December 2010 Rads

adding to my favorites

Hi there---I finished chemo last week and will have my CT simulation for rads in a couple of weeks so I will join up here although I may be a crossover into Jan I will be having 25 rads plus 5 boosters. I am worried about my skin as I am very fair (British background) and have always had to wear SPF 60 in the sun to avoid burns. I have read up on the November rads board about creams--so far my Rad Onc just recommended Glaxal Base and that is it. I am also curious about energy levels etc during rads---I am hoping to get energy back after the last few months of chemo. One step at a time (p.s Thanks for starting the group).

I will be starting rads next week. I had my ct scan two days ago. I was so glad they didn't want to tatoo me. I would have refused. I have enough marks on my breasts. They used paint pens to mark the spots and covered them with clear stickers. I will have 28 treatments. I have TE which are fully expanded. I am very worried about how radiation will affect them. I really don't want to mess up my recosntruction.

I am also very nervous about skin issues. I am scared about being burnt badly by radiation. I would like to here what everyone is doing as far as skin care. What is being recommened by your RO? I am sorry we have to do through this. Let's pray it will go by quickly for us.

Sherry C: Thank you for just starting this thread. I was looking for one last night and was thinking tonight I would start one. So this is great.

This is my 2nd time going through rads. My experience with my breast was alright. I did burn lightly and towards the end was very sensitive to everything. I did mine in the summer so it really felt everything. I became very tired and had to rest a lot. It was very draining and gets old going every day. I used Jean's cream. It did a nice job for me. http://www.jeanscream.com/brochure.pdf You put it on 2 hours before treatment and after. I really liked it. I tried the other one that have been mentioned and found they did not work as well. I hope this all helps.

I have a recurrence and now am dealing with bone mets. I started my first rad today. They will be radiating my hips, femurs and my spine. Dr told me that I will experience nasuea, vomiting and diarrhea cause of the location of my bowels. So I am not looking forward to that. Dr. mention this time it will not burn me as bad. I am looking at starting chemo next week.

Looking forward to getting to know you and wish you the best!

Hey Michelekb, I have TEs and went through 25 rads treatments -- finished early October -- and really didn't have any issues.  I was really nervous about the whole thing too because even though there is A LOT if breast cancer in my area, neither my PS nor my Rads Onc had ever treated a woman with the TEs-then-rads combo.  I was so worried that I had my Breast Health Coordinator (social worker) call the head of Rads Onc in another area and discuss my situation with him, plus I got a 3rd opinion outside of my network.  Both of those doctors said they would not treat me any differently than if didn't have TEs.  Being fully expanded was the key because you don't want to try to stretch the tissue after rads.

I used Emu Oil 2-3x per day (brought it with me to treatments and applied it in the dressing room too) and even though I am lily white I only ended up with what I would call a mild "sunburn" -- mostly under my arm where I don't really have any feeling any more.  I got the Emu Oil through Amazon and I would highly recommend it.  It was about $25 for a 4 oz. bottle and that lasted my full treatment.  BTW, after I applied the oil to my chest I would run my oily hands over my bald head and now I have really thick hair about 2 inches long (finished chemo in July).  I really think the oil helped with the hair growth too.

Also very important to stay hydrated.  Drink tons of water.

Anyway, all you lovely ladies, you are not alone.  Rely on each other for support and feel free to PM me too if I can be of help.  

Jen

Hey everyone!  Like SherryC I was supposed to start Rads in Nov.  But I couldnt lift my arm past 30 degrees because I had a frozen shoulder after my Bilat-Mast/rest of nodes out (already had axillary nodes out in May) with TE.  I had neo-adj chemo from May to Sept 5th and was on Tamoxifen for 3 wks, but was taken off due to my body not tolerating it at all.  Its been kind of scary knowing that the cancer could still be growing in me during my wait.  I went in today for my Mapping/tattoo/bolus making today.  They said that I was a challenging case.  My arm was still very low which made it difficult.  Plus, I have TE in and they need to miss my heart, and get my nodes under my arm and above my breast (i forget what that area is called).  The Rad onc said that I will be getting 28 treatments.  He wants to start me ASAP but need the advise of some other experts to finish the planning.  So for now I am starting on the 15th.  He said that he will try really hard to get i done quickly and get me in sooner.  By the way, how many tatoos or marks did everyone get?  After today I have 10.  And yes they are tattoos and they did hurt.  Hopefully they dont have to give me more when they have the final plan.   At least they were all very nice and willing to do anything to help with the pain.  The mapping alone took 1 hour and a half.  Staying still was soo hard and painful.  I should have taken pain meds and anxiety meds first.  I already had muscle relaxers in me and the Dr prescribed me vicoden for the future.   Good luck everyone!

Hi- id love to join this forum. I just finished chemo, Will be having a stimulation in a few weeks. Then 1st rad is jan 4th. Im nervous. We are doing rads because of my age (36) and also the tumour was about a cm from chest wall, and also just in case of any lost cells.

I am hoping my skin doesnt go bad (or if i can get lots of advice to keep it in good shape) as im having DIEP in Sep (if my skin is ok).

SO im getting some EMU oil today Is anyone putting any stuff on right now. Ive had a masectomy already so, any advice? Yes lots of water to stay hydrated...........

Im so nervous!!

tammyg - I ended up with 3 tattoos. One on each of my sides and in the middle of my breast line just below the bra line.  These were used to line me up with fixed lasers on the wall and ceiling.  They did additional marks with a sharpie each day and I look like a coloring book.  Those are almost gone since I am doing boosts now.  My lump scar is on the bottom side of my breast and I now have a "bulls eye"  Will finish rads tomorrow.

Nancy91355 - Here is a kitty for you.

Yikes! I'm with you Sherryc - This thread has really gotten busy! So glad to see so many of my November sisters here too!

Today I got for number 4! I got 3 tatoos too. Didn't hurt at all. I can't even find them they are so tiny. I don't feel any skin issues so far, just hoping if I keep using my cream it will stay ok.

Hugs to all! Love the ktty pix Jo!

I have an appointment on Monday at 12:20pm to have my first radiation treatment. I have a pit in my stomach ever since they called this morning. It is nice to hear from others with TE that had no problems with radiation.

I have heard good things about Miaderm and emu oil for radiation skin. I ordered some Miaderm and am getting some emu oil. I don't know which one I should use or can I use both. My RO is no help. I am going to use something on my skin. I am not just going to wait for a problem to develop.

 lexyloohoo,

I am also on herceptin every three weeks. you can continue while getting radiation. My PS said he will wait at least six months after radiation before exchanging TE for implants.

LADIES - I'M FLYING OFF TO #29. ONE MORE LEFT

Despite the expense, I can vouch for Emu Oil's effectiveness.  My son (blonde, blue-eyed) was very badly sunburned on his entire back a few years ago, resulting in huge blisters and so much pain that he missed a week of school - could not wear a shirt and laid around on his tummy for several days.  The blisters would fill to the point of bursting on their own.  I feared skin cancer right away.  I heard about Emu Oil on a radio commercial so I went and got some.  I had to dilute it and spray it on because he couldn't even stand to have me touch him.  Once the blisters subsided, he healed up just fine without any scars, just eleventy billion freckles.  I have a friend who suffers from severe dry skin and excema, and she uses it in addition to her prescription creams.  I think it's worth the money in severe situations.  My RadOnc told me it was okay if I want to use it, just to be sure there is nothing on my skin before each rad session.  She also gave me an rx for something but I haven't filled it yet and can't remember what it's for.

 Hey ladies hope everyone has minimal side effects . I had Boost # 3 today, I will be finished on Wed. next week . Please keep your skin hydrated with what ever your RO recommends . I was pink after my first treatment and did not have bad side effects until last week . I started the aquaphor late in the first week, applied it only at night because it is so greasy.  Durning the day I used fresh aloe, ( I buy it at the vegetable store, I saw it at stop& shop last night in the veggie section). About three weeks in I needed hydrocortisone for the itch , On Tuesday I had the RO write a rx for silvadene cream . Whatever you do don't apply anything four hours before . I cant wear a bra at all now with out a telfa pad under my boobie.

Jo1955 -this ones for you. Thanks for the sparkle it helped.