Fall Rads 2014

MommyQ: Just goes to prove that 'one size doesn't fit all' for radiation. I don't know if my version is called anything, but I get two sustained blasts from what I think are two opposing directions. Today marks my 20th of 33 (I think jhodro and I started on the same day) and I'm seeing bright red under my arm and left-bottom of what's left of my right breast. No pain, but looking pretty raw. To be expected: I freckle. My rad tech loaded me up with aquafor samples and told me to start slathering. He also told me that despite the handout I was given permitting Tom's deoderant, he says best is straight cornstarch.

MommyQ, do the blasts from the ten different directions go at the same time or sequentially?

I'm also curious about what Genny has been told: 45 minutes and the interesting breathing thing. I'm interested in hearing more about this. Peggy, sounds like you're familiar with this?

I'm thinking that MommyQ has a good idea with the 25 hours work a week. It probably works out to that for me in the end. I paid attention to the way the fatigue comes on: around four hours after rads I can feel it rising around me like fog, and my brain turns into oatmeal. At least now I have an excuse---for all kinds of things . 

Mortmain, the radiology therapists tested me on the breathing.  I had no trouble doing it but apparently it didn't matter much.  They are trying to separate the chest wall from the heart and lungs - more distance between them.  I gather if it does make a difference, it about doubles the amount of time needed for each session, probably quite worth the time and effort, too.  

I'm getting IMRT radiation and I checked with my RO today and he said that he was avoiding my heart and lungs.  Good.  At any rate, after 12 tx things still looking really good.  If I get any redness, it is gone by morning.  And I'm hard pressed to see much of it.  

Nurselaura-  thanks for the info!   I can't imagine working right now!   My brain can't remember normal things, never mind trying to run codes! !  I hope you don't have to go back.   That is terrible! 

Hi ladies!

What are you all using on your skin to help with burning/discomfort?   I was asked today if I want to participate in a study.  It's a lotion that is supposed to help prevent dermatitis.  But I'm afraid if I get put in the placebo group, that I will end up really uncomfortable.  So I wouldn't be allowed to use anything else on my breast including aloe.

Yes - Mortmain, I think we are on the same schedule. Are you also doing a total of 33 (today I've completed 21 of 25 full breast)? My last 8 are boosts, so I got the last tattoo and sim for that yesterday. I have a pretty red thing going on especially in the armpit and the scar from the lymph node removal and my lumpectomy scar are pretty tender. I am using hydrogel once a day during my busier time of the day and Aquaphor. I noticed this week too that the skin looks 'pixelated' and the RO said that anything on your skin (like old stretch marks I have from nursing) will be more visible but he said it all goes away a month or two after rads are finished.

As far as working - I had an interview Tuesday. It was very difficult, because my brain still cannot recall things like it used to. So trying to describe things in detail - it was very frustrating. I think it went ok, but I still feel like I have lost a lot. I hope it all comes back. Not sure how it will, but I'm hopeful. I'm 8 weeks PFC - you'd think that the brain stuff would be better. Maybe it just takes practice. I finished my Master's in June and was trying to recall what my last classes covered (during chemo) and I seriously had no idea.

Hope you're all feeling pretty good. 

Golilly2....Insist on talking to the doctor not  the tech. I got a prescription cream after 14 days. You may need it sooner. If they don't cooperate show up for your time but insist on seeing doc. first. Should not be red on second treatment.

Edit for spelling

Thanks sailing wind and jhodro for your insight.....

Today is the day the RO comes in. I will ask him why I am reacting so soon. I woke up with nausea today and then came home from work because I felt sick all over. I hope it is just a bug and not anything else because I know nausea is not a side effect of radiation. The  techs are the only ones who deal with me on the other days of the week. Off to be radiated ...hope today is a good day for everyone...

Puffin, that is FANTASTIC!!!!!!  Ready to feel like a new woman?  Grow some hair?  Feel better?  How long will you likely have between chemo and rads? You've been through an awful lot in such a short period of time.  HUGS!!!!

Bow1965, Interesting how different the reactions each of us have to rads.  I've never been apprehensive (maybe I'm just far too blonde to "get it" ).  I've done 13, 20 more to go.  It doesn't matter if your reaction might be considered irrational or not, it's YOUR legitimate reaction.  We all fear different things.  You obviously got through chemo which I think is amazing!  HUGS

Anyone else experiencing headaches? Since starting radiation, I have one or two a day. Nothing terrible, and acetominophen helps, but before the treatments I almost never got them.

Mortmain, how is your head positioned during rads?  Mine is with my chin very high and I get a bit dizzy and had a headache until I asked for a towel to place under my neck and that took care of the headache (don't get them otherwise that I would attribute to the radiation).  Still get a tad dizzy, which sitting upright for 10 seconds eliminates.

Jenny5775, are you glad that they have techniques that will avoid your lung?   Too bad it's so far away, that will be challenging.  But we do it because we want to kill the damn cancer!  HUGS!!

Mortmain, I don't have any help.  Our sons live on the West Coast.  DH has a brother here but he isn't able to help staying with DH.  DH has had a rough time with drug reactions this time in the hospital and they are always scary.  He is looking at 4-6 weeks in a rehab facility.  That will be good for him and for me so I can rest up before going back to 24/7 caregiving and DH's is very strenuous (why don't have 6 pack abs and lovely upper arms then?).  I think I will check out having someone come in once or twice a week (depending on expense) to give me a chance to get out and just have a break.  Have to see what shape he's in.  Hard to believe both of us have cancer.  At least his is out and over and done with, nothing else to do.

Maybe your headaches are stress related?  I know that's hard to imagine !

Hi All,

Just posting this for a future reader if anyone can find it helpful - now or later.  I am nearly at the end of rads - next Wed is my final treatment.  Yay!  I cannot believe how quickly these nearly 7 weeks have flown by.  I started rads 2 weeks to the day from my final chemo (5 months of that).  Yes, I've experienced a little fatigue, but nothing a quick nap once in awhile can't fix.  I still exercise strenuously every single day and have done so since this treatment journey started in February.  I've always been a gym rat and it has served me very well through treatment.

I had been going to an acupuncturist once a week during Taxol, and after finding an NIH study which showed that it could also be effective in helping with radiation fatigue, I've continued to go once a week.  Maybe it's just psychological, but I feel it has helped. 

I see my RO after every Monday's appointment.  This past Monday, I asked the nurse how long I could expect some fatigue post rads.  She said 4-6 weeks, which really surprised me.  THEN I asked the RO the same question, and got a totally different response.  He said that was not accurate, that the TGF Beta (which causes the fatigue) in rads only stays in your system for 10-12 days, so any fatigue should be gone in two weeks post rads.  I liked that answer a whole lot better and that's the one I'm going with:-).  I also asked if the boosts (last 8 treatments) lessen fatigue since you are getting less of the radiation.  Answer - No.

Several weeks into rads my rash got worse and coincidentally I had a dermatologist check up later that day.  She prescribed a compound mixture of Aquaphor (480 gm with about 1/8 of it removed), mixed with two tubes of a steroid ointment - fluocinide .05%.  As my derm predicted, insurance had a problem w/this being mixed at the pharm, but she told me exactly how to do it and it worked like a charm.  I used it with the permission of my RO.  Previously, I had been using Calendula cream & ointment only.  Now that I'm in boosts and the rash has cleared up, I'm back to using the Calendula cream only - twice a day.  My skin is a little pinkish but in pretty good shape.

Wishing any newbies and all in treatment the very best!

Paula

MusicLady, I can't believe you had a mammo TWO weeks post-lumpy!  My BS doesn't want me to have one until 6 months post-RADS!!  I wouldn't have been a bit interested at two weeks (nor at 8 for that matter).  Yowzer! 

I got 3 tattoos - one on each side of my chest and one in the middle.  Worked for me and you can barely see them.  I gather some places put the tatts around your breast.  

Good luck with them.  I think you'll find them easy to go through.  Better than surgery  

HUGS!!! (gentle ones at that!)