April 2011 Rads

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  • ReadingMama
    ReadingMama Member Posts: 573
    edited May 2011

    Congrats LetLet

    Has anyone had a echo during Rads?  I'm on Herceptin, so am getting Echo's every 3 months.  I'm scheduled for an Echo next week, but as my left breast is the one getting radiated, I don't think its a great idea to have someone pushing down on the skin at this point.  I'm going to ask the DR's and will post on the Herceptin thread also, but just wondering.

    Under my arm is starting to hurt now, I'm worried about that.

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

    Hi Susan, I feel a little sticky (omg I had to look at you post to spell that!!!! hate chemo brain) under my arm, but I thought it was from no deoderant?

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  • mnleck
    mnleck Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2011

    Glad you found your necklace and thanks for the warning about mixing the cream and aloe. I did have that similar reaction to one of the creams someone had given me - a sample from the RO actually. Everyone's journey is just a little different but it sure has helped me to get on this forum and get some ideas and positive encouragement. I have one more treatment - tomorrow. I loved the idea of taking a treat to the techs, dr.s and others in the waiting room. I have felt so much love and support from them all. I have a son-in-law who took a year out of his life to fight cancer at age 17 and he stated that once we have survived we need to support others on this journey, as there is nothing that takes away fear like talking to someone who has gone through what you are going through. Thank you all for sharing. Love, M

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  • libraylil
    libraylil Member Posts: 528
    edited May 2011

    Hi April group, I just finished rads last week. It was really sore and red in a perfect bullseye pattern. However 9 days and everything is peeling and healing nicely. I think the worst part were the spots under the adhesive. Let let my armpit area was very sore and red also. I bought 1/8 yard of white fleece at the fabric store to keep between the skin and stop the rubbing. It really helped. It's washable, cheap and stays in place better than anything I tried. Also keeps down the nip irritation. Libraylil

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  • SusanHG
    SusanHG Member Posts: 655
    edited May 2011

    Gina:  Well, my "stickiness" (:-) )is more than from just no deodorant.  Under my breast is sticky as well.  Completely different feeling!  :-) 

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  • sammolisa
    sammolisa Member Posts: 180
    edited May 2011

    24/27 done today !  Yay!   Skin holding up as well as can be expected I guess.  Underarm is really angry red with spots.  Doesn't hurt too much as everything is mostly numb still from node dissection - (he took 20 of them )    Congrats to all finishing!

    Letlet - sorry to hear of your pain.   :(  Prayin it gets better fast!

    Hang in there to all who are in the middle.   I am feelin a bit better as days go by - getting my old energy back after a good nap.  Naps are still everyday.   Cymbalta seems to help the pain from leftover chemo in my hips and legs.   Tho it keeps me up at night so I am taking it in the morning instead -  Had a good three or 4 nights there where I couldn't sleep with the cymbalta.  Even ambien wouldn't overcome it.

    As for the stickiness,  I am putting on so much cream and kenalog and aquaphor I can't tell!   My chest started peeling a little this morning, and itching - doc gave me an Rx for kenalog cream for the itch.   I get to finish next week but he said the itch may remain for a few weeks.

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

    I can't wait till this is over........I'm on number 10, and everyday I am looking, and watching, and waiting for the axe to drop.........I bought my Aquaphor today, and I have my Aloe...I haven't really used it yet, and am wondering if I should get ahead of the game and start........

    I do believe something is going to start, even though I don't 'have any real pain, but there is a sensation of "yes, I know I havve a breast on that side, while the other side is normal..........also to me I look swollen......Saw the Dr. on tuesday and they thought "no problem"

    Oh well I'm going to bed and get some kind of sleep, hoping tomorrow is a good day.......I will just b so glad when it is over, although my mother use to say "be careful what you wish for"

    Good night ladies, hugs, and prayers.

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  • slg2130
    slg2130 Member Posts: 140
    edited May 2011

    I kind of feel like an imposter because I started rads on April 28, but it's still April, so I'm hanging out on this board.  Tomorrow will be #7 for me, and I'll be 25% of the way done.  I know it's not that much, but it sure seems like a pretty good milestone!

    Thanks for the advice everyone has given here.  It's made moving forward with rads more manageable!

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  • DLL66
    DLL66 Member Posts: 700
    edited May 2011

    Ducky, I was told told to start using lotion on day #1 to stay ahead of it.

    Tomorrow is #20/30 for me. I am very, very red now. I've gone through 2 tubes of Miaderm & almost a full bottle of Fruit of the Earth Aloe so far, but I am a fair, green-eyed redhead.

    slg2130, welcome to the April group! 

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  • thegood5
    thegood5 Member Posts: 478
    edited May 2011

    welcome slg2130...room for everyone!

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  • SusanHG
    SusanHG Member Posts: 655
    edited May 2011

    welcome slg2130!  you are not an imposter!  You started in April after all :-)

    Ducky:  I am almost through with my jar of Aquaphor and my aloe vera is getting low.  Given that I am slathering it on, my skin is still burning and last night, it was flaming red!  If I were you, I'd start now...I'm medium fair by the way.  I normally burn at first in the sun, then get a dark tan.  #20/36 today...

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  • thegood5
    thegood5 Member Posts: 478
    edited May 2011

    I have been slathering it too...have my 15th today and am soooo red and itchy right at my sternum...have a few tiny blisters..nurse said it's irritated hair folicals.  I put on a little hydrocort cream and it relievs it for a little while.  So glad we are all going thru this together...well, not that this is what I want to be sharing with you, but you know what I mean!  Have a great restful weekend and for all you moms, a very Happy Mother's Day!

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  • SusanHG
    SusanHG Member Posts: 655
    edited May 2011

    thegood5:  I started to have the iching at my sternum as well at #15.  Actually, hasn't gotten any worse.  May actually be better!  Happy mothers Day to you too!

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

    Sammolisa: Pain in the hip and leg from chemo?  My right hip has been hurting, but here's the thing - my chemobrain started telling me - did I hurt like this before cancer - did my knee bother me this much - and well, since I can't remember things very clearly....I didn't know hip pain can be associated with chemo?  I ended chemo Feb 14th.  I meet with my OC May 27th I'll have to write that down to ask her.

    So I was putting my PJ very soft cotton shirt on yesterday evening and I leaned over the bed for something and couldn't help but see my very two very different boobs!  I had a lumpectomy they classified as a partial mastectomy and boy did I see that yesterday.  How much does radiation shrink the boob?

    and yes Happy Mother's day to all, and may our chemo brains return to normal soon! 

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  • ritaz
    ritaz Member Posts: 186
    edited May 2011

    It will be 20 out of 30 for me today...I'm just amazed that I'm not all red and peeling because that's how I am in the sun...I'm about 1 cup swollen and a tanned nipple but I saw the RO yesterday and she commented on the fact that I'm just not even that red by now...I'm a blue eyed blonde.  I've been using Jeans Cream since day one - it has aloe and Vitamin E and it's the only thing my RO wants me to use.  I did try the Miaderm but it did nothing - Jeans Cream by the next morning I'm back to just a tiny bit pink...

    Readingmama:  I can't tell you how many times I thought of you losing your necklace - maybe because there's no locks on the lockers...so happy for you that you found it...

    letlet:  Oh honey, your story brought tears to my eyes too...You poor dear - I hope you heal soon and what a husband - that's love!!!  Congrats on finishing thou...

    mnleck:  Yippee Skippy girl, you're finishing today!  How wonderful...I've been considering bringing the techs something too...When you get a chance - post what you did...The only thing I can come up with is a tray of cookies...how boring...

    Sig2130:  Welcome to April - Of course you can join up with us - we're a great bunch of ladies all going thru a crappy time in our lives...actually, sorry you have to join us - wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy...

    Ducky:  Haven't won on ONE scratch ticket this week...I bought a bunch of duds...I'm considering buying 10 more of a different type because I get that "this time I'm gonna win" and then: nothing...

    Happy Mother's Day to all - Have a healing weekend and ((((hugs)))) to all,

    Rita

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  • SusanHG
    SusanHG Member Posts: 655
    edited May 2011

    Rita:  I am jealous!  I am so burned and starting to peel today!  Wondering whether the peeling is just the aloe peeling off?  I will shower later and see...20/30 done as well.

    My nipple is so hard and swollen and dark in color.  Really painful to the touch as well.  I am getting very scared about next week.  Can it get any worse??  So far so good, not very tired so far today.  We will see how i am later! 

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  • ReadingMama
    ReadingMama Member Posts: 573
    edited May 2011

    Happy Friday to all!!  Yesterday, I go to Rads, there are maybe 5 dressing rooms for the ladies, and each one has two lockers in it.  I finish Rads, go back to the dressing room, lock the door, put my aquaphor on and sit down and do the crossword while I airdry.  About 10 minutes later, the cleaning lady comes barging in on me in all my glory!  So much for the locks, which I guess don't work.  She was very apologetic and didn't realize anyone was still there, etc.  I wasn't upset, I'm just glad it wasn't the cleaning man who is usually there.

    #23/34 today, still hurts a little under the arm, will be glad for the 2 day break.  And am only getting 27 whole breast, so really only 5 more whole breast, including today!

    Ducky - I was also told to start using lotion Day 1, I even started before that.

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  • ReadingMama
    ReadingMama Member Posts: 573
    edited May 2011

    Oh yes, Happy Mothers Day to all the moms also!

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

    Well I did start my  Aloe before going to bed..........Well it all rubbed off on the nightgown...........What good did that do, or do you guys put it on allow it to dry, then put your clothes on.........Do yo do both Aloe, and Aquaphor at the same time, or one then the other later on.,....God I hate this, and my boob is swollen too, but barely pink, but at times I know I have a boob on the right.............

    That is the way me and my kids describe when something hurts or is uncomfortable..........we will say "well it's not bad, but "you know I can say "I know I have a boob now, or I know I have a stomach now, or I know I have a finger now........meaning when all is well you don't realize you have these things till some type of hurt calls it to your attention..........

    Will continue to put on my goobarb..............

    Happy Mom's Day to you all.

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  • AimeeMac
    AimeeMac Member Posts: 241
    edited May 2011

    Duckyb - I put the aloe on, then lay down with my arm over my head until everything gets dry. Keeping things dry becomes more and more important as time goes on. My RO said to use the aloe twice a day and the aquaphor once, but the nurse said not to use the aquaphor under the breast as it won't allow it to dry.

    this week (5) I started having problems under the breast  - redness and rash - and bought some non-stick pads in the bandaid section and put them under the breast to keep the skin from sticking. Gross, I know, but it helps.

     BTW - I bought 2 $2 scratch tickets - won $4 on one of them and $20 on another! Bought another one today but no win. Still ahead of the game though - thanks for the idea!

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

    AimeeMac, thanks for the info,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and good for you girlfriend 2 wins, that's great.  I didn't win today, but will hope for better luck tomorrow...........I'm $26.00 won to $33.00 spent........not bad, and I have 23 more ticket to scratch.................Happy Mother's Day

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

    Hi all, starting to have pain in the radiated area, just pain....like my skin is hurting?  I feel like I'm on fire too on my skin, but it's cool to the touch - too bad we can't bottle that like a bengay product? 

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  • thegood5
    thegood5 Member Posts: 478
    edited May 2011

    left side is definitly turning red...had to laugh, when I would wear a bikini (those days are long gone...)my hubby would say I glow in the dark from my tan skin/white boobs, or that they looked like headlights.  Last night when I put on the aloe, I was laughing so hard and told him I am now a "padidle"...ever play that game while driving and you see a car with just one headlight and you yell "padidle!"?  well, that's me now....

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  • walley
    walley Member Posts: 231
    edited May 2011

    I am on 20/33 today.Going okay I do have a rash.I found a sleep bra that works well for me at Target in the maternity section .Very soft and gives me some support even during the day.my other bras are very irritating.going to buy13 lottery tickets today:) Have a good week ladies.I am glad I found all of you .All your posts help alot:)

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  • SusanHG
    SusanHG Member Posts: 655
    edited May 2011

    Glad you found us, Walley!  I love this thread myself. It has been such a big support system for me.

    Told my radiation therapist that I was scared of this week of rads (Week #5).  He said "Why?"  "Because I have a grey armpit, a burning beet red breast, tons of black dots all over, and some strange stuff going on under my breast."  He said given my skin color, I'm doing just as expected.  And also, being perfectly honest, some ladies have their skin wide open at this point.  Ouch!!  I guess I better count my blessings...Take care and be strong Ladies!

    Susan

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  • ReadingMama
    ReadingMama Member Posts: 573
    edited May 2011

    Suggestion - I'm sure most of your RO's told you to put lotion on your back also, kind of reach around the side, it gets red there too for many due to the angle of the radiation.  Well, I was doing that, I would reach across my breast and put it on the side and back.  But I did not put in on the back behind the armpit (under the arm, in the armpit, yes, around back, no) and now that area is red and hurting.

    This is the first Monday that I still am a little red from the weekend and still huring a little where the arm and breast meet.  23 of 34 done.

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  • SusanHG
    SusanHG Member Posts: 655
    edited May 2011

    Walley:  I got my nursing bra at Target too and I love it!  It is a very pretty navy blue with lace and it has been my lifesaver during radiation.  so comfy and the nipple does not get irritated as much.

    Does anyone have this problem?  I have been losing everything I own!  One day it will be my purse, then the next day my car keys, then the next my shoe (I am still looking for it from Saturday!)  Today it was my aloe vera.  I actually had to go to the store to buy another one!!  Is this possibly "Radiation Brain"?  :-)

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  • walley
    walley Member Posts: 231
    edited May 2011

    Well #20 down and on to 21 tomorrow:)  They are going to set me up for my boosts tomorrow.5 at the end  ....there is a light at the end of tunnel:)   Have a good night all.Thanks for your support:)

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  • SusanHG
    SusanHG Member Posts: 655
    edited May 2011

    readingmama:  Had #21 today and have not fully recovered from the weekend either.  Still burns! I am really scared for friday! 

    walley: Glad you are starting boosts already...I have seven more to go until boosts!  8 boosts 36 total radsFrown

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  • sammolisa
    sammolisa Member Posts: 180
    edited May 2011

    26/27 done today -  Tomorrow is the big day !!!   I have the same thing  you do SusanHG - gray armpit - red all over with dark brown/black dots in alot of places - not too bad - and tomorrow is the end - wondering if all this is gonna start sloughing off/ peeling.   Hope so  - it's gross!    Lucklily I am all numb everywhere from the LND and the oncoplasty they did.  So I am not feeling much - here and there on the edge of the rads area it stings - and my sternum is quite red and itchy.

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