Winter RADS 2012 Club...Please come join the fun!

cypher: Ok, I will have to slap YOU silly now! I have seen that bra in different ads. Its called the Ahhhh bra I think and its also got another name and I have been so tempted to get it...I think that would be perfect! Good choice. You sure have a lot going on right when you should have some quiet and TLC. I wish that for you. Maybe the other digs will be a good thing to get you out of your work-from-home business.

jennsmc: I am surprised constantly by the lack of communication in the radiation field! Some centers seem to be very professional and patient-focused and others are not. No deodorant with aluminum. Toms of Maine doesn't have any and neither does Alra. But I was told not to use any on the radiated side. But I don't think it would have made a difference anyway.

cowpower: How'd the concert go? Take your mind off of things?

fgm: Sorry about the day. It seems to take us down the first day. You will feel better emotionally soon. Are you doing ok tonight? Crying stopped? I've been there so often I feel like breaking out in the song from Simon and Garfunkle, "hello darkness my old friend..."

Good evening Cowpower, Terri and all of you wonderful ladies.

I survived the first of 16!  Once I got into position, I moved my unaffected hand a bit and they had to start all over again...guess I won't do that again.  They were really nice about it which was great as they were backed up.  They did explain every step of the way and it was reassuring.  After they left the room, I wasn't even sure if anything was happening except for the odd noise and then finally the big part came up and over me.

Just like one big, long x-ray.  Funny, there seem to be a lot of male techs where I go.  Had one at the sims and now one today...oh well, I'm sure they have seen it all.  

I'm drained...I have just over an hour drive to the Cancer Centre, daughter returning to Alberta tomorrow so have to run her to the airport after tx.  Feeling emotional about everything right now, her leaving and not being home for Christmas.  She has been here for over a week...I think she needed to see me and make sure I really was okay...and I am!  

Have a good night   

I've been using the tom's for months, as I was advised that the other stuff wasn't good for me, at least right now.  I think you lose toxins through your armpits and so preventing that isn't good.  If you've been through chemo and are hairless, I think the lack of hair helps with not being too stinky.  Anyway my experience with those is at first you're really stinky but after a few weeks your body adjusts or something.  I kind of ended up doing little mini spongebaths in the summer in the afternoon. At least it's winter so ....

With my radiation on, they are also hitting my clavicle. I noticed tonight there's some swelling in my neck and my neck has been stiff since I started treatment Monday. I have only had three treatments so far. Anybody else having swelling in their neck?

Oh also, loveofcritters, I will be working from home either here or there, but it would be kind of a nice change of pace and it will be a lot less stressful if I’m in the ‘hood.  The place where I did chemo is really close to my house – if I were doing radiation over there I wouldn’t be nearly so fussed about it – could just pop over, have them nuke me, pop home….  Anyway fingers crossed that I can find something, going to look at a few places tomorrow evening after they check to see if they’ve mapped my boob properly.

heidismom,

When I first started Rads a couple of weeks ago they told me that its ok to wear 'regular' deodorant and the long standing theory about aluminum being taboo is no longer the rule.

Terri

outdamnedspot,

Yippee....you are over the first bump!  Congrats. I moved my non effect hand once too. Just make sure you are comfortable before you let them leave the room. I have thought what would happen if we had a cough or needed to sneeze!!!!

I found out what they are going to do on day 16 next Tuesday. The 16th day is for the boost and THEN they are going to do Sims again. HUH? I will find out more about that today. It will take an hour. The Sims was the hardest most uncomfortable part  of this journey so far. I will be sure to report back. I was elated about that being the last day but now, not so much. Oh well,

Terri

fgm, I know we are all different as are our ROs . I can wear regular deodorant but was told all the other things you mentioned. I am large and 'have' to wear underwire. Underwires are much different than they used to be and I have had no issues. I put cornstarch powder under the breasts and underarm when I get home from Rads and so far so good. Not bothering me a bit. I have posted this suggestion on other forums.....get bramates to cushion between bra and skin if you need underwires and they irritate you. Bramates.com. I got them last year due to all the sweating I have underneath .

Terri

Hi ladies,

I was told not to use any deodorant, and not to lube the boob for 5 hours before the treatment.  I had my 9 treatment this morning, and am definitely pink and itchy, but only really on the boob, not the supraclavicle region.  Apparently the itchiness is your hair follicles having a reaction?!?!  Weird.

Anyway, I hope you are all feeling great today!

Hi everybody, glad everyone seems to be doing ok. Had 20/33 today. Switched techs after sending an email to a social worker. It was better, and i had a glass of liquid "help", nighty night.

Ony way to number 21 of 25. My boob is painful today. I really can't wait for this to be over.

Thanks cowpower! Under the boob is very red and irritated and so is my underarm area. The Miaderm burned when I used it so now I'm using aloe vera gel. Glad the weekend's almost here!

Paula, you get a cape? I just get a hospital gown!

#2 of 30 - my right boob is definitely a warmer temp than my untreated leftie but I don't think it looks pink yet. The areola (sp?) and nipple look a bit pinker than the left but that's all. Right now I'm using California Baby Sensitive Skin unscented Everyday lotion right after rads and then sea buckthorn at bedtime. This morning at about 730 I used the sea buckthorn again (it's red-orange stuff) but then took a shower near noon so it would be all clear for radiation. I figure I may as well get used to doing it three times a day which my RO figured I'd be at toward the end. It's hard for me to start a new good habit so I'm just going to do this now... I was also told no deoderant.

Anyone else usually wear a bra at night? I have ever since I was a D to DD cup. I'm probably less than that now with chemo weight loss but they (esp the unsurgeried left) are so floppy, I still don't want them falling in my armpits at night or being in the way. I wore my usual loose sports bra last night but then went braless around my house in the AM - with a loose T-shirt on of course - to let rightie "breathe". Anyone else in similar boat? or plans?

Have a good night all -

Cider, the lonely feeling was what got to me at first. 19 treatments later and I just go to my happy place in my head. You get better at being alone, I think, because the predictability makes the treatment seem faster, if that makes any sense. I also have some mental puzzles I go to if I need a diversion. A couple of times I actually think I have been close to napping. Hang in there.



Paula, what kind of cape? If its cool, I want one! If its the big silicone "bolus" you can keep it, as I already get it every other day.