Back to Radiation!!

[MMMP]

Met with my oncologist today and we discussed having a consult with the radiation oncologist- my neck nodes are full of cancer and it is causing nerve pain in my left arm and hand. So hoping to start next week- I just did 3 months of Abraxane and 2 months of Doxil with zero success. He is looking into a few more chemo options-sacituzumab govitecan soon to be approved by FDA. Other options as well. Can you share any tricks for radiation-it’s been 5 years since I went thru it.

[SoCalLady]

I am so sorry you are having these problems. My prayers are going with you next week. It's been more than 5 years since I had my radiation, and it may have changed a lot since then. I did very well with my breast radiation tho with several treatments and a lot of Eucerin and Aquaphor lotion in between. Keep us informed as you go. We're rooting for you!

[MMMP in reply to SoCalLady]

Thanks I did start preparing my skin with the Aquaphor today thanks for the prayers.

[Maludagui in reply to MMMP]

You will be ok. We are prayers 🌺🙏❤️

[MMMP in reply to Maludagui]

🥰💕😷🙏

[Jerseygirl45 in reply to MMMP]

Good luck💕 radiation did help my pain go away in hips, arms, back and pelvis. I happen it helps you too🙏

[MMMP in reply to Jerseygirl45]

Good to know- going to get that cancer on the run!!! Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi MMMP,

I'm very sorry that you're facing a new treatment.

I did rads 10 years ago (chest/mastectomy area, daily for six weeks) and then again 5 years ago (spine, daily for four weeks).

I did not have any noticeable skin issues either time but did feel very, very fatigued. These were the most tiring treatments in my entire 10 year "journey". The fatigue wasn't bad in the beginning, but got progressively worse and then lasted a while after I was done.

Could/should I have hydrated more? Probably. Aside from that, my only advice is to prepare as best you can. I worked full time during the first rounds and was exhausted. I was on disability for the second time, and it was much better. So the degree to which you can manage your life to allow for lots of rest, especially as time goes on, I would try to do that.

But, again, I had no other issues.

I hope it goes well for you, especially re: its effectiveness!

Take care,

Lynn

[MMMP in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for sharing- I thought I replied to you but I must have not pushed the right button- hydration is key I need to really work on this!! I’m on short term disability now so I don’t have to balance it with working!

[Red71]

I’m sorry you have to go through the unknowns again like we do every time something changes. I think it would be easier if we knew exactly how our body would react.

I had radiation 3 years ago for 10 treatments for lesions on my spine causing compression fractures resulting in excruciating pain. That is a real run on sentence! My skin was fine and I did no special skin care. They radiated both from the front and back and I did have some esophageal problems. I could swallow but soft items were much easier to eat for the first month and for about 6-8 months I had problems choking if I ate things like steak. I learned to chew real well. I didn’t have any nausea but I wasn’t very hungry either. Fatigue was a problem for quite a while but it was at the beginning of my MBC diagnosis so it was recovering from compression fractures, radiation therapy, and starting Ibrance all at one time. It took me at least months to get to my “new normal”. Yuck, I hate those two words!

I hope a short duration of radiation is all you need and you have minimal side effects. Asking for none would be like tempting fate!

Elaine

[MMMP in reply to Red71]

Thanks for sharing your story- yes new normal gets old fast- now they are using it for this whole Covid thing! The foods tips are helpful- had horrible mouth sores from Doxil so I know about soft foods- Mary

[Hidden]

Ask for anti nausea meds so you can start taking them the day of your radiation. Starting them before the first treatment helps to prevent the nausea. If it is on your neck and you have to be fitted and wear the head mesh mask take an Ativan before hand. I am claustrophobic and I had to stop them once they secured me to the table as I panicked. Ativan made a big difference. Good luck and I hope this works well for you and you don’t have any side effects.

[MMMP]

Yes-the mask is creepy- had it fitted yesterday- going to need to get a photo because no one would believe it!!!! Can’t remember if I got nauseous last time but thanks for the heads up- I have Zofran in my Med box. I think I will be getting chemo as well so who knows how I will be feeling- glad I’m not working. I pray this will give me some killing of my cancer in my nodes

I have a CT tomorrow to check for any more progression in my neck.chest.abd and pelvis. I was first dz in 2014 with stage 3 with stage 4 to hit in 2016. One day at a time-

[Hidden in reply to MMMP]

People don’t understand the mask. I wish I had taken a picture so they realize how it works. Let us know how it goes. Thinking of you.

[MMMP in reply to Hidden]

I’m going to have them take my photo and post it on my Facebook!! It should get a good response!!!🤪

[Hidden in reply to MMMP]

I like the way you think. I was in such a panic the whole time I had my eyes squeezed closed the whole time.

[Red71 in reply to MMMP]

It you get a picture, please post it here too. I’d like to see it, it sounds very claustrophobic! I don’t have problems with MRIs but being locked in sounds like it would cause anyone to panic!

[MMMP]

Great review of side effects-yes my doctor did go thru them but they go so fast and knowing that I had it before they assume you remember! Thanks for sharing- Mary

[mariootsi]

I found, the only problem I had with radiation during my original cancer, was fatigue. Manageable though.

I wish you success!

[MMMP in reply to mariootsi]

Thanks- looking forward to shrinkage so I can get my left arm back!!

[mariootsi in reply to MMMP]

Yes. I'm praying for you!

[mariootsi in reply to mariootsi]

I also showered using Dove soap and used Aveeno cream for my skin as per the radiologist. Worked very well.

[Timtam56]

Hi MMMP.

I had radiation 1 & 1/2 years ago on spine and hips. Was told there would be no problems. But I found the fatigue some talk of did happen to me. And...also this slight nausea and lack of interest in food. Skin was not so bad. But oesophageal problems with thin fluids for me. Was very strange. But I think it did a lot of good in the long run.

Take care. Be kind to yourself. And rest as much as you can. It doesn't go on forever. So there's always relic in sight. And maybe you won't get any of this.

[MMMP in reply to Timtam56]

Thanks- I did have issues with red skin almost - burn level- all peeled off when completed - hope this does not happen again - started to use the aquaphore skin healing cream before I even start.