Winter 2013-2014 Rads

Furfriend2

MiMi, I have not started Rads yet either. Have consult Monday.

Miminiemi

Furfriend, my doc said nothing to do before.  I start next week.

jmFrankel thanks for commenting on left side and heart issues.  

This seems like such a. Positive group I read most all of it this afternoon while grandkids were at Monkey Jim's a bouncy house place.  I was even able to tune out the noise of all those excited kids.

Miminiemi

It's hard to remember the cadre of late bloomers here, but welcome Furfriend.  Is Teamkim one person or a whole supportive group?

Furfriend2

Mimi,

 Teamkim is a person who is very knowledge/supportive.

Furfriend2

Rosie,

My smaller breast may be non existant after Rads, LOL. So massage helps stimulate the breast during Rads?

MinusTwo

Late Starters - I'm glad there are several of us.  The tips on this thread should give us lots of advantages.  TeamKim - I hope you won't mind continuing to be such a gracious hostess.  I'm sure someone will eventually start a Spring Rads, but I hope to stay here.

RoseCal - oh no.  Hair loss from Rads?  Geez - I've already lost it twice from two different chemos and i expect it to stay thin or not grow much as I continue w/Herceptin.  Do you really think the rads caused the hair loss?

TeamKim

Hi all -- Thanks for the votes of support -- we are a positive group, Mimi, but I am only one sister warrior, plugging along just like all of you radiant ladies!  I do like a good pocket party -- so very willing to continue to be the hostess, MinusTwo!  

Furfriend, I figured it wouldn't hurt to get started moisturizing the girl beforehand, so a week before my first tx, I started with Emu oil at bedtime (recommended by Cindy on the Fall rads and Lumpies boards) and I ordered Lily of the Desert 100% Aloe Vera gel from Amazon and started using it in the morning (the bottle is huge - I may never use it up!).   Once I went for my simulation, the RO's nurse recommended I start using Miaderm three times daily (they gave me a couple samples to use until my order came from Amazon).  She said in the later weeks if I need the extra lubing, to use the Aloe Vera and Emu oils in between the 3x Miaderm.  I bring the Miaderm with me to tx and put it on before I get dressed.  So far, so good -- I like the Miaderm, doesn't feel greasy like Aquafor..  I have fair skin -- don't know if that will make a difference or not, but I am hoping not to get too fried.

DawnCT

Furfriend2- you can order the Calendula on Amazon. I found it on there for $8 for 2  one ounce tubes.  Just make sure you purchase the ointment not the cream!   My hospital also carries it in their pharmacy.  

My rad nurse told me I could start moisturizing before rads.   But I didn't start until my first treatment.   Make sure you do not put anything on your Breast 4 hours before a treatment.   I put mine on at the center immediately after treatment and before bed each night. 

Also  - I used Crystal deodorant and like it so much that I'm going  to keep using it permanently!   

peaches12

Welcome Fur, Mimi, and any other newcomers.   My first bit of advice is to relax and try not to overstress about starting rads.  I am so glad to have found this group of wonderful gals.  Only someone going through this bc journey really understands what we are facing physically and emotionally.  I so wish I had been here through my surgery and chemo.  Remember that everyone is different and not everything you read pertains to you, but the information you get here is priceless.

I'm starting my 4th week tomorrow- have finished 15/25 rads.  So far so good!  No rash, no itching, no burning, no blisters, slightly pink in a few spots but as of now this has been a painless experience.  I'm in and out of treatment everyday in less than 15 minutes and the zapping itself is less than 3 minutes.  After reading many many reviews by radiation patients on the net I decided on Miaderm and my RO was pleased.  I purchase it on amazon and yes, though more expensive than drugstore creams, it was developed by oncologists for radiation patients which made up my mind it was worth a try.  From reading on this forum it seems highly successful for those using it and my history so far with it confirms that for me.  I slather it on 3 times a day religiously- at noon in the dressing room immediately after my treatment, between 5-6 pm and bedtime around 10-11.  During my 3rd week, knowing as treatment goes on, burning is more likely to occur, I added Aloe Vera 100% Gel and Calendula between my Miaderm applications as a precaution- mid-afternoon and between dinner and bedtime at the advice of a poster here.  I'd rather over-cream which can't hurt and keep my skin really lubed than not do enough.   I did buy some Aquaphor but found it sooo greasy and thick and I still read of severe burning and severe blisters with it, so I'm sticking with the regime that has worked well for me. 

Good luck   We can all get through whatever life throws at us. 

positivenegative

welcome back HVV.  welcome Minus2

positivenegative

welcome back HVV.  welcome Minus2, ellen and sp.  i start  rads tomorrow..35-40 zaps planned.  glad to be in the late winter company of y'all.  keep you posted.

Frankenfinger08

Just started radiation last week (2 treatments so far) for a total of 33.  I am both ER+ and PR+ so will likely have hormonal therapy when rads are done. 

Rlchall

Will have ONCO DX....  Right now I'm waiting on BRCA test results.  Dr recommends lumpectomy with IORT. I'm trying to decide between Bilateral and lumpectomy.

What are your thoughts?

Miminiemi

Just hanging out reading and mentally pampering myself for the action to begin next week.  Glad Teamkim will continue to be our captain.  Will see the MO tomorrow and get phone call about rad apts Monday or Tuesday.  Thanks for the welcome and late joiners to keep up the current support.  My facility has Sirius radio and I can choose the station during therapy.  Should be two or three songs.  I usually listen to Escape channel in my car. (comfort food for the ears)..  Any recommendations?

Miminiemi

Richall, what is IORT?

Miminiemi

I'm alarmed to hear some have had hair loss.  My regular is so thin already and always has been.. This is just genetics, not a result of any meds. 

pcollins

love your Winston Churchill quote - will share it with my Brit husband.  Thanks for your info - am back after 3 years of being cancer free.  There is no place to state that the cancer came back, but in the other breast.  But that is what happened.  Waiting for the surgery, and then radiation (either 3 weeks, 5 days 2x per day or IORT - don't know yet).  then chemo this time around.  Oh Joy!

Anonymous

Thank you all for your support and companionship.  My simulation is on 2/6 probably.  this is my second time around and now newly free of my very very large breasts.  Last time they burned very badly and I was told it was because more radiation is needed to ensure coverage. I worked thru out last time.  Got very exhausted at the end.  Almost no symptoms at first. V

sbpop

Thanks to all for the useful info. I never thought I'd say this, but bring on the rads! I am still waiting on Oncotype results to see if I will need chemo first.  I will know within the next few days (I was suppsed to find out last week). Not knowing is no fun, but I can see from all your posts that everyone has played the waiting game, and that makes me feel not so alone.   

  I think we are all in the club that nobody wants to join, but this club has strength, caring and encouragement. Women have always been able to join together and support each other - theres a lot of power, strength and courage when woman band together.  I think that cancer brings out the lovingkindness in us when it comes to helping one another.  And that includes being allowed to gripe and express our fears in an understanding group. (I just made myself cry!!)

Maybe I am experiencing the calm before the storm (when my treatments begin).  I just know that We all need each other.

God bless us everyone!  ♥♥

Oncearunneralwaysarunner

for those looking for calendula cream, try your natural health food store. It's where I found mine and it was with the homeopathic products. I picked one with the least possible ingredients. My only complain is that it smells like dead flowers since there are no additional scents. I've also been using Glaxal Base cream as well. Again, not a fan of the smell but at least it doesn't smell like dead flowers!

As for hair loss, I was informed that the hair loss is where you are being radiated. I'm looking forward to a hair free armpit! The hair on my head is growing in back slowly and doesn't seem to be affected by the radiation at all.

lovewins

my ro nurse told me to get skintegrity..it was 10.00 at the gift shop at the hospital.  it is like a gel.

peaches12

   Calendula is made from marigolds.  

Rlsteadman

Finished 12/30 last week. Have an itchy rash my RO called radiation acne. She gave me a prescription for 2.5% hydrocortisone cream. It helps so far. Still using the RadioPlex RX twice a day. I am trying to get psyched to go to radiation tomorrow. It's cold and windy tonight. Suppose to be -35 below zero with the wind chill the next 2 days.  Gotta love the polar vortex in Minnesota!

TeamKim

Geez RISteadman -- radiation therapy might warm you up on those cold days!  Haha!

Calendula and Aloe Vera are two of the ingredients in Miaderm.  Maybe mix them together and make your own!

Sbp9152 -- well said!  I don't know what I would have done without these threads every step of this journey.  (((Hugs)))

Pcollins -- sorry to hear you have C in the other breast :-(. Usually they do chemo before radiation, so interesting that your tx will be the other way around.

Richall -- check out Lumpectomy Lounge for a lot of discussion of your dilemma.  If you do a search, you will turn up some excellent threads which really give you lots of insight.  Whatever you decide will be right for YOU.  ((Hugs))

Jmfrankel

Rlsteadman,  I'm in MN too and hate this weather.  They already cancelled the kids school for tomorrow.  I at least was prepared and moved my rads appt to 5:15 since I will have the kids in the am and my DH will take them in the pm.    So cold I think I got some small frostbite on my fingers when pumping gas this afternoon (even with gloves on).  

Oncearunner ,  besides hair loss in the armpits my RO also told me you won't sweat as much from the radiated armpit because it effects the sweet glands.  I guess there are a few small benefits from rads . I haven't used deodorant since my surgery in November.  

MinusTwo

Pcollins - you can write in the 'signature' space, which is what i did instead of the specific DX spots since I too am back for a 2nd time.

TeamKim - since you're the creator of this thread, can you make changes in the 'header'?  It would be great to have it say "December - March" to catch the rest of the winter people.  Or not, if you'll be wanting to move on before then.  You're doing such a marvelous job.

sbp - a nice tribute to Tiny Tim.

Furfriend2

Hi Gals,

Thank you for the much needed advise & where to shop for products.  On a differend note anyone watch the grammys? Keith Urban makes me drool...

checkers

Bondsy, it's been 7 weeks since my chemo too, and I noticed that my eyebrows and eyelashes are falling out even though the hair on my head is starting to grow back. My head hair is so soft, like peach fuzz, that I'm obsessed with rubbing it. I'm 52 and have been coloring my hair since I started going gray in my twenties and was hoping it would come back in color. Alas, I'm as white as snow. I'm still debating if I'm going to color again.

peaches12

Checkers,  give it some time to get used to white hair before coloring it again.  I had been coloring my hair since my early 30's (now 73) and knew my hair would come in gray/white, so I bought a silver wig when I started chemo.  The minute I put it on I knew I loved the color and it looked terrific.  Everyone loves it and thinks I look 10 years younger than with darker hair.  Get used to it and let everyone else get used to it before you make a decision about color.

Miminiemi

Several of my friends are all happier with their natural grey now Checkers and Peaches.  It's the in thing.  Just thought I'd let you all know my radiation starts Wednesday for 16 zaps.  MO cancelled appointments today due to weather.  I'm looking forward to starting to get done.  I'm sick of waiting.  Having lunch with a friend before and she will go with me.  It's a fifty mile drive round trip.  Not too bad.  Lucky compared to many of you.