Winter 2015-16 RADS

Miscellaneous things:

I was hearing differing things about whether it was OK or not to apply aloe shortly before radiation. My radiation nurse send the aloe was OK to apply less than an hour before, because it is absorbed well/quickly into the skin. Aquaphor, on the other hand, is different, not absorbed as well, and thus should not be applied so soon before radiation. (My rads are at 7:24 am, which is pretty soon after I get up, shower, and apply the morning aloe, before heading straight to work after rads.)

I asked my RO at the second weekly visit if I was getting whole breast or whole breast + lymph node radiation, because the angle of the radiation from the side would seem to cover the lymph nodes. He said that it is planned for whole breast only, since I had clean notes from my SNB, but some of the lymph notes are in the radiation field anyway. I guess that's sort of an added bonus.

I asked my RO about the amount of lung in the field, and he checked the scans on the screen before answering that it was very small, far below recommended limits, and yes, one could say less than typical, when I asked that. So, I feel pretty good about that, since lung-related side effects are very rare anyway.

My radiation nurse also instructs to apply cornstarch 5 times a day to prevent chafing. I'm managing to do that in the larger, handicapped stall at work, but it's challenging not to get the powder on my (dark) pants and on the floor and everything. I feel the number of times/day to apply cornstarch is not so much the issue compared to when with respect to physical activity, as it is good to reapply just before and/or just after going out for a long walk, but if Iv'e just been sitting at my desk, I don't think it matters. Anyway, I am only in my second week of rads, so I have no effects showing up on my skin yet, so this is all just preventive/precautionary for now, like it's not for real yet.

I have yet to meet and greet other patients. Today the waiting room was empty when I arrived and when I left, and the patient departing just before me was male.

On the other hand, I am pleased to be in and out so quickly. My scheduled time is 7:24, and I arrive perhaps 7 minutes ahead, and I have gotten out at early as 7:30 - 7:35, and to my surprise was able to catch the 7:44 commuter train (have to park a 5 minute walk away from the station) twice so far. The next train is at 8:04, so it's not a long wait for the next train, and I catch that on the days of the weekly X-rays and the weekly RO visit, when I am there for 10 minutes longer.

I like to walk from the commuter train station 1.8 miles to the office (rather than take the bus across downtown) for exercise, but walking fast gets me a little sweaty, and I am worried that, in time when I do get the skin problems, this will become an irritating problem. I cannot shower at work. I may have to change my bra, which is getting damp, when I get to work.

Radiation dermatitis is a documented condition, but there is no conclusive really effective treatment for it, in my research. Another name for it is Radiodermatitis. That's the name in the National Library of Medicine's Medical Subject Headings. My job (at a company that publishes indexed article databases for libraries, among other things) is to updated the indexing terms (subject headings) in the health area, and I often refer to Medical Subject Headings as a source. Last year, I received a request from an indexer to add the term Radiation dermatitis to our database of terms for indexing! So, now I looked up (InfoTrac library database) what had been indexed with it in the past year: 10 articles in medical journals. So, there have been some medical studies, but no solution to the problem. (I've decided next, that I should create a new indexing term for "Hormonal therapy (Oncology)" to distinguish it from general "Hormone therapy.")

Marijen - My friend, I was lucky to have met during my waiting for rads apts, had to switch to her boosts and then back to whole breast rads because of the skin issues of peeling and soreness. It worked out well for her. MY RO recommended that if you can go bra less. I have TE so it works for me.

Kimmer - cute pic, you have a great head of hair there.

Luzeelu - I was getting sore about 2.5 weeks in. I found i was wearing shirts that rubbed my armpit, and when i switched to loose tops the soreness subsided until my last few treatments. I swear the day before my last rads i just barely started to peel in my arm pit.

Peabrain - Nice pic, homemade jam sounds yummy about now

Kate - Congrats!! All done with rads!

Big congratulations, Kate! Was it tough saying goodbye to your fish?

I was told to eat lots of protein and to hold off on multivitamins, antioxidants, fish oil, ibuprofen, etc for another four weeks.

Was also advised that if I was only going to make one change in my life, that it should be to limit sugar intake. Note that this was a generic suggestion, not based on my eating specific eating habits. I'm not really a big sugar fiend, but I do love baked goods, so will make an effort on this front

Peabrain, I didn't want to say goodbye to my fish, but I'll see him (her?) again in a month. She's definitely a cutie. I actually started watching a snail in the tank, too--each day, it would make its way around the whole aquarium.

It really is the little things.

In talking to my RO he said I should hold off for 6 weeks to take any vitamins and work on a balancing vitamins and minerals from natural food sources.

Hi everyone Three more boosts to go! CONGRATULATIONS everyone who is finishing. A brief note as my sister is here. I continue to think of you all each day holding hands. I went to the nutritionist today. She said eat non processed foods and try to get your vitamins that way. Thanks for the in for the info on antioxidants etc. I will not start my green tea for awhile. Thank you all for listening to me and providing comfort. You are the best. You have all helped me through rads more than my own family at times, for that I am grateful.

Hi everyone. This is my first post. I am new and don't know the lingo yet but plan on reading all the posts from the beginning to hopefully learn. I started radiation on this past Monday March 7th and will go for 6 weeks. I am so very glad to find you all. 3 days down and not liking the new experience.

huzzah for those of you starting boosts. They're so much easier!

Welcome findaway,this is a great place for information and kind words.

HI

Anyone seeing a Naturopath?

I just saw my second one and wanted to compare notes. He said to hold off on any antioxidants for 3-4 weeks post rads and is having me take zinc, unda 28 and a prenatal vitamin on top of my vit d and calcium and garlic. He prescribed Unda28 for my joint pain that may be form rads or lupron.

what is undra28

Jerseygirl - congrats on finishing! I missed congratulating you sorry!!! rest up!

Justmaximom and el Tigre! Thanks!!!!

Justmaximom, jealous that you are going to me favorite city!!! I haven't been there for a few years and miss it desperately... Ahhh, NOLa!

El Tigre, I'd LOVE to see a naturopath, but it's pretty costly and we just bought a house. So I'm going it alone with the natural medicines.

Right now, I take turkey tail mushroom, vitamin D (5000 IU per day), a probiotic, biotin, B-complex, and magnesium malate. After three weeks of post-rads healing, I'll be adding my multi and vitamin E back in, along with zinc. I'm seriously considering starting to take turmeric, too; I've read around about the turmeric/Tamoxifen connection, and am still weighing my options. Would love to know what your naturopath says about turmeric!