August 2012 Radiation

Welcome aboard Diane ("Summer51" - that's a cool pseudonym !)

You and I are on a similar radiation time frame - I think I started a day before you.  I just had #11 this morning, of a total of 28 plus 5 boosts, so I'm 1/3rd done with 2/3rds to go.  I've had some swelling & tenderness, and some initial jolts the first 2 weeks, but my skin is holding up OK.  I'm also using 100% aloe, and alternate between Acquaphor and Cure Intense Moisturizing Cream...  My only issue is the products take so long to dry, and when I re-dress to go to work, my clothes stick all over me for about the first half hour.  It's tough to wear a bra, so I try to wear clothes that I can go bra-less.  For my tiny boobs (with one tinier now), that's never been much of an issue.   Has anyone felt fatigue at this stage yet?  I'm feeling a bit washed out towards the end of the day, but not bad.

Kay

Hi all,   I was diagnosed in early June and will be starting rads in the next week or so.  I'll only have 16 sessions, but it still makes me nervous. No chemo, but I had to have two lumpectomy surgeries to ensure clean margins....so that took up most of the summer. 

I'm still working full time and hope to be able to take a break, go get radiation, and then head back to work.   Am I being too optimistic?

Like the idea of non-stick telfa pad ro-berta.  Were you able to find them at a regular pharmacy store the right size?

Hi Roberta,  Congrat's for finishing up!  I'm sure that's a relief.  I'll look for those telfa pads.  Joan - welcome aboard.  Your radiation schedule sounds light (16 treatments total).  I'm getting 33 treatments, including 5 boosters, which they say is normal, but not conservative.  I'll be working full-time all the way through, which from what I hear is not unrealistic.  I'm a commercial banker, but have cut back on my travel with my boss's total understanding.  Everyone has been so supportive, and I feel if I need to schedule some rest time off towards the end, that wouldn't be a problem.  Best of luck - hope to hear how you do during your treatments. 

Hi, Today is Day 20 of 30!  Also sharp pain began yesterday along with significant darkening and redness both.  Suggestiosnf or pain relief and bra options for large breasts?  I need to return to work on Tuesday.

VVH 

VVH, when I met with the RO nurse today she gave me some "radiadress gel sheets" that I can cut up and put over any sensitive areas.  It's like a flexible piece of plastic with hydrogel that gradually absorbs into the skin and is really cool and soothing.  My main trouble area is my nipple (super sensitive) which makes it tough to wear a bra or have anything touching it at all!  Today was 18/22 whole breast treatments, which will be followed by 8 boosts, so I think we are at around the same place with treatment.  I am not getting too much pain, but when I do I take some advil and that seems to help.  My RO said Advil also helps with the inflammation.

I am a D cup and wear a Warner's "Friday bra" that's really soft but gives excellent support too, and then underneath I put a rectangle of soft cotton t-shirt (I cut up some old ones) that covers my nipple and my underarm area so nothing will rub.  This also stops lotions from staining my clothes.  I know a lot of people seem to wear a cotton tank under their bra.  I tried this, but it added too much bulk and made my shirts look funny, so I stick with the cotton rectangles.

Wishing everyone a smooth ride through rads and beyond!

So interesting that the subject of rashes has come up. I have developed a bumpy, itchy, burning rash these past few days. I showed it to the techs and my RO. He said to get some OTC cortisone cream. I'm not sure it's working yet. I am prone to eczema and hives, so hope that isn't going to crop up.


Joan, I intended to get a shingles shot a few years ago, but never followed through. When I started chemo, I prayed I wouldn't get shingles. There was a time after an early chemo treatment when I thought I might have them. Thank goodness I didn't, but it goes to show that it's not a bad idea to take precautions when you're healthy.


Also, Joan, are you in Canada, or are you in the radiation trial that is based on the Canadian treatment of fewer days of treatments with increased dosage and boost given on same day as regular treatment? I'm thinking that would explain your shorter schedule.


VVH your symptoms are a bit concerning--pain, redness, and darkening. Did you have a chance to ask about it today or perhaps tomorrow? Your description gave me a flashback to when I had mastitis while I was trying to breast feed my new baby many years ago. Do you have any fever? That is the other symptom I had at that time.


As for bras, I did some googling and found one bra made of cotton that was a sleep/leisure bra. I decided not to buy any b/c I am retired. When I get home, off come the wig, the shoes and THE BRA. So, I don't spend too much time in a bra most days. I might still get one depending on how things are when rads are finished.

Alice72.   No one mentioned my being in a trial, particularly based on a Canadian treatment system, but RO did mention that it would be a higher dosage.  I'll ask him about it.  Could be he's just following that treatment plan without actually participating in the trial? 

 Makes me nervous with everyone talking about rashes and comfortable bras.  i hope to work through the 4 week rads...  I guess I'll just wait and see and do what I can do

ro-berta...hopefully your rash clears up quickly and you don't need to go back to the Doc.  Everyone have a nice Labor Day weekend!

HI Girls, I hope everyone is as comfortable as possible!

Joan how are the treatments going??? Believe it or not they do go by fast. Not everyone gets rashes, must be my skin type it is probebly just one of those things. My energy has picked up which is a good thing, I mean there is only so much of laying around eating bon bons one can take hahaha.

Docziggy Glad you have a aloe plant I have heard they are great hoping your treatments are going well. The wknd is here! I loved the wknd just to have a break from going to the hospital

Well evryone take care It,s Friday!!!

    roberts

Kay, I have been running too and it's just been the last few days where it has become VERY difficult.  I still do the 3 miles but it's a struggle.  One more rad for me and then I am done.

Boost area is doing the yucky, moist yellow peeling. Doctor prescribed silvadene and I have to debrid with a mix of perioxide and water. A little bit of an owie with my open incision but I will deal with with it.

Cross posting this so forgive me if you read this more than once. Who's next to finish?

Hi Everyone...this is my first post here.  Had a lumpectomy 3 weeks ago and just met with the RO. My big concern is that radiation can cause premature hardening of the arteries and since heart disease is the number one klller of all the women on my maternal side, this was no small issue for me. The RO indicated that he used a block to minimize this, but I asked about prone radiation and he told me if that made me feel better he would do it.  I go for the simulation next week.  Has anyone had prone position radiation?

Hi Aruba-glad your RO is doing something to protect your heart! I read the blog of someone using the breathing apparatus:

In an effort to curb the potential heart/lung damage, I will be using a scuba breathing apparatus, of sorts, during each of the treatments.  It's a really interesting thing, and the tech and I spent well over an hour refining the way it would work.  In short - I take a deep breath and, using the mouthpiece, am forced to hold the breath at a very specific point in the exhalation, for 25 seconds.  Filling my lungs with air creates a space between my heart/lungs and the tumor site; holding my breath at that very specific point creates optimal space, decreasing the likelihood that radiation will cause damage (or, if it does hit my heart/lungs, will hit the smallest area possible).

My RO did his residency at Sloan Kettering where the prone position was pioneered.  He was very surprised that I asked about it (I did a lot of research before I went in because I was willing to travel anywhere to get something that would protect my heart and lungs).  He asked me if I would feel safer using the prone position--I said yes--he said that's what we'll do.  There is still a question on whether they can successfully get the area using this method and I'll find that out next week.  I'm a C cup so I think that is large enough.  My cancer was in the 12 o'clock position close to my chest wall.  I understand the boosts will be given in the supine position using a block.

I guess when your finish RADS, Aruba you'll be ready to take up scuba diving....wishing you all the success....

Hello Ladies, I have been under going tx since August 13th. So far I have had somedays where I had fatigue and just felt like I couldn't walk to the parking lot. Other days I was able to walk around in the mall and do some window shopping. My concern is the care of the skin on my breast, and armpit. I have been using bio-oil and cortizone cream. Any other suggestions as what might be effective? I feel very lucky so far I haven't blistered. I have 11 more days of tx. My arm pit feels like a real bad sun burn!

Hi Belinda,  I just had #24 of 33, but started hitting the wall last weekend.  It has just drained my energy, so I took the week off from running.  I can't believe you were able to run all the way through your treatments, which by the way, CONGRATULATIONS on completing your radiation treatments ! ! ! Are you now onto Tamoxifen or Arimadex?   I understand that starts within a week of completion, for five very long years ....

My best to you,  

Yes I go to MO on Monday to start Tamoxifen. My speed has slowed down but because my RO told me it would help with the fatigue I just keep going.