July 2012 Radiation

Thanks Teacup, I started today at 8:45 hoping for a later time. I have a half hour drive and don't like to get up early. I got my 3 tats to day also, they weren't too bad. 1 down 29 to go!

Hi Graced, so happy to hear your first rad treatment went smoothly.  Thanks for sharing and making me feel less nervous about Wednesday.  I like the idea about music and I think I'll do it!  I did it went I had my first surgery...my boyfriend brought my Ipad in with headphones, so as I was recovering those first two days in the hospital I could listen and relax.  I hadn't thought about it for the radiation part...thanks! 

Butterfly (Sharon) 

Have my first appt with radiologist tomorrow morning - no idea if this is just a meet and greet or they will actually do something.  

Everyone who got zapped today, hope it went smoothly! 

Cheers for a smooth start & Cheers for the others about to start!

All went good today!  The RADS nurse was very specific as to what she wants me to use.  Calendula lotion by Boiron.  She gave me a bottle told me to use it very Liberally 2x's a day & she would give me a bottle as I need it....don't skimp on it!  Dove unscented soap only & as I'm not getting treatments to my axillary area I can use a tiny bit of deodorant Dove unscented also.  She will let me know when I am to use anything else!   I went to Wally World & got pack of 3 all cotton shelf  Jog bras in size 40 band size.  I'm a 36 so it's plenty big & I won't be falling out the bottom of it.  They give some support  but are over-sized enough to be outside the area of target.  I also got my last Tattoo today.  What a breeze & I didn't feel a thing.  Right at the edge of the areola....not sure why the other tatoos hurt so much & this one not a bit.  

Onvacation I'm sure every place is a little different.  But my first time they told me ALL about Radiation & the treatments.  The nurse took an in depth medical history, & did an exam of my breast as I had had surgery.  I guess most of us do before RADS.  They brought me back last Monday to do the Simulation & it took them a week to do the planning.  I think the RADS ONC works with 2 or 3 others to plan my treatment.  My first appointment was 1 1/2 hours with the Dr. & his Nurse.

Butterflylady sending sending extra soothing thoughts as my emotions have been all over the place for the past few days.  I hope yours goes over in the blink of an eye just like mine did!  In fact they were all please & thought mine was super fast for the first time!  

Thanks Vacationbound for the heads up on the Natural Rays!  My RADS nurse said I could use  Hydrocortisone cream mixed with the Calendula cream she gave me today.  She said women tend to get very itchy between their girls, the cleavage area.  As always ask your Dr. if they haven't said you could use it.  

Teacup what a big LET DOWN!  You spend all that engergy Mentally Prepairing yourself then poof!  I'll be thinking of you tomorrow & hope all is up & in working order! 

Thanks Teacup crying does help & I really haven't let myself do much of it!  Even though I have treatments every day now it's just been not stop go with everything else this beast puts us through!  Life has kept me busy also & I guess now that I'm getting back into a routine post surgery, back at work.  It's hitting me some how!

Lyrics from Hootie & the Blowfish come to mind.....Let her cry...if the tears fall down like rain
Let her sing...if it eases all her pain....

My treatments are nothing really. I just lie there positioned on the table (the position depends on the location of your treatment area) with my arms over my head on a form they made for me. They move me and adjust my position to match the computerized positioning coordinates. I'm only there a very short time. It takes me longer to get there than the treatments themselves.

The first week I had no side effects at all. The second week the skin on my chest (below the collar bone to my cleavage) started to have something akin to a heat rash or shingles. They have cream for the itching. I have very sensitive skin so that may make a difference. I know some that have gone all the way through treatments with no rash or itching at all. I've also had a little fatigue and a dry cough, but nothing overwhelming, I drive myself to and from treatments.

I agree with the poster above about the sun. I seem to be highly sensitive to the sun now even under normal circumstances. I get hot more quickly and it will definitely aggravate the itching if you have any. Be sure to use your lotion at least twice a day (1x after treatment and 1x in the evening) during your treatments and use sunscreen when outside.

 Good Luck!

Thanks for all your advice.  Funny, I worked for BBW for 10 years (just quit about 2 years ago), but I have recommended the shea butter balm for other things, but not that.  I spoke w/my sister this weekend, who is a radiation oncology therapist, and she recommended the aloe gel from WM as well as aquafor.  I am for trying ANY and EVERYTHING to prevent burns.  Thanks for your advice.  Happen to have some in my stash.

Babette you edged ahead of me with my treatment cancelled today. I have the same issue trying to figure out which creams to use. My RO says only 100% aloe Vera. I don't feel like that's enough moisture. But I am apprehensive to use anything else. I did buy calendula and have used it a few times. I'm not sure what I'll do as we move forward. Olive oil does seem strange but it seems many women on other rads threads use coconut oil. It's just really hard to know what to do. I agree BC sucks. Big time.

I was using a cocoa butter that someone I know swears by, but I found the Aquaphor to work better. I never heard olive oil mentioned but I do use it on my dry skin in the winter. If you use it be sure to get plain olive oil not the pressed virgin or extra virgin oils.

I'm not doing so good. I went to work last night & a little over an hour after I arrived I started really getting nauseated! The whole night I really felt yucky. When I went in for my treatment today the nurse looked at me & said whats wrong. I told her about the nausea & she said that's too early for that to happen. Quietly as if she were talking to herself. No one has the the Bug at home or work. She asked if I had any anti nausea meds at home. I do & am to take them & let her know how I'm doing tomorrow. I've only slep 4 hours today & have to work tonight! I took a pill before I went to sleep. I woke up & am still nauseated! If I have some weird side effect.....the next 6 weeks are gonna be YUCK! Don't feel like eating anything!!!! Just gingerale & ice chips!!!! I guess it's a good thing I'm 28 pounds over weight! Down 4 in one night!



Babette I've done reading here & the most "popular" creams used seem to be the Calendula, Aquaphor, & Aloe. I think my nurse wants me to save the later 2 for the big guns. Wait to see if I need them. Go with your gut. Maybe mix a little Calendula with the olive oil. It's a tough call. As you don't want to tick em off...because you have to deal with them for a while longer.

I'm gonna go & try to sleep some more. It's gonna be a long night! Then I have 4 off! Yeah!

Isabelle:  I go on Thursday for my consult.  We should compare "notes". 

My sister said wheat germ oil is great, but is hard to find...Maybe health food stores.  Expensive, but more moisturizing than olive oil.  Again, aquafor highly recommended with aloe--Fruit of the Earth from WM.

Julz:  Hope you're feeling better soon. 

#6/34 done today.

I had my first x-ray check.  They do an x-ray after every 5 treatments to check alignment.  Mine was off by 5 mm so they needed to re-draw the marks on my chest before zapping me.  I was told that swelling and gaining/losing weight can cause this to happen.  The techs said it was nothing to worry about--easy for them to say.  They are not getting hit with massive doses of radiation.  I'm still amazed that I am trusting these strangers to do this to my body.  I tell myself to take a deep breath.  This will be over soon.

Teacup2012 - If this was a horserace, I would have you by a nose.  I'm sorry that your machine was down today.  I hope that doesn't happen to me.  I only have two "cushion days" before the start of school.  I don't want to take more sick leave unless absolutely necessary.

graced - Thanks for for giving me your opinion about using creams/oils instead of the olive oil recommended by my RO.  I agree with you totally about trusting my instinct.  My gut feeling is to use the stuff suggested by my BC sisters who have "walked the walk."

julz4 - I hope you are feeling better and that you are not experiencing early SEs.  Doing rads is difficult on a good day, I can't imagine feeling nauseated.

Isabelle2 and kjiberty - Good luck at your appointments.  As I am slightly ahead of you, I can assure you that the consultation, mapping, and simulation appointments are stressful but uneventful.  The worst part is the waiting.  We all want this part of our journey to be over.

teacup2012 - The techs told me that if after the xray something was "off," they would come in and re-arrange me.  So, when they showed up, they moved me around a little bit.  I believe they took another xray and then my tx continued.  While they were adjusting me, I asked questions about being "off", what it means, is it serious, etc.  They shared with me that 5 mm is nothing to be concerned about.  It happens all the time and if it had been a couple of cm, they would have contacted the RO.  I will admit it was a bit unnerving but I have to trust that they know what they are doing.

I know what you mean about getting excited about seeing your sister.  I also have a favorite sister who has been gone on vacation for nearly 3 weeks.  She doesn't know it yet, but I plan to go see her this weekend and spend the night.  I need my "sister fix."  She lives 1.5 hours away. 

Have a great time.  Put breast cancer in a box and put the lid on tightly.  Don't open it up until your vacation is over.

1st Rad treatment in 2 hours.  I'm ready to go!  Don't get me wrong, I'm not excited about it, but I'm better then I thought I'd be.  Friend is going with me.  I'll be taking a little Xanax though and Benadryl for my allergies.  The Xanax is the lowest dosage, just to take edge off a bit.  Hearing about Rad experiences from everyone on this site has helped me to feel more relaxed. And Graced, I'll be saying..."The Radiation is helping me, I feel my spirit lighter and relaxed because I know I am being healed..Amen".  Thanks everyone for sharing....because that sharing helps others.  This is a wonderful site for all us BC girls who need to know we are not alone.