Summer 2013 Rads

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  • Lenn13ka
    Lenn13ka Member Posts: 313
    edited July 2013

    Nyama -- I am with you. ...58 no meds, healthy everything... Go figure!! I am doing supplements as well and doing the extra protein...working a very physical job outside during rads. The day goes well and I rest on the weekends and often have to crash early at night. The advice I got from these boards about extra hydration has really helped with the energy level.

    On my boosts... Almost done!!!! How many of us are finishing next week????









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

    CassDugan~~I'm using 100% Aloe gel. It's Fruit of the Earth, and has no alcohol, and no color. I got it at Dollar General for $4.00. Walmart also carries it.



    Paula

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited July 2013

    I'm using 99% aloe gel from the health food store.  I only use it like every other day.  On the days my schedule (and mind) allow me to put something on 3 or more times, I will use either the aloe or the emu oil.  Otherwise, I am just using the biafine and cortisone for itching.

    Thankfully, I don't have to worry about my thyroid with RADS since I had it removed two years ago for thyroid cancer.  

    i'm getting a bit red now.  Sore in spots.  Hoping I hold up through my last 10 treatments. 

    Prayers and thoughts going out to all of you!

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  • McKatherine
    McKatherine Member Posts: 300
    edited July 2013

    Thanks for the reassurance DiZZy, Carol and nyama. As long as I know it's possible, I'll have something to aim for (hey - worked with me for hypnobirthing, I can make it work for rads, too, right?). ;)



    DiZZy -yes drains came out on Monday. I get my first fill this coming Monday, and I think my PS wants to get me expanded ASAP for rads. I kinda wish we could drag our feet just a little so we could wait until after school starts to begin. I hate to think of spending my last two weeks of summer starting rads - but I know timing is important.



    Hoping the fills won't be too bad since I don't plan to upgrade - but I know they want to over expand my L side to compensate for the shrinkage that rads will cause.

    :/

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

    haven't seen anyone mention deodorant lately - I haven't used any on my radiated side for at least 3 weeks - and even now that I am finished, my skin is so peeling, thick and dark under my arm I haven't used it.. I am still using silvaden cream there..and I don't think I sweat there anymore..its weird...

    anyone else?

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  • Heart2930
    Heart2930 Member Posts: 139
    edited July 2013

    Beachbound- so sorry you are having problems so early. Mine started early as well. I know it probably won't help much but...this too shall pass. By the week after rads ended I had pretty much no skin left in the crease. I had a large broken down area under my arm, and my whole nipple was raw. I am now 3 weeks out from whole breast rads, and 2 weeks from boosts and the healing is amazing. I went from awful to being able to wear a real bra this week. I had a small area peel yesterday that left new and tender skin exposed, but that is the worst thing that as happened this week, so its been a really good week. The best advice I can give you is to ask for pain meds if you need them. I ran out of my tramadol left over from surgery and toughed out the pain for almost 3 weeks before asking for pain meds, and it was a miserable 3 weeks. I should have asked sooner.

    GoWithTheFlow- love the new picture!

    Sciencegal- in response to Caitlin's post I was going to let you know what is in the prescription Biafine, but it is surprising how little info there is. When I first got it I was a little shocked. You know that little booklet you get from your pharmacy every time you fill a prescription that has the uses, drug interactions and such? This little booklet is pretty much empty. In every section it says ask your physician or pharmacist. Even the packaging insert lists ingredients but no info. A little scary, but since it is working so well, not sure I care what's in it at this point.

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  • Heart2930
    Heart2930 Member Posts: 139
    edited July 2013

    Nancy- started using deodorant about a week ago. Not sure I need it, more habit than anything I think. I am just super careful to keep it off the bad skin.

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited July 2013

    Nancy I've been having chemopause flashes and noticed its my face and chest that erupts in a sweaty downpour ( I'm not exaggerating!) but my underarms stay relatively dry. It's strange but I'm not complaining. As far as odour, I've been using "the healthy deodorant" from sephora but only on my non treated side, but honestly since starting chemo I noticed very little odour ( hopefully no one else has noticed also!)

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  • beachbound009
    beachbound009 Member Posts: 89
    edited July 2013

    I agree SLV.  Since I had my mx, I have very little feeling in/on the breast mound so I'm not having much sensitivity.  I am having nerve pain though.  It's not bad but it's there and annoying.  My nipple and the 8 o'clock area seem to be a little puffy but again, I can't feel much.  The PA offered me a Rx for pain pills but I don't think it's bad enough for that just yet.  I'm very tiered again today and I would be knocked out if I took a pain pill.  He said to use aloe during the day and the aquafor at night.  I have a few creams that I ordered and they should be here today.  I'll let you know my thoughts on them.  Looks like you and I will share SE. 

    5/33

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  • beachbound009
    beachbound009 Member Posts: 89
    edited July 2013

    Thanks Heart.  I'm so glad you're healing well.  That is such a blessing and you give me hope.  I will definitely speak up when the time comes for meds.Wink

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  • terrikoala
    terrikoala Member Posts: 150
    edited July 2013

    I am 6 months out from rads and there was no size difference for a while BUT two months ago it was very obvious how much tissue was taken. I am a DDD and lost at least a half cup size from the lumpectomy. I wear heavy duty support molded cup bras and there is a noticable gap at the top of the left cup. I do want to get some kind of insert but when I look at them on line I can't tell what shape I should get and am not going to go thru trial and error with money. Any advice?

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  • caitlin61
    caitlin61 Member Posts: 214
    edited July 2013

    Nancy, I don't think I'm perspiring much at all on my treated side. Thought wearing no deodorant there would be more of a problem then it has been.

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  • Jen987
    Jen987 Member Posts: 145
    edited July 2013

    Just finished my first week of Rads. 6 more to go. So far so good. Only a little red and today it's itching a bit. I can do this!



    Hope everyone has a great weekend.







    5/35 done

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited July 2013

    Jen I just finished my first week also! Yeah! Saw RO, who said that yes part of my throat is being clipped and that any swelling I am feeling "should " go away. At least he isn't dismissing my symptom! He also said the pinkness I am showing ( mostly throat and a bit of upper chest ) is normal. Since I've been home my nipple is a little sore. Well at leat I have two days to rest. I hope everyone is feelin cool!

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  • corky60
    corky60 Member Posts: 726
    edited July 2013

    Woo hoo. I finished my 33 rads today! There is no bell to ring. Instead you are given two carnations. In the patient waiting room I did an impromptu happy dance and we all had a good chuckle. Now onto learning about Aromasin. Everyday is progress. Hang in there, you will finish rads. Keep plugging away!

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  • encyclias
    encyclias Member Posts: 302
    edited July 2013

    I'll ring a bell for you, Corky!  Congrats!

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited July 2013

    Congrats Corky!!!!!!!

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  • caitlin61
    caitlin61 Member Posts: 214
    edited July 2013

    Congratulations Corky!

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  • DiZZyMom
    DiZZyMom Member Posts: 245
    edited July 2013

    Yay Corky. Great way to start the weekend. Enjoy!

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  • corky60
    corky60 Member Posts: 726
    edited July 2013

    Thanks, you guys are the best!

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

    Corky- awesome!!! Congrats!!



    Heart- so glad you are doing better and thanks for trying to look up the biafine! I was just curious about the online version. who knows???



    I am just leaving work and running over to my rads appointment- number 11, but I wanted to weigh in that my RO said there is no reason not to use the Crystal brand deoderant that is sold at raleys and whole foods (it has a pink ribbon on it)- it is devoid of metals which are what intensify the rads.



    Speaking of metals - I had on some "mineral" makeup the other day that I wasnt even thinking about- I blended it under my chin and little metallic particles had gotten down my neck- i was promptly sent in to scrub my neck and collarbone before the rads. oops!!!!



    Another thing to think about.



    Happy weekend everyone!

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  • GoWithTheFlow
    GoWithTheFlow Member Posts: 727
    edited July 2013

    The rad techs might not have liked it, but the rest of the world appreciates that you blend your make up in.  Sealed

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  • slv58
    slv58 Member Posts: 1,216
    edited July 2013

    Congrats Corky! If I had energy I would do a football proud happy dance!

    Sciencegal, how did they know? Did it show up somewhere?

    I use mineral makeup and now wonder if that's why most of my pinkness is showing up around neck and collarbone? Hmmm won't use it anymore during rads.

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  • Lenn13ka
    Lenn13ka Member Posts: 313
    edited July 2013

    Congrats Corky!!!

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  • Jen987
    Jen987 Member Posts: 145
    edited July 2013

    Happy dance for you Corky!

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  • karynhelen
    karynhelen Member Posts: 44
    edited July 2013

    Yeah, Corky!!! Ring! Ring! Ring! Ring!!!!

    Congratulations!!!

    Have a great weekend, Ladies!

    Karyn

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  • beachbound009
    beachbound009 Member Posts: 89
    edited July 2013

    Yay Corky!!!



    Sciencegirl - I use bare minerals every morning before my treatment and never thought twice about it. My treatment site is only the breast mound but I will make sure I'm good and covered during application from now on. Thank you for telling us.



    I had some pretty heavy fatigue again this morning but it subsided a little before lunch. Strange. Happy weekend everyone!

    5/33

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

    I had #7 of 30 rads today. No SEs so far.

    I haven't perspired in armpit area since mx and axilary dissection. Soap & water seem to be all I need.



    My biggest complaint has been lying on that hard table. I have degenerative disc disease, so that has made it difficult for me. The techs are great though, and do all they can to make me as comfortable as possible. On Monday they started putting a piece of egg crate under the small of my back, and the RO gave me muscle relaxers to take an hour before treatment.



    Paula

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  • Lin43
    Lin43 Member Posts: 108
    edited July 2013

    Nancy and Heart

    I am still not sweating under my right arm--finished rads June 26 . This is one side effect I don't mind, especially since my skin is still healing also. We have to enjoy whatever perks we can, don't we? Ha!



    My friends are now telling me I am sounding like the "old" Linda, the person I was a year ago when my bc journey began. I am happy to just be on weekly Herceptin infusions, that is for sure!



    Congratulations to Corky. Hang in there GoWithTheFlow and sciencegal... getting closer to the finish line. You all can do it!!!



    Still loving my emu oil for the help it gives me to relieve inflammation and tightness. Wish it wasn't so darn expensive.



    Happy healing weekend to all.



    Linda 30/30 6/26/13

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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Member Posts: 99
    edited July 2013

    I've now completed 20 out of my 25 treaments.  Only another week to go!

    My skin seems to be holding up.  Just a bit pink, but no soreness.  A couple of times a day I just slather on the Diplobase ointment they gave me at the hospital.  I wash with the bog standard aqueous cream (also supplied by hospital).

    But nothing else.

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