August 2018 Starting Radiation

moth

I found out I actually can change the appointment the day before. I have given them the preference but they schedule one day out of my range, I noticed late and call them the day before, change was made on the call right away.

Appointments will go shorter in the future, most of mine has been 15 min. They take x Ray the first few, then just treatments once doc is happy with the X-ray.

Lotion up and drink tons water.

Hope everyone else is doing well.

Hi all,

Before I began my radiation treatments, my sister in law told me about a kit from Lemongrass Spa for $29.

I started with the cream once a day and then used it twice a day as radiation progressed about the 7th day. Even though the cream was working, I had some mild “sunburn efffects" that began around the 14th day. For years I have grown Aloe Vera plants in my yard. They make a gorgeous flower two to three times a year. One evening after radiation I cut a long leaf from the bottom of the largest plant. Using gloves, a knife and a peeler, I cut away all of the thorns and then chopped it in 3-4 inch pieces to use for the week. All except one piece went into an airtight container. I skinned only one side of the section to use for that night. The section of leaf was easy to rub onto the area because the skin of the leaf kept it intact. As I still use the Lemongrass cream twice a day, the aloe treatment really cools the area down after treatment!!

The radiation techs talk about how good my skin looks compared to other patients. I plan to share my aloe plants with the radiation center for the other patients.

Stay cool!

Joani

It has been very interesting to hear of everyone's experience with radiation. I am in the sixth week of radiation since I had 35 treatments scheduled. The last seven, starting Thursday, will be boosts. My experience has been a bit unusual in that the RO that I was scheduled to see had a brain aneurism at the start of my radiation so I have seen a whole string of locums, (I'd never heard that word before, they are substitute doctors). Up until today they have all been rather elderly with somewhat old fashioned ideas. Today I was delighted to see a very young doctor walk into the room. He must have just completed his residency. The old guys were all recommending aquaphor and seemed rather offended that I would take it upon myself to use anything else, I've been using Miaderm since I don't like the greasiness of aquaphor. The young doc said that if it worked for me I should use it, just avoid anything with alcohol that would dry the skin. Since we are really just trying to keep the skin from drying and to sooth the soreness, nothing we apply will stop the radiation skin damage. It was a delight to hear a more enlightened approach. One old doctor made comments about my trying to treat myself. He came across to me as rather arrogant. I also take ginseng for fatigue. And it does seem to work for me. So far I have managed to go to yoga twice a week, aerobics once or twice a week, and to get In a thirty plus mile bicycle ride once a week. I'm tough and figure that cancer needs to be scared of me!

Since this is my second fight with BC, I had BC nineteen years ago, I sort of feel like an “old hand" at this stuff. And since I was cancer free for almost twenty years it gives me a calmness knowing that this, too, will have a good outcome. At age 73 if I get another twenty years cancer free I'll be ready to check out anyway.

Yay Ingerp, glad you have a start date!

Hi Prairiedog - nice to meet you. My center point blank said it doesn't matter what you use, just that it's moisturizing, unscented and non irritating to you. They specifically said pretty much any moisturizer I have already is probably fine. They do prefer it has water as the first ingredient. (oh the only other interesting thing is that their handout said there's no evidence that aloe does anything more beneficial than a water based moisturizer).

I got stuck in huge traffic yesterday while going to my appointment and was actually 10 min late. It was at dinner time and I under estimated how much more time I needed to add to the commute to account for rush hour traffic. I called from my car and the techs were all mellow about it & just said to relax and not worry. They must have shuffled an appointment or 2 around me and still I got seen very quickly when I finally arrived and was out the door in <15 mins. Today I have an appointment at similar time so I'm leaving super early and bringing a book.

@NVDobie Yes! I feel that and have only finished 5 sessions. I also feel woozy and nauseous. Have you felt sick to your stomach?

@NVDobie - Ok thanks. Yeah, I have IBS-C and used to have Leaky Gut so my stomach is very sensitive for sure. I also have that sharp tinging pain and now the whole thing is super sore. Glad to know Week 2 is better!

Thanks!

Hi, MonikaKG,

Just like you, I just finished my first week of 5 Radiation treatments, and 15 more ( including 5 boosts) to go. I have also feel some nauseous and some headache/dizziness. The doctor says these symptom are not supposed to link with BC radiation, but it started exactly after my radiation and I know for sure it is an associated effects in my case.

Hope we all can get through the radiation process successfully.

I had my lumpectomy and sentinel node removal on 8/1. I returned to full work schedule on 8/13 but I also have a 2 1/2 hour round trip commute. I did come in for a 2 hours for 2 days the 2nd week. I felt great the day of and the day after but as the numbness wore of the more uncomfortable it was. The lumpectomy incision does not bother me at all, it is the sentinel node incision because it is in a hard place to be able to find a bra or cami that does not rub it. I have not been great about the exercises but I highly recommend you do them. Remember we all handle pain differently so you may be ready to go sooner.

Ingerp, how did day 1 go?

Moth, thank you for the welcome. My soreness started after the first couple of weeks. I am now done with 25 whole breast radiation and three boosts. Four boosts to go and I am done! The technicians say my skin has held up well, but I have a couple of spots that are really inflamed and sore, especially under my arm. But since that area is missed by the boost it hasn't been radiated since last Wednesday. I think it is feeling a bit less sore tonight. It could be my imagination and wishful thinking, but there may be light at the end of this tunnel!

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3728063/

Someone was mentioning about Aloe Vera. Here is an study I found.

I'm glad all are doing so well with radiation! It's encouraging to see that you are holding up well, without too many skin issues.

I sure do hope I can get started on the 27th. That one incision is almost healed and I so want to get this over with. Please, please, please, Lord, let me get this started so I can get it OVER with!!!

Hello,

I started radiation this week 2 of 33 sessions completed. Reading everyone's updates helps.

I hope my skin holds up.

Take care everyone.

Insideout can someone help you get lotion on your back? I think that's all you can do through tx to help your skin. I started the same day you did—having a break on the weekend feels good, doesn't it?

I am 19 sessions in, 1 more to go on Monday. The skin starts to peel off a couple days ago, last night I actually a lot of surface skins are peeling off. No pain though, some itchiness.

Nurse suggested Polyspoin once skins starts to break, not sure peeling is considered the same, but I started polyspoin 2 days ago. Have been using Aloe plants and creams as well.

Hope everyone is doing well.