Summer 2013 Rads

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

    Yay Gowiththeflow! *hugs*

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

    Heart, I am glad you are able to continue and I just hope that the remaining ones are gentle on you!

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  • melody46
    melody46 Member Posts: 279
    edited June 2013

    I have become the hot flash queen.  Chemopause was bad enough but this tamoxifen is making them awful!  Any advice on them would be great.  On the bright side tomorrow is 20/20 and I'm done with radiation which is a great thing because my nipple is screaming pissed.  What the heck am I going to do with all my free time? Just a few follow up appts next month and I think I may have some peace for a bit.

    Gowiththeflow glad your appt was OK today :)

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  • ChickaD
    ChickaD Member Posts: 1,025
    edited June 2013

    Melody....yay on almost finishing....but I get the HOT flash thing...just had my 2 chemo last week and last night experienced the first HOT flash....Aaaaaahhhhhhh WTH is up with that....lol

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  • Lin43
    Lin43 Member Posts: 108
    edited June 2013

    So glad you can continue, Heart. One day at a time is my mantra these days. We have to get DONE with this and begin the healing process! I also have lidocaine - - and Percocet (that I only use as last resort).


    Also glad today went better, gowiththeflow. I hope your cording continues to get better for you!



    Welcome all newcomers. Together we can do this!



    Hot flash sisters... I use my cool pad to help me sleep. It is a FroggToggs brand chilly pad from Amazon. I also use it to cool my radiated chest. Also, Evening Primrose Oil capsules help me keep the flashes down to a more manageable level. Anyone have more ideas on this?



    Gentle hugs

    Linda 23/30



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  • Heart2930
    Heart2930 Member Posts: 139
    edited June 2013

    GoWithTheFlow- Gentle Hugs. I am so glad yesterday went better than expected.

    Melody46- Congrats!! Does your center have a bell that every rings when done? Kind of corny but cute. Last week a cute little old man got so excited when it was his turn to ring the bell. Sorry, no advice on the hot flashes. I don't start tamoxifen until after radiation. My last rads day is the 27th. I start Tamoxifen on the 28th.

    Lin43- Yup...one day at a time. At least the end is in sight. I think I am going to go looking for that cooling pad. So sorry you are also having skin issues. Hopefully yours will hold up long enough for you to finish too. Just this morning I noticed I too have skin starting to break down under my arm. Unfortunately that is in the boost area for me as well. Hopefully it doesn't break down as fast as the skin in the crease.

    Idesim- See how polite we are Wink. No one even mentioned those posts in the wrong thread. To be honest though, I took a tramadol I had left over from surgery last night, and I just thought I was drugged and must have missed an earlier post.

    Gentle Hugs to Everyone!

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

    Heart i am so sorry you are having such problems with the skin. Ugh! ((gentle hugs)))



    I went for sim yesterday and start rads on the 27th.



    I am nervous but reading about how brave you all are really helps. thank you!



    I got frog toggs cooling towels and a "chillow" chilling pillow at Bed bath and Beyond with a 20% off coupon. Ready for rads in the summer heat. Got my Emu oil as well.



    Thanks for all the advice girls! :)

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2013

    so those of you who are further along than me and have started using cream/lotion, how do you apply it?  When i asked, i was told to put it between the markings.  I have damn markings from my neck to the bottom of my ribcage.  I've got 4 colors, and probably about 30 disecting lines.  It would take me 30 minutes or more to do that.  Does the lotion/creams take the markings off badly?

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

    lol Heart, you'd have to be drugged to have read those posts.. I would think it's a cure for insomnia as well :) I hope you got some good rest.

    Gowiththeflow, I was tatooed, so I don't know if the lotions remove the marks.. I use lotion/gel between the areas tattoed which is a good sized area including under arm. You sound very colorful lol :)

    I have the frogg togg too and it feels so good against the radiated skin..  They have the purple one on amazon for free shipping and the price is very reasonable. I Haven't tried the chillow, but sounds like a great idea.

    Sciencegal, you'll be fine and it's so nice to actually start counting them down! I hated the waiting. 

    Melody so excited for you!!

    Lin43, I don't know how you are holding up with the bolus every damn day!  My armpit is screaming in pain and I only get it every other day!

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  • Heart2930
    Heart2930 Member Posts: 139
    edited June 2013

    GoWithTheFlow: I have tattoos, not markings. Not sure how they expect you to keep the marking on. I just slather my creams over the whole breast area and underarm. Sorry. Not much help. Frown

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  • Heart2930
    Heart2930 Member Posts: 139
    edited June 2013

    Need help...want to make sure I am getting the right thing. Are you all using the frogg toggs chilly towel. This looks like something you have to wet down for it to work. Doesn't that make the skin dryness worse. I might be looking at the wrong thing.

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  • Lin43
    Lin43 Member Posts: 108
    edited June 2013

    GoWithTheFlow--I have also been really marked up--four colors initially and now three. They put tape over some of the marks and the rest come off with lotions and showers. My techs re-mark me often. They also said to lotion around the marks, and I tried, but that is impossible! Don't be afraid to do what you need to do to hydrate your skin.



    Idesim--My armpit hears your screams! My boosts start Thursday and will hit there as well. I hope our skin can remain intact but mine is so rough and tight in spots that I fear it will split. My techs are surprised I am intact given the daily bolus and they tell me to keep the emu oil going. I slather it on and I also bought Radiaderm for the cooling gel. I am lobster red and hot. The chillpad helps. Six more treatments for us!!!!



    Heart--My RO said the chill pad is a good idea, to cool the heat and inflammation. I hadn't thought about it drying the skin, though. Hmmmm. I do put emu oil on immediately afterwards. I also have narcotics left over from surgery. I have been saving them for nighttime. Almost anything is fair game to get us through their next couple weeks...



    Melody- - Way to go! So happy for you.



    Sciencegal- - Each day is one step closer to being done. You will be fine!



    Sending healing thoughts to all

    Linda 24/30 YES!!!

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  • DiZZyMom
    DiZZyMom Member Posts: 245
    edited June 2013

    Schoolmom, thanks for the info on Aloe Force. I asked my RO about it and he said it's a good product and has no problem with using it. I was about to order some and read the ingredients. I was surprised to see both silver and parabens in there. Did your doctor have any feedback on those ingredients? I see Whole Foods sells it so I may just go there and see if there is anything similar without heavy metals or parabens.

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

    Ms. DiZZymom

    It is good news that your RO said that using the Aloe Force would be OK for you.  MY RO however warned me NOT to use deodorant under my left arm because of the heavy metals that most deodorants contain.  I have done 10 of 15 RADS treatments so far and have avoided the deodorant under my left arm completely.  Unfortunately as of today, I can smell myself.  YUCK!

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  • Heart2930
    Heart2930 Member Posts: 139
    edited June 2013

    Cmbernardi,



    Can you use Tom's of Maine deodorant? It's not great. I miss my Secret. But at least it is something, and it doesn't contain the heavy metals so my RO recommended it.

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2013

    I was told I could use Toms of Maine, just make sure you get the one that says no aluminum in it.

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  • blackcat2012
    blackcat2012 Member Posts: 242
    edited June 2013

    I have been told not to use any deodorant due to the metals they contain, ugh!!! I was also told to go buy Miraderm lotion and Radiaguard lotion (spendy but I hope worth it.)  I am on treatment #6 out of 30+ treatments and so far all of them are bolus treatments.  I am fairly certain they will all be that way.  I am having some sensitivity but no skin reactions so far.

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

    I missed the last 2 days of treatment - the machine isn't working correctly so they canceled on me... hope tomorrow its working - I only have 7 left and anticipated by today I'd only have 5 left - I hate a set back as I was counting down the days.. anyway, I am trying to think positive and maybe my skin needed this break - as it is feeling burny.

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited June 2013

    Must be something in the air.  I got a call this afternoon saying one of the two rad machines was broken and they needed to change my apt. for tomorrow.  I'm glad because they are changing it from 9:30 to 12:00.  My son has a swim meet tomorrow night and now I can sleep in and still get a short nap in the afternoon before going.

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  • caitlin61
    caitlin61 Member Posts: 214
    edited June 2013

    GoWithTheFlow, I also have markings and for the first week or so I was freaking about them coming off - which they did, especially when I apply Aquaphor. I try to stay away from the marks, but especially when I'm sleeping whatever lotion or cream I apply migrates. Anyway, the techs said "you take care of your skin and we'll look after everything else", so I'm starting to relax. They remark me daily, and recheck placings with x-rays once a week.

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  • DiZZyMom
    DiZZyMom Member Posts: 245
    edited June 2013

    cmbernardi, I've been using Tom's of Maine forever because I believed the aluminum in regular deoderant was tied to BC....go figure. It isn't an anti-perspirant and since we live in North Texas, it's not going to stop you sweating, but it does keep you from stinking Cool Hopefully your RO allows it. Congrats on being 2/3 of the way through!

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

    DiZZyMom and my other fellow Warriors

    Thank you for the suggestion to use the Tom's of Maine deodorant.  My RO did mention that it was one of the brands that would be acceptable for me to use but I figured with just 15 treatments, I would be OK without the deodorant under the left arm.  And yes, I am 2/3rds of the way through my radiotherapy with just 5 treatments left.  For now I will continue to use the Aloe Vera Gel and RadiaPlex Gel that the RO suggested and just deal with the tiny bit of "fragrance" coming from under my left arm.  Although I miss work terribly, I do not have to be around anyone but my family for right now and they can just deal with it. HA!  Thanks again though for all of the great suggestions.  Goodnight all.

    Carolyn

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

    Heart it is indeed the chilly towel (Frog Toggs) - you wet it and wring it out so it isnt very damp and it stays super cool while drying further.



    My RO said I can keep using the crystal deo (because I am very allergic to Tom's) but just in the AM, then I will need to wash the radiation side when I come in for my late afternoon appointment, then re-apply afterward. it works for me. There is a roll-on with a pink ribbon, I got it at Belair/Raleys and they have it at our cancer center gift shop too (aluminum free)

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  • LakeGirl2
    LakeGirl2 Member Posts: 68
    edited June 2013

    I will start rads next week. Just found out yesterday I was not randomized into the 3 week arm of the clinical trial I signed up for, so 30 treatments for me. Oh well.

    Thank you all for the good advice. I will be buying the Frog Toggs soon. I am on vacation this week so am not focusing on rads too much, and my ro told me not to buy any lotions because they will supply them. Feeling so unprepared compared to my pre- chemo stock pile.

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  • Heart2930
    Heart2930 Member Posts: 139
    edited June 2013

    Idesim& Lin43- Are you using any kind of bandage for the underarm area? The skin under my arm has just started breaking down, and I am not sure if the mepilex I am using in the crease will be enough padding for there.

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

    I have my first appointment with the RO on Friday. I actually met her last August before surgery was scheduled. I see her, then go straight in for measuring and so forth.



    Where do you get alcohol free aloe? I looked last night, but they all had some form of alcohol in them.



    Paula

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

    Paula

    My RO prescribed Aloe Vera 100% Gel which contains no alcohol.  The product is made by Fruit of the Earth and their website is 

    www.fote.com

    It is a 12 oz bottle but I am not sure of the cost because I purchased it with the RadiaPlex Gel that my RO also suggested and the 2 items cost $25.  I know, a little pricey but I did not feel like I had much of a choice.  I hope you can find this product ASAP.  All the BEST!

    Carolyn

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

    Carolyn~~Thank you for replying so quickly. I'll check that out. I imagine she'll tell me on Friday what she wants me to use, but I see most of the ladies are using the aloe.

    I used to keep a bottle in the fridge all the time for sunburn, cooking burns & such, but of course it would have had alcohol.



    Paula

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  • LakeGirl2
    LakeGirl2 Member Posts: 68
    edited June 2013

    Paula- Are you being treated at the Spielman Center? I am by Dr. Quick nd they told me not to buy anything. They would supply.

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

    LakeGirl2~~OMGoodness!!! I am being treated at the Stephanie, and Dr. Quick is my RO!!!



    Small world, huh?



    I'd love to chat with you. I'll pm you my info in a bit. Right now I have dinner on for my DH. He works 2nd shift.



    So, who were your surgeon and mo? I have Dr. Povoski & Dr. Mrozek. I love her to pieces.



    Blessings

    Paula

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