Spring 2016 Rads

Started rads today. Has anyone experienced nausea? I was told not to put anything on my skin prior to radiation. I'm wondering how soon after each session should I apply the vitamin E cream the nurse gave me.

For aloe vera, it needs to be 99% pure or the alcohol in it will irritate skin.

Rad 1 was today. Oh my. It was about 30-40 min since it was the first one and more positioning/marking up my neck/chest/underarm area. Turns out 28 zaps for me I think because I had BMX instead of lumpectomy. Suites me fine. The area is a little warmer than the non rad side and this is only day 1. Not sure if it feels different or not since I have tissue expanders on both sides. I know this is quicker than chemo but I did prefer the few hours in the chair for 2-3 weeks off to this daily thing. Fatigue is worse already as I took a 5 hour nap! I live alone so this will be interesting. I hope I'm not one of the few who have issues whether skin or fatigue or other issues. I haven't recovered from everything chemo and now on to this. :S

Today will be treatment 17 of 36. The only side effect I had until yesterday was fatigue. Sometimes it's bad and it's all I can do to drag myself out of bed or the recliner! Today it started itching badly, and it feels like someone punched me in the armpit! It's red, and actually the whole area is red. I use aloe in the morning and a mixture of aloe and aquifer at night. I'm feeling really drained. I hope everyone is doing ok!

Hi all;

I went for the mapping/CT Scan/ Tattooing yesterday. A bit overwhelming to think there are 30 sessions ahead; 5 days/week for 6 wks. I do my"dry run' next week and start the dailys on 5/16. I have to do the deep breathing machine. they had me trial the breathing yesterday and its a bit claustrophobic having that thing in your mouth and your nose plugged....but Oh well if that is the way it needs to be done....

The RO had me order the pure aloe gel and vit E oil. I have been reading what you all have been doing too. i am allergic to petroleum jelly so i need to avoid a lot of the products.

I am going to try to work during tx but i know i will be tired....

Sawyer

I had the mapping/CT Scan/Tattooing yesterday and will go for sim and first tx Monday. I've been told 25 treatments. I already had rads to bone last December, but for just 10 tx and had no problems, so I hope I'll do well this time, too. Hydration is key as with other treatments and helped me last time. RO said to expect fatigue and redness by 3rd week. I plan to keep working and hope I'll be able to get through it all. Ready to get this last phase done!

Today was number 13 out of 28! Tomorrow I will be halfway done. My skin is darker on the radiated side but not too bad, lots and lots of lotion. Today is tough with the fatigue, it was hard to get out of bed and now I'm ready to get back into it. I'm still working, although could sleep at my desk right now.

hi. I'm new here. I'm on day 25 of 28 treatments. Today was supposed to be Day26 but I am feeling so bad that I canceled my treatment today and may cancel tomorrow's treatment. Just dark reddened to dark brown skin with soreness and tightness. Also experiencing painful jabs in right irradiated breast

I had been doing well with minor fatigue until two days ago. And then I got a really bad arthritis in my neck shoulder and hands with a lot of nerve pain in my hands that is debilitating. Couldn't sleep last night.

I had lumpectomies in both breasts with breast reduction. ILC was in right breast.

I have 10 more to go out of 33. Had my CT scan today for the boost mapping for the last 5 treatments. I am really fatigued, but still dragging myself to work daily. So glad to see the end in sight! My skin is holding up well. Very red and sensitive. I am to the point were I only take my bra off to shower. I can't stand anything rubbing or grazing my skin/nipple.

I have decided to stop running this month as the last time I ran, I had to wear two bras to keep the girls still. Also just being so dang tired, I just don't feel it right now. Blessings to all!

butler, we had like exactly the same thing, I just noticed. Was wondering why I only have to do 20, and you have to do 33? I guess it's the different docs?

Good luck Grazy!! The first week was good, gets a little rougher further in, but nothing serious so far except a little more pain and sensitivity, skin changes and itching. All doable!!

I had Canadian protocol....18 in all with 2 being boosts. Finished 3 weeks ago and totally back to normal. Even at 2 weeks I was feeling just fine. The last week of rads and the week after were the hardest as far as skin side effects. But once I was done, everything healed up quickly. Wishing everyone an easy ride through radiation and quick healing....

Kkubsky--I like the stories from the other side! I haven't looked back through old posts but have you told us what you did for your skin?

So after #17 of 34 I have Radiation Dermititis (I think, I had to look it up because I don't see the same RO week to week. Last week I saw the Radiation GROUP's PROSTATE guy. Guess he didn't think I knew he was a PROSTATE guy?) I really dislike this group. I have no confidence in them. It operates like a factory. The techs are more concerned with "moving you along."

SOoooo, what do you do if you want TO CHANGE groups in the middle of treatment? Is that even possible?

And what questions are we supposed to be asking? Is it working? Ummm, what is the correct answer? Can someone guide me with the proper Q&A? Thanks to anyone with a RO background who might help me out here.

Randi

Iammags - I just had my first treatment this afternoon at 3:30. I don't know what I was expecting, but it was a tad underwhelming! lol I couldn't believe how quiet it was, totally peaceful. I'm going to look at it as a little time to just zone out each day, even if it is just for five minutes - it was so nice, especially after my last two weeks. I asked the technician when she notices side effects in patients and she said around the two-week mark, so that'll be the half-way mark for me, if it holds true.

Anyway, I was really posting to respond to answer your fun RO survey- mine is the exact opposite of tall and thin!! Mine is a beautiful woman, about 5'6", probably around 40 and of East Indian descent, with gorgeous, glowing skin. And the woman who did my simulation looked and acted just like Mindy Kaling, so that was fun (and funny!).

I don't find it relaxing. The loud long noise is enough to wake the dead when they do the zaps.