Fall Rads 2014

blown away, since I have to research everything, because my docs do not give me any info in a format I can read. I researched, and rads will fry your thyroid. It usually takes longer, but I had problems to begin with so mine wnet faster. But it is known to be the most overlooked, and most under estimated side effect of breast radiation, because usually it is 8 or 9 years out when you get it, and they just blame old age

Post rads follow up was today and I am going to be starting on a drug that helps vascular issues to try and prevent fibrosis in the breast. I sure as heck hope it helps.

Giles- yes they did talk. I was sent to the hematologist who ran a bunch of blood tests and determined it was safe for me. When the 3rd arm of the SOFT/TEXT trials come out (the tamoxifen alone arm) I will reassess what I want to do. He did give me the option to stay on Tinzaparin ... ha! As if I want to give my self that stinging shot everyday for the next 10 years!

I think they are so numb to it, they all say you are doing good, or you look great, or whatever. I would have loved my RO to have gone thru this and have her look at black, dead skin, like I was in a fire, skin raw, blisters, red, cracked, purple, brown, itchy and say oh you look great.

I will say it gave me one perspective. My dd has CP I had to put night cast on her and day braces, she use to scream and swear at me, but I was doing it for her own good, since she now walks and runs like normal. I felt the same way she must have with the nurses, I hated them thinking this wash lol great, when I was in pain. More respect for my dd

SKBrown, it means a total of 30 trips for radiation Boosts are usually done at the end. I didn't have any anxiety issues - just very happy to be doing something else to kill the cancer cells. Someone else here will be able to talk to you about your possible depression and anxiety. Try to think positive!

Probably you will, SKBrown. Most of us get between 25-35 and radiation treatments. I had 33, 27 and 6.

I guess I'm signing up for radiation in the near future too. Was actually thinking about skipping it but because they found a few cancer cells in one of my nodes, it's off to radiation I go and I'm not looking forward to it, but there are lots of really good tips on this thread. Thanks to everyone for sharing. I'll soon be shopping for those all cotton sports bras-the ones I bought for my lumpectomy are mostly spandex and nylon, and so apparently no good. Geez. I'm buying more damned bras this year than I have in the last 5 years combined. LOL.

I don't know if I read it here or somewhere else, but someone wrote they were going to buy scratch off lottery tickets, one for each day of scheduled radiation treatment (40 if you have 40 days of rads/30 if you have 30 days, etc.) Sounds like a fun idea to me. I think I'll do $1 tickets for regular radiation and $5 ones for each boost. The way I see it, with a breast cancer diagnosis we're all overdue to have a bit of good luck coming our way.

Going bra-less is an option at home (I'm medium sized) but not so good for work and I'm hoping to work at least part-time thru at least a portion of radiation therapy. I'm lucky I have the option of taking time off pretty much as I need it, but don't want to miss too much for too long. Eventually I'll run out of paid time off (accumulated sick and vacation days over the years) and I don't want that, but at least my job is safe.

Hi All -

May I introduce a new topic here in this forum? Has anyone had an a rash from radiation that kinds looks like a prickly heat rash. It is only on the right side of my body - which makes sense as that is the side that is being radiated Pretty sure it is not related to any changes in medications. I am using simple soaps - the Aveeno line - either the regular bar of soap, or the baby body wash. Tomorrow I have to see the PCP to see what they think it could be or not be in any case.

Any thoughts?

MarieBernice6234

MarieBernice, I did have a rash over my chest (not really on the breast) and between my breasts, basically where I probably had been sunburned in the past if that makes sense. It was red and prickly and a bit like a heat rash. They told me to put hydrocortisone cream or benadryl cream on it to help the itching. It did help with the itchiness.

labelle, good luck on the radiation. I worked full time through it all. There were maybe 2-3 days when I left after about 4-5 hours because the fatigue really got to me but overall it hasn't been too bad. However, I do work a desk job most of the time so have no heavy lifting or strenuous activity. I also love the idea of the lottery tickets! What a great way to count it down and maybe win a little extra money too.

I have 25 done and just have the 5 boosts to go. My skin is healing. It looks worse in some spots than it actually feels. Even the really bad spot under my breast is healing well though it still hurts like the devil. It felt so good yesterday to finish the last full breast treatment.

Hi,

I had my simulation on wed, Nov. 19 and received 4 tattoos. One of them is very high near my neck, just under the collar bone, so will be very visible with most clothing.

Does anyone else have a tattoo so visible?

I had my 1st radiation tx yesterday, Nov. 20. I did not know I would start this quickly. I wrote before with questions about what to put on my skin and other questions.

I know there were some responses, but when I go back I cannot find them! I am not sure what forum they are in. I tried the Aquaphor ointment sample and found it very difficult to spread around on my skin. I am not sure what area to put it because they had outlined an area way bigger than just the breast.

Where do others apply it? How far out from the breast? Apply it on the nipple itself?

I had asked yesterday for another suggestion of what to use, and the radiation place told me to find Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera 100% Gel because it does not contain alcohol. I did go out and buy it, and did apply it. It was easier to apply because it is a gel, and did dry quickly. Has anyone used this product?

This same product type is also sold by Trader Joes (their product) so I am going to try and compare.

I am going to try and find the other responses later but just wanted to check in for now and ask some more questions.

yikes, also I have five tattoos. Only one is visible if I wear a v-neck shirt

Yikes, I did my entire breast including on the nipple area, under my arm and down my side, over my cleavage area and a little on the other breast, and up to my clavicle. My thoughts were the more the better. My center recommended a Skin Repair cream made by Medline. It worked really well except under my breast. I don't think anything would have helped that. I am down to 5 boosts now. Under my breast got really bad with blisters and raw red skin. I received a 3 day break from rads because of it. It has been about a week 1/2 since I had the break and it is healing really well. Just one small spot that is still red and weeping. Under my arm is peeling but never was wet and doesn't hurt at all.

Labelle - I'm still wearing my regular bras but using so much aquaphor they have become greasy so I will have to replace them all once healed. Regular clothes detergent hasn't degreased them so I'm thinking of try dish detergent. So far, I'm not very uncomfortable and haven't felt a need to by cotton bras.

yikes - I'm only using hydrocortizone cream and aquaphore every night.  At this stage (I'm almost finished) I have to gently pat it on - no rubbing.