January 2011 Rads

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  • Victoria67
    Victoria67 Member Posts: 44
    edited January 2011

    Number #7 done, hooray!  I'm pink already but not sore yet. One small spot was a little itchy last night and it was soooo frustrating trying to scratch an itch on a numb boob (I think someone called theirs a rubber chicken and that is so true!). But I think we are not supposed to scratch anyway. 

    Met with rad onc yesterday, it was about 5 mins in total and I felt I had to rush to get my questions out eg why is my arm feeling so hot??  I was told it was due to the SNB and the nerves getting irritated.. I guess that makes sense.

    Omaz and marriedblis, your creativity with your outfits made me laugh! 

    SherryC, glad your skin is looking good and Tekla, all the best with removing the port

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

    Vistoria don't scratch and ask what you can use.  My RO started me with hydrocortisone then gratuated to Kenalog after that no longer worked. Jo on this thread used Topocort with much success as well

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  • raincitygirl
    raincitygirl Member Posts: 3,143
    edited January 2011

    I was also told to use hydrocortisone for early itching.  I haven't had it yet, only on #15 tomorrow. All I have had so far is a mildly sore nipple which they now tape and a few deep twinges in the last few days, but not enough to need anything. I am getting tired of going there though :)  I probably shouldn't put in print that it is pretty smooth so far, kind of like jinxing myself.

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  • Omaz
    Omaz Member Posts: 5,497
    edited January 2011
    Teklya - sounds like that port has to go!  Keep an eye on your temp.
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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited January 2011

    Victoria - Sherryc is right.  I found Topicort to be much, much better than hydrocortisone.  Works much faster.  See if your rad onc will give you a RX for it.

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

    raincity-I hope your itching stays mild.  My itching started on day 10 (used hydrocortison) and exploded a wk later on day 14.  It was the christmas holidays and I used a very strong steroid lotion I had for poison ivy.  Not my RO's choice of things to use but it did  the trick until he got back and gave me a RX for Kenalog.

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  • lrr4993
    lrr4993 Member Posts: 937
    edited January 2011

    I did my first three rads last week and my boob has been achey.  It aches sometimes anyway.  I have been told this is nerves regenerating.  But it seems worse since rads.

    I am in atlanta and have missed rads mon and tues, and probably will today as well, due to ice.  There is a good chance i will not get in at all this week as the major thoroughfare out of my area is still unpassable and temps will stay below freezing until sat.  Not sure what this means for my treatment.

    the rad dept is pushing me to try to drive in today, but I really do not want to mess with the icy roads. 

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  • Barbcard2
    Barbcard2 Member Posts: 71
    edited January 2011

    Got to rad center for #23 despite ice and snow.  C-scan for 7 boosts, starting Friday.  Wish I could come up with a way to reward myself but I'm too tired right now.  Before DX never thought I'd take pride in such a scenario, but maybe it does get better after all...

    irr4993--Hope you made it to rads despite ice.  What a bummer. Surprisingly, DC has been spared the worst of this winter's storms, at least so far.

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  • lrr4993
    lrr4993 Member Posts: 937
    edited January 2011

    Ha - I made it to the end of my street, slid three times on the way, and then turned around and came home.  I am staying put until at least friday.  I am a florida girl. . .I do not drive in ice.  

    Hopefully this does not completely screw up my treatment.  I cannot imagine I am the first person to have to miss several days.  If it does, well . . .what can you do.  I was not sold on rads anyway.  Maybe this is a sign from God?  LOL. 

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  • FaithFollower
    FaithFollower Member Posts: 49
    edited January 2011

    CMF- my lumpectomy was at 1p as well as rads but no trouble breathing.  SE of chemo was tight chest feeling stuff, but not during rads.  Teklya - I'm soo jealous - I want my port out soo badly!

    When I go to rads I take my reusable lunch bag filled w/all my goo, complete with the moist wipes I used when I had h'roids from chemo.  The cream wipes off great w/those things and they are so fresh smelling too! ;-D 

    Off to my last rad !!! Sealed

    TTL, Goo-bie aka Wendy

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  • localgirl
    localgirl Member Posts: 39
    edited January 2011

    Hi everyone -  well today was #15, HALFWAY DONE - yipee!

    Amazingly, my skin is doing well. A rectangle of pink in the treatment area like I was in the sun too long, but that's it so far. I'm expecting more redness and peeling and itch since I still have a bit to go, but I'll enjoy it while it lasts.  

    Too funny about the bras!  I bought these gap body non-underwires that I wear to work and then use cami's at home with the shelf in them.  Still having a hard time wearing t-shirts and having the lopsidedness look be so obvious (had lumpectomy, but on smaller side and now they are quite a bit different).  Feel badly since I'm thankful that I still have both, but the disparity may bother me enough to make the other one smaller to match.  I may talk to a plastics person when the radiation is over.  

    Anyway, turns out there are no antioxidents in my chinese herbs so that's good.  Getting harder to get through the work day without yawning a lot.  Just need to make it long enough to put my 2 and 4 year olds to bed and then I can pass out :)

    Hope everyone has a great day

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

    Irr4993 - The missed days will be added to the end of your schedule.  Taker advantage of the missed days so the skin can heal.  It will make the rest of the rads go easier - less skin issues to deal with.

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  • lrr4993
    lrr4993 Member Posts: 937
    edited January 2011

    ha jo - that would be a nice thought but I have only done 3 rads so far.  Too bad this break was not closer to the end when I may really need it.  Just spoke with the doctor's office and they are saying it is not problem to miss today or even tomorrow if I have to. They are going to open on sat to work in extra appts for those who missed this week.  nice of them.

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  • Pennythoughts
    Pennythoughts Member Posts: 81
    edited January 2011

    Had #1 today.  My rad techs were two wonderful girls and other than my left arm & hand completely going to sleep, all was well.  Although I did feel something after.  I'm with the ladies who said they felt achey in their boob and under the arm.  Especially under the arm . . . a little weird considering the rac techs told me that I shouldn't feel anything or notice anything for a couple of weeks.  I'm on the accelerated tx plan with only 16 tx and no boosts.

    I was supposed to start on Jan. 18 but got bumped up to start today instead.  So my Miadem hasn't arrived yet and likely won't for another 3 - 5 bus. days.  Rad girls looked Miadem up and said they thought it looked good and would run it by my rad onc.  They didn't seem to think he would object to me using it.  In the meantime, any suggestions for what I should use for the next week?  Right now I'm using Aveeno fragrance free moisturzing lotion with colloidal oatmeal.  I've heard that just plain Aloe Vera isn't enough and some have burned badly using only that.  Any other suggestions would be great.  Anyone know of any reason why one should NOT use coconut oil?

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  • saturn
    saturn Member Posts: 139
    edited January 2011

    My first rad today... went just as expected, no problems.  Will start using the Calendula as instructed (use twice daily per RO) and will use the Aloe/steroid cream they prepared (use every 2-3 days for first two weeks, then increase frequency).  I hope that will be enough!    All the techs were super nice and I felt they really knew what they were doing.  I can't believe the micro-millimeter fraction of inches they move you when adjusting to your markers!  They told me to lie still and breathe normal and then left the room, but I was almost afraid to breathe that it would make me move! 

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  • oakley
    oakley Member Posts: 206
    edited January 2011

    Pennythoughts - I have been using Aquaphor which was recommended by my RO.  There have been many recommendations throughout this thread (too many pages to look back through!).  I remember seeing Emu oil too.  I just finished #7 today and have had no skin reaction thus far - and I've been using the Aquaphor daily.  I don't want to jinx myself by saying that though.  

    I too feel achey in the breast and under the arm - right where my scar is.  That only started 2x ago.

    I don't know anything about coconut oil.   

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  • Eloise
    Eloise Member Posts: 137
    edited January 2011

    Pennythoughts, my rads nurse recommended Cetaphil moisturizing cream which is easy to find -- I even saw it at Safeway.  It's the cream which comes in a jar, not any of the other Cetaphil products. 

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

    Pennythoughts--my RO was very specific to NOT use oils of any kind that they will make u burn more easily.  I love coconut oil on my face but would not use it during rads.  My RO gave me a prescription cream called xclair, but I have also used aloe vera and aquafor.  Aquafor is very greasy and I only used it at night when I could wear an old t-shirt to be.  Oakley is right there are many suggestions on this site.  I remember someone saying they use Eucerin which is made by Aquafor but not greasy that may be easy to find and get you by until your miaderm comes in. Good Luck with rads.

    localgirl-glad you are 1/2 way done and your skin is holding up, who knows you may be one of those who have no problems.  I know about the lopsidedness.  Mine is smaller also, but I am very small to begin with.  I will probably have implants and go a larger size for a change.

    Off to Yoga!

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  • sunangel27
    sunangel27 Member Posts: 310
    edited January 2011

    Thank you Oakley :)

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  • toomuch
    toomuch Member Posts: 901
    edited January 2011

    Queston for everyone

    Have any of you been started on an AI during radiation? My oncologist originally told me that I wouldn't start until I finished radiation but my RO told me today that it is fine to get started while on radiation. If there's no reason to not get started, I'd just assume get going. I'd love to hear if your RO gave you any reasons to begin or not begin your AI during radiation. I appreciate your feedback.

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  • sunangel27
    sunangel27 Member Posts: 310
    edited January 2011

    Thank you MJ. I am pretty nervous about the MRI :(

    I started on the taminoxifin (sp) today..so far so good...  

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  • sunangel27
    sunangel27 Member Posts: 310
    edited January 2011

    Thank you MJ. I am pretty nervous about the MRI :(

    I started on the taminoxifin (sp) today..so far so good...  

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  • Pennythoughts
    Pennythoughts Member Posts: 81
    edited January 2011
    toomuch - Can't speak to the AI but I asked the same question about Tamoxifen.  My onc started me on Tamox on Dec. 23, and I just started rads today.  It seemed to me that most other ladies aren't starting Tamox or AI's until AFTER their rads are finished.  My onc didn't seem to think it mattered.  According to other ladies on the forum, it just depends where you are, who your docs are and what their varying opinions on the topic are . . . much like everything else.  :)
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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited January 2011

    toomuch - My onc started me on Arimidex between trying Mammosite and regular rads.  He said he doesn't matter when you start.  Rads has no effect on the medication.  Unfortunately, Arimidex and I did not get along and onc told me he would wait till I was done with rads to do something else.

    Pennythoughts is right.  Every rad onc & onc have different opinions on when to start hormonal therapy. 

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  • oakley
    oakley Member Posts: 206
    edited January 2011

    Jo - how is the tamoxifen treating you?  Are you still feeling fine?  Hope so.

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

    Oakley - My toe joints are really achy.  Take Tylenol Arthritis for that - seems to help.  Had a little nausea today and ate a few saltine crackers and it went away.  Still having warm flushes which is great compared to the hot flashes.  This is day 2 on the full dose and I can live with a few days of mild nausea until I get used to the meds.  The achy joints I anticipated as I already have degenerative joint disease and can manage it over the long haul.

    Thanks for checking on me. 

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  • michcon
    michcon Member Posts: 145
    edited January 2011

    Hi all, I'm glad to read that I'm not the only one who feels something early on. I only had 3 treatments so far and I swear yesterday I felt tingling/prickling going on and today too. This morning I was pink around my nipple, a large circle. Saw the doc after Radiation and he said he didn't think the Radiation was doing it. I said, what else would it be? He says, well you are fair skinned. I'm so tired of doctors! I think I know how my boob normally looks! It's really discouraging me. I don't know how I'll last 27 more times. I swear chemo was easier.

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

    too much-I don't know about Al's as I will be taking tamoxifen.  My RO did not want me to start until after rads because one of the side effects can be skin problems and he said if I started tamoxifen we would not know if the skin issues were related to rads or meds. All Doc's are different in what they do.

    MIchcon-I also felt things early on like the first day.  My nipples became sore early on and really bothered me with my sports bra.  My RO told me to get silicone nipple shields and wear them.  They have been a life saver as I quite wearing my bra early on and just went to cami's.  I bought them at the mastecomy supply place.  They were $6.50 for a pair.

    marriedblis-Congrats on your last rad. DOING THE HAPPY DANCE FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!

    Sunagel-good luck on your MRI

    2 more reg rads and 6 boost to go.  I can't believe the end is almost here.  I am red as a beet and peeling like a snake, but the only things that really bothers me is under my arm.  That area is very tender.  Keeping lost of powder on it, seems to feel the best.

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  • cmf
    cmf Member Posts: 38
    edited January 2011

    raincitygirl, I am having RADS on my right breast.  How was your onc able to say there has been no lung damage?  DId you get sent for an x-ray or a scan, etc?

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  • raincitygirl
    raincitygirl Member Posts: 3,143
    edited January 2011

    cmf - they do xrays every fifth treatment and if he saw any damage beginning, he would adjust.  the first two tmes, i actually didn't know the xrays were being done as they are done as part of radiation treatment, you may not know it happens.  The reason i know is he made that statement to me and I asked him how he knew....

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