JUNE 2011 RADS

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  • mamadog53
    mamadog53 Member Posts: 61
    edited July 2011

    I'm getting close to the end - only 7 more days to go. Had my first boost yesterday. I made a major mistake of only eating a bowl of cereal since I was running late. Made the 2 1/2 hour round trip, stopped along the way to run a quick errand then stopped to get gas. I started feeling shaky and weak by the time I got home. I managed to eat a bit of leftover chicken before collapsing in the recliner where I stayed for the rest of the day. This morning I am still exhausted and the drive to rads is not appealing at all. I was so hoping I would be able to get through this by myself. Guess I'm just having a pity party this morning. Thanks for letting me vent.

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  • Huskerkkc
    Huskerkkc Member Posts: 536
    edited July 2011

    mamadog-check with your doctor's office and see if you can get a gas voucher. I just found out yesterday that patients who travel over 100 miles for treatment are eligible for a $100 gas voucher from the American Cancer Society. They just filled out the paperwork for me yesterday. Now it won't help with the fatigue, but it would certainly be something to look forward to! You can also check with the ACS and see if they have driver's in your area. I my little town of 2800, there are 2 women who will drive cancer patients to their appointments, no cost. Many local chapters have volunteers who want to do this. Many have had cancer in their family and know the hardship of driving. So consider that as well. 

    I have had several offers of people who will drive me. Seems silly for a 10-minute appointment, but I'm thinking that having someone in the car would be a nice thing. They could even drive my car! Some have friends/family in the town where my treatment is so if I want to spend the night with parents they would go see their relatives. With co-workers (teachers), we're thinking that several could go and we'd have brunch before or after my treatment. The hardest part is asking, but the best part is how willing people are when you do ask.  

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  • crog234
    crog234 Member Posts: 801
    edited July 2011

    I am really counting down the days now.  Only 9 more to go.  They got everything ready today for my boosts.  The boosts will start next friday for 5 days.  I am so glad to be nearing the end of this.  I am pink but they say I don't look to bad.  Hope it stays that way.  I am using 100% Aloe Vera during the day and Aquaphor at night. 

    Have a good weekend everyone and enjoy your 2 days off from rads..

    Cindy

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  • BlyDncr
    BlyDncr Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2011

    Crog234

    I'm jealous - I'm the opposite, only 9 down, 25 more to go.  So far, no SE's from the rads, only the hot flashes, night sweats from the Arimidex.  I'm following the advice of several on this thread - 100% Aloe Vera and Aquaphor and I haven't even turned pink yet.  Also, when I'm outside, I slather on the suntan lotion and make sure that I wear a top that is covering the front of me.  I used to live in tank tops - no more.

     Just as I was leaving the house this morning to take a walk, the cancer center called and said they had a cancellation so can I come in right away instead of later this afternoon and I only live 15 minutes away. Guess they wanted to have an early Friday off.  It was good to get it over with for the day, but it messed up my new habit of trying to go for a daily walk in the morning.  The afternoons are too hot and muggy and there is a free concert downtown tonight, girls road trip to Sioux Falls to a big scrapbooking store tomorrow - so much for the new habit I was going to start. Have a good weekend.

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  • GmaFoley
    GmaFoley Member Posts: 7,091
    edited July 2011

    Beetlbum: They put me on aleve when my arm started giving me problems...

    BTW - I AM DONE!!! Now to heal...

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  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 823
    edited July 2011

    Good for  GmaFoley!  I finished 19/33 today and do feel like I've come a long way.  I slept with the hydrogel dressings on last night and it felt better today.  I'm hoping they can get me through to the end. My skin is tight and pulling on my arm, but I keep stretching.  The tissue expanders seem to make it worse.  I sure hope the PS can fix me all up in the end.  He might have his job cut out for him.

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  • karebear76
    karebear76 Member Posts: 288
    edited July 2011

    I had 22/33 today. I am red where my bra hits. wish I could go without but I am a D and with only one boob it is rather obvious!!! LOL

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  • pejkug3
    pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
    edited July 2011

    Karebear - your skin is doing well?  I'm a *ahem* DDD and the tech act like I'm DOOMED.  I actually wonder if I'm a DD now that I lost weight but I haven't bra shopped - figured I'd save that for later in the fall after rads.

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  • BlazerFanC
    BlazerFanC Member Posts: 71
    edited July 2011

    GmaFoley    Congrats!!!  You made it. 

    Today was 23/33 for me.  I have 2 regular treatments left and then 8 boosts.  I will have setup for boosts after my treatment on Tuesday and 1 boost on Wednesday before a mini-vacation so I'll get 4 days off with the weekend :-)  I was pretty tender under my arm on Tuesday (even after the 3 day holiday weekend)  I wasn't sure if it was because I broke down and used the electric razor, but my RO said I would probably be getting red by this time anyway.  It's improved a little over the week and looks a little better so hopefully I'll make it without too much more trouble.  I had been rotating between Udderly Smooth, Calendula Cream and 99% Aloe after my shower.  The RO said the Aloe might be irritating (maybe because it's not 100%) so I stopped it.  I used Aquafor at night in the worst areas for a couple of nights this week and then broke down and started using the Miaderm that I was saving because of the cost. 

    Enjoy the weekend off everyone!

    Cindy

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  • coni111852
    coni111852 Member Posts: 419
    edited July 2011

    Hi ladies! Wow I see some of u r done! Congrats!! And some soon to be done! Yay! I got 7 more to go... Skin is so tan I have never been that dark in my 32 yes of age... Is a bit painful and starting to get itchy... I see some are getting 35, here in Canada they only give 25 or so I have notice.. Weird... But I truly don't think my body would be able to make it to 35... It's pretty bad doc gave me hydromethasone Val something like that I hope that helps... Very disappointed with her I have seen her only twice first time when she told me about rads and maybe she sat with us 10-15 min tops, and since I have started once for 5 min to tell me I'm not eating according to dietician, and to give method creme which I lost the prescription, so yesterday I went to nurse to tell about the skin she looked at it and said she would go get a doc so he could see it... He never came and just sent the prescription... Are all rads docs like this or it's just mine? I guess I got use to my onc... Every three weeks and we would sit until all questions were answered!

    And advice for skin? Is anyone pitting cold compress ?

    Nurse said only to use what doc gave me not to put base glaxal??

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  • GmaFoley
    GmaFoley Member Posts: 7,091
    edited July 2011

    Coni - What a jerk of an RO you have!  If I had any questions either the physicians assistant, who was actually the son of my RO or the RO would come see me... Only once he came in and handed me some samples to try and left but he already new my issue... doc does tell me to use cold compress (wet wash rag and a fan to cool things - never ice) ...I saw the RO every week and had x-rays every week...

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  • BlazerFanC
    BlazerFanC Member Posts: 71
    edited July 2011
    Coni  I also see the nurse and the RO every week.  I walk past the nurse every day and I've often stopped to ask her a question and was able to get an immediate response.  I'm sorry you aren't getting more help. 
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  • stage1
    stage1 Member Posts: 475
    edited July 2011
    Hello Ladies, I had a bad night, tossed and turned, cannot get comfortable due to the burn, very tender and feels near skin opening.  I feel kinda sick, but mostly tired and want to do things, but can't....CryI feel like a big baby, I know all of you are going thru the same thing.  I am mostly using the Aquafor.  I have some Miaderm samples from the RO, will that work better than the Aquafor?  Thanks for being here, all of youKiss
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  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 823
    edited July 2011

    I like the Miaderm.  It seems more soothing and non greasy.  I put it on in the morning and let it sit for a while, then I'll put Aquaphor on after my 10 am RADs. 

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  • stage1
    stage1 Member Posts: 475
    edited July 2011
    Thanks, MammalouSmileI will buy more of the Miaderm.  I am not sure where to buy it, is that prescription only?  I only have some samples. 
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  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 823
    edited July 2011
    You buy it on the web at    http://www.miaderm.com/.
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  • stage1
    stage1 Member Posts: 475
    edited July 2011
    Thanks, Mammalou, you are so helpfulInnocent
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  • pejkug3
    pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
    edited July 2011

    I like the Miaderm as well.  I'm trying to use it 2-3 times a day.  I only use the Aquaphor at night before bed.

    I also Like Progressive Emu Oil and Fruit of the Earth Vit E cream.  Not a fan of aloe, so I'm not using it right now.

    But I'm only 8/33 so what do I know.  The worst is yet to come fro me.  :(

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  • stage1
    stage1 Member Posts: 475
    edited July 2011

    Pejkug3, I think I will look for the Fruit of the Earth Vit E cream.  The Miaderm is so...expensive..probably because it works, I will ask for more samples tomorrow at my appointment.  Thanks for the idea, is that available at the drug stores?  The last Vit E oil I picked up contained Soy:(  I am trying to stay away from parabens and soy.

    Mammalou, I wonder if the Miaderm is paraben free???  I could not find a complete ingredient content on it.

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  • GmaFoley
    GmaFoley Member Posts: 7,091
    edited July 2011

    Stage 1 - does look like it is parabin free: http://miaderm.com/about.html

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  • stage1
    stage1 Member Posts: 475
    edited July 2011

    Thanks, Gma.  (((((Gma)))))

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  • pejkug3
    pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
    edited July 2011

    The Fruit of the Earth Vitamin E cream is ay WalMart, on Amazon, and I have found it at Dollar General.  It's very inexpensive.  Kinda makes up for the expense of the Miaderm.  ;)

    Yes, Miaderm is $$$$.  I hope it's worth the money.

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  • stage1
    stage1 Member Posts: 475
    edited July 2011
    Thank you, pegkug3Kiss...can't get away without spending $$$...I have thrown out all my parben containing cosmetics and soy products... then I spent money on Biafine RX, and found out later it had parabens..I am still amazed that was prescribed by doc.
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  • mammalou
    mammalou Member Posts: 823
    edited July 2011

    I've got my wound pads on my breast and underarm.  Getting ready to go to bed for the night.  They are itchy.  I'm tired of being uncomfortable.  3 weeks to go!

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  • stage1
    stage1 Member Posts: 475
    edited July 2011
    mammalou, so sorry you have to have wound pads, already, you must be fair skinned.  I have three boosts to go and I was up half the night trying to get air to underneathCry  I wore a bra to try to do this.  I called the RO office to say, I cannot go on, I am afraid my skin will open up.  I will see the nurse before my treatment today.  I feel for you, I am tired of being uncomfortable, to the point of crazy
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  • Fitz33
    Fitz33 Member Posts: 243
    edited July 2011

    My onc nurse advised me to put gauze under my radiated breast because she said the result of skin to skin is the worst thing you can get during radiation.  Then I told my RO nurse and she said if there was any irritation at all not to use gauze because the skin would stick to it.  She said I should get ready for a shelf cami or a sports bra.  So far I haven't needed anything but I'm only halfway finished. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited July 2011

    I feel so bad for all of you with skin problems.  I don't understand why some get it so bad, and others, just a sunburn.  I have two more treatments to go!  I hate the whole thing, hate being tired, hate how my breast feels, on and on.  I was lucky, if having BC is ever lucky.  Canadian Protocol, and no boosts.  Radiation still feels like hocus pocus, but I guess it works, somehow.  Hang in there.

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  • vivirasselena
    vivirasselena Member Posts: 278
    edited July 2011

    completed 9 of 28 today.,,number 10.. double digits tomorrow.  So far (knock on wood) no problems.

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  • pejkug3
    pejkug3 Member Posts: 902
    edited July 2011

    VIVIRASSELENA - We are on the same schedule it seems.  I completed 9/28 WBR today.  Will you have boosts?  I have 5 boosts after the regular rads. 


    Diagnosis: 1/13/2011, IDC, <1cm, Stage IIa, Grade 3, 1/6 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+

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  • stage1
    stage1 Member Posts: 475
    edited July 2011
    I have two more boosts.Fitz33 What is a shelf cami?  I am having that skin to skin thing going on underneath.  Maybe that would help. 
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