August 2010 Rads

Hi, everyone - I'm new to this group - was in the February chemo group and now moving on to rads.  Had second treatment today - two down and thirty one more to go!  The hardest part for me is going to be the drive, but other than that, so far so good.  Is anyone else in this group on herceptin through rads?  Mo

Lady Madonna and SGJ, I totally know what you mean about fretting more over the radiation than the chemo.  I think I had convinced myself that the chemo was taking medicine that had nasty side effects, but overall it is "good" for me.  The radiation seems more destructive and counterintuative, especially doing it day after day.  Seems kind of like touching a hotplate or putting your hand in the fire over and over.

I have to say, however, that things are going well so far.  I had #5 today (will have 25 regulars and then 8 boosts to just the tumor site) and am only slightly uncomfortable/tender (mostly on my nipple and excisions).  No visible effects so far, and I was finally able to breath normally today instead of being on the verge of hyperventilating.

My surgeon suggested ibuprofen three times a day during radiation.  He has observed fewer radiation side effects in women who do that, and he has even seen women in their 5th or 6th week of radiation that barely have any skin changes.  I'm taking the ibuprofen, using aloe vera a couple times a day over the entire area, and using Aquaphore on my nipple and incisions at bedtime (may increase that as needed).  That Miaderm sounds like good stuff, though.  Is the only place to get it via internet?

Mo - I am also doing Herceptin every three weeks, through the radiation treatment and beyond.  I think most of us HER2+ folks are. 

Hang in there, everyone!!  (BTW, I am more thirsty too, but less hungry.  Could be a good combo weight-wise.)

Drim:

Wowsa - Hair and a trip to Puerto Rico!  (I'm a bit jealous.)  Have a wonderful time and enjoy every minute!

- Jana

Hi Ladies of August,

I'm going for the simulation on Aug 17th and the Oncologist said I'd probably start rads a couple of days later. Soooo, it seems this is a good site for me as a lot of you ladies will have had a good start on your tx by the time I start. Maybe I can learn from you.

I had a lumpectomy Dec 17th, started Chemo on Feb 3rd (4 infusions of AC followed by 12 weeks of Taxol). I'm very happy to be finished with that. My last Chemo was last Tuesday and I'm still pretty tired. But happy to be moving on.

Jana: I haven't heard about taking ibuprofen. I guess your talking about taking just one tablet, right?

Drim: can't imagine keeping your hair, so glad that worked for you, I've been bald since Feb.

Hope everyone heals well and it isn't as difficult as we anticipate. Things usually aren't.

Hi Julieeee (wow, that's a lot of eee's, can I call you Jules?) 

Wow, we're so lucky to have a rads tech in our group!!  Hoo-boy are you going to get questions out the wahzoo!!  Thanks for the tips, I'm not exactly small chested and I'm already having some discomfort after only four treatments.  I have 28 regular and 8 boosts; they're using "field within a field" on me.  I was really freaked out about having a daily x-ray too until I was told the x-ray was only a teeny tiny fraction of the radiation I'm getting from the daily treatment.  Great, I'm gonna be glowing!  I guess this is just standard operating prodecure! 

I agree with Lady M, it's good to have a radiation therapist who's also a cancer patient (though sorry about that)   in the group. You will surely understand us well enough. And certainly be better able to empathize with your patients.

Welcome! and thx for the information on the folds of the skin and keeping everything dry and friction free. I was in the health science's too (Respiratory Therapist) so I really enjoy hearing the reason behind the tech-y stuff!

Silvadene... I've heard it's a great Rx, but I haven't been offerered anything, just told to use Aquaphor and aloe.  Maybe they hope we won't end up needing it?  Still, I wish they would give up the Rx up front, like they do with chemo.

It is great to have a radiation therapist here, but do wish it was for other reasons then being a patient yourself.  OH the folds! I have such a bad 'heat' rash under my breasts and left arm. It's even starting down my lower part of my chest right above my navel. I had some yesterday...but today it really went to town on my skin. So glad the weekend is a none rad time so I can air out a bit. This was my day 5. 

Hi gals:  I'm new to this thread having been on 'Anyone Starting Chemo in Jan. 2010' then 'July Mastectomy' brings me here to radiation next.  I'm 70, was diagnosed 12/09, had 4 AC & 4Taxotere, then LMX (7/10) with node dissection (6+ of 12) now I'm starting rads mid August.  Had my initial consult, have my positioning next week and will start 33 rads shortly after that.  I too am having trepidations about radiation, had them with chemo big time but found a comfort level along the way. 

My rad onc recommended Soothe & Cool Free, with aloe, Vit. A E & D.  Haven't yet heard of the Niaderm but I'm interested in knowing about it.  The rad nurse said that the burn is the biggest part of the radiation, followed by fatigue.  Not as bad as chemo fatigue tho'.  I'm mostly concerned about the scar on my chest and the radiation, it's been only a month since my surgery and will be about 6-7 weeks when I start.  I hate sunburn pain.  Was told not to use deodorant on the affected side.  Don't need to worry about shaving just yet as I don't have hair yet since February!

I'm glad to know about the ibuprofen and was told to drink lots and lots of water like in chemo.  I was given a tip by a friend who said to apply the cream immediately after your treatment before you re-dress.  She had no burn.

Was warned about swelling and tightening of the chest tissues too.  Anyone hear that one?

I truly could not have gotten this far without this website and these threads from all you gals that hold each other up and care and share so much...........'we're in it to win it'.

Julieeee:  curious about just how bad the burn can get and how painful it is.  I'm concerned about how the scar will hold up under conditions like that.  I hate sunburns! What is the benefit of the Miaderm and where does one get it?

I got all thru chemo with just Advil and if you take it with food it should not upset your stomach.  For surgery tho' I needed percoset!

Thanks

Hi Bubbalu!  The skin reactions I've seen range from barely able to see any skin changes to skin that has "opened up" in places, especially in the armpit area. It's such a sensitive place because we spend the majority of our day with our arms down, so the skin there is trapped. We tell our patients to try to keep that area open to the air as much as possible and not to wear any tight clothing or anything that rubs. I haven't seen any scars that have gotten irritated! The majority of reactions happen under the arm & under the breast. The skin-on-skin areas, anywhere where heat & sweat get trapped, can make skin reactions worse. Some people also can get small, red itchy bumps on their chest. These are completely normal & will heal. There's a name for it, but I'm not sure of the spelling! Hydrocortisone works well for that.

I had not actually heard of Miaderm until I joined this site. It's found on miaderm.com. It sounds great, but I haven't read anyone's experience with it. It's kind of expensive though  

Hi all,

Coming in a little late.  Had my sim scheduled for August 10, rad starting August 17 -  BUT still weighing in on finishing Taxol after taking a break from AC.  ahem, the break was a Dx with expander on June 23.  Loving to hear your experiences.

Hugs,

Sheila 

Hi all!

I am new to this group as well and I am glad I found this!  I started rads on Thursday 8/5. I am scheduled for 35 treatments (have no idea what you all are talking about with "boosts"). Mine are at 7am YIKES! I was told to put nothing but 3x daily aloe lotion on my right breast. My husband is enjoying that part of his "nurse" status! LOL  I finished chemo on June 30 (4 x TC) and am bald as an eagle on my scalp but today have stubble on my legs. WOO HOO! 

I appreciate all your questions and comments.  It's so nice to have someone to "talk" with who is going through the same thing. Also I feel right at home here as there seems to be a lot of people on here from Ohio. We still own a condo in Lima, Ohio and I lived near Mason, Ohio for 15 years and went to Miami of Ohio to college!  Big Hugs to all you buckeyes and to the rest of you Pink Warriors as well!

arubajan05:  My understanding of 'boosts' is that at the end of the weekly treatment plan, they give you a few treatments to the area where the tumor was that are focused and narrowed to that area specifically.  I am getting 30 treatments and 3 boosts.  Maybe someone else knows more about this?

Hi, everyone, I will be on treatment 8 of 33 tomorrow (Monday, Aug 9).   I live in Circleville, Ohio for you Ohioans (recently moved here from my beloved Dallas, Texas).    I had a slight redness on treatment 3 that the rad tech noticed, so the rad onco had me purchase Miaderm (they gave me a sample until my tube showed up).   I've used it starting evening of treatment 3 and so far nothing new.    Expecting some changes this week as I move toward the middle of treatments which is when I hear the changes start to show up.   Who knows, we are all so different!    Have a good evening everyone and I look forward to reading more of your posts!