Winter 2013-2014 Rads

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  • annika12
    annika12 Member Posts: 433
    edited January 2014

    4/33 today !! I was also told no creams at all until needed. They said to let them know heat , dry , itchy , pink , pain anything. They will supply all needed creams and lotions !! I had a dry spot on my neck and they said to go ahead and put lotion on it. 

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  • bondsy
    bondsy Member Posts: 94
    edited January 2014

    Thank you everyone for commiserating with me about my skin issues! It helps to have your support. Today I noticed that the rash is now spreading to under my armpit. I hope that new prescription antibiotic cream starts to work soon.

    Junipergirl - my treatments are all whole breast with the boosts built in. Not sure why they are doing it that way. 

    TeamKim - I have those little bumps over my entire breast area now.

    Just got a call from the radiation facility that they would like me to come in an hour and a half earlier today due to maintenance that they have to do on the machine. Good thing I'm just working part time right now, so my schedule is flexible. After today only five more to go!!

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  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited January 2014

    Bondsy, 

    I think you, Candi & I will all be done next Thurs. or Friday...I am taking Beneydral for the itching, lots of lotion, Lidocaine HCI 2%. 

    Excited for it to be over, also realize that it takes time to heal & the emotional roller coaster of all the treatment.  

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  • SallyS70
    SallyS70 Member Posts: 947
    edited January 2014

    Hi all,

    Yesterday I had a leg cramp during treatment.  Today I felt a body twitch like happens sometimes as I fall asleep.  Has this happened to any of you?  I am trying hard not to move but am afraid that I am not successful.  Has this happened to any of you?  I have discussed it with the techs.  If it happens again tomorrow, I plan to see the RO.   I hate to think I may have messed up three rad treatments counting tomorrow.  Today was treatment 19.

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  • bondsy
    bondsy Member Posts: 94
    edited January 2014

    Holeinone - I like your description of "the emotional roller coaster of all the treatment".  It has been a non-stop dizzying roller coaster ride since the end of August since I was diagnosed. From biopsy to shock and denial to surgery to chemotherapy to radiation and soon to hormone therapy, without any time in between to think about anything other than cancer. And for those who had BMX, add in the TE's and fills and exchanges. Not to mention all the various side effects with each stage. I imagine that even when the treatments are over, it'll be a while before the roller coaster finally comes to a stop. Lots of recovery time ahead.

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  • positivenegative
    positivenegative Member Posts: 106
    edited January 2014

    i too am getting red bumps after tx #4. 

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  • RedReading
    RedReading Member Posts: 2,143
    edited January 2014

    Oncearunner I guess since we are in the same province it isn't a regional thing. I believe medical is universal in Ontario so it must be a doctor preference thing. Hmm.

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  • TeamKim
    TeamKim Member Posts: 568
    edited January 2014

    Pos/Neg & Bondsy -- thanks for the replies.  

    Today was tx #9 for me, and also my weekly visit with the RO and his nurse, afterward.  

    Showed the tech my bumps, he said "Yup, that's normal.  Sunburn bumps. Show the doctor."  

    Showed the nurse, and she said "It is a little early for those, so I'm not sure what they are.  You can put Neosporin on them. Show the doctor."

    Showed the RO, and he said, "Radiation doesn't cause those.  It's probably a plugged hair follicle.  Dab some alcohol on it."  

    Alcohol????  Everything I have read says not to use any products which contain alcohol during rads.  Not to mention it sounds like it would hurt like crazy.  I am more inclined to try a little Neosporin with Lidocaine.  Good grief.

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  • rosecal954
    rosecal954 Member Posts: 79
    edited January 2014

    It's been one week since I ended rads and I feel my energy level is much better and skin redness is fading fast.  My boost area is red, but nothing burns or itches.  My RO told me to keep applying Vit. E and aloe for a while to the treated area.  I have to say the best news is that I feel emotionally so much lighter I have turned a corner on this journey, much is behind me now and I am starting to get a new normal. It has been a roller coaster of emotions and I totally understand what some of you are going through.  It does get better and I thought I would never say that.  I do still have the tamoxifen decision to make; I am on the fence as far as taking it. I see my MO in two weeks. Thanks for all the support here.

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  • Rlsteadman
    Rlsteadman Member Posts: 76
    edited January 2014

     Proud of myself today. I made it to radiation today with 6 inches of snow. I had to snow blow the driveway, and drive 45 minutes to radiation on bad roads. Then drove home and had to snow blow the snow in driveway from the snow plow. That was about a foot high at the end of the driveway.  Hope I don't have anymore trips like that this winter. 

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  • TeamKim
    TeamKim Member Posts: 568
    edited January 2014

    RIsteadman -- THAT is dedication!!!!  I was sitting here feeling sorry for myself because I think I got caught in a red light photo ticket during the five minute drive home from my tx -- your post was just what I needed to snap me out of it.  I hope the weather straightens out for you -- I have been so worried about all of you Radiants who are having to drive daily long distances in this arctic icebox.  Be safe!!

    RoseCal -- so glad to hear your positive thoughts and feelings of turning the corner on treatment!  Thanks for checking in and giving us a glimpse of that light at the end of the tunnel!!

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  • bondsy
    bondsy Member Posts: 94
    edited January 2014

    Rosecal, I needed to hear that things get better, so thank you. TeamKim, I can't believe that about the bumps! Geez!

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  • Miminiemi
    Miminiemi Member Posts: 340
    edited January 2014

    Rosecal- thanks for letting us know of such good improvement after rads ended.  I'm on 2/16 and worry about all that comes, but found your post nice at 4:00 am when I could not sleep.  

    Risteadman -you are no whimp.  That was a huge effort.  Getting the driveway filled in by the plow is so annoying.  Good job gal!

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  • MrsDarcy
    MrsDarcy Member Posts: 162
    edited January 2014

    Kim, I had bumps early on too.  For me it was the Aquaphor.  I would not use alcohol !!   At best ask for a mild cortisone (aristocort is what I have) and apply a little.   If the RO won't give it to you, check with your pharmacist.   These bumps can become quite itchy.

    Wonder why he said alcohol ?   Geez ...

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  • LanaM
    LanaM Member Posts: 142
    edited January 2014

    Wearing a big pocket today to take all you wonderful ladies with me for my FINAL RADIATION! Yippee! You'll see me doing the happy dance later. Made treats to take to the techs. Got a prescription of silversulfadine (?) last night that's supposed to help relieve the pain in my underarm where all of the skin has broken down, and has an antibiotic to prevent infection. Guess its what they use on burn victims in the ER.

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  • MrsDarcy
    MrsDarcy Member Posts: 162
    edited January 2014

    Congrats Lana .. the last day is such a wonderful feeling :)   !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  • RedReading
    RedReading Member Posts: 2,143
    edited January 2014

    Yay Lana! Good for you. Pocket party!!! We will try to be very very quiet. TeeHee

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  • TeamKim
    TeamKim Member Posts: 568
    edited January 2014

    Pocket party for Lana!!!  I'm bringing chips and salsa -- Red, crank up the music, and let's do the happy dance!  Good for you, Lana!  Hope the skin mends quickly!

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  • positivenegative
    positivenegative Member Posts: 106
    edited January 2014

    lana you did it...way to go.  silvadine is for burn victims.  my PS had me put that on several sites after BMX.  good to know i may need it later in rad tx.  thanks.

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  • Rlsteadman
    Rlsteadman Member Posts: 76
    edited January 2014

    TeamKim- I have the red bumps and they are itchy. They started at about treatment 7. My RO called it radiation acne and gave me a prescription for Hydrocortisone 2.5%. I put it on about 15 minutes before I cream the rest of the breast. I only put it where I have the red bumps. 

    Lana- congrats to finishing treatment!

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  • alfranco
    alfranco Member Posts: 200
    edited January 2014

    Yay Lana!!! 

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  • TeamKim
    TeamKim Member Posts: 568
    edited January 2014

    RISteadman -- Thanks for the tip on the radiation acne.  Mine don't itch, but it they do, I will break out the Cortisone cream -- have some of that from the battle with allergic rash during chemo.

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  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited January 2014

    Lana, 

    YEEHA !  Thanks for the info on the silvadine, I will have the RO appt. next week, after 3 boosts, will ask if I think it will help. Have a great weekend & hopefully your skin will heal quickly...

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  • Jmfrankel
    Jmfrankel Member Posts: 86
    edited February 2014

    Lana,  congrats on finishing! 

    I have been away from the site for a few days and it took awhile to catch up on all the happenings.

    Yesterday I met with my RO and now have a prescription for clobetasol propionate.  I am supposed to use it 3x per day.  Just started last night and don't see any difference yet.  I have a fairly big rash the size of about 2"x2" near my armpit and a very small rash coming off the center of my scar.  My RO wants me using aquaphor 3x per day now so I went out and bought a bunch of cheap t-shirts to wear under my nice clothes.  

    I asked him about the lotion vs no lotion opinions that various ROs are giving.  He said the concern was that a lot of the lotion/creams have similar density to water and that if the lotion isn't fully absorbed it can intensify the radiation at the surface.    If the lotion is fully absorbed it should be fine.  He also said in my case it wouldn't matter at all because I am already getting full power radiation at the skin surface because of the bolus.  

    Hoping everyone has a great weekend!

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  • DawnCT
    DawnCT Member Posts: 143
    edited February 2014

    Yay Lana!! So happy you can begin your recovery

    Teamkim -  I had that rash too and my RO nurse called it folliculitis.  It was indeed caused by rads - I can't believe your RO said it wasn't. Hmmm. Anyway, I was instructed to apply OTC hydrocortizone under the daily cream I was using.  I can tell you the rash improved rapidly after I finished treatment.  

    Rosecal - Yes, I agree, it is a huge emotional relief to finish.  It was really stressful mentally getting the treatments.  I meet with my MO on Tuesday to discuss Tamoxifen.  What are your thoughts on it?  At this point, I am planning on trying it and just seeing how it goes.  

    Dawn

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  • TeamKim
    TeamKim Member Posts: 568
    edited February 2014

    Thanks for the info on the bumps, Dawn.   A few more are beginning to appear elsewhere on my breast, so I will try the cortisone under the Miaderm tonight. My experience with my RO so far is that according to him, no SE is because of rads -- first he blamed my breast pain on chemo, then this.  I honestly would be better off not seeing him, because it just ticks me off.   I like the techs at my center, but the RO is really a zero.  My MO referred me there, and I plan to report back that he should never send his patients there.  It is really close to home, which is super convenient for stopping there on the way home from work.  Oh well, I am one third done -- it's going by fast.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited February 2014

    TeamKim - interesting about referrals.  My MO did not want me to go to any of the three places that are closest to me.  He actually said , no I would not like you to go there.  He gave me specific names of ROs and none were closer than 40 minutes (one being at the Med Center where he is).  I've settled on the one that is West away from town in hopes that I'll be going the opposite way from the traffic.

    The nurse-navigator called today to set up my follow-up appointment so I can get started again.  Unfortunately I wasn't home, but should get on track Monday

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  • bondsy
    bondsy Member Posts: 94
    edited February 2014

    Congratulations, Lana! I'll be joining you next Thursday!

    Saw my MO today and received my prescription for Arimidex, which I'll start taking after radiation ends next week. She said I should give myself a few days in between just for a little break. I love my MO, she's so understanding and explains things so clearly. After every visit she gives me a big hug and tells me how good I'm doing. Today I was kind of an emotional wreck when I saw her and started crying out of nowhere. She said it's normal, and many cancer patients get very emotional and feel kind of lost when all the treatments start to end. Anyway, she also said don't be surprised if the fatigue and rashes get worse for a week or so after radiation ends before they start to get better. Yippee

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  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited February 2014

    Bondsy, 

    I had the emotional let down, break down, 2 weeks ago. My theory is, my "suffer in silence" mantra crashed. My RO was very good, he talked to me with compassion and said it will happen again, but it was normal to struggle at the end of treatment. 

    I will also get the Arimidex prescription from MO in  2 weeks. I hope I can keep it together, it's so embarrassing, to have a meltdown in a Dr. Office. I have always been the tough as nails type...still think I am healing from chemo and all the stress.

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  • MrsDarcy
    MrsDarcy Member Posts: 162
    edited February 2014

    I, for one, did not like my RO.  She never explained my procedure, never knew of my treatment or had my file with her on our weekly visits.  I gave her forms from my insurance co to fill out - never done.   If I asked questions, she would say "I don't have your file".  She even asked me the last week how many treatments I had left.  I was not impressed. 

    I was supposedo take a 3 month follow up with her but I didn't.  Why?   So I can take time off work so she can make me wait an hour, spend 2 minutes with me (that's what I got from her on weekly visits) and not have my file with her ????  I will see my BS before then and see what he says / recommends. 

    Sorry for the rant but I do really like my MO lol ...he answers me very quickly and is friendly and helpful.  He knows my file because he will even email me on the weekend :)

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