July 2012 Radiation

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  • 007_Kara
    007_Kara Member Posts: 48
    edited July 2012

    Just completed wk 2 of the radiation. 10/38 whoo hoo.

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  • Belinda977
    Belinda977 Member Posts: 381
    edited July 2012

    My doc alternate every few months so I am seeing one every 3 months.  I am OK with that.  Want to catch anything early that creeps up.

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited July 2012

    Healing Dreams and Mini1:  Congrats!  Were you able to wear a bra the last week?  The substitute RO told me I would not and the week after.  I don't know how I am going to go braless to my son's wedding, which will be a few days after my last treatment (hopefully).  Your thoughts, please!

    Mini:  I am starting the anastrozole today.  Wish me good luck!  I am going to take it this am. 

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  • MiniMacsMom
    MiniMacsMom Member Posts: 595
    edited July 2012

    Mda bs: 6 mo check and done

    Mda ro: 6 mo then yearly for 3-5 years longer if theyblike you :-)

    Mda ro: 6 mo for a few year then yearly but i have yo go 6 mo for brca screenings



    Regional mo: monthly til blood work is normal then 3 mo for a year then 6 mo for a few years then yearly :-)



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  • onvacation
    onvacation Member Posts: 1,344
    edited July 2012

    graced - first 3 treatments went well, very quick after the first one.  Now if they could just do something about the traffic!  So far no side effects, I am a little tired, but that is probably the left over chemo!  

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited July 2012

    Onvacation:  Did they give youi miaderm?

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  • onvacation
    onvacation Member Posts: 1,344
    edited July 2012

    No they didn't give me any lotion.  I bought my own.

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  • Jag1110
    Jag1110 Member Posts: 77
    edited July 2012

    kjiberty - maybe you could where one of those slimming cami's that fit under your breasts but will lift them up and they have nipple covers or petals i think there called that you can buy. If the cami is uncomfortable under your breasts you could maybe put some soft material between your breast and cami. I think they are meant to wear a bra with and slim your torso but since you can't do the bra maybe that would work. I'm half way through and just have some tightness in my skin and a little pink so far. Good luck!

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited July 2012

    Jag:  Please update me as you end toward the finish line.  Since I am just starting it will help me figure out what I am going to do.  I don't need any nipple covers (they are flat/inverted--I know-TMI).  Anyway, the dress is navy, but I just need the "lift" as I am a C-cup.

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  • Mini1
    Mini1 Member Posts: 1,836
    edited July 2012

    Kjiberty - I could wear one of my bras for a short while at the end. I wore one to the hospital, church or shopping. One day I was able to wear it several hours with a tissue folded flat under the elastic so it didn't rub directly on my skin. It may be just be a matter of finding the right bra. I had one that had straps that went a little farther out on my arm and the sides were more narrow than the others and were a soft fabric. Also it wasn't an underwire.

    My last treatment was this past Tuesday. My skin itches just a little on my chest and the underneath skin is starting to tan, but it doesn't hurt and I'm wearing a bra with no problem. I've actually been a little more tired than I was during treatment, which is odd, but I'm expecting to get back to normal soon.

    My Dr gave me Aquaphor (sp?) cream samples to use and I bought a big container to use. I'm still using it. My skin is soft and so far isn't peeling or hard.

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited July 2012

    mini1:  My doc gave me miaderm and said "don't use anything else".  My sister (radiation therapist for 34 years) says use Aquafor mixed with pure olive oil.  I am torn.  I am using the miaderm now, but tend to want to heed my sister's advice.  Thanks for the info on the bras.  My dress for the wedding has thin spaghetti straps, but is coverd by a bolero type jacket.  

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  • MiniMacsMom
    MiniMacsMom Member Posts: 595
    edited July 2012

    MDAnderson prefers aquafor but I couldn't stand the goopy-ness.  I also didn't liek that it was petroleum based.  My gf who works for an RO says her RO says ONLY aloe... I think they are all different. 

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  • Jag1110
    Jag1110 Member Posts: 77
    edited July 2012

    My doc has me using Utterly Smooth cream like the stylists use on there hands, it's the one with the cow print. I think something similar used to be used on cows utters, lol. It's been working so far though she did say I might need to add aloe toward the end. I hate aquaphor it's gross like vaseline, I wouldn't want that slimed all over me. Kjiberty I wonder if you could stand a strapless bra since you have spagehtti straps. I had a September wedding once with a similar dress and wore a regular bra and I wanted to take that jacket off so bad because it was still very warm out and couldn't because of the straps.

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited July 2012

    Jag:  Here's the problem I have with strapless bras--they dig in me on the top part of my breast to stay up.  I know they have those bandolini's which are strapless.  I may try one of those to see how it is.

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  • MiniMacsMom
    MiniMacsMom Member Posts: 595
    edited July 2012

    If you have a SOMA I would try them I love my SOMA bras.

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited July 2012

    I bought a vanishing edge bra last week from them  (wireless) and it's killing me!

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  • Mini1
    Mini1 Member Posts: 1,836
    edited July 2012

    I think different docs have different preferences. Some could be that they recommend one over another because of free samples. I started out with a cocoa butter cream that a friend swore by until I started to get red and sore, then I switched to the Aquaphor despite the goopiness of it because it seemed to more of a protectant. I think the important thing is that you use something and use it often. I used lotion during the day and after treatments and the Aquaphor before bed. I just used a couple of designated t-shirts to sleep in.

    This may sound a little off the wall, but if your dress is stapless, you may consider using an Ace Bandage to wrap around you. It would give you coverage but not be too uncomfortable. It might be worth experimenting with. :-)

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited July 2012

    Mini1:  Nice thought on the Ace.  You are so smart! Thanks for the suggestion. I started using the aquafor today as well.  I will switch on and off.  

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  • Hortense
    Hortense Member Posts: 982
    edited July 2012

    Lanagraves - Please be careful about that tiny tick. It could be carrying any number of diseases. Be on the lookout for any fevers or aches you might develop, and get to a doctor fast if you do.

    About a week after my first round of chemo I started running a low fever, felt a bit achey and one knee began to get sore. Within two days one knee had swollen and I could hardly walk up or down stairs. Having chemo-brain at the time, I never thought what I was experiencing could be anything but chemo side effects. I was wrong.

    Luckily, my husband suggested I go see a local doctor who took one look at me and my knee and to my surprise said, You have Lyme. He drained my knee - that was interesting - and put me on Doxicycline. The test came back and confirmed the doctor's Lyme diagnosis. I never saw the tick that bit me, nor did I get a rash.

    I've had Lyme before several times years ago and also never saw the tick or got a rash, but this time my symptoms were different so it didn't dawn on me that what I was feeling and experiencing might be Lyme again.

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  • MiniMacsMom
    MiniMacsMom Member Posts: 595
    edited July 2012

    I bought that bra and talked to the lady a bunch. I told her it couldnt be tight at all so we went up a band size! Its beet great. She seemed really understanding about it. I had a umx and revision surgerg so i am fairly numb... Just really started to get inane itching 2 days post rads :-)

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  • Belinda977
    Belinda977 Member Posts: 381
    edited July 2012

    Had my first rad treatment today!  Was pretty nervous.  I think it made me nervous when I realized how close the machine was too my face.  They decided to proceed with the treatment even though my healing is not complete (glad because it's been a while since my surgery).  Hoping I can relax a little tomorrow!

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  • Isabelle2
    Isabelle2 Member Posts: 389
    edited July 2012

    Good for you Belinda977, I have my first rad on Thursday...the waiting is not pleasant.  My surgery was May 24 & healing was not the issue...the cancer centre I am going to is brand new (3 weeks old) & they were not ready for me.

    It looks as if we will on this path together...my biggest problem seems to be emotional...the Femara....has me in tears constantly..Cry

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited July 2012

    Sixth rad behind me now. No SEs yet.

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited July 2012

    Belinda, welcome to our group.  Just had my 4th one today.  

    Lana:  How many do you need to get?  I have 33.  No S/E's here, but my breast is a little sore on the side. 

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  • lanagraves
    lanagraves Member Posts: 596
    edited July 2012

    33 here too...28 and 5 boosts. :)

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  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited July 2012

    So you right ahead of Kim and me! I have the same regimen.

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  • babette54
    babette54 Member Posts: 65
    edited July 2012

    #20/34 done = 59% done

    Belinda - Congrats on finishing your first tx.  I am amazed at how quickly my treatments are progressing and so far my SEs are minor--just a little pink.

    Isabelle - I agree, waiting is the pits.  It's nice that your center is new.  Everything will be bright, shiny, and new.  That should make you feel good.

    I hope we all have a week with minimal SEs.

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  • Isabelle2
    Isabelle2 Member Posts: 389
    edited July 2012

    One more day and I will be joining all of you.   Yes, the Cancer Centre, in Barrie, is brand new & beautiful...entrance looks like a 5 star hotel.

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  • Mini1
    Mini1 Member Posts: 1,836
    edited July 2012

    You'll do wonderfully Isabelle! It'll be over before you know it.

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  • HealingDreams
    HealingDreams Member Posts: 50
    edited July 2012

    The good news is that the techs and my RO loved the brownies! The bad news is I have the flu now!!! My guess is that because rads suppresses the immune system, I picked up something no one else in my family has. I am soon going to lie down for another nap...

    mini, I loved the idea of an ace bandage as a bra for kjiberty. So clever!

    I wanted to recommend a Bestform sports bra. They're soft and comfotable, not at all like a standard sports bra, more like a shaped ace bandage!But I doubt you'd be able to take off your jacket, kjiberty, if it's hot!

    I agree with minimacsmom, too. The size of the band is key. When you go up a size in the band, you go down a size in the cup. For years I wore a 34C in most bras. Since a meditation retreat a few years ago, I have not been able to tolerate so much pressure around my ribcage. Now I wear a 36B or a 38A. I'd love to try a 40AA, but I haven't found any yet.

    I am a few days post-radiation and the itching has started. I've started applying the 1% hydrocortisone cream before my Jason's Vitamin E cream and aloe gel directly from the leaf of the plant. The 1% cream seems to help.

    My BS wants to see me 6 months post surgery, ie. in November. As far as I know that's not after my 6 month mammogram which won't be until January.

    My RO wants to see me 6 months post rad and after the mammogram.

    My MO saw me when I entered the cancer center, one month after starting anastrozole (I started as soon as I knew I would not be prescribed chemo and before rads), and three months after that, ie in October.

    Now for my nap!

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