Any April/May 2012 rad girls out there?

Hi Wiskris,  I use a deod. called Crystal sold by the deod. It is a salt based that has a seal of approval from the cancer group and has a pink ribbon in it. I work in a kitchen and I can vouch that it works. Hope this helps.

Hi all- I want to join in.  Started rads on April 9th.  I will have 28 sessions.

I'm in a clinical trial (exercise for cancer patients)- hoping to limit my fatigue.  I get to do lots of walking, working with many different resistance band exercises and filling out daily forms.

Skin (I have very sensitive skin) is starting to turn red (after 7 sessions).

I have noticed a small  and occasional cough, which they talked about- so I'm assuming this is related to the rads impacting/scaring my lungs. 

I hate it.  The treatment is ok, but the people- I'm not a fan.  I find the techs insensitive and we get pulled through the process like cattle.  They snap their fingers at me- they tell me that Tom's isn't deordorant (hmm..well the branding says it's deodorant).  Since my treatments are at 11:45 they make me feel like I'm ruining their lunch.  I've seen/dealt with 6-8 different techs, as there are 3 of them with me each session.  I asked if any of them have even sat under this thing (the machine) and only 1 has! 

I'm not a shy person- and not easily intimidated, but I'm not going to give the doctor my feedback until the end of the sessions.  I don't want these people who are aiming rads at me to dislike me any more than they do.  For my 1st treatment, 3 people stuck me under the machine and then 3 totally new people came in to retrieve me.  I'm kind of ok with that, but for my first treatment I found that odd and insensitive.  So everyday I annoyingly tease them about getting to lunch and then soon the secretary's/admins are going to be the ones taking me out since they'll (the techs) be at lunch.

The treatment, mostly because of the people, makes me anxious.  So I want to join this thread, just to vent and share.  Thank you all for the opportunity.

 Best of luck to all!

I had my 9th treatment today - my skin is a little itcy and tender to touch.  The saline soaks are helpful and I have been doing them 2-3 times a day.  Joanne_53, I was told by my center not to use coconut oil because it has tendency of acting like a suntan lotion and one does not want a suntan from Rads.  I hope all is well with all of you ladies going through Radiation Therapy.

Welcome Mariebe, I'm sorry to hear of how you are being treated by the techs. This is a very difficult thing we are all going through and we need all the compassion we can get. The only thing that may play into the lunch thing (and I'm in no way defending the techs' behavior) but at my rad place, I know that the techs must take lunch from 12-1 because the rad machines are taken over by the physicists to be used/worked on. Not sure if that has anything to do with it at your place but thought i would mention it. I do hope you make a point to complain to the oncologist.

Mariebee ~ Welcome!  Wow, that is totally crappy that the techs treat you that way.  If it were me, I'd make sure my doctor knew about it right away.  I hate that you feel you have to suffer through the rest of your treatments feeling like your presence is a burden to them.  For crying out loud ~ this is their job and you are the patient!  Can you ask him not to mention your name or the "lunch time" thing, but just say that he has gotten complaints from patients feeling rushed and that they are being insensitive?  I know you've got to do what is best for you, I'm just outraged on your behalf

Has anyone else heard of rads going for 36 treatments?  Once again, I am amazed at how incredibly aggressive my team is being with me.  Considering that I was only stage 2b and had no nodes, I can't believe the treatments I have received; TAC chemo & 36 rads (plus bolus).  I guess it is the size of my tumor and my crummy margins. 

After completing tx #16 today, my skin is really red and sore.  I mentioned it to my tech (George) and he said, "Sandy, this is nothing...by week six you won't even be talking to me."  I assured him that in fact I would be talking to him...he just might not like the language I will be using =]

SAN

Welcome to all the newbies on the board! I feel like an old timer and I haven't even started rads yet -- will start April 25th for 30 treatments.

apelila -- I also have a small tumor (3mm), no node involvement, and a small breast (now even smaller since the BS took out that walnut! When he first said "walnut-sized", I thought no problem. Then when I looked in the mirror and imagined a walnut, I thought holy cow! And that was my smaller breast to begin with....) so I thought 30 treatments was alot, but as we know, you only get to try this once. I really do like and trust my RO.

mariebee -- Sorry to hear the techs are so heartless. But I think you have to be the bigger person in this case and you have to let it go. We are going through so much, we can't afford to be consumed with anger or spite. We need to be stressless and go with the flow. Perhaps if you joke around with them, they will see you are a PERSON. Or not. I'm just saying that the only thing we can control is our reaction to situations and sometimes that can actually change the situation! Also know what goes around, comes around....ok, so much for spite...

Moderators -- Thanks for the links to skin care and such. I will check it out.

re: fatigue and bad attitude -- oh boy, I'll be working the whole time, so I hope I can avoid these! Someone mentioned exercise throughout rads and I'm going to try that. And yoga.

re: soy -- I was drinkin alot of soy milk since I thought it lessened menopause symptoms for me, but my MO said to limit it to one glass/day. She said the Japanese people eat alot of soy and their breast cancer rate is very low. But I think I will change to almond milk since I am ER+

It's Friday everyone! Have a good day!

Maribee, so sorry you are having problems with your rad techs.   My kids are great.  None of them can be much over 30 (in other words, young enough to be my kids) Not a day goes by that they don't ask how I'm doing, how work is going, am I getting my rest and using my cream?  It does make things so much more bearable... {hugs}

Claire, I started my radiation treatment on Sunday April 1, 2012.  I have 3 wonderful Doctors assisting me.  I understand being worried and I have gone through the same thing.  I have a wonderful support group at work and home I can lean on.  I keep telling my self to keep a positive attitude and sometime I tell my self that several times a day. I know how you feel and will keep you in my prayers.  Cathy

Hi Everyone ~ Sounds like most of us have the same anxieties and fears about radiation.  I know I am very worried about the skin issues, but since I am triple positive and was told I would have radiation even if I had done a mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy I am trying to accept what is happening and hoping and praying I can tolerate the probable skin issues.  It does not sound like a fun way to spend the next 6 weeks.  I had my 3rd treatment of 33 today and am glad I will have the weekend off after tomorrow's blast.  I keep trying to be positive like the rest of you.  I tell myself if I could make it through chemo I can do this, too. 

SAN ~ Thanks for calling me today.  I will talk to George as you get closer to your finish date.  You are the best!  George told me I won't be liking him soon either.  You are right about the language.  I think I could really shock him if it gets too bad.

Anyone using MiaDerm and having decent results? I hope so as that is what I am using. I was told by George (SAN's & my tech) to only use one product at a time, but to use it at least 3 times a day.  I called the company and they said the same thing. Hopefully, it will protect the skin as much as possible.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I already feel even MORE fatigued. I go directly to work after treatment (morning time) and maybe that's better as I can't give in to my desire to take a nap! I did plenty of that during chemo. However, all bets are off for Saturday morning...I plan on not setting any alarms...who knows maybe I will sleep until noon!  Wishing you all good skin and lots of energy every day of your treatments. Take care...Linda

Myleftboob ~ I totally understand and if you don't have to have the rads, I know we will all be happy for you.  None of us want to do treatment unless it is truly necessary.  Good luck at your next appointment and glad you are getting the second opinion so you can make the best decision for you. Linda

Good Morning Rad Girls,

Does anyone have itching on the non-radiated side? Day #8 for me, and all is well. Using lots of gooey aloe gel, and I've cut the under wire out of my uglier bras. But I'm slightly itchy on both sides. Don't know if this is normal, or if this is an empathy itch.

Also - I lost a toenail! I know this is a delayed side effect of chemo, and not a big deal, but it made me really sad. I've managed to stay stoic for the big stuff, but these little things really turn me into a puddle. (Maybe new shoes will make me feel better)

Mariebee - Shame on your little technicians. The last thing anybody needs is to have some insensitive techies adding to their anxiety. Maybe you should bring them some lunchboxes so they're not so eager to run out the door. 

I only have two kids looking after me, and they're with me from start to finish. They're lovely. The worst thing that happened was that they put on on a CD that started to skip, and I was so distracted I could barely lie still. Funny how different things are from place to place. 

I'm a bit bummed as I met with the RO yesterday... He has reduced my "dose" of radiation so I'm doing 33 treatment rather than "just" the 30.  He thinks it will reduce the skin issues.  Sigh. So 9 down and 24 to go.

Janet_M, my non-treated breast is also flaky and dry.  I'm blaming it on lying prone on industrial-washed sheets.  I'm guessing that the detergent that's used isn't hypo-allergenic or for sensitive skin (dye-free, color-free).

I hope everyone is coping with your treatments and that you get to relax over the weekend!