this after a few weeks?
I get my films tomorrow.
Thanks,
joanne
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To follow on to Joanne's question, I'm wondering how the radiation fatigue compares to the chemo fatigue. I've heard it described as different. How so?
I'm 5 weeks out of chemo and feel stronger than I have since the middle of chemo. I'm back to running, yard work, full time job, and other energy-demanding activities. Just wondering what it will be like when radiation takes its toll. How it will compare?
Joanne, I have read a few folks saying that the tiredness came in around treatment 17 for them.
Layne, for the October gang, are you the furthest along? I'm about to leave for treatment #6. You are the frontiers lady. :-)
Debbie
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Debbie -I love your picture (or avatar I think it is)
I walk/sometimes jog now for the first time in months and know I have to get it in the next few days before I start my 7:30 am zappings.
I just hope I don't feel as tired as during chemo, now that was like getting hit by a mac truck.
Joane
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Hi everyone,
Eww! Penni, it would be weird not to have a gown---at least I can pretend I have some modesty left and cover up the good boob, while the bad one hangs out! Not a bad idea to dress in the rad room though instead of fighting the dressing room door! I'll try it, maybe shave a few minutes off my sick time usage.
Layne, you and I must have taken the same sleeping pill, because I slept most of my weekend away too and sneaked in a nap besides. Surely it was weekend radiation withdrawal, can't be fatigue after just 5 zaps. Number 6 was today and tomorrow I see the onc doc, I guess for a weekly show & tell? No one will give me permission to put anything on bad boob--nothing at all. Tell me to bring it and let doc approve it--yeah right, buy one of everything at the pharmacy and then return it?
I officially joined the Octobra--less girls today. Linda convinced me. Quite a while removed from my bra-burning days, but hey now I have a legitimate excuse, why not be comfy in my tank top with a shirt over top. Much better, thx Linda!
Keep on Glowing!
Brenda
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Brenda, I cannot get over how you aren't given permission to use anything on your boob. I was handed a bunch of the Aquaphor samples.
Penni, it would be a hoot to hear how everyone in the room handles it when there you lay with no gown and they have the male physicist in there to check the radiation levels of your zap. I had some guy in the room with the lady techs today. He taped something on my bad boob to validate radiation levels. It was good to have the gown to cover up the rest of me. Allow us a little modesty, please.
Debbie
6/33 done
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Ferretmom,
How are you and the Arimidex getting along? I figure that we're in for a menopausal test, second time around in my case. And the employee in the office that kept changing the A/C to 80 during the summer may get new long johns in her mailbox, if she does that during the winter.......
Brenda
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I have been taking armidex since the beginning of Oct. So far it hasn't been bad, but I do sometimes feel like my legs are stiffer than usual!
I understand some of the SEs don't kick in for several weeks so I will have to wait and see.
Joanne
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I feel really silly talking about modesty issues - least of my worries, right? But I'm starting to think my rad place is just weird. I have all male techs including one college student looky-loo, and from day one I was told no robes. Take off everything to the waist in the rad room. One male tech held out a towel. After I get on the table with my arms up - oops there goes the towell while they line me up. I have four dots around both boobs, though I only get rads in my right. After all is done they stay in the room while I put my clothes back on. I'm no shrinking violet, but this feels really odd.
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That does sound odd. I don't like alot of these students around either. They should at least ask if you mind having them in the room.
The one time I have been to the rads place I had to wear a gown and then take one side off so they at least pretended to let you have some modesty. Would you feel comfortable telling them you want a robe and will slip one arm out?
The rad doc also wanted me to take off my wig so I didn't "slide around in the CT" scanner. I told them if he went bald I would be happy to as well. Neither of us did.
Joanne
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Morning ladies....
Yesterday the rad machine was down for repair, so now I'm a day behind.
I also have a rash/blisters. Not supposed to happen after just 4 tx, so I'm wondering if it is a reaction to the Arimidex?
See the dr today, so hopefully she will know.
All I know is I itch.
Been very careful not to use anything but mild soap, and no scrubbing the area.
Better today, so maybe a day off was a good thing, although I was bummed when they called to cancel. Funny how you work to plan your day around the appt time, then feel disappointed when we don't have to be there.
Also, adds another day to treatment schedule.
Cheese with my whine please
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Good for you Joanne! I talk to the doc and nurse today, I think I'm going to bring up all of my privacy issues. Because of the way my tatts are, though, at least while I'm on the table getting lined up, I think I have to be completely naked. I wish I knew enough when this started to ask about such things.
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Hi Ladies,
Just jumping in to say hello. My dear friend Layne is an October gal. I finished rads 3 1/2 months ago. Wanted to let Ferretmom know that my rash started on day 4 too, then by the next week tiny white blisters. My rad onc suggested benadryl cream first, then aquaphor over that, to help with the itching. Of course, no lotions during actual treatment. It's very doubtful the rash is from Arimidex. I used Crystal deordorant on rads side all during treatment, not during actual rads. I was religious about the aquaphor. So for those getting burning and blisters, be diligent about whatever tx the doctor recommends. Don't scratch the rash or blisters, as that may cause an infection if the blisters open up. The aquaphor is messy and yucky and will wreck your clothes and sheets, but you need to protect your skin if it burns and blisters.
Sorry to hijack the thread from one who's already been there. I read it from time to time to see how everyone's doing.
Think of you all,
Love,
Brenda in VA
PS: Hi Layne
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