Winter rads 2014-2015

Bippy625. Remember to dab the Silvadene on. Do not rub. It is kind of messy. Takes a long time to absorb and dry on the hurt areas. Much quicker where just pink or tan. Ideally put it on and keep the area exposed to the air for a while. Then try a loose t-shirt. Hope it helps. Just 3 days. You can do it.

Thank you for the welcome Coyote NV and Wonder Woman. I am grateful that my RO gave me the RX, as I have had no skin burns. One of guys there said that they started prescribing it 2 months ago, with great results.

It is true Texas is huge! It takes forever to get out of the state. I live as far south as you can go before hitting the Gulf of Mexico. My driving for rads is almost over, as today was 23 of 28. Yay!! I am hoping it has gotten rid of every last bad cell

Bippy good luck with the remaining three, you are almost there.

I did #15 today, I have 10 more full breast and 8 boosts so 18 more to go up until 3 days ago my skin was fine and soft just slightly pinkish. Over the last 3 days my skin has dried up and feels rough, some areas are peeling, though very thin, and I am definitely tanned. Saw RO today and he mentioned I could get sores right under my breast (where peeling is most). Weird thing I got the same peeling on part of my upper arm, he tried to blame deodorant but I have not worn deodorant in a while so finally said it must be them then. Scary! I wonder where else this stuff is going. He only recommends aloe at this point still, said again it was not so much the aloe itself but the increase in circulation while applying it that helps in his opinion. Also he said to expect my skin to get rougher especially above the breast. Today I had to drive 3 hours and was wondering if in fact that could be because of the seat belt. It is the same area and we all pretty much drive to rads and back daily. Probably not but I wondered.

Work is super busy these days, helps keep my mind off bad things but at the same time very tiring. I've worked pretty much till midnight for the past 10 days including the weekend. I was telling the rads techs that rads was the highlight of my day as I got to leave the office for a bit, see the afternoon light, and listen to some music while getting zapped

Good evening Rads Ladies - sounds like everyone is making it through to the end! Keep going, we will all make it to the finish line!!

mags, what crap. It is like we are a piece of meat at times, yes? Uhhhhm, we are living human beings. What a holes.

We will make it, all of us. Now that it is 3 to go I am weirdly looking forward to arguing with the RO and doing tx today. So over it! And he will benefit for all my pent up anger and frustrations. Well, another reason to WRITE THE RX. Also, He lied and or minimized the possible SEs.

wishing healing, pain relief, emotional peace to all my rads sisters. The support, care and understanding from you all is at times, the only thing that gets me through.

So.....now we can maybe get ready for the daytona 500 (derderder) and the Oscars!

I talked with my surgeon yesterday about all the variance we have seen with the radiation burns to skin.  He said that he has seen that with his patients also.  I told him about our group and the discussions we have had.  He is very interested in it.  People rarely discuss it as a group problem.  They are generally mentally involved with their personal situation.   In our visit, he said it is accepted thought that it is basically the difference in every individual's skin sensitivity.  Reading between the words, I got the impression that it has not been greatly investigated.  He is a such record keeper ~ he has notes of everything I have ever said to him.  Our other doctors are an additional resource for our investigation.

As upset as I am about 10 boosts, what upset me most is how I found out about it – by hearing the RO tell the techs as she's drawing on my chest like I'm a slab of meat. I saw her the day before and she never said a word about it. And she knows I have to arrange for drivers. Grrr. When did she make that decision, and couldn't she have practiced some common courtesy by informing me rather than letting me find out by overhearing her instructions to the techs?

Mags. You are right about how you should have been told and that should include the reason for the number of boosts. I hope you will say something to the RO. My RO said lots of patients do not want to know much. Also an RO needs to be a detail person into scientific precision. That means some will not have great people/communication skills. Not an excuse of course. Up to us to educate them.

mission hydrocodone accomplished. Bippy will sleep the sleep of the pain free righteous tonight. Well, at least less pained....i shook the bottle like a maraca and did a happy dance in the kitchen till my armpit zinged me and I had to quit.

2 more to go.

Nomatterwhat, backflips are comin

I'm about to embark on my personal journey through radiation soon. I've been lurking on this wonderful site for a few weeks now. I am inspired by the strength, courage, humor, and support you all share with each other. I'm amazed that several of you have already reached the halfway point of your rads since I started following this thread. I hope time flies by as quickly for me! The beginning was a whirlwind- diagnosis, shock and fear, surgery.... Then a bit of a lull waiting for the plan to fall into place. Now, I'm ready to get started! I got this

Hi SunnySydeUp and welcome to the board. You absolutely "got this!".

Some of your bc sisters have sailed through treatment, others have not. We're all unique and I think one of the benefits of sharing is so you'll be aware and not worried if things go off track. Normal is relative. Lots of great insight and advice here too.

I wish you smooth sailing!!!

If you need us, we're here.

Bippy625;

You're almost there! I'm super happy for you. Sorry it's been crapy for you. I'm burning in the same area, 11 to go for me. You've inspired me to push on, I seriously considered quitting.

I'm pissed at the RO, she's a dismissive you know what! I am too emotional and nervous to speak up now but my plan is to do so, with enthusiasm, when this is done.

I admire and respect your bravery.

Bippy625;

You're almost there! I'm super happy for you. Sorry it's been crapy for you. I'm burning in the same area, 11 to go for me. You've inspired me to push on, I seriously considered quitting.

I'm pissed at the RO, she's a dismissive you know what! I am too emotional and nervous to speak up now but my plan is to do so, with enthusiasm, when this is done.

I admire and respect your bravery.

100% aloe gel after RADs in the PM and in the am. Aquafor sometimes and recently, 2% lidocaine gel two to five times a day. A coworker did this treatment and did -0- gels or ointments and she got a little tan, nothing else.

No rhyme or reason to any of this!!!

BTW, my agency has 250 employees and 6 of us have bc.

Annie88, I work for a government agency, state level. It's a demanding position and of course, legislation is in session and we are presenting budgets. No option to call in sick. I commute two hours a day and my treatment center is in my home town, yay! Today I was an hour late to treatment because of work and traffic. The techs were so nice about it.

Can't wait to be done!!