February RADS

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  • cj81842
    cj81842 Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2012

    Dancetrancer,

    Thanks for your reply and it does help just to know we all have each other for support. It really is hard to trust the medical field but, like you, I really don't have a choice because I want to do whatever it takes to get rid of the cancer.  My tumor (5.5 cm) is located against the chest wall with no clear margins and I'm very small in the chest area (even with a boob :-)  so I guess it would be impossible to avoid certain areas and be able to kill the cancer cells. I personally believe in prayers and the grace of God and sometimes I have to let go of the fear of what can happen and leave it up to God to get me through & guide the RO & technicians involved in my treatment.  So far, God has helped me through the chemo and the mastectomy so I'm counting on Him to get me through this last part of my journey.  My prayers are with everyone on this board and praying for a cure for the future generation.   By the way, were you told you could put moisturizer on four hours before your treatment?  I was really surprised when he told me I could...

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited February 2012

    I was told I could put moisturizer on before treatment, as long as it was a few hours beforehand.  I didn't ask for specifics, so my rule to myself is 2 hours.  I figured if they weren't specific with me, it couldn't be that big of an issue.  YMMV. 

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  • cj81842
    cj81842 Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2012

    Had my first rad treatment yesterday and have a question.  Before they started the radiation, some sort of pad (felt like a large soft rubber pad on my chest area). During the two simulations, nothing like that was involved so I'm a little confused.  I did ask the tecnician why they were having to use it and she explained it would help with my treatment. I plan to ask someone else today and if they can't explain it so that I can understand, I will request to talk to the doctor. The technician I had wasn't the one I had during simulations and I could tell she didn't like my asking questions. Anyone else having to have a pad over chest for radiation treatment?  Also, I'm very interested in knowing what kind of moisturizer you all use before each treatment... 

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited February 2012
    cj, I haven't seen what you are talking about, but it might be some kind of block - I've read they use them sometimes to minimize radiation to the heart/other structures.  That's my best guess.  I use Udderly Smooth cream per my RO's instruction. 
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  • cj81842
    cj81842 Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2012

    Dancetrancer,

    Where do you purchase Udderly Smooth cream?  I've been using Cocoa Butter w/Vitamin E but not sure this is the best lotion to use.  Thanks for your help. Had my second treatment today...31 to go!

     :-)

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited February 2012

    cj, you can purchase a big container (12 oz) of it online, but I also found a small container (4 oz) of it at my local RiteAide.  Here's an example of what both sizes look like.  

    http://www.drugstore.com/udderly-smooth/qxb27890?aid=336064&aparam=udderly%20smooth&scinit1=udderly%20smooth 

     Kind of ironic I'm using udder cream on my udders.  LOL Tongue out

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  • tnhelen
    tnhelen Member Posts: 63
    edited February 2012

    I think Walmart has the udderly smooth cream also.

    Helen

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  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited February 2012

    cj-I think it is called a bolis, I have one also. It actually makes the radiation more concentrated on the skin and tissue closer to the skin, at least that is what it is in my case. My ro did say it might make me burn a bit.

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  • sunny2
    sunny2 Member Posts: 40
    edited February 2012

    Good Morning Ladies:

    Just an update on me...I have completed 14 of 36 treatments and all has gone well.  I began to get into the routine after about 4 treatments.  Two super nice technicians help to make it easier.  No skin issues thankfully.  I am exercising my arms per doc's recommendation and I'm feeling good.  Looking forward to having the weekend off from RADS.  

    Wishing you all a blessed day.  Spring is on it's way!Smile 

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  • cj81842
    cj81842 Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2012

    Bak94,

    That's exactly what the technician told me when I asked her what that was called. I had never heard of Bolis so I thought I had misunderstood her - in fact I left there with the word "bogus" in my head & knew that couldn't be the word she used. Embarassed Thanks for your help.  Even with only two treatments, I have noticed some redness and a little darker color in that area. I can see where we could burn more than others with the Bolis. What kind of moisturizer were you told to use before treatments? Beautiful day today and my third treatment with 30 left. I hope you and all the ladies on this board have a wonderful week-end! Smile

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  • misha99
    misha99 Member Posts: 28
    edited February 2012

    Yes I also have a bolus.  My RO said they will stop using it when my skin reacts. Mine is held in place with a warm wash cloth.  cj i started the 13th and will get 33 to 38 treatments so we are at about the same place. I also have ilc -- not too many of us !  What has your treatment/surgery been so far?

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  • cj81842
    cj81842 Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2012

    Misha99,

    I was diagnosed with ILC in August, 2011; Had first of 6 chemo treatments on August 24 with the last one on December 7th 2011; Mastectomy on January 12th, 2012 - pathology tumor 5.5. The chemo got rid of 98% of cancer cells but left 2% with no clear margins all against chest cavity - 2 out of 5 nodes were positive. Yesterday was my 5th treatment of 33 with my last one scheduled for March 30th. My surgeon said that normally the protocol with my diagnosis and pathology report would be to go back in and remove the rest of my lymph nodes but she and the RO discussed my options and both agreed surgery wouldn't help me anymore than the radiation treatments to zap the cancer cells left. I asked my RO yesterday what kind of testing will be  done after I finish radiation and he said they didn't have a test since they took my breast and I would have to believe the cancer was gone...very sad.  I also have a technician who doesn't have a good bedside manner and I dread having her do my radiation treatments. The other technicians are very nice and make me feel more positive.  Sometimes, it's not what she says, it's how she comes across...very sarcastic which is making me feel down and I don't need that.  I wondered if anyone else has ever had a problem like this where you get your treatments.

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  • misha99
    misha99 Member Posts: 28
    edited February 2012

    carole--my center is wonderful and my care has been as well.  I guess i am with you regarding the need to believe it is gone when we are done.  My onco talked to me about how sometimes things get heavy after treatment is done. My pathology report was not a good one, it prompted a pet scan and a brain mri to look for more cancer. (this was done before chemo and rads) Thankfully all they found was a kidney stone!  I feel pretty good about not having any more scans after that ordeal.  Nobody has ever indicated they would go fishing for more nodes in my case either.  I think it is wise to assume the nodes served us well and now the bad ones are gone!!  I had treatment 8 today and i am a little reddish.  I will be ready for a break on sat and sun!  Good luck!

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  • regenschirm
    regenschirm Member Posts: 82
    edited February 2012

    3 down. Some burns showing up in area of heaviest dose. I just go in and do it. Meanwhile, I have caught the worst cold ever. Probably from sitting around in waiting rooms with all the coughing snuffling people. Totally miserable right now. Miss my family. Not a happy night.

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  • cj81842
    cj81842 Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2012

    Misha, I had core biopsies (9) and my pathology report also resulted in a Bone Scan and Body Scan to see if the cancer was in any other part of my body.  Thank God nothing showed.  These tests were ordered by my Oncologist before he scheduled my chemo to shrink the large tumor before surgery.  Everything you say is so similar to my diagnosis and I'm glad we have each other to support day by day.  Today was my 6th treatment & everything went well. What stage was your cancer and what grade was it?  Mine was Stage III and Grade I. Did you have a mastectomy & was the tumor near your chest cavity...positive nodes? Also, when they do your radiation treatment, do you have treatment for the chest, underarm and upper front shoulder? What kind of moisturizer do you use? I apologize for so many questions...

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  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited February 2012

    I had number 5 today. I am having the bolus also and my skin is already just a bit irritated. My ro warned me that I may burn because of the bolus. I am using calendula cream and it does seem to help. I had neo adjuvent chemo also, finished October 27 then bmx on Nov. 30th. I was suppose to start rads the beginning of Jan but wound up with infections and they took awhile to clear up. I should have been done already....oh well, nothing I can do about it!

    CJ-will they do pet scans when you are done? I am sure I will have scans to monitor me, but maybe that is because I am a later stage.

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  • vacationbound
    vacationbound Member Posts: 171
    edited February 2012

    I am scheduled to start 33 fractions but have to do an MRI first. The Rad Onco told me to use Eurcerin AUAPHOR! Wal-mart carries it! Slather it on AFTER your treatment-they said I could put it on 4 hours before but was suggested not to as the oils left behind in the skin absorption will potentiate the burn. I skipped chemo as my only one left me severely sick. 6 months later, I am told I need rad's but all my markers are clear (CTC is Zero) and my patholigical report had clear margins so if the MRI shows nothing (they also did a CT at Rad's office) then I see no reason to do rad's. Any opinions?

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited February 2012
    Vacationbound, the rads is for prevention of local recurrence.  I would not be surprised if they want to do rads of your lymph nodes, too,  b/c of the 11 positive nodes.   Depends on whether you want to roll the dice on that or not.   I hate to say it but just because markers are clear now does not mean something won't show up in the future.  Cancer can be microscopic and take years to show up.  The rads kills microscopic cells, and I believe in general reduces local recurrence risk by about 50%.  
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  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited March 2012

    I haven't started my rads yet but will be going in a week to have my CT scan and get tatooed.  The Radiation nurse said to use Glaxal Base after treatment.  She also said to be sure not to apply it within 2 hours before treatment.  I already have this but I am also going to try Virgin Coconut Oil.

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited March 2012

    I found out yesterday that the reason you aren't supposed to apply anything within 2 hours before rads is b/c anything on the skin acts like a bolus - it somehow attentuates the rads beams and makes your skin burn more.  I appreciated understanding the "why" behind it.  

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  • cj81842
    cj81842 Member Posts: 31
    edited March 2012

    I will have my 14th treatment tomorrow and I'm doing well with the exception of Friday's treatment caused my chest and underarm to be very red and irritated.  I've been walking every day trying to keep my strength up and hoping I can continue to do this throughout my next 20 treatments. I have so many "round stickers" on my chest and under my arm that's it's very difficult to put my lotion on trying to avoid the stickers.  I'm still trying to figure out the reason for all the stickers since I have three tattoos along with black and pink markings (ruins my bras).  Do many of you have a lot of stickers?  Also, what kind of radiation machine do they use with your treatment?  All of my treatments are done by a Novalis Radiation Machine.  Anyone relate to this machine?

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited March 2012

    cj I have 9 stickers (8 on treatment side, one on non-treatment side).  I feel your pain with trying to avoid the stickers - have had a tough time myself with this, which resulted in some stickers sliding off in the shower!   Eeeks!   I was showering around 8 a.m, putting lotion on, then getting to my rads appt around 11 a.m.  They'd replace the stickers then, but b/c there was some lotion on my skin, they never seemed to stick well.   I discovered recently that if I wait and shower just before rads, not applying any lotion then (of course), that when they replace the stickers on the clean skin those stickers stay on much longer.   I don't know if that will help you or not, but thought I'd share, just in case.

    Oh,  and yeah, I've ruined several t-shirts and bra's from the magic markers (esp. when they draw on the entire radiation field).  I keep forgetting to wear old shirts to rads.  Grrrrrr...

    All I know about my machine/system is that it uses the Varian® Real-time Position ManagementTM (RPM) system.  

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  • cj81842
    cj81842 Member Posts: 31
    edited March 2012

    Had my 15th rad treatment today and my chest, underarm and back is burned.  My chest is very itchy. I was told to mix an otc hydrocortisone cream, triple antibiotic cream and Lotrimin and put on burn.  After my RO examined me, he said he didn't want me to get much redder than I am already. He said soon he will have to remove the Bolis from my treatment to keep that from happening. I have been going straight to the mall after each treatment from the start and walking for 15 minutes just to keep my strength. Yesterday was the first day after walking, I was so exhausted, I came home and went straight to bed and slept for two hours. My doctor says this will happen from time to time during treatments and that's the time to give in and rest more. Hope all of you are doing well with your treatments...  

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