December 2010 Rads

Spark - Welcome!  It is never too late to join this group.  Rads can be pretty easy.  Some sail right through it while others have numerous skin problems.  My advice would be to take to your rad onc about creams you can use and do those right now and throughout treatment.  Skin care is so important and will reduce the skin problems if and when they do arise.  When I was going through rads, I would go braless in the evenings and on weekends as much as possible and would wear oversized cottton tee shirts.  Don't use hot or cold compresses - it is tempting but don't it makes the problems worse.  There are websites you can go to that talk about skin care.  Just type in "radiation skin care breast cancer" and go through them

Ask any and all questions you have.  The ladies on this thread are super supportive and have lots and lots of good information.  I have to tell you, I would not have made it through rads without them. 

Hey ladies I went today for treatment #5 and it wasnt bad.  I do notice I get a awful taste in my mouth and that only last for a few minutes after treatment.  So far no skin issues . . .I have been using Eurcun twice a day.

Spark, welcome !!!

Jacky - This is the place to come to vent - please don't apologize.  We have been put through so much in a short period of time it can be overwhelming.  I had lots of crying spells while going through rads.  Sometimes it would come out of nowhere.  Just let it out when you have to and move on to the next thing.  You don't have to answer cancer questions - just politely tell folks you are alright and change the subject.  It does get tiring - I am still answering questions but have gotten good at changing the subject.

It will take some time but you will get back to some semblance of normal.   

yellow78 - Haven't heard from you in awhile - glad you are back.  Hope your holiday was good and your are not too deep in the snow.

Sherryc - I agree that a short break should be mandatory even though we just want to be done with rads.  Our skin is trying to tell us something and we should listen. 

je1957 - I too feel like crying all the time.  I've never been a cryer so it seems so strange to keep finding myself in tears.  I am having Tomotherapy.  First you roll back in the machine and get a scan.  Then you roll out and the table is adjusted to line you up.  Then your roll back in for treatment.  My treatment is 10 minutes.  Well today they asked if I had a scan.  I said I have one every time don't I  She said my treatment had changed and she wasn't sure why.  So now I'm pretty freaked out wondering - why is she asking me?  Because I have to really really force myself to go everyday and when I get there I'm already a basket case.  Then i got the scan and the table rolls out but I lay there for what seems like an eternity freezing to death (from looking that the time I got done I guess it was about 10 - 15 minutes).  No one comes in or says anything.  Then she comes in to do the adjustment and I ask if something is wrong. She said no, they had to get the dosimetrist since the plan changed to aprove it.  Well would it have killed her to come on the speaker and tell me that?  I have to lay perfectly still since the scan was already done.  Then I get the treatment.  By this time I have been laying still without moving for about 30 minutes.  Tears poured out of my eyes pretty much the whole time.  This was only #4 of 20 and I don't know if I'm going to make it.  I am concerned about buring and really hadn't heard of anyone making it through without burning - so thanks to those of you who replied.  I will try harder to believe it could be me too.  I am using cream.  I use castor oil at night and go to bed all slimed up with a cheap sports bra over it.  I put Miaderm on 4x a day.  This is what my RO said to do so I'm following her instructions.  I am not working this week since my place is closed this week.  I will be working fulltime through the rest of my treatments and am also concerned about that - but right now would welcome the distraction.

cincilady--I also don't know about tomotherapy, but your description of the impersonal rad set-up is exactly like mine.  All the technicians say is "don't move"; then they shove me into place.  And they are better than the nurses.  Haven't seen the rad onc in a week.  Feel very sleepy today after #13, as if I have a fever (I don't.)  But we will all get through this!  Rash dx as a "fungus"--more creams, etc. Freezing cold weather doesn't help either.  But we can, we must, we will!  (I sound like a politician now. Must be the  DC influence though I have absolutely no connection with the government.)

raincitygirl - You are fortunate.  When the docs own the practice they are that much more concerned about how the patients are being treated by the entire staff.  That practice is their bread and butter not to mention the nice cars they drive.

My rad onc could not have cared less.  It was so bad, I kept a journal of my visits and then put a package together and sent it to the hosp board of directors.  The rad center is part of a hosp system owned by doctors and one of the board members is the med onc who works in the same building as the rad center.  They have contacted me but I am still waiting for a final answer. 

raincitygirl - That is interesting and honest.  That tells me they really do care how the patients are treated and are not trying to find ways to make their bank accounts sweeter.  I like the sound of that place.

wow, 18 instead of 33? That would be nice! I would be done already. I haven't heard of that, but then I don't know much about this whole thing.

 Like raincitygirl, I have wonderful people to work with. Everyone at my clinic--an HMO, by the way (Kaiser Permanente)--is just wonderful. They always explain everything, especially if there is something new. When I started rads, I got a whole folder of information on what would be done, why it was done, and how to take care of myself. Then I met with a nurse who went over it all with me. When I go in for treatments, the techs tell me just what they are going to do, offer me a heated towel for my arms, and apologize if there is any slight delay. There is always a jigsaw puzzle going in the waiting room, which gives me something to do while I wait. The last day before Christmas, they handed out candy canes decorated to look like a reindeer. They really do all they can to make the experience as positive as possible, and I am grateful for that.

The nurses and techs at the clinic I go to are all very nice and they do cover me up when they can.  I have been very lucky through all my surgeries, chemotheraphy and radiation that the staff have all been very nice and caring.  I even switched surgeons after my initial biopsy when I found out my cancer was aggressive and the surgeon I left still checks on me to make sure I am getting the proper care.   Went to the funeral home last night for a 57 year old friend of ours who lost his 5 month battle with cancer.  He was fine one day and once he got his diagnosis he just gave up.  I can not do that to my family.  I am going to fight this with all that I have.  I tease my husband that I am not gonna let him enjoy my retirement alone, that I will be here to spend it with him.  Hope everyone has a great day.  I have number 20 today and then only 13 more to go.  No burning or itching, just a tan.  Wonder if there are any topless beaches nearby, I have shown my  boobs to so many people the past few months, It would be nice to have an even tan.  LOL

Feeling somewhat better today.  Rad#14 went fast and despite the snow in NY, my son and two of my grandkids arrived safely.  Will probably contact a therapist for after they leave.  Cheers.