Winter 2013-2014 Rads

I line in Iowa USA.  My RO presented both 16 or 33 rads.  He thought 16 could possibly have slightly less desirable cosmetic result(orange peel effect), but felt they were equally safe for me.  We decided on 16 as i am a 66 year old widow so cosmetic doesnt worry me much. I have 5 more to go and so far a little pink, a little itch, no orange peel effect.  I too have my lumpectomy breast looking a little more perky than the other.  Who would have thought!

Well - 1st one down.  It took an hour this first time because they kept adjusting the position & taking new X-rays pictures before they started hitting me w/the death rays.  I have a very picky RO and she wouldn't let them go ahead until they made the field smaller twice.  I think they did five zaps but I'll have to count again tomorrow since there were so many other things going on.  One batch goes to the clavical area - top of implant up to my collar bone.  The other goes from mid line at my chest across to mid body line under my arm and from top of the implant to my rib cage.  I knew they were concerned about the chest wall since that's where my recurrence came, but wow - that's a lot of territory.  Probably should have ordered the 4 pack of MidDerm instead of the 2 pack.

Treated myself to a Grand Slam at Denny's when I was done.

Hello everyone.  I am seeking suggestions with the use of aquaphor. I'm applying it twice a day but the feeling of it on my skin is driving me nuts. What shirts/ bras etc. have anyone tried that works for you please. Stains everything also.  Thanks

Hi Everyone,

I had my fifth treatment today.  (I'm having 33.)  So far no SE's.  I'm using Eucerin, because my sister used it and had great results with no burning (and she's a redhead). I actually started using it about a week before treatment started.

My center is in a fairly local hospital (30 minutes away), and I'm enjoying the ride through the country each day. The doctor, nurses and techs are very nice.  I'm even going to be able to join a two day program at a health center in the same complex as the hospital.  I'll probably have to push myself to go those two days, but know it will make me feel stronger.

It's nice to have this thread - I haven't yet had a conversation with any of the women who are going through radiation, because the techs see me coming into the waiting room and seem to be always ready - so I zip right in.  Even if someone else is waiting, there's been no time for meeting one another.

I use Aquaphor only at night and then wear old t-shirts to bed that I plan to throw out after my skin clears up. The denseness of Aquaphor lubricates my skin and helps me sleep. During the day I use miaderm and the prescription antiobiotic burn cream "Ascend" (silver sulfadiazine) which the RO prescribed when my skin started getting severely burned. I'm now one week post-rads and my skin has blistered and is peeling. Very very sore under my armpit, my clavicle area, and nipple. It's not easy going to work every day with this underarm pain, but I'm loading up with ibuprofen.

Well, I got a surprise yesterday.  I was supposed to get my sim for boosts but they were running late and told me they would just set everything up on Tuesday when my boosts begin.  I said "Tuesday? My boosts begin on Thursday. I'm supposed to have 25 whole breast and 5 boosts".  She said no I was on the schedule for boosts on Tuesday and went to double check.  Yup, it's Tuesday!  Low and behold my RO changed my doses and didn't tell me!  I am having 23 whole breast and 7 boosts.  Well, at least my underarm will start to heal sooner

Hi everybody, got the call today. Rads start on the 19th. That's Wednesday!!! O dear. Ah to heck with it. I've read what you wonderful ladies have written and I'm not scared. I can definitely do this!

RedReading not to worry...I'm doing the Canadian Protocol too here in the U.S.  After 2 weeks the biggest thing so far has been the nuisance of going everyday.  No major side effects from the rads so far.  Starting to get a bit of fatigue now mostly after doing a chore, and my chest wall aches a bit but I started out with a small rib fracture from bronchitis in the Fall.  Worst thing was the simulations because of my spinal problems from laying with that cramped arm position for so long.  Have a little warmth in my breast on and off, but with the way this winter has been, it's kind of nice to go out in the cold and have a built in heater!

 Now it's just a matter of step behind the curtain,  pop off the sweatshirt,  get on the table and relax for a  couple of minutes.  Then it's out the door.  Well sweatshirt goes back on first before going out the door! lol   One more week of full breast and then a week of boosts.  Don't know what to expect the next 2 weeks but they'll handle any problems if they come up.  Nurse said to start using cornstarch now.  Not using any creams so far.  Just hoping that the simulation for that boost doesn't require you to lay for long in that position.

It was a such a nice surprise to get off the table and see a card and a big heart cookie laying on the counter behind the curtain on the table!  Happy valentines day to everybody.  Good news to hear some of you are getting to the end of treatment.

Just looked up Miaderm and Radiaderm.  Miaderm is a moisturizer lotion.  Radiaderm is a two step product with a cooling gel followed by moisturizer 3/4 times a day.  Radiaderm comes packaged is individual application packets just like salad dressing!  The cooling gel is water based and does stop the heat feeling for me.  I can't say the moisturizer is my favorite, but ok.  Interesting it is made up of lots of sunblock and can continue to be used for that purpose post radiation.  Available on line from Walgreens. It's expensive, but I wanted to try it out.  I'll have lots left over since I am doing 16 treatments and it is packaged for 33.

anyone have radiation delayed due to infection or the opening of a wound after mx? Was any concern expresssed abotu the delay?  How did you do?

Kim, I am glad it is going well for you. I must say, though, that I am extremely jealous of your temps in SoCal. Expect a visit soon. We will only stay 2 or 3 months, and will be bringing 6 adults, 5 children, 3 dogs and 6 cats. Easy peasy!

In a crazy weird kinda way, I am looking forward to my rads. This has been going on for so long that to actually have a date is freeing somehow.

Mimi, are you on the Cdn protocol? 15 whole rads and 5 boosts? I would love to hear from someone nearing the end of that protocol.

Lily, are you part of a trial group or has the Cdn protocol become standard in your area. I know the US docs are lobbying hard for the Cdn. After 15 years of studies and results there is no difference between our method and yours. And no greater risk of recurrence either. I'm glad I only need 20. Yay me!

Have a lovely weekend Winter Radiants. In Ontario, it's a long weekend as we celebrate Family Day. I will so enjoy it!

Yesterday I had my last whole breast rad (#28)!! I'm itchy all over the area, but doing well.  I have 7 boosts to go! I'm ready to be done. I don't live as far away from treatment as some, but my 45 min drive each way is wearing me down. Hang in there girls! We can do it!

Juniper, was it ok? Did you get sunburned? Do you have fair or dark skin? My doc says no creams at all. How about yours. OK, I'm more nervous than I thought - TB90 girl I'm with you!

Mouse you've done 28? Omg. I don't know if I would handle that we'll. OK I'm sure I would stack it up in the back of my head with all the other chit, but I think that's scarier to me.

Biggest question I had was that I haven't managed to kick the habit yet. Meaning I'm still smoking. Sorry to disappoint those of you that just went ewww omg! My docs say, enough stress right now, but we fully expect you to quit when this is over. I'm good with that, and I have bee cutting down. But damn, I've smoked for 43 years so this isn't going to be an easy row to hoe.

Anyway, I wondered about the slice of lung that would be affected by the rads. My RO assured me - no problem, but has anyone heard of problems with this?

RedReading-  I also am a smoker.  I've quit several times, once for over 2 years, and quit again before chemo with all good intentions.  But chemo side effects kicked in quickly and we each cope the best we can and none of us are perfect. Several chemo nurses have told me not to apologize for smoking, get through this however best I can, and don't let anyone give me a hard time. Let them go through all I have this past year and we'll see how they handle it.   I have one more rad on Monday, #28, and then treatment is done except for 3 more Herceptin infusions which give me no SE's and hormone therapy for 5 years.  But the worst is over and now I'll work on kicking the habit for good.   Just do what works for you and don't apologize.   Don't worry about rads.  I see you didn't have chemo, but rads really has been easy. 

Red- I am in Iowa and doing 16 treatments with no boosts.  My tumor was tiny, so maybe that is why no boosts.  They actually removed entire cancer during the biopsy! But nobody could tell that until slides came back from surgery.  I have finished thirteen treatments.  I'm slightly red with red bumpy rash about three inches square above breast.  It itches, mainly if I am not busy and think about it.  Hydrocortisone seems to control it. Doc doesn't seem to care what cream i use as long as it is fours away from rads.  No peeling or open sores.  Sometimes zingers or achy feeling.  But,ona pain scale of 1-10 I'd say1 or less.  Hope this is encouraging.  I'm ready to do the happy dance.  Have a triptowRmer Arizona planned four days after radis done.