Fall 2015 Rads
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HAHAHAA SO I tried running on the treadmill today (I've run all through chemo, just outside) set to incline 3 and it was making me so tired and it was very hard to run like that (I did 2 miles anyway). I've been angry at the treadmill all day - is it possibly the radiation making it harder?
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Hi ladies - I completed session 11/28 today. All has gone well - starting to feel some heaviness on right side. It feels like I am swollen and a bit sore. RO says it is normal. Starting using Aquafor at night but they really haven't wanted me to use anything else. So I just go with what they tell me.
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Pennsygal, I don't think it's nerves causing the nausea. I wonder if there's some sort of vertigo going on with the moving table--though usually when I'm seasick it resolves immediately when I'm back on dry land. Maybe something messes with one's inner ear? I don't know! I do know that it comes and goes, but hasn't been as bad as it was the first day.
Interesting that some of you have treatments that vary day by day. I asked; mine is always exactly the same. Three rounds, each involving a different placement of the bolus.
Saw the LE therapist this afternoon and she wrapped me. Did some work after I came home and found that typing--which I must do for work--is pretty difficult. I'm not sure how this is going to work, especially once I start to burn from the rads. She wants me to start wrapping next week and is going to teach me on Tuesday. But I was going to spend Wednesday cooking. I guess I'll do what I can. Ibuprofen: my new best friend....
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I'm so red especially under my axillary nodes area. My skin feels tight and my two sizes too large cotton bra is getting uncomfortable. Not too uncomfortable yet.
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Molly, I WISH I could find a cotton bra two sizes too big! The ones I bought to sleep in are 40F/G/H--the largest made, and just about fit. I think I might start sleeping in one of the size 20 (I'm a 14/16, or in Chico’s-speak 2 or 3) shelf-bra camis I bought at the breast-cancer specialty boutique before I found out I'd only be getting the partial-breast 16-zapper. In retrospect, with this dang breast seroma (or at this point, a breast surrounding a seroma) I wish I'd thrown vanity to the winds and bought size 22 or even 24 instead.
Today was session 14 of 16. Funny, I never thought to bring any music to listen to--maybe it's my chronic tinnitus, but the machine is much less loud than the CT was (and exponential orders of magnitude softer than an MRI). The treatments are very short--from getting on the table to walking out the door it's only 10-15 min. or so. There's an adult-rock satellite station piped in anyway. Ironic that today's songs were John Mayer's “Waitin' on the World to Change" and especially--in light of ISIS' twisted wish for a global caliphate--Tears for Fears' “Everybody Wants to Rule the World." On the ceiling for me to stare at is a backlit panel of a photo of autumn leaves and bare branches against a blue sky. A few of the branches seem to form a crude sketch of a Modigliani-long-necked woman (with a leaf for a mouth) with broad symmetrical shoulders. I've been focusing on that--as well as being fascinated by the green lasers and the movement of the linear accelerator head. There seems to be something vaguely hilarious about it rising from below back up over the “horizon" to do its second zap--sort of like Kilroy slowly peeking up over the fence. So I don't have any unpleasant associations yet.
However, if I never see another tube of Aquaphor again........
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I agree that treatment is so quick that I am fine with the piped in relaxation music. They have a video on the ceiling which I joke with the techs does me no good because my head is turned to the right. I stare at the computer that controls the linear accelerator. When the head of the machine is in front of my face I watch the leaves change patterns. The noise is very mild and comforting to know exactly what noise is the treatment, which is positioning and which is x-ray. Are the rest of you getting treatment this Sunday? My clinic is open so everyone gets their 5 days in.
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They gleefully told me they were going to be open Sunday but my RO said not to go since I am skipping today to let my skin heal a bit. I go Monday, Tuesday and Wed and then I am done with this nightmare. I swear this has been worse for me than the chemo.
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ChiSandy - I bought a bra extender from Joanne Fabrics, they come in white and beige. That really helped me during treatment and even now that I am finished.
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Today is #25 of 30. My skin is barely pink, no itching, no fatigue. So, easier than chemo for me.
Question: Did your boost area cover your original biopsy area? My lx scar for the boost and biopsy area are in two totally different areas.
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Sloan - my RO told me yesterday that the boost covers the area where the tumor was - so it spares the surrounding tissue.
Rainny, I agree. I had it again today, but it came and went pretty quickly.
My place is open Sunday - they gave me a reminder card for that appt - although it would be hard to forget!
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I am 22 of 33. The last 5 are my boosts. I am looking forward to those days. My underarm can't take much more.
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Whoever was mentioning nausea..I have a problem with nausea every time I eat. I have heartburn and nausea about 15 minutes after eating anything.
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#3 down and done! The ceiling of my treatment area has the solar system. I've kept my eyes closed the first two times, but for a while today I had them open......until that "arm" came toward my face...moving. That was it.....closed my eyes then. The techs told me they had some Neil Diamond ready for me, and I told them I loved ABBA also. I told them they better not play that or I can't guarantee I could hold still....might start dancing! How cute is this....once they were done, they cued "Dancing Queen" and announced over the speaker......"okay, you can start dancing now!" For as much of a mess I was on the first day, who would have guessed I was whistling on my way out today?? ~ ~ I have tomorrow off but must go on Sunday....thru Wednesday...then I guess 4 days off. I got a reminder card for Sunday, too.....so I wouldn't forget....AS IF!!!!
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I’m not sure if my center will be open Sun., but since Mon. would be my last day, I’d appreciate the full weekend off--especially since I have stuff to do Sun. and there’ll likely still be snow on the ground from tonight’s expected winter storm.
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I had intermittent nausea with rads, too. It went away once I was done. Four days after my last treatment and skin might be slightly redder than on the last day. Still no breaks in the skin, however. Random pain zings in breast seem to be diminishing. Yay! It's really great to be done. Hang in there everyone!0
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Bluedog - I'm getting hair sprouts, too. Are you? It's like the bonus gift for finishing rads.
Pennysgal - Thanks. I was stressing out about that. Also, I forgot to tell you that I still haven't tried out the yoga DVD. I started rads, had issues with my arm swelling, and I put that on the back burner. I have to admit, too, that I unhooked the DVD player last year and it'll take some time for me to figure out how to attach it to my TV... It's actually easier right now to go on my daily 4 mile walks than to hook that up! haha
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I had nausea the whole time I was doing rads. Doc said it wasn't rads. MO thought maybe a rare side effect of herceptin. But as soon as rads stopped, the nausea stopped..so....
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QueenMomCat- Met with RO and will have simulation Dec. 2 and then start rads prob the next Monday. Ready to get things going.
Looking forward to checking in with you gals once I get started. SO sorry some of you are having such pain and itching. Praying for healing mercies for us all
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*DING DING DING* I'm done! Happy happy day!
I will have to post more later, but until then...
I'M DONE I'M DONE YAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaay!
Take care and happy weekend to all,
--Sherri, aka EnigmaticFox
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Yeah, EM!!! So happy for you.
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Hip hip hooray for you EF!!
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Yay EF for finishing rads!
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Congrats Sherri.
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Hip-Hip-Hooray, EF! Our best to you. Be easy on yourself but celebrate however you wish!
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15 down, one to go!!! They asked me if I wanted to come in Sunday, but I said I’d prefer to have the weekend off to recover (plus watch the Bears game and then go to a friend’s annual potluck brunch), and do my last treatment Monday. The RO met with me and doesn’t think the teeny splotch on my left breast is anything other than a mole--but if it grows or changes I should call and he’ll refer me to Derm. As to the seromas, he says my axillary one is healing nicely; and by the time I leave for Rome the breast one should be less sore--but agrees it’s gonna stick around at least a few months. So not bringing my G & H cup bras back out yet.
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hi can I be added to list? I'm started in November 3 - 25 sessions.
I am so nauseated all day long and RO insists its not from radiation but I feel it is. It's like morning sickness - all day queasiness. I wanted to cry when I met with the nurse today because if it's no radiation induced then what is this? I'm just hoping for it to get better.
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Hi JaneSheridan. Lots of RO's say "It's not the rads" --it has become a joke on this site. MANY of the women on this thread experience nausea after radiation! My RO says to make sure I eat about an hour before radiation, and they ask me every week if I have nausea. So, my RO acknowledges it. I don't get nausea, but some of the others will give you advice soon. I'm sorry for your stress. I just wanted to reply to welcome you and give you sisterly support.
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Jane can you call your PCP and ask for nausea medicine
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Welcome Jane. I am sorry you are having nausea and your team doesn't acknowledge it's rads. I am certain mine is. If you go to settings fill out treatment and diagnosis and make them public it's easier for others to give advice based on your situation.
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Try some ginger tea: peel and slice (or grate) fresh ginger and steep it in very hot water for about 10 min. Strain and sweeten (or not) to taste. Ginger ale (especially the boutique artisanal natural stuff) is also good, but you might want to stir it to dissipate the more robust carbonation. An alternative is mint tea (Celestial Seasoning's “Grandma's Tummy Mint," Bigelow's "Mint Medley," or steeping mint leaves in water. A drop or two of peppermint extract is a good addition). Over-the-counter Dramamine (aka “Gravol" in Canada), Bonine, or the generic equivalents dimenhydrinate and meclizine also help. Meclizine (Bonine) also helps with vertigo. You might want to cut back on dairy and fats on your queasy days too. Steer clear of breathing VOC's: oil-based and acrylic paints, furniture polish, insect repellent, anti-mildew cleaners, nail enamel and removers, even fresh newsprint (printers' ink is petroleum distillate). Ditto for strong food odors you usually find objectionable (some people can't abide banana or raspberry)--if your stomach is even the slightest bit upset they might push it over the edge from mere distaste into nausea. And even if you normally tolerate alcohol well, it might nauseate you during rads. If you must ride, do it in the front seat and look straight ahead--don't read! (Motion sickness usually happens when your eyes, vestibular system and soles of your feet send you conflicting signals).
And don't let yourself get dehydrated or hypoglycemic--both conditions can result in nausea.
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