December 2010 Rads

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  • rachel5738
    rachel5738 Member Posts: 920
    edited January 2011

    Teklya--What cream are you using? Seems like we don't have all the creams that our US friends here are recommending. My RO suggested Glaxal Base and to start applying now (I start next Monday). They said that they would switch to something else if problems arise otherwise, I can just buy the stuff at Costco or Shoppers. Congrats on getting the first day done. I'm sure it is common for the nerves--remember the first day of chemo--I don't think I slept the night before that day.

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  • Tg5471530
    Tg5471530 Member Posts: 111
    edited January 2011

    Well I spent most of Sunday sleeping and barely could get myself out of be for my 12:45 Rads apt.  I am sooooo tired.  I met with my RO and he said that th 2nd or 3rd wk is the time I should be getting fatiged.  Plus my Blood wk said that my WBC and iron are still low from chemo.  So that doesnt help either.  He also mentioned taking multivits, but everytime I take them (even with food) they end up coming back up. We also taked about this weird feeling I have in my throat.  I keep feeling like I have something stuck in my throat, but I dont.  I did get this a bit before I started with this cancer thing.  The RO said that it could be because they are radiating my clavical and some of the rads may be going to that area and causing problems.  He doesnt want this to end up causing me not to swallow so he is going to redo the mapping again this wk.  Eating is already a problem for me because of yrs of anorexia.  I know, that should be the least of my problems right now, but it doesnt just disapear when cancer shows up. so i hope this works,

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited January 2011

    tammyg - Sorry you are having so many problems.  I do hope your rad onc and help you solve the problem with the eating and taking vitamins.  The rad fatigue can be a butt kicker.  I know I am still feeling it even just over 4 weeks post rads.  Had a very crazy day at work and I want to go to bed now and it is only 6:30 where I live.

    Hang in there and hope things turn around for you real soon. 

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  • Barbcard2
    Barbcard2 Member Posts: 71
    edited January 2011

    Dear December ladies, I haven't deserted you, just  "officially" switched over to the January 2011 site. 

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited January 2011

    Barbcard2 - Good you are hanging around.  I am still on Nov rads, Dec rads and have migrated to Jan rads just so I can keep up with everyone.

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  • FaithFollower
    FaithFollower Member Posts: 49
    edited January 2011

    #25 -- 5 more!  I'll have my last boost tomorrow, take a break on Thurs and see the dr on Friday to determine if I need more time to heal before finishing my last few treatments.  I woke up 3x last night to reapply cream (silvadene) and take more percoset!  Its kinda fun being at work today!  woohoo.  Good news, my daughter asked me how radiation was going - an unsolicited txt and very welcomed as she has had a difficult time w/my diagnosis.  She and her husband come for a visit at the end of this month. I'm so excited! Happy New Year ladies!

    P.S. What forum do we go to after we're done w/rads?

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited January 2011

    marriedblis - I finished rads in Dec but have stayed on the Nov rads, Dec rads and now have jumped to the Jan rads to lend support and advice.  I am also on the "Calling All Stage 1 Sisters" and "Middle Aged Women 40 - 60ish"  You can float around wherever you want.  We would love to see you here after you finish.

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  • Tg5471530
    Tg5471530 Member Posts: 111
    edited January 2011

    I was wondering if I should jump back and forth to the Jan2011 and Dec2010 rads.  Because I still have most of Jan to still do Rads.  But I do also go over to the Stage 3ers too.  But glad to see you are at the end of this Rads Road!

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited January 2011

    tammyg -  Absolutely jump back and forth between the two rads - I still jump between them and have stayed on the Nov rads as well - that is where I started out.  There are no rules about what threads you can be on.

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited January 2011

    tammyg hope you can get your fatigue and eating straightened out.  I am also feeling the fatigue, I just want to sleep.

    I have been MIA the last couple of days again.  FIL had a bad fall on MOnday night and we had to put him in the Nursing Home yesterday.  By the time I got home both nights with dealing with him and my MIL I sent straight to bed and did not ck the computer.  Rads fatigue is bad enough and then to have to deal with all this with my inlaws.  Too much.  The good news is I meet with my RO and he was not the least bit concerned about the clobex that I used while he was gone.  He was just glad that I was able to get the rash and itch under control..  Don't know why everyone else was freaking out over it.   

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  • toni30
    toni30 Member Posts: 252
    edited January 2011

    Hi Ladies:

    The fatigue really hit me today (just finished tx#16 out of 21), so I took the day off and napped for three hours!  Breast is getting a little pink and itchy so they gave my hydrocortisone cream.  Hope everyone is doing okay.

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited January 2011

    toni30 - Naps are a good thing.  I finished rads almost 5 weeks ago and I still get hit on occasion with the rad fatigue - not near as bad.  I can stay up to my normal bedtime and really don't need naps except on the weekend and that is what weekends are for anyway.  They will go away - just give it some time.

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  • saturn
    saturn Member Posts: 139
    edited January 2011

    Hi Jo,

    I noticed you are in TX.  I'm in Austin and will be going to TX Oncology for my rads, (glad you like them, I have so far too).  In fact I have an apppointment tomorrow with the RO (don't know him yet) and believe he will be going over my treatment plan and maybe simulation.  I'm nervous!  Any questions I should be asking?

    Lynda

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited January 2011

    lynda - Don't be nervous.  The simulation can be overwhelming - so much will be going on and there will be alot of people involved in the process.  You should get a few tiny tattoos - nothing to write home about.  But try to relax and ask lots of questions.

    I would ask about what creams you can use.  Skin care is first priority during rads.  You want to avoid skin issues if possible.  I did not use TX Oncology for my rads and that was a mistake.  I had an itchy rash, burnt skin the whole nine yards.  That is why I am passing this on to you so you don't have the same experience. They should also tell you to buy unscented soap and not to use deodorant containing minerals, no perfumes on the skin (I did not want to give it up - so  would spray the perfume in my hair).  

    After the first couple of rads, you will fall into a routine and it will sail by.  Let me know what happens tomorrow and please ask me any questions you have along the way.  You can always PM me since you are limited to only 5 posts per day until you reach 50.  PMs are unlimited.

    Best of luck to you. 

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  • susantm
    susantm Member Posts: 184
    edited January 2011

    26 full breast rads complete; 7 boosts to go! I'm in the final stretch. Still using my creams--Miaderm and also Aquaphor for the redder parts--drinking my water, and eating my protein. No fatigue yet and only minor discomfort at times. I think I'm going to make it after all! Smile

    Now I'm wondering if I need to make an appointment with my oncologist, or if he will contact me. He said he wanted me on Tamoxifen after radiation, but I would need to see him first... Well, if I don't hear from him in a week or so, I guess I will call. My surgeon's office called a month ago to schedule an appointment in February, so they are apparently really on the ball.

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  • Sandeeonherown
    Sandeeonherown Member Posts: 1,946
    edited January 2011

    I used aloe vera gel the entire time I was doing radiation ...morning, noon and night and if I got up to use the bathroom, I put more on. My skin stayed clear the entire 4 weeks and I am very fair skinned so the technicians were expecting a much bigger reaction. I then switched to glaxal base cream and lubiderm for the two weeks following when the radiation gift kept on giving and my skin turned red, peeled and itched...and then added a good dose of cortisone for the week of Christmas (Merry Christmas:) ) but it is all ok now. Now my breast looks like I was sunbathing topless...but only with one breast exposed! I look forward to seeing what the end result will look like and can't wait to put on my lace bras again without ending up with a line across the nipple! ...

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  • IowaSue45
    IowaSue45 Member Posts: 586
    edited January 2011

    Hi Ladies, had # 8 today and skin is starting to get red and sore. I have Fri. off of rads because I have a reconstruction consultation at mayo in Rochester, Mn it is a 4 hr. drive so I have to leave Thur. night and stay over b/c the appointment is at 7:45 am. It will be good to give my skin a 3 day wkend. I am excited for this appointment to see if I am a candidate for DIEP and when I can have it after rad. figure they will wait at least 2 months.It also excites me b/c it mean I am nearing the end of this journey even though it will always be apart of me. I will at least be done with so many regular appointments.

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited January 2011

    toni30-I have been fatigued as well.  I have done 21 of 34 and I have to take a nap every afternoon when I get home from rads.  That gets me through the evening of regular household stuff. Take plenty of them.

    Susantm--I am right behind you.  I have 7 reg and 6 boost to do.  My breast peeled last night.  I was so hopeing I would make it through without that happening.

    Sue-good luck with your appt and I wish we could have three day weekends every week.  I know my skin would appreciate it.

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  • Teklya
    Teklya Member Posts: 435
    edited January 2011

    Just back from treatment #4.  Feeling okay and no real difference to my fatigue or reactions to my skin as yet.  I am applying aloe vera gel (lightly) when I get home after each treatment.  Then I bathe every evening and apply Glaxal Based cream and re-apply it when I head for bed.  I go for treatments early to mid morning and have nothing on my skin when I go.  I am using Dove body wash for sensitive skin (unscented) and so far, this feels great! 

    take good care and just breathe. . .

    Teklya

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited January 2011

    Teklya glad all is going well.  I was thinking about you and wondering how things were going.  I am really feeling the fatigue now.  I have had to start having friends take me because it is 50 minutes on way on the highway and I get sleepy driving home in the afternoon.  My breast started peeling last night but it does not hurt.  The techs said it is a dry peel so that is good.  I don't need to worry unless it becomes wet or blisters.  My underarm is pretty raw and tender but they said if it gets to uncomfortable to sleep they will give me a narcotic I just need to ask for it.  I am not familir wit the Glaxal based cream.  Is it greasy or does it just soak in.  There are so many different creams out there that everyone uses.  All RO's have their favorite.  I also use the Dove body wash and really like.  I think I may just keep using it when this is over.  I had #22 today and have 12 left.  I am counting down.

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  • Sandeeonherown
    Sandeeonherown Member Posts: 1,946
    edited January 2011

    The glaxal base cream soaks in and is quite sooth and very very fast...I put it on liberally and let it dry...the aloe vera stuck to my nightgown but if you can let dry before you but anything on your skin, that they have suggested should help. Every place likes different things. The glaxal cream ( it comes in a tube and a big tub) is a bit thicker and that feels soothing...and soaks in nicely....It is similar to Lubiderm...just a relatively thick, unscented cream It is what the technicians suggested I use once the radiation stopped. During the radiation, the aloe was all i used...and I used it whenever I passed by the ottle in my bathroom/. Figured it couldn't hurt to keep the breast well lubricated.

    As for the fatigue, I did not have any of it...I am known as the energizer bunny at work and I was really concerned that there would be a big difference...but nope. I credit in part to my normal energy and in part to going on an adrenal gland support product my naturopath put me on 3 weekes before the rad....it really helped.

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  • singletona80
    singletona80 Member Posts: 224
    edited January 2011

    Hey ladies, hopefully everyone was able to have a Happy New Year.  I had #12 of 25 tx today.  I am starting to feel a little tired.  My skin is doing okay although I notice I am getting a little darker in the area.  So far I am only using Eucerin lotion 2x daily.

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited January 2011

    Singletona80 keep using the creams and you are 1/2 way done.  It will be over before you know it.  I have 12 more to do myself.

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited January 2011
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  • IowaSue45
    IowaSue45 Member Posts: 586
    edited January 2011

    Sandee- what is the adrenal gland product? Just wondering.

    I had today off from rad. so 3 day wkend to heal a little.

     I had my PS appointment at Mayo in Rochester, Mn today, 3 1/2 hr. from home. Lady PS she is nice and YOUNG she looked only 30-35 a Canadian. I was hoping to get started this spring maybe 2 months after radiation but, my port is kinda low and a little in the way so she thought it would be better to wait until I am done with herceptin in Aug. plus the recovery time for DIEP is a good 2 months and I don't want to be recovering in the summer, I have a date of Oct. 18th. I'm a little sad about waiting that long, but I know it is for the best plus it will give my skin time to heal from rad. I was also glad to be a perfect candidate for this surgery and she told me not to lose any weight, or I wouldn't have enough fat to form breast.

    I hope each of you have a good wkend!

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  • IowaSue45
    IowaSue45 Member Posts: 586
    edited January 2011

    Anyone know how much each rad. tx cost? My set up alone was 2800. I am starting on my deductible again so just wondering how long until I meet it.

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited January 2011

    IowaSue - Rad costs will vary depending on where you live.  Each session I had was around 1400 and that did not include the time I saw the rad onc or the weekly checks.

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  • susantm
    susantm Member Posts: 184
    edited January 2011

    Wow, I had no idea rads cost that much. I am really getting my money's worth out of Kaiser now! I only had to pay my copay of $15 per session. (They didn't make me pay each time, though--took care of that over the phone in three easy payments.)

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited January 2011

    I was very fortunate, with the insurance I have through the Air Force and a secondary, I did not pay one penny for rads.

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  • AGeorgiaDeb
    AGeorgiaDeb Member Posts: 35
    edited January 2011

    hey ladies!

    I am enjoying reading your posts about the rads.  I was supposed to start Dec 20th but got a reprieve til Jan 5th so I could go see family.  I have found it creepy and very clinical and I don't get any warm fuzzies.  The people are not near as caring as the chemo folks.  

    I am a bit worried about the advice I have been given.  I have to go for 38 treatments and no one is telling me to put anything on my skin.  I have had dry itchy skin for the last few weeks so I want to be proactive.  I saw the rad onc yesterday and I asked what I should use and he said use "aloe vera cream".  Did he mean gel?  I did not see any cream.  Can anyone tell me where they got it?  Also they said so under-wire bras.  Any advice there?  I am not using deodorant and am using dove soap.  

    I think I will jump to the Jan discussion too.

    Love to hear back.

    Debbie

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