Spring 2016 Rads

Tbalding - I'm pretty red and tender, including my nipple. Today the nurse gave me three sheets of a product called Mepilex Lite. You can cut the product to cover sensitive areas and it adheres to your skin w/o adhesive. It is a thin layer of foamy cushion that can be cut to fit over any raw or tender spots...blissfully smooth on the clear side that sits on your skin and flesh tone on the side that is next to your clothing. I was given 3 sheets, but a box of 6x6 sheets is $33 on Amazon. The nurse told me each piece can be used about 3 times. Apply your lotions first, let dry, and then use the pad over sensitive areas...including nipples. Here are pictures:

Any tips for prone position? All of my boosts will be prone. I hate new stuff but I'm sure it's the best approach. It's just that the simulation was not at all comfortable. Thanks

my collarbone is blistering and looks dirty (even though I keep it clean). Weirdly even though it looks worse it feels better.

Thanks, Lovinggrouches. I'm sorry that you are having discomfort from the sun. I'm going to the beach next month, and I plan to sit my butt under an umbrella! I'm hoping to maybe get a little sun but will see what my RO says about covering stuff.

Happy Friday, to all of you Spring/Summer Rads girls. I completed 6 of 16 WBI today, and will have 4 boosts at the end. So far, I am not noticing a lot of color change, but my nipple areola has taken on a weird shape on the bottom (anyone else have this happen?), and the skin and nipple are tender. I have been slathering vitamin e oil after treatment, and once more during the day, then before bed. I am now to the point where a bra feels uncomfortable, so I am wearing a cotton tank top under a loose and flowy blouse. I am so thankful that the "rock" deodorant seems to be doing its job. My two biggest fears going into rads were not being able to control underarm odor without my usual deodorant, and not being able to wear a bra in my heavily male work environment. Now I am mainly concerned about the fatigue and skin damage at the very end and post rads. I have learned that there is always something that is going to be a worry or bother with BC treatment, and to just take it as it comes, hoping for the best and being prepared for the worst. Enjoy this weekend break, free from the zaps.

breaking skin. Ugh.

I bought a uv top off Amazon, I want a few more!

LTF- there are lots of cute long sleve SPF 50 shirts on ladies golf websites too. You can check local golf apparel stores😀

lovetofly- going to Mexico for my break in rads after 4 weeks on July 9th. What UV shirts did you get on Amazon? My people don't mind me being in the sun as long as I cover my chest and wear a big floppy hat. Purchased some one piece suits but I need UV shirts if you have recommendations.

I too have had to have told I can be in the sun as long as I cover the skin, and once it heals I can do sunscreen.

I bought this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GKCAQWY?pc_redir=T1

cbowle I had 33 I started getting red about week 3. My RO also said protective shirt,sunscreen and floppy hat.

Day 10/21 today. Keeps getting more red & stings like sunburn. Techs told me its to be expected & to keep using the cream they gave me. Nipple and areola is getting darker, swollen and is very sensitive. I don't think mine is odd shaped, just swollen. Ordered a wound dressing bandage from Amazon.com that Katzpjs said she got from her dr to cover nipple to keep bra from irritating it. Should be here tomorrow. Also bought some cotton camis to wear under my sports bra when I exercise so it hopefully won't rub tender skin. With rads, work & just life I think I've overdone it. I've always had trouble sleeping, brain won't shut off sometimes. So that's adding to it. Anyway, fatigue hit me today. Went to rads, shopped until time for my MO appt. Came home and crashed. Took a long nap, which helped.

cbowle, I'm wondering same thing about early redness and tenderness. Started at end of 1st week. I'm about halfway done. I have 6 more whole breast treatments then the boosts. They are going to take measurements for the boosts Monday. Hope doesn't get too much worse.

I bought some cute uv protection tops from Lands' End for about $15-$20. Search for rash guard on their site.

Jill, sorry you have broken skin.

Hope everyone has a relaxing weekend

Trish

Finished 26/33 today.  Skin actually better than on Monday when it was on fire.  Not sure what made the difference as I didn't change my routine.  My back flared up yesterday so wonder what's up with that.

Spent two days this week getting marked for boosts which start next Wednesday.  I can see the end and I am so excited but our little waiting room has bonded so much I will miss all my new friends.  I have learned so much from all of them.  Amazing women all linked by this cancer.  Will anyone else miss the people they have gotten to know on this portion of our journey?

Happy Friday ladies!! I am sorry to hear so many of you are developing painful side effects, but I see many of you have found ways to relieve some of the discomfort. I finished 10/25 today! I'm still not sure about whether I will be doing the boosts. My RO is leaving it up to me. I think if my skin is still holding up pretty well at 25 treatments, I'll go ahead with the boosts. If I'm painfuly red and peeling, I will probably skip the boosts. So far, I'm not seeing any skin changes on my breast, but my tech pointed out a small triangular pink shape on the back of my shoulder where the radiation is exiting. I didn't even notice it. I've started applying Eucerin to that area as well as my breast area. I've also noticed a general tightening in my breast. My RO said that is normal, especially with tissue expanders. I'm also starting to feel a little fatigue. Nothing that is keeping me from my normal routine, but I find myself wanting to lounge on the couch a lot. Lol!

tbalding - Way to keep up with the exercise! I hope that the bandages you ordered from Amazon help with your discomfort!

cbowle - Happy to hear you are stil not experiencing any major side effects!

My waiting room has 9 seats.  Last week they were packed both times for over an hour.  I finally went and spoke with the building supervisor as some of the woman having to stand were obviously in need of a chair.  I joke they must be running a special on summertime radiation.  So our little group has become very vocal as we talk about everything from our families to our lives in general.  Very little time is spent on the cancer after we get the basics reported.  All but one of us has breast cancer. 

Interesting thing is the background of the group is extremely diverse but we all have the best time just yaking like a bunch of hens in a henhouse.  If there is any joy in going to radiation everyday for over 7 weeks, this bunch of warriors I get to sit with every morning is one of them.

I too have early morning appts & they get me in very quickly so I hardly have time to say hi. There is a nun that works there that takes time to get to know you, calls you by name, gives you a hug & a prayer. I spend more time with the techs, and there are several so I can't remember their names.

cbowle, the cotton cami under my sports bra did the trick, bra didn't rub my tender radiated skin. I too go to Zumba, the only exercise I'll do. It's so much fun and my class has such positive energy. I hate it when I have to miss. Started doing weights again with the toning songs. Of course, I came home, ate lunch & took a nap, lol! I'm probably only up to 75% from where I was pre bc. Hope you feel up to going back soon.

It's hot in central Illinois, hope you all are staying cool & relaxing

Trish