Spring 2014 Rads

justachapter

Wow Vintagegirl, ouch.  I finished 19/35 yesterday and am starting to get red in two area's, one very painful.  I graduated from Pure Aloe to Aquaphor due to the redness and dryness I am experiencing.  I get the bolus every day and was told it will be there during boosts (10 of them) and expect to get red since the same amount of radiation will be going to a smaller area.  So far that area isn't bad, except it is doing a number on what used to be a nice straight small scar from surgery.

I was told the bolus is for a a few reasons.  One the tissue isn't even and helps replace missing tissue, but secondly to bring the radiation to the top of the skin vs. penetrating down.  Mine is over the area that the tissue/tumor was removed.

Welcome Sunshineinky, how many treatments do you have?  

mz_mes

Vintagegirl -- looks like my skin too.   Most red is under my arm which I described as almost burgundy and tight.   RO said to keep stretching but being careful with weights looking out for lymphadema as the skin heals and the body rebounds from rads. Now that I'm onto the boosts -- just had 30th of 33 -- I got ok to use keri moisturizer all over and keeping up with the aloe and cornstarch.   I have periods of fatigue especially as week goes on and by Friday night I just want to put my feet up and not drive anywhere.   Sometimes after a rad tx I will sit down in the fitting room to catch my breath before I rush out to the next thing.   I sometimes feel a bit lightheaded especially when bending over and touching my toes -- picking up stuff off the floor -- like when you sweep the floor and bend over with the dustpan.     So I have the family help me now -- I tell them that I cannot vacuum nor can I sweep -- kids have to help!

have2laugh

mz mes-

  I am right on track with you had 30 of 33 today-last 8 boosts. I have to say skin (other than boost site) improving much quicker then I would have thought so have faith ladies! I do think boost easier all around even with my boost site being right at nipple. At least just one area sensitive. Under my arm at site of lymph node removal was rough but even there peeling and healing very well this week. I almost took day off last week due to this area so big improvement. Was starting to interfere in sleep but getting easier to find comfortable position for arm. I saw my primary doc this week as I was feeling winded doing similar things as you mentioned so waiting for labs to come back. Not sure if just so excited to be nearing end or timing but I do feel stronger every day-reminds me of Chicago song!

count_it_all_joy

Hi all.  I just had my first rad today.  Not feeling anxious, luckily, just in waiting mode to see what's ahead.  I'm thankful to those of you willing to post pictures.  Somehow it gives my brain time to process what MIGHT come, so that it may freak me out less if it happens.  If that makes sense.  

I just came home from Walmart with my men's wife beater shirts and cotton bras.  About the bras… I ended up buying ones that close in the front, b/c the other cotton bras I saw all had to be tugged on over the head, and I worried about scraping my skin every day as it gets more fragile.  But, they come up rather high on my chest, and I'm not sure how many summer shirts I own that will cover it well.  Are there other options I'm not thinking of?  Or are the ones you pull over the head fine?  I'm about a 38C, not really big, but too big to go bra-less outside the house unless I get to where I have no choice…

Also - I remember one of you ladies said you did the "nothing until you had problems" approach.  Anyone else, and how is your skin reacting?  I have calendula cream and aloe on hand, just can't quite decide if I should start the routine today.  My MO has just said he has prescriptions for any really bad reactions, and I can use my own discretion for moisturizers til then.  Usually I like that freedom, but now I'm just paralyzed with indecision!   :P

Happy hump day to all who are in full swing.  Friday is coming!

Mary

Sunshineinky

Hi momto3! 

I'll have 33 treatments.  25 whole breast and 8 boost.  Today was day 2! I took my aloe with me today and slathered it on right after treatment.  I'm wearing soft cotton fruit of the loom regular button in the back bras that I got at a Fruit of the loom outlet.  They're comfy almost like wearing nothing but with D's I gotta wear something! I am so thankful for those willing to post pictures.  It sort of desensitizes me to what may or will happen.  @Mary, you're just one day behind me! You're the first person i've found to be this close to rads treatment with.  

count_it_all_joy

Sunshine - yes, I'm feeling late to the game, too!   Keep wondering if I should start a Summer Rads thread, and follow that one for like schedule, and this one for gleaning from those ahead of me, but I don't actually know how to start a thread.   I do hope your experience is a good one… mine too, for that matter!

Bras again… I didn't see any cotton bras with closures, only over the head ones.  May have to look again.  I had my 10-yr old with me today, and didn't want to keep her hanging around in the bra section all morning!  

Mary

FightBC

I am half way thru' girls. 15 out of 30 treatments are done. 

Getting really really tired! I might take a week or two FMLA at the end. My fatigue is just killing me. 

Sunshineinky

Mary 

We will get through this! I paid 5.96 for these bras they are so comfy.  Totally not anything I would have worn pre bc! I was an underwire girl! So I never even looked at these.  I'm thankful to have them though! 

I'll try to figure out how to start a summer thread.  Like you, I'm following this one.  These ladies are where we are going! 

have2laugh

Mary- I have no idea how you would start summer but I am sure more experienced could help you. It is a lot to scroll to end and I almost didn't start following group at first-was a little overwhelmed with volume of pages but you are right you gain from hearing how others did. Everyone is different. In terms of bras- I went to TjMAxx figured I wouldn't use for very long. I found Warner's tank bras-thin material with pocket for insert liners-helped when really sore and going to work. They look like sports bra in shape but much thinner. I don't pull over head-I step in and pull up. They are stretchy but I have to add I got large and I am 34B so they may run small but I wanted something looser. Has made huge difference though at certain points still needed to be topless. In my house I joke that we are very European but only husband and my three year old in house during these times. Certainly more awkward with older kids! Good luck to you ladies starting off-it does go fast.

justachapter

Count it all joy, what part of AZ?  I'm in AZ going to MDA in the east valley.  I still have three more weeks to go.  I have been one to do nothing until I had problems approach and it has just been about the last 3-4 days that I'm starting to get red, etc.  So, I made it through almost 4 weeks with 3 left.  Two of those weeks are boosts.  It was just the Pure Aloe Gel they provided me and then yesterday I was given a bunch of samples of Aquaphor and a coupon for a a larger bottle.  I almost feel like the Aloe dries my skin out in one area that is painful.

Sunshineinky,  I don't think you are supposed to put Aloe or anything on for a few hours after rads.

FightBC, you and I both have 15 treatments left.  I have 5 full and 10 boosts.  Fatigue gets me from right after treatment until dinner.  I go to bed much earlier than I used to.

Have2laugh, you are almost there!  Question, why did they check your lymph nodes with DCIS?  

mz Mes, you are almost done too!

I've done very well so far, and am about the only one who walks into radiation as if life is normal.  I call this a chapter in my life, not my life. I'm feeling the effects, but still try and keep my life similar to what it was.  It was nice to hear my favorite tech tell me today "we were talking about our favorite patients today and then she said, well they all are, but you know our favorite patients.  And you are my favorite patient."  She is so bubbly and I just love her, she makes it all so tolerable.

Hope everyone has a great day!

Sunshineinky

Thanks for starting the Summer Rads group!! 

eeeeek momto3! I didn't know!! Thanks for the heads up though.

Redheaded1

Sunshine, don't panic.  Keep your eyes closed during rads and you won't know where the machine is at.  I too looked the first couple of times and that was when I panicked. But I actually got more panic when it moved away from me--- I felt secure, like when it was close, I couldn't roll of the table....HAHA. But, I am clausterphobiic everywhere else..... Go figure. Be sure you cream good underneath those boobs--My 40 DD's got red there about week two and are still my worst area.   I did get really red under arm and above my scar with the last 3 treatments (No boosts)  And carefully dry that area under your boobs and in that crease before you go back for your rads.  Moisture makes you burn worse during rads.  that's why they tell you to put nothing on your skin closer than 4 hours to treatment.

I said my prayers and thought about everyone on these boards while I got my zaps. You will learn the sounds and relax.  Also, they can talk to you from the booth.  I always asked them on X-ray day to tell me when the treatment started and X-ray was done.

Also, Vintage girl.  Your pic is what I looked like after 26/28.  I took my last one yesterday, and it was really hard to go after the burn started.  I treid to take several selfies with my cell phone but it didn't work, and I am not asking any of my gal pals to do it.  I am praying for you and Anneb.  Everyone says that once the boosts starts, the rest of the skin gets a rest.... I wouldn't know, just repeating wheat I've heard.

It was wonderful sleeping in till 8 this am., and taking a full frontal shower w/o worrying about stickers coming off!!!!!  I felt so very clean--( I know I was clean all the time, but something about being told not to do something just made me crave it.....)

Anneb-- I sent my rad techs a Edible bouquet--it should arrive tomorrow.  So glad you suggested this---they are all so skinny and bikini ready I figured chocolate would be taboo.
Lonnie, Vintage Gal, Bosum Blues, Anneb, FlaGirl, Keepthefaith,Have2laugh, Inks, ----you have all been thru a bigger journey than me--you inspire me and you kept me going. Hugs and  Cures to all.

Redheaded1

Ladiesi the best bra I found was at Meijers aand it looked like a old fashioned nursing bra---except it had hooks and eyes in front.  You want to get a bigger band size than normal, cause if you burn underneath, you don't want anything tight. 

Redheaded1

Mary, I used cream the night before my first  treatment--and then immediately after treatment, again at bedtime and first thing in a.m. ( My rads were at 1pm) Calendula is good stuff. I didn't use Aloe until almost the end. 

FightBC

Girls, 

I am using, 2 sizes bigger Fruit of the Loom - 3-Pack Strappy Sport Bras, Style 9036

as they shrink after washing. Gives skin enough to breath. And night, no bra. Skin is holding up okay. Will throw them once I am done with treatment. $10 is not expensive for 6 weeks. 

Just take extra care of your skin. 

have2laugh

momto3boys- You are right- not always typical to do lymph node with DCIS. My surgeon opted to do sentinel node testing due to family history-2 sisters with IDC. Doing nodes with first surgery would eliminate need to go back second time-though we needed to anyway. Only two nodes and no regrets.

VintageGal1111

I step into my stretchy bralettes. Really! First time I tried to get one on after my first surgery (lumpectomy & node removal) last year I knew I couldn't lift my arm. So I just stepped into it, pulled it up, no problem. After my BMX is was definitely necessary to get them on that way. The Genie bras are a bit tighter elastic but the WalMart No Boundaries are very pliable.

inks

Done with rads today! And just to prove that everyone can have a different reaction here is my armpit. I hope you can see the dark area and the red area is just where my scar ends high in my armpit. I got 28 IMRT treatments, no boosts or boluses. I was terrible at doing any lotions but I did take my curcumin religiously since my RO did the small study on it and radiation dermatitis. I have no idea though if the curcumin did anything. The nurse did say that I might peel at that tiny red area. Sending healing thoughts to those who have had a reaction.

inks

My picture will not post!

 

Sunshineinky

Oh my inks you look great! I meant to ask my RO and MO (I'm on tamoxifen) if I could take curcumin or tumeric.  I actually read a study that said that not only does it help protect the healthy cells but it makes any residual cancer cells more vulnerable.  I'm only on 2/33 this gives me hope! 

have2laugh

Inks-thanks for posting-you do look great and will give others inspiration. My sister fared much like you, no issues- never even used lotion-similar build and skin color to me and I got pretty fried. I never found out particulars of my radiation numbers/stengths but would be interested if that effects how skin fares as well. Good for you and from all you have posted you sure deserve an easy ending!

simplelife4real

I took curcumin as well and didn't have any skin issues during rads.  33 treatments.

Sunshineinky

Simplelife- how much did you take and was it plain Curcumin or Tumeric (I think that has it in there) 

simplelife4real

Sun, I take 450mg a day of Tumeric.  This is the brand I happen to take.... Tumeric.

Sunshineinky

Thank you for such a quick response! I'm going to ask today at therapy.  I just need to find out if there are interactions with the meds I'm on.  

MaryFox

YAY    Last rad today.  I'm going to celebrate with butter pecan ice cream.  I've been extremely red or red/purple and very sore in a couple of areas.  It'll truly be over when my skin finally heals.

lonnie713

Wowza ink...your skin looks fab.  Those expanders look really good too.

Sunshineinky

Congrats Mary!!! Enjoy that ice cream!!!

mz_mes

Yay!  Mary and Inks so glad you are done.    Enjoy that ice cream - you earned it.

Anneb1149

YAY, Mary!  And Inks. I have 3 more boosts to go - and I've been treating myself to a milkshake every Fri- don't know how I will celebrate when I am done. 

Anne