April 2011 Rads

AimeeMac

hI samdobbs, most people who go from chemo to radiation have about 4-5 weeks in between. Best to get past the chemo side effects and start feeling better before starting rads. I was just about a month in between. Best wishes to you and Liddy.

LisaMomOfFour

Hi samdobbs -- my oncologist said the typical wait is 3-4 weeks -- but that it was largely dependent on how I felt as I recovered from finishing chemo.  I'm hoping to start at the two week mark, just want to get it all done as quickly as possible, so we'll see what my oncologist says at my next appointment. 

samdobbs

Thanks for your prompt advice sagina, Aimee and Lisa that's very helpful. I read somewhere that it was also dependent on the type of chemo (I think AC has a longer wait time for rads than TCH)

Maureen813

Hi Samdobbs,  I had 4A/X and 12 Taxol dense dose.  I started chemo 2 weeks after last chemo.  I'm #15/28 rad tx. and doing okay.  Slight headache and cough. If you check out the March 2011 Rads thread, they offer really good advice on rads care.  I cut and pasted below: (of course check with your RO for the okay on everything)

Soap: Basis, Dove:  Go for free of perfumes and dyes.  Do not use wash cloth and pat dry

Lotions:  Look for no dyes, no parabens, as pure as possible...100% Aloe:  Fruit of the Earth, RO Suggested: Aquaphor for later weeks of treatment, Other Suggestions: Glaxal, Baby Aveeno, Miaderm (purchase on Internet) Boiron's Calendula (lotion, cream, gel)

Later weeks it's possible to get a rash.  Having Hydrocortison cream on hand is helpful. 

Always go in clean and lube when you go out.  Lube 3-5 times a day

Treat  your skin delicately. It's being assaulted!

Tank tops, Camisole's with shelf bra, Fruit of the Loom front hook athletic bras, Everything Cotton and loose that you can stand.

Buy a yard of white fleece, and cut to fit inside "bras" so something soft is next to rads area.

If you are larger breasted, be concerned about underneath your breast and treat with care.

Consider a "car" pillow to place between you and the seat belt.  Also good for post surgery.

Absolutely NO lanolin or oil prior to treatment.  Avoid Lanolin during treatment

Do not wear deodorant or shave the rads underarm.   

Breathe through the process: Consider counting the timing of the treatments, visualize the "healing" beam.  Ask for music to be played and a warm sheet/towel if available. 

Consider naming the machine:  Bubba, Sparky, The Accelerator, Trilogy

You will have x-rays and possibly diodes (sensors stuck to your skin) used multiple times.  They are used for diagnostics on the position of the rads and the concentration of the beam.  They help the techs make sure you are treated correctly. 

If the position you are in for radiation hurts your arms or back consider taking ibuprofen or something prior to your appointment...ask your RO about this for recommendations.

Enjoy your tattoos if you get them. They little blue dots to add to the constellation of your body!

Drink Lots of Water

MizChiz

Maggie, glad you mentioned some of the other side effects... My last chemo was 2/10 but my eyelashes waited til NOW to start falling out! I thought I made it thru that part unscathed...NOT! Also, my nails are lifting off the nailbed on my right hand but not my left and only the index, middle, and ring fingers, the three I type w/ the most. Fortunately they look like they're OK near the bases of the nails. I'm gonna still have my gel nails but I'll just have to be careful I guess? Has anyone else had delayed side effects?

samdobbs

Thanks for the detailed info and tips Maureen813 Will keep them in mind and also check out the March thread as you suggest. We've also heard that tiredness and fatigue are common near the end of rads. We were thinking of taking a trip right after but are not sure now, can anyone suggest if that would be ok? Thanks

Letlet

Hello everyone! Got #10/25 today and my skin/clavicle area is tannish. I can totally tell the area that is affected by the rads because it almost looks like a rectangle. It's the perfect outline of that "bolus" that they drape on me.

Can I just say that I am feeling fantastic today?? My fatigue/tiredness from chemo was way, way, way below zero and I feel that recovering from the deep hole of chemo treatment is miles away from "radiation fatigue". Hmmm, we'll see as I enter the third week, this is the time that my RO warned that I may start getting tired.

Maureen813

samdobbs, I'd go, why not? Rads make me tired but nothing like chemo tired.  A little nap in the afternoon and I'm okay till bedtime.  I am red but using R1R2 cream.  It's a gel right after tx. and then a cream at night, but seeing the color change a lot.

Ginger,  I lost my eyebrows and lashed twice and I'm 4 weeks PFC today. They come back rather quickly, not bushy or long but can fill in with Sephora brow templates and mascara for the lashes.  My nails did lift but I use nail polish and nail strengthener so they're not too bad. Hope your se go away and you heal very soon ((((((hugs))))))

Maureen

sagina

Ugh, my simulation was not good....I have to go again on Wednesday....Really anxious to start so I can hurry up and finish.

doreyme

samdobbs~I started radiation about 4 weeks after my last infusion. I was told to see the radiation oncologist before my last infusion so that we could get the ball rolling. That visit was just informative. I suggest  to use this time while getting the infusions to start a list of your questions. I find it helpful to keep a running list going at all times because if I don't then I forget what I wanted to ask. I see the radiation oncologist once a week while getting the treatments. Blessings to you both and thank you for being so supportive of your wife. It means ALOT!

ReadingMama

Hi Sagina - me too on the peach fuzz on face! I never had hair on the face before and now feel like its longer than my hair on top.  I'm thinking I'm going to actually have to shave it.  I'm 44 so also could be in "chemopause", do you think they are related?  Does menopause make you grow hair on your face?  Sorry your simulation did not go well, hope you can start soon, I felt the same way, the sooner you start, the sooner it is over.

 Anyway, 4 down for me and so far okay.  I did notice an upset stomach for a few days last week, but it's been fine today and yesterday, so maybe not related. 

ReadingMama

Maureen - what does PFC mean?  I'm fairly new to the boards and have seen that a few times.  I figure P means post and C might be chemo, but can't figure out the F.

sagina

Readingmama~ I think I know what the "F" stands for! just kidding....I really don't know either.  I'm still trying to figure out the DH (i've figured out the husband).  Chemo stopped my menstrual cycle in Nov 2010,  It has not returned, at 41 my oncologist said it can stay gone forever or come back even up to two years later!  I'm was not in menopause at all before chemo, but something has gone haywire!!!! I pluck my chin like I did when I had full eyebrows.  Those are growing back for me the fastest.  I see eyelashes too!

Simulation try again tomorrow at 3! Rads starting Monday, we'll see!

sammolisa

Have no idea what pfc is either. lol.   But  DH  is "dear husband"   or "darling husband" one of the two.

 I've been  feeling  like crap,  tired and achy everywhere.   I am getting alot of joint pain lately.  Maybe residual effects of chemo?   

Had 7/28 today.  Have had diahrea for a few days now.  Not sure if that is related or not.   Taking daily naps.   Wondering how much more fatigued one can get!   Getting my lymphadema sleeve and glove tomorrow after rads.

LOL my hair seems like it is growing more on my face than my head too!!!!  Geez.  Hair on my legs is hardly growing either.  which is fine with me.!!    Still no sign of eyebrows or eyelashes coming back yet.    

#8 tomorrow!    (I can't  believe I am doing this to my body)

BlueLily

I'm on #7/33.  Is it possible that this raspy throat is already a SE?  I don't have symptoms of a virus or allergies.... took a allergy pill yesterday and it did nothing.  I wish I could say I sound sexy - but really I sound like a swamp creature! 

slg2130

I "get" to start rads this month as well.  Did the simulation last week and still waiting to hear on my start date - likely the week of the 18th, or so I've been told.  Did anyone need to DE-expand a tissue expander prior to radiation? My PS had to remove 300ml today for the radiation plan to work, and I'm feeling pretty depressed about it. Kind of look like a lopsided, mutant freak right now and wondering how I can cancel everything but radiation for the next 5-6 weeks so I don't have to see anyone...

doreyme

#8 done! So far so good. A little tired late afternoon but very manageable. Not sure if its from rads or because I feel so much better since chemo is over that I'm doing more. Got results from 1st mammo post lumpectomy. It said "something showed up on the mammo that I believe is benign, followup in four months with another mammo to compare".Also had u/s and it said the same thing. Asked RO and she said report said its probably scar tissue but couldn't rule out neoplasm. So I get to sit and wait and worry for another 4 months! The area is in the surgical cavity but I did have clean margins at the time of sx. Still waiting on results of genetic test. Starting to wish I had done the masectomy instead of lumpectomy. 

Maureen813

PFC= post final chemo, but I could fill the "f" in with another word that comes to mind (LOL).  #19/28 today and doing okay.  FYI there is a thread for all the abbreviations on the site, don't remember the name though,,,thanks to chemo brain.

Maureen

GirlFriday

Hey All!  I've been on the March Rads thread, and just skipped in here to see how everyone was.

I'm 31/33. My skin has held out pretty well. I had a sore throat too and asked my awesome rads NP about it and he said that the sore throat is lower...and is called esophogitis...so if your rads area is over your sternum and your throat hurts lower than just at the back where you swallow, it probably is a SE...if not it's probably something illness related...mine turned out to be illness related....not rads related. 

BlueLily

Thank you GirlFriday and Congrats on reaching the end of rads!  Cupcakes for all!   I have no trouble eating/swallowing just feel heat and raspy.... giving me that froggy voice.... We'll see.  

Rachel2

Hi Everyone:

Had my third out of 20 radiation treatments today.  Still feeling lots of pain in my feet and my hands and my joints from the taxol.  It wakes me up at night even if I take tylenol, and I wake up after 4 hours like clockwork because of the pain.The taxol really seemed to have really done a number on the "little bones" in my body.

I must say the radiation staff are wonderful.  I am in and out in less than 20 minutes. 

Sammolisa you are getting a lymphadema sleeve and glove because of symptoms or just precautions (perhaps I missed a posting).  I have pain in my lower right arm which is the same arm where the lymph nodes were removed (4), but I think it is probably more associated with my hand pain.  I see my regular oncologist May 9th so will ask her then. 

LisaMomOfFour

slg2130 -- I'll find out Monday if I'm joining you in lopsided land.....   I have my simulation and then I will find out how much they need to deflate one of my TEs.  I'll keep you posted.  I just bought a whole bunch of new shirts for work......  very lightweight one layer ones, since the hot flashes are making me nutty, and my previous wardrobe was very layered and hot... so there will be no place to hide lopsidedness in my office.  I will probably see if I can get some sort of an insert or something to even out.  

Every week brings another challenge, doesn't it?  

sagina

Went for my second simulation today, wow, feel the burn - in my shoulder!!!  This time they had me lay on a bean bag feeling thing, that formed to my body that I will lay in each time.  I've been postponed again - will start next Wednesday.

The Rad nurse/tech? told me most women can't even stand cloth touching their skin and they recommend no bra for the duration.  Anyone else get this advice or feel the same?  I'm a double not very small cup, had a lumpectomy, and I have to work through radiation, in the office....

hdangelbaby

i heard the same thing.

i also heard of getting shelf bra shirts, cheap tanks (cause the gels and lotions will ruin clothes), and zip up front sports bras

i am smaller breasted though, i heard larger breasted women have to be very careful about under the breast where it touches the skin of your chest (does that make sense?), because where skin touching skin will get more irritated.

i go for my consult on the 19th. i am hoping to get this going and over with!!!!

sagina

Me too, I want to start so it can end!!!!

Yes, under the breast will be the worst I"m told.  She also advised me to use a non-stick pad under the breast everyday to prevent sticking....and cornstarch as a deodorant only...

Gees no bra and I'm gonna smell at work....I'll be really popular!

GirlFriday

sagina/hdangelbaby:  I just finished today!  33/33...love writing those numbers!  I chose to wear the bras I wore after lx.   they are fruit of the loom athletic, front hook (about ten hooks) I got them one size bigger.  My skin held up well (i'm posting a revised "history" on March rads board)  I wore the bra because when my skin started to break down, it was so sensitive anything rubbing on it was awful.  Some days underneath my breast was really sensitive, so I work a tight tank top after I lubed...same principle.  I though cami's with shelf bra's where the devil!  the elastic was not my friend!  I didn't wear deodorant, or use the cornstarch, but I did spritz my clothes/outer layers with a body spray, just  to soothe my no deodorant paranoia.  The most important part of all of this is to go in with your skin clean...wipe it clean if you've been wearing lotions....my rads NP told me nothing heals your skin, there is no science to support it. Your skin will do what it will do, whether you're fair or not (because it's not sun that burns you, but the rads SE look similar) But having stuff on your skin WILL harm you.  So go in clean and then lube like a mutha clucka!

Letlet

Girlfriday, congrats on finishing rads!

slg2130

So the no bra thing will be a killer - the only thing I've found with lopsided is wearing a formed bra with stuffing.  LisaMom - you'll love this one - the "stuffing' that I found was two shoulder pads that I had cut out of an 80s style blazer and had in my sewing room!!  UGH!!!

I actually talked with the rad tech today because I get to have another simulation now that Rightie has been deflated.  I told her that I bawled the entire way home from the PS Wednesday, and since the RO said 25-30 sessions, I really wanted to request the 25.  She said the current prescription was for 30, but she's going to have me talk to the RO tomorrow.  I told her that the description I used with my husband was "lopsided mutant freak" and I seriously considered calling them Wednesday and telling them I wasn't doing radiation.  For some reason I don't think I'm going to be their favorite patient!! 

BC - the gift that keeps on giving.  At least I've remained positive to this point. Arrgghhh!!!!

ritaz

No bra?  Can't do it...I'm a 40 DD and these babies need support!!! I've actually been wearing a sports bra day and night since Feb 14th when I had the stereotactic biopsy...I've only had 4 sessions so far, but I appreciate the list of things that Maureen reposted.  thanks...

I'm that poster child for early detection:  stage 1a the first time, stage 0 this time - no lymph node involvement, so no chemo for me either time - I had localized (mammosite) radiation the first time - 2X a day for 5 days and it was over - not so this time - full breast - pisses me off - can't seem to shake the pissed off feeling I have with that machine blasting away at me...I know it's supposed to stop it from recurring - just like the Arimidex I take every day with all it's crazy side effects to stop the ER+ type bc - ummm, I already went thru mentalpause once and now again?  How much can a girl take? 

 Sig - I like your attitude - I told them the first time I blister - I won't be back.  And I mean it...I think they know I mean it too...

 thanks for all the tips ladies - good to know there are others out there that understand...

(sorry for the ranting...) 

sagina

The rad tech told me to buy curad no stick pads for under the breast, to use one everyday.  I'm planning to go for rads in the late day.  Do I need to "reclean"? Is it just lotion to worry about or daily grime, sweat etc?