May 2010 Rads Group

Hello everyone. I start my radiation treatment on Monday. It's been five weeks since I've finished chemo and two weeks since the simulation. That seems like a long time but that's what it is. I will go to radiation every day, and the doc told me for how long, but of course, I forget. Chemo Brain. I need to write this stuff down.

I will be getting boosts to the axillary area as well as superclavicular area. It was between that and lymph node dissection, and I just couldn't face another surgery.

My best wishes go out to all of those on this board and everyone else being treated for BC. Sometimes it seems unreal, doesn't it?

I was told natural aloe from the plant was better than anything else.  Yesterday, I went to a friend's house to get some leaves off her plant.  The more mature leaves are the best.  Anyway, her plant looks like Seymour from Little Shop of Horrors, surrounded by jades and a pencil cactus.  I brought home 3 leaves, each a foot or so long. 

I was given a list of recommended items to use, none within 2 hours before rads, including things like xclair and udderly smooth.  My puppy wanted to lick the udderly smooth when I used it on hands and feet during chemo.  No underwire bras, tho a sports bra is ok, my nurse said, and exposure to air around the house recommended.  

I was thinking of adding to my tattoo marks, too, once this is done.  My DH would freak, but the idea intrigues me; a symbol of empowerment or freedom?

I am gung ho to be done with this and get out of town.  I have a dog show in July in the works, and the rad onc said I should be fine for that, tho maybe more tired than usual.

Oh boy...add me too, although I don't know my start date. I don't even know what simulations and boosts are  I meet me rads onc on May 5 and will be starting soon after. Did 4DD X AC and 9/12 Taxols (neuropathy killed me). That ended March 24. Had BMX on April 6, so I'm off to rads. I do know I'll have 33 treatments.

Good luck everyone!

Hi everyone......I have a final planning appt. on Monday and start rads on Tuesday.  I am a little nervous but after the 4 AC DD, 1 Taxol DD, and 2 Taxotere, I am happy to be done with chemo., Had nueropathy after the first dose of Taxol, onc switched me to Taxotere and then I had to skip my last dose of Taxotere due to continued neuropathy. I hope it goes away or at least gets better!  I took my first dose of Tamoxifen this evening, not sure what to expect from that yet.  Since everyone seems to respond to everything differently, I guess I'll just have to wait and see what develops.

Good news is - I got to see my granddaughters today, one 7, the other 2.......and I have "some" hair growing on me head......always looking for a silver lining somewhere!

Alcie So sorry to hear your experience was bad, and that your rib and stomach were in the field. 

I have no issue with the tattoos.  Mine are truly like freckles.  My DH would be hard-pressed to find them; certainly wouldn't see them without his reading glasses.  I feel what I am facing is nothing compared to the horrors of the camps.  I realize you recognize not everyone feels the way you do.

Since I am TN and will have no further drugs to assist the fight, I want to combat any stray cells with the therapies available to me.  The NY Times article about radiation mistakes freaked me out, and I think everyone should ask questions of their medical team and make informed decisions.

n50karen, it's my understanding that one shouldn't use anything at least 4hrs before radiation, but it's ok, protective, and healing to use "after" rads and at night etc. My treatment is mid day so I don't use anything mornings, incl. no deodorant...when it gets hotter weather I might use the corn starch under breasts etc.  After treatment in dressing room I use a cream they gave me.  It seems everyone is diff and diff things work best for people.  I got an RX for "Biafine" which is supposed to be one of the best for radiation skin. Again, we all react differently and it seems the docs suggest various creams. The big no no I was told...is nothing with alcolhol or fragrance. and whatever you use...use absolutely nothing prior to the treatment.  Just be sure to check w/your doctor before using anything we suggest/post.

Seems everybody is different in what the RO said they can do. 

I was told not to use deodorant or to shave under the treated arm.  I could use a special deodorant that is sold at a local specialty store or I could use cornstarch.  I was also told if I was one that was just grossed out about not shaving then to use an electric razor.  It also said not to apply cornstarch just before treatment.

I didn't get any creams yet either.  I was told if they saw I needed them then they would be prescribed.  I will have a daily skin check, Dr. check on Mondays, and weekly blood work.  Oh and I have to have a pregnancy test before the first radiation.  lol  I was in menopause before all of this. 

I have been thinking that instead of having a nipple 'made' I would do tattoos!  I have a year to pick out what I want.  Never would I have dreamed of getting a tatoo!  I'm off to google Chinese symbol of strength!  My dh loves this idea.

Had my first rad this morning, and it was pretty uneventful.  The techs got me all set up, showed me the ropes for the dressing room and such, and had me meet with the social worker briefly afterwards.  I did get marked up with Sharpie, all around the field, and that came off on my clothes.  I had some cream with me and put it on after and will slather more on twice more this evening.  Once a week, I'll be seeing either my rad onc or his PA.  The nurses are always available.

I won't have to worry about shaving under the treated arm, since hair is gone, but be careful if you do not to nick yourself.  Thanks, Cher, for the info about rad stats.

Thank you for that reminder Nancy...to trust our self and quit reading so much info.  I think I have cried everyday many times a day for the last 2 weeks.  All because I read the statistics of stage 3 breast cancer.  I trust the Dr. got it all, that the chemo worked and the rads will kill anything else.  I just need to start trusting what I feel and take one day at a time and not worry if I will be here in 5 years.

It has been a tuff journey and I look forward to celebrating with my daughter at the beach sometime in July.  Now keep your fingers crossed that I get some improvement in my neuropathy so I can walk on that beach with her.

yesterday was my stimulation, friday is my trail run and I start 25 rads Monday.  I'm very excited that I will be done on 6/14 and hope everything goes well.  I'm not looking forward to fatigue or skin problems!

I've ordered Miaderm and Emu Oil and was told by a friend to use the Miaderm 4 times a day and the emu oil at night, hopefully it will work for me. 

How long does the actually radiation take?  I noticed my sheet said 10 mins, do they actually zap for you that long?

Well, this is my last week of the full breast rads, next week is the boost week....I am going to be measured on Thursday this week for the new angle and on a different machine, for the boosts. Then I am done, 5 weeks of whole breast, and one week of only at the sight of tumor. I am so glad this is almost done...I have a slightly red chest area, and skin is feeling kind of stiff and sore, but all in all it was nothing compared to the sunburn I've had in the past.  It is always redder at work in the pm, but when I rise in the am, feels and looks better.  I know several women who had breast cancer up to 22 years ago, had surgery and radiation, and doing well....hopefully the beast never returns.  I wish everyone as easy a time as I have had, you just have to keep a positive mind, and not worry,, as worry has never changed any outcome, so don't waste time or energy worrying.  Go on with life, as though this was a pothole in the road, and not look back, just take care of yourselves, and be happy.  Susan