Spring 2015 Radiation Sisters

ElaineTherese

Maricar,

My RO didn't want me to do any swimming in a chlorinated pool during rads. He said that chlorine would dry out my skin and make it more difficult to recover from rads. My RO's nurse said that if I didn't have peeling or any raw skin two weeks after completing rads, I could go swimming in a chlorinated pool. But, I don't think they would have cared if I went swimming in a lake or other water which wouldn't dry out the skin. Also, the RO definitely wants me to slather on the sun screen if I spend significant time outdoors in the sun, even if I'm fully dressed. But, Jean is right -- ask your RO. Best wishes!

amylsp

Just returned from my last radiation! Got through all 33 without too much difficulty. The boost area, which includes the area right above the aureola and down to the nipple, is quite red and the zingers have been increasing. But all the non boost areas are already healing up and looking good. I continue to use the Aloe/ Calendula/ Aquaphor combination 3 times a day. I was told to continue this for another week to two weeks until all the redness has subsided.

Here's something interesting though. I was told NOT to use sunscreen on the area (due to all the additives), and to just keep the area (all the way up to my collar bone) covered when I'm out in the sun for 6 months! Has anyone else been told not to use sunscreen? I might post in the Winter Thread to see. Since the additives are their concern, I might see if I can find a more natural sunscreen without a lot of additives. I don''t like the idea of no sunscreen at all, or always having to keep the area covered all summer long.

kathy7

I don't know about the drug, but rads made me soooo tired.

I did chemo before and did not feel half as tired.

But the good news for me and I hope you also - I am done about 4 weeks and my energy level is really great.

It is much like being reborn!

DJCRI

I have finished 25/30 treatments and going in for my first of 5 boostesr today.  Yay!  Final countdown.  Hope the boosts aren't too intense -- any suggestions for nipple care just in case?  My tumor site is very close to my nipple.  Overall my skin held up pretty well -- I had full breast and lymph nodes treated.  My neck is pretty red after treatment then calms down a bit afterward.   The products that have been most effective for my skin so far are maiderm (my favorite, very soothing, not sticky), aloe vera and natural care gel. 

Maricar -- I used to take a couple of water aerobics classes every week but stopped after radiation because chlorine can be very drying to the skin.  I asked when I could get back in the pool and was advised to wait until my 1 month follow up after I finish radiation. 

This thread has been a blessing as I've moved through this treatment.  Good luck to everyone moving along, hope that everything goes smoothly through your treatments.

 

DaisyQ

Hello:

I am 9 days out from my final radiation tx. My breast area feels almost normal--no itchy, burning feeling at all. A very fine layer of top skin is peeling off with normal looking skin underneath. I still follow the skin care recommended by my RO (steroid cream 1x/day and Vanicream 2x/day).

I purchased 2 SPF sun shirts and a Coolibar sun umbrella to protect my skin this spring and summer. I spend lots of time outside watching my son play soccer and baseball. My RO did not advise against sunscreen, but I am planning to talk with my dermatologist about the best kind to use.

I indulge in a daily nap. I am sure I have residual fatigue from rads, but I also think processing my diagnosis and "what-the-hell-just-happened?" is emotionally exhausting. So I am taking care of myself, and sleeping when I need it.

Amy: Congrats to you on finishing treatment! Enjoy not having to take the daily trip to rads!

Amy

NY2TXbaby

Just finished my first read treatment. Look like a first grader drew all over my body. LOL the two male rad tecs were very nice. So appreciate all the information and tips that I've gleaned from this site. My one rad tech was very impressed with my level of knowledge and all the questions that I asked. I told him it all was thanks to the wonderful ladies on this breast cancer.org site. Found out that I will be getting a bolus treatment over my left breast area. Wasn't prepared for that ahead of time but again have read about some other women's experiences so I'm hopefully a little bit prepared. Heading home now to slather on the cream and hope and pray that my skin side effects will be minimal. Good luck to everyone else going through this journey.

JJOntario

I've finished 17/30 treatments. My chest looks like it has diaper rash and the itchy is making me miserable. I'm off to get some Benadryl for tonight. The fatigue is starting to get to me (that along with life being just too busy). We have a vacation planned as soon as rads are done and I'm just looking forward to the escape.I've bought some high neck swim suits and I was told the salt water would be healing as long as there are no open skin areas. I need to find one of those sunscreen shirts.

goodcanary

Hi!

I started radiation on Monday. Today I got my period one week early. I called the RO nurse, and she said no one has ever asked about this. I was hoping she'd say "This happens to lots of our younger patients, nothing to worry about." She double-checked with me that I hadn't started or even started and stopped any meds from the medical oncologist (I have not), and told me it can't be from the radiation. She did say that my body has been through a lot since diagnosis so "who knows." She said hopefully it's normal again next month, otherwise I should call the ob/gyn.

So I was curious, did anyone else have their menstrual cycle thrown off by radiation or surgery (not from obvious chemical/medical treatments that would do so)?

This is my first time posting so forgive me if I did anything incorrectly.

Thanks.

maricar

Thank you for the warm welcome and for the additional tips! I've read them and I know they will come in handy.

I had my follow-up appt. with my MO today. Although tumor was focally present at the superior surgical margin in the specimen my surgeon took out, the result of the triple staining of additional breast tissue removed showed it was negative for tumor, so he got clear margins! MO still wants me to go through Rad since I have high grade DCIS. This board is helping me prepare for that!

ElaineThere and DJCRI - thanks for addressing my swimming concern. Looks like I need to stray away from chlorine and I'm almost sure I wouldn't want to be in the ocean as it would probably burn. Unfortunately I'm going to Hawaii just a little over a week after RAD. I'll be sure to ask my RO on Tuesday. I did call today and asked if I could postpone RAD until after my trip was was told I couldn't :-(. I'm sure I'll be thankful about that one of theses days, lol.

I'm happy to be here and I will continue to pray that each and every one of us will continue to find strength to fight this. God bless!

kathy7

two days before my surgery I had a really bad period.  And I am near menopause and was not having regular periods.  I am sure it was related to stress for me! 

I hate when med professionals say "that's not ususal" 

Nothing about the disease or each of us as individuals is usual!

bw49

After I had my first Biospy I had a period and it lasted for 4 weeks, I believe it was stress!!!

RosyWorld

Tomorrow I will finish 20/33 treatments. Making progress.

So far my energy level is mostly maintaining, but I am fighting a cold right now. It seems to be staying mild as I attempt to eat well and as naturally as possible, but I do sense that my body is needing to fight a little harder than usual. Immunity down?

And my emotions--whew! I discovered how easily those tip! Last Friday another tech joined my regular RT tech. She told me I had my arms in the wrong position (right hand over left instead of left over right???), and I felt as if I was an object on the table instead of a person. I noticed she kept saying to everyone in a cheery voice, "TGIF!" It didn't hit me as the encouragement she meant. I couldn't wait to get to the dressing room and as far away as possible . . . to cry.

From what I'm picking up from many of you, those easy tears can be a normal part of this journey.

I am getting most red, irritated, and itchy under my breast. I noticed several have mentioned using corn starch. My RO has never mentioned using that. I'm using aloe vera gel and calendula gel and making sure it is fully absorbed and not leaving any extra moisture in that area.

But would corn starch be an added measure to help with irritation in that area?

Admittedly, I'm really nervous about the boosts.

zjrosenthal

Corn starch was a lifesaver for me. The redness under my breasts was from a fungal infection caused by perspiration dampness and heat. I used a prescription antifungal and cornstarch and it cleared in a few days. Show your nurse tomorrow and ask about the cornstarch and a scrip. Love, Jean

NurseShark

#14 of 28 done for me!!! My anxiety each time has gotten better. I go at 9 am daily. The last week or so have been rough nights getting up a lot with the baby (starting to teeth .Ugh) so I actually use my radiation time as a mini escape... a few minutes everyday that I have no choice to be completely still... sick right .o well its working.

Maybe slightly pink. Itchy but getting better switched to aquaphor from aloevesta seems to help. Happy it hasn't been hot here yet #1 because of no deodorant #2 no shaving armpit...ofcourse my hair started to grow back now.....no tank tops/sundresses yet

ElaineTherese

Oy, NurseShark! Tough to get rest with a teething baby! Hope you can nap when the baby naps. Interestingly, since my final chemo on 12/3/14, I still have no armpit hair or hair on my legs. So, the ban on shaving has had no impact on me. My 16 year old DD says she's jealous! Ah, the unintended benefits of chemo......

Tobycc

Oh Nurse, you make me laugh! I will end week 3 tomorrow. Redness, soreness pain inside the breast, tired in afternoons. I go at 8 a.m. on way into work.

Seems I have not bonded with this team at all like my chemo team. I have a mixture of males/ females. I use it as quiet/ gratitude and prayer time.

So glad to have people to walk this walk with me!

Kath

ElaineTherese

Tobycc,

My radiation therapists were all pleasant and conscientious, but I never really felt as comfy doing rads as I did with chemo. At chemo, you could be there for hours -- you had to make yourself at home and keep yourself well-stocked with fluids and snacks. The chemo nurses were all so cheerful and kind, especially to some very fragile-looking patients. I felt they were a very caring group. I still go, every three weeks for Herceptin, so I still get to sit under my warm blanket and sip juice from their excellent selection.

rekidal

JJ and Nurse Shark- My sister picked me up some witch hazel with cucumber in it for the itching. It doesn't contain any alcohol so the nurse told me it was okay to use.  I was prescribed lidocaine for the pain from the burns and Silvadene to prevent infection for the areas that the skin came off.    I just finished my treatments this week, so let the healing begin!

Aeon

Day 13/20 done! I'm a little redder each day, but just barely. I'm definitely more swollen, and I get temporarily deformed if I wear a bra (too tight!). My "water bag" (the cavity) isn't shrinking yet as the RO hoped it would, but she said it depends on what's in it - cystic (seroma) or blood (hematoma). I guess it's the latter because it's not budging. So she can't do electron boost like she hoped, because it's too deep, but the boost will still be face up (I'm prone for regular treatment).

I asked why the boost couldn't be prone as well. She drew me a picture and showed me how they can go at it from above and side to make kind of a square target when face up (picture a cross-hatch), allowing them to focus it better and minimize what the rest of the breast is receiving. Hanging in prone, the rays can only go straight across and the other side would get too much.

No questions for the room this time; just sharing my experience for others.

Oh, also wanted to say JEAN! The itch trick totally works!!!! GENIUS!

zjrosenthal

Itch trick.. yeah! Isn't the brain an amzing thing! Love, Jean

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JJOntario

Bought a really cute zip up rash guard shirt with 3/4 sleeves (this one zips so you can wear it like a little jacket over a tank topor over your swim suit to swim in). Landsend had them in 4 colours. Hope it comes in on time for my trip!! It's rated 50 SPF.

BC2015

OMG, went out for walk on a beautiful sunny day not thinking about the sun going thru my Tshirt. Half way I felt like my skin was on fire. Dummy me, I didn't thinking would cause an issue. Wrong! Rash and dermatitis started and the itching is terrible! Sun shirts for me moving forward. 15 more to go.

Doctor gave me lidocaine and aquafor mix for rash.

mhenz

5 more days of boost and I'm Done! Finally took med leave from work as my skin just does not take to kindly to clothes right now. I'm hoping my skin will finally start healing. Looking forward to the time to take care of myself for a bit and exhale from the challenge this new year has brought. Best of luck to those just beginning. ..and those finishing up. ..what's next?

kathy7

kudos to you.

Waking up with a baby and doing radiation.  There is not anything you cannot do after this!

Bless you!

BC2015

OMG, 3 days ago went out for walk on a beautiful sunny day not thinking about the sun going thru my Tshirt. Half way thru my walk route I felt like my skin was on fire. Dummy me, I didn't thinking would cause an issue. Wrong! Rash and dermatitis started and the itching is terrible! Sun shirts for me moving forward. 15 more to go.

Doctor gave me lidocaine and aquafor mix for rash.

JJOntario

Do the boosts really aggravate that area of your skin? I'm not sure what to expect

zjrosenthal

JJO the boosts caused my skin to become reddish in that area. No skin breakdown one week after finishing. Still using Aquaphor and prescription steroid. A bit irritated but not terrible. Hope this helps. Love, Jean

CassieCat

JJ, I didn't feel like the boosts were too bad. The area got pink rapidly, but nothing too terrible.

amylsp

I did not have a lot of skin issues going into the Boosts, and tolerated them pretty well. Like Cassie, the boost area got red pretty quick, but now 3 days out from the last boost, the redness is starting to fade.

JJOntario

Thanks everyone,

My scar is actually curved around my aerola...and my nipple is already peeling. I just need to get through these next 8 treatments.