January 2011 Rads

cincilady

My RO feels pretty strongly that creams can prevent burns.  I put a wash cloth soaked in castor oil (saved in a food bag each day) on my breast and then covered with saran wrap and then a heating pad for about 1 hour each night for about 2 weeks before treatment.  I haven't heard of this from anyone before but she swears by it.  I also use Miaderm cream starting the first day for 3 to 4 times a day.  This is inconvenient at work because I have to pretty much strip down on top to apply it on and then wait a few minutes for it to soak in.  But I'll do it if it means no burning.  Then at night I put on a ton of Aquaphor and mix in some castor oil and cover with a t shirt.  So far I have had 6 treatments - no burning yet, but they have been spaced out due to the holidays - 2 last week and 4 this week.  Next week will be my first time with 5 full days in a row. I will finish on 1/21 so that's why I'm moving over from the December group.  I tried Tom's deodorant and think water would have worked as well.  I am now using Crystal and find it to work pretty well - I got the roll on.  Ordered it online through CVS and arrived in a few days.  I still shave and will continue to unless the area looks sore.  My RO said to go ahead if the skin looks good but her info. sheet says not to.

jo1955

suzieq60

cincilady: Not sure about using castor oil - oils will make you burn. My rad onc gets you to use zinc and castor oil cream after rads to aid healing but they warn not to use it during treatment.

I used the Aloe Vera and Vit E with no perfume all through my treatment and didn't burn at all. 

Sue

Omaz

Hi Sue - I ordered some Faulding Essentials Vitamin E Cream from Australia!  Not too expensive at all.

walker2222

I start my rads on Monday 1/3 30 treatments until 2/11.  I have a nice Valentines gift.  I will take me longer to get the onco office get undressed and on the table than the treatment lasts amazing.  I am working so you know where I will be for lunch.

After rads I am going to deconstruct, had two failed attemapts on my right side with TE, left TE is fine.  The thought of any more recon surgery makes me ill and depressed.  So for me it was all or nothing.  At least this will be incentive to lose weight and keep it down.

Happy Successful New Year to ya'll from TX.

jo1955

mjbmiller - Welcome to the group.  Hate to have you hear with us but is this a bunch of amazing ladies with lots of good information and support.

Where is Frisco, TX?   I am in Donna which is real close to the Mexican border. 

suzieq60

Omaz: Yes, it's not expensive at all. I had used up one jar and had bought a new jar just before I finished in May, so I have lots left over. Hope you don't have to wait long for it to arrive. I wasn't sure if you had the same brand over there. I think they recommend that one as it had no perfume or alcohol in it.

Sue

snowdin

I am starting on Jan 3rd, and I'm sure I will be coming here frequently for tips.  I'm very fair, and mentioned my concern over burning to my rad onc who merely stated that I wasn't genetically blessed. I know that sounds cold, but it made me laugh, because it is somewhat true.  No mention of creams or lotions, or really anything else now that I'm reading these other posts.  Are you supposed to not shave? I feel a little unprepared for this.

suzieq60

Welcome snowdin - my info sheet says you can shave but to use an electric razor. I reckon do it once before you start and then the radiation kills the hair follicles and you don't have to worrry anymore.

Victoria67

Hi Ladies, I'd like to join you as I'm starting rads on January 4.  Feeling a bit nervous about the skin issues as I'm VERY fair and burn very easily.  I think I'm having 30 treatments including boosts. I've started using some cream, my skin is very dry naturally so I'm hoping it will help.  Had my simulation planning before Christmas and got a little upset, which was weird as it wasn't painful (apart from the tattoos - I had 4).  But I think it was lying on the scanner having a male tech draw on my poor batterred boob (I've had a partial mx and then a wider local exision with removal of nipple) over and over that suddenly made me cry plus I had to wait for ages in that position waiting for the rad onc to appear.  Oh well, I keep thinking that I'm getting closer to getting finished with all this.

Jo1955 - great to have your experience plus I love the pics you post, I've been enjoying them on the Dec rads thread which I've been reading to get some tips . 

Thanks Suepen for your advice and expertise and sorry you are going through it a second time.

jo1955

Welcome snowdin & Victoria - Hang with us and we will help you get through rads.  Sorry you have to be here with us though.

Snowdin - Your rad onc is a moron if he tells gives you the not genetically blessed line.  I am fair skinned and ending up with a rash and burnt skin.  Do your self a favor and start using creams now. I used Aquaphor and my skin thanked me in the end.  My rad onc told me the same thing and I just ignored him and took the advice from the ladies on the Nov Rads thread.

Victoria - Do the same thing - start using creams now.  

As far as shaving - suepen said it right.  Shave before the first zap and you won't have to worry about it later.  I am 4 weeks post rads and still don't have to shave on the left side.  Wouldn't bother me if I never had to again.

I will keep posting the pics - I have alot of fun finding them.

 

Omaz

Jo - Where do you get the Aquaphor?

jo1955

Omaz - You can pick it up at Wal Mart.  It is greasy but well worth it.  I used it 3 times a day.  Once in the morning after my shower, after tx (I had a 4:00 appt) and then again at bedtime.  When I got home from work, I stripped the bra off and put on a oversized tee shirt.  Don't use the cream 4 hours prior to tx.  Some say 4 hours before, some say 2 - but to be safe, I would recommend the 4 hours.

Omaz

Thx Jo!  I don't know what time I will be going in daily yet.  Have my setup jan 5th.

jo1955

Omaz - Good luck on the setup.  Don't know what your rad onc has told you yet, but to prepare you, there will be alot of stuff going on that day. Lots of people in the room. You should get your tattoos that day.  For some it hurt just a little, for others it was not problem.  I am telling you this so maybe you can go in there and just try to relax and let let the folks do their stuff.  You may have to be in the same position for a long time and it may get uncomfortable for a bit.  BUT, just relax and think of something pleasant and it will be over before you know it.  After that, you will fall into a daily routine and it will breeze by.

If you want you can always PM me with questions. 

cmf

My RAD Onc told me not to use creams unless I burned.  I am fair skinned.  I h ave had 7 RADS and haven't felt any burns.  When do burns typically start?  If you use the Aquafor, do you wash it off before the treatments? If I shower at night and apply the cream, do I need to still soap it off in the morning before RADS?  I go to RADS at 7 am, before work.  Then apply the aquaphor again after RADS?  Does it stain clothing?

Omaz

I was wondering about washing the breast first too -?

rachel5738

Omaz--For my simulation--I didn't change anything--just went "as is" and was all fine. The Nurse did tell me when she was explaining things and answering my questions that I was to use a fragrance free etc body wash--they recommended the Dove sensitive skin-fragrance skin. I am in Canada so the cream they recommended for me is called "Glaxal Base"--not sure if that is in US. She told me to put it on even now to build up the skin and then to basically apply it throughout treatment -- all the time -- with exception of 2 hours prior to treatment time. I am very fair skinned so am quite concerned about burning. I don't start actual radiation until January 10th though--simulation was before Christmas. I have 4 tattoos--they are tiny--and didn't hurt for me but not sure if my resilience is better due to chemo. Good luck on the 5th.

jo1955

cmf - When the burn starts will depend on the person. I started burning in the 3rd week.  You can apply it at night and don't have to wash it off before treatment. Don't use it before but do apply after rads.  It can stain your clothes and I would recommend a tee shirt or cami under the clothes. In the evenings after work, get rid of the bra and wear an oversized tee shirt - on you don't care about and wear it to bed.  It will keep the sheets from getting stained.  

I would start using cream now! My rad onc said the same thing and I burned - went against his advise and used Aquaphor anyway.  When I did tell him I was using it, he then said it was okay.  I told him he as a day late and a dollar short - if he had not made me wait, I would not have burned and I even had to stop treatment to let the skin heal some.

Don't want you to have any delays.

suzieq60

I always showered before I went in the morning using unscented soap - my sheet says to use it sparingly whatever that means. Any cream that was applied the night before would have washed off.

Your aquaphor cream might be the same as our Aqueous cream - I didn't end up looking for that as they had written the Vit E cream in bold on the sheet which made me think that was the best of all they recommended.

When I had the planning session earlier this year, I had to ask the guy if he was finished. I didn't even feel the tatoos - he must have been an expert. Hope I get him again on Thursday.

Welcome new girls - I hope we all become fast friends throughout this experience.

Sue

inthepink49

Hi All

 I am now moving on from the chemo threads to rads. I start radiation tomorrow. I will have 35 treatments. i do have a question though from anybody who may know. I have a cold right now. More of a throaty thing with some coughing and congestion in the morning. My chest is sore but think it is from coughing so much.Will I be able to still have rads? I don't have a fever. I plan on calling the hospital tomoorow morning to ask but kind of wanted to get an idea before hand. 

i am looking forward to staying in touch with all of you through this next chapter in my life and helping others if I can.

Take care all of you and I am always sending prayers to my bc sisters.

Vickie

jo1955

inthepink49 - Welcome to the rads group.  Ask all the questions you want - you will get lots of good advice.  On your cold, that is going to depend on your rad onc.  You will find that all rad oncs do things a little different.  It will also depend on how bad the cold it.  The only thing I can say is, do call the hospital and see what they say.

suepen - When the sheets say to use the soap sparingly, they don't want you to keep the soap on the area for too long nor do they want you to stand with the radiated area directly under the flow of water.  Soap and water can be drying to the skin. 

susantm

michcon, I am also using Miaderm, but I was told to begin using it right away, three times a day. They said with Miaderm, you can actually use it up to an hour or two before treatment, so I put some on first thing in the morning before I catch the light rail. It is usually two hours before I have treatment, and it hasn't been a problem. Then I put it on right after treatment and again before bed. (and a midday application on weekends) They said 2-3 times a day is good. I have had very few problems so far, and I have had 23 treatments so far.

Omaz

Susan - I see there are 4oz tubes available, how much have you needed to use?

Teklya

Wish me luck  I start my first of 25 treatments tomorrow morning.  It is currently minus 25 degrees Celcius in Winnipeg and with the windchill it is like minus 30 Celcius.  All next week the temps are to be about the same.  For the record I HATE WINTER!!!!!!

To all of you starting with me tomorrow, I will be praying for you all as well as for myself.  To all of you returning to the treatment programs you have begun, you are in my prayers as well. 

take good care and just breathe. . .

Teklya

FireKracker

good luck Teklya tomorrow.im doin #10 tomorrow.and the beat goes on.NED for everyone for the new year.

jo1955

Teklya - Wishing you an uneventful rads.  Take good care of the skin, get plenty of rest and drink lots of water.  You will said right through.

jo1955

cmf

I purchased Aquafor ointment today and applied it after my evening shower.  I covered the entire breast.  I noticed that is stings near my incision.  Is this normal?  I have had seven RADS.  I just noticed tonight, while applying the Aquafor, that my right breast is tinged pink.  I guess it had been a bit pink and I hadn't noticed before. 

jo1955

cmf -  I had a bit of stinging when I first used it only happened a couple of times.  If it continues or gets worse, stop using it and talk to your RO.