January 2011 Rads

Sue, that's what I'm having:  23 & 7.  I feel very lucky so far - no burning or major side effects.  I had #10 this morning.  My left breast definitely feels different - it is achey and feeling "tight."  I asked the techs about this and they said it sounds strange but maybe it's from the lumpectomy.  NOT!!!  Honestly, I really like them there, but it seems as though they are afraid to place any "blame" for side effects on the radiation, and the only side effects they will mention are redness or fatigue.  Oh well.

I also was thinking, since I really wasn't getting so red, that maybe this wasn't working...but now I definitely notice my nipple is much darker than my other one.  So I guess it is working!

Keeping my fingers crossed for no rashes or other issues... 

Lynda hope your bladder  infection is getting better

So What Next-The oncotype dx score is talking about distrance recurrance (ie liver, bone, brain etc etc).  I believe that is the wording that is used on the report.  When my RO talked to me about percentages of recurrance with rads vs without rads he was strictly talking to me about local recurrance in the same breast.  Those percentages where much higher than the oncotype dx.

Barcard yes that is right that the effects are still happening up to two weeks.  As my rad techs put it I will continue to cook for two weeks.

Lestwin-Welcome to the group and good luck with everything.  Sounds like you have had quiet a rough ride.

Finished my reg rads on Friday and had my first boost (of 6) today.  My skin has looked pretty good, but a noticed I had two spots that were really red and not sure about.  Tech looked at them today and said lets hope they don't blister, well tonight I broke out in blister.  darn it.  I was really hoping to make it without blisters.  Another area that is really red is around my nipple and it is in the area of my boost as well so I am really worried about my nipple area.  I don't think it will feel good if it blisters up.

Jo, I am worried about my boost sight because my tech told me that they are targeting my scar area because when they did my CT for boost my seroma was completely healed and no longer visible on the CT so they are going closer to my skin which will be harder on my skin than if they were going deeper into my breast. I see my RO tomorrow and will ask him about it.

suepen-In the US you can buy it at Wal-mart.  Have never used it but have heard that it is really good.

Sherryc - The boost rads don't penetrate as deep as reg rads and is a different type of radiation.  My rad techs said it was a "softer" type of radiation even though the machine was soooo close.  They put a gel pad wrapped in a sheet on my entire breast before each zap.  It was supposed to act like my skin.  I still got a little red but I have to admit I did not burn as much as you have.  In your case, I would be concerned to and would definitely ask the rad onc about it.

Gingerbrew - I am glad you had a good first experience.  I was supposed to be in there this morning but got a bad cold over the weekend, overslept this morning and so rescheduled for this afternoon.  I did #18 today.  So far, still good, no burn (slight redness and browning of the underarm area.

As for the cream - by keeping the condition of the skin very moisturized early on, it doesn't dry out as easily, causing cracking and/or blisters.  I have used it religiously.  At night, I am using the 98% pure aloe gel from Trader Joe's next to the hospital and Aquafor.  During the day, I used the Xclair prescription as it is far less messy.  Xclair works to prevent burning as I understand it, rather than just being a reactive treatment.  I also carry small tubes or bottles of Aquafor or Eucerin to put on immediately after treatment.

I hope that you, like me, find this a fairly innocuous experience compared to chemo.

I got sick on Friday and convinced myself it was a side effect of radiation and so I called.  Got a call back in under three minutes, and the usual warm and understanding demeanor of this practice.  He diagnosed me with a cold (silly me) and very kindly told me why I couldn't have what I self-diagnosed after googling. In defense of my crazy self, the cold was entirely located in my airway and throat that night.  The doc then came and found me today to see how I was feeling.

Did you work on the puzzle?  I don't but my husband did 8 pieces today...

I didn't realize Udder Cream is the same thing as Bag Balm.

Were you able to find an earlier appt for DH?

Has anyone experienced a little shortness of breath?  This just started today. My left breast is being radiated and I was told only a tiny amount of lung receives radiation but I am very worried I am feeling short of breath. I see the rad onc tomorrow.  No doubt I'll be told that redness and fatigue are the only SE's, not shortness of breath! 

Had a student in the treatment room today, I know it's important to train them up and the regular techs oversee the student as he reads out the numbers (which he got very wrong btw) but it meant my appointment took sooooo long.  Had to grit my teeth and just stay calm with my arms over my head.  Sorry, I'm sounding so whiny today, just a bit cranky and worried about this breathing thing. The moo goo instructions made me laugh though!

Getting ready to go for # 2   only 35 more to go!!        I read soemwhere on here about how many "zaps" some where getting....my rad tech told me I will be getting four....two on each side of the breast. hmmm

Bag Balm! I had a granddaughter that would have diaper rash so bad....we finally got bag balm and she cleared up and continuing to keep it on her she didn't have it any more! What a great idea, think I will try to find the moo goo.
Have a good day all of you, or as best as you can! (I came up with my old rule yesterday!! If I can't have a good day, I will do something for someone else to have a good day!         It made yesterday a bit better!

Jo - your boost sound like my bolus treatment I get everyother day.  They use the gel pack covered in towel.  I see the RO today and ask about the difference.  My guess is the regular treatments encompas the whole breast whereas the boost is directed to the tumor site.  I am real red after the bolus treatment and lather up on my aloe after.

The area under my right arm seems to be getting real tight when I lift my arms.  I can now tell the difference since I thought it was my joint issues from Femara.  When I lift both arms only the right one seems tighter.  I am exercising my arm almost every hour.

suepen:  As you have been there, done that, I have what may seem like a dumb question.  My rad doc. said do not use deodorant, does he mean on both underarms and/or when I start rads?  I have to see the dentist this afternoon and just got out of the shower but my nose is twitching!

I like the idea of a swim too, ocean is just up the street but it's sunny and not too warm, I think the ocean temp. is in the high 60'sF.  Living on a small barrier island, I'm surrounded by water but I have my limits.