Summer 2013 Rads

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  • Rhonda2
    Rhonda2 Member Posts: 133
    edited June 2013

    Melody,



    When do you begin rads? is there another facility close by you that does the prone? I had to appeal to my insurance company who allowed me to go to this other place because it does the prone where as the facility I was scheduled to go to does not.

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  • IamNancy
    IamNancy Member Posts: 1,158
    edited June 2013

    TMM and Heart - heatwave it is.. and humid.. I use my real antiperspirant on the arm that isn't near the radiation side and Tom's on the radiation side - feel like a sneak though putting it on after treatment!

    Heart - hope things calm down for you - 2 days radiation free may help..

    I am glad for 2 days off... feel a little burny on the side of my breast ..

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  • melody46
    melody46 Member Posts: 279
    edited June 2013

    Rhonda I'm 8/20 already, almost 1/2 way done.

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  • sciencegal
    sciencegal Member Posts: 1,120
    edited June 2013

    I have been using crystal brand roll-on, aluminum free and has a pink ribbon on it, says it is okay for BC treatments but who knows really. is that off limits, does anyone know? I am allergic to Tom's, tried that first.

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  • Rhonda2
    Rhonda2 Member Posts: 133
    edited June 2013

    Sciencegal,



    I use Trader Joe's unscented deodorant with cotton. It says it is Paraben and Aluminum free. It is also skin conditioning for sensitive skin. I have not asked my RO yet, but because I used the cold caps just like you did, I changed to this brand shortly after my DX.

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  • Rhonda2
    Rhonda2 Member Posts: 133
    edited June 2013

    Melody,



    Glad your almost 1/2 way done. My RO said that not everyone is a candidate for prone because if their tumor was deep and next to the chest wall it would to be beneficial or if they have had a mastectomy, which makes sense. He also reassured me that all precautions are taken to keep lungs and heart safe.

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  • sciencegal
    sciencegal Member Posts: 1,120
    edited June 2013

    Thank you Rhonda!

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  • melody46
    melody46 Member Posts: 279
    edited June 2013

    I'm using the crystal brand too but dont like it

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  • Heart2930
    Heart2930 Member Posts: 139
    edited June 2013

    Well.....I had a problem at radiation yesterday. Every 5 days we take new X-rays to make sure we are still on the mark for all of our measurements. When we took they X-rays yesterday we found out I was so swollen that all of my measurements were now off by an inch. I have felt kind of swollen the last couple of days, and really swollen today. Is anyone else having swelling issues, and did they go away or get worse?



    Lin43- my RO said I could use Tom's on the radiation side and whatever I want on the other side. So I use the Tom's on the right and my old trusty Secret on the left. But with the heat in the mid 90's and the humidity almost as high, I gotta says I am just melting right now so not sure if anything is really working.

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  • ldesim
    ldesim Member Posts: 1,333
    edited June 2013

    Heart, I haven't had the xray issue.. I feel swollen from this damn heat and humidity.. could that be it? My ankles are the worst.

    I guess I'm getting off this pretty lucky I sweat, but since chemo, no smell... how weird is that.  To be safe though I have used crystal... but I can't tell if it works or not.

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  • TMM60
    TMM60 Member Posts: 190
    edited June 2013

    I am so lucky that I have been able to work at home thru treatment. So if I sweat and stink- I am the only one I offend during the day. Also nice to be able go braless and hatless and offend anyone. I am in shorts, in a huge cotton tee shirt and hatless at the moment. Husband doesn't care and sure makes this 92 degree humid day here in PA bearable. I'm at 13/35 and have a little rad dermatitis- a little bumpy, itchy stuff between breasts and some red under breast and armpit. Nipple and lumpectomy and snb scars are sensitive, so lubing like crazy and wearing only the oversize cotton tee.



    Stay cool to those of you in the heat right now! Envying our Canadian sisters at the moment!

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  • AnnieLane
    AnnieLane Member Posts: 856
    edited June 2013

    TMM60, I've followed you from our chemo thread Smile and I'm with you - it's a huge blessing to be able to work from home. I'm working hatless too. Kiss I start rads Monday, so braless will be next I suppose. I do need to work onsite occaisionally, so I'll do that Tuesday and then shouldn't have to go back for awhile.

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  • Lin43
    Lin43 Member Posts: 108
    edited June 2013

    My radiation nurse talked about how rads affect everyone differently. So sorry you are swollen, Heart. An inch seems like a lot. :( I hope it isn't too uncomfortable and that your body adjusts with no additional swelling.

    TMM60--I also have some radiation dermatitis going on. It itches a bit and burns sometimes. I have heard of women who get red early on and then don't get any worse for the rest of radiation. Hope that is us!

    I also work from home and I spent part of Friday topless--I just have to remember not to answer the door that way. Ha!


    I read that some of the radiation dermatitis is a histamine reaction. Would taking anti-histamines help? Something to ask the RO.....


    Stay cool somehow. My RO said I can put a damp towel on my chest or even a baggie with ice as long as I have something between the ice and my skin. It is 108 and dry here today. The forecast is the same all week. At least my rads are at 8:20 am. A friend just called from Boston saying it is 90 and humid there. As my RO said on Thursday, summer is a hard time to be doing rads!! Hoping for a June that passes quickly for all of us!!!

    Hugs...Linda

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  • raspberry
    raspberry Member Posts: 48
    edited June 2013

    I am having shorter radiation but not this kind described in the article further above, which is just directed at the bed of the tumour, I think that is in the future of cancer treatment but for now it is still whole breast irradiation plus boosts to the tumour bed. I have so many questions AFTER I left the RO and I couldn't think what to ask when I was with her in the appointment. I am very anxious now as I don't understand the treatment I am getting. Why I am getting 3gys a day, when most people get 2, for example. 

    What are the advantages of the shorter, stronger radiation other than using less time and petrol and less hospital resources? 

    I go for my simulation on Wednesday.

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  • AnnieLane
    AnnieLane Member Posts: 856
    edited June 2013

    Packing up the underwire bras I finally started wearing again after lumpectomy, plus the talcum powder and antiprespirant with aluminum - First radiation treatment tomorrow.

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited June 2013

    Hi AnnieLane - wishing you a great day tomorrow as you begin laser tag zip zap warrior!

    Luv TX...just a few miles north of you in Horseshoe.

    Congrats on escaping chemo land...just hydrate, eat well, lube the girl, and take good care of yourself! You will rock rads! Does this radiation make my butt look bigger...turning thirty shades of pink...before you know it will be zip zap only 1 more:)))

    (((Hugs)))

    Cindy

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  • melody46
    melody46 Member Posts: 279
    edited June 2013

    Raspberry write every question down and bring it with you.  Its their job to explain it.  I'm having the shorter version also, mine is 4 weeks (20)

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  • raspberry
    raspberry Member Posts: 48
    edited June 2013

    Thanks for your reply melody46.

    Yes, this time tomorrow I should know everything I need to know. I am a reasonably intelligent woman but this stuff has me bamboozled in places and every time I sit down its with a new person in a new area of the medical profession. Its public health, I'm grateful, but still feeling on the production line. . . . 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2013

    Hi Gals,

    Whew!  Made it thru chemo and shots but still having some SE (last treatment May 1 and 2) and do not know why.  Lots of pain especially in fingers, feet (Left one is broken and in a boot), hips, knees, elbows, etc.  MO's nurse does not have a clue.  I'll check in out this week as I will be starting RADS 6/5 here in N. Texas.  Was mapped twice and have stickers with red and black Sharpie marker in 6 different places.  I'm a bit concerned after reading some earlier posts about "acceptable" levels of radiation that can hit the heart, lungs, spine but I guess I will address that too on Wednesday.  I see some of you Sisters on here that I know from other threads and want to say "Hi" to all.  Good luck this week everyone and peace, prayers, luv and blessings to ALL.  I'l be jumping over to see what is going on with U guyz now.

    Flowers

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  • btdemo
    btdemo Member Posts: 52
    edited June 2013

    I too see some familiar names from the chemo thread.  I am pFc, last infusion 5/24.  Have appt w/ RO tomorrow for mappping.  I am more nervous about this than I thought I would be.  Have any of you felt that way?

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  • Michele2013
    Michele2013 Member Posts: 350
    edited June 2013

    Good morning ladies, I spoke to my radio therapist about my blisters I found Friday evening. He said to mix the aquafor and cortisone together and apply. He said its better to use in conjunction due to the drying affect from the cortisone.



    Ahhhh sweet relief!!! Thought I was going to scratch my skin off:)



    Hey fellow texans, I grew up in new braunfels. I love the hill country

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2013

    btdemo - do not be nervous about the mapping.  Compared to chemo., it is a piece of CAKE!

    Michele2013 - Hello from N. TX.  I am not a native but have lived here now for 6 months and have not met nicer folks anywhere in this great country.  Peace, prayers, luv and blessings to you all and yours today and into the future.

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  • btdemo
    btdemo Member Posts: 52
    edited June 2013

    cmbernardi: thanks!  Guess I was just needing some reassurance...and TLC!

    Good vibrations to all.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited June 2013

    btdemo - One more thing; anxiety is very normal for all of us Sisters!  Thanks for the good vibes!  (hope my grammer was not too far off!)

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  • Lin43
    Lin43 Member Posts: 108
    edited June 2013

    AnnieLane

    Thinking especially of you today. Hope your first rad went well. One down....one less to do. Mark it off on your calendar. :)

    Hugs

    Linda 13/30 

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  • raspberry
    raspberry Member Posts: 48
    edited June 2013

    I am nervous as. My mapping is tomorrow. I am so sad that my lungs will be scarred. 

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  • DiZZyMom
    DiZZyMom Member Posts: 245
    edited June 2013

    Hey cmbernardi, I'll be starting rads next Tueday in Plano. I had my mapping/planning last Friday but my RO is on vacation this week so I don't start until next week. I am also nervous about lungs, heart, sternum in the crosshairs. Blasting a cancer patient with cancer causing radiation is yet another one of the things that goes against the way I've always viewed health and healing.....chemicals, pharmaceuticals, radiation. Will be happy when I no longer have to allow those things into my body!

    I hope those of you starting this week have minimal SEs and are feeling well!

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  • TMM60
    TMM60 Member Posts: 190
    edited June 2013

    My rads are directed at the left as well. Here is the way I have thought about this aspect of my treatment and why I have accepted it as worth the risk. I have been told by my RO that they are directing the beam to miminize my heart and lung exposure. I'm putting my trust in that. Frankly, I've probably done far more damage to my lungs smoking. I did take advantage of chemo and not wanting to smoke to quit and have not smoked for 5 months now. I trust that the new rad techniques are maximizing benefit and limiting risk. Nothing about cancer treatment doesn't come with some risk. I've been armed with knowledge that has led me to accept the risk of chemo, rads and then Arimdex. Known cancer scared me more and I want to do everything in my power to minimize that risk that this could come back outside my breast where it could be difficult or impossible to treat. Only time will tell, but I think I've put the odds more in my favor with treatment.

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  • AnnieLane
    AnnieLane Member Posts: 856
    edited June 2013

    My first treatment today was uneventful. I used the cream they gave me before I got dressed to go and after work I applied emu oil to the radiated breast (my right.)

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  • DiZZyMom
    DiZZyMom Member Posts: 245
    edited June 2013

    Congrats on quitting smoking, TMM60. That's an awesome thing you did for yourself and I know it wasn't easy!

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