Spring 2016 Rads

Deaconlady- Tomorrow we are DONE!!! We can do 1 more!

New Girl My last couple of weeks were more uncomfortable! Last week I was given silvadone cream and told to do hydrogen peroxide/ water soaks 2x a day . It has really helped alone with the cortisone cream. My nipple area was almost black but have new pink skin now. It is very tender but better. Talk with your medical team they may give you something to help. The 2 week mark seems both so close and so far away at the same time! Hang in!

I have been very emotional today can't believe tomorrow it's done! Won't see my oncologist again until July when I will probably take the script for Tamo. My strategy is to give it 6 months and then decide whether to go another 6. It seems less overwhelming to think in 6 month chunks . My MO does not think I need to worry much about the treated breast but in the other breast feels I have a 30% chance of getting cancer. My mom and one of her sisters had bilateral BC each several years after the first side. Seems like I'm afraid of everything! Baby steps

Congrats to all the girls who just finished or are finishing up! I am so envious of you!!!

Truffles/tbalding- starting out 2nd week! Let's hope we continue down a smooth path. No sk8n irritation yet but my Oncologist told me not to get too excited because it WILL come and that no one escapes it. Ugh! Hoping it will only be minor.

Hootowl - I'm in WNC too! Cherokee to be exact! Nice to see someone in my tiny little area here although it's not the club anyone wants to join.

Hi Hootowl and cbowle. I've been visiting this thread for a couple of months now and anticipate started rads next week. Hootowl, I'm glad to hear about the integrative nursing, I'm looking forward to that. I am assuming that you are being treated at Mission. I will go in today for my initial set up appointment.

Sending gratitude and blessings to all, thanks for sharing all of your experiences and wisdom.

Hey fellow NC gals. I'm in Harrisburg which is north of Charlotte.

Beginning 4 weeks of rads in one week. I was wondering if anyone has used miaderm cream with lidocaine?

valstim - you're just a hop, jump and skip away! Love the Charlotte area.

Deaconlady - took my oldest son to Baptist hospital on many occasions for eye surgeries when he was little. Amazing hospital! Then we bought season tix for several years to take my baby boy to watch Wake Forest football. We LOVE Winston Salem!

Cathytoo- my Oncologist's nurse told me not to use anything with lidocaine because it would actually irritate the skin. I'm using 100% pure Aloe gel right after radiation, Eucerin through the the day and Aquaphor at night before bed. I also have cortisone in case I need it at some point and lotrimin spray if I need it.

Me nipple looks like a strawberry.

Yay carlsoda!!! It is such a relief to get that first one done. It feels like a huge accomplishment! I haven't felt anything in my back or shoulder yet. Only like a tight rubber band inside my breast last week on probably my 2nd or 3rd treatment.I do feel heat off the breast but so far nothing really pink or burnt. The nipple is tender though. And something I found really odd is my mouth feels burnt like when you put something super hot in your mouth and it scalds the tongue. I feel a little tired but nothing overly exhausting. I started my 2nd week today (#6).

Yikes lovestofly! 😓 What number are you on now?

Congrats Planb58

That's fantastic, Deaconlady and PlanB!! Congratulations!

(PlanB, your drink looks very yummy - Cheers!!)

All the best to those in the midst of it all

Cheers to those who are finished!! That drink looks delish.

For anyone using or interested in emu oil, I thought I'd share that the brand I bought at Vitamin Shoppe--Longview Farms--was gritty. I bought a brand called Natural Treasures at a local health food place, and it was silky, and only maybe $2 more than the other brand. Granted that was almost $18 for 2 ozs, but it lasts a while, especially since I usually use Aquaphor at night.

Six more boosts and I'll be DONE.

Yes, cortisone cream for the itching helped me, too, and now I have none.

Woo Hoo! Congratulations to Deaconlady and Plan58 for finishing rads. What a relief to be done, eh?

Cbowle, congrats to you on getting the first one done. It'll get easier as time goes by.

Best to everyone else who are getting close to finishing. Hang in there, the finish line is in sight!

Congratulations Deaconlady & PlanB!

Day 6/21 for me. Starting 2nd week. First week went great. Didn't notice any se. Saw RO after treatment today & wasn't pink. He told me to keep applying Phytoplex 3 times/day. If I noticed any redness, I should increase applications. Went to exercise class after work, then after shower, noticed that there is a square pink area around the entire breast. Also, nipple is very tender. If anything brushes against it, it is very sensitive & sore. It is maybe a little warmer than non rad side, but not hot. I'll ask techs about it in the morning. Wished it would have looked/felt this way when I saw RO this morning. I'm a little tired, but I'm also not slowing down. Had a full weekend when I should have probably rested.

Did your RO have you all using other products or are you using them on your own? I have the aloe, Aquaphor & cortisone cream ready just in case. But haven't started using them yet.

Good luck to all tomorrow

Thanks All for the well wishes!

Jill, cbowle, tabling- my nipples very tender and sore but no longer black! The new pink skin so sore. After I use my cream I put a soft cotton pad over my nipple the cream seems to keep it stuck in place and it does not rub which has helped a lot!!!!

I got the silvadone cream last week so about where you are Jill and it has helped a lot as well. I got samples and a script for it.

Good luck all!

Ray rah PlanB and Deaconlady!!!!! It is a great feeling, isn't it? Kind of weird but bottom line wonderful.

Sorry for those who are nearing the end but having a tough time--every day is one less you have to do. I feel like mine has never been all that bad--yes, red and itchy and bumpy but no open wounds or anything and I do think (one week out today) that it might be starting to look a little better. I'm still putting a bunch of different creams on but I get a sense that this tub of Eucerin--very thick white stuff--is pretty good.

I'm a little droopy these days--just have not been able to nap lately because of all the wedding stuff going on. Still--every morning is a new batch of energy (aided by a few cups of tea). :-)

Hello All

I am off to my first treatment. Armed with my creams.

I really appreciate you ladies for all the help and support. Here is giving it right back at you.

I'm having problems with my hands, aching after surgery, going to see an LE specialist. Ugh.