May 2011 Radiation

Hello everybody, new and old! Wow, lots of people posting today. Everyone has offered good advice to our newest friends, so I have nothing to add, other than welcome to this friendly and supportive group where it's safe to post any question or frustration.

With 3 treatments left, I'm finally allowing myself to do a countdown. 

I've still got the red, itchy rash. My RO's nurse gave me a (tiny) sample of Miaderm (www.miaderm.com) to try when I whined about how Aquaphor's greasy mess was getting me down. The home page of their website is interesting as it describes the studies behind the ingredients. It's not Rx. They sell it via their website. As TonTon says, I'm not selling or endorsing this, just passing along the info. (I probably would have bought it a month ago, but am so close to the end, I'll probably just continue with the Aquaphor because I have it on hand.)

TonTon - You know so much about the science behind nutrition and exercise. Thanks for sharing your knowledge (no, I DON'T already know lots of it).

GmaFoley - Thank you again for sharing what you learned from the nutritionist. I've been eating lots of eggs and salmon and believe it has helped a lot. 

Those of you who have finished, I'm curious to know what your next steps are as far as follow-up appointments, tests, etc. Is there some sort of scan or test they do to monitor what the radiation did?

Hope you're all having a great week-end. We have an unusually busy week-end and I was a little nervous I'd have enough energy. So far, so good. 

Yeah, KCMOM!!!!

Congratulations to everyone finishing this week!

FMyBoys: I have nausea too.   Can't think of what else it would be.

TonLee:
My rads is 2 zaps. But they are long. The first zap-the machine is over to my left, at a wierd angle and last about 20 seconds. The 2nd zap, the machine is over on my right (again, at an angle) and lasts about 20-30 seconds.

Everyone:
Have a good weekend!

Congrats to all the women finishing.....WOOT!

Gabby, I studied with the American Fitness Association (AFA) years ago to become a personal trainer....I am no longer a PT, but have kept up on the fitness and nutrition research....and with the whole cancer thing...well, even more...lol.

I have 8 more to go.  My boob where the bolus sits is pinkish/red.  I can't wait to be done...I wish I didn't have to keep going every 3 weeks for Herceptin until December...I just want to be done with the cancer center...and get on with my life!!

Ok, I will stop panicking about the brown spots. Thank you for the reassurance! Woke up this morning and found I had a reaction to the little clear plastic circles around the nipple. Took them off and started applying Neosporin. I think I will tell the rad techs to just mark it and leave the circles off. If I have to, I'll mark it myself after each shower. It seems like there's something new and unexpected every day (and most not good) so I envy those who are finished. Can't wait to join you!

tinaj - my RO told me not to use ivory - it is too drying and to use the new dove sensitve (unscented)..It takes the aquaphor off in the shower and leaves you soft too..I have real sensitive skin and the new dove works great - oh an the said to us a THIN layer of aquaphor - I think some of us slather it on too thick.. I am soooooo glad for the two days off - my breast feels good today not as red - guess it will change that tomorrow..

Oh ladies that have nipples... I'm kinda glad now, after hearing your peeling stories, that my nipple had to be removed...

Gma- Thanks for the tip on the Dove sensitive skin. I've been using that in the shower but will put a bar by the sink for my Aquahor-plagued hands. 

I've been slathering on the Aquaphor. Using way more than a thin layer. I'll need to mend my ways.

rohanna:  When I had a reaction to the medical tape, doc told me to use hydrocortisone cream, not neosporin and it did work.  Now they use "sensitive" tape circles, they stay on great and don't cause the reaction.  I'm actually going to my last radiation today, then i get to remove mine!

I use Aquaphor at night only (so far) and to get it off your hands easy....

I put Dawn dish liquid (the real, not generic) in a hand pump by the bathroom sink..(it's made to cut grease so works better than soap)....I use warmish hot water and it takes all over 10 seconds (sometimes twice) to get it off, and my hands are soft!  (Not to mention my sink stays clean and shiny...)

I also soak my tank tops in a bucket of hot Dawn dishwater for about 10-30 minutes, wash like normal and I've had no stains.  And I REALLY slather it on at night.....

2 more days ladies and I'm done.....................Was told today that the breast will get a little worse, and then will get much better after the last treatment...........that is just the way; it is..........I have been lucky..........no real problems to talk about,.............if the Femara goes this well I will be thrilled, but not expecting that to happen. ..................time will tell.......need to get the script filled......dealing with the LE is the biggest pain in the ass.........still have to continue going for that...................I'm sure it could be worse................oh and yes the dove, unscented is what they told me to use too....................have not used that much on the breast as far as aquahor and aloe goes..............really didn't need it, just occassionally.............not sure about the next 2 weeks.............so glad I'm almost there............will order the danish and hoagie tray for the techs tomorrow..............

Gabby,

Yes, I have a bucket in the utility sink right beside the washer...I put a few squirts of dawn in it with scalding hot water, throw the shirts in..make sure and swish them around to get good and wet, and that's it....If you have a stubborn spot, or  one that looks especially greasy, using the Dawn directly on it will work.

Something I just want to add since we're talking about cutting grease etc....I don't know if anyone has tried it....but you can go to the Dollar Tree and buy A bottle of concentrated "AWESOME" for a buck.

Holy.  Cow.  That stuff is KICK ASS.  I had a 4 year old stain on my carpet that came right up...I also had some lovely washrags and towels stained with make-up....bleach didn't do anything, but I soaked them in Awesome, then washed them in hot water with some more added to the laundry soap, gave it an extra rinse and THEY ALL CAME CLEAN!!!!

We use it on everything now.  Made my popup camper (stored under a Cedar Tree all year) sparkle and shine like brand new....and best of all ...it's only a BUCK!  WOO HOO!!

ftblmom and TonLee - I have just ripped the arms out of my jammies because my armpit is giving me issues LOL - guess when all this is done we all need to get us new jammies

Yes, this board is AWESOME!

My t-shirts are soaking in Dawn right now and I'll be picking up some concentrated AWESOME next time I'm up by the Dollar store.

I'm on track to finish up Wednesday this week. I'm still going to keep checking this board until everyone is done. You've all been so helpful to me, I want to see you all through - and who knows what other terrific things I'll learn.

Gabby, if the aquphor has been in the fabric awhile, it may take a couple good hot soaks before coming out.....

I am done next Thursday if no machines break, etc....

I've won $10 total out of 23 tickets.  (I was too cheap to start the first week...lol)

Tomorrow I have Herceptin before rads...ugh.  I dread sitting in that chemo chair.

GMA, I sleep in a man's oversized white tank (from Target)..turned inside out...(with gobs of aquaphor), and then a super soft xtra large t-shirt turned inside out.  I wash everyday, so I only needed two of each, (but bought 3).  So far so good!  The aquaphor comes out everyday after a small soak, and the clothes get softer every wash.