CMF Question
Comments
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Hello everyone. I'm just bumping up our thread so it's easier for newbies to find. I hope that everyone had a great holiday weekend!
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Thank you! I hope that everyone is doing well. I know that some of our newer ladies are getting ready to end treatment or are very close.
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round 7 today. Feeling tired and my legs feel like someone encased them in cement. So happy to b almost done. Just 1 more.
Met with radiation oncologist yesterday. They are prescribing 16 rounds whole breast radiation followed by 4 rounds targeted. Anyone have experience they can share.
Should start in late October, done around thanksgicing. So eager to b "done" with all this.
Hope everyone is doing ok
Amy
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You're almost done with the chemo, Amy, and the chemo was much worse for me than the rads. The rads were just time consuming as yu hav to show up everyday except on the weekends. It seemed like it took longer to change into the gown and then get dressed again as it did to have the radiation treatments. They will give you cream to use to keep from burning. Be sure to slather it on good and you should do o.k. with the treatments. I am an early riser and only had to go into town to have my rads done so I took an early time in the day. They were never running behind at that point so I got in and out rather quickly and seldom had to wait. Most of us found the rads to be quite doable.
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Amy, so glad you are almost done with chemo.
I start rads 9/21. Unfortunately, I get the full 33-treatment regime. Not sure how they determine how many, but I'm going to ask just out of curiosity. But, after all I've been through, let them radiate me all they want. No skimping at this point.
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Amy - just one more to go after this one! You got this!
I didn't have rads, but everyone says it is easier than chemo but still makes you incredibly tired. Make sure to use the creams!
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sue, would b curious if u get answer to how many rad treatments. I too didn't really care, just want to finish treatment. Feeling lousy today, but know it will b all over soon.
Anyone know about creams, etc for radiation? My doc mentioned aquaphor but not much else.
Amy
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Hi Amy!
I had rads in 2009 so there may be newer and better creams out there. The things I found most useful for preventing burning and discomfort during rads were the following:
My Girls Cream: this was only available directly from the company in 2009 but nowadays you can find it at some pharmacies and at amazon. I would put this on in the dressing room after each rads treatment and then used it about twice a day at home.
Emu oil: towards the very end of my rads, I found that a drop or two of emu oil was quite helpful. I only ordered a 2 oz size and I had plenty left at the end.
Aquaphor with lidocaine: for the period immediately following my "boost". My rads onc made this up in his office and gave it directly to patients.
Corn starch: One of the Canadian gals on bc.org suggested keeping the area dry with corn starch (the kind you eat, not the baby powder version)...that was what her onc suggested. I found it helpful.
This list of creams may sound daunting but don't let it discourage you. I had less burning and discomfort than most as a result of staying on top of the rads so to speak. The two women who were my rads technicians commented on how little burining I had and so did my rads onc (who then asked for what I had done). I never found the acquaphor that helpful.
I also was able to avoid getting those rads tattoos by requesting it (pretty firmly)--they could use marker for the field and after the rads, the marker washed off. So if you don't want the tattoos as a reminder, be sure to take this up with your rads onc before your "work up". Lots of things are convenient but not required for good treatment.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best to all you gals on CMF and to those of you who have gone on to rads.
Hugs to everyone.
Mandy 1313
I
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I was tattooed for rads but afterwards the rad doc took another look at.my mammograms and other things and told me she didn't like the looks of an area and sent me back to my oncologist who had more ultrasound and sure enough they biopsied it and it was a cancer lump they had missed. So I ended up having a mastectomy. No rads since I was already taking tamoxifen nothing more. But the tattoos are still there and every new doctor figure.I have had it. Then I have to explain it one more time.
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Hi Mandy and Rita.
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Amy, I too had the 16/4 regiment, same as you are doing.(April of this year) Only had 1 small black spot tattoo in the center of my chest, for everything else they used marker with special tapes over the marks. Went fine til the last week, then I started getting some red spots on my chest. Radiation had me get some cream called Miaderma, expensive, $30 for a four ounce tube, but it will last the entire treatment. I put that on faithfully after every treatment, and the girls always said how good my skin looked. But once I started getting the spots, I found Calendula salve worked better. It's a herbal ointment from flowers( eBay) and it really worked for me. Even the radiation girls wanted to know what I was using. I never found Aquaphor helpful. Don't be surprised if you continue getting spots, even for weeks after radiation. But it will end! Good luck
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thanks for all the advice.
Amy
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Hi there, Lisa! I always look forward to a post by you!
Amy, your rad doctor will keep a close eye on you during the treatments and will advise you on the cream to use when it is needed. I really used it generously and had no major problems, even after the boosts. I also used the corn starch because I had my treatments during the summer and I needed something to absorb the sweat as I wasn't spendinng the entire month of August sitting inside in my easy chair!
I didn't have the tattoos either. They just used these sticky little clear disks on me and the infamous black magic marker. That was pretty simple.
Hi Mandy!!!
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Hi Amy. I started rads yesterday. Today I got there at 3 and was done at 3:08. I am using Miaderm, aquaphor and something called triple B, that was recommended on a board. It's very good.
Let me know if you have any questions for me.
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Good luck with the rads, Sue! It's usually a quick "in and out" unless they are behind schedule for the day!
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last chemo tomorrow morning. Yeah! Just a few more yucky days and on to rads. Set up apointment is end of next week. So eager to get through the next few days.
Amy
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Yea Amy!!!!!! You're just about done with the chemo. I think you will find that the rads are easier. They sure were for me!
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I certainly hope the rads are easier. Just harder logistically with work, commuting etc. All done by thanksgiving. Can't wait to find a new normal!
Amy
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Congratulations Amy! I hope the last infusion goes well and that you will begin to recover emotionally and physically. Hoping that rads will treat you better and look forward to Thanksgiving.
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Amy, you're finished with chemo! I think you will find rads easier though the logistics can seem daunting. And Thanksgiving this year will be really great!
Hugzz
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Be sure to keep in touch, Amy as you go through the rads!
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Amy, so happy you are finishing chemo. Congrats!!!!!
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Sue, how are you doing with the rads? Haven't heard from you in awhile so I'm hoping that they are going well for you and that you have just been busy!
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If this was facebook, I'd like some of the comments here. Sue and the others, please let us now how you are doing. We are CMF sista's and we are here for you.
Hugs
Mandy1313
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hi all. Done with chemo! Yeah Yeah yeah!
Had 1st set up appointment with radiation this morning. Was able find position on my stomach, which everyone was very happy with. My arm was sore and numb from lying like that, but I'll never have to spend 45 mins like that again. I now have 4 tiny pin price sized tattoos around my breast. I can barely see them. I start end of october. Bought calendula cream and corn starch powder and got out the non underwire bras again. Hope everyone is doing well.
Amy
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Amy, SO GLAD you're done with chemo. Congrats.
Ritajean, thanks for your concern about my rads. 15 treatments down today. 11 more full breast, then 7 boosts. The breast is getting pink, but nothing more. I'm feeling OK. My daughter got married last weekend and I was SO EXHAUSTED! But I think it was from running ragged to get ready for the wedding and not the radiation. Back to work full time on Monday. Ah yes, life goes on.
Hugs to all!
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SueH, you are in the end zone. I found for those final rads TX, that emu oil helped with the annoyance of the burning. You can buy a small amount on amazon--and all you need is a tiny amount. My rads onc also made his own acquaphor with lidacaine which definetly reduced pain. Perhaps yours also will offer that. The goal is in view! All the best!
Amy, let us know how your prone radiaiton works. I had wanted prone radiation too, but in the days when I had mine, it was not offered at my cancer center. You are ready with your cream and corn starch. Check in here and let us know how it goes.
Hugs to all of the present and former CMFers.
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Amy, I was told (as were many) never to use cornstarch, as it can cause a fungus. You may want to check with your RO before using it. I wonder how they determine if you lay prone or supine....
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Interesting about the corn starch Sue as I was told to use it to keep the area dry when I had rads. It seems as if every doctor is different and gives different advice. Amy, best to ask your doctor what he/she suggests.
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I used the cornstarch too and it really helped. I had my rads in August so I perspired alo,t as you couldn't keep me off the golf course, and the corn starch helped keep the area dry. It's always a good idea to check with your rad doc before using anything on the area.
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