October Rads. 2009

Dear PauldingMom:

I have the same thing - deep brown/red - hurts now.  I keep slopping stuff on, same stuff I've been using, but now it sometimes stings.  This is my last week of rads...can't wait.  Good luck with yours - tell us if you find something soothing..

Be good to you -

Hi Ladies, 

My Onc looked at my pinkening and slightly inflamed breast after 10/35 and prescribed Triamcinolone Cream (Rx)  Do any of you have any experience with this cream?  Looks like a steroid for itching/inflamation?  Thanks! 

Hi sopris

I used that Radiaplex and I do believe I was allergic to it...not sure though.  My sternal area is all red and really itchy..so much so that I can't sleep at night well.  The rest of the area is just red.  I am now using pure aloe vera and that does help a little better I believe.  I FINISHED friday and I was hoping I would feel better just KNOWing that, but I now have the flu.  I FEEL worse than I did getting radiation.  Does anyone know if I should be worried about the flu and just getting over radiation???

Brookside - I also developed what seemed to be "allergies". The more lotion I put on (and I tried all sorts) the angrier and itchier the red bumps became.

Here's what and did and it worked: Try talking a bath (not too warm though) and really soak your boob and/ or gently wash it until the residue from all the goop we've been putting on is gone. I was shocked at how long it took. I'd gently wash, then rinse but the residue was still there so I kept repeating the cycle. Then I patted myself dry and took a nap without any top on. A few hours later the bumps were almost gone as was the itching. From that point forward, I'd apply a light layer of a light moisturizer (I esp. liked XClair at this stage) only twice a day. After that, when I would occassionally feel my skin reacting by getting itchy bumps, I'd go to the sink as soon as I felt it, washed off the lotion and let my breast have a good long break. Hope this works for you as well.

brookside:

I just got back from rads and spoke with the nurse today:  I'm so red/brown, particularly under my arm.  It's readly to start weeping.  She mixed me up some lidocaine and Aquafor.  She said 2-3x daily and it should help.  (Thank you sopris!!)

I asked her how long I can expect for it to be irritated after I finish rads this Friday.  She said I'll continue to 'cook' (like when a roast comes out of the oven) for another 3-4 days, after which point, the tissue and skin should start to heal.  Horrible analogy I know, but pretty accurate. 

Hang in there ladies...we can do it.

Be good to you -

MTG:

I can't imagine the cake was considered obscene...this disease and the treatments we endure...now that's what's obscene...

Dear DSgirl

I just read some postings and saw you went to a chiropractor.  That is GREAT and I'm glad he/she helped you.  I am a chiropractor and I love it.  We don't end up killing our patients like the medical profession does and we actually help AND it doesn't cost a zillion of dollars!.  Keep up the good work and stick in there.  The best thing to remember is to do your stretches and follow his protocol. 
Wish I would have seen the cake pic! 

Well must be off to bed and fight this swine flu!  The irony of this is that cancer didn't get me but something from a pig is killing me right now!  AND I'm originally from Iowa and I used to LOVE the little bastards and now look.

Sopris - The boosts were FAR,FAR easier ! My worst area from rads was a small part of my chest just under the clavicle; I guess because the skin is thinnest there. The boosts were  no where near that; just immediately around the tumor site and that's the only area that was impacted, It got red but that's it. Pretty much a breeze.

Brookside - Holy cow ! BC and Swine Flu ? That really stinks (not the word I'd prefer to use but now I need to watch myself about being obscene ~smile~) Go to bed, take it easy and watch out for locusts !

Eph_312 - Thanks for asking. Yep, they loved the cake, esp the details: areolas and nipples, tattoo marks, pinkish "skin" and, on the tray, I collaged my Biafine prescription as well as labels from the various lotions I bought or was given. And did I mention the cake was strawberry ? So speckled red inside. All just about fell over laughing. Camera phones came out as did some sick jokes. And at the end of my final boost - and they do this for everyone - all the techs came in clapping, they gave me a "diploma and had me stomp my body cast (kindof like the breaking of a glass in a jewish wedding ceremony). Definitely more fun than you're supposed to have during radiation !

Chrisct - Although I had downloaded all sorts of instruction for Do It Yourself Boob Cakes, I ultimately chickened out and BOUGHT a cake pan from a "specialty" (use your imagination) shop in Portland Maine. I bought boob cupcake molds too. Each about $13 so well worth it since they shipped really quickly (Although there are less expensive vendors selling the same pan, this lady was soooo nice. She sent it out that day and even added some Boob Chocolate Lollipops as a present from her for finishing rads.) I also figure I'll use them for my surgeon and my med onc so again, seemed a sensible investment ~smile~. If anyone wants the contact information for the store, PM me and the same goes if you 're near NYC or even DC (spent many years there and go back often) and want to borrow my pans.

Anyone else having deep breast pain?  I'm on day 20 of 33, and the rad onco said it's irritation from the chest wall radiation...take ibuprofen.  Sigh.  I'm so sick of taking tylenol and ibuprofen...I think it's contributing to that queasiness I feel off and on now.

So, the breast hurts and often that extends to armpit and down my arm.  Stopped wearing my regular bra because it pressed against that outside swelling...glad I saved my post-surgery cotton "bra" and am using that now.  Have to dress in layers because the natural breast doesn't quite sit the same in that bra now...

I sure am tired of hurting.  Seems like that breast has caused me pain in some way or another, one degree or another, since the late July biopsy.

I have had pain as well.  They look at me like I'm nuts.  They act like this is the first time anyone has been 'uncomfortable' so soon...  I think they have no solution, so it is simpler to must say nothing.  I also am sick of taking tylenol and advil.  I think we will pay for over use of those pills eventually, but what else is there?  They keep telling me it is pain from the surgical site, or that it's from pulling the muscles around my breast.  But, I do yoga.  I am strong and (used to be) flexible.  Reaching over my head doesn't cause me pain--except since I started rads.  I think the rads alter the structure of the breast tissue and nerves.  My medical onc acknowledges that the nerves get irritated by the rads.  I think that's why we get intermittent pain.

Colette37, I also hate the radiation and the fact about burning. Half way through my rads they put another sheet like thing over my chest and they told me "this is to turn you red" and that just bugs me. I actually would rather be doing the 12 infusions of Taxol again believe it or not.

sopris wrote: I am also irritated that the person who is seen directly after me comes in the dressing room with her husband because she is in a wheel chair..that part doesn't bother me that bad..but what is really irritating is that I don't feel well anyway and they are obvious smokers which even makes me feel that much more sick! 

Now THAT's one of the few things that, with a little manouevring, you may be able to control. Try talking to the techs, explain your nausea and then "helpfully" suggest that since the women is in a wheel chair and needs assistance perhaps it would be best all around if they had the extra room that changing in an examination room could afford them . The changing room would remain smokefree for all patients and the couple wouldn't have to cram into a small space. It might work !

blondie45  - I think the "extra" burning stinks (as if radiation isn't enough) and, while I agree with vtmom that positive thinking helps, I really can't blame you for hating the process. However, perhaps you should ask for an explanation as to WHY they want you to burn.; maybe there's something about the location of your cancer or some other logical reason that makes it important. For me, if I could hold onto a truly valid explanation as to why I'm in pain, then it might make it a bit more bearable. And please keep in mind that once radiation is over, things start getting better rapidly, unlike taxol which lingers in your system for a good while. I'm just 2 days out of it and my breast and chest already look and feel far better than last week.

vtmom - Good for you and your positive attitude. I admit, I didn't know one could be both a workaholic and a treehugger !

I had my last treatment today. I am a little red, but otherwise fine. And now I am totally and utterly done with cancer treatment, after 9 months of surgery and chemo and radiation. So to all those who are struggling with treatment I can only say - it WILL end, you WILL be healthy again!

Sakura: HIP HIP HORRAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!