Fall 2015 Rads

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  • queenmomcat
    queenmomcat Member Posts: 3,039
    edited October 2015

    Suzanne I think the consensus was (among participants who'd had both chemo and rads) was that the chemo was way harder physically but the radiation treatment was harter psychologically for several reasons. Not least because everyone (patients and medical professionals) expects it to be easier! But you're right that it's a step closer to being done with the nightmare monster of treatment, and that's nothing to be sneezed at.

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited October 2015

    I tried the calendula cream and so far so good. It is cooling when you put it on and not sticky. The smell isn't as bad as I thought.

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  • StefLove
    StefLove Member Posts: 322
    edited October 2015

    fitchr, my friend said her mother was also given biafine and LOVED it. I have it on my list to get when I start.

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  • mira845
    mira845 Member Posts: 68
    edited October 2015

    I was told I have to pay my co-pay each treatment. So 34 rads, 3 blood tests = $

    They are billing me but I haven't seen a bill yet. Could be in the pile but I'm so bad with mail...... Kinda let a lot of things slide these days.....

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  • Brutersmom
    Brutersmom Member Posts: 563
    edited October 2015

    Trivial but upsetting. Today was to be my last treatment and I have a weekend trip planned. I got up early to do the treatment and found a message on my answering machine that a water line had broker outside the Radiation oncology unit and most of the floor had flooded so there were no patients allowed in the unit until Monday. i know this is minor and once I leave I will enjoy my weekend away but what a let down. I was so psyched to ring the bell and walk away from there today done.

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited October 2015

    Aww…Brutersmom. I am sorry. I totally get it. But have a wonderful weekend anyway.

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  • courtleboo
    courtleboo Member Posts: 72
    edited October 2015

    Let the itching begin. Any recommendations beside using cortisone cream? I have tried that and I seem to itch right through it.

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  • KellyAnne13
    KellyAnne13 Member Posts: 63
    edited October 2015

    Suzanne50,

    It looks like we will be starting rads about the same time. I get my mapping CT done next week and then should start some time the following week. I think I have been kidding myself about how easy it will be. After AC chemo I keep thinking everything will be easy. Last week I had a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and mistakenly expected it to be simple. I cried for 3 days after I was in so much pain from the CO2 gas. Otherwise I have been doing well but saw a counsellor yesterday at the cancer agency who was very helpful. I am making it a priority to do some research on what it is actually like so that I can mentally prepare myself. And so that I can give myself permission to have meltdowns when I need them!

    Kelly

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  • fltchr
    fltchr Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2015

    Courtleboo - my RO said to use Domeboro soaks, mix it in a container, then use a washcloth, soak it in the solution, and apply it to the itchy area for ten minutes. Helped a bit. Also, she said to use Benedryl at night. Definitely helped but felt very drugged.

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited October 2015

    How about Benedryl cream?

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  • meezers3
    meezers3 Member Posts: 95
    edited October 2015

    Courtleboo I took some benadryl when the cortisone cream wasn't working. Hope you get some relief soon!


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  • Suzanne50
    Suzanne50 Member Posts: 280
    edited October 2015

    Hey Kelly - sorry to hear about your pain but glad you have a counselor to help you through it all. So much of this BC sucks! Just one thing after another but I keep thinking of the big picture. That a year from now (or sooner) this will all be behind us. I am trying to keep a positive spin on radiation - hoping for the best.!! It has to be easier than chemo! Or so I am told. I know - different for everyone. This too shall pass I keep say to self.



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  • queenmomcat
    queenmomcat Member Posts: 3,039
    edited October 2015

    KellyAnne: just to reassure you (I hope!)--I had a robotic-assisted unilateral oophorectomy in April of 2014. Rads is easier physically than that. Really. All standard disclaimers apply: I had an easy time of rads, with the Canadian Protocol.Radiation treatment is not going to be a walk in the park. Lay i a supply of cooling towels, comfortable bras, anti-itch cream and so on.

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  • cubbysmom
    cubbysmom Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2015

    Thank you all for sharing your information. I had my lumpectomy on 9/29 and will have my dry run on radiation on Monday. Oncologist said I will probably start the following week and because my tumor was a grade 3 will need the full course treatment 6 1/2 to 7 weeks. I'm just hoping to be able to go to Disney with my daughter and her family on Dec 28th and have enough energy to keep up with my grandkids

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  • courtleboo
    courtleboo Member Posts: 72
    edited October 2015

    Thank you fltchr meezers and trvler. Didn't know benedryl had a cream. I will definitely try benedryl and look into domeboro.

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  • fltchr
    fltchr Member Posts: 40
    edited October 2015

    Don't think Benedryl has a cream. I took the pill for for relief.

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  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited October 2015

    Benedryl cream at CVSActually Benedryl does have a cream.

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited October 2015

    I also heard of a cream with emu oil and cortisone. I might try it. Walgreens has it.

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  • Espanola
    Espanola Member Posts: 32
    edited October 2015

    Not exactly a radiation question but does anyone have a suggestion on how to address a sweaty neck? I had my first Lupron shot 3 weeks ago to keep me in menopause and my neck is sweaty and sticky, mainly when a lay down.

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  • Tresjoli2
    Tresjoli2 Member Posts: 868
    edited October 2015

    just checking in with everyone. I am 20 sessions in to rads. It turns out my nausea isn't from rads, it's a rare herceptin side effect, go figure.

    I'm using Eucerin cream, but I don't think my experience with rads is typical. I am just the tiniest bit pink. I bought a cooling towel but haven't needed it. I'll try to post a decent pic later. But my RO was like "holy shit" cause I look like I do. It makes me worry that the machines not working! But considering I got sick at 40, went into anaphylaxis with my first chemo dose and am nauseous every day...illll take it.

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  • EnigmaticFox
    EnigmaticFox Member Posts: 54
    edited October 2015

    That's great news about your (lack of) radiation side effects, Tresjoli! You definitely deserve a break, after all you've been going through :)

    Take care,

    --Sherri, aka EnigmaticFox

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  • EnigmaticFox
    EnigmaticFox Member Posts: 54
    edited October 2015

    Espanola, I've noticed that my hot flashes seem to be triggered by the back of my neck being covered by something (high collar, scarves, floofy pillow, etc). I'm not sure if you're asking for ways to prevent or alleviate the hot flashes (thus avoiding the sweaty neck), or if you're looking for ways of keeping the pillow dry?

    Actually, not sure I can offer a good suggestion either way, but I can certainly commiserate!

    You could always try a small soft towel or cloth over your pillow that you could remove partway through the night if it became too damp?

    Take care,

    --Sherri, aka EnigmaticFox

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  • EnigmaticFox
    EnigmaticFox Member Posts: 54
    edited October 2015

    Catching up today...I've actually been in the hospital for a few days now. Woke up in the middle of the night between Wed/Thurs in so much pain that I thought I was having a heart attack. DH called 911, ended up here with a diagnosis of pancreatitis on Thursday, and I'm still here! Still not even sure what caused it (though I noticed that it's listed as a very rare side effect of the antiviral drugs I'm taking to fight the shingles...hmmmmmm....)

    So I ended up missing 2 days of radiation unfortunately. Really hoping I'll be able to go home either tonight or tomorrow, and pick up where I left off on Monday without it affecting my course of treatment too badly.

    Guess I'm an overacheiver -- cancer and shingles just weren't enough, ha!

    Hope everyone has a relaxing weekend (this is a sort of forced relaxation for me),

    --Sherri, aka EnigmaticFox

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  • queenmomcat
    queenmomcat Member Posts: 3,039
    edited October 2015

    EnigmaticFox my sympathies on the hospitalization--not just the being there at all, but in the middle of everything else! (I don't much care for hospitals.)

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  • ChristineT
    ChristineT Member Posts: 29
    edited October 2015

    I've just finished my first week of accelerated radiation which is 3 weeks + 1 day here in Canada. Holding breathe method too as it is my left breast being radiated.So far skin is good no red or pink anywhere. The only side effect I've noticed is pain around the incision site. Crossing my fingers week 2 goes as well.

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  • queenmomcat
    queenmomcat Member Posts: 3,039
    edited October 2015

    Christine: good! (mine did go smoothly with no more than a couple of really annoyed spots)

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  • ChristineT
    ChristineT Member Posts: 29
    edited October 2015

    Queenmomcat how did you feel the first couple weeks after you finished treatment

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  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited October 2015

    Hi everyone, EF sorry about the pancreatitis! Question for those further along than me. Yesterday I had another bolus and focus on my axilla / neck. After treatment I had intense joint pain on my left side only. I could write this off to anastrozole but it was only the cancer side. I ended up taking ibuprofen which helped. I already have the beginning of pink skin in certain areas. I used my calendula last night instead of the aquaphor because it feels like the aquaphor holds the heat in. (not to mention ruining my pj's) Has anyone heard of joint pain from rads?

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  • queenmomcat
    queenmomcat Member Posts: 3,039
    edited October 2015

    Christine: somewhat tireder than in the final week of rads.

    But I may not be the best judge as I came down with an antibiotic-resistant case of erysipelas about a week after I finished. I'm not sure which part of feeling punk was rads aftermath and which was developing infection. (Don't let that scare you! What happened to me was a fluke. No, really.)

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited October 2015

    Does anyone else have to hold their breathe? I am also getting rads on left and no one told me to. Also did anyone else notice calendula cream has alcohol? It does seem to help but I am back to deciding the smell is foul. 

    EM: I am sorry about the hospitalization. I hope you get sprung today.

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