Fall 2015 Rads
Comments
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I just can't plan anything major until I am done. It's just the way my brain works.
I am kind of confused about the whole rads thing. Why do some people have 19 and some have 33 and some (like me) have 28?
Also, I am confused on applying topical stuff. I see people recommending all kind of oils and creams and aquaphor. When do you apply all this stuff? If you put oil on, won't it keep the aquaphor from being absorbed? I just don't know when to put on all of this stuff. My doctor said deodorant is ok as long as it is not 4 hours before treatment. I have been putting it on after. Why are people using Toms? I don't think Secret has any aluminum in it? I looked at the label. I am being radiated in my armpit. I have been putting on aquaphor after treatment and at night but it never dries out. Is that good? It's kind of gross.
Does anyone else have VERY naturally dry, sensitive skin? How are you faring?
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I have hypo thyroid and thus very dry skin. I practically bathe in lotion after a shower. Natural blond, Caucasian and brown eyes. I did quite well with 28 whole breast rads. I was uncomfortable at times, but very tolerable. I used Aquaphor twice then ditched it. My rad techs recommended the CVS Aloe and Crystals deodorant. They both worked well for me. I also added Cetaphil lotion, cornstarch and the cooling towel. All this were approved by my RO. For me, the Cetaphil was enough.
Keep your receipts. :0)
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keys you are awesome. Maybe you can help me think through a plan. Most of my rads will be in the morning. And with only a couple exceptions ill have to go right to work.
Should I try to get a small cooling towel, or cut one up, to put in my bra? Thankfully it is starting to be coat weather so I could put something under my clothes, put on my coat. Take it out when I get to the office 30-45 minutes later.
I ordered the calendula California baby cream. Plus California baby liquid soap and corn starch baby powder (thank you Amazon prime) plus got Toms unscented deodorant at whole food.
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Hi Keys! It sounds like you all finished up? What is the next step for you? When do you have more tests and/or appointments. Please stay here even though you're done.
You know you have cancer when you need your son to turn the tv on. : )
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Marijen...I'm 3 weeks post rads. I have a follow up appt with my MO next week. I'm starting back on PT on Monday. I requested to stop during week 4 of rads. I didn't want to risk damaging the fragile skin under my arm doing the exercises. She specializes in lymphedema. I don't have lymphedema, but she is starting me out slowly with upper body exercises and is teaching me lymph node message techniques, in case. I met with my RO last week and he put me on Aromasin (AI). So yes, finished with rads, but not finished with doctors. I think my next mammo will be in January. It will be a diagnostic mammo. RO wants me to heal from lx and radiation completely before they do the mammo.
Outrunning...Someone on the thread told a story about using the cooling towel while driving. She stopped at the grocery store on the way home. Everyone was staring at her. She looked down and realized her shirt was wet in the breast area. She knew people were wondering why a 62 year old would be lactating. lol It is still a good plan, but you might have to change your blouse when you get to work. You don't really have to have it dripping wet. You can put it over your bra or go commando with a light t shirt while you drive to work. Then get dressed up appropriately at work. You can apply your lotions or gels when changing at work. Be careful not to spill cornstarch on your nice clothes, if you use cornstarch. Don't forget to leave your jacket on when you're scuttling to the changing room. We don't need anymore lactating grandmas out there. (Sorry to offend if you're not grandma age.)
YKYABCP (You Know You're A Breast Cancer Patient) when......most of your phone contacts are under "D" for Doctor. (I stole that from someone else...thanks whoever you are).
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My simulation round is Nov 2nd and radiation starts on Nov 9th for 6 weeks M-F in the prone position. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated
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Trvler: the really short answer is "Cancer treatment is complicated". If your oncologists haven't mentioned it, or if you're not having problems doing whatever you're doing now, then don't worry about it. Really. The length of treatment is a prime example--the standard length in the U.S. has been at the upper end of the range you see here but there's a Canadian protocol (approximately the same amount of grays, divided over a smaller number of zaps) which is finally catching on here.
Which deodorant or ointment is another: nothing which interferes with radiation treatment (so no metal in the whatever you apply to your pits) and minimize irritants (so nothing in an alcohol gel base). As for Aquaphor, it may be the gold standard for ointments....but you're right. It's gooey as bleep. Ask your RO if there's something less sticky.
TinyDancer: let's start with "Take a deep breath. You'll get through this." When in doubt, ask your oncologist, but don't plotz about possible problems until they develop. And I've added you to the list.
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Healing up! Ok I hate to admit it but my RO was right on with his dates- Oct 13 really was the worst. Only one little section in my boost area that is still oozing, and the swelling is way down. All the rest is a mottled pink and grey, but the pink is winning! Still using Bag Balm on the oozing area and lathering the rest up with Cetaphil mixed with vit. E oil. Stay strong ladies!
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Thanks Queenmomcat. I'm not really worried, I just like to know what to expect, how to prepare my skin before it begins and what products I need to buy.
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Question. I have reach day 15 of 16 plus 4 boosts. Skin is pink and warm. The cool cloth has helped. My problem is I tried wearing my cotton sport bra today with expandera when I went out and found it uncomfortable if not painful. Camisoles are fine and I have several but my girls are two big to go without some sort of support. I have been rolling the front up and tucking it under my breast when I am at home but that won't work with some of my shirt. My clothes are not snug but you can see through them somewhat. I have cut up a few pieces of tee shirt fabric I have and tucked them under my breast to give a little support and keep skin from touching skin but I have this fear that it won't stay in place. Suggestions?
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Velcro? Thin removable bra inserts is a good idea!!
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hello...i haven't posted a lot, but have been following....
i have a question....i am super itchy! Its mainly the nipple area that is.
Its driving me crazy and it hurts and kept me up all night!
Anyone else itchy and have ideas on how to get it to stop so I can function?!?
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I was told to use cortisone cream for itching. Did you ask your techs or RO for their recommendations.
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i've tried the cortisone....still super itchy...may need something stronger
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Brutersmom...You are entering the most challenging part of radiation. I'm thinking your discomfort is under your boob or around the bra band. The rolled up t shirt under the boob is great. I did something similar. If your girls are large enough that they need support, then you shouldn't have any concern that the roll will fall out. But you could wear a Cami over it and tuck into your pants. And yes, there are some shirts that don't fit this strategy and you may not be able to wear for the next few weeks. That's ok. Think about layers. Fortunately the weather is turning cooler so that is in your favor. Layers can hide things. If your bra is rubbing in a particular place try stuffing something soft in that area. I've heard some women used a silk scarf.
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Hi all - I am going for my simulation on Wednesday and planning on starting radiation Nov. 4th. I am looking forward to getting this next leg of my BC journey behind me.
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queenmomcat, we made sure to book only the “Easy” shore excursions, even though some cost extra. Many of the included excursions are labeled “Moderate” and one is “Demanding.” We did some research on this particular cruise, and found that most shore excursions are drive-past-the-attractions rather than get-out-and-explore, so I should be fine. No mandatory shipboard activities. The ship has a great spa, but I’m going to have to forego it since saunas, schvitzes and hot tubs are all no-nos during any kind of adjuvant treatment. (I will, however, ask about what kinds of massages & facials are safe; there’s also a “snow cave,” but it’s kind of slippery and one of the reasons we’re hitting the southern Med in winter is to get away from snow).
We took a Viking River Cruise three years ago, Budapest to Amsterdam, and the only reasons I had any problem with the walking tours were pace (I was only 12 wks post-knee-replacement surgery and 30 lbs. heavier); and angular cobblestones in those little German towns. I didn’t want to look like an “ugly American” tourist in gym shoes and fanny pack, so instead of comfy sneakers I wore my Finn Comfort orthopedic walking shoes--and the soles were not thick enough to prevent severe metatarsal bruising that lasted several months. I’ve since learned my lesson--I bought Finn Comforts with thick rocker-profile soles as well as Hoka One One running shoes that feel like I’m walking on pillows. Not at all fashionable, but I’ll save fashion for onboard. I may also play the cancer card and request a wheelchair in airports (and try to see if I can convert my ticket to either Economy Comfort or even Business class at the gate--hubby says he’s fine in Coach). The one bummer is that in order to get better wines than the included plonk, we have to buy the Silver Spirits package, and it has to be for the entire cabin and not just my husband. The only extras I might get with that are creative “mocktails" and actual espresso from the bar instead of ersatz cappuccino from the self-serve machine. The better wines will be lost on me, since I can have only three glasses’ worth over the entire cruise due to having an ER+ tumor. (A small price to pay, even though I was up till now an oenophile, for a less aggressive cancer).
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ChiSandy....what's this about ER+ and no wine? I thought wine was suppose to be beneficial? I've recently converted from cocktails to wine. Please tell me it ain't so.😞
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Very interesting and informative post Chisandy, thank you. Keys-plez, any kind of alcohol increases estrogen in your body. Sorry. I'll send a link when I find it.
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I think I read somewhere in this thread someone had a ear infection from rads, even though doc said not rads. I've been having a weird feeling in my ear, doesn't hurt (yet) but feels plugged up. I know there is nothing in there. Just wondering if the ear infection started out that way or if it was different?
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Nevermind. I found the article on wine/alcohol. At least I won't die from a heart attack.
I wonder how these studies hold up for women on AIs? My body can't produce estrogen, not even from my fat anymore. My adrenal gland can't make it anymore.
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Really, how do you know that, tests? I asked endocrinologist Friday WHY doctors don't test menopausal women for estrogen levels. Wouldn't that be a smart thing to do for BC prevention? He dodged the true answer and said Femara does a good job with estrogen. Today my question is, until it is resisted and how do we know when that happens? I wish I had gone and got testing a long time ago from a holistic doctor.
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I'm post menopausal by nature. But even after menopause, your adrenal gland still produces estrogen by converting fat into estrogen by using aromatase. Aromatase inhibitors work by stomping out aromatase. Thus the adrenal gland fat converter engine is shut down. I've got fuel (fat). I've got the engine (adrenal gland). But no spark (aromatase).
I'm not sure what it is in alcohol that makes the body produce more estrogen and where that is happening. It's a good question.0 -
i just read about it, fat metabolizes different with alcohol. More fat, more estrogen. That's one reason obesity and alcohol are risks. But I think our polluted world has more to do with so many women getting BC. Up to 230,000 a year and climbing. There is something very wrong here.
Here's another question - if estrogen making slows down after menopause, then why most BC estrogen positive?
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ankledolphin: for insane itching, I took someone else's advice from their RO and bought Recticare at CVS - it has 5% lidocaine which is more than most have in them and it definitely helps with the itching and the pain. It is $30 for a small tube, but worth it for me.
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Goofyfoot...Fat is converted by the adrenal gland into estrogen. But now that I'm on AIs, it can no longer convert. All my docs know I drink (standard questionnaire). None of them ever said stop.
I think there's a connection between birth control pills, hrt and cancer. I know I did them all.
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Trvler- I have to have 33 rad treatments because my tumor was at 4:00 position and the surgeon wasn't able to get as much margin (since it was so close to skin edge) as he would have liked. Therefore I have to have more treatments, at least that is how I understood it. I was told to not use deodorants that contain aluminum because it could react to the treatments. Tom of Maines isn't supposed to contain aluminum. My doctor also said that people of European descent (thus possibly lighter hair and skin) usually have more problems with skin. Interestingly, he also said that when he sees patients that have no redness or irritation, he finds out that they usually have some Native American ancestry. My aunt had 33 rounds 4 years ago and she didn't have the least bit of redness or irritation (she is full Dutch). She said she used Dove soap to wash, and applied 100% aloe vera gel 3 times a day during treatments. I have an aloe vera plant that I plan to use with my radiologist's approval. I guess the mystery of who will have problems and who won't is as questionable as BC itself! Good luck!
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So many studies! At this point, I'm just going to trust my oncologists to mention anything that's a genuine risk to me and get on with life. (all standard disclaimers apply--your case may be different!)
ChiSandy: good that you've been on a cruise before, so you have some idea of what to expect. Bumping up a class or so sounds like a grand idea if only for the larger seats, and some sort of transportation assistance within the airport.Especially if it's a large airport. I'll contemplate this more tonight--tired now from a day-long trip to Chicago for an opera.
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What opera did you see, Qmc?
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Hi all, I'd like to join in. I'm starting rads on 10/29 for 6 weeks.
I have to do breathing radiation. Can someone explain how it works? I saw a picture where someone had something in their mouth, like a scuba like mouth piece. I hope not. I'm also very bothered by the tattoos they forced me into after the RO said I didn't need them. They just kept saying they will be small you won't even really see them. That's not the point, I know they are there.
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