Fall 2013 Rads

Thank you for starting this thread. I kept looking for one but could not find it. I had lumpectomy on the 3rd and the plan is for me to start Rads on 9/26 if things work out the way my surgeon expects them to. I should find out my pathology findings on the 10th or around the 10th.



Would like to work with you and others to have Rads support and provide support for each other this Fall.

Hi Fall girls!

For you, and all who join you throughout the season, here's some helpful info on the main Breastcancer.org site on Radiation Therapy, including types of radiation therapy, what to expect, and how to manage side effects. You may also find it helpful to read the Summer 2013 Radiation thread, for more tips and tricks from others who've been there!

Hope this helps!

--Your Mods

I will be starting after my TE are filled. Likely Oct. Would love to share info and encourage one another.

Hello all.

Fiddledeedee....whan I suggested that I should start slathering before rads, I received raised eyebrows....so while I don't think that the medical profession thinks handling dry skin before rads is helpful, I absolutely don't think it would hurt.  I started slathering about 2 weeks ago.  If it doesn't help, I will never know that.

Had second treatment today.  I bought these awesome Playtex bras at Target that look like the Genie Bra on TV.  They have three hooks in the back and no underwire.  Very soft like a sports bra but provide good separation so you don't have a uniboob!  And they have a wide, soft underband.  After my treatment, I am using J&J Gauze pads to put between the ooy gooy aquaphor and the bra and kind of soaking the guaze pad with the goo...hoping it will hold the goo in place and protect my clothing.  So far so good.  I want to work through treatment, so trying to take very good care of my skin.  Definitely need to be able to wear a bra for work.

I'm not sure if this will help anyone following later...we are all different.

Sandra

I was just looking to see if anyone had started a Fall group and here you are. I go next week for the planning and then I should be starting the following week.

Hello Ladies,

Count me in! I had my tattoos and simulation last week and start my 33 rads this coming week. Just so thrilled chemo is over!

MsPharoah - I'm with you...am already slathering on the aquaphor. Need softer bras though so will checkout the Playtex ones at Target.

Looking forward to going through this last big treatment stage with everyone.

Annie

Hi Ladies: I am 6/30 treatments. Treatments are ok, but I am so tired already. I am using miaderm (easier to spread), MyGirls cream (amazon), which is so soft and easily absorbed by skin and Fruit of the Earth aloe (no alcohol) after the treatment. Aquafor is too dense and difficult to spread...Also difficult to cover all areas. My only complaint is between the driving, stress of work schedule together with treatment requires daily naps. Try to conserve your energy! Welcome to all.....we will get through this together!

Sharon- I will have radiation after TE are filled. I heard they sometimes overfill the rads side too.



A friend who is a rad tech said to use Fruit of the Earth aloe and to start even before rads. And lots of water. Think I will use Miaderm too.

Hello BC Ladies,

I have my last TCH chemo 9/13 and begin RT mid October. IMRT hypofractionation. 15 treatments to the whole breast and 5 boost treatments. Seems this is the only time small breasts may be an advantage. I've convinced myself that RT will be a walk in the park compared to crappy chemo. I still have 12 more Herceptin to go but am looking forward to the end of Taxotere and Carboplatin. Best to you all and thanks for starting this group!

Catherine

Hi ladies, 

I am about to go to my 8th treatment today. I'm very sensitive to all drugs - fair skinned, etc.

And so far so good, my breast is slightly pink and a bit sore but it's not stopping me at all. I'm starting to feel slightly fatigued, sort of like i didn't get enough sleep, even though i got plenty. But again, nothing too bad as of yet.  

My biggest challenge is fitting these radiation visits into my day - i work FT and have 2 kids - and that's my biggest hurdle so far. Using Miaderm religiously, using mild dove cleanser, not shaving, and trying to eat well. 

I wish you all the best! 

Hi everyone - My mother started today with her dry run and rads begin tomorrow.  I think she is getting 35 treatments, not totally sure.  I know they are adding two extra.

I am the driver for the treatments; today she was in and out so fast.  Hope all the treatments are quick.  Good luck to you all.

Dobby, most rad appointments are over very quickly; no more than 20-30 minutes total from car back to car.  Usually, once a week the RO will see your mom right after she is nuked.

Where I went for my rads -- I finished in late-July -- many of the early morning appointment patients came in in their pajamas and slippers.  Easy to slip off a pajama top and then slip back into it a few minutes later. 

Sending best wishes that your mom does well.  I never had nausea nor fatigue from my rads (28+5 boosts).  My skin never broke down either.  I think there is much to admire about the resistance of us tough old birds (I'm in my mid-60s). 

Carol

Start rads tomorrow morning.  I have to have 30.  I have bought ALL kinds of creams, oils, etc.  I plan on "greasing" up a lot and often.  Dr. says 3 1/2 - 4 weeks the tiredness and redness will probably start.  I have to think (hope) that this will be easier then chemo.  Only time will tell!  I read a lot, I figure the more informed I am the better.  I am thinking about reconstruction.  Can't really get a straight answer as to how long I should wait.  Thinking about DIEP in NOLA.  Anyway, here we go.  I know God won't give me anything that I can't handle.

All of my best to all,

Shawn

Greetings ladies. I had #15 of 33 today. So far not too bad, just some mild discomfort and skin just a little pink. My RO recommended Lindi skin products. I've been using the body wash, lotion, and cooling pad. She also said aquaphor and miaderm are good. I had been following another thread "did anyone make it through rads with their skin ok" and learned about emu oil. So my routine is to use nothing after my shower in the morning as my treatment is @ 8 before I go to work. I'm usually done by 815. I use miaderm or lindi skin cream (aquaphor is too messy). When I get home from work I'll slather on the aquaphor. After I shower at night I use emu oil. I really think the emu oil is helping keep my skin moisturized. Also the cooling pad, which I just started using this weekend, gave me instant relief when my skin was feeling a bit itchy and irritated. I so can't wait to be done with this.

Shawn, the NOLA docs will tell you they can do DIEP 4-6 months after rads. It wouldn't hurt to get the ball rolling now. Delayed recon can take a little longer to schedule vs active cancer patients. I HIGHLY recommend going to NOLA!