Winter 2015-16 RADS

Had the sim today. It went reasonably well. RO is going to run the computer sim and models by the Stanford board (he is affiliate faculty) to make his final recommendation for three or six weeks (he knows i want the shorter version if possible)..I will go with his rec. First treatment Monday either way...

Octogirl

Finished 10 of 10 yesterday. They have wiped me out, physically but fortunately I am able to nap whenever I need to. Never felt a skin burn or irritation along my spine but I do have heart burn which is making eating and drinking difficult.

I hope everyone else has an easy time with rads.

Amy

My fatigue finally lifted...I really think it was more emotional than physical, but my RO said that it could come and go in waves and that towards the end of my treatments it could hit me harder. She is such a sweetheart. She is leaving on maternity leave and I know the physician who will be covering for her, but she told me to just email her while she is out if I have any questions or issues. I found out today I am receiving treatments as follows:

25 whole breast, 24 axillary nodes, 25 Intramammary nodes ( my tumor was lower inner quadrant), 25 supraclavicular fossa, 5 tumor bed boosts for a total of 30 treatments.

Since I am feeling so well today, I hope it lasts a bit. She did tell me not to overdo it and keep putting aloe on the entire treatment area at least twice a day.

Soooo, started rads yesterday. 2 down 28 to go.

2 questions that I am hoping you gals can help answer.

1. -If you are or did use aloe vera gel- where did you find it? They gave me a list at the RO and it says the aloe vera should be 97% aloe vera. Can't seem to find anything at CVS or Walgreens that indicates 97% or higher.

2. Have any of you had stomach issues as a result of rads? Asking since I've had an upset stomach after both sessions.. Of course, it cold be nerves as that whole rad things freaks me out and I have been white knuckled both times.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

HappyHammer: I'm sure others will chime in....but I remember a resounding YES from several women on the Fall Rads thread. Several possibilities came up--getting them in the prone position, inclusion of your throat in the field--though I'd guess (having been a white-knuckler myself) that treatment jitters are likely at the heart of yours.

Staying hydrated did help me a fair bit, though.

Hi folks - dropping in from the fall group on my last day of rads - I have had bilateral lumpectomies and had right sided radiation to axillary, cervical and thoracic lymph nodes, as well as right breast. Wanted to show you how things look for me at the end of treatment. The picture is a little forgiving, in real life, it is a little more red ( especially after a hot flash or a good laugh or a moment of child induced frustration). Wishing you all well!

Oh, btw, My shoulder looks lightly sunburned as well.

"Wooohooo. Done rads!! Bit anticlimactic, really.

I have been lucky to have the skin sparing approach as I still have a BMX and recon to go, and other than a bit of itch, my skin is holding up well. My last three treatments were boosts, so the most irritated bits are now 5 days since treatment, and if things max out at day 10, I hope things will be ok. Hope this is helpful to the newbies, to see some of the milder outcomes."

Jumping over from Fall Rads, I have my sim on Dec. 15 for 16 days. RO nurse will talk about lotions then, but I'd like to know ASAP to prevent burning.

What kind of exercises fight off fatique.

Congrats Molly and Zinny on finishing.

Linda

Linda, you can’t truly “prevent” burning, nor should you: radiation is supposed to destroy some tissue (including, hopefully, any remaining tumor cells) and anything you do to prevent a sun or thermal burn will also prevent the intended dose of radiation from doing its job and reaching its target. Radiation burns are different from sun or thermal burns--they manifest from the inside toward the skin, instead of on the skin and then reaching down through the dermal layers. This is why my center insisted that if I use creams or lotions on the day of treatment, I leave at least 4 hrs. between applying them and the session.

The reason for using skin-conditioners immediately after each treatment and again later in the day (and several times on off-days) is to make the outer layers of skin more resistant to damage manifesting below the surface, as well as to soothe any surface damage that may occur. That’s why during treatment, on the weekdays I applied aloe at night and showered it off in the morning so there’d be no residue on my skin while being irradiated. On weekends, I showered when it was most convenient (sometimes at bedtime). On that breast & armpit I used only Basis Unscented soap (Dove Unscented for Sensitive Skin is also good, as is Simple, Pears unscented glycerine, and plain unmedicated Neutrogena). I was out of the Dove Unscented I used to carry with me when traveling to large conferences where I’d be in close proximity (elevators, crowded corridors) to attendees with multiple chemical sensitivities (one poor soul walks around in a gas-mask-style respirator). On my breast, I used only my hands to lather & apply the soap. On the rest of my body, I continued to use my usual L’Occitaine Citrus Verbena shower gel (a pint has lasted me 3 yrs) on a nylon scrubby puff.

Hi all. Met with the RO again yesterday and had my sim. I expected a late December start, but they've got me set up to start next Wednesday, Dec. 16 for 10 treatments to my spine and hip. So yeah, finally got a date and ready to go. Gotta check out the aloe gel on Amazon. Thanks everyone for sharing.

In my experience with nausea, I felt much better if I ate a light snack before rads because mine was late in the day and stayed well hydrated. My RO said we should get about 60 grams of protein per day. Another key for me was the willingness of my RO and team to switch up the treatment schedule to accomodate my very red, tender skin when it started to sting when I put lotion on. This was about 5 weeks into treatment. RO had the team change to boosts for 5 days to let the axilla and under FOOB area rest. Then I had 4 days off for Thanks giving. After boosts she checked me again and instructed the team to skip the last two bolus treatments due to my very red skin. By the time I finished treatment this past Monday I was much better, nearly everything peeled and only a couple areas are still tender. My RO also prescribed EMLA cream for me during the days I had pain. Between that and my tube of lidocain and my Miaderm with lidocain I purchased on Amazon I got through pretty well. I was unable to wear anything but a lightweight tank top the final two weeks. Even the loosest of bras rubbed on my skin in the wrong places. Just hang in there and know that this is doable and to communicate with your team!

Had my CT today. Sim is next Thursday. Hope everyone is doing well with their treatments.

hi all! I started week 2 of rads today. It's been easy but am feeling a bit burnt tonight--nothing horrible--just a bit of stinging. RO said I shouldn't have burns or blisters for another two weeks or so. Hopefully this is temporary but it's manageable. I have very sensitive skin so we shall see.Just reapplied alo.

ChiSandy, thanks so much for all the education on radiation. I was a girl scout, can you tell? Trying to be prepared. I meet with rad nurse next week about lotions and instructions.

Please add me to the list for radiation, my sim is 12/15 and I start 12/16 for 3 weeks.

Sailorgirl - here here - I'll drink to the better 2016.

Tired, cleaning up computer a bit and then going to bed.

Linda

Mdoc,

Apparently rads in the thoracic area hit the esophagus and cause irritation which is what mimics heartburn. I think I may have crossed the threshold of recovery. My doc prescribed a low dose of dexamethasone to increase my energy, improve my appetite and that combined with Magic Mouthwash before eating or drinking has helped immensely. I think 10 rounds of radiation knocked me off my feet more than 5 rounds of Taxotere and Cytoxen.

Good luck to all you ladies undergoing radiation in whatever part of your body. It's not easy but definitely worth it if it keeps cancer at bay and heals.

Amy