Starting Radiation August 2017

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  • Mandycat
    Mandycat Member Posts: 52
    edited September 2017

    Thanks for the advise and good luck to those in the hurricane's path. It is worrisome. Keep us posted so we know you're ok. I have 6 more rads to go. My skin is a little irritated and pink but not bad. Itches sometimes. Muscle soreness in the area is my biggest problem. The nipple itches the most. it helps to know you're not alon

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  • inccmd
    inccmd Member Posts: 69
    edited September 2017

    MamaOz, one thing I tried when I had a bit of nausea was eating something with protein - nuts or half a sandwich. I also made sure I had an egg at breakfast. Someone on one of these threads said keep the protein intake up (doesn't have to be much), and it will help. It did help to settle my stomach.

    Wishing you all in Florida the best. Mimie, that's smart about the hotel reservation.

    Boosts are technically more intense, but concentrated on one spot. They would direct it at my tumor location from 5 different locations (I'm sure that varies). During it, I didn't feel any different, but there was more redness and tenderness in certain spots instead of the whole breast especially at my nipple because in my case it was one of the places they went through because of my tumor location.

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  • TWills
    TWills Member Posts: 679
    edited September 2017

    Getting remapped tomorrow, had to stop 3 weeks into rads and have one of my tissue expanders removed last week due to infection. Hoping to start back next week, all depending on what this storm does. I'm a Florida native so I don't stress too much about hurricanes but this is a big one. Publix and gas stations are already a mad house and all of the storm staples are long gone. Ain't nobody gottime for this!!

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  • Goofycat
    Goofycat Member Posts: 39
    edited September 2017

    TWills - hope your infection clears up and you are healing well. Also, hope you will be safe during the storm.

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  • Mandycat
    Mandycat Member Posts: 52
    edited September 2017

    Everyone here is talking about the storm. Becaref

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  • pollicakes
    pollicakes Member Posts: 28
    edited September 2017

    I have 5 boosts left.  I finished 16 hypofractionated sessions on Friday and today was 1 of 6 boosts.  I'm at the end of the road here.  I had some mild nausea, my skin is  red, I have that distinct line right down the middle of my chest and red across my left side, my nipple has a small blister and is more purple-ish and sore.  I haven't had any peeling.  My nurse gave me the silvadene cream and it is fantastic.  I have to admit, other than my nipple, i'm very happy with my skin....I know some people have very significant burns, thankfully I did not.  I did a routine of aloe vera, calendula gel, and aloe with a drop of lavender oil.  It worked fantastic for me.  I did also use the aquafor a bit, but mixed aloe with it to try to take away some of the greasiness of it.  Now I just use my silvadene and aloe. The only bra I have worn since this process began is certified organic cotton bra, and most of the time I don't wear a bra at all, and I have been wearing organic cotton camisols.   I am very tired, I have throbbing and soreness in my left side and I have quite a bit or soreness In my left shoulder, I can lift my arm about 1/2 way and then it gets difficult.  I think I will talk to my dr about pt maybe.  But, i'm on the last leg of the journey.  Thankful to God !! 

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  • Castigame
    Castigame Member Posts: 752
    edited September 2017

    #26, my first boost done. It is hot though. And fatigue has been hitting me hard for the last few days. 4 more to go

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  • elootz
    elootz Member Posts: 12
    edited September 2017

    Just finished 10 out of 30 treatments and man has my skin broken out. It looks like I have really bad acne all over the radiated area. RO says it maybe due to the bolus they are using on me so he might take it off starting next week. Honestly, I wonder if it isn't partly due to the Aquafor. Is that what anyone else's skin looks like, acne? I was expecting it to look like a sunburn.

    Good luck and stay safe to all those in the storms projected path.

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  • Castigame
    Castigame Member Posts: 752
    edited September 2017

    elootz, 

     I  had #26 out of 30 today.  it was my first of 5 boosts.  Skin is hot to touch as well as my entire torso no matter how cold stuff I put.  No rash no blistering

    image

    no peeling either. I had substantial size second degree burn on right side of my torso about 15 yrs ago so I am pleasantly surprised I  am faring OK.  I   have been sticking w cool aloe gel dabbing since day 1 (soak 2 2 by 2 inches bandages w aloe gel and let them dry on the area I see clearly aloe helped based on a lot lighter part of my zapped map on my chest)   I can count w my one hand which I used Acquaphor like stuff. It was too greasy for me.   I think the most important thing is letting the heat out. I am lucky not to have any children for me walk around half naked. Regards to bolus which I love and hate.  If you are given bolus again, ask not to warm it at all.    Cold bolus made a huge diff for me. One more thing is I walk min 2 miles  every single day and run my own errands. Fatigue is hitting me hard since last weekend enough   going for zapping itself became very hard. 

    I know damned if you do damned if you don't. 

    take care.

    mimi

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  • Legomaster225
    Legomaster225 Member Posts: 672
    edited September 2017

    elootz, I don't really have acne on my breast but I think the aquafor would be a good explaination too. It is mostly petroleum jelly and I would think clog pores and not really allow the skin to air out. It is very greasy to me and is ruining my clothes. I keep washing my bras. I'm just a little pink between my breasts 14 of 33 done and i get a bolus everyday.

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  • TWills
    TWills Member Posts: 679
    edited September 2017

    Thanks Goofycat, I'm healing good and I got my stitches and drain out yesterday so I went in for my replanning today and will start back Monday, storm permitting. I was three weeks in before I had to stop so RO said he'll need to add just a few extra so looking like 4 weeks to the finish line.

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  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,710
    edited September 2017

    18/30 done, yay, getting there. Met with RO today, skin slightly pink but looks good, thankfully no issues there. She also said that my post surgery range of motion is at 98%, so I should get a gold star from my PT.

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  • Annbee
    Annbee Member Posts: 208
    edited September 2017

    I haven't posted on the site in a while between going back to work (I teach 2nd grade) and radiation I have just been too tired. I am getting pink now and I have had 20/32. I have found radiation not be as easy as most people tell me it is. I can't lie I was happy when they called to tell me the machine was broken today and I didn't have to go. I go tomorrow early. Not sure about Friday with Irma heading this way. I did ask and they told me that if radiation is disrupted because of the storm that we will just pick up where we left off. I hope everyone in the path of the storm stays safe and all of us are having few to no side effects.

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  • StaceyB
    StaceyB Member Posts: 32
    edited September 2017

    I hope everyone stays safe during the storm! I had an acne like rash and was told it is folliculitis. I used Hydrocortisone creme and it made a huge difference. Also, I was repositioned for my boosts and was told mine was the same intensity as the whole breast, just a focused area. I have completed 27/30. There is a light at the end of the tunnel :)

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  • Legomaster225
    Legomaster225 Member Posts: 672
    edited September 2017

    Yay, StaceyB almost done!!!! What a nice weekend this will be for you knowing by your last treatment will be Monday!

    Glad you're healing up TWillis. I hope you continue to heal and get through the rest of your rads without issues.

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  • inccmd
    inccmd Member Posts: 69
    edited September 2017

    My last was a little over a week ago, and I am still thrilled I don't have to go there every day. The color is starting to fade and there's some peeling, although with all the lotion I'm still slathering, I only notice when I look at it. Still tender, but that's easing as well.

    Annbee, radiation is different for everyone, and you have your hands full teaching 2nd grade (which all that energy to control would make anyone tired - don't you wish you could bottle some of it for yourself?) with radiation on top of it. I admire you for getting through all that.

    StaceyB, I'm excited for you. It will be a huge relief.

    Wishing the best for all of you in Florida. I hope it shifts more, so you don't get as much of a hit.

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  • mmbNaplesFL
    mmbNaplesFL Member Posts: 23
    edited September 2017

    oh -- I've been more than nauseous. I had extreme pain in stomach just at breast bone between (where my breasts used to be ! ). And diarrhea, extreme for a week.

    Started back on probiotics, fermented ginseng, mastic root and digestive enzymes as supplements. Eating sauerkraut, green smoothies, kefir, whole milk organic yogurt. Took a solid week to start helping, felt much better after two weeks. Continue to lose weight though. Down about six pounds.



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  • bareclaws
    bareclaws Member Posts: 345
    edited September 2017

    I've done 20 of 28 rad sessions and just today started to feel a little bit of localized itching. I had a BMX, no reconstruction, but still get the rads. Lucky me. No other side effects related to rads and my energy is slowly returning since chemo.

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited September 2017

    bareclaws- did you use any products on your skin during rads?

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  • bareclaws
    bareclaws Member Posts: 345
    edited September 2017

    Triamcinalone 1% cream after treatment. Green tea spray, if I think of it, which I don't often do. RO also recommended another cream, from Japan, to use at night, but it's greasy and I stopped using it.


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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited September 2017

    bareclaws-thank you

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  • Castigame
    Castigame Member Posts: 752
    edited September 2017

    Dodgersgirl, I believe you surgery is 11th. Wish you speedy recovery.

    I am done w 27 out of 30. #2 of 5 boosts. Severe fatigue, nerve pain, hot torso w light brownish red rad area. No rash no peeling no blister no itching. knock on wood. I think cool aloe gel dabbing is working beautifully for me. Can't wait to go to next phase of treatment plan,

    Mimi

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  • VLH
    VLH Member Posts: 1,258
    edited September 2017

    You're almost done, Reba. Wahoo!

    Bareclaws, that sounds like my protocol (first treatment was today). Are you in Texas by any chance?

    Speaking of green tea, I'm struggling with the logistics. Do you all strip nude, get in the shower, spray the tea and just stand there until it dries? Wrap an old towel around your waist / pants so you only need your upper torso exposed? Or ...?

    I'm "lucky" that I'm disabled and gave up my two part-time jobs during all this treatment "fun," but can't figure out the best way to deal with the tea application. Today was my first treatment after yesterday's simulation. The doctor is only in the satellite office where I go once a week so I can't see the results of my mapping until I've already had a week of treatment. I'd like some reassurance that my heart and lungs are out of harm's way.

    Lyn

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited September 2017

    rebamacfan123- yes, my surgery is Monday. Starting to get nervou

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  • vixxyn
    vixxyn Member Posts: 45
    edited September 2017

    Lyn

    I take a couple of cotton squares or rounds, soak them in green tea, then gently rub or dab under my arm and around my breast. Works well for me. I put them in a snack size zipper bag and carry them to radiation, squeeze out until they are not real drippy and apply before I get dressed. Hope this helps.

    Lin

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  • MamaOz
    MamaOz Member Posts: 432
    edited September 2017

    wow mimi are you at the new cancer center?

    My Ro told me to ask the techs the tech told me to ask RO. .. my son and I left Wed .. on way to my daughters in NY wanted to leave before the masses , my husband decided to stay which is very upsetting


    Ive done20 If I can I will fly back tues if the dr gets back to me to let me know otherwise I may just not finish the last 8

    Stay safe

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  • DonnaJoan
    DonnaJoan Member Posts: 23
    edited September 2017

    Mandycat, I'm just catching up on the past week's post and read about your shoulder pain. I have had severe shoulder pain since my first treatment. (I had my 8th out of 33 treatments today). My chiropractor thinks it's a pinched nerve caused by the tightening muscles from holding my arm above my head for 30 minutes. My RO prescribed a muscle relaxant which hasn't seemed to help. I've been taking Aleve and icing my shoulder before and after each treatment. The nurses suggested a cortisone shot which I was scheduled to have yesterday, but when I arrived for my appointment the the office was closed due to Hurricane Irma! Tomorrow's and Monday's treatments have also been cancelled due to the hurricane. Perhaps my shoulder will have a little time to heal.

    MamaOz, Mimi, Rebamac, mmbNaplesFL, and any other Florida gals - I'm praying this hurricane moves farther east and back into the Atlantic, but if not, be safe!

    Regarding the use of lotions, my surgeon recommended Jean's Cream which was developed by a nurse with BC. I ordered it from Amazon and have been using it along with fractionated coconut oil.

    Also, I was very nauseous during chemo but had not had any issues with radiation until last night. I assumed it might have been something I ate, but I'm not feeling well this evening so maybe it is a SE. All in all, radiation is a piece of cake compared to chemo!

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  • Soxfan75
    Soxfan75 Member Posts: 115
    edited September 2017

    Hi ladies - This is my first post on this thread, but I've been following it since the beginning because I started rads on 8/14. I have 18 sessions down and 10 to go. So far my skin is just a little red/tanned and it feels a little like a sunburn, but it's not a constant discomfort. I've been using the aloe directly from an aloe plant that I have, but I've also been using a cream that my RO recommended called My Girls. It absorbs really well and doesn't feel greasy at all. It's a little pricey at $29.99 but I'd rather pay a little extra than have to use something like Aquafor, which is feels too greasy. I've been using it since about the third session or so, and my skin isn't peeling or blistering and actually still feels really soft. It's hard to determine how I would have fared using something else, but I'm pretty happy with my results so far. Has anyone else heard of this cream? It contains 10% calendula officianalis extract and is made specifically for radiated skin.

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  • LeesaD
    LeesaD Member Posts: 383
    edited September 2017

    Today was my last treatment! Yay!! My cancer center has a gong that I got to bang and my family came with me. So finished rads this morning and took my first little white pill of anastrozole this afternoon. Having ovaries and Fallopian tubes removed in two weeks so I don't have to continue on the Zoladex shots. My MO checked my estrogen levels and he said they were very low and virtually undetectable so I was able to start the AI's today. My skin handled the radiation well and my RO said my skin reaction is considered mild. Glad to be moving on but anxious about living my new normal Best of luck to all of you and stay strong ladies!!!!!

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  • Mandycat
    Mandycat Member Posts: 52
    edited September 2017

    thanks DonnaJoan. I have been doing range of motion exercises. I agree I think it is nerve pain irritated by tightening of muscles from radiation. It started with my third treatment. I'm only getting 16 so I'm almost done. 13/16 today. It has gone fast and I'm only a little pink. I get a higher dose each time so he said my skin may get worse after treatment finishes but so far it's not bad

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