How to manage radiation

vickiek811

I have round 5 this morning, already showing some side effects:  not hungry, throat pain, exhausted, pain in area treated.  I'm Starting side effects earlier than most, relate it to the spinal cord disease I have and spinal MS.  What do others do to get through the side effects?  I was sent home early from work yesterday because I couldn't make it through.  I want to work.  I also am in a graduate program, which I take at night.  It's so discouraging.  I am helping to start a group support group at my MDA and our planning meeting is after radiation this morning.  Also, my plan was changed yesterday.  They increased the area to be treated.  Is that typical?  Why do they do that?  Thanks for all the support!  Vickie 

Puffin2014

radiation side effects

Afraid I don't have much to offer for advice as I didn't have many side effects from my chemo. It IS surprising that your plan would be changed after 3 or 4 treatments, ask your RO what made that necessary. Listen to your body, choose your priorities, maybe you'll only be able to work part time, etc. Keep us posted, sending you gentle hugs {{hugs}}

VickiSam

Puffin2014 said:

radiation side effects

Afraid I don't have much to offer for advice as I didn't have many side effects from my chemo. It IS surprising that your plan would be changed after 3 or 4 treatments, ask your RO what made that necessary. Listen to your body, choose your priorities, maybe you'll only be able to work part time, etc. Keep us posted, sending you gentle hugs {{hugs}}

Vickie = sounds like your plate is flowing 'over'

with responsibilies, treatment, and keeping your prior MS and spinal issues under control.  My heart goes out to you dear Sister in PINK.   My suggestion - please contact your Oncologist, or his NP and ask for a prescription to help with your breast area of discomfort due to radiation.

There are many Woman here that have experience 'radiation' issues - someone will provide additional information ...

Strength, Courage, and HOPE for a Cure.

Vicki Sam

VickiSam

VickiSam said:

Vickie = sounds like your plate is flowing 'over'

with responsibilies, treatment, and keeping your prior MS and spinal issues under control.  My heart goes out to you dear Sister in PINK.   My suggestion - please contact your Oncologist, or his NP and ask for a prescription to help with your breast area of discomfort due to radiation.

There are many Woman here that have experience 'radiation' issues - someone will provide additional information ...

Strength, Courage, and HOPE for a Cure.

Vicki Sam

*here is a link -- that was posted a little while ago*

A good article this month in Cure magaine:  http://www.curemagazine.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/article.show/id/2/article_id/2268

Here is an excerpt:

"MANAGEMENT > Radiation burns and skin irritation can interrupt treatment if not managed early and properly. Patients are advised to wear loose-fitting clothing, avoid fabrics that can cause itchiness and check with a healthcare provider before using lotions, perfumes or deodorants.

 

Gently washing the affected skin with lukewarm water and a mild soap is recommended as a practical step to prevent infection.

 

Creams: Calendula ointment and silver sulfadiazine cream are considered effective topical treatments. An herbal extract from the marigold plant, calendula has anti-inflammatory properties. A large, phase 3 study showed that topical calendula cream reduced pain, treatment interruptions and incidence of moderate skin reactions, such as severe redness and pain, during radiation therapy.

 

Silver sulfadiazine cream, an antibacterial agent, can be used for moist desquamation to reduce the risk of infection. Studies have also shown that, compared with no treatment at all, it helps to reduce the severity of radiation dermatitis.

 

Low-dose topical corticosteroids might help reduce irritation and itching, but they should be discontinued if moist desquamation occurs. Some studies have shown that they significantly reduce the severity of skin reactions, but no specific agent was shown to be superior.

 

In a small study of women receiving breast radiation, a commercially available barrier film reduced skin toxicities and itching. Hyaluronic acid is another topical cream that has shown some evidence of reducing the severity of skin reactions."

There is more about dressings and other helpful info, but I didn't want to copy the entire article.

 

camul

Vickie,;sounds like you have way too much going on.

You have to listen to your body and slow down and give your body the rest it needs. Your body is not only fighting cancer, it is also fighting the effects of radiation, the effects of the cancer and rads on the MS, and working full-time, going to school fulltime(even if it is at night, I did the same, the work load each week can be exhausting). I tried to do it all and you cant, sometimes sh** happens and you have to adjust or you will be struggling even longer with the effects. I was a single mom, working ft, unlimited ot, Finishing up my BA with a double major in 2 different fields. Finally, I cut out the weekend job, ot, and took a 4 month break from school. When I was healthy I went back to school, didnt get another 2nd job for a year, that was about how long it took me to finish school. I was listening to my body. My doctor flat out told me that I was fighting for my life, it was no time to be super woman. I got mad at him when he asked me if I cared enough about my boys to do whatever it took to be here for them. I had to strengthen my immune system. The only way to do that is sleep, exercize and a healthy diet, and most importantly, live as stressfree as possible. Cant be stressfree if we dint give our bodies time to rest and heal!
Your question of how to manage se of rads? Love yourself and listen to your body! If you are exhausted, let your body rest and heal.

GlowMore

camul said:

Vickie,;sounds like you have way too much going on.

You have to listen to your body and slow down and give your body the rest it needs. Your body is not only fighting cancer, it is also fighting the effects of radiation, the effects of the cancer and rads on the MS, and working full-time, going to school fulltime(even if it is at night, I did the same, the work load each week can be exhausting). I tried to do it all and you cant, sometimes sh** happens and you have to adjust or you will be struggling even longer with the effects. I was a single mom, working ft, unlimited ot, Finishing up my BA with a double major in 2 different fields. Finally, I cut out the weekend job, ot, and took a 4 month break from school. When I was healthy I went back to school, didnt get another 2nd job for a year, that was about how long it took me to finish school. I was listening to my body. My doctor flat out told me that I was fighting for my life, it was no time to be super woman. I got mad at him when he asked me if I cared enough about my boys to do whatever it took to be here for them. I had to strengthen my immune system. The only way to do that is sleep, exercize and a healthy diet, and most importantly, live as stressfree as possible. Cant be stressfree if we dint give our bodies time to rest and heal!
Your question of how to manage se of rads? Love yourself and listen to your body! If you are exhausted, let your body rest and heal.

Totally Agree with camul

I totally agree with camul...............rest was what got me thru it....I was allowed time off my part time job and seems to me all I did for a very long time was sleep and rest....did a lot of catching up on reading.

Prayers for Peace and for Strength and Courage.    Love and Hugs, Glo