After Radiation
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I finished rads today so I'm ready to be part of "after radiation"
Someone mentioned rib pain. I just started to notice this in the last week, right near my sternum. It occasionally throbs and then goes away, but it's something new that wasn't there before. My RO said it was in my treatment field and is probably inflamed.
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BlazerFanC, congrats!
Thanks, all, for the welcome. Today was rough, and my axilla actually looks and feels even more raw than yesterday. My RO said it might be two weeks before I start healing, given the severity of my burn. I finished rads a week ago tomorrow--and I'm looking forward to healing.
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BlazerFan: welcome to the after rad group - I too have sternum pain... mine isn't too bad compared to other stuff.. but everyday gets a little better - Maybe484: you should see a difference in a couple more days - I healed fairly quickly once I hit 2.5 weeks after rads... I actually took pictures of the progress to remind me how much better I looked...0
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Hang in there ladies. I know it's rough. I had what looked like hamburger meat under my arm for a few weeks. All I wanted to do was sit around naked in front of a fan all day. BUT...once your skin starts healing (a couple of weeks after your treatment) it will be speedy.
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BlazerFan - Welcome to the After Rads Group. I finished rads Dec 5th and it really does get better. Give you body some time to heal and be patient with the fatigue it does go away.
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Welcome BlazerFan - bet your as glad as I was to be done!!
Can anyone help me find a book that was mentioned on some threads (back when my chemo head was really bad - and now I can't remember) - it is a book about foods written by a doctor - for cancer patients.
Thanks.
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sagina you are probably thinking of "Anti cancer A New Way of Life" by David Servan-Schreiber I am reading it now and it is very good. He just passed away recently but he managed to live 19 years after his original diag. If he had not followed his research he might not have lived as long. I understand his brain cancer was fairly aggressive.
Blazerfan welcome to the group. Now that you are finished you will start to heal pretty quickly just give it time and keep using your lotions and creams.
Gmafoley-yes mine is a compounded ointment that you have to have made at a compounded pharmancy. It works really well for spot pain. The gabapentin does not get into your system it just works on the direct spot. But like I said it is very expensive. For 4oz they told me retail was like $298.00 with my insurance it is $30. My husband uses it as well for is perephial neuropathy and it works for him, but he also takes nortryptiline and gabepentin. There is something to the tryclides and gabepetin that works well together.
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sagina...could it be "Goes Down Easy?"
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GmaFoley---Be careful with those patches....i would not use it on the scar.I used to use it for back pain and it does work but now im trying to go drug free...well im tryin.ha.
Blazer-Congrats on finishing the rads...welcome aboard.....
Dr.David Schriber----RIP.I saw this on another thread....I was and still am a big fan of his.read all of his books.he fought real hard.We lost a great man.All my sistas should read all of his books.there is a load of very good information in all of them.
Even when you do all the right things in the final analysis it is up to GOD.We worry about everything that has to do with this damn disease...Live for today...NO ONE IS PROMISED TOMORROW...huggggggggggggs K
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Well granny we don't have to worry about the patches - I put one on my rib pain and broke out in a rash - i'm allergic to tape - i guess it was also in the patches... But remembered when the did my SN biopsy they gave me some lidocaine cream - PA said I could use that instead and they would give me more if it helped
.. Going out to see a movie by myself... just to go do something without hubby home... have a nice night everyone. 0 -
They tell you that after rads you worsen, but they don't tell you how much worse. Granted, I had an unusual situation, but my underarm is unbearably bad. I looked up "wet desquamation," and, basically, my skin is breaking down in liquid form. And the description upthread of raw hamburger meat is apt. I feel as if my armpit has been dragged across asphalt. I'm burned on my upper chest too, but that (literally) pales in comparison. I so look forward to being "after rads" in terms of having this skin damage beginning to heal.
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Hello ladies - my rib pain is not as bad now as it was a few months ago....my year date for surgery is the end of August. I am doing trigger point massages every day across my chest and under my arm as best I can ( and the physio showed me how to get under the arm with a tennis ball so I can get in there too!)...it is really helping ease the tension...so is paddling for that matter. My cancer was on the left side and I am paddling on the right side of the dragon boat so I really get a good sretch going for a few hours every week....hur a lot less and I am wearing my wire bras again WiTHOU pain!!! WHEEHA!!!! Just have to remember to be consistent with the trigger point massage...I do it when I am watching tv...in the car at a light or driving down the highway (seriously!)...in bed before I get up in the am...just not before bed as it can leave me feeling tender.....give'er a try!...medication free relief...
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Maybe---yes it does worsen and no they dont tell you how much.actually they dont tell you much at all...thats why I started this thread....my RO told me i was doin fine.yeah right.no i was not.i developed edema that all my drs.blew me off like it was nothing....and yes the pain does get better but it sure does take its damn time....the pain can last up to 2-3 years.My onco said it could always be there.Some sistas really fly high without any pain but you will never see that here...they are the few lucky ones....hang in there....it does get better...just keep asking questions...we are here for you...I wish you pain free days.
Sandy--you scare me with the underwire bra....my PT told me to never ever wear underwire bras again....did your DR say it was ok?
bc sure does suk...we will get throu this....keep the faith and GOD bless all of us suffering from this giant monster.huggggggs K
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Maybe I know how you feel. At the end of rads and after my nipple/areola area and under my arm was light raw hamburger meat. Had to use a lidocaine cream just so I could take a bath. I had to numb it before I could bath or put any lotions on it. I was in such pain I was on Lortabs for a couple of weeks. At home I went topless, had to call my mom and tell her not to pop in before calling because she would find me topless. Anyway once it starts healing it will heal quickly. And you are right they do not prepare us for this.
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(((((Maybe))))) hugs to you, that sounds so sore!!! I hope you feel better soon!
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Maybe - I'm sooo sorry your armpit is that bad - it sounds like under my breast - It will get better and I pray it gets better sooner than you think!
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Thank you both! I think it was the Anti cancer book - but I'll check out both books.
Hi Grannydukes, I agree with you too! But I figure diagnosed at 41, I better use this as a wake up call and second chance. I did not take care of myself like I have taken care of others. That's easier as moms sometimes isn't it?
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I feel so badly for you ladies that are having such bad skin reactions...I fully expected to, where I'm so fair and burn so easily in the sun...But, I only had some cracked skin under the breast and only the last day and the following week...healed using "silverdeen" that the RO prescribed...I feel so lucky compared to you that are having such a tough time...I hope you heal quickly!
Granny: Never wear underwires again? I wasn't told that - but there again - must of the good stuff I've learned is off these threads...Don't know where I would have turned without them...Thanks Granny for starting this thread, it's been very helpful...
Trying to eat healthy and getting exercise to ward off #3...who knows thou? It's a crapshoot...
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Hey a good note here - 3 weeks post-rads today and I actually could where my tank top with a shelf bra while I was walking with my friends... Of course, when I came home it came off again - itch itch itch - Soon I will be able to wear it a whole day... Pill 2 of arimidex is in my system and I am trying very hard to stay active and not think about possible SEs.. 0
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GmaFoley.....................;going to bite the bullet today.........believe it or not the Femara has now made it out of the bottle, and onto the counter, sitting there all by its lonesome self, just waiting for me to do what my MO told me to do yesterday at our appt.......Not ready for this, but I have waited long enoughm and really have to at least try it.....................my problem...........I think of and fear the SE the most.......................otherwise I would have begun 1 month ago when I finished Rads.............I have the rest of today, the weekend, and Monday and Tuesday (since I don't have to watch my 2 grands, daughter is off), to keep taking it without worrying about not being able to do what I have committed myself to do...
I'm not kidding..............I am petrified of this f'/n pill................I know I'm being ridiculous,. but I can't help it.............God help me.......................
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duckyb1
Iwas the same as you.I was so afraid to take my pill....then I was afraid not to....It took me 3 weeks after rads to take that first pill.Happily I can say it is okay.I take it in the morning...done.I have been on it about 7 weeks now.Just do it:)
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thanks walley....................yea I finished Rads on June 15th, and like you I was afraid to take the damn thing, yet afraid I was waiting too long, by not taking it.............I am sure I'm much older then you...............76............and have all the old lady ailments, although when I go somehwere where there is dancing my kids say ............"what the hell happens to all your aches and pains now"...................I say "I'll pay tomorrow, but right now I'm having to much fun to give a shit"..............they just laugh....................so..................today is the day....................
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I'm with you duckyb - so far the only thing I have noticed with mine is my fear.... and a little nausea...probably from the fear... so I go and walk with the ladies in the morning and try to keep busy so I'm not thinking about the SEs (that I don't have)...One step at a time, One day at a time... We just need to encourage each other through this... You and I WILL make it!!! WE CAN DO THIS!0
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Ducky---at least give it a try!!!!!!!not everyone has S/E...you may just get lucky....you are not signing any contract are you????????
I did the same thing you did but at least i gave it a try.....of course it didnt work for me but its working for many of the sistas....go ahead and try...it takes a while for it to take effect sooo enjoy the weekend and just TAKE THE DAMN PILL....
And yes GINA the big C is a wake up call....its all about you now....
Wishing everyone a cool day.ha.huggggggggggggs K
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come on ducky you can do it! i did start my tamoxifen this week
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ducky - Just go ahead and take the darn pill. Look at it as an additional insurance policy against a recurrance. You may not have any SEs at all or have minimals ones that are totally doable.
For all you ladies that have started your little pills (Arimidex, Femara or Tamox) best of luck to you and hoping for no SEs.
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Well, my armpit is still the pits--still no improvement that I can see or feel. But your well-wishes have cheered me. Thanks--you're the best.
My RO wanted me to start Femara immediately after rads but when she saw my arm she took heart and said I could wait till I see my MO on the 15th. It's kinda like jumping off a cliff, huh? A leap of faith? Wheeeeee!
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God will catch you before you hit the ground... Might not seem like it at the moment but He will...
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OK, I'm getting those sharp, shooting pains in my radiated breast. Did someone say they are possible nerve damage and may be permanent? I see the Onc on Aug. 17th and I need to ask the right questions. My last boost was on 7/20. How long does the dark discoloration and peeling last? I'm using Bio oil, but I'm open to suggestions. I can't remember, what does normal feel like?
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rohanna - I had burning/stabbing pains that started a month after I finished rads. After several months of different tests and finally a trip to a pain specialist - I was told it is permanent nerve damage from rads. I am on amitriptyline 50mg and will have to stay on it for the rest of my life. It is not addictive but does have a sedative effect so you have to take it at night. The bonus is I get some really good sleep with the meds. I was started on 25 mg for 7 days and then went up to 50mgs.
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