Working Thru Rads, Have Questions
I did get a couple of days off last week. My hubby and I went to Branson, MO for 4 days, over the weekend, too, real nice. Boy, was it great to get away. Since last Feb., all we've done is go back and forth with dr. appointments, procedures, operations, ER visits, 12 weeks of chemo after masectomy, and now almost 35 rad treatments. Most of you know the routine.
We also celebrated our 29th anniversary last Sunday so we've had some nice happenings too. Family and friends have really been there for us, giving us gift cards for restaurants, bringing food over, sending us cards and flowers, and letting us know they're there for us. Sometimes this disease brings out the best in others even when its about to do us in. We'll get thru this together. Hang in there, do what you have to do to beat the beast and get on with life. My thoughts and prayers are for all of you.
Love, Sunrae
Comments
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Sunrae it is nice to hear
that you are doing ok and had a good vacation. Congratulation on your anniversary.
I think dry throat was my problem too. Please continue use creams and lotions after you finish radiation for several months.
Boost was not fun for me. You are getting close to the finish line.
Please keep smiling.It will help.
Hugs,
New Flower0 -
Rads
Hi Sunray I had 33 radiation treatments 8 were boosters. I also got red and sore They me Benfin cream which did help. My skin did peel off under the breast and under the arm it was very uncomfortable. I would put aquaphor on one of my husbands hankies and put it in my bra so it did not stick to the fabric it also helped. I am a ddd which I been told the larger you are the harder it is. Good Luck Your are almost finished. Cindy0 -
Cindy, thanks for the tipGrandma X 6 said:Rads
Hi Sunray I had 33 radiation treatments 8 were boosters. I also got red and sore They me Benfin cream which did help. My skin did peel off under the breast and under the arm it was very uncomfortable. I would put aquaphor on one of my husbands hankies and put it in my bra so it did not stick to the fabric it also helped. I am a ddd which I been told the larger you are the harder it is. Good Luck Your are almost finished. Cindy
Cindy, thanks for the tip about using a hanky in your bra. Haven't been wearing one because of using the cream and being irritated but we're going to a dinner tomorrow evening and I will try your method.0 -
My suggestion would be to
My suggestion would be to ask the DR to show you exactly (as in touching your skin) the area that's being radiated. I thought that only the breast and under arm area was being radiated but found out when the burns happened after rads that I was wrong. There were also rads done up the side of my neck (did burn fairly bad but not the worst though bad enough to scar).
Not saying that to bother you but take care of your skin - I had no booster.0 -
I did almost lose my voiceSunrae said:Cindy, thanks for the tip
Cindy, thanks for the tip about using a hanky in your bra. Haven't been wearing one because of using the cream and being irritated but we're going to a dinner tomorrow evening and I will try your method.
I did almost lose my voice Sunrae during rads, and, even though my rads oncologist said it wasn't because of rads, I think it was. He gave me a liquid to drink that they give to throat cancer patients. It is a prescription and it cleared it right up. If you want to know the name of it..just post.
Good luck!0 -
Congrats
congratulation on 29 years of marriage!..... glad to hear your treatments are almost done. I am right behind you having completed 13 rads...can't wait. I have redness or soreness by bra line and on side of neck. They gave me Miaderm cream to use. No spre throat but nurse mentioned that possibility in the beginning?????? keep us posted on your throat issues. Glad to hear you got away too.........I am planning a trip before boosters .... been too long with every day dealing with docs and appts. Take care and good luck as you approach the finish line!0 -
Sunrae,cavediver said:Congrats
congratulation on 29 years of marriage!..... glad to hear your treatments are almost done. I am right behind you having completed 13 rads...can't wait. I have redness or soreness by bra line and on side of neck. They gave me Miaderm cream to use. No spre throat but nurse mentioned that possibility in the beginning?????? keep us posted on your throat issues. Glad to hear you got away too.........I am planning a trip before boosters .... been too long with every day dealing with docs and appts. Take care and good luck as you approach the finish line!
If you are using
Sunrae,
If you are using aloe cream, make sure it is 100% aloe. I used both that and aquaphor and had minimal burning, mostly on the bra line and near my nipple. I was very lucky. My sister had more burning and had burns up to her neckline. She also had throat issues but they didn't think it was related. I am thinking judging from these posts that it is. Hope they can suggest something to help regardless of the source.
Stef0 -
First, congrats on yourfauxma said:Sunrae,
If you are using
Sunrae,
If you are using aloe cream, make sure it is 100% aloe. I used both that and aquaphor and had minimal burning, mostly on the bra line and near my nipple. I was very lucky. My sister had more burning and had burns up to her neckline. She also had throat issues but they didn't think it was related. I am thinking judging from these posts that it is. Hope they can suggest something to help regardless of the source.
Stef
First, congrats on your anniversary Sunrae! I never used aloe, as, my rads oncologist didn't approve it, but, I know lots on here have and liked it.
My rads oncologist gave me a prescription for Biafine for the really dark pink that I got and that is what helped me.
The rads go clear up to your collar bone, so, I have always thought that it could affect your throat. Just make sure your rads oncologist knows about any problem that you have.
During boosters, the rest of the area that got radiated will already start to heal and with a few weeks after rads, your skin will look and feel great, or, mine did.
Keep using the creams!
Lex♥0 -
I should have added theAlexis F said:First, congrats on your
First, congrats on your anniversary Sunrae! I never used aloe, as, my rads oncologist didn't approve it, but, I know lots on here have and liked it.
My rads oncologist gave me a prescription for Biafine for the really dark pink that I got and that is what helped me.
The rads go clear up to your collar bone, so, I have always thought that it could affect your throat. Just make sure your rads oncologist knows about any problem that you have.
During boosters, the rest of the area that got radiated will already start to heal and with a few weeks after rads, your skin will look and feel great, or, mine did.
Keep using the creams!
Lex♥
I should have added the caution that Sunrae should run everything by her team. I know that the recommendations vary widely from facility to facility. I was actually given my aloe and aquaphor but others were cautioned against it and given other things. I have heard good things about the biafine although I never needed it. The best thing is to ask before using anything just to be sure. And yes, Lex, is so right continue using the creams way after you finish. I used mine for 6 weeks or more just in case.
Stef0 -
5 More Treatments Left
I have 5 more treatments of IMRT (Intense Therapy Radiation Treatment). They are radiating my throat area too and it is very soar right now, I can barely swallow. My doctor told me it's a side effect of the radiation. My arm pit is the only other area that is irritated, I'm using a prescription cream, but I'm not sure of the name. Hope it goes by fast for you. Happy Anniversary sounds like you had a nice time.
Hugs,
Genie0 -
Forgot to wish you a verycahjah75 said:Sunrae
Happy Anniversary! I haven't had rads so I can't comment on what you're feeling. Hope it gets better and glad to hear you only have 11 left! Yah!
{{hugs}} Char
Forgot to wish you a very Happy Anniversary Sunrae! That is great!
Hugs, Megan0 -
Sunrae, it is good to see
Sunrae, it is good to see you post an update. I was wondering about your last week. Happy Anniversary, too. You are on the final stretch now!! My rads onc only recommended 100% aloe vera gel. It worked like a charm for me but run it all past your doc. I don't get why they can all be so different, but they are. Take care of yourself and enjoy that little getaway you have planned.0 -
Thanks for all your commentsJean 0609 said:Go Sunrae!!!!
Almost there. Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel???? Glad you had a nice weekend and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!! Hugs, Jean
Thanks for all your comments and help. I asked my dr. again yesterday about my throat issues and she said that since I am being radiated in my neck and collarbone area along with the chest wall and underarm, it could be causing my problem. About 5% have a throat problem but she said it'll go away after my treatments are done. I'm also having some nausea still, don't know what that's from and lymphdema is still a problem. Have to wear sleeve all the time, and should wear the glove but don't always wear it. I was marked yesterday for where the booster treatments will be done, that'll start Friday. Looking sooo forward to getting this all done and just hope it all has done what its supposed to do, kill the beast. Wish the same ting for all of you and hope the results are all good.0 -
Happy Anniversary, and Congratulations on "Almost" CompletedSunrae said:Thanks for all your comments
Thanks for all your comments and help. I asked my dr. again yesterday about my throat issues and she said that since I am being radiated in my neck and collarbone area along with the chest wall and underarm, it could be causing my problem. About 5% have a throat problem but she said it'll go away after my treatments are done. I'm also having some nausea still, don't know what that's from and lymphdema is still a problem. Have to wear sleeve all the time, and should wear the glove but don't always wear it. I was marked yesterday for where the booster treatments will be done, that'll start Friday. Looking sooo forward to getting this all done and just hope it all has done what its supposed to do, kill the beast. Wish the same ting for all of you and hope the results are all good.
Sunrae, I really think that sometimes while taking radiation we have to be cautious ourselves. After one of my treatments I suddenly had soreness/pain in my right thumb joint and wrist. After thinking through the session, I realized that I had placed my right hand on my stomach during the radiation, rather than down on the table beside my hip as I usually did. I asked the next day, and was told that the radiation is pretty widespread, and could be the culprit. Another session, they placed me on the table with my head in the "foam guide", as usual, but one of the techs thought I was out of position a bit and she rolled me further over on my left side than usual. The next day I noticed pain in my right breast, near the breast bone. I know that the previous day's radiation was the cause, as the radiation penetrated an area that had not been hit before. After that I was very vocal to make sure that I was comfortable with the position the put me in before we started the treatment. According to which part of the breast is being treated, and which direction the rads are coming from, you may have irritation in your throat area. Ask you radiation oncologist, and make sure you are comfortable with his answer. Sometimes the tech who perform the rads doesn't know everything. Hope you are through all of this soon, and then starts your recovery. Hugs, Judy0 -
Sunrae--I had the throat thing toocreampuff91344 said:Happy Anniversary, and Congratulations on "Almost" Completed
Sunrae, I really think that sometimes while taking radiation we have to be cautious ourselves. After one of my treatments I suddenly had soreness/pain in my right thumb joint and wrist. After thinking through the session, I realized that I had placed my right hand on my stomach during the radiation, rather than down on the table beside my hip as I usually did. I asked the next day, and was told that the radiation is pretty widespread, and could be the culprit. Another session, they placed me on the table with my head in the "foam guide", as usual, but one of the techs thought I was out of position a bit and she rolled me further over on my left side than usual. The next day I noticed pain in my right breast, near the breast bone. I know that the previous day's radiation was the cause, as the radiation penetrated an area that had not been hit before. After that I was very vocal to make sure that I was comfortable with the position the put me in before we started the treatment. According to which part of the breast is being treated, and which direction the rads are coming from, you may have irritation in your throat area. Ask you radiation oncologist, and make sure you are comfortable with his answer. Sometimes the tech who perform the rads doesn't know everything. Hope you are through all of this soon, and then starts your recovery. Hugs, Judy
About mid-way through rads I felt a weird sensation when I swallowed--not really a sore throat--just like inflammation. It felt as if I had a pill stuck in my throat. I told this to the rad. onc. and he said--yup, that can happen with the rads--it's esophagitis and will subside when we're done. Sure enough, it did. I'm sure it was a reaction to the radiation to the sub-clavicular area.
Hang in there--you're almost there and a special congrats on your anniversary!
Hugs, Renee0 -
Renee, you pretty well described what I'm feeling in my throat, and its only when I swallow. The other problem I'm having is I still have nausea, not like when I was taking chemo, but just feel nauseated, not enough to throw up. Dr. says rads doesn't cause this but I'm not so sure. I do have some reflux problems but not sure that would make me sick. I know everyone has some problems when going thru all this and hopefully it all goes away when treatments are done. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and I'm heading for it. Love you all.missrenee said:Sunrae--I had the throat thing too
About mid-way through rads I felt a weird sensation when I swallowed--not really a sore throat--just like inflammation. It felt as if I had a pill stuck in my throat. I told this to the rad. onc. and he said--yup, that can happen with the rads--it's esophagitis and will subside when we're done. Sure enough, it did. I'm sure it was a reaction to the radiation to the sub-clavicular area.
Hang in there--you're almost there and a special congrats on your anniversary!
Hugs, Renee0 -
radiation burn
Toward the middle of my radiation ( I had total of 25 plus 5 booster), I developed very uncomfortable burns. Aquaphor was not much help and another cream did not help. Then my radiologist gave me a scrip for Regenecare HA. Put out by the company MPM Medican Inc.
This is an over the counter kept behind pharmacy and you have to have the script to get it. It was really good. Releived the pain and then my burns stopped and started to heal. It was not greasy. It is a Lanocaine base cream. I wished she would have given me this earlier because I think the burns would have been easier to cope with. Not all pharmacies carry it and may have to be ordered. I had to get it from our Albertson's pharmacy. Rite Aid could not get it. Hope this helps0
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