January 2011 Rads

Omaz---I had similar issue with nipple and Doc said to use Polysporin (not sure if it is called same in US as in Canada). It seemed to have helped but I have to be really careful cleaning the area. It is a little itchy too. They said I could use some hydrocortisone when itchy but not too much as supposedly Hydrocortisone thins the skin--who knew? Things I have learned through radiation!

I was there, unfortunately Raincity wasn't. I think she had a run in with a tea pot.

Hugs to Raincitygirl

GInger

19 out of 35

The Rad Techs are making me a new schedule and would probably like to make me come in the middle of the night. They are nice people so I know they won't actually do that...or will they? Hmmmm they probablty be thinkin bout it though.

Hi, I have been peeking in and trying to prepare for March Rads, I did join the thread, but am still unclear on some things, if I could I would love your help advice.  right after treatment, should I put aloe on, then use the aquifer (that's what onc gave me samples of, wants me to use) a few times during the day/night?  And I should be putting it up to my shoulder and under my arm?  what about under the breast and the break down that is talked about?  should I not keep under the breast moist?  Yes, I'm a bit nervous/overwhelmed/and never cried about cancer until I was laying on the table to get marked for radiation. it just all hit me.  thanks for anyhelp.  Did anyone else use the aquifer/aloe combo and do ok?   tried to read through most posts, but my head is spinning! thank you all

JoAnn

msjag - I put the aloe on right away after treatment.  I used the aquphor before bed.  I used miaderm and others during the day every 3 hours or so.  I put a lot on, really gooped it up.  All under the arm to the back, up above and underneath.  I wore a soft cotton tank top under my bra. I got a bigger bra so nothing was tight.  I wrapped the tank top over and under the breast so the underside of the breast did not touch the skin of the stomach.  This also absorbed sweat under there.  Goop often and well.  With the aquaphor, rub it between your palms to soften it up.  Make sure you do your nipple area very well.  Even if your skin looks great keep up your routine.  Don't use lotion within two hours of treatment.  Avoid direct shower spray, pat dry gently.  It'll be ok.

Raincity and Omaz, Thank you so much for your advice and I will take it.  I will also get tshirts to wear under bra's.  still confused about under the breast, I should be lotioning that area also right? even when using the tshirt or the cornstarch.    Just making sure I have this down!! Again, it is so amazing to have you here to help. I already feel armed and ready for March rads, so many thanks to you.

 JoAnn

LOL--I think that I made glue a few times underneath my breast. I would put cornstarch on then lotion--then later would have to scrape the stuff off.

        HELLO REDNINRAH.. OUCHHH I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL I GOT A NICKELS SIZE 2ND DEGREE BURN ON MY BREAST,NICE BLISTER ON IT!! SOOOO MAD ABOUT IT,TAKING A SHORT BREAK FROM RADS 4 DAYS SO WE WILL SEE A WHEN I GO TUES. DID THEY KEEP ZAPPING YOU WITH THOSE BURNS THIS SEEMS SO BARBARIC 

Mariposa! Somehow you got lost in the responses.

I would suggest you ask the pharmacist at your local druggest, not a tech but the pharmacist.   Another option would be to call in to your doctor and request a call back because you are in pain. I am shy about calling in myself, but we all need to get over that don't we?

 I have gotten better about asking for the actual rx just in case I need it.  I know there are over the counter treatments for sore throat for pain relief but because it could be hurting from radiation I would ask a professional. 

I hope you are feeling better really soon. 

Hugs Ginger

I finished rads on Friday and for some reason feel really run down today. We had a busy day yesterday so that is probably part but I am also feeling a little sore in my throat, sneezing etc. I have not been "sick" (with a cold) for a long time. My RO did tell me on Friday that normally up to 2 weeks post-rads--you still feel really run down. Yuck. Today, I will relax.

3 more boosts and then I'm done. I'm annoyed that the boosts still hit part of my armpit. It's peeling and raw now. My Surgeon told me that I might even be sore there for a few years! Said the RO always forget to mention that. Nice huh? I can't stand how much it hurts, making sleeping very hard. I know everyone says Rads are a breeze compared to chemo, but I don't know, having my arm and boob constantly hurting and itching seems worse to me. 

Thanks for all of the support ladies. My next step will be Tamoxifen and I'm really not looking forward to that. I'm thinking of waiting to start after a vacation in April. My friend has been on it for a month or so now and her hot flashes are awful. She wakes up every 2 hours at night soaking wet. Even has them at work. I know it's supposed to help the cancer from growing again, but what about quality of life? Anyone decide not to take Tamoxifen?

michcon, I decided against tamoxifen.  I don't want to suggest that you should too, it was just what felt right for my particular circumstances and risk tolerance.  I only had DCIS and it was borderline whether I even needed rads, my surgeon said I wouldn't, the rad oncologist talked me into it.  He knew I was leaning against tamox, and said he really thought I should do either rads or tamox but doing both wouldn't add that much benefit.  He estimated my risk of a recurrence if I did nothing after surgery at around 10-12%, if I did either rads or tamox it would go down to 4-5%, if I did both it would be 2-3%.  So adding tamox would only give me another 1-2% of benefit.  Not worth it for me for five years of potential side effects. Tamox would reduce the chance of cancer in my other breast which rads won't, but I'm not too worried about that, I've had a lot of abnormal mammos, calcifications, and one previous biopsy on the breast that had the cancer, and the other one's been clean. 

Everyone's situation is so different that I don't think you can use the specifics of mine as a guide, but the process of weighing pros and cons can be similar.  I read parts of the two very long threads "Bottle O'Tamoxifen" in the Hormonal section and "Natural girls" in the Alternative section, and that was helpful to me in getting an idea about how people who do have side effects described them.  Of course, people who aren't having side effects are less likely to come here in the first place or to post about them.  Many other posters have said that you can always get the tamoxifen, take it for a few weeks, and see how you feel, quit if it's too unpleasant.  

My color started to fade very quickly.  Even during boosts, the rest of the breast began to fade immediately. 

You're on top of it this time though Sue!