Who all is done with chemo and on to rad?

Jan_M
Jan_M Member Posts: 116
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am on my third week of radiation, with 3.5 weeks to go. Who all is on to this stage? I was amazed to find out that some people do the chemo and radiation at the same time, my hat is off to them, I don't know that I would have been able to do that.
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Comments

  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    Hi Jan
    I just finished chemo a week ago and am waiting for them to tell me when i go to Rads..the Dr. says maybe a month. I hope it is sooner. I am anxious to get on to the next step and get this over with. I hear it is usually 3 wk.s. How are you doing with the rads?

    I haven't heard of chemo/radiation at the same time. I think that would have been to much for me. It was all i could do just chemo. And i am so thankful it is over.

    Keep in touch i am sure i will have many questions for you. Thanks
    hugs
    jackie
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    No chemo for me..
    but, I am almost done with rads..thank God! 37 treatments in all...25 to the whole area, then 12 boosters to the tumor site. I have seen a few at the radiation cancer center that are doing both at the same time. It isn't easy and their skin is reacting really badly to the radiation, so, it is harder on them. I don't know why they have to do both together..it seems kind of cruel. Good luck to you two on your rads!
  • crazylady55
    crazylady55 Member Posts: 92
    Jeanne D said:

    No chemo for me..
    but, I am almost done with rads..thank God! 37 treatments in all...25 to the whole area, then 12 boosters to the tumor site. I have seen a few at the radiation cancer center that are doing both at the same time. It isn't easy and their skin is reacting really badly to the radiation, so, it is harder on them. I don't know why they have to do both together..it seems kind of cruel. Good luck to you two on your rads!

    getting ready to start rad
    I already had a lumpectomy, then chemo, then mastectomy, now rad will start in about 10 days. Had my marks done last week and go for another "set up" appointment next week. I am supposed to do 30 sessions.

    Can't wait to get this over with and get back to a "normal life"....will there ever be such a thing again?
  • Mikes Sunshine
    Mikes Sunshine Member Posts: 129

    getting ready to start rad
    I already had a lumpectomy, then chemo, then mastectomy, now rad will start in about 10 days. Had my marks done last week and go for another "set up" appointment next week. I am supposed to do 30 sessions.

    Can't wait to get this over with and get back to a "normal life"....will there ever be such a thing again?

    Starting Soon
    HI Jan, I had my tattoos done yesterday. I have a dry run on Friday May 8th. I will start my radiation on Monday May 11th. I am so happy that chemo is done and want to get started on the rads. One step closer to the end of the battle. LIke Jackie said I am sure I will have lots of questions for you. I hope all is well with you. Take Care, Nancy
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    Starting Rads end of May, I hope
    Hi, Jan! I am up and about more after chemo and am glad to see your smiling face, as always. Thank you for your message as I readied for the last chemo.

    But enough of that...on to Rads.

    I have a meeting on the 8th. Hope to start rads as soon as possible, but clinic here seems to be a little slow. Hopefully, I will start by third week of May, or I will be mad!

    My heart also goes out to those who have chemo and radiation at the same time. They are a whole new level of warrior.

    I hope your rads are going ok? I may have missed some posts lately. Wishing you well, as always.
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member

    Starting Soon
    HI Jan, I had my tattoos done yesterday. I have a dry run on Friday May 8th. I will start my radiation on Monday May 11th. I am so happy that chemo is done and want to get started on the rads. One step closer to the end of the battle. LIke Jackie said I am sure I will have lots of questions for you. I hope all is well with you. Take Care, Nancy

    Nancy
    Nancy, my friend, on to Rads on the 11th! I am so glad for you to start this final step. It has been a journey, hasn't it?? But we will all be together for this one, too.

    Thank you for readying your flashlight with those new batteries earlier this week! You made me smile and lit my day both. Mike's Sunshine is shining brighter and brighter!
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    Moopy23 said:

    Starting Rads end of May, I hope
    Hi, Jan! I am up and about more after chemo and am glad to see your smiling face, as always. Thank you for your message as I readied for the last chemo.

    But enough of that...on to Rads.

    I have a meeting on the 8th. Hope to start rads as soon as possible, but clinic here seems to be a little slow. Hopefully, I will start by third week of May, or I will be mad!

    My heart also goes out to those who have chemo and radiation at the same time. They are a whole new level of warrior.

    I hope your rads are going ok? I may have missed some posts lately. Wishing you well, as always.

    I will be done soon with rads but...
    if you have questions..I will try and answer with my experience. The main thing is to keep the creme's on your skin! I didn't really burn, just one small place a little, but, I keep myself lathered up like a greased pig when I get home. lol And, drink lots of water. Ok..more tips l8r!
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    Kristin N said:

    I will be done soon with rads but...
    if you have questions..I will try and answer with my experience. The main thing is to keep the creme's on your skin! I didn't really burn, just one small place a little, but, I keep myself lathered up like a greased pig when I get home. lol And, drink lots of water. Ok..more tips l8r!

    Thanks, Kristin!
    I will be sure to lather up like that same greased pig.

    I am sure we will have lots of questions for you: hope Princess Kitty will be patient with us....or should we send catnip to distract her?
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    Moopy23 said:

    Thanks, Kristin!
    I will be sure to lather up like that same greased pig.

    I am sure we will have lots of questions for you: hope Princess Kitty will be patient with us....or should we send catnip to distract her?

    To Moopy...
    Good to see your posts! You were missed here while recovering from your final chemo.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    Moopy23 said:

    Thanks, Kristin!
    I will be sure to lather up like that same greased pig.

    I am sure we will have lots of questions for you: hope Princess Kitty will be patient with us....or should we send catnip to distract her?

    radiation and burning
    Hi Moopy! glad the chemo is done for you. They do say that your skin color and previous burning history is an indication of how well you will do. Since I had burned the boobies in my younger days, and am very fair skinned, I would probably burn more than some. Never blistered though, just very tender, remember to stock up on those cami type tops if you want some cover under your shirts!
    Cat
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    cats_toy said:

    radiation and burning
    Hi Moopy! glad the chemo is done for you. They do say that your skin color and previous burning history is an indication of how well you will do. Since I had burned the boobies in my younger days, and am very fair skinned, I would probably burn more than some. Never blistered though, just very tender, remember to stock up on those cami type tops if you want some cover under your shirts!
    Cat

    I have always tanned in the
    I have always tanned in the sun and some in tanning beds and I have always tanned easily and get dark. So, I only burnt and am burnt in a couple of places..mainly my collar bone and my boob. OUCH..lol But, now only my boob is pink because it is getting the boosters. OUCH..lol If you put something on after you have your creme's on..make sure it is something you don't care about because some of the creme's will stain it forever. I normally just wear a hugeeeeeeeeeeeee men's tshirt. You won't want anything tight on..trust me.
  • Jan_M
    Jan_M Member Posts: 116
    I was stupid and went for a
    I was stupid and went for a walk on the beach. In the past I have always tanned but I went walking for only 30 minutes and I burned around my neck and arms. They are redder then the radiation boob. I guess all the chemo and radiation make your skin more sensitive.

    So far so good with the radiation, a little sore and red, but not too bad. Using ALOT of cream twice a day. No bumps or burns yet but my Dr. said usually by the third week is when you have a reaction. I start week four Monday.

    TO all you that finished chemo this past week, congrats! And if you are not done with chemo yet, remember the light everyone will shine for you because there is an end to it.

    I wonder after we are done with everything what our new normal will be.
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    Jan_M said:

    I was stupid and went for a
    I was stupid and went for a walk on the beach. In the past I have always tanned but I went walking for only 30 minutes and I burned around my neck and arms. They are redder then the radiation boob. I guess all the chemo and radiation make your skin more sensitive.

    So far so good with the radiation, a little sore and red, but not too bad. Using ALOT of cream twice a day. No bumps or burns yet but my Dr. said usually by the third week is when you have a reaction. I start week four Monday.

    TO all you that finished chemo this past week, congrats! And if you are not done with chemo yet, remember the light everyone will shine for you because there is an end to it.

    I wonder after we are done with everything what our new normal will be.

    OMG Jan
    Don't let any sun hit the area that is getting the radiation. You will get a 3rd degree burn. And, if you do go in the sun, make sure it is covered with clothes and put on a strong sunblock. And, chemo does make the radiation worse. Sorry, but, I have seen several at the Cancer Center that took chemo and are now in radiation and their skin is reacting worse. So, be careful please! And, use a LOT of the creme's that they allow you to use. Good luck!

    image
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    Jan_M said:

    I was stupid and went for a
    I was stupid and went for a walk on the beach. In the past I have always tanned but I went walking for only 30 minutes and I burned around my neck and arms. They are redder then the radiation boob. I guess all the chemo and radiation make your skin more sensitive.

    So far so good with the radiation, a little sore and red, but not too bad. Using ALOT of cream twice a day. No bumps or burns yet but my Dr. said usually by the third week is when you have a reaction. I start week four Monday.

    TO all you that finished chemo this past week, congrats! And if you are not done with chemo yet, remember the light everyone will shine for you because there is an end to it.

    I wonder after we are done with everything what our new normal will be.

    NONONO
    Jan, didn't your radiation oncologist tell you to not expose the radiated area to the sun? Mine actually said to never let the sun hit it EVER! When I told him "that isn't going to happen", he said NO SUN during treatment and then wait a year and then use the strongest sunblock on that area. I will probably wait until next year to tan..no biggee. But, I know of some that tanned after 3 or 4 months and did ok. But, they tan easily like I do. But, I don't want to take any chances. So, DO NOT expose the radiated area at least while you are getting treatments. I know it is hard not to..I go outside all of the time with no top on as I live in the country, but, not this year. :((( Just be careful!
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    To one & all within this thread...
    To those in the process of radiation treatment - just cheering you on, keep at it, eyes on the finish line! With hopes that side effects - if any - are minimal.

    To those on the brink of beginning - best wishes that all will go well for you! Again, with hopes that side effects - if any - will be minimal.

    To everyone, and most importantly, hopes & prayers your way for the best possible outcome. That the treatment is as effective as it possibly can be. For good cancer-free health in the future.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867

    To one & all within this thread...
    To those in the process of radiation treatment - just cheering you on, keep at it, eyes on the finish line! With hopes that side effects - if any - are minimal.

    To those on the brink of beginning - best wishes that all will go well for you! Again, with hopes that side effects - if any - will be minimal.

    To everyone, and most importantly, hopes & prayers your way for the best possible outcome. That the treatment is as effective as it possibly can be. For good cancer-free health in the future.

    Kind regards, Susan

    Radiation!
    I will soon be done with my radiation treatments! YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! So, if I can help any of you with questions, just ask me. Good luck to all you starting them soon.

    image
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    How are you doing today Jan?
    How are you doing today Jan? Any better? I hope so!
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    Jeanne D said:

    How are you doing today Jan?
    How are you doing today Jan? Any better? I hope so!

    Hello radiation sisters
    It is almost exciting to get on to this next phase. ( did i just say that?) well anyway we are getting closer to the end. and it can't be worse than chemo soooo....I am thinking of buying alovera (sp) plant. and using that. I have used it for other things and seems to work great. What do you all think? Keep me up on all and good luck Jan and all my other radiation sisters.
    lotsa love
    jackie
  • Jan_M
    Jan_M Member Posts: 116
    Doing OK
    Another side effect I forgot to tell you all about is besides the breast being red, it also has alot of edema, very swollen, tight and sore. Dr. said I might need physical therapy after radiation is done. Sigh, things that happen that they don't warn you about.
  • crazylady55
    crazylady55 Member Posts: 92
    Jan_M said:

    Doing OK
    Another side effect I forgot to tell you all about is besides the breast being red, it also has alot of edema, very swollen, tight and sore. Dr. said I might need physical therapy after radiation is done. Sigh, things that happen that they don't warn you about.

    try massage
    has your doctor recommended lymphodema massage for the swelling? my rad.onc. sent me to a physical therapist for home care information, it is mostly massage and exercises. I will start rad. on May 11. The massage seems to help with the stiffness from my mast.surgery and the mild swelling I had in my hand is gone. I think there is an old thread here about lymphodema. Hope it helps