Fall 2015 Rads
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So the tech explained to me how they line me up with all the lasers and light projection rulers, it's so neat!! Then they showed my my 3D model on the computer so I would know where to put lotion exactly!! Don't forget your back if your having clavicle rads!
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So - I will be meeting with my RO for the first time Monday. I'm new to this. Don't know what I'm going to have in terms of type, length of treatment, etc...scared to death. Any pointers will be appreciated.
Also - how do RADS affect what you can comfortably wear? I will be working during treatment. I've heard it makes a person tired. What time of day is the best time to go based on fatigue?
Thank you ladies!!!
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I'm halfway through the 16-treatment partial-breast course today. Thus far, the only clothing changes I had to make were bras that could both fit "(Long Past)Teenage Mutant* (literally) Ninja Boob" and support without scratching me (little things like nylon stitching can be a major annoyance), and having to wear a bra all the time. For sleep I've reverted to the cotton-stretch front-close leisure bras--not exactly supportive but not so tight that my breast expands dramatically when I take them off. In the daytime, I'm not finding much of a comfort difference between wired and non-wired: cup and band size, and where stitching happens to hit me, are the important variables. Not getting skin irritation yet; lubing up afterward and at bedtime is purely preventive.
*for those too young or old to have raised toddlers and small kids in the late '80s-'90s, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mutated into full-size superheroes after being exposed to......wait for it.....RADIATION.
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Just to follow up to my post about my breast swelling and heaviness-I saw my MO today and she said that it definitely is breast lymphedema. She is referring me to a lymphedema clinic and advised me to wear a very supportive sports bra that puts pressure on my breast and wear a spanx-like camisole to provide even more pressure. Evidently it's not uncommon after radiation and a lumpectomy
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Sorry to hear that PJay! Mesharon, I have found personally that wearing a loose fitting cotton bra and then a cotton cami over it (or under) helps protect my skin from my work clothing. So far the only real issue for me is I am very tired all of a sudden and I have some nausea that gets better if I eat more frequently. I think my craving of protein is an indicator I am not getting enough.
I had an emotional meltdown this morning. Just couldn't handle feeling bad, being tired and dealing with something really minor at work. sigh...I hate being emotional.
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Molly50 - ChiSandy - thank you for your apparel suggestions. I want to be prepared before I begin treatment with lotions, potions, etc. as well as attire. I am seriously NOT looking forward to the experience...but with all of your inspiration, I will do my very best to be brave.
Additionally, how painful is it or does it vary depending on the person and the treatment?
Thank you so much for your help!!
JPay - sorry for what you're going through!! I hope all works out well for you!!
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So I went to the dermatologist for my horrible rash/itching and he gave me a prescription for some steroid ointment. I asked if he had samples so I didn't have to fill it until the morning because it was late. He gave me samples of something similar. The similar stuff works and the prescription does nothing. So i called to see if I can get more of it. You can only use it twice a day for 10 days which isn't long enough but I am so miserable, I will do anything to get me through this. If anyone else is having major itching, the stuff is called Halog ointment.
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Trvler, even my prescription steroid is only good for two weeks at time. If you don't clear up by 10 days then have them switch it to something else! So far the steroid is working for me.
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I'M DONE I'M DONE! No bell or certificate but this is me with my favorite tech in a goofy selfie!
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Congrats, Tresjoli!!
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Does celebratory goofy celebratory dance for Tresjolie....
....did I mention it was a celebratory dance?
Well, it is.
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Congratulations!
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Had my first followup visit with RO--should have been within a month but we got delayed because RO was on vacation (life's like that sometimes. Fine with me, as I was rather tired of being examined/stripped to the waist.)
His verdict: you're doing fine. (I knew that.) Have you returned to a normal work schedule? (I don't know--I'm self-employed so don't have a 'normal' work schedule, but I've returned to a normal workout schedule. Does that help?) Would you like to see the local lymphedema clinic? (Yes--I don't expect there to be a problem given the minimal intervention so far, in the spectrum of breast cancer treatment, but I'd like to make sure there ISN"T a problem. For which see normal workout schedule.)
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I keep being surprised when coworkers ask if I'm back to work full-time. I'm like, "Dude, where've you been?, because I've been here full-time all the way through this!"
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Queen: I am doing the lymphedema consult, too.
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Yeah, I'd be perplexed by that question from co-workers too! (Standard disclaimer: everyone's different. Not everyone will be able to work full time through rads...but rest assured that many....nay most of us will be able to do so.)
In my case, it's more that the RO's asking the wrong question, though I'm glad he's assuming that women are working full time.
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Hi all. I completed 26 of 28 of my full breast rads today. Will have 5 boosts next week and be DONE on 11-20! I am blessed to have wonderful rad techs that help the process immensely. My rad doc has zero bedside manner and does not listen to her patients. As many of you have reported, my doc always answers "it's not the rads" when I've experienced headaches, nausea/vomitting and lack of appetite. Good thing I only see her for 5 minutes every Thurs. I am so lucky that my employer allowed me to be off for treatment. I knew I could make myself do it, but decided to reduce the stress in my life by not working. I have experienced quite a bit of rash/itching but am fortunate my skin has not split open. I am hoping the boost treatments will not cause severe damage. I am grateful to be almost complete with this part of my journey. I will start Arimidex next week. Blessings to all.
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Sometimes it is the technicians and the nurses who make our experience(s) as pleasant as it is. Bless them all!
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For the record the RO I saw today (not mine, because she's away at a conference. Bluedog is saw yours instead) confirmed that dizzy and nauseous are not uncommon SEs. Said They don't know why and suspect dehydration and confirmed what Molly said before. Drink lots of water.
Boost started today. Glad I'm down to 4 to go. Getting itchy. But thankfully still not that bad.
Mesharon I've made zero changes to my wardrobe for this. I am still wearing non-wire bras, but they pretty much look like wire ones and have lots of shaping padding. Doing that entirely because my LX incision is on the wire line and has been slightly irritated by the rads. Also only running in my most immobilizing sports bra so I don't further irritate my nipple. Otherwise dressing normally.
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yay Tresjolie!! Congratulations!!!
Octogirl
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Tresjoli2, nous sommes tres heureuses pour vous!!! Laissez les bon temps rouler! (with a handle like that, I assume you’re a Francophone).
PJay, I saw my RO today, and he doesn’t think it’s LE (at least not yet). He noted the seroma isn’t larger than before (I guess I hadn’t noticed or looked for swelling till he pointed it out last week), is confined to the outer half of my breast and is a bit softer than one would expect a breast seroma to be--but then again, it’s in a much larger-and-fattier-than average breast and could be cushioned by a layer of fat. He isn’t worried, but I might ask for an LE consult after radiotherapy’s done on 11/23. He also said everything I’ve been putting on my breast--Aquaphor, aloe, coconut oil, calendula--is fine, but if & when the redness turns to irritation, burning & itching he will write me a prescription for a steroid cream or ointment. (I already have a triamcinolone ointment for an underbreast yeast rash my gyne noticed a year ago--wonder if it’s the same stuff)?
I actually have a Spanx cami & full slip I bought before all this began--maybe they’ll be of use if LE hits (assuming I don’t injure myself trying to wrestle them on--I HATE shapewear)!!!
Got a bit of fatigue today, but it may have been situational. I was putting on a rope necklace my sister made me of black crystal beads, strung on nylon thread. The nylon was sticking me in the neck, so I adjusted it---and the thread broke, scattering beads all over the floor, dresser, even my jacket pocket and cleavage! Let’s just say my knee implants got to prove their true ROM as I had to keep squatting to avoid bending over and stressing my breast as I picked up the errant beads. I don’t think I’ve given them as thorough a workout since I finished post-arthroplasty PT over two years ago!
Perhaps my pie jones (quiche today) could be protein-craving; though my weight has fluctuated by less than 2 lbs. since diagnosis despite my deviating from low-carb dieting. (Of course, going from a glass of wine with every dinner to 1 or 2 glasses a week might have helped).
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TinyDancer I was told to only use Aquophor (I don't listen very well) and Toms deodorant. I'm having major hot flashes from chemo and my poor technicians had to suffer the consequences of a failed Toms. I wish I had your RO!
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Great picture, Tresjolie2! Ra1950, you're getting close! My tech congratulated me on reaching the 1/2 way point today. I don't know how he does it. He always remembers stuff like that. You are right, Qmc the techs and nurses really make a difference. I feel better after taking some ibuprofen at work.
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I noticed that the techs all seem very in tune with how many are left, too. I have 8 more to go!
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Thanks Outrunning for your input. I just want to look normal in my clothes, and be comfortable. I appreciate you sharing.
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7 more to go, Friday off and a chest that is starting to resemble raw meat!
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Hi all,
Just wanted to offer some encouragement to those newbies who think they automatically are going to have an awful experience with radiation.
I was on the short Canadian protocol. Today I just finished my 17th and final whole breast radiation. Now I only have my 5 boosts left and I'll be done! (for a total of 22 in all).
I have had very little problems throughout. My skin on the underside of the treated breast is a little pink. The rest of the area that got radiated is slightly pink. That's it. The skin is holding up great, and I've had no problems with itching, pain, tenderness, rawness, not even close to blistering or rash. My breast and nipple does feel a little tender if I press on it, pretty much like premenstrual tenderness used to feel. Other than that, nada. Yay!
Because I truly didn't have any discomfort and my breast wasn't screaming for attention, I admit I forgot about it lot of the time. I maybe lotioned up once a day, twice max. I used the CVS aloe (green, no lidocaine) and Miaderm. I used the Miaderm mostly because I had bought it ahead of time, thinking I would need it, and that stuff is too expensive to waste!! I haven't used anything else. I shower using Dove body wash.
I have not had to change my bra habits, and have been wearing my underwire bras throughout (I'm a size C), no problem there either. I bought a boatload of cami's from Walmart thinking I might have to go braless for a while, but so far, no need.
Hoping the 5 boosts go as well as the 17 WBRs did. I guess there's always the possibility that things can still go south this late in the game, but I thought it would be good to put a positive experience out there, just to keep things balanced.
I have to think the Canadian protocol is responsible at least in part for the lack of problems. If you will be starting radiation soon, I suggest that you ask your RO about it.
Good wishes to all who will soon be starting their rads, and to those currently in treatment!
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I hope I am not scaring anyone. All except for my front chest, I am doing ok. The back is a bit red, but not really itchy or painful. My armpit is also a bit red and tight. I am not having much pain at all.
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My techs played country music for me today and I must say, having your favorite music on during REALLY HELPS. I had no idea it would improve my day that much!
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I heard two songs from my college days on the way to rads and I cranked it up as loud as I could and sang along. It was cloudy and gloomy and miserable but I felt great.
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