Spring 2014 Rads

I have to agree with Red.  You need to get right in their faces and demand help for your DM.  I know that where I had my tx, Silvadene is a cream that is given to those whose skin breaks down.  Silvadene is used on burn victims -- however, I cannot say I know that would be the choice if the skin was open.  I had a surgery several years ago for a bad leg infection, and after the surgery the wound was open and they put Silvadene on me -- I had a reaction to it, which is rare, but since this for radiation, I might mention Silvadene and just see what they say.  At any rate, your mother needs help and it is their responsibility to get her whatever relief she needs.  I like the idea of the photos -- whatever it takes to make them take some action.  That is shameful that they would seem so uncaring.  As for dressings, again, I used a product on my open wound that does not stick.  It was very expensive, but it did the trick because nothing stuck to it and I could protect my wound.  Things like this do exist.  Mepilex is the brand I used -- it comes in all sizes and does not stick to the wound.  It was highly recommended by the hospital I go to.  Again, that was for a leg wound.  Anyway, good luck to you and let us what they do for your mother.  Go get em!!

Mirka, Sounds very uncomfortable.   Agree with Redheaded1 that you should take her to See the doc and get some help with this.    I'd forgo the clothing and keep a blanket wrapped around the shoulders loosely.    If you have to go out still skip the clothing or if you must wear something  very big and loose big cotton t-shirt and and wrap up in pashima / scarf to keep the clothing away from the soreness.  Hope she heals fast!

Vintagegirl1 your cancer center has gotten it right.  Sounds like a very soothing environment.  

Hi!  Well had my second boost so now I have 6 more to go and I will be done rads.  I am starting to get really sore, under my arm and the side of my breast is really dark and the rest of my breast is red to dark......I use the lotion probably 6-7 times/day (no joke).  I am actually starting to feel a little bit of fatigue now too. Was hoping I would not!

Been a rough 10 days with one of my goldens - Bentley is 14 years old and we woke up at 1am and thought he had a seizure or stroke but when we brought him to the ER, they said it was a severe vestibular episode.  He was in the ER from last Tuesday to this past Monday - they called on Monday to say they thought he had given up so we went to bring him home and after 2 days of personal attention and care, he started to turn around and now he is still dizzy and his head tilts a little but he is up and walking around. 

Hope everyone has a marvelous weekend!

Donna

At the Emergency Room

And now home.

Oh Donna that must have been rough! Happy for you he is back home.

I had #10 rad today. What time are you usually in Dover?

Lyn

Flagirl...I'm sorry you are sick.  That is no fun at all.  Hopefully, you will be able to get your rads.

TGIF for all of us getting rads.  I've really come to love that 2 day break!

Today was #24 of 33 for me.  My only pink/red spot is at my collarbone.   I have 5 more full field zaps to go and then onto the boosts.  My stickers have stayed on the whole time which reall surprises me.  I'm hoping they can last all the way through.

Just a word about gowns and clothing......I don't change into a gown when I go for rads.  Instead,  I wear a cami and a jacket to rads.  I slip off the jacket when I walk into the treatment room and leave it in a chair by the door.  They give me a pillowcase as I sit on the table.  I slide my cami down to my waist and cover up with the pillowcase.  I love how quick and easy it is.  I started wearing my cami inside out after about three weeks so the band from the shelf bra is on the outside and softer to my skin.  I take the cami off when I get home and wear a soft running shirt with flat seams the rest of the day.  It works really well for me.  I'm very small chested and only need a bra to keep the "headlights" from showing.  I just slip on a jacket when I go out in public to cover the headlights.  

Delufox

 I practiced holding my breath every time I thought of it.(watching tv, driving)  I'm not sure how different our treatments are but I had the simulation (not fun) that took almost an hour, then a dry run a couple days later. Did you wear the goggles to see your breathing on the screen? I also have a *cup* taped to my belly. 

I get marked each day, holding breath. Then three times they leave while I have rads, & have to hold my breath through those too. 

I had a BMX. My tumors were at 6 oclock close to the chest wall so the zaps are very close to the ventricle & lungs. And had lymph node involvement too. So I get aimed straight on, to the left & to the right.

I hope this works out for you!

VintageGal1-My bolus is placed everyday.  RO/Nurse visit on Tues and X-Ray on Thurs.

Delufox and VintageGal1-I have the same set up as Vintage, though there were never any goggles.  But exactly the same down to the box on my belly and I have markings all over my lefts side about 13.  I still am not clear on this part, but mine was at 3:00 position and I think close to my chest wall.  So, I also get straight on and then the left side (fairly large area).  Whole breast and chest wall.  The part I'm not clear on, who gets chest wall, those that have it on the lateral sides? Today was 7, 28 more!  Hang in there Delufox.

flagirl, hope you feel better.

dogsneverlie, glad to see your furbaby is home.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. 

Andrea I was told no hot baths during rads only 

have you tried calendula lotion?  I used it twice a day and my nipple never gave me any trouble.  Lol.  That's not something you have cause to say very often!

faery, my RO gave me samples of Miaderm; but I think it's only sold online. California Baby also has calendula and it can be found in the baby section at Target stores. It is cheaper than Miaderm also. So far, I just started staying red recently and my underarm is turning brown. Have a few red bumps upper chest that are itchy, but doing good. Now that I am done with my full TX's, I am hoping the bumps and redness will disappear soon. Have 8 boosts left and I am at the finish line!

Have a great week-end, ladies. Yes, happy that we get a break on week-ends!

I'm red with black undertones. Pretty ugly. Got yesterday and Monday off so my skin has four straight days to heal a little.  I get the bolus every day.  Only one blister so far.  It hurts most under my arm and it doesn't help that I have a skin fold there. Aleve takes care of most of the pain.

At this point it is NOT easier than chemo.  I sailed through chemo with minor SEs and no pain.  The SEs were annoying but at least I didn't hurt

I got the Miaderm from Amazon $36 so it is costly.

I have stayed away from calendula only because years ago I used a cream that contained it & got a rash. Not sure....but just don't dare take the chance.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Maryfox, I'm only 8 days in of 35 and I get sore and it is on the outside, under my arm as well (skin is fine).  I find I swell up as the day goes on, but then it tends to go down and not as sore by the morning.  I was totally exhausted yesterday too.  Thank you for validating that radiation is no cake walk.  I KNOW chemo can't be easy, but all my Dr's have said they can't tell how we will each react.  Some sail through, and others it is rough.

BigDBeating, Rant away, none of this is fun.  A friend who went through this told me, when you come out on the other side you have to re-enter your old life, and I see the truth to that.  Our lives were going along and one day, it all changed.  Finding a new norm when your life is all about appointments, treatments and Dr's takes some time.  And then hoping it doesn't happen again.

FightBC, not sure how many zaps I get or how long?  I have to hold my breath twice and it seems like forever  I'm thinking 2 one on whole breast and one on chest wall.

Anne, it is interesting how all are different.  I'm at MDA and can't imagine if I had gone to a surgeon, then oncologist, then radiologist.  I love that my care is all under one roof and whenever there is a problem it is handled immediately and I really never have to worry about anything, they do it all.  I had a petscan last week, received a call with results in less than 24 hours.  I still have a follow-up to discuss with oncologist on Tuesday, but I love that.

Delufox---I have left side too---and what my RO told me is there is three ways people breath---some people breath and the heart moves with the breast consistently, and they are able to zap when the heart moves away( its called gating) Some people breath and their heart doesn't move at all (that's what I do) and some people's breathing patterns are inconsistent and its just kind of hit or miss.  I thought everyone was given some type of respiratory gating and I got very upset Wed when I asked her point blank about mine, cause I had peeked at my Electronic Record while I was waiting for her in the exam room and saw it said NO GATING> and she explained it all.  She said if they tried to gate me, that I would get more damage because I would have more beam exposure.   So just relax, and have the RO explain what is going on to you and best solution what he is able to do with the machine at your clinic.  If you aren't satisfied, consider if there is a machine someplace else that you could go to.  hopefully you will feel better once you have chatted with the RO.  .  I'll say a prayer--it is scary when they mark you all up and then have do overs.   I cried all day the day I got my marks.

For what it is worth Miaderm was well responded to in Clinical Trials.  And gals, given what we are going thru, we are worth 36.00 crème or even more. Spurge if you can.   Shit, I'd eat Ramen Noodles for a month to keep my chest from getting red and scratchy.