January 2011 Rads

Joanne,

Everything you're doing sounds really good so far.  I wore t shirts or tank tops under my sweaters too, didn't even wear a bra at all per the RO's suggestion.  For creams, I used the Boiron Calendula Ointment (you can get on Amazon or VitaCost.com) get the 1 oz. tubes, they're not expensive ($3 -ish).  I used that 2-4x a day, ususally 1-2x/day I also used pure aloe gel (Lily of the Desert Aloe Gelly, also at VitaCost.com).  My Onco center had some gel they created from I believe aloe and some steroid (to help with ithcing?) that they wanted me to use every night at bedtime.  My skin did really really well. I had very little itching, no peeling, no burning, and no complaints!

Just had my last treatment today!   Now they have a completely different set of gels they recommend.  The way he told me, the earlier ones used during rads werer to keep my skin from getting too moist, now they will want to keep it from getting too dry!  He said for 6 weeks I need to use this really expensive stuff (a cream and oil from Arbonne that I mix together and rub into skin), after that I can use anything.  But for now while you're on radiation this is NOT what you want to use.

I hope this helps you, and I wish you all the best.  It will be over before you know it.

JoAnn:  I use the Lily of the Desert Aloe Gelly and the Boiron Calendula Cream--it's 2.5 oz. and about $10 at Whole Foods.  It has the highest concentration of calendula at 10% (ointment is 4%).  Plus it's not greasy and the ointment is in a petrolatum base (Vaseline). 

Also, plain corn starch is good to use on underarm and under the breast. 

 Saturn:  Congrats on finishing--I have 5 more boosts left.  I also had good results with the aloe and Boiron.

Congratulations to all who have finished or about to finish RADS.

 I will be starting my 25X on 5 April.  I have planning on 23 March.  I have been reading your thread to know what to expect.  I noticed some have saw or peeling armpit as well as breast area.  Is this because you have had radiation treatment is this area too?  In my initial appointment with my RO I understood I would have radiation just to the breast area.

My last radiation is scheduled for 12 May and we have planned a 10 day vacation to Hawaii on 26 May. ( We booked and paid for this before I was diagnosed).   My RO has said I should be OK to go, but I am now uncertain. From your experiences I would value your advice about whether I am being naive about being ready to enjoy a beach type holiday, including swimming so soon after rads.  Will my breast skin still be raw and will I still be very tired two weeks after finishing rads?  Also my last chemo is on 14 March is it likely I will have enough hair cover to go without a scarf by 26 May?

Amelia....I had some peeling under my arm--as they radiated a section that stretched over to that side. I had a couple of bad days post rads but honestly it was just a couple of days when my skin was uncomfortable (weird because I went through rads with no issues at all). I did feel some fatigue. I think you will be fine. Regarding hair---I am 13 weeks post chemo and I have complete coverage--it isn't enough for me to claim that it looks like a pixie cut (I wish). I still wear scarves when I am out -- plus it is cold here -- We are heading away on vacation in April and hopefully--I will go without then. Have fun on vacation...I went to Maui a few years ago and it was paradise.

I start rads in two hours!!  Thanks again for all your help. I'm not big breasted, b cup, but am still worried about the underside that some of you have trouble with. I bought tshrits to wear under a biger bra, and bought some camisoles with the shelf bra already in it.   Can't wait to say...1 dowm, 27 reg to go and then 7 boosts!!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

JoAnn

Hi everyone,..hope you're all healing, and/or breezing through rads.   I have a question, has anyone used the aloe plant after rads?

My friend gave me one to use, I've only had one rad so far, so have basically been using the aquafor they gave me, so would be interested to see how it worked for anyone who used it.

thanks!

I finished my regular rads today and begin 10 boosts tomorrow.

Fatigue has really snuck up on me. I thought maybe I had missed it but this day tells me otherwise.  It is plain old difficult to move.  I am creeping along. My Grandkids from Arizona come on the 17th.

My skin is not too bad. It doesn't hurt really, only a little sore. 

I hope everyone is doing well. Does anypone else have this fatigue thing? 

I discovered today that my Rads doctors staff has the wrong phone number for me. I use my cell phone all the time. They have our house number which is generally up in my DH office. I don't even think about it if I hear it ringing. They have been calling me,  and I suppose wondering why I never return their calls. Ai yi yi, they must think I am a real dingbat and rude to boot!   

Now they have my number. I hope I didn't cause them too much grief, they are really nice. 

Ginger - You are getting there!  I am tired too, but it's getting a little better.  Glad you skin is holding up. 

Hi Suepen!

Lestwin we are on the same schedule. I finished 27 rads yesterday and began my 10 boosts today. I am so sorry to hear you are bleeding, yikes. I am a little uncomfortable and peeling but I hope the worst is past since the boosts are not in the areas I have the most burn in. 

 They drew on me today with a sharpie and asked me to try not to scrub it off. I don't think there is any chance I will be srubbing anything. The computer had to be reset just after they had me in my "pose" it was pretty fast but waiting always seems longer. 

Hugs

Ginger

Ginger I remember them telling me to not scrub the marks for boost but the lotions took them off anyway.  I told them just remark me everyday I was using my lotions.

My lotions took my marks off too, they just remarked me.