Starting Radiation August 2017

Finished my rads today! So excited to be done!

I was given silicone cream by RO who also OKd green tea. For about 7 days now If I had used 5 or 6 cool aloe gel that is a lot. No silicone no green tea just aloe gel. It sure feels like letting my hot torso be cooled in AC inside home is the best treatment for my skin. 21 out of 30 done. Out of 9 left, 5 are boosts.

Because I am stage 3A, RO probably prescribed ZZZZZaping for me. I am delighted I am doing a OK.

Mimi

eloots: I would definitely ask your RO about the HT and potential side effects. As well as preventive skin treatment.

inccmd: Congrats! I am so glad that you are done!

Talked to the doc today and he said no to green tea, and that studies show calendula does nothing. He only wants me to use aquafor. He said I could go ahead and start using it if I want. Still only a little pink but it's only been 6 treatments. I'm very fair skinned so I'm really surprised I'm doing this well .

Legomaster: glad I'm not the only one

I've completed 7/20 and experiencing soreness, queasiness, and fatigue. Meet with the PA and RO for my weekly appt. yesterday. First I met with the PA, when I described my symptoms, she said they were not known symptoms to the radiation, and made me feel like it was in my head. I felt so beaten down didn't pursue the issues with RO. Just gotta get through it. Its not unbearable, but I would have liked reassurance that what I am experiencing is normal. Jeisseebelle - I was told no cold compresses, would love to use that, as it helped a lot after surgery. Will ask at next weekly gab fest with my "crack team".

Mimie, I just put cold water on a facecloth and held in on for a few moments then repeated a few times. It seemed to take the heat out. Then I applied some aloe vera. Once when I got home and once before bed. I was told not to use ice packs (which is what I used after surgery). You do know your body better than anyone and your team should support you regardless of what they consider "known" symptoms. You have my best wishes for every success!

mimie, i originally got the same response 'not normal side effects too.. when i said my throat and chest hurt after the first week by the PA, but then RO said its inflamationFrom rads.. however I plan to ask this Friday about queasyness that just started this week..

so ask the Dr next meeting .. instead of PA .. after going thru chemo etc I found that the PA and Drs have different opinions.. and I isually defered to the Drs opinion. So dont be afraid to repeat your questions..

congrats to all who finished!!🛎🛎

Today 17/28!!

Thank you all for your support. We will get through this, queasy and all... Will try the cool washcloth, thanks jessiebell.

I have completed 10/16. My ROnwatned me nausea could be a side effect but I haven't had any. I agree that a lot of this is going to be individual reaction to the stress of inflammation. I have old rotator cuff injuries but have never had any problems until I started breast cancer treatments. I panicked and have been a bit depressed because yesterday my shoulder seemed frozen. I have had increasing right shoulder pain since about third radiation treatment. I talked to my primary care physician and she agrees it is likely associated with the radiation but RO doesn't think so. It is frustrating when you don't feel they hear you. I'm grateful to read other people's posts.

Congratulations to those who have finished!! We are also planning a celebration when I finish.

mandy, are you doing any PT? I go once a week as I had 3/29 nodes removed I had alot of cords but they have subsided , but my therapist who specializes in lymphedemia, works on massaging the inflamation fluid

And has given me mild exersizes to gently stretch my arm, and chest as the skin is tightening which is normal during rads And permanant I think

If not ask Dr for a script todo so

Mamaoz

Good luck illimae. Safe driving.

I am a week and a half out from finishing my radiation and my breast is getting less red everyday. I have noticed that the skin on my nipple is scabbing and starting to come off. My fatigue is getting better and I just have the nagging burning in my nipple. I saw the RO Friday and he said that within two weeks my skin should be better. Anyone else out there have pealing skin on their nipple? I am going to start my Tamoxifen next week, kind of nervous but I'm sure it will be fine. Has anyone else started their Tamoxifen yet?

I  felt light subtle  nausea since rad #1.  I had very little queasiness thru DD chemo. I thought the subtle nausea w rads was due to cutting Ativan by 2/3.   Dang it I cannot wait to be done w zapping. 

I miss my flexitouch pump usage. I  feel dang hot all the time no matter how much cool aloe I pour over the area.  6 more to go.  the last 5 are boosts.  

mimi

I have completed 25/30. The last 5 were supposed to be boosts, but my skin in the entire radiation area was bright red, and very uncomfortable so my RO moved my boosts to last week (sessions 21-25). My skin has settled down significantly but the entire area has pretty much peeled. Oddly, it's not uncomfortable at all, with the exception of being a little itchy. I'm not sure how my skin will now react in last week, but only 5 more

MamaOz- I'm in Miami too and plan to ask my RO tomorrow what the plan is. We aren't evacuating, been through many storms, even Andrew in '92. But I made hotel reservations near radiation center for after the storm that has generator power and all rooms will have A/C. I'm always so hot now, I couldn't imagine living in 95 degree heat now w/o ac. Stay safe.

Rebamacfan1 - I got queasy week1, it was better last week (week 2). But with that said I find I do better eating small meals every few hours.

Any advice on simulation for boosts and boosts. So far I've been face down, will that change? Are boosts more intense? So far no burning, just soreness.