Any February 2012 radiation gals out there?

Druanne

Ooooh el-jaye.......number 9 for me too......however I have 24 more to go ............my nip itches just a tiny bit.......oh and maybe a little pinkness around the incision too.....otherwise doing well! They always have cookies or cupcakes or something yummy in the lobby everyday!!

Happy weekend!

dancetrancer

9 down, 19 to go for me!  Light pink sunburn all over the L breast - but not painful.  I also have multiple little dry scaley spots that sort of look like small pimples.  I have a few of these coming up on the R side as well...they can't tell me there isn't some scatter radiation going on there...oh well, it's necessary treatment so will forge ahead!  Only 5 more treatments til I'm 1/2 way!  Wahoo!

TGIF gals, enjoy the rad-free weekend!  

Chicago1958

Dancetrancer, I notice those spots too. I'm going to ask the RO about them on Monday. I had skin cancer on my chest just above that boob (basal cell, years ago) so I kind of think it's good to zap it all.

We're driving this weekend to see my 90-year-old mother who broke her hip on Wednesday. She's reportedly really confused (hallucinations), maybe from the pain meds? so wish us luck.

P.S. I should also tell my RO I want cookies and cupcakes in the lobby everyday!

bojo

Dancetracer

They sure do, pretty much stinks.  But the do continue, I am very large breasted 38 DDD, so it wa underneath the breast that got really bad.  But like everything else we get thru it. Just stinks while we are doing it.

Jo

dancetrancer

Thanks Jo that does suck.  I'd rather know the full reality though of what can happen and the typical procedure for handling it.  It also helps that you made it through.  Gotta be tough to get through all this cancer sh*t.  

Druanne

hmmmm I just found some little red itchy spots today!! I WANNA SCRATCH THEM!!!

Chicago hope you have a safe trip and your Mom is ok........and you should ask for cookies and cupcakes!!! 

My RO also has a little library filled with all kinds of books that can be borrowed during tx and a table set up that usually has an unfinished puzzle laying out that I work on everyday if I have to wait a few minutes.......I have my own cubby hole to keep my gown and robe in and get a warmed blanket everyday during treatment.......I really love my RO facility and all of the wonderful people there

dancetrancer

Druanne!  I know!  I am resisting the urge to scratch as well!  LOL 

macatacmv

Man. I've only had acouple of treatments but I am feeling crummy! A friend saw me on the boat on my way back on friday and got really concerned. She did some research and talked to an onc nurse who recommended Ultimate Flora (xtra stength probiotic) to help with the nausea. Then she went grocery shopping for me. It was so kind it made me cry. 

Really glad I get Monday off too.

Sorry we all have to be together in this fight, but glad I am getting to know ya'll.

Chicago hope your mom feels better.

My cancer center has a bowl of chocolates that catches my attention everytime. 

Druanne

Mmmm! Eat the chocolates!!! They have chocolate mints at mine.......AND individually wrapped graham crackers........ALONG with all the cupcakes and cookies........MY GOODNESS!!! Gonna gain some weight I am thinking! (I have a hard time passing up yummy things) Hope you feel better macatacmv

Dancetrancer I found that Eucerin Calming Cream seems to be working!!!! Not quite as ichy!!!

SuperFoob

On Friday, I had my weekly RO visit. He said he was "impressed" with how well my skin looked. It was my 13th tx.



I told him I was using Aloe Vera Gelly and Calendula Cream. He said Calendula is the only cream to have proven efficacy in clinical studies. He also said to use it after letting the Aloe Vera soak in. It smells good too. I get the Boiron Calendula Cream at Whole Foods.



Have a great weekend off everyone!

SuperFoob

Oh....and my RO office has little tootsie rolls! Yummy!

el-jaye

The Saline Solution compresses really helps with the itching!  two tablespoons of table salt disolved in 4 cups of boiling water.  Let cool to room tempature and then using a clean facecloth, cover the breast for 10 to 15 minutes 2 to 3 times a day.  Make new batch everyday.  Helps with the inflammation caused by radiation too.

I am going to ask for goodies at my cancer centre!  They have a coffee and tea cart that comes around but I am in there too early in the morning for that.  

bak94

I agree with geegster, the calendula cream is great! It has a cooling effect on the skin. I am not burnt or anything yet, but I notice how soothing it feels, hope it continues to do that! I think I will get som Aloe also. He told me to expect to burn, as I am getting the bolis everyday and have a slight overlap section from my rads in 2003.

Druanne

mmmmmm tootsie rolls!

I am interested is trying your magical cream!! Will try and locate some here.....Thanks!

Druanne

Thanks el-jaye!! I may try that too!

SuperFoob

I wouldn't call it magical quite yet....wait until I'm at my last treatment. Hee!

dancetrancer

Thanks to all for the great tips!  My itching has stopped, but if it returns, I'm glad to have some strategies to try.  

Geegster, you made me curious about calendula...I started looking it up, and found this on wikipedia:  LINK

There is limited evidence that calendula cream or ointment is effective in treating radiation dermatitis.[7][8] In a randomized study of 254 radiation patients, topical application of 4% calendula ointment resulted in far fewer occurrences of Grade 2 or higher dermatitis than occurred in the group using trolamine. Calendula users also experienced less radiation-induced pain and fewer breaks in treatment.[9] 

I am now reading up on various studies, but this is enough info for me to consider switching or at least adding Calendula to my treatment regimen.  Thanks!!!  

SuperFoob

Dancetrancer: coolio on the Calendula info. BTW: it says they used 4% ointment. The cream I am using is 10%. Be sure to check the label for the %. I picked the cream as it had the highest %.

dancetrancer

Thanks geegster - will definitely scope out the %!  

xocwjjb

Coming late to the party - starting radiation Feb 27.  Have already had one simulation and go back next week for completer.  Not looking forward to radiation, as the first website I found seemed to be nothing but ladies sharing horror stories of burnt to a crisp.  On the other hand, I am much luckier than most as I only had DCIS 9mm and no chemo. and have to do only 4 weeks of rad so I am trying to think positive.  So far have received no advice on creams/lotions - the facility's handouts say will get recommendation if have problems but that seems like an ass backward approach to me, so I am trying to prep the breast beforehand with Sween's cream.  Has anyone else used this?  Interestingly my sister in Germany says on websites there most of the ladies report being told to use no creams at all, not to wash the treated breast, and to use only baby powder.  Makes you wonder why geography dictates treatment, don't it?  Good luck to all you brave ladies whose journey is already under way.    BTW, old hands will enjoy this - I am such a newbie  that when I was on another site I wondered why all these ladies with breast cancer were so involved with extreme bicycle motocross  - BMX !   I guess ignorance really was bliss.

laurel64

Joining the Feb group... :-)  Had my sim last week and starting the first rad this Wed...I am tatooed, markers up as well as painted like an Indian ready for the battle...  Dumb question...Should have asked at the sim but so many thoughts at the time..Do I need the paint for the full 6 weeks?  If so, how can I use the loction or cream if I need it?  My RO says that the only thing I should use is Aquafor....

Hope everyone else's treatment is going well....Laurel 

belleeast

laurel, i think the paint/marks stay the whole time,they will touch them up. put cream on carefully around marks was what i was told and be careful when you shower.

dancetrancer

Welcome to the new ladies.   Yes, my stickers with magic markers under them are for the duration.  I've already lost a few that they've had to replace (fortunately the spot was still visible underneath).  It is tough to get that lotion on without touching the sticker.  That's probably why mine come loose so often (bad patient), but they just fix them for me when I go in.  I've had one tattoo'd but holding out on the others for now. 

Chicago1958

I say hello to the new ladies too! I agree it's nice to get a balanced view of the experience/side effects rather than just horror stories, xocwjjb. And the BMX thing is hilarious. It took me a while to get familiar with the acronyms and I still don't understand some posts I read.

I did ask my RO about the itchy spots during his weekly consult today, and it sounds like mine are small, benign keratoses. (I'm 53, though--older than many of you--and keratoses are more common as you age.) He said the radiation might kill them off (if they're fast-growing) and will definitely zap any basal cell carcinomas -- I like the thought of that since I had a little skin cancer in that chest area before.

Tough weekend traveling to see my mom because she is not doing well (thanks for the good wishes!) then had the endometrial biopsy this morning, but I'm glad it's done. I've been wanting to switch ob/gyns because of how my previous guy notified me of the breast cancer (via a quick telephone call: "Hi! This is Dr. _____. Just wanted to let you know that we got the biopsy results, and you do have breast cancer. You'll want to schedule an appointment with a breast surgeon for a lumpectomy. Any questions? Okay, bye!") So I switched to a woman in the group who is younger but has better communication skills. She was much more empathetic during the procedure AND she made an appointment for getting the biopsy results because she NEVER CALLS with them. Thumbs up!

Also, for those of you who like me, struggle with the idea of aromatase inhibitors and osteoporosis side effects -- she listened to my concerns without dismissing them, but her approach is basically, be aware of future SEs but treat the disease you have now, not the one you may or may not have in the future. That struck me as very sensible advice and I feel better about the medication.

And Laurel, out of three stickers only one of mine was a problem and that was replaced with a tiny tattoo, the other two haven't moved a bit. And I was told to use only Aquaphor too (although I use a bath oil with Vitamin E etc and they don't object to it.)

Thanks to everyone for posting, I do enjoy reading your notes and hope everyone has a good week.

Chicago1958

P.S. Maca, I love it that your friend stepped in and did your grocery shopping too. The sisterhood! we all need it.

el-jaye

Had treatment #10 this morning and then saw the RO.  She was very pleased with the progress.  So far no skin issues to speak of.  The one area is a bit pinker than the rest but nothing to worry about she says.  She did offer some mild steriod cream for the itchy parts if I wanted it.  I decided to forgo that cream and keep on with the saline compresses.  It helps with not only the itch but the aching from the inflammation. 

 She also gave me the go ahead to start taking the supplements that I was taking for arthritis. Re-levx.  That has anti inflammatory stuff in it so maybe I will get double benefit from it!  Just think, painfree hands and pain free boob! 

Today I am feeling really optimistic about this part of my treatment.  10 down 20 to go and I can see the end!!  

 Hope you are all having a blessed day.  Thanks for all your encouragement!!

Chicago1958

El-jaye, I meant to thank you for writing out specific directions for the saline treatment--good to know, and I'm glad your arthritis will be addressed too.

sherrybaby

 Had tx #13 today. The tech came in to move my bolus and said that I had started burning. I had only gotten pink two other times and that was after I was done. I am super red above my collarbone and under my arm. I see the RO every Tuesday and the tech told me to let him know that I need silvadene. Has anyone else used this? I have aloe'd myself up tonight and it is taking some of the sting out of the burn, but I can still feel the heat coming off of it. Sucks to be so fair skinned! 

Sherry 

Carrye

I started radiation in 2/2012. I am now more than three weeks in and have had no skin changes, only a faint tan. I have used aquaphor and aloe vera. I am having 33 sessions 5 dsys a week.



My treatments take about 20 minutes. I am doing breath holding using a special goggles, noseclips and a mouth piece, so the set up is elaborate each time. Through the goggles i see a computer screen and coordinate my breathing and breath holding with light signals. My radiation is delivered via a linear accerlerator.



I am always at the hospital for at least an hour. I am not working much, and go into my office only one day a week. I feel very sleepy. I dont know how much is the radiation, how much the arimidex, howmuch than gabapentin.

dancetrancer

Sherrybaby, so sorry to hear about the burn!  It showed up just then in the rads room?  I wouldn't have thought it would be so quick.  This stuff is so freaky.   I have not used the silvadine, but I am a few treatments behind you - finished #10 today.  I hope the aloe continues to help!