Spring 2016 Rads

Kkbusky - GREAT to hear you're doing so well post-rads. Back in regular bras is actually a big step back to 'normal', don't you think? I'm one week post-rads with no skin SE's. Some serious fatigue, especially about 3-4 days after rads ended. But I think I've turned the corner on that - feeling a bit more energetic today. My tan rectangle has faded a lot and once my Miaderm bottle is empty, no more. Just my usual moisturizer. Tonight will be my first night in a normal bra. I'm attending a dinner and the dress I'm wearing won't fully cover my BC/rads bra. Funny though, that big ole cotton bra was SO comfy, I'll probably wear it from time to time. I thought I would hate it and want to throw it away once treatment ended but I changed my mind. What do YOU plan to do with your rad. bra(s)?

Just thought I would share a tip for all of those starting your rads treatment or progressing along. I would ask your nurse for a Mepilex lite pad that you can place over your nipple after treatment. This pad can go under your bra it protect your nipple from rubbing on fabric. I did not get these until the end of my treatment which I did not know they were available but wished I had them to use. I did not have damage it was an issue of tenderness and once finished treatment.

I'm one week post-rads and doing great! Sunburn is faded about 50% already and I never did get any of the open spots described by some. Feeling less fatigued today too so hopefully that is starting to pass.

As for the question about what type of bra..............I used a front closure cotton bra with no underwire during treatment. It had about five clips that closed in front and was SO easy to take off and put on. (Easy in and out on days I had rad. treatments.). Also VERY comfortable. (I got mine at Nordstrom). It's doesn't give as much support to the 'girls' as an underwire bra so I look a bit flatter wearing it. But honestly, it's so darn comfortable, I'll continue to wear it most of the time and wear my underwire only for short periods when my outfit calls for a little 'boost'!!

mags, that is my worst enemy right now, the tiredness and fatigue!!! I'm wearing a soft sport bra from Wal-Mart, went to town with hubby this evening for quick bite and decided to wear the underside- couldn't wait to come home and TAKE IT OFF!!! RO gave me a special blend cream to start using after day 10 today, of course it isn't covered by insurance, and of course it was 43 dollars. I was pretty much told not to wear v neck shirts anymore for at least a year so my chest area gets no sun, he could see where I had a tan in the neck area lol!! I didn't realize they were radiating me so high up my chest or I would have been more careful. Goes to show they didn't explain carp to me prior to starting rads, I only got a folder with info that didn't have any of that in it. Good news is that I'm HALF WAY THROUGH!!! Yay!!!!! He decided I didn't need 28 treatments, only 20 with 5 of them boosts!!!! I'm jealous of those wearing underwriters again and good luck to all still getting rads , prayers for no serious skin issues!!

Hi everyone. And TGIF!! Seriously. So serious

I bought some really comfy bras at Costco. They are Bali brand, no underwire (which, after bilateral reductions I will NEVER have to wear again. Yippee!). They are about $15 and I've worn them since I've had my surgeries. They are not quite sports bras but they are just as comfy. Not so sexy, but, hey..

Loving, you were told not to wear a v neck shirt for a year? Wow. Really? What about a bathing suit? I"m sure that you can get some super duper sun block if you wanted to expose your skin a bit. Like in a t shirt. I"m so glad that you are half way through. My RO just added one more week on to mine.

Newgirl- My skin is sensitive, too. I'm allergic to bandage glue. And, I'm always the one to get sunburnt. My skin is red after day 4 of rads. All the way from under my arm to my sternum. It feels a bit hot, but doesn't look that bad. I use Aquaphor at night but it's too sticky to wear in the daytime so I'm going to buy some Calendula cream today. Don't know what brand. I don't wear front closing bras so I can't tell you whether they would be more irritating than a back closing one. I don't like rads but I hate BC.

I posted above that I am tired after day 4. But I am also sore. My BC breast is so tender and it's super tight when I raise my arm or reach in a certain way. This wasn't the case before rads. Anyone else with the same symptoms?

Have a great weekend everyone. Rads are bad but Cancer SUCKS!

Hi all- just completed day 4 of 20 rad sessions. So far so good. It's so great to read others experiences. This is a tough bunch of fighters! I find the way they have me positioned on my stomach the most challenging. I feel all contorted. I may be imagining it, but I'm starting to feel very warm after, anyone else experience that?

Smiles, my breast felt hot to the touch from day 1 and now that I'm 11 into 20, I swear I feel the heat from the beam at times, but it is all manageable. I'm used to my breast having weird aches and pains now after the surgeries and all. It's the severe itching at times that drives me crazy, but thank goodness it goes away after a while I could take a scrub brush to my nipple lol!!!! Mags, so sorry they added a week to you. I never wear bathing suits and have never been one to Sun bathe, Louisiana is not the state to get out in the sun!!! It gets so hot here, I can't touch my front door knob for fear of burning the skin off!! I go through the back door at all times in the summer lol! I guess I got too much random sun from just in and out that I turned red and RO saw it. I will just try to be more careful lol!! Don't know that I can give up all my v neck shirts, but will try at least until I finish rads so I have no more talking to from the RO lol!!

August , here is hoping it doesn't get worse!!

Ingerp, I don't know how they figure the radiation we need. My RO told me when I started that I would have 20 to 28, "depending on how things go", then he told me on my weekly visit that I only have to have 20, with the last 5 being boosts to the tumor bed. Who knows? It would be interesting to ask him to explain it lol!

Ingerp, I hope you don't need any more radiation than they already told you. However, be mentally prepared to have it change, because after surgery they may find other stuff that changes your Dx.

All of you ladies are holding up so well! This WILL come to and end and you WILL heal, no matter how bad the skin gets! I am almost 4 weeks out and I'm still peeling and brown, but the redness is gone and what little pain there was is gone too.

Welcome IngerP

I had 16 rads, completed 10 days ago. But my CA was only 5mm. A very lucky person I am....no node involvement and when I asked my RO on 2nd to last weekly appointment, would I be getting boosters...he reviewed my virtual chart and said: "Not necessary in my case - very small cancer; lumpectomy produced good clear margins, E receptor positive (IOW no chemo), very treatable. And ended by saying, unless you are very motivated to undergo 4 boosters, I see no reason to advise you to proceed with this, but I would support you if you wanted to" ugh--"ball in my court again". And then we talked stats: benefits of further rad damage vs. QOL....etc; it didn't take me long to blurt out that no I was not motivated to go the booster route.

Back to your case however, I'm surprised that you are being given the same amount of rads -16 weeks considering your T size. But--hey, what do I know?

Please keep us informed of your progress...and best of luck to you in these early treatment days...they can be so challenging...and yes..we are all virtually holding your hand, more than you know!

Love and blessings

Thanks to all for the info and encouragement. My understanding from my pre-op meeting with my RO was that length of treatment (for a specific DX) was determined by breast size, which does make sense. I will know more on the 11th.

And may I send sympathy to all of you--I have described my experience this spring as an exercise in patience--always waiting for the next test, surgery, pathology report, follow-up appointment, . . . . Now I wait 10 more days for the next step. Great to have this forum to watch the calendar with.

ladsgma- I've never heard of such a SE from rads. I think that you should call your doc ASAP. Could be something serious. Hugs to you.

Igay - Get some cortisone cream from the drug store. Helps with the itching. I have it too. Drove me nuts. Started after lucky number 13! Ha.

I have a metallic taste in my mouth too. Nutritionist said to try a probiotic. Going to do that today!

Only 19 more to go, IF I survive the hot flashes.