Radiation December 2018
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Hi everyone! Just a quick note to report that I finished radiation last Tuesday, and now, every day right around 2 I start getting shooting pains and my breast turns violent red. It's kind of strange. I don't have the post radiation side effects all day, when I get up in the morning I feel fine, it's just as the day progresses. Anyone else have their side effects come and go throughout the day?
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Hi Wised,
Interesting that you should note the time of day for the most intense side effects. I get up quite early but notice around 6-7 hours into the day I feel the most zingers and heavy fatigue. Wonder why.
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Just popping in to offer some encouragement - keep on truckin'!
Dani -- Maybe you and I should talk about Jello-shot days over a Long Island Iced Tea or two?? LOL. That was my favorite in college. Seems forever ago. I met my best friend one night I'd had one too many and my boyfriend at the time sent her in to check on me. She crawled under the bathroom stall, when I refused to let her in cuz I was embarrassed, to sit by me and hold my hair. Bonded at the hip since then. Good times. Good times. Ha!
Pebbles -- Domino is adorbs per usual! Give her some love for me! Gosh she makes me want to adopt another puppers but my apartment would have a hissy-fissy and fall in it if I did!!!!
Wised -- I didn't experience coming and going of symptoms, except in the very beginning. It seems strange at this point, no? Hope you haven't been too alarmed but maybe phone your RO team and run it by them? IDK, couldn't hurt to just let them know. In any case, sure hope that passes in the next week or so for you. Hang in there!
Oh, and I stumbled on this thread a bit ago, thought I would share as it's something I hadn't even thought of yet, but in reality it's pretty important IMO since all my extra dx due to Lymphedema & Fibrosis. It's now moved to the top of my To-Do List.
Medical Alert Bracelet ---> https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/64/topics...
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Wised - YES to the shooting pains back for me a bit now too and I finished last Tuesday exactly like you! And I'm the one who skated through the actual radiation with minimal side effects.
I don't know if my breast changes color since I have my clothes on lol, and I haven't checked what time but if it hits again I'll check. I know it happened this evening for me.
Radiologist did say we might still have side effects for the two weeks post treatment because we are at our “peak" with all the rads given. I’m so glad you asked that though b/c I get it too and was wondering about it
Dani and others - see you on the hormone therapy thread!
Spoonie - Domino sends hugs and kisses (mostly doggie lick kisses) back and thinks with an ESA support letter (which is absolutely valid for everything you are going through) you can get another puppers at your apt lol
All - Domino thinks it's totally OK to feel like this post-rads and mid-rads for us all
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Hi, everyone. First time posting. I start rads tomorrow. I’m not too terribly worried about the treatment itself, but I’ve been struggling otherwise. Bawled my way through the sims, poor staff! (Intense depression, atypical anorexia, all before I was diagnosed with BC.) I have my little tote bag ready to go with Aquaphor, Calendula, some lozenges, lip balm... The plan is 20 treatments. Question- for those that experience the derm side effects, do those start right away, or after several treatments? Should I start using the ointment/cream after the very first treatment, or wait until I feel sunburn sensations? Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
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Welcome hdmom!
Many of us are struggling with either seasonal depression or year round, so you've come to a good place for support.
I thought sims was the hardest part of radiation treatment! (3/4 done here). Tomorrow will be a long treatment for you with lots of to-ing and fro-ing and getting measured and marked up. But after that the daily rads should only take a few minutes. You'll be surprised how short they are.
Skin side effects tend to start off mild and get worse as the treatments go along, even getting more intense the few days *after* the last rad.
Yes definitely start using the cream right after your first treatment, and maybe even tonight. My doctor says to use it three times a day, morning (but not within 4 hours before the rad), after treatment, and at bedtime. Drink extra liquids as this is all dehydrating.
And lubricate a very wide area, up to your collarbone and out the side into your armpit almost to your back. This is doubly true if you have lymph node issues.
Lube - Hydrate - Vent
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HDMom -- Welcome and wishing the best as you go through RADs.
As to your question, I think since everyone is different, SEs can start and end differently. For some on this thread, like me, they started Day 1 and didn't let up. (heaviness, swelling, pink/red, sore skin, fatigue, nausea). For others, they gradually appeared after the first week. For others yet, they had minimal throughout and didn't notice much until the week after they ended.
Like I said, everyone is different, so don't be surprised no matter which way they happen.
Honestly, I think our genetics and med history play the biggest role. It seems whether we follow all the guidelines or not, SEs come and go as they wish! LOL, but not really, right?
As to the lathering of creams and such -- start ASAP.
I was advised to begin 2 weeks before I started RADs due to my med history. It seems general consensus from my observation is that most are advised by their RO to start a few days before or on the day of first treatment. Prior I was applying Miaderm 2 x day. During I was applying Miaderm, Calendula, and Aquaphor 3-4 times a day. Oh, and be sure to apply the cream into your armpit as well. Seems some teams forget to advise about this and at the end of RADs some were feeling the pain because of it.
Drink TONS of water. Rest when you feel tired. Try to get out and move/stretch/whatever you can do, when you feel you have the energy to do so. I think that helps more than we would think. And of course, be kind to yourself! We've been through a ton.
Hang in there and keep us posted on how things go. You're not alone.
Hugs and healing to all and wishing everyone luck as Monday approaches.
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Hi Hdmom, I started using miaderm before I started tx so my skin would be in good shape to start. I've been done for four days now and experience some heaviness and zingers every afternoon. Mine feels a lot like a headache that is relieved with ibuprofen. Good luck tomorrow, you're going to be fine!
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Thank you for the warm welcome and advice
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Hdmom, I cried at sims too. Ran into a long lost friend who was actually head of rads dept(I had no idea). She came up and gave me the biggest hug and of course that burst the well. She asked me if my BS gave me an aloe plant(she used to give one to all her patients) and I said no but I would gladly accept a nice pot plant instead. Way to go Ohio!!!
Wised, sorry to hear about your skin and zingers. Let us know how that progresses. Also I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind sharing your experience with Colon cancer. I’m pretty paranoid about that one since I had my first screening and 3 large precancerous polyps were removed. Then a year later bc diagnosis. Pm is fine if you don’t want to share it here. Thanks!
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Just joining this thread but have completed 9 of 30 rads so far. I developed a nasty case of laryngitis last week and a cough. Could be just an upper respiratory thing but am wondering if anyone has heard of this as a side effect of the rads? I asked the therapist about it and she said it would be very unlikely but to check with RO when I see him next week. Anybody else having this happen
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Cherry, there's a link between colon cancer and breast cancer, even for those of us without the genetic background like Lynch Syndrome.
I was 53 when I was diagnosed and had not had a colonoscopy. My tumor was 9.5X7 cm. and perforated my colon. Needless to say, I got septic, had a fever of 105, couldn't breathe, and had to call an ambulance. I won't go into all of the details, but I was misdiagnosed, sent home after 5 days in ICU, finally got diagnosed and had surgery a month later. Then port placement, chemo, Port out... I was finally only needing to see my MO every 6 months when I got this dx.
It takes a long time to grow a tumor in your colon. Get your scopes every 3-5 years, so they can cut them out when they are small. I am NED from that cancer and will be considered cured in 2 years.
As a side note, I lived in Akron til I was 10. I remember when the air always smelled like burned rubber.
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Welcome keepmovin!
Probably colds and such are normal this time of year and not related to having this kind of cancer.
Hope your treatment goes smoothly.
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Egregious- thanks for your comments and support.
I have struggled emotionally with this part of the treatment and didn’t expect that. My surgery and chemo was done at a wonderful cancer treatment center in Tampa. I’ve compared it to The Ritz. I moved the rads and remainder of infusions closer to home. It’s like being at the Motel 6! Fairly crappy communication, co-ed dressing room, hospital gowns that may or may not really fit and have to ask for an extra sheet every time they put me on that hard cold table. I’ve cried almost every day! Thanks for letting me whine!
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Wised, Holy crap! Thanks for sharing. What an ordeal.
Funny about the rubber smell. My family manufactures tire molds in Akron but we actually live in a township west of Akron. My husband either smells like eau de rubber or eau de steel. Super sexy.
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Keepmovin, I felt exactly the same way doing rads. seriously every time I put on one of those stupid hospital gowns, I thought they should be dressing us in something much more comforting than this. Don't they know we are being treated for breast cancer? And my treatment was done in a fairly new facility. Cancer Care providers need to get on board with mind body connection.
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Wised - Thanks for sharing your story about Colon Cancer. Wow, you've been through the ringer. Can't believe you were just starting to get back to "normal" and then this came along. Uggh. Damn cancer. Prior to your post, I had no idea that there could be a link between Breast and Colon cancer. Thanks for bringing that up.
I found an interesting study that says that those under 50 dx with BC should begin getting screenings at 45 for Colon Cancer and such. I wasn't aware of that at all. Another thing to add to my growing list, but an important one to have there and keep on top of if you ask me.
Colorectal Cancer Risk Among Breast Cancer Survivors
https://www.medpagetoday.com/resource-centers/breast-cancer-advances/colorectal-cancer-risk-among-breast-cancer-survivors/1626
"A new caution for women with breast cancer?The risk of a second primary cancer is a concern for the nearly 3 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. Regarding colorectal cancer (CRC) in particular, some studies have shown increased risk among breast cancer survivors, while others have not.
It's therefore unclear whether breast cancer survivors should begin screening for CRC earlier or undergo screening more frequently than is recommended for the general population.The appropriate intervals for CRC screening in breast cancer survivors have not been well defined because of the lack of published data on the risk of CRC in breast cancer survivors," notes Jennifer H. Lai, MD, of the Department of Gastroenterology at the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. "Because of discrepancies in data and the paucity of formal guidelines, some breast cancer survivors have been anecdotally advised to undergo screening for CRC every 5 years, or starting at the age of 40, as a result of a perceived increase in cancer risk.
They do suggest, however, that women diagnosed with breast cancer when they were under the age of 50 should consider beginning CRC screening at age 45—5 years earlier than recommended for the general population. The authors note that "the studies with information on interval to CRC since breast cancer diagnosis suggested that most women developed their second malignancy within 1 to 10 years. One may infer from this that women diagnosed with breast cancer at <45 years of age should start CRC screening earlier than 50 years of age; however, we currently do not have enough data to recommend what age."
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Breast cancer survivors diagnosed at younger age show higher risk for colon cancer
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Thanks Spoonie, as soon as I got this diagnosis, I read up on the connection between the two diseases. It looks like I did my diseases backward! LOL the biggest problem I have been having with breast cancer, well of course not really the biggest, is that I was diagnosed with PTSD while I was being treated for colon cancer. With every little test and discussion with my oncologist, and surgery and being in the hospital and having all of these things done to me, my PTSD has been triggered to the max! I'm really struggling with it. I am super grateful for this community because I did not have one when I was going through colon cancer.
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HOw is everyone doing tonight? Fingers crossed that yall had a calm, healing weekend.
I've had incredibly painful aches and constant stab that feels like a knife running throughout my nipple all day today. It just hurts! Agggggh. Can't believe, besides the lymphedema and fibrosis, that I'm still dealing with pain from RADs still. Le Sigh. I don't know if my nipple is finally waking back up after nearly 2 months post RADs or what, but it is really distracting and frustrating.
Have been trying things my PT advised doing when things "pain" like this appears -- applying ice packs or rubbing soft comforting material on other areas of the breast. Sort of like trying to confuse the nerves and get them to focus in other areas. Or maybe like desensitization? In any case, nothing's worked.
Hope yall are having a better evening then I am. May we all have a smooth week -- where is everyone at with their treatments? Anyone finishing up this week? If so, plans to celebrate? Fill us in. Rooting for ya!
Hugs and healing to all.....
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Spoonie, I’m so sorry you’re dealing with that! I hope the suggestions magically kick in and start helping so you can get some relief.
Today was my first of 20 rads. Breast was very warm right afterward, with some twinges of burning or aches through the area of the surgery. Nothing severe. I haven’t been eating and anything I now try (saltines, other plain cracker) goes straight through me. I haven’t had chemo so it’s not that. Just try to drink plenty of water? I don’t want to mess up treatment or healing. Do they ever consider IV nutrition for outpatients, do you know
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Thought of all the women on this thread while getting my zaps today. December is half over, and although we're all at various points, time IS marching on. We WILL get through this!
My friend who had a biopsy last week got the good news that her lump is benign. It's amazing how much this news lifted my spirits.
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Yes, I just started radiation treatments.
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PurpleCat - that is great to hear on your friend! And I love the positive spirit - yes we WILL get through this!
hdmom - Yes stay hydrated, also make sure you are applying a lot of lotion in that area! Also here is a link on foods to eat that can help you through radiation: https://foodforbreastcancer.com/articles/breast-ca...
Spoonie - so sorry you're still dealing with all of this! I found this link on treating lymphedema, maybe there are some other things in here you can try? The lymphatic massage which could be like treating yourself to a spa massage? https://www.veinspecialists.com/blog/lymphedema-tr...
As I finished treatment last week, I'm back in the office at work today and I was greeted with a huge welcome back sign in my office and everyone wearing pink shirts to support me and all I've been through. And my office is 90% guys! It was SOooo incredibly sweet and unexpected. I've had a lot of tears through this, but this time it was happy tears. I was really touched!
Here's Domino keeping warm in winter weather. Sending warm wishes to everyone still undergoing or still recovering from treatment!
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Welcome, jolihouse! Hope you find good support here.
Hey hdmom, you made it through your first treatment! Way to go! Time to slather on the cream, the entire upper quadrant including your whole armpit and up to your collarbone. This will help keep your skin in good shape. My doctor says three times a day - morning (not too close to treatment time), after treatment, and bedtime. Maybe check with your regular doctor about the eating? You definitely have to eat, make sure you are getting some protein every day. And lots of liquids.
Pebbles that's awesome that they all wore pink shirts for you, even the guys!
Three more rads here. The end is in sight.
Lube - Hydrate - Vent
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Hi everyone, I'm a newbie recently had a dbl masectomy due to start radiation tomorrow.I'm scared out of my mind being that its my left side going to be treated.I've read so much about lung and heart problems afterwards feels like im in a lose lose sitiuation
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Hi everyone! Highlyblessed, mine was on the left side too. You might have to hold your breath to move your breast up away from your heart. If you can't hold it that long, the machine stops until you hold again. I wish I could think of something to say to reassure or you even more than this. I was scared half out of my mind when I went in for at least the first week of treatments. Even when I knew that it was relatively easy, I couldn't stop the panic. Stay hydrated, slather yourself with whatever they told you to use. You will get through this. Hugs
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Domino, I love you!
I am almost one week out from my last tx, and still lots of zingers, etc. The redness has started to fade into a tan. I'm not as swollen either. I figure by this time next week, I'll be almost back to feeling normal.
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Two days left! So far my skin is just slightly pink, fingers crossed this doesn't change. Still swollen and those Damn zingers....ggrrr......those can stop any time now.....
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Welcome, Highlyblessed. Hope you are able to ask your providers questions that will make you feel more informed.
The beginning is definitely the hardest part. It gets easier.
Keep us posted, ok?
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ghostie, I was dark pink, swollen, and getting zingers at the end of tx and still am. However, my skin is turning tan, the heaviness/headache and zingers don't start till about 2 pm. The fatigue kicks in about then as well. You're doing great and will continue to do so. Congrats on only two days left!
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