Summer 2015 Rads

SweetHope - you must have the world's best skin genetics!! Too bad we can't borrow them.

And no, I don't think you're being cavalier. Reading that gives me hope that it may work out o.k.

Metta, you WILL get through it, I promise. If your breakage gets too bad, your Dr may give you a break for a couple of days to allow you to heal. I was very fortunate in that mine didn't get too bad, and I really only had about 5 zaps left when it finally blistered. Use cool rags to help cool it down some. I know it's temporary but it does help. My dr office also gave me some cooling gel pads that feel really good under my arm.

Dragonista, I read on the Spring rads board that someone was told not to use the aloe plant because of risk of bacteria. My first inclination would have been to use the plant because I grew up in FL and that's what we always did for sunburn. I use Fruit of the Earth aloe. There is no alcohol in it, but there are preservatives. It was also suggested to use tea tree oil mixed with coconut oil to make a salve. A friend who knows essential oils also suggested adding some lavender and I will be trying that.

Hello,

I’ve been lurking here but haven’t posted until now.  I know we are all different (size, shape, stage, grade), but I thought I’d share my experiences here as it seems different in several ways than some of yours.  Maybe it will help someone else to know.

I met the criteria for the shorter program, so I only have 21 radiation sessions, the last 5 are boosts.  I only have 3 left and will finish Monday.  My skin is fine so far.  It is red and I am slightly swollen, but I have no itching and no broken skin.  The only thing that really bothers me is the bottom half of the scar from the lymph node removal – sensitive there but the underwire from my bra hits about there too.  I have a little fatigue in the morning but am OK once I get going.  I strongly believe exercise helps with fatigue.  I’ve been walking about 4 nights a week and riding a bike another day of the week.  I have also worked full time throughout without any issue.  Perhaps it helped that I did not have to take chemo.

My sim was 5 days before starting.  I had those annoying stickers and couldn’t believe they stuck that long.  I got the tattoos.  There are 4 but they are so tiny I cannot even see them without my reading glasses!  I don't have one in between the girls like many of you.  I didn’t need a body form either, I just lay
flat on my back.  From the time I walk into the room with the machine to the time I walk out is really quick, 4 minutes tops.  The all-male tech team are
very professional and make it pleasant.  I love my RO and feel I can ask her anything and get good answers.  My MO seems surprised by my questions.

I was told I couldn’t use any creams or anything for 2 hours prior to radiation.  I was told to only use aloe vera (with alcohol not being the first ingredient), vitamin e, or a product from colonial dames that is vitamin e with aloe vera – I’ve used that product, and several times a day.  They said nothing about deodorant so I asked.  They said recent studies showed no difference using it or not, so as long as I use it at least 2 hours prior to radiation, it is fine to use.  Glad for that since it will be upper 90’s this weekend!

Thanks to all of you for sharing your experience as it has been a help to me getting through.  Wishing the best for all of you!

Sweethope - so glad to hear that product cleared up the rash so fast! That's fantastic!! Congrats on completing the whole breast rads and good luck with the boosts!

Metta - I totally get where you are coming from as I had that dread feeling as I was finishing up with rads that last week. The one spot on my underarm area was getting angrier and angrier everyday and I knew it was going to get worse before it got better. I was counting down the 2 weeks post radiation as I woke up everyday. The good thing is that it did get better and it improved more quickly then they told me it would. What helped me get through it all was to take it day by day and sometimes moment by moment and I kept telling myself that this was the last step I had to endure. I took Tylenol when I felt I had to and used the fan and cream on the area whenever I could as well. You will get through this too!

One of my biggest challenges was finding clothes to wear once rads were done and the skin broke. I found tank tops worked the best for me. Loose clothing probably works for most people but I found it was sticking to my chest then moving around plus I couldn't put any bandages on the area. The tank tops stayed put instead. It was best if I used dark colors as well. It sounds like we are all having different treatments on different types of machines so I'm sure our experiences will be different too. I would say if you are struggling to make sure you talk with your RO and/or radiation team as I bet they have helpful suggestions for you too.

Chop up the kale and throw it in the blender with coconut water, yogurt, and some slightly defrosted frozen fruit. Quick smoothie that doesn't taste like kale.

Thanks to so many suggestions from the great ladies on the forums, I have rolled right along with great skin until last night (19/25). Stupid underarm was sore and found a 2" right triangle that has gotten no Miaderm! Ackkkk! Even getting away with my underwires. It was the top right edge of the treatment area, and I have just missed it. So frustrating. Ironically tumor area has done well, it has been the non cancer areas that have hurt....on the sternum, and in the armpit. Then today the nipple started to peel just a bit. Thank goodness for someone's nipple shield recommendation...another save! So thankful to share this experience with those who understand. Hang in there everyone!!

That's a tough decision, Jen. TwoROs have told me that they have seen more fibrosis from the Canadian protocol, if that makes any difference to you. Of course, that's all anecdotal rather than trial evidence.

Valentine - never thought about bacteria from the aloe. Hmm. My RO has been recommending this for years, but I'll try to remember to ask about this. Will get some stuff in the tube, just in case. Thanks for the heads up.

Good morning everyone! I, too, had been exercising (Walking 2-3 miles per day and doing gentle stretching). Then, I got a rash on my chest that was super itchy/red/bumpy. RO gave me prescription strength cortisone cream that cleaned it right up. She told me to try to stay cool when exercising and try not to sweat because the salt in the sweat is irritating. So, I've just been doing some gentle yoga, stretching, and walking in shorter doses of time (10 minutes at the time 3-4x/day) so I don't get to the dripping sweaty stage. My skin is clearing up and I am feeling pretty good. I do get tired but it also 110 in Arizona right now so that also contributes! Here is a great (and free!) online yoga video with gentle stretches for upper back and chest. I have been doing it daily and it really does help. https://www.doyogawithme.com/content/yoga-upper-ba...

SweetHope - Very interesting! Thanks for the details. Your Rolls looks a lot like mine. Congratulations on starting your boosts. You're almost DONE!

(I appreciated the suggestion of a cool cloth immediately after. I put a dampened finger towel in the freezer last night and took it along today. It felt great afterwards. I followed it with chilled aloe vera. We're going through a heat wave here and anything cooling is welcome, RT or no.)

KnittingPT - thanks for the link. I try to get to my yoga for cancer pts. class twice a week but RT is cutting into my time already, so it's great to have this in my bag of alternatives.

Hi Sweethope. I am using the nipple shields normally used when nursing a baby. The shields are about 2" in diameter and for their original purpose, absorb milk that leaks. They are soft, absorbent, and provide an extra layer of softness between the nipple and bra. They are super comfy for me now that my nipple has partially peeled and is swollen. Another poster from Spring suggested it (I think it was Spring).

Welcome camommy! How nice it would have been to be done in 5 days!

Midgiemom- you and I are starting on the same day. I did the tattoos/body cast/ct scan already. My RO suggested some anti-anxiety meds so I could be comfortableo. I took a klonipin and was able to be relaxed and to meditate for the 30 mins it took for the cast to form. Didn't think I'd need it, but glad I took it. Just a thought. Not a good idea if you'll be driving:)