Sept 2011 Rads

justmejanis

Bernie i have never heard of that rue either.  My RO gave me a list of "do's and dont's" and it jsut says not to use lotion 6 hours prior to treatment.  You can of course if you shower right before rads, as I do.  Mild soap, no scrubbing, wash breast with hands only, don't use a washcloth.  Different creasm/oils seem to help a lot of people here.  My RO gives me samples of calendula gel.  It is very soothing and absorbs easily.  I also have topical lidocaine I mix with Aquaphor for the burn and peeling areas.  It helps a lot but very greasy, so wear only old shirts with that.  I know a lot of people really like the plain Aquaphor.  Again, greasy so just keep that in mind.

Much luck to you...and healing hugs! 

cpdsry

Hello, I have been reading many of the posts here and they were extremely helpful to me prior to my starting radiation therapy.  I started my RT on 9/6 and will have them for 5x/week for approximately 8 weeks with I was told some booster treatment. (Need to find out more about booster).  I am now in week 4 and so far pretty good.  I would like to caution anyone who has a cat; be very careful of handling your cat while undergoing RT.  Unfortuantely mine scratched me right on "the spot" and I am now dealing with a nasty sore.  Doctor prescibed "Fluocinonide" ointment and I just started it last night.  I am also taking Allegra which seems to help and doesn't make me sleepy like benedryl.  If the RX cream doesn't work - any other suggestions?   I am also washing with Aveeno Oatmeal soap product. 

I am happy other than the cat scratch I am not yet having side effects from the RT.    chantal

Purl51

#3 of 33 tomorrow a.m. ~ Thanks for all the advice and sharing your experiences.  I'm armed with Aquafor, Miadem and Aloe Vera Gel and have been slathering it on.  Are the blisters that may occur be similar to the type you get with a normal skin sunburn (watery) or are they deeper?  I have early morning appts so I'm half asleep and don't feel nervous.  So far (after two) so good.  I hope to lose some of the twenty pounds I gained during chemo and am inspired to "get moving" like so many of you.  Bless you all.

Ceeztheday

BernieEllen - My RO also said no lotions or creams "until you start having issues". So much for being proactive (ha, ha). Sounded a little weird to me because many on these discussion boards have been instructed to moisturize from the beginning. Who knows, but I will say that I had #18 today and so far have had no skin problems. I asked them about putting on aloe and they said "you can if you want to, but you don't really need it yet". I have Emu Oil and Udderly Smooth lotion on standby, but so far so good.

justmejanis

Lavendar...nice to see you here.  I am almost done with rads.  I did not blister really as much as just burn and then peel.  I am just putting on gel as often as I can.

ceeze....my Ro only recommended the calendula and then the lidocaine mixed with Aquaphor.  I didn't start having problems until this past week.  Starting boosts tomorrow, so healing should start soon. 

Anonymous

BernieEllen, I was told the same thing "no lotions, creams or gels until we give them to you" I went along with this for the first week, then said screw that. I use Miaderm 2-3 times a day. Their thinking is that they don't want anything to cause a worse reaction with the radiation and burn more.  However, the Miaderm was made by an RO and for breast radiation patients. There has been studies done in Canada that have shown no increased burning from using deodorant, or lotions during rads. They do still recommend no aluminum in products so read your ingredients. The U.S. wants to see more studies done before changing their recommendations. Anyways, like I said I use Miaderm, today I had #16 of 30 and my nipple is very tender and I'm just a little pink. But, you also have to remember that everyone is going to be different. The U.S. also recommends not to use anything 4 hours before treatment. So, I use it in the morning after my shower, my appt.s are at 3:15pm so I use it after and again before I go to bed (if I remember).

DivineMrsM

I'm now down to single digits on the amount of rads I have left:  9.  It is just dragging on and on, but most of it is behind me now.  

I will have several boosts, and the doctor explained that it was a concentrated treatment to the area of the tumor bed.  Can't wait till this is all done. 

DivineMrsM

I just wanted to add that it will be so nice to shave my armpit and put antiperspirant on it!  I use the aluminum-free deodorant I was given, but I have a different smell to me (not to be gross) because I'm not using antiperspirant on both pits.  Will be glad when I can smell normal......or perhaps the correct phrase is 'not smell at all'. 

ruffy

Yesterday at my rad appointment with my doctor he told me that he doesn't feel it's safe to do the boosts on me because of the location of wherevit needs to go. He said that it would do too much damage to either the lung or the heart. He told ke he got three other opinions from his collegues and they all agreed that there would be too much long term damage done, basically risks outweigh the benefits. Anyways, it kind of scares and makes me sad as I wanted to attack this with EVERYTHING I could. He said he would respect my decision if I wanted to go ahead with them, but I do trust him. I just wondered if anyone else had this happen to them ?

pam53

Where was the area of cancer?  Mine was at 11:00 o'clock on the left breast so I was wondering about the same thing. I am only at treatment #2 so far from the boosts at this point.

dogeyed

BERNIE, Ireland may indeed have found thru their own trials that no lotion is better, and as another poster pointed out, could be our gov hasn't quite gotten to that point yet.  But I DO know that clarification is necessary between you and your radiology doctor (not the techs) about it.  But I have a prescription lotion with aloe, I am to put mine on three times a day, I get my rads at 1:00 p.m., so I put it on in the morning when I get up, right after rads, and in the evening sometime, and they said as long as it was dry by the time I got into the rads room, I was good.  Also, they suggested I use Dove soap, which I do, since it's easy on the skin.

RUFF, hey girl, not had your situation, but my rad doc specifically told me they would not be radiating my heart.  I know how you feel about wanting to do all the necessary steps, I have the same problem with the melanoma, but since so many docs for you were all in agreement on this, I think you could let it go.  I'm assuming they're just talking about boosts, so you're getting all rads benefits except that little bit. I hope someone else will have something to say about this for you, dear one. 

DIVINE, when I had my tooth pain problems, I got SO tired and teary, and husband pointed out that I had been fooling with this routine since back in February, so it's only natural to be sick and tired of the whole thing BIG TIME.  It's like running a marathon, it's that last mile that is the longest.  I think if you would like to scream, it won't hurt my ears!  Smile.  Always, GG

ruffy

Pam, mine was 3o'clock right breast. I'm at #16 today-he said he was trying to map it out for awhile and just couldn't get a safe enough path. So I guess the good news is I'll be done sooner then I thought. Hopefully you're positioning will be ok

divine-, I'm with you "can't wait for this to be done" what a long year we've had.

Dogeyed, thank you you're always a wonderful voice of reason. xo

BernieEllen

hi all, checkeg again today - no cream or lotions no matter what.  Only use warm water to was and pat dry. The thinking here is that you can actually be stimulating the area when rubbing in the cream without realising it and that in itself can cause redness and soreness.  Guess i'll go with what they say for now

kll22

BernieEllen - that's interesting about irritation resulting from rubbing in the lotions. I wondered about that. I think I'll just be more gentle.

I am halfway (17 of 33 today) and my skin is holding up well, thankfully.  I'm only slightly pink.  In terms of fatigue, what is killing me is the hot flashes post chemo.  If I could get a good night's sleep, things would be so much better!

SAB

Aloe, Calendula and Miaderm give me such relief that I don't think I'll give them up.  (The RO actually gave me samples of the Miaderm.)  I just wanted to suggest that if you've given up Aluminum in your deodorant that you never go back--the anti-cancer book lists it as an "avoid."  

ksmatthews

My ro gave me the Miaderm from rad 1 and told me to be sure to use it 3 or 4 times daily no matter what.  Everytime I see him he asks if I am using it.  Today I had #14 so I am halfway thru and so far just slightly pink.

The fatigue is awful and night sweats/hot flashes!

Im with kll22 I wish I could get a good nights sleep.

SAB

At #17 of 33 I'm just past half done...and my boob is definitely getting half-baked!  

Purl51

Since my 2nd of 33 treatments (third one this morning), I am getting little shooting sharp pains beneath my scar (mastectomy).  Nerve pangs?  Like someone is sticking a voodoo doll.  Yes, a good night's sleep to all!

ksmatthews

Lavender51 I have had those same pains!  They hurt!  Luckily it has only happened a few times.

katehudson25

Fo those of you just starting hang in there. So many have talked about serious side effects, but I never had any. I am one week post rads, and all i have experienced is some redness and a rash. I have had no pain, no blistering,, no peeling, and no exhaustion. keep moisturizing and you can be ok too.

vickilf

I never had much of any side effects either, just a little red and itching, I finished yesterday. I feel great!  Hope this is it for both of my cancers.  CLL & breast cancer. 

Ceeztheday

#19 of 35 today. 28 regs and 7 boosts. That sounds like a lot to me. Is anyone else doing 35?

justmejanis

I took care and mositurized and I am miserable right now.  Everyone is different.  I don't think there is any way to predict who will blister and peel, and who won't.  It is noted as one of the possible side effects of radiation.  There really is no one standard for everyone. 

My boost was cancelled today as the machine was down.  I am scheduled for a later appointment tomorrow then I see my RO.  I am hoping he can prescribe something that will help now. 

I also have my thyroid biopsy tomorrow so a real busy afternoon for me. 

Lavendar the pain you are experiencing can be from the nerves healing.  So many are damaged during surgery.  I do know that it is common.

ceeze I am not sure what the norm is really.  Again, probably different for everyone.  I know there are protocols and not sure why they go outside the box for some cases.  Ask your RO why the extra sessions.

ksmatthews

I was originally planned for 35, but after surgery and I was NED, he took it to 28 with no boosts.

ksmatthews

oh forgot to tell you all, today the machine screwed up and was doing the opposite of what it was supposed to so i think my heart may have got zapped!  They stopped it quickly though and she said it wasn't enough to hurt me.  I will def. ask RO on Monday though!  SCARY!!

MostlySew

Janis,

I'm so sorry you're miserable right now. You're so close. Hang in there were rooting for you. No more shampooing rugs for right now either, OK?

MostlySew

Ksmathews,

That IS scary. I look at that machine and always wonder just what it's hitting. Glad they stopped it right away.

pam53

Ceeztheday--

I am scheduled for 34, I forget now how many regular and how many boosts.  I am only on #2.  Already feels like I have made that trip too many times

Ceeztheday

pam53 - I know how you feel. Hang in there. Time does go by.

Katarina

I've done 11 of 28. 

I have a bad rash on my chest they say is from the radiation. Using hydrocortizone and Coconut gel.

I'm exhausted and nap 3 hours each day in addition to my 9 hours of sleep.

I hear that the week after Rads is the worse, if there is ever a peak in SE's.