May 2010 Rads Group

Hi guys - I just got my first treatment today. A little nerve wracking!! They ran almost 2 hours late...ugh!!

Kittydog...totally impressed with the weight loss. Use it as motivation to take you to a healthier life!! I just finished chemo too (and a 2nd re-excision for clean mastectomy margins), but I don't have to have bloodwork. Maybe I will ask my onc about it!!

I am so confused with all I read...cotton bra/no bra/sports bra...Aquaphor/Jeans Cream/Aloe...holy mackerel!! Maybe I read too much!!

Tomorrow my appointment is at 6am. Keep posting your experiences ladies, it really helps us all to share!!

Hugs and healing white light to us all!

Geewhiz:  I was surprised by how few instructions my cancer centre gave me.  They recommended Glaxo base cream or non-perfurmed lubriderm only. "Apply 2-3x day at beginning; later maybe as many as 6x a day. Don't apply just before a treatment - allow a couple of hours or wash off." That was it!  No aloe. No other creams or gels. Nothing about wearing or not wearing a bra. Nothing about deoderant, although I do use Tom's. I suppose if/when my skin starts acting up, they may have other instructions for me, but for now, for me, the simpler the better. So my advice is don't stress by all that you're reading (some of it conflicting) or waste money on stuff you may not need; just ask your rad doc or nurse what they recommend. 

I just finished #6 of 36.  I have a bolus every three days and will have boosts at the end of my regular treatments.  I don't remember how many boosts, but I think it's during the final two weeks.  I had a bi-lateral mastectomy without reconstruction.  I also had no positive nodes, but did have three tumors in the RT breast (one with a close margin 2mm).  Because I'm only 49 they recommended radiation to prevent a local recurrence.  I was told to put nothing on my skin prior to rads.  My treatments are early in the morning, so I shower in the am and then get rads.  I apply Udderly Smooth in the dressing room over the entire area as well as Toms deodorant immediately following treatment.  I have begun to experience mild redness in the treated area and pain in my ribs on that side.  It's nothing that Ibuprofen can't handle so far.  I wish everyone the best possible outcome from treatment.  It's nice having this forum to share our experiences. 

Going to say goodbye Last zap is tomorrow!

I had my third treatment today and everything seems to be going smoothly. They use a bolus every other day. My corn starch/deodorant is working better than I would have thought since it's 92 today in Houston. But of course I'm not out in the heat much. MDA said not to put anything on my chest so I haven't. Guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

cher

9 down 25 more to go.  So far now pinkness but I had some major burning last night.

dw54rn...I didn't think rads caused those problems.  At least I was not told it was a side effect.  I was told fatigue and sunburn like effect where the normal side effects.

Hello dw54rn,

Welcome to our group.  I agree with retrievermom. The best place to get info is on the lymphedema threads and also on line from  lymphnet.org  which is the National Lymphodema Network.

I've done a lot of reading about LE and I have read what you mentioned.  However, as with all this cancer treatment, we don't get ALL the side effects from a particular regimen.  It's been a very hard journey trying to get rid of cancer. I've had lots of fears and phobias about every step of the treatment.   But , amazingly, I'm doing fantastic after chemo, surgery, and now radiation.  By nature, I fear all things chemical and unnatural.   Not such a good thing when you are trying to kill cancer cells.  I have had to realize that if I want to get better, I have to research, understand, get second opinions and then make an informed decision.  And then, once I've made the informed decision, don't second guess myself and believe that I have done the best that I can do for myself.   I had a HUGE fear of lymphodema after my lumpectomy  and axillary dissection. I honestly became quite obsessed with examining my arm several times per day.  I also went to the best physical therapist in our city. So far, NO swelling or issues with my arm. Don't let your fear of radiation keep you from doing it.   I've had 19 out of 35 treatments and aside from the mild fatigue at the end of the day, and a slight pinkish color, I'm doing great.  Even a big ol' Worry-Wart like me can do it !!!

Feel free to lean on all of us on the web site for support, info, laughs and conversation.

Take care,

Georgia in Alabama

I had a mastectomy in December with 11 out of 16 nodes and have had some minor lymphedema. I had my ct simulation on the 27th. I have a very severe neck problem which was supposed to get surgery, but then the cancer came along and that got postponed. I found the simulation very hard on the neck and back and still hurt. The chin strap seemed to pull the neck up in a way that hurt and the position was also difficult. I am deeply concerned about my ability to do radiation. Do you have to have the chin strap? Has anyone been accomodated or have any suggestions who had neck or back problems?

dw54rn - My onc said that because I have to have my upper chest (clavicle area) radiated, it does increase my risk of lymphedema.  However, being that I had a positive node at level 3, I want to do all that I can to make sure there is nothing left there.  I figure I can live with lymphedema, though I certainly hope I don't have a problem with it, but I can't live with leftover cancer cells.  I'm over half way through and so far have had no problems other than the itchy, sensitive burned skin and fatigue.  Oddly enough, I seem to have more sensation under my arm that I have since surgery.

Blarney1828 - The CT Sim was really rough on my shoulder.  I've had lots of problems with it over the years, and they all seem to have gotten worse with my mx.  You don't have to lie on the table nearly as long for daily rads, so they haven't been a strain at all.  Mondays can be a little trying, as they take xrays, so it takes longer (on the table for maybe 20 minutes?), but still nothing compared to the ct sim.  I don't have a cast or chin strap, though, so that could be different.

yes I was told I may not want to swim.  Especially if it was a cholrinated pool.  He said that it can make your skin burn more but here again not everybody falls into that catagore.  He encouraged me to at least give it a try...we do live in the South.

thanks Kittydog and joyner!

I had prep work done today for my boosts, which will begin next Tues.  Got new Sharpie lines drawn on, plus stickers that are not to be removed.  I'm burning, have some shooting pains, and am generally down in the dumps.  Going to the airport (45 min drive) at midnight to pick up DS, who will be here for the summer.  Good thing my DH is prepared to do the driving.

retrievermom:  This journey is really full of ups and downs, isn't it? Hope the arrival of your son lifts your spirits a bit. I've gained one for the summer (from school), and am losing another to camp. They do keep my mind off things.

joyner1963: Glad to hear you're tolerating things so well. I just finished Tx 8 of 31, and my skin is pinkish and warm. I keep putting the cream on, but I'm worred what I'll be like by the end! I am now officially 25% there!        

To all of you...hang in there. We're all different but all this is temporary. I'm in midst of my boosts with only 4 to go.  In my case boosts had to go through 3 directions and not just the one area. Although red and tender at times etc...As a person with seriously sensitive skin...I've made it this far without skin problems/burns..but...just now developed a  couple of small burns "under" the stickers. I'm thinking its because I couldn't apply my Biafine cream there. It hasn't been protected. So they removed the stickers so I can put meds on it (applied carefully so as not to moosh up/erase the marks)...and they just redraw every day. Enough of the mark doesn't get erased so they said they could do that. I'm just careful to not run water over it in the shower...only 4 more to go so can do it.  When I used to read these posts about burns I sorta freaked inside as nothing seemed worse...but it really isn't bad at all and if I'd caught it sooner it would be barely there.    Remember...this is temporary and before you know it, it'll be over.

Hi all-

Mom3band1g, no rib discomfort here, but I sure hope it passes for you soon.  I hope you are feeling better after you came down with flu/fever.  How are the kids doing with rads/waiting?

itiz-that is so true...this is temporary.  I keep telling myself that.

I have 12 treatments down, and SE are pretty much non existent...although I am getting "tan". I am impressed with the precise lines I can see on my chest.  Makes me feel like they know what they are doing!

Hang in there retrievermom-Is that puppy in your pic still a puppy?  I have an eight year old lab, Moby.  I also lived in Salt Lake City for 5 years in the 80s.  

More later...take care.

Kim