May 2012 radiation

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  • BLinthedesert
    BLinthedesert Member Posts: 678
    edited June 2012
    Dizzy, bummer for you, I feel your pain/itch ... it is pretty darn annoying.  I was hoping that a prescription cortisone cream might be in order -- I will ask about it when I see my doctor on Tuesday, but was looking for hope before then Smile  - at least I know it is "normal" - ha ha.  
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  • Neeners815
    Neeners815 Member Posts: 358
    edited June 2012

    So today I used the electric razor on my rads pit.  I don't understand why you can use that, but you can't do a regular shave?

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  • Dizzy215
    Dizzy215 Member Posts: 74
    edited June 2012

    Neeners, I have been shaving with a Venus wet shaver, which my RO said was ok and it's been fine. I can now see the outline of my rads field on my skin and it doesn't reach the armpit anyway. Ask if you can try venus (it's got a lube strip).

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  • Dizzy215
    Dizzy215 Member Posts: 74
    edited June 2012

    I also use regular deodorant and that's been fine too. Got fed up with one smelly armpit - Toms or Crystal just don't work on me!

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  • BLinthedesert
    BLinthedesert Member Posts: 678
    edited June 2012

    I have "shaved" my arm too ... but I don't actually go all the way to the skin.  I tried the electric razor (a cheapo one) and it gave me a bad rash (unrelated to radiation).  

    I haven't used regular deodorant -- but if I had an extra special meeting or something I probably would.  I thought it was because of the aluminum, but I was wrong ... here is a link from the website: http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/radiation/new_research/20101101.jsp

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  • Neeners815
    Neeners815 Member Posts: 358
    edited June 2012

    How did you get that link to show up?  For some reason it always pastes as regular text for me? Also, thanks a bunch for the info!

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  • mckenna
    mckenna Member Posts: 413
    edited June 2012

    I have a similar rash but it does not itch but I have been using topicort since day one and it is a steroids so I wonder if that cuts down on the itching?



    I have been really feeling blessed to only have 6 more days of rads I don't know if I am strong enough for much more.



    I have been shaving once a week and using regular deoderant but the rash is very bad under the arm so I am done shaving.

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  • BLinthedesert
    BLinthedesert Member Posts: 678
    edited June 2012

    mckenna, really you have used topcort since the first day?  wow!  sorry about the rash.  6 more days -- you can do that, easy peasy!

    Neeners - I just cut-and-paste the link it seems to work ok.   

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited June 2012

    I've been shaving all along with a Venus-type razor.  I'm getting radiation to that armpit and will stop shaving if it gets raw or painful, but so far, it's been just a couple of swipes with the razor and I'm done.  No problem.  However...I think the radiation is preventing much hair growth anyway, so I could probably not bother.

    I have my "hump day" this next week--Thursday is treatment #18, more than halfway done.  I'm TIRED TIRED TIRED of this.  But...it's like raising teenagers, you just have to get through it, and it'll all be fine on the other side.

    Gotta go shower and lube.  Have a great and glowing week, everyone! 

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  • FLislander
    FLislander Member Posts: 243
    edited June 2012

    BL

    I did #21 Friday and over the weekend a spot about 3 inches around has gotten very, very red. I also have a pink field outline square. The itchy part they prescribed Triamsinolone cream. This need to be finishing up soon, starting to be uncomfortable now! Will see RO tomorrow, I don't think he can say rads are not doing this like everything else! Good night, all my best

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  • AEM47
    AEM47 Member Posts: 297
    edited June 2012

    Is anyone else getting bouts of nausea?  I'm starting to feel nauseas here and there for no apparent reason....was wondering if it's from the radiation?

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited June 2012

    AEM47--absolutely yes, I'm nauseated after every treatment and occasionally at other times as well.  My R.O. says it's because of my abdominal anatomy; my stomach gets a bit of radiation and that's what's doing it.  He said it won't harm my stomach.  Too bad, though, it might have been a cheap lap-band sort of thing.  

    I hope you feel better.  I was told to take a Zofran (Ondansetron) if it got bad, but that stuff makes me so constipated I need a stick of dynamite to fix the OTHER problem a few days later.   

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  • schatzi14
    schatzi14 Member Posts: 1,647
    edited June 2012

    AEM47

    I have been done rads for 2 months but when I was getting them, I would have nausea usually late in the afternoon and my treatments were early in the morning. I just took a Gravol...nausea has been gone about a month now!

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  • jittersmom
    jittersmom Member Posts: 165
    edited June 2012

    AEM47;;yes i get nausea on and off...my system just hasn't been right since chemo!

    Dizzy..I had a rash too, the nurse said its because of all the other creams I use clogs the pores, so I kept using hydrocortozone cream for the itch then it finally went away!

    Today is the second to last rad for me i am downright giddy!

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  • schatzi14
    schatzi14 Member Posts: 1,647
    edited June 2012

    jittersmom.....giddy up!

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  • Neeners815
    Neeners815 Member Posts: 358
    edited June 2012

    jittersmom - wooooooo!

    Ya know, I felt sick on Friday, but thought it was from other stuff.  I'll see if I feel gross today (hopefully not).  Hubby is leaving this afternoon and won't be home until last Friday. 

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  • BLinthedesert
    BLinthedesert Member Posts: 678
    edited June 2012

    I have had nausea for the past week.  I read through some older radiation threads and a lot of other women have had it too, although they were told it was not due to the radiation ... it was on my list for my meeting with my RO tomorrow!

    I am losing quite a bit of weight too, even with not running nearly as many miles as I normally would.  I guess I am healing up a storm Smile 

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  • Neeners815
    Neeners815 Member Posts: 358
    edited June 2012

    Do you guys take anything for the nausea?  Anything over the counter?  Is it something that goes away after a little bit?  I'm really hoping Friday was a one-off. 

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  • schatzi14
    schatzi14 Member Posts: 1,647
    edited June 2012

    Gravol worked fine...it will go away after a few weeks. Mine wasn't that bad.

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  • mckenna
    mckenna Member Posts: 413
    edited June 2012

    sorry about the nausea everyone.  i think the larger your rad field the closer it gets to your stomach. 

     i think my boob was actually starting to look a little better with 2 days off then the zaps started up again. i think the boob must be in shock every monday, it is lulled into thinking after two days surely the zaps are done :) 

    jitters i am so excited for you!!!!!  i think jan 24 is done tomorrow too!!!  congrats 

    bl, they had me using topicort and vanicream only once a day since i started rads.  yesterday i stayed in my jammies all day and did not even mess with creams or corn starch, i just needed a break. 

    sb, i do not like your connection to raising teens and rads!!!!  by the time i finish tamoxifin i will have a new driver and an almost teenager so what your saying is while i will be done with the cancer meds my stress level will be the same :)

    one more day closer to being done!

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  • Goodie
    Goodie Member Posts: 244
    edited June 2012

    I get nauseated too.  I just don't eat as much and drink lots of water.  I do use prilosec too.  I haven't been right since chemo either.  Ugh.  Gotta love this process. 

    Oh great, sbelizabeth - I also have two teenagers and this process!  LOL  They keep me entertained.  My DS (15) is watching The Family Guy and can't stop giggling/laughing. 

    #13 today.  Tomorrow is half way!  I think I'm going to try to make brownies for my peeps.  I hope I have the energy this afternoon. 

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  • Goodie
    Goodie Member Posts: 244
    edited June 2012

    OMG - forgot to mention.  The manager at my local grocery store said "oh you got sun!  Where have you been?"  I was at the beach but I wasn't even out in the sun (I hid underneath my hat and my umbrella for a few hours yesterday.)  Ugh.  Really???  I was shocked.  I guess it's the radiation hitting my right side of my neck and cheek and my stomach!  What a range!  I have to ask RO if it hitting my face and my stomach on Wednesday.

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited June 2012

    The stresses of raising teenagers is certainly different that the stresses of cancer treatment!  It's just an analogy of hitting some "rapids" in life and then the river smoothes out on the other end.  I actually loved the teenage years of my twin boys.  They were crazy, funny, and wild in a good way.  There were some rough spots, of course, but we had a blast!

    One of them is now a bigshot cost analyst for a government contractor, the other just graduated from University of Michigan Medical school. 

    Schatzi, what is gravol?  Is it something you can buy in the US?  If there's something I can do to treat this "mildly queasy all the time" feeling without using prescription anti-nausea meds, I'm all for it!

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  • mckenna
    mckenna Member Posts: 413
    edited June 2012

    have you ever heard of quesy pops?  i don't know where you get them but we had some in the office for a while (i work for a cancer charity, ironic, i know) and lots of people swear that ginger helps with nausea.

    sb, congrats on your very successful boys!!  i have twin brothers, they are a trip.

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  • schatzi14
    schatzi14 Member Posts: 1,647
    edited June 2012

    sbelizabeth...Gravol is a pill for car sickness, seasickness and nausea in general...it is OTC here in Canada. Am sure you must have it too. I will google it.

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  • schatzi14
    schatzi14 Member Posts: 1,647
    edited June 2012

    It says US has Gravol.... also dramamine...gravamin are the same as Gravol

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  • Jan24
    Jan24 Member Posts: 64
    edited June 2012

    Only 2 to go yippee!!! 

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  • Neeners815
    Neeners815 Member Posts: 358
    edited June 2012

    Way to go, Jan!  I bet you feel like your profile pic (cute and cool!) LOL.

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  • etherize
    etherize Member Posts: 423
    edited June 2012

    I'm not really getting nausea but sometimes food smells gross, and I do have less of an appetite.  I think part of that is from fatigue, too.

    Congratulations, Jan24 on only 2 more to go!  I'm envious! ;-)

    It's really hot here right now and I have to drive to rads in an un-airconditioned truck.  It's probably going to be at least 103 in the driver's seat.  Ugh!  At least the rads room is ice cold. Tongue out

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  • silviazara
    silviazara Member Posts: 111
    edited June 2012

    Wiskris - so sorry to hear about your friend's child. What a tragedy.

    Jitters and Jan - you go girls! Tomorrow is your big day!

    AEM - I was feeling nauseous during the whole radiation process.. on and off. I am sure it was from radiation.

    It's been three days since the finishing of rads and my skin is getting... guess what..? Worse of course! It's painful now and the scabs are watery, leaking that yellowish liquid just like after being burnt. There we go... I hope it won't be getting much worse.

    So instead of being ecstatic that it's all over now, I am in pain, feeling and looking so ugly. My hair is not really growing yet, instead I lost almost all lashes. Well, at least I can mask everything under hats and sunglasses and clothes. ;-) 

    Thinking of everybody, there are more and more champagne popping on the way!

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