January 2011 Rads

Thanks Jo, SherryC and Raincity girl for comments on itching and Topicort.  I'll find out what it's called here (I'm in Sydney) and see if rad onc can write me a script. Felt better today, skin is definitely getting pinker and you can see the outline of the rads area quite clearly now but I think I just felt more positive as the weekend (and the break from rads) approaches.

Good luck to those who started today. Localgirl, congratulations on the 1/2 way mark and Jo, I hope you continue to cope with the Tamoxifen SE's and that they settle down as each day passes.

My rad nurse also recommended Cetaphil for a moisturiser or sorbolene (like Aquaphor), but definitely no oils as she said it can increase the burning/sensitivity of the skin.

Michcon, I'm with you on the fair skin issues and I can sense (or imagine!) the techs wince a bit when they see that I'm already pink this early on. Hang in there, we will get there! 

Michcon, I know how you feel!  I had concerns about burning, and the nurse told me that she sees women of "every color" from very dark skin to very white, and that burning was more related to general health and nutrition than skin color.  I felt encouraged by that possibility, until I started getting very pink by the third day! Having the weekend off will probably help, it did for me. I'm on #7, and they gave me a sample of biafine to help with the nipple redness.

Irr4993 - I feel so bad for you that your treatment is getting interrupted by the weather.  That has to be pretty stressful, hang in there! I live in Alaska, snow and ice are nothing since we have the tools to deal with it, but for those of you in the southern states .. good luck!  

Thanks Raincitygirl, I am sure I can get Cortaid here so I'll grab some in case I get itchy on the weekend.

I am going into my 4th treatment and swear that yesterday I did feel some sort of tingling--again, they say too early. Other than that, I am doing fine. I am slathering myself with cream and making sure it is wiped off before treatment (Penny--I am using GlaxalBase in Canada--the doc and techs said to use this unless any problems). I can see how it is going to become a hassle going everyday--the people are great and it is 5 min from home but still...going everyday is pretty difficult. I am on Tamoxifen--been taking since 3rd week of December--haven't noticed any real SE from Tamoxifen and hoping that no reaction during radiation.

Last night I was talking to my very dear friend who has been so supportive through all this.  She asked if I had started radiation yet.  I said yes.  Then she said 'is it once or twice a week?'  She was floored when I told her it was every day for 6 weeks!

Regular rads (24) completed today; now for the 7 boosts.  Techs say the raised  red rash will start to disappear but I'm back on Domeboro, the poison ivy powder, which I must mix with water and  apply below breast at least 2x a day on a washcloth for at least 20 minutes.  Glad I'm not working. Tossed out an old blue sweater I've been wearing everyday to rads.  Once it was a nice cashmere cardigan but now it's an ugly shapeless reminder of this whole nasty business.

Happy rads today everyone...

The boost is easier for me.  Instead of radiating the entire breast they only do the tumor site, and it is one zap instead of 2.  I have 3 to go did not have any trouble with my skin until I got to #23.  Got really tender under the boob because of my hot flashes irritating the skin, by not wearing a bra my boob was not getting any air under there.  I bought some men's muscle shirts (wife beaters) and they have helped a lot.  I wear them at night so that things can breathe.  I used ALRA cream right after the treatment and at night I used Jean's cream.  The Aquafore was too much like vaseline for me and was just to messy.

Good luck everyone.  I will be doing the happy dance this Tuesday. 

Good point, how many times do you hear the machine actually sending the rays/zaps?  I have four - two from one angle and two from another.  They also take a quick picture before starting every time to ensure they are lined up!

Take good care and have a good one, ladies

Teklya

I had two zaps - one from each angle.

I felt some redness or heat the first few treatments, techs said it would not happen until after a few weeks.  My tech told me Monday that would be the day they do the exrays.  Really would not have known the difference, it was just a different thingy they used to slide into the machine.  I have really been tired this week, kept falling asleep watching TV, gave up at 9:00 and went to bed.  #9 today.

For both regular and boosts, I have been zapped from two positions. The right position is higher up for boosts (left breast), and each seems to last longer. However, I am having no problems with the boosts, and they don't seem to affect my skin as much as the regular treatments. Just one more boost tomorrow, and I am DONE!!!!!!   not that I'm getting excited or anything...

susantm - Getting ready to do the happy dance with you tomorrow.

Congrats Susan! Can't wait until I can say that I am almost done! I had #4 today--still lots to go. I have 4 zaps -- today also was images. What makes this OK--is that the people there are great. So professional--in and out so fast!

Omaz - Radiation is different than regular x-rays.  You don't need to worry about the "extra" protection.  When the machine moves to its new position - there is no radiation coming out of the machine.  You are okay!

rachel - what did they do for your images?  did you get dosimeter readings today too?  We are on the same schedule.