Starting Radiation in May 2017

Heather glad you found a temporary fix. Hope it lasts until July 5!

MJ: Glad you got rides for the time your husband is away. There are good people in the world, and sometimes we find that out more so when we are in need. sorry you're having so much soreness. I am lucky to not have too much soreness. The two different cotton sports bras I bought are doing the trick. I actually feel better when wearing them as opposed to when I take them off. Sorry about your lump. I have a bit of soreness above the sentinel node incision, but no lump. The fatigue is high here too, although I've been forcing myself to do a few things per day. I may have over did when I hoed the garden by hand on Thursday. Last night I didn't sleep well and am so foggy and exhausted today. And I wanted to be well rested since my family is taking me out for my birthday this evening...and my husband for Father's Day.

I have used cornstarch through my entire treatments. I've had 16 regular and 1 boost, with 3 boosts left. I have had VERY little discomfort at all. I'm sold on it! I was given a sample of Miaderm and another one made for the cancer center and I ended up breaking out, so I used each of them once. The cornstarch has especially helped when my nipple has become sore. It sounds crazy, but give it a try!

Tapper - Not sure I would go for ribbed anything against a sore rad boob. I got tanks from Target that were smooth knit & 100% cotton, and when some support was needed. wore old stretched out bras over these & then a top over. This was a necessity as I worked during rads. Happy you were able to find help with transport to/from rads while your DH is away. Healing thoughts and gentle hugs.

First of all, I don't know what I've been doing for the last 10 days. I've come back and read all of your posts and appreciate the insight into possible problems with rads in the future. I completed 4 rads so far, so Monday starts my second week.

Oh, I know what I was doing for half the time, my husband was away for work for 5 days and I was alone with my son for the first time since diagnosis. It was a lot more work, even though I had a friend help me 3 afternoons with my son and whatever I needed. (He is 9, so somewhat independent.)

I'm sorry to you who have infections, fungus, digestive problems, really bad skin problems. So far everything is OK after 4/33 - 38 sessions. So what is the cornstarch for? I read that some of you are using it and some have been told not to use it but where are you using it? Is it on your radiated skin or is it a deodorant?

I am sorry to hear of so much fatigue that many of you have and will be coming for me too. :-(

On weight gain. I never lose more that 3/4 lb a week, so 7 weeks I could never lose enough weight to make a difference. And I'm not even losing 3/4 lbs a week, maybe 1/4 - 1/2. It was interesting to read all of your statements about weight loss. I've learned more here than anywhere else.

On diet, I'm eating more healthful, trying to eat more protein. I eat chicken and fish. My friend helped me make salmon patties and I actually liked them. Apparently the wild salmon is what I should eat and at $23/ lb for not so good looking fresh salmon at Costco, I would rather eat canned wild salmon which is really fresh and they cook it in the can. It makes a good deal of difference on which canned salmon you buy. I bought the red salmon, which is the really good stuff. I recognized the can from my parents pantry in childhood (I never had it), so I chose the salmon by the illustration on the can. Glad I chose the good stuff. I tried frozen salmon patties from Trader Joes and they were horrible. My friend (who likes salmon patties), said TJ had horrible salmon patties. That is how I decided to try the homemade type. I'm eating quinoa salad, which I have learned to make, less sweet stuff. Less white flour/rice, and more whole wheat. My neighbor brought me veggie Ethiopian food and it is served with injera made from Teff (a grain), I assume it is whole Teff since it is brown.

I think I'm going to make a habit of eating Ethiopian vegetarian once a week. I know most of you have no access to Ethiopian food, but I live in an area where there are dozens of Ethiopian restaurants and stores. All the restaurants used to be in downtown Washington DC, but we now have 3 times as many in my DC suburb as in DC. I'm just thankful Ethiopian food is so close now. Anyone else eat Ethiopian?

Got some great fruit at Aldi today, strawberries, blueberries, watermelon and cantaloupe, I haven't eaten the last 2 yet.

I'm making a shake that I like that fills me up, not one of those kale shakes, I just can't imagine. But about 8 oz of plain lowfat yougurt, 1 package of vanilla (sugarless) Carnation Instant mix, about 4 big strawberries in a food processor. And then I add either some chia seeds or milled flax seed. This is very good and I recommend it. I had to get the sugarfree Carnation Instant Vanilla at Walmart (shipped to store) where my husband picked up. We don't have any real Walmart stores around here, just the tiny ones in Washington, DC.

I would like to talk about creams you are all putting on. I was given a prescription for PruTect cream. Each tube is 45 grams and the 2 tubes together cost $140. Kaiser has given me a grant so that prescriptions and visits at Kaiser there is no copay for a year. (I have to pay copay for radiation, due to in not being at Kaiser. ) In 4 days I am almost thru the first tube, maybe 1/3 left. I'm not sure if I will get any refills, I hope so.

Here is a review of Prutect http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drugreview-153633-PruTe...

Glad to have read all of your progress, congrats to you who have finished. I won't finish until Aug 4. Thank you for updating.

Hanging in There: Ethiopian veggie food sounds pretty tasty. The last time I really had it was on DuPont Circle in D.C.

If I am super tired, I use my Magic Bullet to make a smoothie. I would recommend the Magic Bullet to everyone. It's strong and easy to clean.

I am just going without a bra through the whole thing.

After seeing the various lotions, I have been using Aloe Vera and sometimes Green Goo, a 100% natural first aid cream.

I will be finished 7/7.

Hanging in there - Check your ALDI store - mine carries frozen wild-caught salmon portions (steer clear of farm raised) at under $10 for a 2 lb. bag. Also, Target stores that sell food items have frozen wild-caught salmon portions for reasonable prices.

Another item I use to add protein is Ripple "milk" - It is plant based, 8g protein per serving, with Calcium, Vit D, Iron and Omega 3s. I like the chocolate one - also find this at Target.

Will have a look at the Prutect cream - this is one I have not heard of.

About rash - Got a rash, similar to heat rash or "prickly heat" after last boost (16 regular rads + 4 boosts) used Mometasone Furoate cream (believe it is a corticosteroid) - this was prescribed before rads began and worked well & it went away within a few days.

I had NO idea that the picture would show up AND that big!!! I was hoping I was just posting a link.

I don't have any spots that actually have pus heads like that, but they are individual little red bumps that itch like crazy.

Rose - Ouch. Sending healing thoughts and gentle hugs to you and everyone else in need.

Hi ladies - I am meeting with my RO tomorrow to get this started. Would love any advice or tips you wise ladies have to offer since you are a bit further on down the road. Thank you in advance!