February 2011 Rads

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  • Adey
    Adey Member Posts: 3,610
    edited February 2011

    Gd-  Water and cream, I'm on it!  I am pretty in tune with my body and would have been very surprised if I felt nothing with the radiation txs.  I'm feeling great so far.  Thanks for the advice and for checking in with me.  I look forward to my break this weekend and seeing another college with DD.  Take good care.

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  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 8,046
    edited February 2011

    Good for you being in tune to your body.I think thats why you feel great.So did I mostly.I did complain some but looking at the big picture I did great.I wish the same for you.

    And all my other sistas that are going through tx.now.Listen to your bodies.They do talk to you.My mother used to say that about GOD---She used to say God is always talking to you,only a fool doesnt hear him...I wish you the walk in the park.Do that too.

    huggggggggggggs K

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  • Teklya
    Teklya Member Posts: 435
    edited February 2011

    hi the re.  feeling better each day.  Today, though, I am freezing!!!  I have been sneezing, too.  Ugh.  Just woke from a nap and still am cold and miserable.  sheesh, does this ever end???

     Teklya

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  • BrilandGirl
    BrilandGirl Member Posts: 49
    edited February 2011

    Had #24 out of 33 today--only 9 more left (2 more whole breast and 7 boosts).  RO said my skin is holding up "like average"--not better or worse than average condition given the number of treatments.  Seems silly but I felt disappointed--I thought my skin was holding up pretty well--it's a bid red and nothing else so far--spent hours reading up on skincare here and researching products!  Felt like I got a grade of C when I spent time and effort enough for an A.  Well--as long as my skin is holding up--that's what matters. 

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  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 8,046
    edited February 2011

    BG- after 24 tx and you didnt burn or blister or even itch your dr should have given you an A...that is real good.keep up the good work.you are almost home.yay

    Teklya-you are getting better everyday.If you have a cold stay in bed.That has nothing to do with the rads.You are at the end of the line.Right in back of ME....WE MADE IT.YAY.

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  • Elisimo
    Elisimo Member Posts: 1,601
    edited February 2011

    Tori and Adey - we are all at about the same place. I finished #8 today and I am so looking forward to the 2 day break after treatment #9 tomorrow.

    I am feeling the warmth from the rads and my arm are ususally killing me by the time the treatment is over, but they are better after about an hour or so.  DH hugged me this morning and he said my chest felt warm then we both laughted, because normally he hugs me to warm me up since I am usually freezing.  My Miadrem cream arrived today so I put one tube in the bathroom and one in the bag I take to treatments so that I can put it on right after my treatment.  Saw the RO yesterday and he said my skin was looking good and I want to keep it that way.

    Hope everyone has a restful night and treatment goes smoothly tomorrow.  Amy Jo 

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  • beacher4209
    beacher4209 Member Posts: 540
    edited February 2011

     HELLO FEB LADIES!!!! IM ON A BREAK RIGHT NOW FROM RADS HAVE NOT HAD A TREATMENT SINCE LAST THURSDAY, A WEEK AGO. MY BLISTER FINALLY IS STARTING TO LOOK LIKE ITS HEALING. I START BACK ON MONDAY, I HAVE 8 MORE I TRIED TO NEGOGIATE WITH MY RO TO DO 3 DAYS ONLY A WEEK BUT SHE SHOT THAT PLAN DOWN. SO PLEASE PRAY THAT THESE RADS IN A ROW AGAIN DO NOT GIVE ME ANOTHER NASTY BLISTER . I HAVE GREAT PAINKILLERS THOUGH! AND THEY REALLY WORK SO I JUST PLAN ON STAYING ON THEM 24/7 THROUGH THE LAST 8 AND THEN AFTER ,READING ON HEAR SOUNDS LIKE THE WORST COMES AFTER TREATMENT IS FINISHED, HOW LONG AFTER? EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT I REALIZED THAT, WHEN I HAD MY BURNS SO MUCH MORE SEVERE THAN ANYONE ELSE ON HERE. IM GLAD SO MANY   HAVE NOT HAD THE BURNS I HAVE. TAKE CARE GLAD YOUR OUT THERE ,BUT IN AWAY WISH YOU DID NOT HAVE TO BE :)

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  • heathermcd
    heathermcd Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2011

    I was sent home today with cold gel packs to put under my arm my RO said that I was getting too red and needed to do something to pull the heat and swelling out. They seem to be working so far.

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  • beacher4209
    beacher4209 Member Posts: 540
    edited February 2011

    did you have a treatment? what # are you on? Glad they cared enough to give you the gel pacs.hope you feel ok

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  • heathermcd
    heathermcd Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2011

    I was feeling ok, the burn really didn't bother me much most of the time, but the RO seemed to think it was getting bad. I did have my normal treatment. I'm on treatment #17. Only 11 left!

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  • sjames59
    sjames59 Member Posts: 22
    edited February 2011

    Finished #6 today - sore to the touch, esp. nipple area and definitely pink all over, but I'm thankful for all the recommendations here for products to use. Aloe vera gel, miaderm (sample from RO), calendula lotion, aquaphor - these have all been helpful. I also especially like using a cotton tank undershirt, after hearing about it on this board, big thanks. I'm really nervous about how the next six weeks will play out, but hoping for the best. Thankfully my job is coming to a little bit of a lull soon and I'll be able to take time off if needed. Best wishes to all.

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  • kallimom
    kallimom Member Posts: 54
    edited February 2011

    Hello, I started rad two days ago....so nervous about it. The tattoo marking really hurt and I was so surprised....someone had told me they hurt but....even had tears...so glad there were only three of them to do. Yesterday's treatment was ok, but still so nervous, got a headache which of course affected my stomach...so hoping by Monday it will become old hat. I have been using a cream a nurse friend recommended called Rio Vista natural cream. She said it really works well to keep the shin conditioned. It certainly has been the journey...surgery, chemo, reconstruction, and not this...begin to wonder if I will ever feel energetic again. My couch and I have become great friends.

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  • kallimom
    kallimom Member Posts: 54
    edited February 2011

    OK, what is Miadem cream and where do you get it?

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  • Jwatrlily
    Jwatrlily Member Posts: 211
    edited February 2011

    Have my first tx today.  Kind of scared of burns, skin problems, etc.  Every Dr. is different but my "tattoos" are actually made with a marker pen and I have to be careful to not wash them off.  Geesh!  How do you retrain yourself how to take a shower at age 59 to remember to leave one part of your body out of the soapy washcloth!??  I'm going to have to talk to them again today and this is making me more nervous then anything because they stressed I have to protect those marks!  I perspire at night when I get hot in bed (post menopause) and that smears those marks.  I don't get it!  So, DH is taking me out to eat tonight after my tx, which is at 4 p.m.  I'm glad I get the weekend off already as yesterday's simulation verification was nerve rattling.  I'm not claustrophobic but don't like those big machines whirling around and over me so close to my body.  I don't like MRIs either but take Ativan before I have them.

    Good weekend everyone.  We got another 3 inches of snow last night after our 20 inch blizzard 3 weeks ago.

    Hugs,

    Juanita

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  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 8,046
    edited February 2011

    Juanita-did you tell you RO that you use a wash cloth on your boobs?Im not tryin to scare you but my RO said use dove unscented soap and gently hand wash the area without letting the shower spray go directly at the site.

    Beacher-everyone is different.lets hope you dont have anymore problems once you finsh tx.remember the motto.RADS ARE A WALK IN THE PARK.

    I wish all my sistas a pain free weekend.God bless.hugggggggggggsK

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  • Adey
    Adey Member Posts: 3,610
    edited February 2011

    9 down!  And two days off.  Enjoy the weekend everyone.

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  • beacher4209
    beacher4209 Member Posts: 540
    edited February 2011

       HEATHERMCD, SOUNDS LIKE YOU GOT A GREAT RO!! YOU WILL DO GREAT THEY ARE TAKING GOOD CARE OF YOUR SKIN  :) HAVE A NICE WEEKEND OFF 

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  • GirlFriday
    GirlFriday Member Posts: 461
    edited February 2011

    I've noticed no one has said anything about diet to help with side effects...water, and lotions are awesome, bot don't forget that you need to heal from the inside out.  Eat lots of protein!  It will help those injured healthy cells heal!

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  • heathermcd
    heathermcd Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2011

    Thanks Beacher - I have been blessed and cursed with my regular Onc and my RO. Both are worry-warts. I tend to want to push through things no matter the side-effects so I have played down a lot of my symptoms with my doctors to ensure that they don't stop treatment. I'm glad that my RO is noticing the skin though - that way we can take care of things before they get too bad!  Today is number 18!

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  • walker2222
    walker2222 Member Posts: 558
    edited February 2011

    I am now 10 days post treatments and my skin is looking very good.  My major changes were between my 4th and 5th week where I saw all the red/purple burning.  RO gave me prescription of silver sulfadiazine to put on twice a day and I saw a marked improvement in the 6th week during my boost treatments.  Right now I shower with Dove moisturizing body wash and put Palmers cocoa butter formula with vitamin E three times a day.  It still looks tanned in some areas but is nice and smooth.

    Hope you all have a good weekend.

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  • kallimom
    kallimom Member Posts: 54
    edited February 2011

    Three down...skin already looks a little pink in spots...thanks for the advice on hand washing the area. Been slathering on the lotion sure hope it all helps. So ready for a couple of days to regroup...hoping by Monday I will be less nervous about all of this and ready to go.

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  • ToriGirl
    ToriGirl Member Posts: 1,188
    edited February 2011

    Hey sisters!!

    Seven down....21 regulars to go...then the boosts...not pink yet, but I am slathering on the cream to hopefully ward off the burn later...I have an olive skin complexion, so MAYBE that may help as well....

    Juanita-- Glad to hear your first treatment went well!  Hope your dinner was wonderful!  

    Welcome kallimom! I had 3 tattoos too...the one the put in the middle of my chest hurt the worse, the other 2 didn't..probably because of the "extra" padding I have there!  :)  My couch and I are good friends too!  :)

    sjames-- I think you and are on the same schedule...hope you are doing well!!

    Amyjo and Adey...hope you are both doing well too...we are all in the beginning together!

    Have a great weekend everyone!

    For those of you going through treatment, enjoy the break and remember to "lube your boob!"!!

    peace and prayers,

    Tori 

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  • Elisimo
    Elisimo Member Posts: 1,601
    edited February 2011

    Tori and Adey - I have finished #9 and so glad we have a break for the weekend.  Going everyday gets to be old in a hurry, especially when they are frying you.;-)

    kallimom - Miaderm cream is a cream for radiation treatments. Ask your RO if he/she has any samples.  It runs $28.00 for a 4 oz. tube and you can only get it online at www.miaderm.com depending on how many treatments you will be getting you will need at least 2 tubes and maybe 3 to get you through all the treatments.  It does feel really good going on and it really does help.  I ordered 2 tubes for the 30 treatments I will be having.

    Off to bed. Hope everyone has a restful night and enjoys the weekend break.  Amy Jo 

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  • mrsbeasley38
    mrsbeasley38 Member Posts: 62
    edited February 2011

    I had #22 today. Thank G it is Friday though.  I am seeing red and a little puffiness in an area beside my aerola.  Have not seen that before.  Not painful just annoying.  Using the "silvacream" at night , auqafor and aloe......  I understand with the boosts it will stop affecting my aerola. Maybe I should use some cold compresses too? I have had some sunburns in my day and this is not what I expected.  It is not warm and it does not burn. It just slowly turned red but I have had sunburns much more painful than this.

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  • Elisimo
    Elisimo Member Posts: 1,601
    edited February 2011

    mrsbeasly38 - glad it is not painful for you, but please take good care of your skin as it can get really bad really quickly from what I have learn from the others and read in some of my books and articles about radiation treatments. The cold compresses may do some good if the skin feels warm to the touch, but do not leave them on for too long at a time. Not sure if it is a good idea if the area does not feel warm.  Let your RO and the techs know about the puffyness.  It may be normal and nothing to really worry about, but it could also indicate something that needs to be addressed.  Take good care of yourself and know we all care about you.

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  • sjames59
    sjames59 Member Posts: 22
    edited February 2011
    Hooray for a weekend! AND it's my middle son's birthday today :-)  I am noticably more sore and red today (finished #7 yesterday), and definitely avoiding pressure, etc. on the affected side, which is a bit of a bummer but o.k.
    Tori - Thanks for the well wishes. Yes, it's nice to be tracking with you and some of the others here who are at the same pace (hi Amyjo and Adey), 
    Kallimom, welcome, sorry you have to be here :-) I was given a couple of samples of Miaderm from the RO and ordered 2 tubes from the company by phone yesterday. I tried to order online but there was a glitch with wanting to order with my credit card if it's already registered on Paypal, so I just called them. The lady I talked to was wanting to make sure I was ordering enough and have I calculated how many treatments I have left, etc. She said one tube lasts two weeks if you use it 3x/day. I felt a little bit of pressure from her to buy more but am using other products too so was fine with getting the 2 tubes, it's a bit pricey.
    Happy Saturday!
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  • sjames59
    sjames59 Member Posts: 22
    edited February 2011
    (Ok, that was weird, just posted this and it turned out looking messed up, so deleted and will start over.)

    Hooray for a weekend! AND it's my middle son's 23rd birthday today :-)  I am noticably more sore and red today (finished #7 yesterday), and definitely avoiding pressure, etc. on the affected side... a bit of a bummer but o.k.

    Tori - thanks for the well wishes. Yes, it's nice to be tracking with your and some of the others here who are at the same pace (Hi, Amyjo and Adey).

    Kallimom, welcome - sorry you have to be here :-)  I was given a couple of samples of Miaderm from the RO and just ordered 2 tubes from the company by phone yesterday, should be here Monday/Tuesday via priority mail. I tried to order online but there was a glitch with wanting to use my credit card if it's already registered on Paypal, so I just called them. The lady I talked to wanted to make sure I was ordering enough and have I calculated how many treatments I have left, etc. She said one tube lasts two weeks if you use it 3x/day. I felt a little bit of pressure from her to buy more but am using other products too so was fine with getting the 2 tubes, and it is a bit pricey.

    Something else that's been good for me this week was to pick up a small but roomy clutch to take with me when I go for tx - in the zippered area goes jewelry & watch and then in main area goes the various products in small containers that I put on after tx. The lockers are so tiny and I felt really scattered trying to quickly stuff those things in my purse, so it works out well for me.

    Happy Saturday!
    Sharon
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  • Elisimo
    Elisimo Member Posts: 1,601
    edited February 2011

    Sharon - I to take a small bag with me to my treatments.  Mine is insulated so it keeps my water cold or tea hot which ever I happen to have that day.  I put my cream to use after treatments an then to put my sweater, cotton tank top and any jewelry that I need to take off, and my knitting project.  I love it because that way I do not forget anything.  I usually lock my purse in the car and put my keys, phone, and pass card in the side pocket of the tote.

    I have finished #9 and I am so very tired all the time. The Miaderm has help with the pink and I think has kept me from really starting to burn.  I use calandula cream and emu oil during the day and only use the miaderm in the morning and evening.

    Hope everyone has had time to rest and heal this weekend. Tomorrow starts another week. Tori, Adey, and Sharon we will make it through this together. Amy Jo 

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  • heathermcd
    heathermcd Member Posts: 142
    edited February 2011
    Well, I think I spoke too soon about doing well with radiation. I have been powering through and I started getting blisters under my arm after Friday's treatment. It is the most painful thing imaginable. I feel like I can't even put my arm down! I tried to workout on Saturday and found that the movement from my arms was far too painful (not to mention sweating burns and stings). I can't even tell that i've had radiation on my actual breast (or my expander, rather) or on my actual chest, but under my arm is SO red and blistered. I have been using a ton of Aloe Vera and Calendula cream (in fact, today I put it on 4 times). I have also been using the gel packs to pull out the heat and reduce redness. Nothing seems to be working right now. I'm trying desperately to try to stay away from the parabens, but I wonder if i'm just going to have to give in in order to find something that will take care of this pain?! Yell
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  • Teklya
    Teklya Member Posts: 435
    edited February 2011

    I was wondering if anyone had pain in their ribs, under their breast.  I am over 2 weeks out of radiation and today my ribs are aching. 

    Otherwise, the skin is doing really well, peeling is over and the dark red/brown colour has turned to a light tan shade, not offensive at all.  My underarm is feeling really tight, but I am off to get my compression arm sleeve tomorrow so hopefully that may provide some relief.  I had more mobility after my surgery than I do right now.  The Dr told me that rads can trigger the Lymphedema so I hope that this is not so and that if so, very manageable at this time.

    take good care

    Teklya

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