Spring 2016 Rads

Lovinggrouches

Grazy, yes it will be a different kind of year! Gets ridiculously hot here in Louisiana, I'm no sun bunny anyway lol! You get in the sun here, and you fry in 5 minutes lol! No sun= no problem for me lol! It WILL be a year that we will NEVER forget, that's for sure!!

Paxton29

Thanks for the feedback on the splotches/spots--guess I'm stuck with them for a few weeks. Today was 18 out of 36--halfway there!!

Katzpjays

Grazy-as far as those sun shirts go, I found some really cute short sleeve and long sleeve ones online at Lands End. They run slightly on the small side. I wear a 6 and a medium fits well. Actually very cute and I just wear them with my tankini swimsuit bottom. Not fuddy duddy at all. New minimum sun chic, lol.

Bliss58

RO gave me a sample of the Silverdean cream and an Rx. My armpit is pretty red, but I don't have any pain, so I can't say how it will work for that; maybe someone else will chime in. He wants me to use that cream exclusively now. I do notice it goes on pretty thick and isn't as easy to spread as Aquaphor, aloe gel or the MyGirls cream, so i work it in gently, but it does absorb and isn't too greasy.

ejmann44

LG: They said 6 week recovery for the hysterectomy? Yikes!

That's a bummer about no swimming. We live in FL and own a pool. I was so looking forward to swimming this summer and got diagnosed the week the pool was finally warm enough for swimming. I swam every day until the lumpectomy and I was hoping the BS would give me permission to swim at my post-op tomorrow. I was hoping to swim until time for the radiation. I'm obese and swimming is my way of exercising. I even have water aerobic "weights" I use for my arms.

Grazy

ejmann, I'm sure you can be in your pool as long as your skin is in great shape and risk of infection isn't an issue - just wear sun protective clothing this summer - the stuff available all over the place nowadays with UV protection is nice nowadays. I'm not going to avoid a pool - my RO said I can definitely be in water at the beach or in a pool, I'll just keep my chest covered up because she doesn't want me putting sunscreen on the radiated area for the first few weeks and then she wants that area protected from the sun for about three months.

Katzpjs - thanks for the Lands End recommendation. I was looking on Columbia's website at some shirts as well, but I'm going to check out Lands End.

Bjsmiller - those thick creams feel pretty nice going on. I don't have any pain in my little reddish underarm area either - maybe a wee bit of stinging now and then - but I think the Glaxal base cream I was given is very soothing and will protect the skin.

Ingerp

One skin update and one recommendation: I know it's still a little early for the skin SEs but doing pretty well so far (#12 later this morning). My instructions were not to use anything for the first five days, and then only what they give me. Started an aloe gel last week, and yesterday they added a lanolin cream to the mix. And for Grazy and any other sun lovers who are thinking they'll miss that healthy glow this summer, I've used self-tanners occasionally over the years. They really do work pretty well--after one stint I was in a swim class at the gym and everyone was asking me where I'd been for vacation. :-)

Grazy

Ingerp, I'm with you on the self tanners - they're great nowadays. I use St. Tropez bronzing mousse; it gives a very natural color and doesn't have a weird odor like some others do. Which product do you use? I'm definitely not what you'd call a sun "lover", but I get exposure, mostly, when I'm outside working on the gardens. And of course it's impossible to avoid while floating in a pool, but I don't do that as much any more. Most times I'm lounging in my gazebo with a good book or under a umbrella because I can't stand just sitting in the sun any longer - menopause definitely caused that! Hot flashes and sitting in hot sun don't mix.

Ingerp

Grazy--I almost added to my post that I really don't have a preferred brand. I usually go with what's on sale. ;-) A couple of years ago my SIL sent me some pretty chichi high-priced stuff but I don't think it worked any better than Jergens. I do get separate "for the face" stuff but otherwise have used a number of different ones on my body and they all seem to work fine. (I know what you mean by the smell, though. I'll use it for a few days leading up to a big event but not on the day of.) I'll give the St. Tropez a try next time it's on sale. :-)

kbutler

I was told to cover up radiated area, use sunscreen of 30, wear a hat. RO said that area didn't need any sun she had given it enough radiation to last a lifetime. Seems nice we are all now talking about after treatment. We have come a long way ladies

Grazy

kbutler, I feel as though we're a graduating class and we're all going our separate ways -- either to the Tamoxifen board or to the Arimidex board! Even one of my techs said yesterday, "Are you excited that you're graduating on Friday?!". hahaa

kbutler

I know Grazy it does seem that way.

Paxton29

The nurse and RO said my splotches were folliculitis. No big deal, an expected side effect.

gardengypsy

Ingerp-

I've always wanted to check out Virginia but the rads are going to keep me from travelling much this summer. You'd better get to work!

cbowle

Met with the oncologist today to discuss my plan. I am a difficult patient because I have a scheduled vacation July 9th - 16th and then August 3rd - 8th. He didn't feel the accelerated treatment was right for me so he is going with the standard 6 weeks. So after much debate and going back and forth on my vacation time he decided to start me on June 13th. I go for my tattoos and molding on June 7th. So if all goes well I will get in 4 solid weeks of radiation before my vacation minus the 4th of July holiday (he gives his patients a week long break during treatment to make it easier on the skin I'm guessing). When I return I will get in another 2 weeks and 3 days for a total of 32 treatments. He told me that I would be looking at 30 to 33 radiation treatments. What determines whether a person gets 30 versus 33 treatments?

LovesToFly

I was told I can't wear sunscreen until a few weeks after radiation, and yes I should be careful with the radiated skin. We are going away in August and I plan to wear my usual bikinis, with lots of sunscreen, and stay in the shade as much as possible!

Grazy

cbowle - I don't really know why someone would get 30 vs 33 treatments, but I wonder if it's simply the number of boosts tacked onto the end of your treatment that might change (?)

Jill - how are your treatments going? How's the skin holding up?

WarriorCheryl

I am having accelerated radiation too. 15 whole breast, and 5 focused treatments. The overall radiation levels are the same as the prolonged 7 week stint, but easier on the body.

I learned the most important thing is to keep the skin moist. I have gotten some stance rash that leaves quickly, does't itch and isn't blistering so my Dr. says it's fine. I wan to share with you all a Rescue Cream that is working wonders to take out the redness and keep my skin moist. I apply it immediately after my treatment, and again at night. The Doctor checked it out and said it is ok to use.

The company is here in San Diego and they will ship the cream for free. The owners are wonderful people.You can contact them to ask about their program for cancer patients. http://www.doctorschwabca.com/skin-concern/sensiti...

PlanB58

Hi all!

I am done with 18/30. For the first time my skin did not tan overnight and was stinging like crazy last night. Used the aloe and aquafor then laterUsed the cortisone cream for the itch. It's my chest not the breast I'm guessing because it has less fatty tissue. I could actually feel a little sting during treatment today. I sure hope tonight is better!

I have been told to use sunscreen now when out in the sun. If it continues to sting like this I won't even be tempted!

Katzpjays thanks for fitting tip on Landsend shirts I am looking at them as well. They are pretty cute! Another add on to the radiation wardrobe! Can.Not. Wait. To wear a bra! Did not think I would ever say that!

Congrats to the Graduates!!!

tbalding

Met with my RO today, 21 days. Get molding & markings next week & start rads June 13. They said they'll start me on a cream after 1st treatment but forgot to ask which one. Glad to be doing again.

Grazy

tbalding, congrats on having a start date for rads!

Deaconlady

Today was #18. I had my simulation for the boosts today. It went quickly and it was nice being on my back instead of stomach. I have lovely purple markings now on my breast and black on my back. No pain yet, but I am sore under my arm and breast.

I'm ready for the beach in July. Really ready to get away!

gardengypsy

My "dry run" and tatts are coming up on Monday. I think it's 25 over 5 weeks.

I just had my expander removed; hoping the surgical war zone is ready for radiation.

The end is in sight, but I have a long haul in front of me: 2.5 hrs. driving daily, plus appointment time.

Trying not to feel discouraged. I am planning on making the "trips to the city" as fun as possible, restaurants. movies, thrift and antique stores....A local "Survivorship" group has free exercise/yoga/swim. classes each day...I want to garden and be active, but so worried about fatigue.

Truffles1214

I will be starting radiation on June 13th as well (cbowle and tbalding). My RO wants me to do a full 7 weeks.I'm pretty anxious, but after 8 rounds of chemo and a double mastectomy, I'm hoping this is the "easy" part. I love reading the posts from the ladies that are finishing up! It gives me hope I can make it through this phase of my treatment without any major side effects!

tbalding

Truffles & cbowle we can encourage each other. As Grazy says, radiate this! I'm going to get a calendar to mark off days. Feel like on downhill slide (not thinking about tomoxifen yet) We can do this

Katzpjays

Completed my first rad session today. I have 2 male techs, lol. Somewhere along the line I feel like my right boob has become a group science experiment. Hoping I get a ribbon! Session was pretty uneventful. Nice to see 1/20 marked off on the calendar

Bliss58

Grazy, thanks for the cream recommendation. I hadn't heard of it, but I read it's a favorite in Canada and now available in the U.S. Saw it on Amazon.

LovesToFly

Eight treatments and, so far my skin is holding up fine, but it's still early. I use Glaxol base three times a day.

Ingerp

gardengypsy--so sorry you won't be making the trip. ;-) And I've been doing a lot around here--ya know, for me. I've just never enjoyed sweating and the summers around here are m-i-s-e-r-a-b-l-e. The good news is <almost> everything I've planted for the big weekend is doing pretty well. I just never assume anything I put in the ground is going to actually survive. And I think I'll wait for a big weeding til closer to the event.

I also want to give a big shoutout to gardengypsy and everyone else who has a long trip for treatment. I cannot imagine how much harder my life would be if I had to be making a major drive five days a week. My place is ~15 minutes from my house, and almost all on an interstate. It really could not be easier.

And just re: exercise, in the meeting with my RO on Wednesday when we were discussing fatigue, she said to try to keep up with what I've been doing. Like maybe this isn't the time to add in anything, but try to maintain the level of activity you had going into treatment. I had cut back on gym time through the surgeries and what-not, so am really just doing yoga three times a week, but it hasn't been hard to keep up with that. gardengypsy--I had one weird bout of really-must-stay-in-bed type fatigue one day, but just for a few hours and it's only been that once (so far--crossing fingers and toes). I'm betting you'll be able to be more active than you think.

cbowle--not sure about the 30 vs. 33. I don't know why I'm getting 20 vs. 21 (I read about many women getting 16 whole breast + 5 boosts; mine is 15 + 5.) I think every cancer center has their way of doing things. My RO told me early on the four weeks vs. six weeks depends on breast size. Also on whether you're getting the Canadian (accelerated) protocol. Maybe they'll see how you're doing through treatment and decide then on whether you need 33??

I'm doing 13/20 today. Skin continues to look not too bad! And this from a very pale person!! I think I reported I had my boost sim on Wednesday. They had me lying on my side and molded the support thing behind me, but the RO came in and said she thinks I'll be able to be on my back. Something about me not having "large, floppy breasts." My RO also told me at the initial consultation that I'm not fat. I told her it's the nicest thing anyone's said to me in years. This process has been such an ego boost. :-D

Valstim52

Wanted to say thank you for keeping this thread going. I just had masectomy and scheduled for rads next. Have no idea what to expect.