JUNE 2011 RADS

mamadog-check with your doctor's office and see if you can get a gas voucher. I just found out yesterday that patients who travel over 100 miles for treatment are eligible for a $100 gas voucher from the American Cancer Society. They just filled out the paperwork for me yesterday. Now it won't help with the fatigue, but it would certainly be something to look forward to! You can also check with the ACS and see if they have driver's in your area. I my little town of 2800, there are 2 women who will drive cancer patients to their appointments, no cost. Many local chapters have volunteers who want to do this. Many have had cancer in their family and know the hardship of driving. So consider that as well. 

I have had several offers of people who will drive me. Seems silly for a 10-minute appointment, but I'm thinking that having someone in the car would be a nice thing. They could even drive my car! Some have friends/family in the town where my treatment is so if I want to spend the night with parents they would go see their relatives. With co-workers (teachers), we're thinking that several could go and we'd have brunch before or after my treatment. The hardest part is asking, but the best part is how willing people are when you do ask.  

Crog234

I'm jealous - I'm the opposite, only 9 down, 25 more to go.  So far, no SE's from the rads, only the hot flashes, night sweats from the Arimidex.  I'm following the advice of several on this thread - 100% Aloe Vera and Aquaphor and I haven't even turned pink yet.  Also, when I'm outside, I slather on the suntan lotion and make sure that I wear a top that is covering the front of me.  I used to live in tank tops - no more.

 Just as I was leaving the house this morning to take a walk, the cancer center called and said they had a cancellation so can I come in right away instead of later this afternoon and I only live 15 minutes away. Guess they wanted to have an early Friday off.  It was good to get it over with for the day, but it messed up my new habit of trying to go for a daily walk in the morning.  The afternoons are too hot and muggy and there is a free concert downtown tonight, girls road trip to Sioux Falls to a big scrapbooking store tomorrow - so much for the new habit I was going to start. Have a good weekend.

Good for  GmaFoley!  I finished 19/33 today and do feel like I've come a long way.  I slept with the hydrogel dressings on last night and it felt better today.  I'm hoping they can get me through to the end. My skin is tight and pulling on my arm, but I keep stretching.  The tissue expanders seem to make it worse.  I sure hope the PS can fix me all up in the end.  He might have his job cut out for him.

Karebear - your skin is doing well?  I'm a *ahem* DDD and the tech act like I'm DOOMED.  I actually wonder if I'm a DD now that I lost weight but I haven't bra shopped - figured I'd save that for later in the fall after rads.

Hi ladies! Wow I see some of u r done! Congrats!! And some soon to be done! Yay! I got 7 more to go... Skin is so tan I have never been that dark in my 32 yes of age... Is a bit painful and starting to get itchy... I see some are getting 35, here in Canada they only give 25 or so I have notice.. Weird... But I truly don't think my body would be able to make it to 35... It's pretty bad doc gave me hydromethasone Val something like that I hope that helps... Very disappointed with her I have seen her only twice first time when she told me about rads and maybe she sat with us 10-15 min tops, and since I have started once for 5 min to tell me I'm not eating according to dietician, and to give method creme which I lost the prescription, so yesterday I went to nurse to tell about the skin she looked at it and said she would go get a doc so he could see it... He never came and just sent the prescription... Are all rads docs like this or it's just mine? I guess I got use to my onc... Every three weeks and we would sit until all questions were answered!

And advice for skin? Is anyone pitting cold compress ?

Nurse said only to use what doc gave me not to put base glaxal??

I like the Miaderm.  It seems more soothing and non greasy.  I put it on in the morning and let it sit for a while, then I'll put Aquaphor on after my 10 am RADs. 

I like the Miaderm as well.  I'm trying to use it 2-3 times a day.  I only use the Aquaphor at night before bed.

I also Like Progressive Emu Oil and Fruit of the Earth Vit E cream.  Not a fan of aloe, so I'm not using it right now.

But I'm only 8/33 so what do I know.  The worst is yet to come fro me. 

Stage 1 - does look like it is parabin free: http://miaderm.com/about.html

The Fruit of the Earth Vitamin E cream is ay WalMart, on Amazon, and I have found it at Dollar General.  It's very inexpensive.  Kinda makes up for the expense of the Miaderm. 

Yes, Miaderm is $$$$.  I hope it's worth the money.

I've got my wound pads on my breast and underarm.  Getting ready to go to bed for the night.  They are itchy.  I'm tired of being uncomfortable.  3 weeks to go!

My onc nurse advised me to put gauze under my radiated breast because she said the result of skin to skin is the worst thing you can get during radiation.  Then I told my RO nurse and she said if there was any irritation at all not to use gauze because the skin would stick to it.  She said I should get ready for a shelf cami or a sports bra.  So far I haven't needed anything but I'm only halfway finished. 

completed 9 of 28 today.,,number 10.. double digits tomorrow.  So far (knock on wood) no problems.