Radiation April 2019

Rad # 7 - RO said that the x-rays are taken after every 5th treatment to make sure the techs are lining me up correctly. Had a student watch over the process today. Funny how shy I was before all of this and now I don't care who sees me half naked. LOL.

I lather up 3 to 4 times per day and RO is pleased with that. I use aloe & Miaderm.

1st treatment today. They said this would be the longest one, It took about 25 minutes and I didn't feel a thing. So thankful my treatment center is 10 minutes from my house! I did get a dry mouth and metal taste during the treatment. Not sure if this is related but I am feeling really cold a few hours after treatment, I am already pretty pink and a little swollen, didn't expect this so fast! Full breast radiation with 30 treatments, 1 down 29 to go....

Yay Desert Pup that's a great attitude!!

The usual - mild sunny with a little breeze. Feeling good after a wet winter we needed!

Good morning. Started radiation April 4. I'm burning quite a bit (fair skinned and large breasts), which was predicted by my RO. I was using calendula + aloe and then switched to Miaderm religiously. My RO just prescribed Radiaplex today...which looks similar to radiaplex (ingredient-wise). Anyone else prescribed this cream?

thanks!

Rad # 8 - went by quickly today. Saw the nurse today. She’s kind of a busy body and just wanted to see how I was doing even though I just saw the RO yesterday. Oh well.

20 to go....

Sunocean

I would definitely keep working out. I have seen it recommended to use cornstarch to help with perspiration. They make an unscented baby one you can buy at Walmart. Use an old knee high stocking filled with it instead of wiping your skin with a towel.

In the beginning liked to walk outdoors between 3-5 miles at a time. The sun is too bright and I can't protect my treatment location adequately from the sun. RO says no sunscreen in that area and my appointments are too early to walk before and the sun is too bright after. Now that I am nearing the end of my treatment 23/33 I'm too tired to walk after dinner. Only 2 more weeks and then I will have my “me” time back!

Hopefully you have a better workout plan than I did. Lol

6/20 today. Skin is quite pink and whole boob is sore and heavy. Her sister next door looks like a deflated beach ball. I am definitely getting these ladies fixed when all is said and done.

I liked the Miaderm. And I liked the calendula, on its one (both of these I tested on my inner arm before using because I have a ton of allergies). I did use 100% aloe, but read that is just very soothing, nothing else. (I have used aloe for sunburn before so I am not allergic to that...) The aloe and the calendula are in the miaderm. I used the Radiaplex last night and this morning. It is fine, but I can't really tell. I plan to use calendula cream midday.

I actually had a breast reduction at 18 that made part of my breast numb (and then my breasts grew again since I wasn't fully an "adult". So, I am not actually that itchy/in pain. But, it looks bad. The nipple/lumpectomy wound are probably the worst parts.

My RO also suggested corn starch, especially under the breast/armpit. So, I'm doing that as well to keep things dry. Today, I rolled a very thin, small washcloth up and put under, even while wearing a bra, to try to keep things even drier. I am trying all the things!

I'm getting ready to head out for # 9/28. So far my skin is holding up to it all. I am using pure aloe and Lindi Soothing Balm.

Fritz, I wear my sleeve during treatment. Some days I will pull it half way down and other days I just leave it. My Techs say it is no problem to have it on and my PT was the one who recommended it. She said "if they don't think it will interfere or cause problems with radiation, it could be a good idea to keep it on." So, I do.

Hope you all have a great day!

Morning! Wanted to post this as it might possibly help anyone else having skin issues. I finished 30 rounds of rads last Friday and up until literally the last day, my skin was fine and I had no issues. Then on Saturday and everyday since my underarm has been black and blue, red, scaly & dry and super painful. (All expected and I knew there would be side effects) My Radiologist originally prescribed Mometasone 2x a day from the start, then they gave me Calendula on top of that the last week. Yesterday my underarm area became so painful I made an appointment with my dermatologist. She said to stop with the steroid creams, it was too much now, stop with the Calendula and she gave me Tacrolimus cream 2x a day. I figured a dermatologist would be a good extra call to heal the best I can.

Rad # 10 - TGIF everybody! Talked to the nurse about the back spasms I’m having (I ended up sleeping on the couch last night because I could not lay in bed without hurting). The doctor is calling in a prescription for a muscle relaxant. Hope it helps.

Happy Easter

I finished my 5th day of the hypofractional radiation today and so far so good. I purchased the lotion that starts with an A and that is horrible ---- way too greasy -- had to wear an old T shirt to bed. I gave it up after using it twice. So I haven't used much lotion and still am not red. I'm trying to find the Miaderm before I start week 2. My only problem is my thoracic spine hurts a little while I'm on my back, but I think that's because I"m not used to laying in such a straight position on a hard surface. I did ask my RO about the percentage of lung and heart radiation I am getting. He showed me the film after the first day --- I'm left sided and the heart is completely protected. The lung is getting about 1mm up the side. He said in the old days they would shoot for 2 CM -- so this is very good.

Hi, Ladies - I've have 6 more days left to my 20 day radiation therapy & my Radiation Therapist told me I will be getting additional xrays and a "wire" on Monday for targeted radiation directly to my lumpectomy scar. Is this the same as what is commonly referred to as a "boost"? Are the boost treatments commonly left towards the end of radiation? Did any of you have any issues with the boosts vs. the regular radiation treatments? Thank you so much & many blessings to all.

I think the boost depend on the RO. I had clear margins, but was told that the protocol was 16 full rads and 5 boosts.