January 2011 Rads

Welcome girls - sounds like we'll be starting at the same time.  I used Vitamin E cream and aloe vera gel last time and didn't get badly burnt. Make sure you don't apply any creams for at least 4 hours before your treatment.

I did have skin breakdown under the boob in the crease last time - unavoidable if you have big floppy boobs - but that didn't happen until the final week and did heal up really quickly. I hope it doesn't happen this time.

Also get some soft bras to wear. Luckily I have all of this stuff already.

Sue

Yes, I have. They talked about doing that last time but ended up not doing it - I reckon because it was too much trouble for them. I would have preferred it that way. This time the tumour was on the lower side of the breast, so it will be interesting to see what they do. I think even in the prone position I would still have had the skin trouble. This time I'm going to keep a pad in my bra in the crease to keep the area dry.

Sue

Welcome oakley. I figured you were all out there just waiting for someone to start the January thread, so I decided to jump in and do it.

Yes, I used Crystal and didn't shave - you won't need to shave the armpit of the side being zapped - I still have no hair growth on that side. I have enough left over for this time. I also used some special soap the whole time - QV bar. I just looked for it and found I have a 2 pack. I really only need a new aloe vera gel and I'm set.

What I did last time:

As soon as I got home I applied Aloe Vera gel - kept in the fridge.

Then an hour or so later, I applied Vitamin E cream - Faulding Essentials brand

Then reapplied the Vit E cream and Aloe vera gel at various times during the day. Yes I mostly hung out at home with no bra on.

The most important thing is to not use any creams with oil in them. My nipple did go black and got a bit sore - I used pawpaw cream on it and that was great - still have that left over.

It's going to be hard for me to go through this again so soon, but maybe I can at least help you all in the process.

Sue

Rads after chemo is really easy. My rad onc said the chemo patients do cope a lot better. This time, not having chemo again, I'll experience it from the other side.

Garbage on the no cream thing. I was given a sheet with the creams (and the brands) they recommended. Just the VitE and Aloe Vera gel were fine.

The skin breakdown wasn't avoidable owing to the large floppy boobs - it also happens with men in the groin area when they have rads for prostate cancer. It happens where there are folds of skin. Maybe this time, if I keep the area dry using a sanitary pad it will be better. It wasn't until really late in the process and I made them dress it for me every day. Once the rads were finished I used Medi Honey on it and it healed up in a matter of a few days.

One other important thing - don't use any paper tape or any kind of tape in the rad area. They didn't tell me that and I had taped a panty liner under the boob - ouch - lots of skin came off with it when I removed it.

Sue

Hi Tonia - welcome - I'm with you on the hot flushes. Pity you have to drive so far. I only have a 10 minute drive each way. One of my chemo buddies last year had 1 1/2 hours each way!!!

You can use stuff called Crystal Stick deodorant - you wet it and then rub in your armpit - it has no aluminium in it. And as I said, you won't need to shave, the radiation seems to stop the hair growing. So just shave before you start and you'll be hair free for ages. Mine still hasn't grown back under the other arm.

Once you all start, you will be amazed at how quick it is and it doesn't hurt at all. It was just the going every single day that got me down but I did have a few public holidays thrown in.

Don't be frightened - it's quite easy. I do remember crying when I started, not out of fear but overwhelmed with having surgery, chemo and then having to start another treatment process. I was ok after that though. I can't wait to see the radiographers again - one was really nice and kept pushing me to read the Girl with the Draogn Tattoo and the other 2 books. I did buy them and loved them, so then I was recommending books he could read. They were SO nice - it does help you when they are nice to you.

Sue

Omaz: Yes I did - just finished 2 weeks ago and I had my port out last week. This new undiagnosed cancer was not HER2 and I had clear nodes, so no chemo this time.

I must say the herceptin alone is a piece of cake - I never had any side effects except a very very occasional runny nose.

Sue

Hi Chrissy - yes they like to wait a month to allow your body some recovery time after chemo. I think I had 25 rads followed by 5 boosts - the boosts are directed at the incision site, the others are on the whole breast.

Hi Alice - they usually wait a month before doing any radiation to allow the wounds to heal. Hope your BMX goes OK.

Sue