Fall 2015 Rads
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As you can see the axilla is quite red but everything else is not bad.
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For those of you who are interested in the study I mentioned, it is the REQUITE study and it was started in Europe and is just now recruiting American patients. It is not limited to breast cancer, but the results should be very interesting.
http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/find-...
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thank you ladies! I also only have to do 16 treatments, so that in itself may keep the burns away, but please keep me posted - feel free to PM me too! Thanks!
Kim
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and Molly, i alsofully expect my axilla region to be the most sore, as it has been the most sensitive spot since my surgery anyways. Thanks for the pics!
Kim
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Thanks, ChiSandy! My sister left yesterday, but not before freaking my mother out. My mom's 91, I'm 59. She told Mom a lot of bullshit about radiation. Mom already didn't want me to have radiation, kept trying to get me to read articles about women who had nothing done and were fine, etc. She had breast cancer at 65, mastectomy with no chemo or radiation. Since then she's had other cancers which need one or the other. Also I was told during this time to eat an enormous amount of protein--guess who kept telling me to get off diary and chicken! "Chicken causes cancer," she said. "Then I'll get lots more cancers," I snapped.
Trivler: I'm sorry you're itching so much. I'm itching a bit, and there's slight pain. I took the advice on the top of this board, and am wearing a soft cotton camisole under my bra. And spreading on the Acquaphor like nobody's business!
The fatigue is maddening. Yesterday I went to the dentist for a cleaning and checkup. Then I went for radiation. I came home and napped for over an hour, and was no good for anything the rest of the day and evening. Then a really bad hot flash woke me up in the middle of the night (grr). I've been having them for a long time now, so it's nothing to do with any treatment.
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rainnyc: I was flattened by exhaustion after two treatments, and my balance has gotten significantly worse. The balance problem is probably from fatigue. My RO told me radiation does not cause fatigue! And he's in a world famous breast center! I guess it's not supposed to hit so soon, but it has. I drag myself through the days. This is probably also emotional, but I don't think it's a coincidence!
My advice would be to take the nausea seriously and try to live with it. Don't listen to anybody who tells you it's not happening. Each of our bodies are individual and we'll have different reactions.
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queenmomcat:
Can you add me to the list? I started November 11. Thanks!
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Hi ladies! so I FINALLY have a plan in place! I go for my simulation on Tuesday the 24th, and then rads start Nov 30th, the monday after Thanksgiving. I'll be getting 25 treatments plus 6 boosters. Radiologist also said that I'll be on my back with my arms over my head. He tested my mobility this morning since I feel a little tight after my second lumpectomy and node removal and he said I'm good to go.
The nurse that went over everything with me also said no try not using aquaphor only because it's so messy. This office swears by Medline Remedy Nutrashield. Anyone use that? Thoughts?
I'll be picking up some later today if I can. 0 -
Kimmer, one more thing though it may not affect you since you are getting the shorter treatment. The last several days my TE is very tight due to my skin shrinking. My PS said it is normal which is why they over expand us. It is uncomfortable in, of course, the underarm area!
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Sorry for the size. I think it is actually redder than it looks. The lighting in that bathroom is yellow so it mutes the affects.
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Is anyone else doing those domeboro soaks? Are they helping?
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Trvlr, Mine is redder than the pics show too. Yours looks painful.
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Queenmomcat, can you add me to the list also? I completed my FIRST treatment today. Much to my surprise, my steely armor cracked immediately and I was an emotional mess. Tomorrow is another day!
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Cuddy: you're on the list. Welcome, for certain values of "glad you're here".
StefLove: you're updated--glad that's finally settled!
Nana2-8: you're on too....and you're absolutely right that radiation therapy's psychologically very upsetting. Something I wish oncologists would realize! Yes, we want to know about the physical side effects, but the emotional ones are real too, over and above the simple fact of diagnosis.
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I melted down a week or two ago and now I feel like every time I go, they are thinking ok, is she going to lose it again TODAY? lol
Molly: It's not terribly painful, unless I am moving around a lot. The itching has been way worse than the pain so far. I will be done with the super clavicle area after tomorrow so there's that. I will grasp on to any little thing I can.
Is yours painful? 0 -
Tried the iPad speaker routine today, and I have to say it worked well. Something about it being *my* music, very familiar, very beautiful, and I cranked it up, somewhat drowning out the noisy machines. Today was the first day I didn't think about Hiroshima during treatment. I know that's awful, but that's where my thoughts have been going. So today's win-loss total: Bach cello suites 1, nuclear warfare 0. And 22 more to go.
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I have been hesitant to listen to anything during any treatments. The reason why is because I am afraid I will then always associate something I love with something bad. Heck, I watched Jaws one day during chemo and I will always remember that.
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Rainny - I've also had two treatments, and did feel some nausea after both. I chalked it up to tension, gritted teeth, etc., and just being back to treatment after a few weeks of feeling almost back to my normal self.
I just keep telling myself that it is better than chemo, although the techs seem much more matter of fact than the chemo nurses. One told me yesterday: there is nothing you can do to prevent your skin from reacting. They also mark me up with a variety of sharpies, and these blue markers that smear and come off on everything. Chi Sandy, my setup sounds identical to yours, with my arms over my head in these brace thingies, and the headrest. I see the RO either tomorrow or Friday - oddly he is much more communicative than anyone else in his office.
Elishebajoy - thanks for the tip about the aloe plant. That will be my stop tomorrow.
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Trvlr, only my underarm hurts and just when my very soft, loose cotton bra rubs on it. I have 5 boosts at the end. I am looking forward to those.I absolutely hate the bolus days. Those are the days I seem to have the greatest effect on my skin.
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Allison, I thought about that! Did I want to contaminate music I loved by playing it during something I disliked so much? But I needed something to hang onto. I figured Bach could take it.
I could not have watched something like Jaws during chemo. I was completely obsessed with Downton Abbey: visual comfort food and great hats, which in my bald state gave me a fashion idea to play with. Found a blog somewhere: the hats of Downton Abbey.
Pennsygal, you may have a point about nerves and so forth. Not to mention the moving table. I also think a small snack an hour or so beforehand is a good idea. And, as others have mentioned, an Ibuprofen.
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Pennysgal- My techs have only put three tiny dots on me, to mark where the tattoos go, then nothing since then? Did they tattoo you?
Talk about meltdowns - she put the one dot in the center of my chest, 2 inches down from my neck. I was like, UM NO NOT THERE and had a total meltdown
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Molly: I had all my bolus (bolae?) at the beginning. 14. When are you done?
Rain: I can't wait for DA to come back. I am sad that it will be the last season though. I am still not over Matthew Crawley's death.
I don't even wear a bra anymore, except to workout. I don't need one. You can't even tell.
It makes me wonder if maybe I should skip 3d nipples.0 -
My bolus are every other day.
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I felt the same way about the possibility of 'contaminating' any of my favorite music. Instead, I just mentioned 80's music, or Neil Diamond. Wouldn't you know, the third song on Pandora was good ole Neil. I 'think' I counted the number of songs played during my eyes-closed session, and there were 5. My left arm was comfortable in my 'mold', but I wasn't positioned the original way with my right arm I guess, and it began to twitch in discomfort near the end. It was such a relief to hear them say...."Okay, you can move now". ~ They said I would meet with the PA either tomorrow or the next day with regard to skin care.....(I suspect they want to judge my 'state of mind' tomorrow) so no one has told me not to use deodorant (I didn't) or what soap to use in the shower (I used my favorite scented) or any creams to use (I used none today). Hope I am not messing things up by not jumping in right away with potions......cuz I've stocked up on them all! Also, I have no markings with regard to the field. None. Teeny tiny tattoos which I have a hard time finding, but that's it.
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rainyc how are you doing so far?
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Cupcake, so far so good (except for nausea, which was pretty minimal today, thank heavens). No swelling or redness yet. I know it's coming, but they were fairly specific that it would show up around the 12th session. Feeling tired, but I wonder how much is basic insomnia, which I do fairly well. The simulation and the first session were both so transcendently awful that I am relieved today was so much better. How about you?
Just for the record, I have 17 tattoos!
Allison, I am also very sad that this is the last DA season! Though looking forward to the impending marriage! And seeing whom Mary and Edith end up with (among others).
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ThePrincess - I don't have anything permanent. When they did all the measurements, etc, they marked me up and put stickers over three different areas. They continue to fill in the lines when they fade or rub off.
Rainny - I felt the nausea again today, about an hour after treatment. So, I'm thinking it's not nerves - I just hope it doesn't get any worse.
Molly50 - intramammary is also part of my fields. My RO told me today that they are moving toward radiating the intramammary nodes in all women with positive underarm nodes, based on a recent study.
The best news: I can resume my lupus meds, which will really help my knees, hips, hands, etc.
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Penny.....good for you finding the silver lining.....and resuming your lupus meds. If that will make you more comfortable, that IS good news!
I had round TWO today, and I was in and out before the second song began to play! Also met with Phys. Ass't and went over my skin care. I brought my 'stash' with me and tho she said I could use any of them two weeks AFTER treatments were completed, they want me to stick with their preferred cream....."Remedy" by Medline. Can use any OTC hydrocortisone cream if I begin to itch. She then explained all the yadaa-yadaa - drink plenty of water, rest when your body tells you, etc. I have an excellent team!
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