Winter 2013-2014 Rads

MiMi, I have not started Rads yet either. Have consult Monday.

It's hard to remember the cadre of late bloomers here, but welcome Furfriend.  Is Teamkim one person or a whole supportive group?

Rosie,

My smaller breast may be non existant after Rads, LOL. So massage helps stimulate the breast during Rads?

Welcome Fur, Mimi, and any other newcomers.   My first bit of advice is to relax and try not to overstress about starting rads.  I am so glad to have found this group of wonderful gals.  Only someone going through this bc journey really understands what we are facing physically and emotionally.  I so wish I had been here through my surgery and chemo.  Remember that everyone is different and not everything you read pertains to you, but the information you get here is priceless.

I'm starting my 4th week tomorrow- have finished 15/25 rads.  So far so good!  No rash, no itching, no burning, no blisters, slightly pink in a few spots but as of now this has been a painless experience.  I'm in and out of treatment everyday in less than 15 minutes and the zapping itself is less than 3 minutes.  After reading many many reviews by radiation patients on the net I decided on Miaderm and my RO was pleased.  I purchase it on amazon and yes, though more expensive than drugstore creams, it was developed by oncologists for radiation patients which made up my mind it was worth a try.  From reading on this forum it seems highly successful for those using it and my history so far with it confirms that for me.  I slather it on 3 times a day religiously- at noon in the dressing room immediately after my treatment, between 5-6 pm and bedtime around 10-11.  During my 3rd week, knowing as treatment goes on, burning is more likely to occur, I added Aloe Vera 100% Gel and Calendula between my Miaderm applications as a precaution- mid-afternoon and between dinner and bedtime at the advice of a poster here.  I'd rather over-cream which can't hurt and keep my skin really lubed than not do enough.   I did buy some Aquaphor but found it sooo greasy and thick and I still read of severe burning and severe blisters with it, so I'm sticking with the regime that has worked well for me. 

Good luck   We can all get through whatever life throws at us. 

welcome back HVV.  welcome Minus2, ellen and sp.  i start  rads tomorrow..35-40 zaps planned.  glad to be in the late winter company of y'all.  keep you posted.

Will have ONCO DX....  Right now I'm waiting on BRCA test results.  Dr recommends lumpectomy with IORT. I'm trying to decide between Bilateral and lumpectomy.

What are your thoughts?

Richall, what is IORT?

love your Winston Churchill quote - will share it with my Brit husband.  Thanks for your info - am back after 3 years of being cancer free.  There is no place to state that the cancer came back, but in the other breast.  But that is what happened.  Waiting for the surgery, and then radiation (either 3 weeks, 5 days 2x per day or IORT - don't know yet).  then chemo this time around.  Oh Joy!

Thanks to all for the useful info. I never thought I'd say this, but bring on the rads! I am still waiting on Oncotype results to see if I will need chemo first.  I will know within the next few days (I was suppsed to find out last week). Not knowing is no fun, but I can see from all your posts that everyone has played the waiting game, and that makes me feel not so alone.   

  I think we are all in the club that nobody wants to join, but this club has strength, caring and encouragement. Women have always been able to join together and support each other - theres a lot of power, strength and courage when woman band together.  I think that cancer brings out the lovingkindness in us when it comes to helping one another.  And that includes being allowed to gripe and express our fears in an understanding group. (I just made myself cry!!)

Maybe I am experiencing the calm before the storm (when my treatments begin).  I just know that We all need each other.

God bless us everyone!  ♥♥

my ro nurse told me to get skintegrity..it was 10.00 at the gift shop at the hospital.  it is like a gel.

Finished 12/30 last week. Have an itchy rash my RO called radiation acne. She gave me a prescription for 2.5% hydrocortisone cream. It helps so far. Still using the RadioPlex RX twice a day. I am trying to get psyched to go to radiation tomorrow. It's cold and windy tonight. Suppose to be -35 below zero with the wind chill the next 2 days.  Gotta love the polar vortex in Minnesota!

Rlsteadman,  I'm in MN too and hate this weather.  They already cancelled the kids school for tomorrow.  I at least was prepared and moved my rads appt to 5:15 since I will have the kids in the am and my DH will take them in the pm.    So cold I think I got some small frostbite on my fingers when pumping gas this afternoon (even with gloves on).  

Oncearunner ,  besides hair loss in the armpits my RO also told me you won't sweat as much from the radiated armpit because it effects the sweet glands.  I guess there are a few small benefits from rads . I haven't used deodorant since my surgery in November.  

Hi Gals,

Thank you for the much needed advise & where to shop for products.  On a differend note anyone watch the grammys? Keith Urban makes me drool...

Checkers,  give it some time to get used to white hair before coloring it again.  I had been coloring my hair since my early 30's (now 73) and knew my hair would come in gray/white, so I bought a silver wig when I started chemo.  The minute I put it on I knew I loved the color and it looked terrific.  Everyone loves it and thinks I look 10 years younger than with darker hair.  Get used to it and let everyone else get used to it before you make a decision about color.