Spring 2014 Rads
Comments
-
Faerywings congratulations on finishing radiation!
Welcome to all those that are new!
AussieLover - I took blood pressure medication during my radiation. They reviewed my meds weekly so everyone knew I was on it. I didn't have any extra issues because of it. Although they often describe the radiation reaction like a sunburn, it's really only because that is something most of us understand, but the process of how our skin reacts to the radiation is actually different than a sunburn. But it's always good to check with your Radiation Oncologist to make sure.
-
Faerywings------WHOOO HOOOOO HAPPY DANCING WITH YOU HERE IN IL.
Grams--watch the coough--you can get a "radiation pnuemenitis--but my MO said to make sure your doctor doesn't just diagnose his because he/she knows you had radiation---- I too am Very itchy around my clavicle, and ys, Ihave itched above the treatment area---I don't do well with DOVE products. I used the BASIS soap since starting RADS.
My Fatigue is worst after Rads,a nd I do mine at 1pm,. so yes, I am kinda wiped by 3pm on----try to nap when you can even if it is a catnap. Saturday I weeded at my dads for an hour and came home andslept on sofa from 1-5pm.....
Still using Saline Soaks--I look like I was branded by an underwire----but RO thought it looked better today. I only have 8 left (no boosts for me) and Friday the machne if offline, so I get a 3 day break which should help.
For what it is worth, MY RO office says PETROLEUM and PETROLATUM are different-----I made the mistake of telling a phone nurse that Aquaphor was just petroleum jelly and boy did I get told I was wrong......I've not researched it at all, just repeating what I was told. I
Its Nurses Week, so if you have good ones, please acknowledge them this week if its just a thank you note for some of the kindnesses they have shown you since you got started---I can't imagine being surrounded day in and out with people in various states of stress and illness. They are really angels to me.
-
Faerywing, Congratulations!
Welcome those of you who have just joined us! I just finished 10/35 so I still have a ways to go. Assuming no issues, my last day of rads is June 12, 5 more weeks! I am also one of those tired as soon as I get done with rads and it lasts until about dinner. I go in around 11:00. I also get swollen and it is painful. In fact after 10 treatments, my breasts no longer look the same. Right one is perky and perfect. Left one is swollen and also seems all flat, but a lot rounder (I have implants) I know a lot of changes are still to come.
I hope those of you with lung issues right now start healing. I was told if I ended up with that they put you on steroids to calm things down. My RO does not want me to purchase any creams, only use what they give me based on weekly checks or more if something is off. Right now it is just pure Aloe, a large bottle they gave me a week ago. Most RO's should have an arsenal?
Just out of curiosity:- What side are you being treated on?
- How many treatments?
- Who has a bolus?
- How many rad sessions?
- Multidisciplinary center?
I'm just curious with all our different treatment regimens. I know we all have different issues, stages, grades, etc. and it all factors in.
ME:- What side are you being treated on? Left
- Who has a bolus? Yes (Everyday)
- How many rad sessions? 35
- Multidisciplinary center? Yes, MDA
-
Notbuyingit Glad to hear you are doing well. ENJOY your trip!!!
Thanks all for the well wishes. I am feeling better overall, starting to get energy back. So far skin holding up, I am starting to get a slight peel. Keeping up with aquafore and aloe. I was told that aquafore protects the skin and helps to keep it from burning. My cough is still there, but subsiding. I have been using the prescription twice a day rather than six times as prescribed. I don't like taking drugs and want to get my energy back. I just put a deposit down for another Yorkie pup (female). I won't get her til July 5th but needed something else to focus on other than myself. Felt like I deserved a reward and my male yorkie seems lonely. I lost my female three years ago.
TOMORROW IS MY LAST DAY OF RADS!! I am so looking forward to getting better and movin on.
Faerywings CONGRATS!!
I will hang around here a little while to help those newbies if needed. I have so enjoyed our talks and the support from everyone. It helped me a great deal and gave me the courage and the strength to get through this. Hang in there, the weekend is almost upon us.
HUGS
-
I used calendula cream throughout my rads and it was great. All natural and soaked in unlike the Aquaphor. I'm one week out and my skin is doing great and healing very rapidly. Lots of the discoloration is already gone and all wounded spots are totally healed. Don't know if its just great luck or the calendula but the cream is worth a try!
-
momto3boysaz
I'm on the left
Bolus everyday
27 treatments
Not at a multidisciplinary
Lisa
-
Stillrunning....thanks for the update on how it went for your skin after the boosts. I'm most concerned about the week AFTER rads finish, so I always like hearing from people that have finished. I'm glad your skin held up.
I have my last full-field today (#28/33) and then start boosts tomorrow. My skin is doing great so far other than a hot spot at my clavicle. It's out of the boost field so today is it's last zap! It's just dark red and dry there and is still intact so no silvadene for me unless it opens up. They gave me regenecare with is very soothing. My big concern now is my nipple which is in the boost field. It's already tender so I'm not looking forward to 6 more zaps to it...but I figure I can put up with just about anything for a few weeks. I'll keep posting after this is over.
In terms of lotions, I used a vitamin e cream the most so far because it felt the best on my skin. I have 100% aloe vera and used that occassionally right after I came home from rads if I felt a little hot, but I really didn't like how long it would take to absorb. I would put on a tee shirt and then the aloe would cause my skin to stick to the shirt. I felt like I was pulling off skin when I would "unstick" it. Now that my skin is a little pinker....I found I prefer emu oil. It feels good going on and keeps my skin nice and moisturized. I also like miaderm, but my favorite right now is the emu oil. A little goes a long way.
I believe one reason why my skin has held up so well is that I haven't been using any kind of soap on it at all and I only wash that area every other day with water. I just put a warm wet washcloth on it and let it sit to loosen up the old lotion.....absolutely no rubbing....just patting the area. I don't sweat under that underarm since my surgery, so odor isn't an issue. There are some silver linings to cancer!
-
So, I was put on antibiotics yesterday. My pings and spasm were more intense yesterday which I had from day 1.
And my RO feared that I have infection inside and that is getting flared by radiation. I had infection after 2nd lumpectomy. So, right now, wait and watch. See if antibiotics help.... otherwise go to Surgeon for checkup.
Has anybody gone thru' that before?
I use Aloe Vera + calendula during day. Good on skin and clothes. And apply aquaphor in the night.
Redness and hotness was there too! Also, started 'Guduchi' which is herbal product good for lessening hotness internally. It is available at any supplement store.
Let's see how it goes......
-
simplelife you will be fine with boosts, they are easy. Keep up your routine as skin can continue to change for up to thirty days. You are almost there!!! I finished today, said my goodbyes. It was bittersweet. Go back in six weeks. Seeing regular onc Monday. No xrays or mammos for six months.
-
#14 today, half way through!
So glad I realized the skin problems were from the Eucerin & Aquaphor. !00% aloe is so much better for me. No allergic reaction like to petrolatum.
-
Owy Yowey! Under breast purple, burning. I can't stand to wear a shirt. Laying down is the best, so I guess hat's where I will be until it calms down. Used real aloe, lathered on aquafore and then as much as cornstarch baby powder as I can pack on. A tissue between breast fold and chest hurts, but hard to keep there. Guess it caught up with me.
Glad I am done, I'm toast-- lol -
flagirl, congrats on being done! I am right behind you. 4 boosts left. I hope you recover soon. I am using cornstarch baby powder also in my fold and on my red chest bumps...they itch sometimes. I think it is helping heal the bumps for sure. My nipple is sensitive also, but luckily, no more rads to it. Trying to lay on my back when I sleep. Any tips you have are greatly appreciated!
fightbc, I hope they get your problem under control soon and you can continue on your way! How frustrating that must be for you.
momto: rt side, 23 full plus 8 boosts, no bolus, yes MDC-Austin Cancer Center
I hope the rest of you continue to do well!
-
Congrats FLA GIRL on being done-----sounds like your under-breast area is kinda worse than mine.....the saline soaks is only thing that comforts mine, and the doc doesn't want me doing a ton of that- (my skin is weeping) Doc said I could do cool compresses---- I soak a couple of 4x4 gauzes (4 layers) with cool tap water and tuck those puppies up under the breast. They will emerge hotter than a firecracker in about 20 minutes.
Funny story---my cat knows something isn't right with me stretching out topless on the bed 5 x a day, so she comes and gets up on the bed with me every time--doesn't touch me, just crouches near and purrs. Well, I closed my eyes and dozed off and she decided to kiss me on my nipple------talk about shooting straight up out of bed (I live alone)......
-
Congratulations to those who have finished! It has been very helpful to hear how everyone has different experiences.
As for me, I'm heading to 20/28 today, only pink at clavicle, itchy and weird pains. My arm fell asleep last Friday during rads too. I was taking curcumin but stopped yesterday because I have been having diarrhea for a week, but I still have it. I'll try to leave out the vit D next to see what happens. I am not very good at applying lotions, I only go crazy on the weekends.
-
fight bc- I experienced something similar during first and second week radiation. Lots of swelling and warm to touch, red, etc. Radiation PA said mastitis not uncommon at start-warmth and inflammation from radiation can kick whatever little bugs your body has been able to hold back into high gear. My surgeon said just inflammation from radiation and effects of seroma we knew was there. I love my surgeon and I am not doubting he was correct but remember surgeons also have to be concerned with postop infection rates so they may be more likely to associate with radiation effects. I think combination of both but I did complete week of antibiotics and threw in couple other changes including getting little soft tank top like bras. I am not busty but I think area of surgery and shape of breast changed so although not wearing underwire, a regular bra was restrictive on areas still healing. I plan on waiting a few months and then getting resized for bras.Flagirl and faerywings congrats for being done!! Happy healing. I am getting 22 of 33 in about an hour and can't wait to be done. Had CAT scan last week getting ready to start boost for last 8 next week. Will help other areas that are getting "pretty fried" as PA said. Very nervous how I will hold up-I know other areas spared and will start healing but incision and cavity they are going for underneath probably going to be hard. Not sure when you ladies follow up after this in terms of mammo/mri. Spoke to PA and she tells me radiation oncologist will have plan for me at 4-6 weeks post rads follow up. I am already getting call from radiology about 3 month MRI to follow up on something questionable other breast so I hope they don't have me wait 6 months. I would like to just be sure everything ok so I can stop worrying and just concentrate on healing up.
Redheaded1- thank you for remembering nurses week! As a nurse, I have been humbled being on the other end of things. I had another serious health issue a few years ago and I was a little disappointed in my nursing care. This time around I have had great care. Ladies do not hesitate to fill out those surveys you get and be honest. Administration really looks at those-they motivate us when we do touch someone and help us work a little harder if we fall short.
Happy Mother's Day to everyone! And Thank God it's Friday -takes on a whole new meaning during radiation doesn't it!
-
Good Morning,
For the ladies who have finished and it's been bout a yr or more, when do the breast finally settle down after radiation and all the crap our bodies went throught. I feel the scar tissues, I feel like pinches in the breast at times, I got my range of motion, doing physical therapy for lymperdema, but still have like pain in the shoulders , and pulling under the arm and breast area. Is this part of the healing process, and how long will that approx. be?
-
Red, too funny about your cat! I have two cats as well. It is amazing how they just "know" when things are different.
Congrats to everyone who has finished! I also enjoy reading the differences in how we all feel as we go through this process. I am now almost 4 weeks past rads and still having some pain on my tx side depending on how I lay in bed. But the pain is very minimal and only an annoyance at this point. Hopefully it will eventually totally fade.
Have a good weekend everyone!
-
Hello all, thanks for the well wishes. My underside of breast seems to be the worst part. Yeah, weeping could be accurate. I took an Epsom salt bath and put the soaked washcloth under breast fold and rinse and repeat several times. Then I pat dry, an apply natural aloe from the plant and blow with dryer on cool. I then apply aquafore and after about a couple of hrs apply cornstarch powder under fold for rubbing. It is best to go shirtless at this point. The rest of the breast is dark red, but skin is still supple. I am planning to take these baths twice a day for the next few days at least. Also, Epson salts is a great detox bath which I can definitely use at this point. My energy level is nil at this point and I am grateful that I don't have to drag myself out of bed for RADs TG... If it doesn't get any worse I should recover quickly. HAPPY FRIDAY try to relax this weekend and recover. HUGs to all
-
I couldn't figure how to add a new topic, so I am throwing this out here. I just started my CA treatment, 3 of 20 rads after lumpectomy. In my city, the Susan Komen race for the cure is May 17th. Am I a survivor yet?
-
delufox, welcome! I think you can be considered a survivor
good luck with your rads~
-
Is it just me or does aquaphor have a funny smell? I 've never used it, and the RO wanted me to put in under my breast and I decided, oh well, since you just showered and its the weekend, lets just try it all over. I don't like it at all because 1. I can't see where I've already put it, 2 its slimy and 3 now I think it smells like fish........UGH>Going back to my cream that has some color to it.....LOL.
-
Anyone else that had a lumpectomy have a breast that swells during the day and shrinks to a smaller size than the other one by morning? I've mentioned this, I have implants (do not have much tissue of my own), lumpectomy was on the side, the dent is now finally showing, but only to me, since it is on the side. But, when swelling goes down overnight that entire breast is flatter and smaller already. Today was 12/35.
redhead, I am still only using pure Aloe I get pink, but seems to fade by morning.
delufox, walk it and walk it proudly if you want!
flagirl, I hope you heal soon, sounds painful. How many rads did you have?
intothewood, how are you doing?
Have a great weekend ladies! -
Momto3--glad to hear you mention the swelling.. Before I ever had my surgery,my RO looked at me and said one side is bigger. I thought, yeah, one foot is bigger, so what---(I don'th ave implants) My surgery is left side on the side (upper outer quadrant) and I looked at myself the other day and thought yes, your left side looks a lot bigger. then, like you say, at night it feels like it is small. They say swelling and shi\inking isn't unusual during radiation. But I thought I was imagining the shrinking part.....
As much I hated the aquaphor, my radiation dermatitis looked better this a.m., so I smeared some more on. Went to a plant sale to benefit the Community Cancer
Center and now I am weeding and taking a break, weeding and taking a break. Rain predicted for the next few days.
Happy Mom's day to all of you. Moms or NOT, HAPPY DAY!
-
Happy Saturday everyone,
Thank you so much for asking about me momto3! Makes me feel part of the community. ((( )))
First week down! I found it challenging to leave work on time. I' working a shortened day but it's hard to predict my day (impossible actually- I'm an elementary school principal with only a part time AP) I was late to tx yesterday but therapists very nice about it. I already had some chocolate to share with them for first week down. :-)
redheaded1 there's a lyric from the musical Carousel: "... and fish is my favorite perfume.) (sung by Carrie who falls in love with a shrimp boat operator if you aren't familiar with it). If the Aquafor helps maybe it will become yours too.
deluxfox, yes walk and walk proudly
flagirl, I hope the baths are helpful and you get lots of good rest.
Happy Mother's Day to all
Lisa
It's "Saaardines" (sardines) not shrimp. :-)
-
RedHeaded1
I think it is because the main ingredient is a petroleum product. AquaPhor & Eucerin was what was recommended to me. I had to stop use because first week of rads I had a rash & pinging pains all on my chest. I went with 100% Fruit of the Earth aloe. (if you have time google petroleum products in creams)
-
momto3boys had 28 full 5 boosts. I just finished on Thursday. Today much better. Right peeling all over No Pain yey
-
Happy Mother's Day! I am so excited my yorkie pup was born today. It's a boy we named him Pips. He is 3 oz at birth, about 5 lbs at maturity. I am feeling good for the first time in the last two weeks. Cough is about gone breast has calmed down and No itching. I will get to visit him weekly until he is old enough to bring home. Yey, things are finally getting back to normal...
-
Ok, No Lisa, Sardines is not my favorite perfume-----I am going back to my Xclair crème.
For someone who is not a mother, I had a wonderful mothers day---My best friend who is lst generation Italian-American invited me to her house and she and hubby had been cooking for 2 days---Meatballs, manicotti, chicken w/prosciutto/cheese, Limon cello, etc. and walnut torte for dessert---I rarely sit at a table for 3 hours, but I arrived at 2 and left at 5. Made it home in time to mow the lawn before the storms started---baseball size hail about 10 miles north. Hope all you ladies had a great day, too.
Chest still itching, but the break in treatment on Friday seems to have given my skin a needed break. Only 7 more to go. Kinda scared about not seeing the doc every Wed.....
-
Congratulations on your new boy, flagirl. He's a beauty and what great timing he has.
Redheaded1, the fish perfume was a long shot for sure. Probably wouldn't have bought it myself.
Regarding itching, I started itching tonight and I have a very large red blotch. I thought skin stuff didn't show up this early (I'm on week two this week) Now I'm nervous!!!
-
hi everyone . I'm at 21//25. Four more treatments. I'm so happy to almost finished. I'm taking herceptin every three weeks to which I'll be don on December 15th
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team