Fall Rads 2014

davida58

Pontiac - I think my RO mentioned that one also in the gobs of paperwork and binder I was given.

That would be the healing ointment advanced therapy? (I'm being funny - of course it is - wouldn't be the lip balm...lol)

How would I estimate how much I'll need? Initially RO is talking 13 treatments over three weeks, but that depends on pathology from surgery.

I like that it has no preservatives and no fragrances (MCS is NOT fun)

PontiacPeggy

I bought a rather largish tube for $8-9.  Have tons left.  Yup, you have the right one.  Feels like vaseline  I used it starting about #19 and I had a total of 33.  Still using it 1-1/2 weeks post rads.  I'll use it until things return to normal (whatever that is).  Nothing hurts from the rads.  The girl is still settling in to her new shape and the downward facing nipple is quite annoying.  I'm sure the girl and I will adjust.

Runnergirl36

Hello All,

Going for mapping on 10/22 and then i think we are supposed to start the week after that. How is everyone doing?

MarieNJ

Good morning ladies - 

Yesterday was 1 week from finishing radiation.  My follow-up appointment with the Dermatologist was yesterday.  He checked my breast and said it all looks good and consistent with finishing radiation.  In addition to the Eucrin and prescribed Mometasone Furoate Cream (which is to keep it from getting itchy etc., he prescribed Silver Sulfadiazine Cream which is an antibiotic to ward of infection.  Before radiation, the bottom half of my breast was pink from Edema.  My BS said it was Edema which will take a while to go away.  Now that I'm done with radiation, it is redder and a little bit swollen which the Dermatologist & RO said is normal after radiation.  Has anyone else experienced this?

Also, I noticed a lot of you gals are talking about protection of your heart and lungs while receiving radiation.  I'm not sure if you need to qualify or if your facility doesn't have it, but I had radiation lying on my stomach.  My breast dropped down below the board and radiation was given to the breast only.  This method is to protect the lungs and heart from the radiation beam.  Maybe not everyone qualifies for this method, but you may want to ask if your facility has this machine.

Have a great day all!

Marie

skbrown

susug, where in Texas are you located?  I am going to MD Anderson in the Woodlands.

skbrown

blownaway, are you going to MD Anderson in the Woodlands?  wow, it is a small world but 1 in 8 women get it.  My husband could not believe how many women are effected by breast cancer, and no one seems to know how we get it.  I was shocked when I received my diagnosis.  my Mom had cancer (not breast).  she had lymphoma.  What can I do about my underarm incision rubbing against my clothes?  anyone?  the surgeon told me to wear soft cotton and a sports bra and I am doing both but it still rubs. 

PontiacPeggy

SKBrown, Sports bras didn't work for me.  I wear nothing a lot of the time.  I found some padded long camis in the juniors dept at Walmart that don't hit that annoying incision.  How can something that's numb be such a nuisance?  

jeanelle

skbrown, I actually ended up putting a very soft wash cloth (think of a baby wash cloth) under my arm (and in my bra) to keep the rubbing to a minimum.  I spend most of the day at the computer and my arm was constantly rubbing my incision and it really seemed to help.  I do still have problems with certain bras rubbing against it but it doesn't hurt as bad now that I am about 7 weeks out from surgery.  

dennyvol

Going to get xrays today and meet my radiation team.  Anybody work almost full-time while going through this?  Mine is 5 days a week, for 6 weeks.  I'm post surgery on 9/16 and just starting to feel good.  I also have primary occult breast cancer with one lympnode with cancer, so I missed chemo by 2 lymphnodes.  I did already buy the bras, as close to all cotton , I think 97% at Target, they are nursing bras.  Don't hold up like an underwire, but I may have to retreat back while I go thru this.  Dry run in October 28th, radiation starts October 29th. Glad to have this discussion board, very helpful!

PontiacPeggy

DennyVol, while I'm retired, I spent all my 6-1/2 weeks of rads caring for my disabled husband at home (2 weeks) and during his surgery and 3 weeks with pneumonia in the hospital (had to be there as much as possible and very early to see the docs).  It was doable.  I had started rads exhausted and the fatigue set in immediately for me.  I managed 8 hours at the hospital before I collapsed.  You should do better.

BTW, you might want to update your profile with your diagnosis and treatments.  That helps everyone with their advice.  HUGS!

jeanelle

dennyvol, I have radiation 5 days a week for 6 weeks also.  Today will be my 6th treatment.  I have been working full time (40 hrs per week) since I came back from surgery and plan to try to continue it through the rest of my radiation treatments.  I did warn my boss, however, that there may a day in the future that he gets a text from me telling him I'm just too tired to come in. I also don't have any kids at home to take care of and a fiance that is extremely supportive, so that does make it easier.

Good luck with your SIM.  

Redhead01

Greetings all....newbie here!  I will be getting getting a scan and markings on Friday, and if all goes well, will have my first rad treatment.  I will be getting these in a prone position, with the left breast hanging out for all the fun.  I am SO happy to have this option, as my small tumor was right up against the chest wall....was really worried about rads...hadn't even heard of this option! 

My question:  Is anybody else here using this position (laying on your stomach)?

PontiacPeggy

Redhead01, nope.  I was "face up".  A great option for you.  Be sure to update your profile so we all know about you!  It's very helpful!  HUGS!!  It's very doable.

MarieNJ

Hi Redhead - 

You may want to check out what I posted 6 hours ago.  I too was on my stomach.  It was a great position except my shoulder didn't like it.  It does protect your heart and lungs.  If you were eligible for it and your facility has it, that is great!

Good luck!

Marie

Susug

Skbrown  I'm from Longview tx. MD Anderson is  a very good  treatment center. 

Had my 16 treatment today my Dr said he is very impressed with my skin. I'm not even pink but I do have fatigue. This is doing so much better than I thought it would. Hope everyone is doing well. Susu 

Blownaway

skbrown - I am currently doing my rads in the Woodlands every weekday at 7 a.m. and also my herceptin only infusions every 3 weeks (except for the 3 month interval check up at the medical center MDA when I have to see my regular onco, I'll get an infusion there since I will already be there).  I placed a clean, dry wash cloth under my arm and kept my arm pressed down against it.  About the time it stopped hurting, I noticed all the little heart shaped pillows that the volunteers at MDA were providing for breast cancer patients and realized that was what they were for. I can be a little slow on the uptake from time to time.....

Blownaway

dennyvol - I worked the entire time (2 lumpectomies, chemo then rads). I fell asleep at my desk a lot during chemo though.

PontiacPeggy

Blownaway, nice to know there are other blondes out there besides me  Sometimes I just miss the point completely!  

Moderators

Welcome Redhead01, we're sorry you have to be here but glad you found this bunch of friendly knowledgable people.

Keep us informed of your progress with your face down positioning  to access chest-wall site, as that may be very interesting to others offered that option. Hope the rads go with few side effects but kick the cancer.

All our best to all here, going through similar.

The Mods

Blownaway

pontiacpeggy - I can only wish for blondeness again someday....

PontiacPeggy

Blownaway, you might try L'Oreal Preference 9G.  It's been an awfully long time since I've seen my natural color.  I was blonde most of my life and I am now.  Probably have some gray lurking in there. But I like being blonde even if it is a "handicap"

Oahu-711

I wanted to send an update since my last post.  I did end up emailing my RO who had some helpful suggestions.  My skin just got worse for five days after I finished rads, but now the red spots, peeling, and itching are finally beginning to mellow out.  I think It really is getting better.   Thank goodness for the fruit of the Earth aloe Vera and I think the Radiagel helps too.  I also think the Benadryl the RO suggested I take so I could sleep made a big difference in how I feel.    My nipple is looking kind of scary and swollen, so if anyone got special instructions for that, I would love to hear.   

Thank you so much for the help and advice, Peggy!   

Someone asked if radiation is worth it given the side effects.  Since I probably seem like a big ole complainer on this thread, I think I should say that I have no regrets about doing rads.  It is a hassle, and there are plenty of irritations--did I mention my itchy dream where people turned into a giant millipedes and crawled all over me?--but for me they are all minor.   Many of choices and decisions we have on this whole BC trip involve serious SEs and risks.   The benefits clearly outweighed risk and hassle for me.  They are just irritating, so I feel like I should be able fix it.

I think that there are lots of variations on the positioning, and I know that it can depend on the machine they are using for you.  I was face down but on a different board than what they used for anyone else.  the techs had never used it before.  I think that it was because my breasts are so big.  My RO described the measurement and I didn't quite follow but I think it was from sternum to the ribs on the other side across the surface--whatever it was it allowed them to go higher dose for four weeks instead of lower dose for six and still do it safely.   I know that there were other face down boards and they had most people face up, so like everything in BC--it varies from person to person.  

 Davida asked how much lotion, and I guess that varies too.  Our climate is so hot and humid, so my clinic Is all about Aloe and I have been using a big tub of Cetaphil cream.  It made me chuckle when Peggy said she didn't finish her one tube of goo.  I finished a bottle and four Tubes of Aloe plus 2 tubes of Radiagel plus I am most of the way through a big Costco sized tub of Cetaphil plus a tube of Cetaphil.    Plus I used some vitamin E cream.   I am going to buy some more aloe tomorrow.  ;-)

Working through radiation has been tricky for me.  I teach middle schoolers, so I need to be close to 100%, or I need to not be there, so I planned a few days off along the way.   My admin appreciated that I could plan ahead and arrange a good sub, so it didn't make any hassles for them.  I took Fridays when I could, since that is the hardest day.  There is always some way to make it work.  

Mompv

I just started radiation on Monday. I have been lurking here for a while! Thank you all for the advice and sharing your experiences . I bought aloe Vera and aquaphor. I started applying day one. First right after treatment and before bed. Well must run and shower need to leave in an hour. I have a 40 min drive then to work!

Have a good day everyone 

PontiacPeggy

Oahu-711, so glad you are improving!  It seems that we feel the SEs should go away immediately and certainly not get worse once the rads are over.  So much for that scenario.  My "tan" is fading.  The little annoying occasional itch and prickling seems to be going away too.  Hey, maybe I'm going to feel "normal" - whatever my normal is now.  

MomPV, a lot of women have benefited from starting aloe and aquaphor immediately.  I waited until I had a bit of pinkness and even then the RO caught I was having issues, I didn't.  Since I tan easily and rarely if ever burn, I didn't anticipate much of a problem nor did the RO.  We've both been pleased with how little I did have.  All done now and what reaction I did have is fading away now after 2 weeks.  Good luck.  You'll do well!

Redhead01

Thanks for a shout-out!  Your type of cancer seems to be the same as mine.  I haven't gotten to the 5 yr pill thing yet.... am reading up on Armidex and Tamoxifil.....both have scarey side affects!  I'll have to check out those kinds of boards too   Hugs & Blessings

Redhead01

Thank you for the shout out, and cream info.  Being a redhead, I'm just shy of being albino-white with  sensitive skin.  I have a feeling I'll be airing this "girl" out whenever I can...hubs will love THAT! LOL  Hugs and blessings

Redhead01

I share your concerns, especially since my tumor was smack-dab against my chest wall (left).  I am being offered rads in a prone position, that is.....laying on your belly, with your breast hanging down...I'm  reading that this lessens heart/lung side effects by 90%!  Why aren't ALL rads given this way?  Anyway, seems that only the bigger city/cancer centers have these specialized tables.  See if this can be an option for you....it sure reduced my anxiety.

PontiacPeggy

I gather prone is available at my center but not viable for me.  I have complete faith in my RO, that he chose precisely the right, best and safest treatment modality for me.

MarieBernice6234

Hi Runnergirl and All - 

   I went to meet my Radiation Oncologist and the nurses today. Next week I am going for my SIM and tattooing. Finally, I will start the week after that.  My cancer center recommended Jeans Cream to be used during the process. Has anyone here used it, and what is your opinion of it?  Does anyone know where I could purchase a cozy, comfort pillow that I could use on my right side. 

MarieBernice6234

Oahu-711

I was very curious about the little pillows that blownaway described earlier, little heart-shaped pillows?   were they to help with the lymph node scar rubbing?

I did get a good seat belt pillow, and that was really worthwhile.  I think that there are a bunch of makers, but I got the one from hellocourage.   you can go through their website or through amazon, which I like because I am nervous about putting my credit card info at unknown websites.  I got the tasteful gray with the little pink ribbon stitched in, but I think I should have gone for the loud pink polka dots.  ;-)