May 2011 Radiation

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  • MaggieMc2
    MaggieMc2 Member Posts: 54
    edited May 2011

    Thank you Ducky for the advice on the Aloe Vera. The plant and leaves should be safe as my friend has been growing it in her yard for years. It isn't all that easy to use though for a large area. My DH brought home a tube of Aloe from CVS. It does have some questionable other ingredients. triethanolamine, Carbmer, Tetrasodium Edta etc, so I will pass on that and stop at Whole Foods on the way home from rads today to buy what Gabby recommended. I wish we had a Trader Joe's in Orlando because then I would pick up some of their peanut butter cups (which are to die for) as well. LOL. I used some Aquaphor last night before bed as someone else here suggested that.

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  • MaggieMc2
    MaggieMc2 Member Posts: 54
    edited May 2011

    Gabby, good suggestion on the digital camera. They do take plenty of photos of me at rads, but I should have a copy for myself as well. And I definitely wouldn't want to ever go again to CVS to pick up prints if anyone there ever saw a picture of my chest as it looks today!

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

    MaggieMc2.................I got my Aloe from Trader Joe's also............It is very reasonable.

     The only reason I mentioned the purity of the aloe plant was the conditions at where you would buy it..............since your friend is growing her own, I'm sure hers is great compared to a nursery.......howerver your right about the quanity.....I mentioned that to my daugher............I said "you would need a nice size plant, with nice size leaves to get what you need for the size area we have to cover..........its  not like we have a little burn on our finger from touching the oven rack while cooking........we need a lot.............so I guess the pure Aloe, no additives is the best way for us to go.

    I also bought Aquaphor at Target........ I found the one by Eucerin...it was $15.00........then my  daughter looked right next to that one, and found on that is the "Target" brand, and compared the ingredients with Eucerin and they were identical............only difference was the Target brand was only $9.99, so I bought 2 of those........instead of the Eucerin brand which was no different just more expensive...............just thought I would pass that along in case any of you ladies have a Target in your area.

    The Target brand says on the jar..........Up & Up healing ointment, skin protectant, and has a picture of a Bunny sitting with his tail showing on the front of the jar.  it is 14 oz............it also says on the jar.......Compare to active ingredients in Aquaphor Healing Ointment.................................you can get 2 jars for almost the same price as one Eucerin brand

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

    Sorry above I said I bought Aquaphor at Target...............Aquaphor is a trade name, what I actually bought was the "Target" brand, called Up & Up...............wanted to make that correction...

    Asked the RO today if there is such a thing as Radiation Brain....she laughed.....guess its just old age...........another senior moment.

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  • ForMyBoys
    ForMyBoys Member Posts: 64
    edited May 2011

    Got my simulation and first treatment today. I have asked for tatoos so I can swim and soak in a salt bath. My Center doesn't tatoo routinely, but they said they would in a few days once they were sure there marks were right.

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  • msjag
    msjag Member Posts: 416
    edited May 2011

    Formyboys, It's amazing how oncs are so different at different places, mine told me no baths, no swimming, and luke warm water in the shower, and don't let the shower spray be directly on boob being radiated.  (I had tatoos)  I think the hottub/hot water is to prevent lymphedema, I know I spelled that incorrectly!!

    Ducky, I think there is such a thing as radiation brain!!!  I swear I took steak out of the freezer for my hubby to grill, and we searched the whol fridge, NOPE....steak was still in the freezer!!.  I think we should be able to say, "I have RB, what's your excuse!!"

    Hope everyone is doing well.  1 1/2 weeks out of radiation and my tan has faded, almost looks like my other boob.  No additional cooking, so I consider myself lucky.  Every once in awhile I get a pain on the inside on my elbow. 

    Ducky, thanks for the scratch ticket idea, I won $100 on the one I bought!!  And I don't have to spend it on aloe and aquafor!, md co pays, biotene mouthwash, or soft tank tops that get ruined because of th e aquafor!!

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  • GabbyCal
    GabbyCal Member Posts: 277
    edited May 2011

    ForMyBoys - your RO is OK with swimming and soaking? I was told no hot tubs. As to swimming, they said if that's my only exercise it would probably be OK for the first couple weeks, but be sure to rinse the chlorine off really well. I switched to walking and riding a stationary bike instead o swimming from the start just to be safe.

    I told the nurse I've been using a hair dryer on the COOL setting to speed along the drying of the Aloe Vera Gel. She said be sure it's just cold air, NO HEAT. 

    Best of luck with your treatments.  

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  • MaggieMc2
    MaggieMc2 Member Posts: 54
    edited May 2011

    I took the aloe my DH bought at CVS to the rad center and had the nurse look at it. She said the " other" ingredients were just preservatives and it was ok to use. I looked at Whole Foods and they didn't carry the Earth something brand. The nurse said they also carry it at Walmart, but there isn't one nearby plus I really don't like shopping there. However I will be in CA for Memorial Day weekend, so I will stock up on Aloe at Trader Joe's then.

    I still have to buy my scratch off tickets, especially since msjag won $100. Woohoo...way to go girls.

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  • ForMyBoys
    ForMyBoys Member Posts: 64
    edited May 2011

    msjag, no hot tubs or very hot baths, but swimming and warm soaks are okay.

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  • sundermom
    sundermom Member Posts: 463
    edited May 2011

    Hello All!  I'm a few weeks behind all of you.  I had my implant exchange surgery this morning and go for my rads simulation on Friday.  I bought some Aquaphor and Aloe Vera gel, but I want to look at the bottle of the gel.. I don't think it's 100%.  We don't have a Whole Foods or Trader Joes around us.  Do you think a holistic health foods store might carry the 100% gel?  My MO mentioned nothing about skin care.  He said he didn't think I would have any problems because I don't sunburn easily and because there is no skin-to-skin contact between my new perky breasts and my chest.  I'm still planning on lubing up every day - better safe than sorry :) 

    Anyone else planning on hitting the pool this summer?  School lets out in about 3 weeks and we usually go to the pool everyday.  I'm thinkning maybe a sleeveless coverup????  That would let me get some sun on my arms and legs, but protect my chest.

    Tammy

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  • ewa-swimmer
    ewa-swimmer Member Posts: 49
    edited May 2011

    2/21 today. I went swimming this morning before the sun came up. My RO wants me to use a short sleeve rash guard if I swim after dawn.

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  • ForMyBoys
    ForMyBoys Member Posts: 64
    edited May 2011

    I use an indoor pool.

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

    Hi everyone! Hi Ducky from April Rads!

    I'm 12 in of 33, bought my scratch offs after Ducky suggested and won 60 bucks already! My RO gave me an RX for Radiogel and told me three times a day, one of them being right after rads in the changing room, and not to use anything else unless he gives to me...

    Tammy, my RO also told me to be careful with the armpit, anywhere skin touches skin...

    Lucky all you swimmers and bathers...I have maker on me with clear "stickers" on them.  No soaking in any water or off come the stickers and markings....

    I'm not using the Remedy Creams for rads, but they are amazing!!!! I think they are made with olive oil.

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  • cb451
    cb451 Member Posts: 24
    edited May 2011

    Hello Ladies!  This is my first post.  I started radiation today and wonder if it could be the source of my fatigue - after just one dose?  Seems improbable!

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  • Pinkprincess
    Pinkprincess Member Posts: 280
    edited May 2011

    Anyone experience some throat irritation or is this just allergies? I am going to ask dr tomorrow about it. I am on day 13.....just wondered if anyone else has a kind of grainy feel when they swallow, no soreness or any thing just feels different. It maybe allergies.

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

    cb451~ I was tired from day one, thought I was crazy!! I wondered if it had to do with all the anxiety leading up to the first treatment?  Getting out of bed is the hardest for me....once I get going I'm ok, then work, then rads at 4 then nap by 7.....

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  • cb451
    cb451 Member Posts: 24
    edited May 2011

    Gina:  Thanks for your reply.  I felt a bit kooky connecting those dots but I was undeniably fatigued after my first dose today.  Perhaps I'm just tired out?  I guess I'll see.

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  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited May 2011

    Tammy,

    There is a Trader Joe's in Kettering, 328 East Stroop. :)

    At least that is what their website says...heading there today so will let you know.

    Also there is a Whole Foods in Mason...about 25 minutes south of you....

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  • GabbyCal
    GabbyCal Member Posts: 277
    edited May 2011

    For those of you heading to the Whole Foods or Trader's Joe's, you want 99% pure Aloe Gel. 

    (There is such a thing as 100%, but it's a liquid for internal use sold in the nutrition supplements section.)

    Hope everyone has a pleasant, irritation-free day!

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

    OH heavens, used Aquaphor last night.........good heavensm, is that stuff greasy......I could not believe it......after putting it on, I waited a  bit thinking it might work its way in to the skin, well so much for that...........Needless to say I destroyed a very nice Victoria Secret nightgown......was not happy about that.........think I will go buy some mens xxL white tee shirts, and wear them once I put that crap on...........Lord that stuff is awful.......hopefully it does what it is suppose to do, although I have no pain or redness but its only # 13, so that could be coming down the highway.

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  • msjag
    msjag Member Posts: 416
    edited May 2011

    Ducky, aquaphor is greasy, but it worked wonders for me, and other women at rads.  I used aloe plant also.  washed my hands, washed the aloe leaves/shoots..then opened them and rubbed on my skin.   I did wear old tanks under all my shirts and at night, because it can stain clothing.

     Won another 23 dollars on a scratch ticket...this is fun, Ducky!!

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  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited May 2011

    Tammy,

    I hit Trader Joe's today in Kettering.  They have the 99% aloe for $2.99....I bought two of them...12 ounces (I think).

    I'm looking for Emu oil around here, but looks like I will have to order it on line.  Start Rads Monday.

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  • Kaseymomto2boys
    Kaseymomto2boys Member Posts: 55
    edited May 2011

    5/30 done today. Seems to be going good. No skin irritation yet. I'm a little worried though about them radiating my supraclavicular area. I know it's protocol but concerned with it possibly hitting my thyroid. I am hoping that I pulled the actual Curcumin C3 Complex supplement in this clinical trial my RO recommended instead of the placebo. After researching it appears Curcumin has lots of anti inflammatory properties and I want to do everything I can to not burn. I've still got to go get me some lottery tickets, great idea Ducky!

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  • ForMyBoys
    ForMyBoys Member Posts: 64
    edited May 2011

    I've only had 2 treatments (Both with bolus) and am already buring. Was told I would have the bolus all of the way through b/c of the mastecomy.  UUGGH. And I'm tired too.

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  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited May 2011

    Kasey,

    Is that oral?  Topical?  Can you tell me a little more about it?

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  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited May 2011

    ForMy...

    Yeah, I will use Bolus as well.  My RO said if I don't turn bright red, then I am "under treated" ...

    I'm not a fan of the scorch and burn idea...and he doesn't know it yet, but once I turn red from the Bolus, I'm done with it.  I won't allow it after that.

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  • GabbyCal
    GabbyCal Member Posts: 277
    edited May 2011

    TonLee and ForMyBoys - I've never heard of Bolus but am curious. Can you fill me in on what it is?

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  • TonLee
    TonLee Member Posts: 2,626
    edited May 2011

    Bolus is a jel (or jelly like disc) placed on the skin.  It "tricks" the radiation into believing the skin starts higher than it actually does, so the radiation will split/scatter and treat the skin.  (Radiation today is designed to penetrate the skin before scattering, like a bunker busting bomb...the old cobalt machines were the opposite..the skin took the brunt of the rads...)

    I had a close margin on the skin side, so we're going to bolus the upper quadrant.  Bolus usually causes burning, peeling, and blistering. 

    Totally sucks.

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  • GmaFoley
    GmaFoley Member Posts: 7,091
    edited May 2011
    KCMomx3 I was thinking, If they were doing tatoos at least make them pretty...how about butterfles or lady bugs?  I see my RO for the first time tomorrow - have no idea what to expect.. I am still waiting for my oncotype dx to come back..should hear monday, but the oncologist doesn't think I will need chemo just radiation and antihormone meds.
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  • cb451
    cb451 Member Posts: 24
    edited May 2011

    Hi Ladies!  I had my second session today and radiation DEFINATELY tires me out.  I just awoke from an hour-long nap and I am not a napper!   I thought I wasn't supposed to experience fatigue for several weeks.  If fatigue is a cumulative side effect, I don't know how the heck I'm going to function for 30 sessions.

    Regarding skin cream, my RO gave me a tub of "Udderly Smooth Udder Cream."  Yes, it's for cows!  I thought you might enjoy the directions:  "Apply to the udder after each milking, massaging into the skin.  For teat cracks apply in sufficient quantity to fill crack and cover surrounding area.  Apply uniformly to chafed area and bruises to maintain skin suppleness.  For aid in softening swollen udders following calving, apply liberally twice daily with gentle massage."  MOO!

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