Fall 2015 Rads
Comments
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Goofyfoot: not so much in your pocket as in your packet of tissues. There were a few moments in the past couple of weeks where I thought "I wish I'd just had a mastectomy!" as I dissolved into a puddle of tears again....and I got off easy in regards pain and fatigue and skin issues. Waiting that long on that uncomfortable table in that exposed position? Gah.
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Goofy, I'm so sorry you hurt. I hope tomorrow is better!
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capippy I smell it too! It adds to the freakiness of the whole process. I can also feel some heat on my face from the metal heating up.
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That sucks. So sorry you were stuck there.
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goofyfoot hugs to you, sorry you were in such pain. And a big congrats for finishing that mountain , you hoo girl!
Congrats to those who finished!!
Tomorrow only at #8 and still hating it.
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Goofyfoot just awful to be in pain and be so uncomfortable for so long! I really hope today is much easier!
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Goofyfoot, that's awful, I'm so sorry that you had to go through that! Adding my wish for a better day today to the other wishes winging your way...
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keys-plez I will be a three weeker. I start my rad mid Oct 16 treatments and I am fair skinned so I'll post my skin side effects. I also am having whole breast radiation and because it's my left side I have to hold my breath for 30 seconds three times during treatment
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So I think for me, wherever skin touches skin, it will break down and peel. Don't know if that is true for every one though..
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Christine: I've added you to the list, is that OK?
Littleblue: makes sense, both that that's where you'd peel and that our reactions vary--I'm itchiest still at the corner of my field that lies in my armpit, where my bra strap rubbed.
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Hi all! I started radiation on Tuesday, the 29th. 21 treatments and then on to hormonal therapy. I was asked to provide a 2 hour window in which I would be willing to have my treatments scheduled. I said 2:30-4:30 with the idea that I was returning to the office this week and the plan was that I would go home after my daily treatment. Well, they only got 7 treatments within my desired time frame and they are at a different time every day. What a nightmare. Since most of my treatments are "too early", when I go home I need to get back on line and work and find myself still working at 6:00 pm. This is exactly what I was trying to avoid. I'm 4 days back to the office and 3 days into radiation and I'm already exhausted!
I worked from home for 15 weeks during chemo and was able to manage the distractions and stress pretty well, but now that I'm back in the office everyone seems to think I should be hitting on all cylinders! I manage a division in a large bank and there must have been pent-up demand for my time! Looking forward to Saturday!
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TheycallmeCommodorable: I've added you to the list--is that OK? And beyond annoying about the changing times! Bad enough that we have to go through this, but changing plans every day, hmph.
And welcome to the group, Commodorable and Courtney. We appreciate any contributions you care to make, but always (I'd hope!) companionship and sympathy.
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I said I would update weekly with pictures. This is today after the last of my 25 whole chest wall/axilla/supra clavicular... Basically whole breast, but they aren't my "real" breasts any more. 5 boosts to go. I am "well done" as they told me today, so scroll by if you do not want to see. Everyone is different though, and on different plans; some people will not get so dark. One area is starting to blister, and one area below the breast, not shown, is splitting open.
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Kbeee, sending you psychic Aquaphor--yowch!
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Ouch! Die, cancer cells, die! Poor KBeee, I feel for you!
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hi guys - had 8th rad treatment today (of 33). Fatigue definitely setting in ("a little early" says my RO) and some queasiness ("not us" says my RO). Skin not bad at all yet though. Anyway - just wanted to say hi and good thoughts to you all. And I'm so impressed with you guys who are keeping up with workouts!
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Ouch KBee! My RO saw mine and said Owww that's angry. Yes it is and it screams sometimes..I have 3 more boosts to go. We can do this! I was so bad today I accepted the note to stay out of work. My body needs to rest and heal.
Does anyone have any success with getting aquaphor stains out of their clothing and sheets? I think I will be tossing everything out when I'm done using the aquaphor.
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Also interested in "how to remove Aquaphor stains". I'm planning to throw the bras as far as I can when I'm done with the recovery period, but some of the nightgowns I'd like to keep. The instructions I found for removing Aquaphor from fabric read rather like those for removing crankcase oil--here, on eHow.
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I am bad with stains, so I bough every tank top Wslmart had so I can throw them out when done. I have Silvidene which was prescribed this week. Today my nurse navigator saw me in the hall and told me to ask for Mepilex dressing. I asked RO's nurse and she said she would let me try one, But that they usually do not stay in axilla. I held it in place with a form fitting tank top. Instant relief!!!!!!!! Completely eliminates chaffing. If your skin gets bad, ask for some. Huge, huge difference. She told me if they worked, she would see about getting me a prescription for some. they'd better give me a prescription for some; they are wonderful!!!!!!!!!!
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The foam dressings? I bet they're great! and hard to keep in one's axillary area.
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yes! The foam dressing. Soooo much better. It may not stay all day, but tank top will hold it in place at night. Huge improvement
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25 whole chest and 2 boosts to my scar. Your results may vary. 0 -
Jen, could be better, but could be worse. Looks ouchy. I'm glad you're almost done.
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ugh...you guys are scaring me. I'm 6/33 in. My underwire bra left an indent today..I guess that means I'm swelling? I have to work full time and dress up for my job. How am I going to do this...
I hate radiation. I have radiation and a herceptin infusion tomorrow.
Phooey. Phooey phooey phooey...
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Tresjoli...I don't think you'll make it with underwire. But if you're swelling, you can get bra extenders. They just hook into the hooks in your bra and give you more circumference. I personally bought larger, cheap-ass Fruit of the Loom bras (3 for $10). I worked fulltime thru rads, but have a mostly sit-down computer job. Because the bras didn't really support me the way I needed, I could only wear certain tops and used layers to disguise the droopy girls.
lbf...I still have the dark patch under my arm. It hasn't broken loose the way yours has yet. I'm nursing it as long as I can to give the underskin time to regenerate.
I'm six days post rad. 28 of 28.
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Keys, what are you using on your under arm? Aquaphor hasn't helped me at all...
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Currently I'm doing a combo of Cetaphil and the CVS aftersun aloe w/ lidocaine. The skin is looking dry so in the morning I apply the Cetaphil and let it absorb for about 30-60 minutes while I'm getting ready for work. Then I follow up with the CVS and head to work. I reapply the CVS AS NEEDED during my work day. I do the Cetaphil again at night and follow with CVS if it's stinging or sensitive. I've only used aquaphor twice during this whole process.
The CVS was recommended by my rad techs and can be used even during radiation TX. The Walgreens brand looks the same, but the ingredient list is different. My techs said no Walgreens Aftersun aloe.
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Thanks! I have Cetaphil and I'll get aloe!
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lbf..I'm not sure what my game plan will be if my skin looks like yours when the outer layer goes. I had one small area open on me (it was my fault. I rubbed it too hard). I just kept using the CVS. But yours looks gnarly. I have some silverdine. I'll probably use that to prevent infection. But I'll just have to wait and see. If the skin is tender but healthy, I'll stick with my CVS w/lidocaine. I've never used silverdine, so I don't really know.
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lbf..Make sure you get the stuff with lidocaine. It really does take away the surface pain. I'd only use the Cetaphil on the dry areas. Maybe not on the tender new skin. That would probably hurt like hell.
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