Summer 2013 Rads

beachbound009

YAYAAYA Paula!!!!

If I were an Alabama fan, I'd be happy as a lark with my crimson colored boob.  Thankfully, I'm not!   I have one more full boob tomorrow and then on to my 5 boosts. 

DiZZyMom

Congrats Paula!

caitlin61

Congrats Paula!

mshelton

Netter, I also had cancer deep in the left breast.  To protect the heart from exposure, many seem to be asked to hold their breath during the rads which moves the heart back out of reach.  The new machine are reported to be very exact.  There will be small damage to a small piece of the left lung.  Ask your RO for information, about what machine they use and how exact it is.  26 of 33 done.

Congrats Paula!!   

dragomirova

I had a lumpectomy about 2 months ago, just got my brca testing back- fortunately negative! Now going for my radiation simulation on Monday. Am hoping for the best-anyone here have limited side effects, or am I in for more than what I am expecting? Any advice is appreciated-this is all new to me since my first dx in may.

patriciahurtado

Hola ladies... Ok here it is ..... I'm at my 21 days of radiation !!!!!7 more !!!!! Woohoo ...... Just little tire every afternoon...... My surgeon is leaving the end of this month..... I cried even though we bud heads many times she did listen and tried to help me...... I will forever be thankful..... My angel will be in New Mexico ......





Paula congrats ... I'm so happy for you!!!!!!...





Anyone here live in Miami Florida!!!!

IamNancy

congrats Paula!! wonderful, wonderful!

shipsgirl

Today I went for my CT planning.  I am now sporting two tattoo dots. 

I must admit, I'm quite nervous about radiation, which I've been told will likely start in two weeks.  And the info I was given is quite different from what I"ve read here.  For instance, I've been told no oil, that aloe isn't proven to help, etc.  This is on literature that is published by the province, not just a person's opinion.  I guess I just need to take it as it comes.

Anonymous

shipsgirl~~My RO wasn't big on aloe. She said, some people say its drying to the skin, but I think it's because most aloe gels have alcohol in them. I got Fruit of the Earth 100% Aloe Vera Gel at Dollar General. She told me to use whatever made me feel better. Udderly Smooth also worked well.



Paula

shipsgirl

Thanks Paula.  Udderly Smooth?  Is that because it's designed for breasts??  ha ha

Congrats on being done!!

Anonymous

shipsgirl~~It really was first designed for cow's udders, but it worked so well on human skin, they started marketing it for us. I always use it in the winter, because its awesome for chapped hands or just dry skin in general. I get a good sized jar at Walmart for $3.46.



Paula

patriciahurtado

Well I know it's a lot of lotions but I use miaderm+ aloe Vera +rosewater and last lanolin .... 3 times a day....... Extra at night and my skin is just a little tan...... I also apply under my arm pit ... It my 22/28 ... Still have one more week to go..... I know that after rads are done we still are been radiated for 3 months so ill continue with %100 aloe Vera with aquafor just to help heal the skin....

sciencegal

Hi all,



I went away on vacation the day after finishing rads last Monday and am now back. The skin was blistered and raw under armpit and breast for the past week but a lot of food, hydration, emu oil, miaderm, melpilex and sleep did the trick- this morning it is MUCH better.



My skin held up for 23 of the 25 treatments and then got red and started peeling, very sore where it peeled. BUT, I had envisioned open deep wounds, like ulcers, down to the implant, and nothing like that happened THANK goodness. Just sore peeling spots.



It is manageable, and now getting better.



For new girls just starting out- you can do this!!!



Hugs

beachbound009

Dragomirova – One thing I’ve learned through this RAD experience is that every person is different.  Some people skate through Rads with little to no side effects while others have a hard time.  I have olive toned skin and my RO thought I wouldn’t have SE’s but he was wrong.  It’s not as bad as I envisioned.  Like sciencegal, I thought I would have large ulcers and not be able to wear anything but a t-shirt while covered in Aquaphor for a month.  My skin has reacted but is not as bad as I thought and I am still in my office clothes every day at work (but it’s definitely Shirt Time when I get home)  My suggestion to you is to read this thread and stock up on items that other ladies have used and recommend.  Take the list of lotions/potions you read about here to you RO on Monday for approval before you make your purchases and I would tell him you read about these items on this discussion board.  This way you will be prepared for anything that may happen but I hope you will not have SE’s.  I started applying lotion to my breast multiple times a day before my Rads started.  I thought I was being proactive (not  sure that’s accurate).  Once it started, I applied My Girls cream at least 2x a day and Miaderm 2x a day.  On days when I felt the burn, I used aloe to cool the area and Aquaphor at night.  You’ll find a routine that fits you. 

 28/33 - Today was my last Full Boob Rad!  YAAYAYAY!  I was supposed to start my boosts (5) tomorrow but my RO has pushed that to Monday.  I’m going to ATL tomorrow evening for a consult with a MO on Friday so I would have missed my boost on Friday.  Maybe this is better.  I’ll get 4 days off and I think my skin will like that.  My biopsy scar began separating maybe 2 weeks ago.  It’s not an open wound but you can see the scar tissue where the incision has spread.  The RO is concerned the boosts may open it up completely but my MO wants the boosts anyway.  He said we can fix my skin later.  He acts like I’m worried about my scar looking bad.  I’m pretty sure I’m beyond the point of worrying about scars.  LOL!  Now looking forward to the 23^rd!!!!! 

LiLi-RI

Today was my mapping session, and but for ALL your advice I was calm. I have 3 tattoos, and after all I (and WE) have been through (and the fact that I hate needles)-it was truly OK. No pain. I start rads on 8/29 for 6 weeks with5 boasts. All of you strong women will be my inspiration. Thank you.

2tails

I had my mapping session today, and also got 3 new tattoos with 1 more to be added on "dry run day". I am scheduled for 33 treatments with the last 5 being boosts. My dry run is on Tuesday & my first treatment is on Wednesday. Thank you all for being here, it is nice to have good people with you on this journey!

patriciahurtado

Does e wry one here get boost cause they told me today I was getting any!!!???

Anonymous

Patricia~~There were ladies at the Breast Center where I was treated that got only 15 or 16 treatments with no boosts. They all had lumpectomies as opposed to mx.



Paula

dragomirova

Congrats and thanks Beachbound and All for your tips on lotions to use.  Here is a list from everyone's posts: Aloe (alcolhol free), Udderly Smooth, Miaderm, Rosewater, Lanolin, Aquafor, Emu Oil, Milpilex, ?My Girls. 

Best to all

Worrywart9390

Congratulations Paula!! So happy for you!! I just had 4 of my 38 treatments!! Hoping to get thru this ok!!!

patriciahurtado

Paula.... I had bxm and 28 no boost?? Ill ask Monday ... Thanks!!'

GoWithTheFlow

Haven't been on for a while.  Yesterday was 3 weeks since my last RADS.  Although my skin did break down, I never had any weeping.  Biggest problem was for about a week, trying to apply lotion left me with a handful of skin pieces that came off, so I was patting on lotion.  About a week ago I turned the corner and pain has mostly diminished.  Still have a few shooting pains here and there, but my guess is that it's nerves regenerating from surgery.

Congrats to those who finished while I was away!  Best wishes to those still on their journey or starting RADS.

Jen987

GoWithTheFlo - Good to hear you're on the mend. I just finished 30/35 today and my skin just recently started peeling. These last 7 are boosts so I hope the worst is over. Everyone enjoy your weekend.

tangles

15 out of 33 done. Skin is getting pretty sore and red and Im not even half way done. They gave me lotion to use but should I go off on my own and try something else or follow doctors orders??

slv58

Tangles, did you try their lotion? My RO said just to use lubriderm or glaxol and told me not to use emu oil-but I'm a bad girl and used only emu (with a bit of aloe Vera once in awhile) well I had my last review today and the nurse wanted to know what I was using because my skin looked pretty good! I lied-didn't feel like a condescending lecture. I'm not telling you to go against your RO. Hopefully your not too uncomfortable.

29/33

ItIsWhatItIs2013

GWTF....

I was just thinking about you... Glad to hear you're on the mend!

My last chemo is next week & then I'll be re-reading all of your posts!!! LOL



Happy thoughts

Lorrie

LW0919

Today would have been #22 for me but got a phone call just before my appointment that the machine i was scheduled for was broken and needed to be repaired. I was SO happy to have the day off. My poor black and purple armpit needs a freaking break! So, it's a 3 day weekend for me.



Earlier this week the bed got stuck in the "up" position. I wound up climbing down and using a chair to step on to get to the ground. I think it may be time for new equipment. In looking at my EOB's, my insurance co. alone has paid enough in to have bought some new equipment!

Anonymous

I finished my 30 rads on Tuesday. My skin held up really well until boosts started. Now my skin is dry, tight, and very uncomfortable. Last night before bed I used 100% aloe Vera gel. It set me on fire. I realized at that point that some of the skin is gone.



Has anyone on here ever used the Emla Cream we used before having our ports accessed? It's numbing, so I was really thinking about using it tonight.



Amazingly I feel better with my bra on. When I take it off, it hurts to move...to bend, or stretch.



Paula

Teachersbc123

Thank you all for sharing your experiences and advice. I have been part of the Lumpies Lounge for a few weeks and am meeting with RO next Thursday so thought I'd check in here. Honestly, you guys are scaring the crap out of me! I don't think I'm ready for this at all! What questions should I ask? I'm the listen and nod type. Do I really have any choices?

2tails

Paula, congrats on your completion of rads. Let the healing begin! Thank you all for your sharing you experiences and advice on dealing with SE's. I feel much more prepared.