May 2012 radiation

BLinthedesert - no, its not any of my 'team', in fact they have all been super positive, it's well-meaning relatives, who, instead of thinking of me as a fit 50 year old, seem to think I'm frail and infirm  Grrrrr!!!! 

Dizzy - My first day went okay too, but longer than I expected with xrays, photo and more markings - ugh! So much more "in my face" than the 3 teeny tattoos. Now I have a green "L" in my cleavage and a big black "X" just above my lumpectomy scar, both covered with tape. I'm allergic to most tape, so it'll be interesting to see how long this will stay on.

I agree with your rant, dizzy. I'm lucky that I haven't experienced it, but I can sure see how negative that would feel.

mckenna - I think my last one is June 29.

The RO nurse gave me a big bottle of alcohol-free aloe vera (3x a day) and a small bottle of Emu Oil (1x a day). I had a few questions, and the RO made time to see me even though it wasn't his normal "management" day. I appreciated that!

All others this week - good luck. I'm going to start thinking of the treatments as "happy rays." How's that?  

Spokanellie -- when are you supposed to use the emu oil?  Last thing at night?  Hopefully you will soon get into the "routine" and it won't be as onerous - I think the sharpies they use are extra permanent, it takes forever to wash them off!  Happy rays are good!

Mckenna - sounds like you are settling in, that is so good!  How did the ballroom dancing go??

Joanne!!  Congratulations on finishing!!  YEA!  How are you feeling?

I hear you on the scar, mine is HUGE, I have thought the same thing -- can't you see that?? 

Congrats Joanne...now you can live your life without appointments every day/week.

mckenna - I think drinking more water is a great idea, although I think I will actually be combining that with electrolytes -- too much water is not good either (because it dilutes the natural salt balance in your body).  I use this stuff: http://www.emergenc.com/index.php/products/specialty/electro-mix, one packet lasts 3-4 days for me ...  Congratulations to your son -- I can only imagine how cute that was!

Joanne -- so good that you are side-effect free from Tamoxifen.  I am glad that was one decision I did not feel I had to make!  Hope the fatigue ends soon!!

mckenna - I started on a Tuesday and I think it was about the next Monday/Tuesday --- after about the 15th or so it settled down and I had energy again by the time I was done -- or at least not as fatigued.

Good luck -- just pay attention to your skin and get rest and all will be good ---

Hello, I agree I find radiation much more emotionally difficult. I went through chemo treatments with a smile on my face... fake smile, but a smile. Now I can't do it anymore. I cry on that table every single day.

I am almost half way through .. 15 done, 18 to go. Last day should be 6/12. I have implants from two years ago, and the doctors warn me about a possible capsular contracture - painful, misshapen, firm breast that often requires additional surgery. I am so scared! So far I am experiencing some firmness but if it stayed like this I can live with it. 18 to go through tough, I don't know what to expect.

Starting Radiation Therapy 5/23/12.

Well so far, so good, although 2hrs after my first treatment yesterday. my breast was so tender. Not so much the skin, more in the tissues , a bit like a pre-menstrual tenderness, only 10 x worse!  Mentioned it to my techs today but they said they had never heard of that happening after the first treatment.  It seemed to get better overnight and I managed to do boot camp wearing my extra sturdy sports bra, but again after today's treatment It feels tender again. Maybe i'm due to have a period & the radiation is just exacerbating the tenderness.....the other boob is a little sore too.

A tiny bit pink but no skin soreness and no fatigue but then again, I'm only 2 days in!

I definitely felt very emotional yesterday. I haven't needed chemo, so can't say which was worse, but I'm ok today and my session only lasted 10 mins.  Oh and by the way, I got the tattoos on the sides but they agreed just to mark me in the middle, so i was pleased about that. Going to book myself a massage for Friday!!

    

BLinthedesert - The nurse said to put the emu oil on at bedtime. She also said it goes a long way (really oily), so I pour about 1/4 tsp on my palm, spread it around between my two hands and then smooth it all over the affected breast, from the cleavage to a midline under my arm and from my nipple up to my collarbone.

Lotions and potions - I've been lurking on the April/May Rads thread to see what we're in for, and I learned about MiaDerm there. Highly recommended, but expensive. (4 oz about $28) The women there were ordering it directly from the company, but I found it on Amazon and I get free 2-day shipping. It arrived today, so I took it with me to my treatment for approval and the nurse said, "Absolutely! It's the very best, but we don't give it to our patients because no local pharmacies carry it." The other thread warned we'd need 4 tubes, applying it 3-4 times a day, but I only ordered one until I could get that approval. Might just order another now to have one at home and one at work.

Anyway, the nurse suggested the best plan would be to layer the MiaDerm against my skin with the Aloe Vera on top of that 3 times a day. And at night put on the MiaDerm first again and then the Emu Oil. She said just keep layering all day long and then wash it off in the morning before treatment (10:10am most days). Then when I get to work, I'll start all over again. I also got confirmation that I should start all this NOW, preventatively, and not wait until I see pink or feel tenderness.

Joanne - are you our first graduate??

mckenna - I'm trying to work up to 64 oz water a day (from my usual 32). I'm not there yet, but I can't imagine getting 3 quarts! You MUST be floating!! Are you young enough you're not getting up during the night? I find even the water with my evening meds and toothbrushing get me up at 2:00 am

beachbum22, silviazara, Zwoman - welcome aboard!

I have a funny story about my compression sleeve (lymphedema), but I'll save it for another post.

KaSA...my experience with rads was a non-event...was just a normal pre-BC  day...maybe I was just one of the lucky ones but the other gals waiting for their appts were the same. Most had their session and went off to work. For me, compared to chemo, it was a breeze. I wish you the same.

Spokenellie -- I am really an April/May rad girl but check in here to see how you are all doing !!!

When the nurse said about the emu oil -- ask about putting it from the nipple down -- my biggest reaction is just under my breast -- I put my cream all over my breast and underarm but didn't think of at the crease of my breast and body.  I do have some skin breakdown there.  I thought I was being careful.

Well I don't want to be a crybaby about this, but I am dismayed that it hurt from the get-go.  I don't think it is psychosomatic because I really believed it would take 3 weeks to start hurting.  I can actually feel burning on 3 of the 4 sites that are radiated, as it is happening!  I go out to the car curved over to the right side.  I had an animal-like urge to get off the table on only the third day.  How in the world will I stay on the table by day 15? (right side mastectomy 2 1/2 months ago)  It is mind over matter, I know.  I am beginning to feel like crying on the table too.  Luckily the technicians are very nice, and I have no issues with the facility.

And I will never ever get a real tattoo.  The radiation tattoos (3) are so very small, smaller than a freckle.  But the one on the breastbone, where there is no flesh, made me jump about 2 feet.  I can't imagine getting a real tattoo and experiencing that hundreds of times, unless they use novacaine.  Forget that idea!

Regarding creams from the pharmacy: anyone getting lidocaine mixed into the cream?  My grandmother (age 96) uses lidocaine patches for her hip pain.  Seems like it would help.

Any suggestions for a deodorant?  Luckily only one arm. Cornstarch doesn't seem to do all that much.  I found good bras, smaller versions of jog bras, but I still would rather wear a bra only on one side, if there is such a thing.  I may try cutting all of the fabric off the cup on one side and see if the band around is sufficient.

Barely There Women's Customflex Fit Bandini