Tag Archives: radiation

Health Issues

April 18th 2011 – Monday

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Today was my 24th/25 radiation treatment. One more to go!

I think I’m doing pretty good. My skin is getting more sensitive as the days go on. Right after the treatment my skin is fairly reddened but it gradually subsides during the day so that it is looking more darker than the other side, but the last week or so it’s been feeling more sunburnt for longer. I am having some pain especially under the right breast, the crease is inflammed and reddened but no large weeping areas. The bra certainly is a gift and a curse, as it holds the girls in place but it also can cause some rubbing on sensitive burnt skin.   I do believe that I have different skin type than most people as I rarely do burn, and have a great ability to tan. The Dr’s are impressed with how my skin has held up thusfar. I’ve been impressed too, but I’ve been religious about slathering on the moisturizer 2x a day and I am putting some hydrocortisone cream under the breast along the inflamed area.

One thing they did advise this last week, was to do saline soaked wraps of the right breast. I guess they thought week 5 it would be the worse. I am not doing that, because I feel saline (salt water) on a burnt skin can dry it out more. Instead I’m doing just cool water wraps and that feels so good. Once you get zapped so many times, you start to feel cooked inside. I know that sounds gross, but it’s the best way I know to describe it. I saw my surgeon Dr Janzen last week and she said my skin looked GREAT. She said most come in with skin that is bright red and burnt ++. Maurice told her I was a good tanner 🙂 hee hee

Tomorrow is my last day of Radiation. The gals at Fraser Valley Cancer Center asked me if I am going to celebrate. I said I didn’t know, I had not thought about it. Cathy, my sister also thought I should celebrate the accomplishment of getting through the radiation. I will have to think about it. My first inclination is to say I’ll celebrate the day after it’s done, by taking a nice walk in one of the many beautiful parks in Surrey. 🙂  Energy levels continue to be an issue.

I saw the onco-radiologist on Friday, and she advised Maggie and I that the fatigue can continue for 2-3 weeks after the radiation. I am glad that my family Dr had the wisdom to recommend my gradual return to work start May 2nd.  🙂

…Pam…

Health Issues

April 4th 2011 # 14 treatment

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Today is going to be my 14th treatment of radiation out of 25  so over half way done. 🙂 woo hoo! I can’t wait for my life to get back to normal. We have a routine now, where M drops me off at the cancer clinic and I go do my thing, and while I am off getting zapped, M takes Max for a walk at a nearby park or he goes and sits where the parking is free and reads and waits for me. Parking at the hospital is expensive so its our way of not having to pay close to a fiver ever day! 🙂

Last treatment on friday I saw the Dr and she told me they were taking me to another room to get marked up so they could measure and mark where they were going to do the more focused beam around the location where the tumor had been. So I ended up with a diamond shaped thing inked onto my right breast, and they said they will be drawing that mark on each time they do the focused beam. I forgot to ask the Dr how many of those more focused ones they do, but I suspect it will be the last week of the treatments. I still have 12 to go, including today’s.

My skin is holding up pretty well. I do notice it feels somewhat heavier in the area between the two incisions, almost like a “cooked” feeling, where flesh is firmer. The nipple on that side continues to darken, the skin gets redder especially right after the zapping but then seems to resolve back to it’s normal color, however I am left with the skin looking different shade than the right (a bit). So far no skin breakdown but I have been pretty diligent about using the olay moisturizing body wash and then the lubriderm moisturizer every day. Dr thought things looked good.

Fatigue continues to be an issue, and I find myself pushing myself to do things so that I don’t turn into a lump. My first inclination would be to not do anything, but I can’t sink into that. Yesterday Maurice was out pulling weeds out of the garden and I took a small rake and was able to pull a few out too using it. Nothing to strenuous but it felt good to be helping 🙂

I’m over half way done and my right arm numbness is persistant. The dreadful pain from the nerve irritation is gone now. What I feel is that my arm feels heavy, but it’s more because there is a big numb area in the back that feels like a blob I’m lugging around, as I can’t feel it except when it hits my body. It is a weird feeling but I’m getting used to it. Hopefully it will resolve itself, but I suspect I’m going to be stuck with this numbness for the rest of my life (my prediction) , the surgeon said that whatever I have at the end of one year, is what I will have the rest of my life… so we shall see, there might be room for improvement.

One thing I have been doing is eating junk food. I think I have been feeling sorry for myself and using that as an excuse to eat like crap. That has to stop. I know that the meds I am on raise cholesterol, and I don’t want that, and I won’t be helping myself at all if I continue to help raise my cholesterol on top of the meds, because I’m stupidly eating high fat crap.

_____________________________________ _______________ ________________ <– the line in the sand has been drawn.

Many thanks to everyone who has been emailing me, calling or coming over for visits. I’ve appreciated all. Also thank you to all the gals at work who sent the condolence cards and gifts for me on the loss of my dad. I was very touched. Thanks Sharman and Nikki for bringing the cards and gifts and the nice visit.  You are all a great bunch of people to work with and the care and attention you’ve given to me while I’ve been off is a testament to that. Special thanks to Maggie, for her trips in to visit, and take me to radiation some times, for being a swell friend, and to Gen who unerringly calls to see how I am doing, to my sister Cathy and brother Peter who always check on me, to M’s parents who call and who’ve sent gifts, and especially to Maurice, who has always been there for me in every way. 🙂   I am a lucky gal.

…Pam…

Health Issues

Mar 27 Radiation Treatments done so far 8/25

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Well it has been a few days since I put a post in about the radiation treatments. So far, I think I am doing pretty well. I have had 8 treatments and have 17 more to go. They do them Mon-Fri except on holidays. The set up is what takes the most time, they have to position you in just the right spot exactly, and I have to be put in the mould they made me before the treatments started. It takes some time to set up, but once the radiation starts, it’s only a couple of minutes. I would say from arriving in the cancer center, to leaving is about 30-40 min each day, depending on if they are on time. Sometimes it’s behind schedule as the machine is finicky in the area I am in and gives them grief sometimes.

I saw the radioncologist friday and she examined me.. she thought everything was looking good so far. No skin breakdown. I am having some burning sensation on the skin, but it’s more like a mild sunburn at this point. There is a darkening of the nipple on one side (sorry if TMI, but it’s a truthful accounting of what is going on.) but so far nothing to bad. I have been told symptoms can worsen around end of week 2.. so I’m not quite there yet.

Maurice has taken me to all radiation treatments but on Thursday Maggie came in, and sat with me while I waited my turn to be on the machine. She was allowed to come in the room while they set me up (I asked if she could and they said sure) and so she saw them mark me up with their pens, position me exactly so… and then they all left the room and the radiation started. She was allowed to be in the room with all of the monitors and the techs explained what they were doing, how the radiation was directed etc, and she said she found it interesting. 🙂

…Pam…

Health Issues

Day 1 Radiation treatment March 16th

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Today was my first actual radiation treatment. They told me it would take about an hour, and it did. Most of the time was taken up by getting me in exactly the right position. There were 2 guys and 1 gal who moved me about on the table and got me in exactly the right position that I needed to be to zap me. They also did some imaging, so that is why it took longer. The actual radiation didn’t take that long.. less than a minute or so in each position. They added some pen marks on my right breast and side. I asked them to make it in the shape of a dragon, but they just laughed..    They told me that tomorrow I just need to go to the treatment room, put my card up on the desk where they showed me, and get changed and be ready for appointment time, so that seems pretty straightforward. Today the gal in reception showed me around and told me the routine of what to do.

Because of the radiation I was warned that there will be skin changes. I was given a list of different lotions to use daily, and also a list of different body soaps I can use for showers. It has to be really mild stuff, as harsh soaps will irritate an already irritated skin. I will try to follow orders :)The main thing I can do to try to help myself is good skin care. They said the breast creases is one of the main places that tends to get irritated, so I’ll try to be vigilent.

I go to radiation mon-friday, and the times are not always the same.. it’s how they can fit everyone in, so tomorrow’s time is different than todays. They write it all down on the card you are given so I don’t have to remember and they only give you the next weeks times on the friday.

…Pam…

Health Issues

March 9 2011

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I went and had physio at the rehab services yesterday. They made measurements on both arms again, to see if I am having any lymphedema. The measurements looked pretty good, though slightly increased at the top 3 measurements near upper arm/armpit. She said we will just keep an eye on them for now, it’s nothing to be alarmed about. I know the signs and symptoms of lymphedema and will vigilant watching for it.

We did more exercises and I used a band to do some bicept/tricept exercises. She was pleased with my strength and mobility of the arm/shoulder area. We talked about the “zingers” I get when my shoulder goes in a certain way. The “sunburn” type pain I was having has gradually been lessening so that’s something to cheer about. It was so bad initially I had to sit with my arm up over the recliner, with nothing touching it, or I would weep with pain. The pain then, and for many weeks was a constant 8-10/10 and it felt like 2 bad sunburns being rubbed against each other. Now the pain is about a 3/10.

I got a call to say I have to have a liver ultrasound on Sunday March 13th. (It’s amazing to me they are doing this stuff on a Sunday, but I confirmed it. I imagine they want this stuff done before the radiation starts, and I was injected by nuclear medicine on Tuesday for the bone scan, so I guess they need a few days to get the tracer out of my system. So next thing medically for me is the Liver US. Again, I think they are just checking to see if it has metastasized before the radiation starts. Wish me luck!  Then, the next thing for me is Radiation that starts on Wednesday March 16th and will go on daily mon-fri  x 5 weeks.. so I’m thinking that will be until April 19th or so… but that’s not confirmed yet.  I’ve been warned by everyone and their dog that the radiation can affect how tired I am… (and I’m wiped and tired now, so I’m not seeing how it can be much worse, to be honest.)

Good or bad, I’ll let you all know how the radiation feels. Right now I’m just tired of being sick. I’ve been sick with this damned sore throat ( sore enough to feel like strep or a tonsilar abscess) anyways Dr can see me today and I’m soooo hoping I get some antibiotics. I was talking to mum on the phone today and I started to hack and wretch so bad because throat is so inflamed and swollen still, that I had to run to bathroom to throw up (sorry, TMI) so hopefully I’m not going to look like a friggin raccoon full of petechae around my eyes. SIGH! I just want to feel better and get some energy.

I know it sounds like I’m whining right now, but I’m just feeling a little wiped/fatigued/sick of hacking.

I know there are alot of people out there dealing with more than I am, and I want you to know I am  feeling glad and grateful that the cancer was caught early, hopeful that it has not spread elsewhere, and thankful to my my husband Maurice who has been my rock, and to my friends and collegues to give me no end of warm fuzzies when least expected. 🙂 No matter how crappy I feel, I know I have a husband who loves me and helps me so much, family and friends who love me. When all is said and done, that’s what is really important. Having cancer really makes you re-evaluate the priorities in life. What is really important, what matters. It’s the people in your life, not the things in your life,  that give your life meaning and worth. I’m blessed to have great people in mine. I hope you have the same in yours, and if you don’t… then get out there and work on it! Pick up the phone and make some first steps. 🙂

…Pam…

Health Issues

Radiation planning March 7 2010

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Today I went to the Fraser Valley Cancer Clinic (FVCC) and I saw the gals in radiology who did some Scans and marking of the breast area that is to be hit with radiation. I think the procedure was an hour or so. The first thing was I watched a video of what would happen, and that took about 15 min to watch. Then I had to get in a gown and get on the table of the machine, and they put me in a certain position.. the same position I have to be in for each radiation treatment. They did a mold of my body shape and how I had my arms over my head, and they did an exact mold so each time I use that to “assume the position”.  Then after they did many different scans in different directions, took pictures with the camera’s… I was then injected with some dye, just a pinprick x 3 so they marked the boundaries of where I would be zapped. Tattooed x 3, it is a small dot.

I have to now wait for the “planning” part of it to be done.. where the radiology gals and the DR decide on the strength of zapping, and the length of each treatment. I know I have to do mon-fri x 5 weeks. The specialist told me that, but I still don’t know  the start date for that.

I have to go for a bone scan tomorrow, and a liver ultrasound ?? no date yet. I imagine they are just looking to see if the cancer might have spread. I’m not sure. Maybe they are looking at baselines before the radiation happens.

I also got a call from Surrey Memorial Hospital  Rehab. I need to go on the 9th for physio. They see breast surgery patients 1 month post to assess how they are doing, and measure post op to assess for lymphedema.

I see my family Dr on Thursday. I still have to do fasting blood work but it’s been to nuts with having to travel to Calgary the day after I saw my Dr, and now having appointments or tests each day. I’m just tired of all of the running.

I got sick when I went to Calgary. Mum had a wicked sore throat, and coughing ++ and I managed to get it (no surprise there). Anyways I’m now in the midst of a sore throat and hacking ++, fever. I tried to get in to see my family Dr tomorrow but she’s already double booked so it was a no go. I feel a bit better today, not coughing up as much gunk so that’s good. 🙂

That is all of my news thus far. I’ve been taking the letrozole, and I do think I am feeling some extra joint pain, more sweats (yahoo!) and definately noticing more PACs.  The pharmacy was closed while I was there at cancer clinic today, but I will ask them about the side effects of letrozole. I imagine, even though I am post menopausal, that the letrozole is driving my estrogen levels down further, thereby increasing my menopausal side effects. That’s my theory anyways and I’m going with it until I hear differently. heheh

…Pam…

Health Issues

Cancer Agency Visit Feb 16th 2011

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Today we met with my Oncologist Dr Oja. He was great. I really liked his manner, the tone he set, he took so much time with us, he answered a ton of questions, gave his opinion on issues and he was a wealth of knowledge. I was impressed.  I’m not easily impressed. He answered Maurice’s questions and included him in the visit. There was not one thing I could complain about.

So, to the nitty gritty…  he looked at the size of original tumor 1.1cm , grade of tumor (2) and my age and general health etc. He said they know % rates for  relapses,  risks of death…  with just doing nothing except the radiation which I will need to have for sure from 4-6 weeks of it. The % of risk of relapse if they add 5 yrs of hormone therapy (which for me was strongly recommended), and what the % risk of death is with hormone therapy….  then they added in what the risks would be with chemotherapy added for relapse and death. So I’ll just write it out as succinctly as I can (a chore for me as anyone who knows me knows..)

As things are, with doing nothing but Radiation = 25-35% of risk of relapse, 8-12 % risk of death from breast cancer.

Adding Hormone therapy (which was strongly recommended I do, and have done) = 5 yrs of Letrozole prevents a further 12-18% of relapses  (puts me about 13% chance or relapse) plus prevents  2-5 % risk of death from breast cancer  (puts me down to 6-7% chance death)

PLUS adding Chemotherapy = 6 treatments each 3 weeks apart (possible to do, but not strongly recommended) prevents extra 6 % of relapses  (would put me at 7%) plus prevents  2-4 % of deaths.   (would put me 4-6%)

The chemo is harsh on the body and there are potentially serious side effects/complications that didn’t seem worth the risk to do it considering that my cancer was caught so early and only one lymph node involved.  Dr Oja went over all of the risks and complications with us and did not strongly recommend I do chemo as well, but that choice is up to me. I have made the decision that I am not going to do the chemo.  I walked in there thinking I would throw everything I was offered at it, but after looking at the stats and the risks and the percentages, I feel like I’m making the right decision, and at the end of the day, that is what is important.. is that I’m comfortable with the decision that I have to live with. 🙂

I also asked about clinical trials that were going on, so we will see if I am to be a part of them, they have done some blood work today, and I also had a chest xray today, got my first 3 months of Letrozole  and met with the clinical trials nurse.

I’m still having some nerve pain from the surgery, and areas of numbness. I am meeting with my family Dr on Feb 22nd, and I’ll let her see the data and let her know what I’ve decided, and we will take a snapshot as to how I’m feeling and see if I feel ready to go back to work. Today I don’t, but the 22nd is 6 days away so I’m hoping that things will feel better by then! 🙂

I will post things as they happen 🙂 I’m grateful Maurice was with me.

…Pam…