April 2011 Rads

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  • msjag
    msjag Member Posts: 416
    edited April 2011

    Done with rads, skin doing fine, I used aquafor 3 times a day, and aloe ge/plant two or three times a day.  I used hydrocortizone cream for any itching, stops it quick, and takes care of any rash that may be starting.   I noticed a couple of weeks ago two tiny blishers under my boob, but they never got any bigger and disappeared over night!

    You can all do this!! I remember my first day thinking this was gonna be the longest 7 weekds of my life and couldn't see any light at the end of this journey, but it does happen!  I wish you all a great s/e free weekend. 

    Samm, thanks for starting this thread and the chemo one, been such a help with suggestions, support, and many laughs!

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  • sammolisa
    sammolisa Member Posts: 180
    edited April 2011

    Letlet- I am with you on what the heck did I do?   I have been swimmin along just fine and all of a sudden my underarm is red.   Mine is a little annoying tho not painful - it's mostly numb from the node removal too.

    You are most welcome Msjag - and congrats on finishing!!   I have always been one to jump into stuff head first and lead the pack - somehow this cancer has zapped most of that out of me however - trying to get my mojo back and start leading again.

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  • GabbyCal
    GabbyCal Member Posts: 277
    edited April 2011

    Hi ReadingMama- Just wanted to pop in to answer your question on whether I'm covered for radiation. Where I go, they remove the gown just enough to get everything setup, then cover me back up again before they do the treatment.  Sounds like it's the same as your experience.

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  • ritaz
    ritaz Member Posts: 186
    edited April 2011

    Finished 15/30 yesterday - Wish I had purchased my tickets where Ducky got hers - got another $2.00 so far out of 15 $2.00 tickets I've gotten $6.00 - no wonder they promote the lottery like they do - It's a cash cow!!! 

    Yeah Ducky - you crack me up too - glad I found this thread with all you great ladies...Hope everyone has a healing weekend and here's to fighting this crappy disease!!!

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  • BlueLily
    BlueLily Member Posts: 60
    edited April 2011

    18/33 what a difference a few days make ... I think they zapped both my energy and patience this week.  My nipple is blistered and peeling, I'm swollen & feel like I have spiders crawling on me and NOW the RO tells me that I should have been taking advil all along!  (next week he'll give me something stronger if I need it) And, yes ... I'm as tired of the 'iconic kiss' as I am of people who say its 'only' radiation.... hah!  I feel better already!      

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  • duckyb1
    duckyb1 Member Posts: 13,369
    edited May 2011

    Ritaz...........glad to be here with you too................2 days off from the "Stalker", that is what i call that friggin machine I visit 5 days a week...............Hope you and the rest of the gals, have a good finish to the weekend.............only 5 down, but its 5 gone..............28 more Rads to go......................Oh but that's 28 more lottery tickets to scratch.................shit life aint so bad after all.....................Here's to another winning week.........................will keep you all posted..hugs and have a great night

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  • MizChiz
    MizChiz Member Posts: 36
    edited May 2011

    Lisa, Letlet... I had my 19/28 and my armpit looked a little tanned/pink and seemed aggravated last evening. I slapped some aloe gel on it and called it a day. Glad I get checked by a nurse practitioner and/or doctor 2x a week though. I don't want anything to escalate beyond "a little pink." Also, that Crystal deodorant I'm using under my right armpit? Dang if it doesn't give out on me during the night (probably from hot flashes) and I smell like a pubescent girl again... Wonderful! :P

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  • SusanHG
    SusanHG Member Posts: 655
    edited May 2011

    Just finished 15/36 on Friday.  Had some evening plans to go to the theatre, but this was a big mistake!  Felt awful through it--so exhausted-and my bad back and neck were flaring as well.  Yesterday, I had a beautiful long afternoon nap which felt heavenly.  Felt much better upon waking, but could have slept 10 more hours.  My ribcage is very tender and my armpit looks a little scary, almost grey-like.  Not sure about it, but put Aquaphor on it imediately.  I think I may have to retire the nursing bra I've been wearing.  The constriction around my ribs is starting to be too much.  Shelf bra camisoles are better. 

    Does anyone know if we are allowed to wear regular anti-perspirant when we are not having radiation?  Do we just need to avoid wearing it because of interference with the rays?  I've been putting it on to exercise and going out, but my rads are in the morning.   Worried about the grey armpit :(

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  • walley
    walley Member Posts: 231
    edited May 2011

    Hi Everyone,

    I just finished my third week of rads,So far I have had a rash mostly in the clevage area.Anyone else have this?Told to use anti -fungal cream.doesn't seem to be working.But only started it 4 days ago.

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  • BlueLily
    BlueLily Member Posts: 60
    edited May 2011

    SusanHG- my RO said only antiperspirant on the side with no rads. To use Crystal or Tom's with no aluminum for the duration.

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  • duckyb1
    duckyb1 Member Posts: 13,369
    edited May 2011

    Was also told no antiperspirant on the Rads side..........I was told I could use pure Cornstarch on the side of Rads.

    On Friday I got a shower 1/2 hour before I went for Rad.........let me tell you.........when I lift my arm to put over my head for the treatment, I thought a small "farm animal" had entered the room............

    Nothing  helps.....it is just plain "nasty", and I can't do anything about.  I told my kids the other day..........I smell like a "Billy Goat", under my right arm..............They say "Mom I don't smell anything".................now you know their lying right through their teeth...........

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  • AimeeMac
    AimeeMac Member Posts: 241
    edited May 2011

    I know what you mean ducky - I take a shower 1/2 hour before treatment, with a non-scented Dove soap, and when I change out of my top in the changing room I can't get over how bad I smell already. I wonder what those Radiation techs are thinking when they lift my arm up to put in the holder for treatment!

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  • duckyb1
    duckyb1 Member Posts: 13,369
    edited May 2011

    Aimee, I don't give them a chance to think..............I say..........sorry ladies,  trust me when I tell you, I got a shower 1/2 hour ago......................Or I'll say "ok, today I'm a "billy goat".......they say "hey we understand".............so its ok, I'm sure they do..........one day I said ...........you guys should start a "pool" on "who smelled the worst today"...........you could at least make the torture pay off............they laughed.

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  • msjag
    msjag Member Posts: 416
    edited May 2011

    Ducky, you are too funny!!!I

    I keep forgetting to mention a tip that onc nurse gave me when I first started rads.  Don't rub any lotion/cream on your skin, but pat it on instead.  She explained that when the skin starts changing in the third/fourth week, you will irritate it and it can cause skin to peel and cause pain.  Might seem kind of hard to do that with aquafor, but I would spread it thin on my fingers and pat it on, aloe plant too, just pat on.

    I can't believe I can put deoderant on today, and I will have the mornings to myself before work instead of driving 45 minutes to rads..  Sending positive thoughts to all.

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  • sagina
    sagina Member Posts: 1,219
    edited May 2011

    I think I have you all beat on the smellometer!  I go to work in the am and have rads at 4 pm...so I could go straight home if I was to get tired....I keep apologizing to the techs and they told me Friday, you're just self conscious about it....they are so polite. Bet they have a big bowl behind their desk!  My skin was really pinkish red Friday, but looks much better today, thank goodness for weekends....

    Susan so sorry you couldn't enjoy the theater....

    Walley I gave up my good bras that give me cleavage when I started rads, although I have large boobs, they need help in the lift department!  I think mine are from long ago days when the slogan was lift and separate, they just forgot how to lift.....I have some redness underneath though.

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  • sagina
    sagina Member Posts: 1,219
    edited May 2011

    DUCKY DUCKY DUCKY!!!!! I won $50.00 on my scratch off from Friday, I'm a couple of days late since you know I just love that bingo scratch off....hehehehe, takes me 15 minutes to do one!  Thank you for the wonderful idea!

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  • duckyb1
    duckyb1 Member Posts: 13,369
    edited May 2011

    I remember someone telling me one time..............Wait till you have to lift our boobs up to wash underneath them................I said.....................ooohhhhhhh, no way,.not these 2 perky puppies,..Now those 2 perky puppies, look down, and "bark" hello at my feet each morning, and the ones nose points to the East, since the lumpectomy........................guess it doesn't pay to brag,.....................I'll be more humble from here on........

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  • thegood5
    thegood5 Member Posts: 478
    edited May 2011

    wow, I thought it was my own armpit I was smelling...must be all of you!  haha!  Have a great week everyone and look at it as a countdown to getting better, instead of a countup to getting REDDER!

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  • SusanHG
    SusanHG Member Posts: 655
    edited May 2011

    Walley:  I have some itching in my cleavage area, but no rash.  The doc told me to just moisturize more there.

    Gina:  Wow!  You are lucky!  Congrats on with big win!  All that scratching off really paid off ;).

    Thanks for the advice about the antiperspirant.  I forgot that I can put it on the other side, but I will definitely stop using it on the rad side for the duration.  Actuall, I use Tom's and it isn't so bad, but it is still cool here.  If it gets hot, I'm in trouble!

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  • ReadingMama
    ReadingMama Member Posts: 573
    edited May 2011

    Gina, congrats on the win!!!  I keep forgetting to buy mine. 

    Aimee, you changed your avatar, right.  You look great!

    I was also told no antiperspirant on the rads side at all, only on the other side.  I was told cornstarch also, but I'll admit I haven't bothered yet.  And I'm at the end of the day also, so I do feel bad for the techs also.

    Little nervous this week, should be #19- #23 and seems this is prime time for redness and other SE's. 

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  • AimeeMac
    AimeeMac Member Posts: 241
    edited May 2011

    Reading mama, I changed my avatar to post on the hair hair hair thread - I am at 7 weeks PFC and have very little to show in the way of hair. I got a lot of encouragement last night from the gals there. It will get here eventually - just wish I had more patience!

    Aimee

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  • ReadingMama
    ReadingMama Member Posts: 573
    edited May 2011

    Aimee, I hear you.  I am almost 4 months out and have very little hair as well.  I have not gone out "topless" yet and just started reading/chiming in on the haire, hair, hair thread.

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  • duckyb1
    duckyb1 Member Posts: 13,369
    edited May 2011

    Sagina..................Congrats girlfriend.........just saw your post............$50.00 good for you...........I had to go to Rads today, and then to an LE specialist, so I wasn't on earlier, plus watching the Osama stuff all morning, and got wrapped up in that , before I knew it my son was here to pick me up to go to Rads...........Well a bit of not good news, found out I have  slight swelling in my right arm, and thought it might be something.,..........my RO told me to go see this LE specialist, and she confirmed it...........early LE..........so pissed off, I can't see straight.......but it is what it is, and I'll just have to put on my "big girl panties" and make the best of it........I will be going to see someone for treatment next Tuesday.........really not happy

    A woman on the LE thread said "I would raher have Chemo over, then have this LE"..............Well either her Chemo was not bad, or LE is very bad.........Guess I'll find out soon enough, although the LE specialist said its good I questioned it very early in the game.......So here i go on another venture down "cancer highway"............So happy you won, and hey you still have more tickets to scratch....

    No win for me today, but I've done really well, so I can't complain, and there is always tomorrow.

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  • walley
    walley Member Posts: 231
    edited May 2011

    Hello Ladies,

    I completed #15 out of 33 today.Still have a really red rash .See the doc tomorrow .Hope she has a solution.Congrats on the lottery win!

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  • sagina
    sagina Member Posts: 1,219
    edited May 2011

    Well I might have won on the ticket but I did 7 of 33 today and I am really red already.  My incision is right across the top a couple of inches down from where the boob meets the chest. From the incision down, to under the nipple I am really red.  I see the RO tomorrow too.  They had a hard time lining me up today too....wonder if the seroma is bigger and throwing it off...Time to make an appt with the OC, cause she always makes me feel better!

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  • duckyb1
    duckyb1 Member Posts: 13,369
    edited May 2011

    Went for #7 today.......Sagina, you and I are running the race together........I am also getting 33 treatments...........Saw the RO today and she said the boob is getting a little pink, but she said she expected it cause I'm fair skinned, but honestly I'm not......I tan in the summer, of course I might burn first, but nothing horrible.....I guess time will tell.

    Found out yesterday I have LE (slightly) in arm surgical side).........Will do something about it......not happy about that.........

    Wondering if I should start creams  now.......the Rad girls said "no", and of course I forgot to as my RO..........Nothing is sore or hurts, and there is no heat in the boob, so maybe I'll just wait, or if I do anything, might start by the end of the week.

    Ok, have a great day.

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  • AimeeMac
    AimeeMac Member Posts: 241
    edited May 2011

    ducky, I was told to start creams right away, and one woman who had been through rads 5 years ago said to start even BEFORE rads started. I have been using aloe 3x day, now have added aquaphor as I am in 5th week and having rash and redness underneath the breast. If you are already pink, I would start using the creams now.

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  • SusanHG
    SusanHG Member Posts: 655
    edited May 2011

    OK Gina, Itlooks like I have a seroma now too!  It's a small one but it was confirmed by my RO today.  He said we won't touch it and it will go away as the skin heals.  It is a little fluid filled area on my incision, right in the spot where my breast was draining from my infection.  Also, I have another uncommom side effect.  My entire ribcage (even below the bottom line) is swollen and inflamed.  Can't lift my arm at this point.  But, he said it is nothing to worry about, just my body responfding to the rads.  My body sure is responsive to everything!

    ducky-I started using creams right away.  I put aloe on immediately after treatment, then Aquaphor later on, and calendula oil on my nipple.  My skin really doesn't seem too bad.  Well, except for my grey armpit, but I was told that is normal and will go away with time (hair follicles).  It's the underneath my skin that i am having trouble with Frown

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  • SusanHG
    SusanHG Member Posts: 655
    edited May 2011

    I forgot to mention that I just finished number 17 today.  As of tomorrow, I will be half way through!  Yaaay!

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  • thegood5
    thegood5 Member Posts: 478
    edited May 2011

    ducky, I agree...start the creams now!I started putting it on the week before rads, just to prep my skin.  NOT that the Doc's dont know what they are talking about, but I would rather go by the girls on this and the March thread, who have been thru the actual radiation and know what it feels like...they are full of great tips.  I put the cream on right after rads, again in the afternoon, and at bedtime I put on the aquaphore with a mens undershirt that fits fairly tight.  Good luck to all!

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