JUNE 2018 starting RADIATION

Sweetcaro79

Mrsmcg,

I actually bought an aloe plant and I used it last week on thur and Fri when I felt burned. It was very easy to use, right off the plant! And I felt relief. I applied it twice and fanned it dry and then put on the regular sween cream they gave me.

It seems like we have the same amount of treatments, 3 weeks plus 5 day boosts. I am starting my 3rd week tomorrow and of course, I'm scared about these last two weeks. How bad was the boost for you? I was getting pretty worried Friday because my breast seemed so red and achy. It is feeling better now and I’m hoping the fact that I will get a break Wed fir the fourth will spare it from burning off this week!

-Caroline

Kelligirl5

Puzzlewoman - My surgeon told me she suspected I had an allergy to the glue or the latex of band-aids! I had an open sore that had to be covered up until surgery and it was causing a really bad rash. I just assumed it was part of the Paget's but she said it was actually a reaction to the band-aides I had been using. I've never had an issue before??

I have 3 more whole breast and 5 boosts left. I wasn't really seeing much in the way of redness up until Friday. When I got home from work I could finally see that perfect square on my chest :-( It's still not horribly red, I've been sunburned way worse but with so many treatments left it's inevitable. Under my arm seems the worst but it really just the hair follicles that are irritated, again I'v had worse razor burn ;-) Keeping my fingers crossed I can make it through these last few with skin doing this well! No itching either so that's a plus! I have a break on Wednesday so maybe that will be the thing that saves me this week!

Puzzlewoman

Kelligirl - thanks! I am in so much pain my dr called in a lidocaine prescription for me - I really hope it helps. I don’t think this is from the radiation, I think it’s an allergic reaction to something, but I could be wrong.

Staceybee

Question for the June group. I am starting rads 16 + 4 next week. Already bought calendula creams and ointment in various forms, which the nurse recommended. My question is on clothing. Instructions say to wear loose fitting bra in size bigger. I am 34B - does that mean I should buy a C cup? I am going to work through radiation so don’t think I can go braless!

mwaucker

Stacybee - I would recommend waiting before you buy anything. I'm halfway through rads and am still wearing by normal (underwire) bras with no problem. You may find you don't need to go up a size!

Carol2018

I've been wearing Fruit of the Loom front closure sports bra model 96014 since I had surgery. Super soft and comfortable. Inexpensive and purchased at WalMart. I wear a size 40DD regular bra and bought a size 42. You can try it on to see what is comfortable.

Motherofall6

16 done 17 to go , skin still good so far I’m applying twice a day skintegrity hydrogel my ro gave me

ChelseaSculler

One left!

I asked about swimming today when I saw the doctor. She'd like me to hold off a week or so, but if I can't resist, she's definitely ok with salt water. For chlorine, she asked that I change out of my swimwear immediately afterwards so that chlorinated water isn't sitting next to the skin. Note, my skin hasn't broken open, your mileage may vary! I only have pool access in the evenings so at least I don't need to worry about UV...

Tess1962

I just finished 10 out of 25 so I'm seeing the finish line. This is what my RO recommended and it works awesome. I have some reddening, a few tiny blister bumps and a bit of itching but nothing intolerable. This was 9.99 on Amazon for a large tube.

Kelligirl5

Getting ready for my last whole breast treatment today! Then just 5 boosts left! So far my skin is doing fairly well. I have some brighter spots in different areas but mostly just a lighter pink. Seems weird that its not all the same color? Underneath I have a rash that is getting worse each time, not terribly itchy just starting to feel raw. My underarm looks horrible where the hair follicles are, like a really bad heat rash. No broken skin or anything so far and I'm very fair with really sensitive skin. I've been pretty surprised at how well its holding up! With this being the last one I'm hoping its starts to turn around quickly in those areas! We want to do some hiking on our trip and if those areas are still raw and rubbing it might be a problem! I've got two weeks until we leave!

Who is on to just the boosts? Can you tell the area that is being treated? Is it just the scar area or is it a larger swatch? Right now where the scar is looks pretty good, it's the lightest in color so far and least damaged skin. I'm hoping the areas that need some time to heal get a chance to during the boosts?

Puzzlewoman - How are you holding up? Hopefully celebrating being done!

Tess1962

I didn't have chemo but my hair is super thinning and extra curly....much different than my normal hair. Apparently I'm one of the very few that radiation effects this way.

Anyone else have this issue?

Puzzlewoman

Hello all, sorry I don’t feel like posting much. Since last Saturday I’ve been in quite a bit of pain mostly due to a skin reaction to one of the stickers. This on top of the radiation. I’ve seen the dr and I’m hoping this gets better in a week or I’ll make another appt.

Motherofall6

got a call this morning that the radiation machine was broken 😳 and not to come in but come in tomorrow as scheduled 😒 wonder exactly what why and how does the machine brwak

Puzzlewoman

Motherofall6 - that happened to me one day too. They just added one to the end. I guess all machines can have their bad days too?

mwaucker

Motherofall6 - My machine has gone down twice in the past two weeks!

I am (hopefully) halfway through rads! My RO, after reviewing the path report from my lumpectomy, said I might not need the 4 boosts he was initially planning to do. He “reserves the right to change his mind” but I’m not sure what would make him think I needed them again...fingers crossed he doesn’t! I am feeling good and my skin is holding up well! I am very fair but so far no issues other than some slight redness...though, when I asked my husband if he thought my left side looked “redder” than the right he said he couldn’t see a difference...so maybe it’s all in my head! Rads has not been nearly as bad as I was worried it was going to be. As I was leaving my treatment today there was a women waiting in the “hot seat” (that is seriously what they call it when you are in the chair waiting for your turn 😂) and she looked so nervous. She told me it was her first treatment and asked me questions about the process, how I was feeling, etc. I was so glad I was able to give her a “positive” report! She was visibly more relaxed after our conversation. I know everyone’s experience with rads is different and what might be challenging for one person is a breeze for another...and vice versa...I just felt good knowing I was able to (hopefully) calm her spirit just a little bit before she went in for her treatment.

Tess1962

Today mark's past the 1/2 way point. Still just pink with a few blister dots. The fatigue is beginning to hit me. I notice that when I get home from work I'd really just like to go to bed. I go to radiation every day on my lunch hour so it will be nice to have my lunch hour back.

I hope y'all are doing well. I can't wait to ring the cow bell on my last day.

After rads I will be taking Femera. Five years I've been told.

Prayers going out to all of you. ❤🙏

GreenEyes81

Kelligirl5 I had 4 our 5 boots today. I actually had two today and my last boost tomorrow. Then I go back Monday for 5 more "full" radiations. I was get very red and sore in the armpit area. I HAVE to be done by the 13th, so my doctor stopped to full rations and switched to the boosts to give my "angry axilla" a break as a put it. Just 3 days and I could feel a difference. It's much better, I'm not really noticing much difference with the boosts. Just over all sore and wake up in the night if "crumple" the skin up.

Ready to be done for sure.

Mrsmcg

The boost themselves were okay, but I got more red in that specific area. I also started to peel in that spot after I had the last boost on 6/21. My skin is mostly an off tan color now. My unarm area is a lot better. The area under my boob is kind of itchy and occasionally stings.

Mrsmcg

I have been using gold bond ultimate healing therapy with aloe. It has worked way better than most other things I've tried, including aquaphor. I bought a big bottle on Amazon. It can also be found in some pharmacies.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JGQEQ1I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Kelligirl5

GreenEyes81 – We are on a similar schedule as I finish up on the 12^th. I have been incredibly lucky with my skin and haven't had to take that break thankfully! I have a couple of spots that are pretty angry but I'm finished with the whole so hopefully those should get some relief. Saw the RO and he wasn't concerned at all about them. I put on some hydro-cortisone last night because they burned so bad and they feel a LOT better today! I was kind of miserable and whiny last night though!

Mrsmcg – I might have to try the Gold Bond, we've used it before for eczema and it worked wonders. I was told nothing with vitamins A, C, or E during but I'm assuming once I'm finished its fine? The aloe helps but I kind of hate the feel of the CeraVe he recommended. It just feels heavy and goopy. Might actually make my skin burn a little as it's so heavy.

Mwauker – I bet you helped that woman more than anything! I was so freaked out for my first one. Barely able to catch my breath and keep from having an all-out panic attack!

Tess1962 – I'm with you on wanting my lunch hours back! I usually try to get outside and walk to get some fresh air and vitamin D. Hate not getting to do that right now! I'm too tired after work to even think about exercise so I feel like I'm just turning into a total couch potato during the week!

I got a few less stickers yesterday and new lovely Sharpie artwork LOL! I have one spot where they removed the sticker that is so sore!! I swear it took a layer of skin with it but I am so glad its gone! It was right in a spot that if I wore a V-neck shirt it peeked out, apparently 75% of my wardrobe is a V-neck! Counting down the days until these are finished and I'm on vacation!

Pattimills2017

6 down 14 to go. My shoulder injury refused any relief (ice made it worse, cortisone injection did nothing, Percocet didn't touch it) until last night. A friend of mine is a certified Bowenworks massage therapist. She gently adjust soft tissue in key spots. Finally. I am 60% better today. The treatment works over a 6 day period. Highly recommend! No skin issues or fatigue as of yet. I use calendula at the treatment center and emu oil twice a day after I get home. I pray you all are doing well.

MexicoHeather

mnsch: you can take the green tea bags, soak them, and place cool teabags directly on the skin. Dipping a soft washcloth in green tea w putting on the skin also works.

MexicoHeather

mnsch: you can take the green tea bags, soak them, and place cool teabags directly on the skin. Dipping a soft washcloth in green tea and putting on the skin also works.

Sweetcaro79

Hi everyone. Checking in, I finished day 14/20 today. One more full treatment Monday and then the last 5 will be boosts. I have been hydrating more and I stopped running and haven’t felt light headed in a few days. Apparently that is not a common radiation symptom, so I’m curious what was causing it.

My skin has held up pretty well. The July 4th midweek break definitely helped. Tonight it is feeling quite tight and itchy and I’m noticing little red dots? Are those blisters? I’m happy for the weekend break. My mind is already wandering to the next step...Tamoxifen. I feel guilty this week because I know I should be grateful for so many things: finding it early, good surgery experience, negative genetics, good Oncotype/no chemo. But I am still pretty pissed! And SO not excited about Tamoxifen for 5 years...

I hope you all are doing well! Hang in there!!!

-Caroline

mwaucker

Sweetcaro79 - I am right there with you! I have 7 more rads treatments to go and then...Tamoxifen. Ugh, I am dreading that the most! I’m only 40 and not looking forward to all the potential menopause-like side effects. All the doctors I have spoken to have given me the same advice though...they have all encouraged me to try it and see how I do. If it is horrible I go off of it and just try to manage my risk in other ways; if I can tolerate it...great. They have all told me the most important thing is to not beat myself up over whatever decision I make. I feel fortunate to be surrounded by doctors who are willing to listen to my concerns, understand my hesitancy to go on the Tamoxifen, and aren’t going to shove it down my throat. My MO wants me to try it for 2 months; he said most women know in that time how they will tolerate it. He said if it makes my life hell he’s not going to push me to stay on it; he’ll support whatever decision I make. Good luck with the rest of your rads and as you start down the HT road; I’ll be traveling it with you!

MAC58

Hi everybody, just checking in...did 13/20 today. Definitely see pink and under the arm looks like a weird tan color. Worst is under the boob! Getting raw looking, it doesn't really hurt, but feels strange. Trying to air it out..laying on my couch, no shirt, watching the baseball game! My chest area is very itchy, using hydrocortisone cream for that particular side effect.

Asked about the boosts today, found out that the level of radiation actually goes down for them, thought that was strange since boost seems to imply more to me.

Glad lots of you are finishing up, trying to hang in there, daughter is having big 4th of July celebration tomorrow and it will be a long but fun day. Trying to figure out some sort of underwear that won't rub, maybe a camisole ..

rphouse

I just completed number 6 of 20. My skin is ok but my boob hurts. Hard to describe - it’s like the tissue under the skin is sore. Anyone else feel that way?

I too am 40 and completely dreading tamoxifen. I’m not sure if I can do it. Feeling tired and cranky right now and just want to be a baby about all of it for a minute. I’m usually good about wearing my big girl panties and being grateful for all the positives lol

Tess1962

I'm feeling quite the same pain you describe. I had my 11th treatment today. I'm tired. I'm cranky. I'm have breathing issues (I have asthma and it's high pollen here right now). I'm being a whiny baby today. I guess we all get to have one here and there. When I finish Rads I will be on Famera for 5 years. Not looking forward to the side effects of that.

Thanks for listening. I'm normally very positive and upbeat. It's just one of those days.

mwaucker

rphouse - I totally know what you mean! My breast is sore but it doesn't feel sore from the rads...it is like the tissue is sore in and around my lumpectomy site (where the BioZorb is). Initially I just sort of figured it was sore because the site is still healing but my breast feels bigger/firmer since starting rads (is that normal?) so I'm not really sure what is going on. I'm going to ask the doctor about it when I see him on Monday. My skin is doing fine as well, a little red but that's it! Allow yourself the latitude to be a baby about i for a minute! I too am good about wearing my big girl panties and being positive 99.9% of the time...but sometimes I just get pissed because it (insert expletive) sucks to be dealing with this!

Mrsmcg

Hey Sweetcaro,

My treatment seems the same as you. Good surgery experience, no chemo or seriously side effects. I have taken Tamoxifen for just under a year, but had to get off of it for a while when I had surgery. I wish there was something else I could try. I seriously believe that it is what is causing my weight gain. I am now about the heaviest weight I have ever been. It is truly frustrating and depressing.