What Do You Think Of Offering Rad Tips For Those That Are Just Starting Treatment Now Or Soon?

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Comments

  • Lynne Logan
    Lynne Logan Member Posts: 105 Member

    Thanks Ritzy Sue & DianeBC


    Thanks to all my pink sisters for the great Rad tips. I wrote them in my journal. I start chemo on June 8th for 6 cycles every 3 weeks to be followed by rads. I also made my chemo drugstore list from discussion on scared of chemo. I will continue to tell the cancer pts. at my breast center about this site so they can receive this priceless info from the pinkveterans.

    Peace,Blessings,& Hugs,
    Stacey

    Burns
    Hi,
    I was unable to finish my 1 last rads due to severe burns. Just like I couldn't finish my last infusion. I'm very sensitive to this stuff.
    I do have one little trick if any of you get to the weeping, nasty stage. I was given a surgical bra and some sheets of Nu Gel but that seemed to cut off all air and made the burn too moist. I was prescribed Silvadine to prevent infection, which is messy to use. It has the consistency of Noxema!
    Anyway, the best trick I discovered was to use either incontinence pads or sanitary napkins for wound dressing. The adhesive strip holds the pad in place inside a surgical bra or sports bra. No more having to change tops or bedding!
    Lynne
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598

    Burns
    Hi,
    I was unable to finish my 1 last rads due to severe burns. Just like I couldn't finish my last infusion. I'm very sensitive to this stuff.
    I do have one little trick if any of you get to the weeping, nasty stage. I was given a surgical bra and some sheets of Nu Gel but that seemed to cut off all air and made the burn too moist. I was prescribed Silvadine to prevent infection, which is messy to use. It has the consistency of Noxema!
    Anyway, the best trick I discovered was to use either incontinence pads or sanitary napkins for wound dressing. The adhesive strip holds the pad in place inside a surgical bra or sports bra. No more having to change tops or bedding!
    Lynne

    So sorry Lynne that this
    So sorry Lynne that this happened to you. Sending you healing thoughts and hugs!


    That is a great tip and I know many that had burns used Silvadine.


    Lex
  • 52262
    52262 Member Posts: 5
    ladyg said:

    Another cream to try.
    I used Aquaphor at night and a light application early in the morning. When I was getting dressed after my treatment I used Calendula Gel. It worked well and is not greasy so it does not stain your clothes. Another deoderant that is acceptable is Herbal Clear Sport. It also does not contain aluminum. Good wishes for all who are just starting rads.

    Hugs,
    Georgia

    what is calendula gel
    Thank you for the advice. I start my rads at the end of this month June. So where can one find calendula gel?
  • 52262
    52262 Member Posts: 5
    jnl said:

    I was told to not take any
    I was told to not take any vitamins during rads as you don't want your good or bad cells getting any nourishment to stay healthy. You want the cancer cells weak so the rads will kill them.

    Leeza

    vitamins
    Wow what a piece of news that is to me. I'm glad for this blog site. Thank you for sharing this.
  • 52262
    52262 Member Posts: 5
    Imadandy said:

    Vitamin E
    This scares me, as my Oncologist just put me on Vitamin E tablets twice a day for hot flashes. He didn't say anything about it helping the bad cells grow! I'm currently still on chemotherapy and won't start radiation for at least 11 more weeks. I wonder if I need to bring this up with the doctor at my next appointment...

    The Vitamin E actually helped calm down the hot flashes so this is a bummer to hear! The other option he gave me was going on Effexor and I'd rather not put more drugs in my system if I don't need to!

    Has anyone else been told this regarding Vitamins?

    Tracie

    effexer and hot flashes.
    I have been on effexor for about a year or more and have noticed I dont get the hot flashes but I get the large amount of sweating. Since the chemo induced menopause I feel like this cancer experience has aged me five to ten years more.I'm going to use the advice of not taking any vitamins or supplements during the rad tx.
  • 52262
    52262 Member Posts: 5
    madsters1 said:

    Rad tips
    THANK YOU ALL for the tips! I wrote them all down.I'm still in chemo (1st treatment). I start rads in Jan or Feb. Sure glad I got these tips from you all,as usual my oncologist has minimized radiation. She said people don't get burned from it. That was "back in the day" Now I'm freaking out!! I JUST get used to this horrible phase (chemo and a week from losing my hair) and find out that what I thought and was told was a "piece of cake" really isn't. Burning, cellulitis, braless (well all things aren't bad:), creams, do's and dont's etc etc. She told me waaay more than I needed to know about every aspect of cancer and barely mentioned the processes I'd be going through!
    Sorry guys I'm ticked. It seems there's something around every corner. Question: Is there EVER a time when you are truly done? No more "unexpecteds" ( barring of course recurrence). That, you can't keep looking over your shoulder and around every corner for.
    Any testimonies out there to say "there IS an ending to the invasions,the endless procedures and the unknowns or untolds about them"?

    the unexpected
    I like your honesty and feel the same way about:What other bad symptom am I going to have. Then all the warnings of if you fall in the future your ribs on the left side will be more vulnerable to fracture because of the rad treatment. So we also have to watch our every step to not get a painful rib fracture. I know it gets to feel like a pain all the time you know your skin is getting more painful. I really don't look forward to rad treatment. I have missed two months of working just because of the chemo and now the rad Dr wants me to take more time off because of my shift time. She must be concerned about how much rest and sleep I will be getting.
  • 52262
    52262 Member Posts: 5
    madsters1 said:

    Rad tips
    THANK YOU ALL for the tips! I wrote them all down.I'm still in chemo (1st treatment). I start rads in Jan or Feb. Sure glad I got these tips from you all,as usual my oncologist has minimized radiation. She said people don't get burned from it. That was "back in the day" Now I'm freaking out!! I JUST get used to this horrible phase (chemo and a week from losing my hair) and find out that what I thought and was told was a "piece of cake" really isn't. Burning, cellulitis, braless (well all things aren't bad:), creams, do's and dont's etc etc. She told me waaay more than I needed to know about every aspect of cancer and barely mentioned the processes I'd be going through!
    Sorry guys I'm ticked. It seems there's something around every corner. Question: Is there EVER a time when you are truly done? No more "unexpecteds" ( barring of course recurrence). That, you can't keep looking over your shoulder and around every corner for.
    Any testimonies out there to say "there IS an ending to the invasions,the endless procedures and the unknowns or untolds about them"?

    the unexpected
    I like your honesty and feel the same way about:What other bad symptom am I going to have. Then all the warnings of if you fall in the future your ribs on the left side will be more vulnerable to fracture because of the rad treatment. So we also have to watch our every step to not get a painful rib fracture. I know it gets to feel like a pain all the time you know your skin is getting more painful. I really don't look forward to rad treatment. I have missed two months of working just because of the chemo and now the rad Dr wants me to take more time off because of my shift time. She must be concerned about how much rest and sleep I will be getting.
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    52262 said:

    the unexpected
    I like your honesty and feel the same way about:What other bad symptom am I going to have. Then all the warnings of if you fall in the future your ribs on the left side will be more vulnerable to fracture because of the rad treatment. So we also have to watch our every step to not get a painful rib fracture. I know it gets to feel like a pain all the time you know your skin is getting more painful. I really don't look forward to rad treatment. I have missed two months of working just because of the chemo and now the rad Dr wants me to take more time off because of my shift time. She must be concerned about how much rest and sleep I will be getting.

    Rads are very doable 52262.
    Rads are very doable 52262. Just think of it as killing the cancer cells and ridding your body of any cancer. I know it isn't easy, but, there are a lot of great tips here to help you and always talk to your own rads oncologist about any side effects you are having. We will help you!


    Hugs, Megan
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000

    Burns
    Hi,
    I was unable to finish my 1 last rads due to severe burns. Just like I couldn't finish my last infusion. I'm very sensitive to this stuff.
    I do have one little trick if any of you get to the weeping, nasty stage. I was given a surgical bra and some sheets of Nu Gel but that seemed to cut off all air and made the burn too moist. I was prescribed Silvadine to prevent infection, which is messy to use. It has the consistency of Noxema!
    Anyway, the best trick I discovered was to use either incontinence pads or sanitary napkins for wound dressing. The adhesive strip holds the pad in place inside a surgical bra or sports bra. No more having to change tops or bedding!
    Lynne

    Ouch Lynne. I know this
    Ouch Lynne. I know this does happen to some. How is your skin doing now? Is it better?
  • Attygirl
    Attygirl Member Posts: 121
    Great bunch of advice
    Starting rads soon and I'm taking notes!
    Thanks so much for sharing...all of you!
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    Attygirl said:

    Great bunch of advice
    Starting rads soon and I'm taking notes!
    Thanks so much for sharing...all of you!

    I just read some posts where
    I just read some posts where some pink sisters are starting rads and thought this would be so helpful to them. It seems many really found good tips and advice in it.


    Good luck to all of you starting!
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    BetsyJane said:

    I am just starting RADS. Thank you for any tips I can get
    I am just starting radiation treatment. Actually, I have had six so far. I would really appreciate any and all tips I can get. You pink sisters are the BEST!

    Bumping up for newbies

    Bumping up for newbies
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member

    Thanks Ritzy Sue & DianeBC


    Thanks to all my pink sisters for the great Rad tips. I wrote them in my journal. I start chemo on June 8th for 6 cycles every 3 weeks to be followed by rads. I also made my chemo drugstore list from discussion on scared of chemo. I will continue to tell the cancer pts. at my breast center about this site so they can receive this priceless info from the pinkveterans.

    Peace,Blessings,& Hugs,
    Stacey

    Seeing as some pink sisters
    Seeing as some pink sisters are starting rads now, I think they will love all of this advice and tips.
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    madsters1 said:

    Rad tips
    THANK YOU ALL for the tips! I wrote them all down.I'm still in chemo (1st treatment). I start rads in Jan or Feb. Sure glad I got these tips from you all,as usual my oncologist has minimized radiation. She said people don't get burned from it. That was "back in the day" Now I'm freaking out!! I JUST get used to this horrible phase (chemo and a week from losing my hair) and find out that what I thought and was told was a "piece of cake" really isn't. Burning, cellulitis, braless (well all things aren't bad:), creams, do's and dont's etc etc. She told me waaay more than I needed to know about every aspect of cancer and barely mentioned the processes I'd be going through!
    Sorry guys I'm ticked. It seems there's something around every corner. Question: Is there EVER a time when you are truly done? No more "unexpecteds" ( barring of course recurrence). That, you can't keep looking over your shoulder and around every corner for.
    Any testimonies out there to say "there IS an ending to the invasions,the endless procedures and the unknowns or untolds about them"?

    Bumping this up as I see some

    Bumping this up as I see some are starting rads soon.  There are so many great tips and experiences from the other pink sisters that I hope you can use some of them.

    And, just ASK, if you have any questions. 

    I had rads and had boosters at the end by the way.

     

     

    Lex

  • desertgirl947
    desertgirl947 Member Posts: 653 Member
    My RO had me start right off

    My RO had me start right off with a cream -- Miaderm.  I have other friends who used other things, but they also started right out with treating the area.  I did end up having some problems with burns, but my RO/nurse had me use Silvadene on the area affected for parts of the day and then carefully clean the area with diluted hydrogen peroxide every time I made a change -- whether to apply Silvadene or to just let it "air."  I quickly healed.

    I was thankful to be able to stay on schedule.  My RO staff did a great job keeping tabs on my skin and how it was reacting.

  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000

    My RO had me start right off

    My RO had me start right off with a cream -- Miaderm.  I have other friends who used other things, but they also started right out with treating the area.  I did end up having some problems with burns, but my RO/nurse had me use Silvadene on the area affected for parts of the day and then carefully clean the area with diluted hydrogen peroxide every time I made a change -- whether to apply Silvadene or to just let it "air."  I quickly healed.

    I was thankful to be able to stay on schedule.  My RO staff did a great job keeping tabs on my skin and how it was reacting.

    Several on here that did burn

    Several on here that did burn used Silvadene.  Always make sure that your skin is being checked daily, either by the nurse or your rads oncologist.  Keep lots of whatever you're told to use on it.  I used, I think, tons of Aquaphor and I know it helped. 

     

     

  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    Megan M said:

    Several on here that did burn

    Several on here that did burn used Silvadene.  Always make sure that your skin is being checked daily, either by the nurse or your rads oncologist.  Keep lots of whatever you're told to use on it.  I used, I think, tons of Aquaphor and I know it helped. 

     

     

    Bumping up for SK12.  There

    Bumping up for SK12.  There are so many good tips and hints here for you to read and go over with your own rads onco.

  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    jnl said:

    Bumping up also for newbies

    Bumping up also for newbies

    Thinking some might still be

    Thinking some might still be able to use this info, so, bumping up for them.