Starting Radiation October 2019
Comments
-
mocame: During chemo, I would have several abnormal readings--besides the abnormal WBC, RBC, etc. and my MO never thought the other values were a problem. I hope that this will be the case for you--abnormal but not a problem. I think I mentioned that I had ordered myself the CA 15-3 test. I got the results back today. It was 22. Anything under 30 is good. So, that made me feel better that maybe there is no cancer circulating now.
Take care with the tape from the markers. That's what got me in trouble today. I couldn't believe how easy my skin came off with the tape. It's not even a very sticky tape. I'm in the same predicament as you. I need to lotion up but the lotion and oils takes off the ink from the markers. I thought my boost would be one shot but I still get three shots, different angles. At least I don't have to hold my breath.
I have had surgery in South Africa, dental work in Thailand, SA and Ireland. All these places took much more time to talk to me and explain what was happening. In SA, I had an MRI for my back with IV sedation. It costs me $400. Then the ortho doctor saw me afterwards and spend about 30 minutes going over the results. That visit cost me $80. I think in the USA, a new patient visit with a specialist is about $300 and they spend all of 5-10 minutes with you--if you are lucky.
0 -
Kamboka - Yay! I'm so glad your results were low. What a relief!
Well, the RO nurse said the techs take my stickers off for me, so hopefully that is better than me doing it myself? My RO nurse later told me to lotion around the stickers. I did that only once and the marks are mostly off where the stickers aren't covering. I noticed when I went to bed last night that my skin really got red yesterday and it's definitely starting to itch more. Also this morning, I noticed about 3 places under my arm that are showing circles. Hoping those aren't blisters. I will be ready for this week of regular treatment to be done.
Actually, my WBC and RBC were good. It was my TSH, Lymphocytes Absolute, and CO2. Again, probably nothing but we will see what she says.
You have been in so many countries! I bet you have an interesting story to tell! I hope everyone has a good treatment day!
0 -
Good morning. Today is number 10. The rash is on my chest, top on my breast and bottom fold. Even though I am small, they droop some. The tech thinks it maybe from the tape and I think it is a combination of the Lupus, the tape and radiation.
mocame, good luck with the lab work. I would think with all you have been through, labs might be a little off. I haven't had any drawn since just before RAD and I had 2 labs off at that time. The body tries to protect itself.
Kamboka, Oh, my. That's awful about your skin!
0 -
Ladies, I just wrote a long email and then my computer shut down and I lost everything. So, I'll respond later today. (I really hate this computer and hope to get another one soon).
0 -
Oh my, my long email was saved.
I'm feeling really bad for the both of you as you too are having skin problems.
petite1: I think the lupus might have something to do with your reaction. Have you ever had a reaction to tape? My sensitivity to tape only started about four years ago. Not sure why. At least you are over half way done. Maybe the RO can give you a script for something like a steroid cream.
mocame: You have gone so long with no problems so maybe this is just a blimp that will resolve itself quickly. Isn't' this the first time you've had itching? I had one area in a fold under my arm that started feeling weird a few weeks ago, I lathered it with the steroid cream for a week and the feeling went away. Ask you RO for some especially if you think the skin will blister. I will keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't get worse.
The labs do get wacky sometimes. If I remember correctly, you didn't do chemo this time, right? I think once my CO2 was off but no one ever said anything was a problem and the next time, the that value was back to norm. The TSH is thyroid, right? Will be interesting to see why that is high.
0 -
Good morning Ladies! Today will be #17/25. My treatment areas ache. I've been putting every kind of lotion recommended on these boards on the areas with little relief. What is interesting is that now I have a sunburn on the back of my left shoulder. I saw the doctor yesterday and he recommended I start icing and putting 1% cortizone on the treatment areas twice a day. Doctor said that the radiation that hits the lymph nodes near the collar bone sometimes go through to the back. That's terrifying to me! It's another area I have to keep an eye on now.
What's been really great is that two women; one that had her treatment time before mine and the lady that had it after me both gave me gifts on their last day! I should've been the one giving them gifts! I'm floored by the support and generosity of these women. I didn't know them, I was just cordial with them every time we'd see each other in passing. I will definitely pay it forward.
What's worked for me thus far is to smile and be positive to all, even when I feel like crap. They say, fake it till you make it! I suggest you all give it a try today and see what happens.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers daily
0 -
Kamboka, I saw the RO today and he is not worried. I have been using the steroid cream that I use for Lupus. It doesn't look worse. Yay. Did you ever have thyroid problems before?
0 -
spratt5: You are almost 75% finished. That's great. Too bad you are having some skin problems. I've read in other threads about people having the radiation in areas that were not the primary spot. Hopefully, it's not been getting full strength beams so won't be as bad. I am also getting the clavicle nodes shot but I think I have too much fat between that and my back to cause a problem.
Just this week, the lady who goes ahead of me introduced herself. I finish on Monday and she is the following week. She's had a lot of fatigue. It's so nice that your before and ahead thought enough of you to share their gifts. I'm in the process of getting my stuff together for Monday. The two male technicians today said that on the last day, I have to dance with them. I joked and said I would chose what kind of dance and suggested 'square dancing'. They are from Africa so I know they don't know that dance.
petite1: Glad the area is not getting worse. It's very rough when your body is dealing with a chronic problem and then we add something else to the menu. I've never had any thryroid problems and my labs have always come back normal.
0 -
Spratt5 - That was so sweet that they gave you gifts! What amazing people! It's interesting to talk to the other people while we are all waiting for our radiation time. Different ages, genders, careers, and cancers and we all just sit there getting to know each other while we wait.
Petite1 - I'm glad the RO isn't worried and it's stable. Hopefully it stays that way.
Kamboka - You really got to know your techs very well! That is great! Our techs rotate jobs within the department so you usually switch techs every week or so.
So this was #24/30 and I'm definitely starting to get more skin SEs but not horrible. The itching has increased and the area under my arm is itchy and sore. I've been putting on lotion and hydrocortisone cream a few times a day. I had the techs look at my skin and they said it looks pretty good and they have definitely seen worse. That being said, they told me to lay on the sofa tonight in a cami with my arm up so I can give that area some air. Then when I went to get changed afterwards and put lotion on my skin, I felt this rough spot below my breast at the bottom edge of the radiation area. Here I saw some brown stuff come off and there was a small red spot on my skin. I called the tech over to look at it and she said it was an open spot on my skin and to just keep putting lotion on it and they would look at it again tomorrow. She said our skin is so thin and fragile right now.
I also heard from my PCP that the bloodwork showed I may have an overactive thyroid and they need to do some more testing. All my thyroid testing has come back fine before so this is all new. One more regular treatment to go! Yay!
0 -
mocame: Seems like you have a spot of raw skin like me. I think the Skintegity is helping as I see some darker edges like it's trying to heal. My two spots are on the upper quadrants of the breast. I'd rather have them there than under my breast--which hang more than I'd like. When I get home, I immediately take off the bra and try to air it out. I found this morning that my raw area didn't agree with two of my bras. I had to change the third time to get one that didn't rub. Your technician is correct, our skin is paper thin and sensitive now. At night, I get up about four times and sometimes I'm drowsy and the neuropathy makes me wobbly. I have almost hit the door with my breast so many times. I can't move the door so I just have to be careful. It will not be fun if I hit that thing.
I'll be anxious to hear how they do your boosts. I was under the impression that it would be one shot but they still do three. At least I don't have to hold breath. That's the best thing about it.
I'm just very happy for all of us that we've not had bad fatigue. That's what I was fearing most. I am hopign that we can all survive the few weeks afterwards when we can still get it.
0 -
Kamboka - I'm glad you are healing. Do you think the other areas of your breast are healing while you are getting your boosts or are they overall still the same?
They put the table in a totally different position when they set up for the boost which I thought was interesting. We will see if it's still the two angles or just one. My tumor is right at the front of my breast so it looks more like they are doing a direct shot down on it, maybe? We will see on Monday. I'm not looking forward to tomorrow. It's my last treatment but they are using the bolus which makes my skin redder.
I am so glad too we haven't had any fatigue yet. I am very thankful and hope it continues too. Especially since Thanksgiving is coming up.
You only have 2 to go!
0 -
mocame, I was worried about you. Are you feeling better? Today is #11. over the halfway mark.
Kamboka, I about still freaking out about your skin coming off with the tape. I had an issue with the door this morning. I bumped my shoulder and missed my breast.
0 -
Well, today was my last regular treatment. Yay! I was having a problem with the area under my arm getting tight and feeling like it was going to crack open. This was despite the fact that I have been putting on lotion or Aquaphor/Hydrocortisone four times a day and walking around at work with my arm far away from my side and looking like a dork as I walked down the halls. I called the RO nurse during the day to ask what to do if my skin breaks open on the weekend. She requested I be seen before my treatment today. When I got there she looked at the spot that was open and I think it is scabbing over. She was fine with that but looked at my area under my arm and was concerned because she agreed that it looked like it was about to crack. The RO wouldn't give me a prescription for the cream but instead said I should do the lotion or Aquaphor/Hydrocortisone/Neosporin on that area and "be naked as much as possible". LOL! They will look at it again on Monday. I had the bolus today for my last treatment and that makes my skin burn more so...fun times!
The good news...I got my regular stickers off! Yay! Now I just have the ones left for the boosts. Progress!
Petite1 - How are you making out with your rash?
0 -
mocame: I cringed just reading about the possibility that your skin was going to crack. Now you have the weekend to go through. Why was the skin so taunt? They stopped radiating my clavicle a week ago and I can tell that it looks less tan and doesn't scratch when I have my lanyard on. The breast is still tan and under my arm is much darker. The areas where I pulled off with the tape are not hurting--which is good. I think they are trying to heal. At least they are not weeping. It's funny that the RO's treatment plan is to 'be naked'. I'm not sure where you live but where I'm at, it's mighty cold. I don't think I would be able to go naked.
Did you have those stickers on for the entire five weeks? petite1: I hope my story yesterday didn't indirectly cause your bump into the door. I'm so glad you missed the breast. I just can't imagine if we hit these breasts with them ll being so sensitive, how that woul feel.
0 -
Kamboka - Your skin is doing so well! I asked my RO nurse if my skin will start to get better after today and she said no. It only gets worse before it gets better the next 2 weeks. You are proving that theory wrong!
I'm in a cold climate and it's 34 degrees outside so, yes, it's cold. I told my teenage son and daughter (who stopped home from college tonight) what the RO said and they were like "No!". Haha! My husband wasn't opposed, though. Tonight, I will just put one of my loose camis on and lay with my arm up, just like I did last night. For my regular treatments I had 4 stickers. Two of them only got changed one time over the course of 6 1/2 weeks (they put them on 1 1/2 weeks before I started treatment) and the other two got replaced a few times. Thankfully my skin didn't come off with them today. As far as bumping something with my breast, like the door, I'm not sure if I would notice? Since I had reconstruction done, I don't have as many nerves on the front of my breast. I can feel sharp things and I felt the marker that they used during my boost setup on my red skin, but I can hug someone, or my top or bra could be askew and I wouldn't feel that. I heard someone on a reconstruction thread say that they had a tube top on one time and it came down and they didn't know it because they couldn't feel it. That's kind of the way it is with me too. I do have some feeling on the sides, though.
0 -
mocame: I know what you mean with the nerve damage. I had the same problem after having a tummy tuck years ago. Most of my incision line was and still is numb. I would have pants fall down and I wouldn't know it. Recently, when I had to give myself SQ injections, I was glad for the numb tummy. The shots didn't hurt!
I can't imagine having the stickers on for that long. In fact, they kept changing my marks even though I also have tattoos. When the technician drew on me today, I laughed. I told him that there was no way those marks would be there on Monday. I do have a permanent marker at home and do touch ups but I have to do them several times a day. The oils in my skin products cause them to rub off even when I don't apply directly to the marks.
Wearing the loose cami with your arm getting air sounds more realistic than the RO's instructions. Hope it helps.
0 -
mocame, The rash was very red last night. I changed my skin care routine and used the steroid cream first. It burned and it usually soothes, then put on aquaphor. It looks better this morning, but itches. I understand about your underarm. Mine has been a problem since day 1, but from surgery not RAD. It has not been radiated. It has been so painful. I don't think I could stand it if it broke out in the rash or split. Ouch. Not sure about going naked. LOL Even down here in Florida it is dropping in the 40's tonight.
Komboka, LOL I think I was a little wobbly when I got out of bed.
0 -
They are actually not radiating my armpit but said it was from stray radiation. I think the going naked recommendation was more to let the whole breast/underarm area breathe and get some air than go completely naked. LOL! I just wore the loose cami again last night, even though it was a little chilly.
I think the skin under my arm doesn't feel as sore today and it is turning more of a red and brown color now. Is that a good thing or not? Not sure because it still looks sore. Since everyone is talking about not bumping your breast, I have a different problem. I have to keep my arm away from my side so my underarm does rub. I usually walk around my house with my hand on my hip, but since I'm a klutz, I keep bumping my elbow into things...mostly doorframes! After it happened for the 3rd time, you would think I would learn to give myself extra room when walking around the house! Duh! LOL!
Petite1 - I'm glad your rash is better today. Both you, and Kamboka, mention the steroid cream. My RO nurse hasn't mentioned that being an option for me. I'm assuming it's a prescription?
0 -
I'm LOL about bumping things. I'm reminded that the door that I'm trying hard not to hit my breast with is the same door that I continually hit my lower arms with on the door knob. I'm on a blood thinner d/t clot in my port. Of course, I always have a giant bruise. It looks like I'm in a fight as I sometimes hit the other arm on a similar door.
mocame: Not sure why they won't give you a steroid cream. It won't hurt. Mine is prescription that they gave me before I even began. The RO had me use it twice a day for the first two weeks.
I had a really lovely brunch today with a colleague who lives in another state. She is going through some medical issues so we ate too much and exchanged medical horror stories. I'm still so full. But that didn't stop me for my nightly ice cream. And, I actually have the nerve to wonder why I'm gaining weight.
0 -
Kamboka - You have had quite a time with this cancer dx, and process, and yet you have such a great attitude. I'm glad you had a great brunch and got to eat some yummy food! You need to treat yourself once in a while during this process. I eat fairly healthy but I still try and have one treat a day. Everything in moderation.
Has anyone ever heard of radiation hurting your thyroid or at least making it function worse when the radiation was given on in the breast area and not toward the throat? I saw online some of my bloodwork results from the one I had done today and it looks like my thyroid is out of whack. I've had some of these tests done occasionally in the past 6 - 8 years and they were normal. I wonder if it's just a coincidence that I got some of the symptoms after starting radiation? It could be but it makes me wonder.
0 -
mocame: Everything I've read usually says that the throat and thyroid would only be at risk if they were treating the clavicle area. Did the beam seem to be pointed in that direction when they were shooting the breast? The thyroid could be related to something else. Or the best case scenario is that the labs are off but not significant.
This morning I was putting on my cream when I noticed one of my laceration spots was losing all the new skin that had formed over. Now, I'm back to raw red skin. It's about the size of a dime. I switched over this morning and started to use an antibiotic type cream instead of the Skintegrity only. The other area has a dark scab so I'm hoping it doesn't slide off as well. I can't use bandaids and the non-stick pad I used keeps coming off. I was trying to avoid the area rubbing on my clothes. If anyone has ideas, let me know.
0 -
I found this article Home → Treatment and Side Effects → Radiation Therapy → Frequently Asked Questions About Radiation Treatment → Does Radiation Affect Thyroid Function?
0 -
Petite1 & Kamboka - The beam shouldn't be hitting my thyroid. It just is weird that a number of my symptoms started happening after I started radiation. Probably just a coincidence.
Kamboka - I'm sorry that spot opened up again. My RO nurse said that any of my sore spot to put lotion on and then Neosporin on overtop about 2 times a day. Since I have been doing that it's not as sore but I have to keep lotioning the area a lot. I also have to wear the loosest clothing possible. I wore a sweater today that I thought was pretty loose but after a couple hours, it was rubbing too much and I had to change into a loose cami, with a loose t-shirt, and then a loose sweatshirt on top of that. Too cold to just wear the cami & t-shirt.
Kamboka - When you switched to the boosts, were you allowed to lotion the other areas within that 4 hour before treatment window?
0 -
I was just putting on my lotion again today when I lifted my breast and saw that some of the skin had come off an area the size of a quarter. It didn't hurt so I didn't know it was there. I don't recall seeing it this morning. I'm dreading having to put on a bra again tomorrow. I need to try to put a cushion between the band. I'm hoping the neosporin will help.
0 -
I'm so sorry you had more skin come off. Hopefully that is it and the Neosporin will help it. Even though I keep the area under my arm out in the open air and now putting on Neosporin, it is still so sore. Hoping it will take a turn for the better soon. The other spot where my skin had rubbed off, is lightly scabbed over and I'm very careful when putting lotion on it. But so far so good with that area.
Kamboka - You are almost done!
0 -
Today is my graduation day. I have mixed feelings. These folks and this daily trip has become so normal. Not sure how I will feel tomorrow when there is no place to go.
I'll let you know how it goes today.I'm taking the team some of my lovely goat milk soap from a small family goat farm in Indiana that has keep my skin hydrated through out chemo and rads. I'm also taking some really yummy cupcakes.
The skin under my breast still peels when I rub around it. At least it's not painful. I bought a soft binder before starting rads that you put under the rim of your bra. It feels so much better not to have the bra pressing into the skin.
mocame, glad that one of your areas is scabbing over. That's always a good sign. Sorry that you are having some pain with the other. I bought some neosporin ointment in CVS that also has some pain med in it. I think it's a bit of lidocaine. Perhaps you can look for that.
0 -
Good morning. The rash is driving me crazy and the only thing that helps is a cold cloth. This is the last week of full breast RAD. I hope my skin survives. Then the spot only RAD for a week.
Kamboka, congratulations on your last day.
0 -
1st boost done! Yay! Everything happened so quick today! I didn't even sit down in the waiting room and they called me. Then when I was changing, they were calling looking for me because they were ready to do the boost. They are using the bolus everyday for the boosts. I have one straight on angle shot of radiation and that's it. Takes longer to set me up and then move the table back than it does to put the bolus on me and do the radiation. From the time they called me back to change into my gowns until I got back in the changing room to change out of my gowns was 11 minutes! I like that! They told me my boosts are the same strength as the regular treatments and I shouldn't get much redder than I am now which is pretty good. The spot under my arm is still sore but I'm dealing with it. It's not any better but not any worse.
Kamboka - Congratulations! Wooohoo! You made it! I'm so happy for you! I'm sorry your skin is peeling off but at least it doesn't hurt, so that's good. I hope your skin continues to heal and you have no more problems with it. What a nice gift you gave! I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I made a list of all the people that have worked with me and my treatments and so far it is 19 people, not including valet staff which is about another 12! My co-workers husband had his last treatment today and brought in a cake for everybody but she said they get a lot of junk food. So, I don't want to go that route.
Petite1 - I'm so sorry the rash isn't getting any better. Can't they give you anything else to use on it? You are getting so close and the last 2 weeks will fly by!
0 -
petite1: Sorry to hear that you have still having problems. Have you tried Domeboro soaks? Not sure if it's something you can use but I bought a pack just in case I would need it. So far, I've not had to use it. Search it and see if it's something that might help.
mocame: Congrats on getting to the last mile! Only four more to go. My boosts did go a bit faster but the regular treatment didn't take too long anyways. The bolus seems so cumbersome. Glad I ddin't have to do that.
I made it to 30!!! Graduation day!!!
All the receptionist and technicians thought I had two more treatments and didn't know it was my graduation day.. When they realized it was my last day, they were happy for me but said they'd miss my positivity. They were the ones that kept me positive. One of the technician's child had called to come pick her up but she said she was not going to miss my last treatment. How nice. I was thinking when I took the soap that they would laugh at me but they were so excited. I only had 12 people to get things for. All the soap fragrances were different and the team were more excited about that than the cupcakes. The cupcakes came from a really nice bakery and they were huge and all different flavors. The receptionist had me come back to her before leaving. They gave me a gift. It was a nice face cream and it was wrapped with sparkly paper and a ribbon. In the back, I had hugs and took pictures. They don't have a bell but they have a gong. I had to gong a few times and they clapped. It was a really nice day for graduation. It was in the 60s, sunny and warm.
0 -
This may be a bonkers question - I only needed radiation, finished two months ago. But could my immune system be down still? I ask because I've had a cold that won't get better and won't go away, never ever had this before . I had two breast surgeries, then radiation, now on tamoxifen, first surgery in June. Thanks for any info about if the body may still be healing after!!!
0
