February 2010 radiation starts anyone?

5 down 23 to go.   I really do wish there was some definitive "protocol" for what to use on your skin.  Seems recommendations range from absolutely nothing to slathering up many times a day with all kinds of stuff!   All week I used Miaderm, a cream developed by radiation oncologists which contains calendula and other stuff, and experienced only mild reddening in my scar area.   Last night, on the recommendation of a friend, I tried Emu Oil and this morning...no redness!   I found the Emu Oil at a health food store.  Beware...it is really pricey!

Patty

I have completed 10 out of 33 rads.  I'm starting to feel the heat and it's getting uncomfortable. It is annoying having to go 5 days a week but it must be done.  My issue is that I am having breathing issues and I'm wondering if it is due to the radiation. My Rad Onc. doesn't seem to think so but I'm not so sure. Anyone else having this issue?

Bichonlvr, you might want to check out the Jan Rads thread as there were several that had rads in prone position.

Re: the breathing issues...I was/am a little concerned about this as well.  I had a bout with pneumonia last year with a lingering breathing issue that seems to be asthma and had to use Advair every day for awhile. I now only use it about once a week but I do take Prilosec every day to reduce acid reflux which has helped. But there is a another thread on this site refering to radiation aggravating breathing issues.

I bought some more calendula cream from whole foods tonight and asked about Emu Oil. They didn't have any but she said I was the 4th person to ask and they are going to look into getting some...

Cheers!   

I've noticed I am a little light-headed after treatment, as I am leaving cancer center.  I thought it might be that I am possibly breathing funny since I am in prone position, but I am not sure.  Anyone else notice this?  I probably will mention it to my rad. onc.

I am actually LESS pink this week than I was last week-I'm thinking that last week's tenderness and swelling were a PMS issue because I started my period today and some of the swelling has gone down. I had my 9th treatment(out of 33) today and I am starting to be aware of a little fatigue about an hour after treatment. Fortunately, I have my treatments at the end of my work day, so I can go home and rest.

The radiation techs at my center are the best! They are so kind and make me feel so comfortable.

SoCalDawn - Do you have Jimbo's in your area?   I got the Emu Oil there.   I had to ask for help finding it because it is a small bottle and in a place I didn't expect.

Dharmamama - I haven't had any pain or burning (6TX down, 22 to go).  It doesn't seem quite right that you are experiencing this after just one TX.    Better ask the doc!

Patty

Just finished 12/34

YramAl- The same thing happened to me (PMS thing). The second week was much better than the first. I still have swelling and dr says I will continue to have but the 1st week I think it was magnified.

msmpatty - I have never seen Jimbo's but the techs told me about a distributor to call (Emu Oil) so I will do that.

Jacee - I had the itchy bumps show up today. Tech told me cortizone cream then all other topical ointments...anything to keep the itching at bay so as to not damage the skin.

dharmamomma- I have noticed my lung capacity is a bit diminished by comparison but I agree that it seems awfully soon and definitely worth asking about.

I am definitely tired today. I had a middle-of-the-night acid reflux adventure. So I think that may be why my butt is draggin' today but I can feel the energy level has been zapped a bit. I am feeling the underside of my breast may be starting to get a little angry. I have to be very dillegent about the skin to skin contact issue. I met with a different rad onc yesterday and he said I am a prime candidate for severe skin reactions and if they need to do the boosts in the middle of the 34 treatments instead of the end, they may do so in order to give the skin a break. Air flow is also really important. It's a bit of a challenge to keep the breast "still" and air it out but I do know this is temporary.

Cheers ladies! 

I have been using a Glaxol base cream three times a day as part of a trial..So far (10/25) not problems...my skin is only slightly pink.  I know you can get it at pharmacies here in Canada..

msmpatty: Thanks for your generous offer. There's a WholeFoods nearby. They might have it. I'm not at the stage where I need it yet (which reminds me to put on the Aloe Vera goo) but when I do and if I can't find it locally, I'll contact you.

Just had a brainwave. I thought emu oil sounded familiar, looked in the medicine cabinet and there was a jar of it. About five years ago, I had some knee pain  and got this at a local independently owned pharmacist at the suggestion of the saleperson. It really worked well at the time. But it's been there a long time. It smells OK though. This jar is labelled "New Emu—Mellow Melon Scent." Ingredients include aloe vera, MSM, emu oil, willow bark extract, arnica extract. Does this sound like a similar product to yours or is yours pure emu oil?

MaryNY - I'm not using yet, but had read months ago a suggestion to put the aloe vera in the fridge - sounded like a good idea.   I had a spray bottle in the pool shed and put in the fridge right away, so far - it's just been good for 'conversation' - BUT if I need it, it'll be COOL!

my rad onc also recommend corn starch 3 times a day - as far as the 'fold' - I've got this softball in my chest that doesn't budge, so no fold for me - first time since I was about 12!

Also using Vanicream at night - just a moisturizer for sensitive skin - only 5 down out of 28 so don't know yet...I anticipate the itchy bumps because I get them from too much sun, but apparenlty, there's no correlation between response to sun and radiation?

Di Di

Lieberman1-

I have had 10 treatments so far and I am not feeling tired yet-however-I am not 68 years old(I'm 50). Did your mom have chemo? Maybe she is still tired from that. She should definitely mention this to her doctor. I can see why her back would be hurting....if her treatment is anything like mine, she has to put her arms up over her head and hold them that way for a few minutes each time. My shoulders and neck are starting to hurt a little now. 

Best of luck for your mom.

Mary

I am 14 down out of 34

msmpatty...you are sooo sweet to offer to pick Emu Oil up and send. I did already call someone locally who is a distributor so I think I have it covered. If it doesn't pan out, I will place my order with you!

maryny...be careful with the Emu product that you have. If there is a fragrance in it, it might be irritating (from what I understand)

yramal...too funny!  

As for being a candidate for skin reactions...I am light skin that is generally sensitive anyway but I am probably more at risk due to the size of the breast/density if I understood the explanation correctly. More skin/dense tissue apparently = stronger dose and more skin to potentially react. The itchy bumps in the middle of the chest showed up yesterday. The tech says those are generally where I would have had previous sun damage. I am using OTC cortizone but was given a RX for something stronger if I need it. I am still doing the aloe/calendula 3-4 x day (from day 1) and he says that is fine and if anything becomes less bearable he would prescribe. They also said if it gets too tender, they could do the boosts in the middle instead of the end to give the skin a chance to heal. The ibuprofen is keeping the swelling discomfort to a minimum. I am placing soft fabric under the breast and/or cornstarch to keep it dry and protect from skin to skin contact. Airing out also is said to be very important. I am a little more tired the last couple of days and they said getting 30 mins of walking or similar exercise is very important. Dragging my butt out soon to do so today. And still doing my 200 mg of B6 also.

btw...anyone else on a TOMO machine? The sound, to me, resembles the ticket muncher at Chuck E. Cheese ar a horse drawn carriage screamin' past. LOL

Oh and DiDit...make sure the aloe you have in the fridge doesn't have any lidocaine or similar in it...just pure or at least 98 or 99% aloe. The lidocaine will be drying. I have refrigerated my aloe too.

YramAL: Ah, see it now...another Mary... in the mirror. Are you in Los Angeles or Louisiana? I just thought she meant me as I mentioned emu oil in the post above yours.

I just looked at your previous posts and see how lucky you were to have the Oncotype test to guide your treatment.