Fall 2015 Rads
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Hi ladies,
Just had my first treatment today. After all the preparation, I was still surprised at how fast the actual treatment went. Zap, buzz, reposition, zap, done. Less than 5 minutes. 1 down, 21 to go!
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Allison, the brand cooling towel I have is Mission. I got it at a sporting goods store in town. I think they sell them at a lot of big stores. It is around $15. Maybe a little less
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Rainnyc: (answers door and invites you in here as well) Welcome to the group--I put you on the list for the 28th, though easy enough to change if something comes up. Glad (in a manner of speaking) you've made if this far, and hoping someone will chime in about the radiation combined with lymphedema.
Wildflower: anticlimactic, isn't it?
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My cooling hoodie brand is Mission, too. So far, I like it. I put my breast in the hood and one side can wrap around my neck so it doesn't fall off, and the other side can cool off my armpit. The hood part is very big--it's meant to cool the head-- but it fits around the breast and allows the rest of the hood to go under the breast and up on the chest. I posted a picture of it on this tread a few days back. It was about $15 or so, but it really cools my chest down--today is day 2 for me! I got the idea of a cooling towel from Kbee, and decided to get the hoodie to see if it covers more territory on my chest. (Great idea Kbee!)
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queenmomcat,
Anticlimactic, yes - but I'll take it. I hope to have the most boring sessions ever, and nothing to report!
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I have Boiron brand calendula in my first aid kit, but it’s an ointment. Maybe the odor comes from a petrolatum (mineral oil jelly) base? I have a WF around the block from me. I bought a jar of aloe cream there in anticipation of radiation, I was told creams & ointments are okay but to watch out for gels because they are alcohol-based (even glycerin is an alcohol) and can irritate already sensitive skin.
I don’t know exactly what causes microcalcifications except that they are left behind as a result of tumor activity--the tissue damaged by the cancer cells calcifies. Another remnant that is evidence of tumor activity is “fat necrosis,” when fat cells are damaged by the tumor. (Most women’s breasts are primarily made of fat). It has NO relation to intake of dietary calcium, nor does taking calcium cause coronary-artery calcifications (which when they show up on a heart CT scan usually indicate the location of atherosclerotic plaques).
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Marijen, my RO told me about secondary cancers, how to find them, treatments etc. He also said the chance was less than 1 percent, and most don't develop for 10 years or more. He also explained ribs can get brittle, shoulders can get frozen, lymphedema risk goes up to 25%, my heart could get damaged, and I could develop radiation pneumonitis. He was very open about all the potential risks and benifits. The cancer I had would have killed me though-figured I'd fight what was in front of me lol.
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Thank you littleblueflowers, good news, one less thing to worry about. I have osteoporosis so worried about the ribs. Radiation on the right so RO says no heart damage. Will just have to take it one day at a time. Surgery first.
Thanks Chisandy, very interesting on the calcification and how it gets there. I have asked several doctors about that and the only thing they say is inflammation, damage tissue. I definitely have sensitive skin and that is why I'm looking into the best creams and ointments. Chisandy are you also a medical professional. This is just such a great spot for information and advice and it will only get better. How is your wound doing today?
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This is probably a silly question, but here goes: I start my treatments on the 28th, but was given the opportunity to go to the beach by a good friend (free condo) for a few days before. I have already been marked up (sharpie pen) on breast for the upcoming treatments. I am healed from surgery (9/15/15) and don't see any reason to avoid the pool/ocean swimming except to be careful not to get a sunburn on breasts. Does anyone know anything I need to be aware of while there? The sharpie marks have been covered by plastic tape, kinda like the surgery incision had been taped, so I am hoping the salt water/chlorine water won't wash them away. Wouldn't they be happy with me if I showed up with marks no longer there! Advice accepted!
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Don't go in the water?
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Elsheba: have the tapes over the Sharpie marks survived showering? Has the RO mentioned anything about (not) immersing yourself in water? If a) yes and b) no, then I wouldn't worry about it too much....all standard disclaimers apply, of course, and if your concience bothers you, there's always putting a call in to your RO.
That said, aren't Sharpie marks notorious for rubbing off with even innocuous activity, like putting Aquaphor on? (I had tattoos. What do I know?)
Edit: just to put this in perspective, I swam in a chlorinated public pool throughout rads, and didn't have a problem with skin irritation over and above the usual chit resulting from the rads themselves--pinkness and heat, but no skin breaks. I can't imagine that taking a dip beforehand would hurt!
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Elisheba, they can remark you; they will just have to take new x Rays. I was allergic to the adhesives, so I was remarked often. This breast cancer crap leaves little time for fun. When you have the opportunity, take it. That's my humble opinion. 😁
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Also what Kbee said. Enjoy yourself! And take a dip for me. (I live in Michigan, visiting Vermont just now.)
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Queenmomcat- yes, the marks have survived showering and rubbing against clothing. RO pretty much said they should be fine with showering, therefore I figured swimming should be okay also. The only limitation he mentioned was not to immerse in a hot tub during rad treatments (I may call him tomorrow just to double check.) I was born in Michigan, but moved to Tennessee when I was 7. Some of my best summer vacations are still spent with all my relatives up there! Thanks for input, and I plan to have lots of fun!!
Kbee-about remarking: that's kinda what I thought too. And sometimes a girl just has to have fun, regardless!
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So you should be fine for swimming unless the water's way hotter than I expect it is. (I have my doubts about East Texas.) Have a good time! and take pictures.
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1 of 33 down! Set up took a while, had x-ray and treatment was quick. Met with nurse to go over lotions and caring for my skin. They use miaderm, uddderly smooth cream and Aquafor. I was also told I could use any aloe Vera including the plant as long as it doesn't have alcohol. Miaderm is ridiculously expensive so I bought the underlying smooth. I plan to ask if I can continue my calendula as well.
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Oh and one of my tattoos is way up above my foob! Very noticeable spot. I am getting 50 gray over 28 treatments and 10 gray boosts over 5 treatments.
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I just looked and aquaphor has alcohol.
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Trvler, Check again. Aquaphor ointment is a petroleum based product. Mine does not have alcohol in it. Worked really well for me and not that expensive.
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Aquafor doesn't have alcohol but yuck I couldn't even get it off my hands. I am going to need to use gloves. I did buy the CVS aloe Vera with lidocaine as you all suggested. I wish I had known about this in years past. I sunburn easily even when using plenty of sunscreen.
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Yes Molly50 is right and it is quite yucky. I must live in the wrong area. I could not find the CVS Aloe Vera with lidocaine. I did get the green gel and I am using it on the area out side my boost site. Cool cloth is the best. I am only pink and some areas even tanned. I hope that it stays that way through the boost. I am counting down the days. Friday is my last.
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Removing Aquaphor? Baby wipes were suggested earlier in the thread. (My skin's dry enough that it wasn't a problem for me--just swab my hands up my arms. Just had to remember to not pet the cats immediately after using.)
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also lanolin. Not withstanding my personal issue with lanolin my RO group hand out specifically states a non-lanolin based cream
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What ingredient are you referring to? Bisabolo it is more an oil than a true alcohol.
Bisabolol, or more formally α-(−)-bisabolol or also known as levomenol, is a natural monocyclic sesquiterpene alcohol. It is a colorless viscous oil that is the primary constituent of the essential oil from German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and Myoporum crassifolium.
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For those of you further along, do you think it's just psychological that my throat feels weird, not hurting just weird , after just one radiation session? My treatment goes all the way up my neck with my head turned to the right to protect my esophagus.
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Trvler: fair enough--alcohols come under many different names--but I think this one's different from the compound used in, say, hand sanitizers and gel antiperspirants. Which is what the majority of ROs squawk about.
Let me ask a chemist of my acquaintance......
Outrunning: thank you for mentioning the 'known allergen' caveat about lanolin. Not everyone does react to lanolin, but Aquaphor's a pretty goopy mess.
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Possibly, Queen. Just found it confusing.
Goopy mess is right!
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Lanolin alcohol: chemist relative sez "'Alcohol' refers to a class of compounds. They all end -OH but the remainder of the molecule is a different combination of hydrocarbons for each compound." Meaning the alcohols in booze, liniment and Aquaphor are distantly connected from a chemical standpoint, but in terms of real-world applications, very different. Think carbon dioxide and hydrogen dioxide.
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Ladies - how does one get billed for rads? Is it like an office visit where you pay a copay for each visit?
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