Any April/May 2012 rad girls out there?

Hi Ladies ~ If you haven't already checked it out, go to the board entitled "A rad onc weighs in on radiation 'burns''  It is a fabulous site for rads girls.  It is about 4 pages long (100 posts or so), but totally worth the read. 

It addresses the thyroid issue mentioned above.  Apparently, thyroid problems caused by "scatter" from the rads is no laughing matter.  I am going into my tx today armed with a whole new crop of intelligent questions because of this board.

The moderators pinned it so it is right at the top of the "Radiation" forum.

Happy reading!

SAN

I had my 10th Radiation treatment today.  I woke up to an itchy patch under my breast and checked to find that I had 2 small blister-like spots (fluid filled).  Mentioned it to the techs and they looked worried and recommended I see the RO.  My regular RO was away so got to see a different one who said that it looks like shingles!!  I guess with the immune system comprised with the Radiation this is the another condition that I have to deal with.  The RO did say that the treatment will make it worse and that it is my decision if I want to continue.  I have decided to continue for the time being.  I have 6 more treatments to go.

Claire - Xclair and Aquaphor are what I'm using.  Prescribed by RO.  Her #1 choice.  Hate the Aquaphor sticky feel but know it's doing some good.  Red incision.  Sore spot in posterior ribs & sternum and L of sternum.  Tech says "muscle tightness".  The ribs one really hurts and Advil today has not really helped.  Wish I could take some hydrocodone but I'm on call as back up nurse tonight so no drugs for me.  Probably won't be called which is good.

Michbunny,

I did go to the doctor's today and got some anti-viral medication for the Shingles.  Hoping that with the meds the symptoms will be less.  

Finished rad tx on March 9. I used Miaderm (liberally and often) for the first few weeks and my skin did very well. Once the blisters started I switched to Aquafor (liberally and often) - it is greasy but it was soothing and my skin did very well. Had my one month (post) checkup and the RO and nurse were very surprised with the healing. Surgeon was quite surprised also. Still using Aquafor at night since skin effects can linger for months. I use Miaderm during day.

About three weeks into treatment I got tired - like brick wall tired. Did very well all day but mid evening I couldn't stay awake so would be in bed by 7-7:30.

 Good luck - I really didn't mind the rad tx at all.

MamGlam- I hope ya feel better soon!

I start Rads tomorrow. I am ready for this to get over and I have ot even started them!lol

Thanks for the tips even though nurses at my facility are supposed to supply all the lotion they say I went out and bought a purse size aquafor and also some crystal deodorant. There is no way Im not wearing any deodorant under radiated arm walking 10 miles daily and then going to rads! I will kill those pore gals in rad room!

Anyone else heard or use any good razor? I thought they told me or I read somewhere that we are not supposed to use a regular razor on armpits. I am they type that shaves my arm pits daily and legs once a week. I'm a dirty blonde and have real lite hair on legs so get away with once a week! 

Any good supplements to take to keep immune system up. I had 5 colds this past winter but finally quit smoking 2.5 months ago. I hope that is enough to keep immune system up! i just want to make sure.

Thanks in advance...I hope everyone is healing well!!

Kristi

ohio4me -- thanks for sharing your skin care tips. I too plan to use miaderm but I like your suggestion to use aquaphor at night if blisters develop. My RO gave me a skin care sheet but they don't make specific product recommendations apparently or give out  products. Did you use aloe? I'm hoping I'm like you with few problems with rads treatment. I am concerned about the fatigue though. I'm thinking about doing the rads in the morning then go to work. I think trying to leave work at a certain early time and then drive to make the rads appt will be stressful for me.... better to just get to work when I do and if I need to leave early due to fatigue, ok.

Good luck wiskris and everyone doing rads!

I have an MO appointment this Wednesday to get my prescription for Tamoxifen.  This will be my second MO.  The first one, while very thorough, isn't very responsible and was something of a scare monger.  I had wanted to give him a second chance, but decided it was better to consult a second MO to see if she is a better fit.  My RO highly recommended the second MO, so I'm optimistic she will work out better for me.

Going for my rads simulation today hoping to start Wednesday.  I was told I'd be there at least and hour and a half.

Sandlake - I plan to get my feet in some sand when all this treatment is over....have a great time and please bring some sunshine and warmth back!

Sandlake & Kelly ~ My simulation appointment was surprisingly easy.  I know a number of gals here have had crummy, long experiences that were very uncomfortable, but I guess I was one of the lucky ones.  I did lay on the table for about 40 minutes while they took x-ray images and simulated the radiation beams, but I didn't find it to be too terrible.  Also, my "treatment field" looked so good that the techs were certain the doctor would approve it.  As a result, I got my tattoos done and my bolus made (not everyone needs a bolus so you probably won't have to do this) at that same appointment. The next day they called to say my plan was created and I started rads on my next appointment. 

For me, the simulation was the easiest part of the whole process.  Rads is certainly easier than chemo, but I think I was unprepared for the psychological/emotional stress that would be involved.  I thought it would be a "walk in the park" compared to chemo.  Physically, it is light years easier, but there is a bit of an emotional componant that you might want to be prepared for.  I don't want to over-state it as, again, sooooo much easier than other things I've had to endure, but I do think it is prudent to be aware and prepared that you might feel some emotions about (during) rads and that is perfectly normal.

Primarily, I think I have dealt with a certain amount of "treatment fatigue."  By the time I started rads I was simply exhausted from non stop treatments since September.  Doing one more thing, even if it was an easier thing, sort of put me over the edge.  I never melted-down on the table, but I have shed a few tears on my drive to and from rads.  I have also struggled a bit with the feeling of being constantly "exposed" both literally and figuratively.  It is a mental struggle for me to watch the techs leave the room while I lay there and willingly let them zap me with radiation.

In my rational thinking, I know that it is as safe as possible and targeted right to my disease, but occasionally I feel the irrational fear trying to creep in.  I have found it to be really helpful to pre-determine what I am going to do during the actual rads tx.  Personally, I pray.  I ask God to protect my heart and lung (both are in my rather large tx field) and I thank Him that the radiation is killing every cancer cell left behind from surgery.  This has really helped me stay focused and unafraid throughout all of this.

In a few hours I will be going in for my 18th rads tx (of 36) and this marks my 1/2 way point! Yay!  My skin is very red and itchy, but no blisters or "weepy" skin yet so I am grateful.  You will both do just fine through rads, just give yourself room to feel whatever you are feeling and please continue to reach out to those of us who are just ahead of you in the process.  I know ladies like GrandmaV were incredibly helpful to me.

Much love and blessings coming your way,

SAN 

SAN,

That was well said and I echo those feelings of emotional/psychological and physical (fatigue). The last few months have been a roller-coaster ride for me emotionally.  My simulation appt. was easy too.  I too, laid on the table for about 30 minutes and the techs marked me with the tatoos.  The hospital called and left me a message to start my Rads the following week.  I did not have chemo and therefore cannot compare the two treatments.

I had my 11th session today and saw the nurse prior to going in for my treatment.  She put on a dressing and covered up the 2 blisters (Shingles).  5 more to go!!  

24 out of 33 today!  Starting to get red...sigh...

I am so tired. But. I can't seem to get more than one good nights sleep out of 4 or 5.  Argh.  I'm used to going to bed. Falling asleep within a few minutes and sleeping until it's time to get up.  Now I can't get to sleep for hours and then  I don't want to get up. 

Cindy & Michbunny ~ I am right there with you.  I am totally exhausted all day long, but then I can't sleep so I read until like 11:00 pm every night.  My problem has a lot to do with these wicked hot flashes!  During the day I have one about every 30 minutes and I wake up at least 4-5 times a night with them.  Good grief.

Dechi ~ Yay for you!  If you are just starting to get red this far in, maybe you won't have too many skin problems ~ that's a bonus

Mag ~ Hang in there.  I know what you mean about work though...I have worked throughout chemo and rads.  It has kept me sane.

SAN