Starting Radiation October 2017

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  • Shellsatthebeach
    Shellsatthebeach Member Posts: 316
    edited October 2017

    dmjmom, we have the same amount of treatments...33 and started around the same time. Also, the machine broke down for me today. I rode an hour to get there for 8:00am and had to turn around to go back to work. Another hour ride. What an awful morning!

    My skin turned pink the first day of treatment and I have some swelling near my arm/trunk. So hard to try and get rid of early signs of lymphedema when going through radiation. Here's to December 1st.

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  • Beanie2017
    Beanie2017 Member Posts: 5
    edited October 2017

    This must have been a day for the radiation machines to be down. They asked me to come in early today, halfway into my hour drive and they cancelled my appointment. Guess I’m stuck at 7 of 28. Oh well, seems to be how it goes. My RO told me this week I can use the Tom’s deodorant at any time in the day as long as I use a baby wipe to take it off right before I go into the “vault”. The dungeon- or whatever you want to call it. Kind of feels that way once they leave you in there by yourself as the machine spins around you. She’s also told me to not to use the aquafor, just to use aloe vera gel. 😳

    Cancerland sucks


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  • l_brain
    l_brain Member Posts: 71
    edited October 2017

    Caley,

    I didn't feel much the first week. Second week had some soreness. Third week felt fine. Redness seems to stay the same and hasn't gotten worse.




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  • NikJ
    NikJ Member Posts: 24
    edited October 2017

    Hello, I've been lurking on these boards since I was diagnosed in June. I was shocked as I go every year for mammos and was given the all clear with the first 3d mammo I had the year before. Needless to say it's been a whirlwind ever since. I had so many biopsies over the summer then finally had the lumpectomy. I feel like my anxiety is what's taking years off of my life! I felt so much better when the cancer (plus a bunch of benign stuff) was removed, however now I'm freaking out about getting radiation. I'm not proud of it but I am a long term "light" smoker and since I was diagnosed I'm having a hard time kicking the habit. Now that I'm starting radiation I'm not only terrified of it being my left breast, but they also warned me about potential lung issues down the road from being a smoker. Luckily they are doing it in the prone position which the onco says will avoid my heart and lungs. I'm still nervous and almost skipped the whole process but I have to listen to my doctors and get better for my family.

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  • VLevic
    VLevic Member Posts: 30
    edited October 2017

    Beanie2017, the rule is always 4 hours prior to radiation. So you can apply the Toms before 4 hours of radiation. There are a lot of I call organic deodorant and it depends if your skin is also sensitive to baking soda. There are deodorants for sensitive skin that is available such as Schmidt's and Native. I was originally to start in September but because of seroma on my left breast, has minor set back and ended up starting on October. Since I have some time to read I add August and September as my favorite topics. I did use the emu oil and emu oil cream on my skin to prepare my skin a few weeks before I start radiation. Once I start radiation, I added the green tea soaks and aloe Vera gel. Somehow, my skin got darker and sticky. I do my radiation at 1130 and have to drive about 40 minutes each way for work. There are days I do it at 7 am because of meetings from work and the clinic is able to accommodate me. My plastic surgeon recommended Biafine emulsion and RO as well. Ordered online and use it 3 times a day. My skin feels different and discoloration gone. It is very soothing as well. It is a French product and prescription here but I bought it online through a French company. I plan to use it even if I'm done with radiation together with the emu oil and cream. Just something to add. Have not tried Miaderm since the Biafine works good to my skin. My heart is close to my breast so I'm on Tomotherapy machine so to protect my heart from radiation. It is targeted so I get scanned first and this is on a daily basis. I have 12 treats so far. Anyway, just throw the Biafine since I have not seen any mention of it for treatment on radiation burns.

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

    had treatment 1 of 28 this morning so am am the rads train now.

    Looks like I could be done at the end of November.

    I am using the green tea wipes and calendula oil as far as "lotions". Time will tell if these help or not.

    Each Monday morning will see the RO. And every 6 days I will get extra images taken during rad treatment.

    Today's session supposedly will take the longest of the treatments. Tomorrow's should take about 15-20 mins.

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  • Teese
    Teese Member Posts: 379
    edited October 2017

    Yay dodgersgirl, onto the next phase

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  • SpeedyTeach
    SpeedyTeach Member Posts: 21
    edited October 2017

    Caley-I felt sensations as well right away. Mine was like quick twinges of pain. My radiation techs said it could be my positioning or possibly initial radiation swelling that some people get. Mine haven't gotten to much worse, though now 11 treatments in do have a bit more of a soreness feeling along my left side with a small bit of swelling, but not bad at all.

    I_brain-congrats on being closer to being done and hopefully the SE continue to not be too bad.

    Today I had number 11 of my treatments. I have 5 more whole breast then 5 boost to go. I felt fairly good today. I did get one or two very teeny tiny bumps over the weekend (could hardly see or feel them) that itched really bad but by this morning they were gone. I do have a little redness but overall the skin looks pretty good. My biggest issue has been more of a soreness along the left side where treatment is being done.

    Hope everyone has a good week and to those already doing rads, very little side effects.

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  • LoJo100
    LoJo100 Member Posts: 123
    edited October 2017

    DodgersGirl - Welcome to the radiation train! You and I are both getting 28. I had #16 today, and am feeling good. some pinkness on my skin and itchiness around my port, but not too bad, to be honest. I'm using my Miaderm religiously, three times a day. I also take a walk every day, which is known to help fatigue and skin problems (the walking helped my fatigue during chemo). So far so good.

    I was using a bolus the first half of treatment, then on Friday of last week, they did another calibration session for the second half, which does not include a bolus. I won't have any boosts.

    Hope everyone is doing well and has minimal SE's!

    -LoJo

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

    LoJo100-- thanks for the update!

    I did get bolus today and thought it would be forthe whole 28 treatments but maybe I will be lucky and only get bolus half the time, too??

    Tomorrow will be #2, then a lymphodema class, then physical therapy. Plus I returned to work today. So going to be a busy day.

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  • Pickles68
    Pickles68 Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2017


    Starting next week. Looks like 15 treatments so I am thankful. Sending lots of good wishes and prayers.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited October 2017

    Hi Pickles, and welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're sorry for what brings you to our Community, but at the same time we're so happy you decided to join in this wonderful group. We know you'll find lots of support here!

    Warm wishes,

    The Mods



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

    pickles68-- welcome! Hope you will share your rad experiences with us. And hope you find strength from the posts of others.

    Have you had your mapping session yet?

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  • Teach70
    Teach70 Member Posts: 64
    edited October 2017

    Hello Ladies, I thought I would give a quick update. I have completed 12/30 treatments and so far, I am doing very well. No problems at all. I have been using Miaderm 3 x a day and emu oil before bed. I havent had much fatigue yet. I have been teaching full time and having treatment after school. I hope everyone is doing well and positive thoughts for quick and easy treatments for all

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  • Teach70
    Teach70 Member Posts: 64
    edited October 2017

    Hello Ladies, I thought I would give a quick update. I have completed 12/30 treatments and so far, I am doing very well. No problems at all. I have been using Miaderm 3 x a day and emu oil before bed. I havent had much fatigue yet. I have been teaching full time and having treatment after school. I hope everyone is doing well and positive thoughts for quick and easy treatments for all

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  • Limonia
    Limonia Member Posts: 53
    edited October 2017

    Hey DodgersGirl - I've signed back in after a while! Completed my chemo in end Sep and hope you and everyone else on these postings are doing well.


    Glad to see this topic and the support - hello everyone! :-)

    I just had my first/25 rads session today. I felt 'off' afterwards for hours which was unexpected, but I'll speak with them tomorrow, and I appear to have some redness which I understand usually does not occur for at least a couple of weeks.

    It's so interesting how all of us have different txs and approaches, and how dr's make different recommendations. For example, my hospital has told me not to use any oil based moisterizers - only water based, such as lubriderm, aveno, glaxol based, etc. I'm going to be reading many of your postings to get ideas about what you found the most helpful as I have a feeling like my skin is not going to react well to this.

    As well, for those of you who have not yet started, PMH has an excellent brief video series on what to expect for radiation. Although their set up and admins, etc are different for each hospital, the overall description of the tatoos, mapping, CT-Sim and radiation are excellent: scroll down for the videos:

    http://www.uhn.ca/PrincessMargaret/PatientsFamilie...


    Thanks in advance for any advise you all might have...


    L








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

    Limonia-- glad you joined our October group!

    You mentioned people no skin already. Are you getting "bolus" treatments?

    I had 2/28 yesterday and was slightly nauseous. They told me that is not a SE from rads so I am assuming it was from something I ate OR nerves??

    My skin is really dried out since surgery so am concerned if that will impact how it does during rads.

    I am also doing physical therapy twice a week to return full range of motion in mastectomy shoulder and to break up cording. Not sure when pink rad skin will interfere with PT

    Off to 3/28.

    Good luck to everyone here

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  • sweetsmilefh
    sweetsmilefh Member Posts: 14
    edited October 2017

    Hi, All,

    Today is #8 of 20, and the fatigue seems to be increasing. Anyone else having this issue? After being post-menopausal for over a decade, the hot flashes are coming back. Even last night, when I was icing. I wish I could have them during the radiation, when the room feels like it's 60 degrees and the fan is blowing. Emotionally it's been a rollercoaster and an effort to stay on keel. At least so far, no radiation burns. I use Aquafor immediately after treatment, Calendula cream in the morning and night time, and sometimes, aloe vera gel made fresh from aloe vera leaves (thanks to my wonderful cleaning woman, Maria!)

    Wishing all of you success in your treatment paths.

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

    sweetsmilefh-- I purchased aquaphor but haven't used it yet. You mentioned you apply right after treatment. Can you wear normal clothes while wearing aquaphor? Is it greasy??

    Done with 3/28 today. So far so good but realize that the first few sessions aren't expected to show on the skin so know the true adventure awaits.

    You mentioned being tired. I seem to feel dizzy after my treatment today. Maybe I need to eat a bigger breakfast before treatment??

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  • Limonia
    Limonia Member Posts: 53
    edited October 2017

    Hello and thanks for the welcome!


    2/25 completed!

    DodgersGirl.... you said: "You mentioned people no skin already. Are you getting "bolus" treatments?" - sorry, could you please clarify, I'm not sure what this means :-)/ what 'no skin'? :-).

    As for the nausea, it is not a common SE, however it has been experienced by people - was it the tech who said that to you? Monitor it and mention to your doctor when you see her. It can also be bc of what you ate or nerves (like you suggested), so see how it goes...Also, I've read that you should eat something before...and bring snacks if you wait a while - dizziness could be from that like you mentioned...you'll be able to see if it becomes a pattern (and maybe something others here also experience!)

    Good for you for the physical therapy! You should be able to continue with the daily stretches (check with them) even when it gets red, and check with your doctor re: cording - in your arms, yes? Not on area that's being radiated - they may be able to continue if get ok from your dr.


    sweetsmilefh - I've heard calendula is very good as well - I may pick some up and switch it around. Using Glaxol based cream - although non scented, still has a more medicinal sense, so will try calendula for when going out and stuff. Hope the flashes stop soon! :-). I still have them but think it's still from the past chemo...I'll see!

    Yes, fatigue is one of the biggest SE - each person is different but many tend to have it. I'm just at #2 but napped 2 hours today :-(....could be also from the chemo ended 5 weeks ago.


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

    limonia-- well, apparently I shouldn't add comments while riding in a car!!! I was trying to ask about your comment about having some redness already and wondered if your rads included bolus. Bolus, as I understand it, is a cover that is placed over the site to be radiated so the rads impact the skin directly as rads tend to travel thru the bare skin instead of treating it. My dx included skin involvement so I am getting bolus to kill any remaining cancer cells in the skin, if there are any left after surgery.

    Sorry for the confusing question!!

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  • sweetsmilefh
    sweetsmilefh Member Posts: 14
    edited October 2017

    Dodgersgirl - Yes, Aquafor is very greasy. Before I started radiation, I bought a bunch of men's tee-shirts, and wear them without a bra after I apply the Aquafor. Plus a pullover and a drapey sweater. I'm relatively small, so there's little "bouncing" but I like the effect of a waterfall sweater or long vest, giving lots of camouflage.

    Good luck with the rest of the radiation sessions!


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

    sweetsmilefh-- thank you for the info! I also bought men's tshirt to wear at night when I need to start using aquaphor so I didn't stains sheets or clothes.


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  • Gigilala
    Gigilala Member Posts: 148
    edited October 2017

    hello ladies ,

    I start radiation tomorrow

    They told me I can use aquaphore eucerin aloe Vera and radiaplexrx

    Good luck ladies

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  • Limonia
    Limonia Member Posts: 53
    edited October 2017

    LOL that's great! - (dodgersgirl) - no, not bolus, - less redness today, strangely. I was worried because redness usually does not start so early. I meet with my doctor every Monday so I will cross fingers it will be under control and I'll chat with her Monday. Thanks for the explanation!!


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  • pink_is_my_colour
    pink_is_my_colour Member Posts: 308
    edited October 2017

    I went for what I thought was going to be my first radiation treatment today. Turns out it was only to make calculations, measurements, take xrays, and put sharpie marker all over. I thought that's what the last two visits were for. Tomorrow will be my first official treatment.

    Because I'm being radiated on both sides and lymph nodes on the left I'll have to keep my arms in the upright position for at least 25 - 30 minutes. Ouch!!! Even today by the last five minutes it was really starting to hurt in the shoulders and arms. After the set up was done I went to visit the physiotherapy dept to see about getting some exercises to help ease the soreness.

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

    pink is my colour-- did they make a mold so you can relax your arms when getting rads? As I go into each treatment, my mold is already on the table and I lay my arms over my head, resting in the mold. Seems to help some with arm pit pain from having mastectomy last month.

    My physical therapist has given me a couple of exercises to do at home to try to open up that area so I can have better range of motion.

    One thing that seems to be helping me is that I make sure to raise my arm up over my head while still in bed each morning. I feel more able to rest it there, resting on pillows while trying to increase how far over my head I can get my "bad" arm.

    Good luck tomorrow!!

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  • pink_is_my_colour
    pink_is_my_colour Member Posts: 308
    edited October 2017

    No mold for me. I have tattoos instead. I have to remain perfectly still. I think that was the reason for all the measurements and calculations today. Physic gave me lots of exercises to do but I like the idea of raising my arm in bed.

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  • LoJo100
    LoJo100 Member Posts: 123
    edited October 2017

    Week #4 is in the books! This week we stopped using the bolus. Skin still looks good (yes, it's pinkish and I'm getting some freckles where the radiation is happening) and is just a little itchy around the port, but keeping lotion on the area helps a lot (I'm using Miaderm).

    I can wear my bra and prosthetics with a t-shirt comfortably. The thing I have noticed is an increase in my hot flash intensity. Chemo put me into chemo-pause, which brought hot flashes on, but they are definitely more intense these days. But, manageable.

    Still walking 2-5 miles a day, eating well and feeling good, overall. I have taken a couple naps this week, but it has been incredibly hot and I think this zapped me of energy, which heat does even when I'm not going through treatment!

    Only have 8 treatments to go. My RO has said that I shouldn't notice much more in terms of SE's and that what I've got is what I've got. I might notice a bit more fatigue, but she said it shouldn't be too extreme at this point.

    I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing (lotion 3x's per day, walking every day) in hopes I don't see any extreme SE changes!

    Have a good weekend, everyone! It's always nice to have two days with no treatment!

    -LoJo

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  • Limonia
    Limonia Member Posts: 53
    edited October 2017

    Hey pink_is_my_colour - yes, I have tatoos as well, but they also have arm rest above my head and place my arm in it so that it's resting without me needing to 'hold' anything...


    Today is an offday bc they're reviewing the machines, but back on Monday for #4!


    Good weekend all,


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