Any April/May 2012 rad girls out there?

I asked my RO about # treatments and my understanding is that they are aiming for a set cumulative dose and typically give a certain amount each treatment which can vary just a little from person to person.

I hope your fatigue does not get any worse and all goes well.  Strangely, I'm finding the radiation thing to be much more emotional. .  . I think I'm just tired of slogging through yet another treatment.  Trying my best to stay positive.

LovesDogs

Sandyland:

Did you order the plain Emu oil or the Emu oil lotion?

Thx

LovesDogs

I just started rad this week ive done 3 rounds so far i only have to do 10  i had rad 7 months ago on my sternum thats doing alot better now they are radiating my c7 on my spine the pain i have always seems to be worse in the beginning

I'm not on steroids either. My MO and RO only have me taking Vit D. They both said no to any other supplements, during treatment

I'm not on steroids, but I am still taking B 6,& those other supplements that I'm still taking due to chemo side effects. Can't remember the names. Happening lot now. Can't remember stuff

Luvmygoats ~Sometimes they will radiate the axillary even with negative nodes.  They talked about doing it for me, but decided against it.  I'm not sure why else they would mark under your arm.  I would definitely ask.  Also, you should wash off all skin products prior to rads.  It isn't good for you to have any lotion, cream or oil on your skin during tx.  I apply my stuff 4 times a day, but I shower and wash off everything an hour or two before tx every day.

Hope that helps!

SAN

Hi Luvmygoats- I have three stickers. One right between my breasts (well my TE's), and the other two under my arm pits. They use them just to position you on the table. It's not where the radiation is going in. I'm only getting my incisional scar radiated. I had negative nodes, also. I specifically asked about radiating the nodes "just in case" and he said no, they were negative and there is a risk of lymphedema, so we won't radiate just as a precautionary benefit.

I finished 8 of 25 on Thursday. They were closed Friday for the holiday. No redness so far, but definitely fatigue.

MOT  What is Na-PCA?  Na in chemistry is sodium.  Sodium something??

MOT - Did a quick Google search and added radiation dermatitis to search topic.  I still don't know much about it.  Did not see many scientific papers/research on it.  Lots of manufacturers praising their products.  Did your RO recommend any cream for you in particular?  Mine was pretty insistent on the Xclair but did offer there were alternatives esp. if expense was the problem.  Did not investigate as my insurance covered part of the 1st tube and have buy 1/get 1 offer RO office gave me from mail order pharmacy.  No insurance involved.  Know my insurance copay goes to $150 if I refill and it is over 30 days.  Never heard of such a thing.  Will test it and see if it does the job and order the buy 1/get 1.

 I have blue smudge Smurfy marks all over my chest.  Yuck.  Went shopping to Wally world for camisoles and more soft bras.

Don't know what I'm going to do with my Easter dress tomorrow.  I might get away with new bra also from Wally world. (Yeah not a sport bra but then again not my old underwires) and slip.  Just don't want blue Smurfy marks on it.  Think it is cut high enough they won't show.  The tech was very kind yesterday and removed the upper corner edge approacing my sternum.   Couple of those darned stickies are itching and I never react to anything! 

Hey all, just wanted to drop in and mention something I learned at a talk that I attended about radiation given by my RO's partner. During the talk the subject of moisturizing the skin came up. In particular he mentioned why we shouldn't moisturize before treatment - apparently any residue on the skin will "bring" the radiation closer to the surface of the skin, thereby increasing the potential negative effect on the skin. So if you put any lotion on before treatment (that is, prior to the time restriction your doctor gave you), it's probably best to clean your skin in preparation for treatment. Just a suggestion. Oh and by the way he stated that aloe vera (alcohol free) is just as good if not better than all the expensive creams out there.

Cindyl  My, My 3 different colors.  You are in tune with the season.  I got 3 tiny tattoos last week.  I, too, am ready to start.

Cigi56 I'm pretty much a chicken to go too far outside my RO's advice, not that I won't advocate for myself if needed.  The Xclair is used for 2nd degree burns but I won't hesitate to ask for something else if it doesn't work.  And she also wantsme to use Aquaphor.  Hate that stuff.  Well, hate is too strong.  Know it's soothing but can't imagine what it will do to my clothes.   I think the My Girls cream is at some of the CVS stores.  I know others have posted about it.  See that you started rads on 4/2.  How was your 1st week?

MOT I have the fasten up the front sport bras (fruit of the loom) from Walmart about $8 each.  Gives me a very unfashionable "uniboob" look but I wear scrubs for work so you really can't tell.  I did buy a Playtex soft bra very cottony. Doesn't seem to hit my SNB site too bad.  Plan to wear it to church tomorrow (which is quickly becoming today!) Hate to spend much money on these knowing they may look like trash when this is over.  But the FOTL bras have held up to washing 2x/week.  They did have some nice step in sport bras but couldn't try them on the way Walmart had them bundled.  Bought camisoles there and at Dollar General.  I read about buying ones with shelf bras and turning them inside out so the band didn't rub.  I think it will give me enough support so I don't bounce at least as much as my sport bras.  Probably DD on non-surgical side and maybe C on surgical side.  It was naturally smaller anyway.  And BS followup this week she said still a little swelling.  Gosh - what size will it not be when this is over?

Oh yes, luvmygoats, I LOVE my armour bras! I live rural and have some bumpy roads (literally) to travel! Camisoles with shelf sound like they might work.... I'm not very big. On my post op visit, the BS said, hmmm, that side is smaller, was that the smaller side to begin with?  I can't imagine being a DD or D -- my small boob feels like a bowling ball.

Cindyl - I bought a form at Joanne's Fabrics (made of silicon maybe) that fills in the bottom outside of my bra where my LX is.  In sewing notions.  At home I use a folded mens hankie.  But am just now going braless at home again. 

Flannel or wash cloth.  Good idea.  I'm more worried about slime around the side and down cleavage.  Here in TX we basically did not have winter and summer has already tried an appearance.  Sweat thru bras on a daily basis in summer.  Though today is cool, cloudy, damp at least in North Texas.

MOT - My LX side feels about normal for swelling.  Don't really see, feel it.  That's what surprised me when BS told me still had edema.  

I start my treatment ---- 16 sessions starting on Tuesday --- anxious to say the least.