The Radiation Room

Angie2U said:

We all hated rads Candi. 

We all hated rads Candi.  They were awful!  I remember having no idea of what to expect and after the simulation, tattoos and the techs showing my husband and I everything..I thought..Ok, I can do this.  Then after a couple of weeks, my exhaustion started.  Ugh..I was so tired and knew I had so far to go yet.

I always wore an underwire bra, but, had to stop wearing them during rads as the underwire irritates the skin.  I quit wearing anything after a couple of weeks.  I just wore big tops.

Are you burnt yet or just getting really pink? 

Angie

Great idea Candi to start this post.  I am done with rads and didn't burn badly, but, got burnt.  I do have to say that Aquaphor is probably partly what saved me.  That stuff is so good for keeping your skin soft, moist and supple.  I know, sounds like a commercial, right?  lol  But, it works. 

Good luck

Faith_In_God said:

Hi Candi

This is my 3rd week of radiation (I am supposed to take a total of 30 sessions). My doctor told me to wear only cotton material from the first session (only cotton bras too). He also said that I should not use any creams until he checks to see if I really need them. I was also told not to use any soap (only baby shampoo), no sponges (no scrubing), no deodorant near the radiated area and I should only pat my skin really carefully.

I am a little tender, but my main problem is pain under my arm (where my lymph nodes that were removed used to be), I was told that that it is the area where the beam exits the body, and that is normal.  

I hope we all finish those sessions soon, I don't like them.

Take care

Faith

 

Faith;

I am also going into my 3rd week or rads and I need 33 treatments. My dr. said that I could put on the creams/ointments before treatment but not alot and he never said anything about deodorant so I put mine on every morning. I am also feeling a bit of discomfort under my arm where I had three nodes removed. I sometimes feel real itchy inside and also have zapping and my doctor said the itchy is healing and the zapping is the nerves growing back after my surgery.

Yes I hope we all finish soon with no other issues. Then onto the next step, Tamoxifen...Yippee!

Jenifer

jlharris said:

Faith;
I am also going into

Faith;

I am also going into my 3rd week or rads and I need 33 treatments. My dr. said that I could put on the creams/ointments before treatment but not alot and he never said anything about deodorant so I put mine on every morning. I am also feeling a bit of discomfort under my arm where I had three nodes removed. I sometimes feel real itchy inside and also have zapping and my doctor said the itchy is healing and the zapping is the nerves growing back after my surgery.

Yes I hope we all finish soon with no other issues. Then onto the next step, Tamoxifen...Yippee!

Jenifer

I was told to not use deodorant unless it was aluminum free.  The itching or funny feeling could be your nerve endings healing.  But if you start getting a rash, let your rads oncologist know.  There is such a thing as rads rash and they can give you something to clear it up.

jlharris said:

Faith;
I am also going into

Faith;

I am also going into my 3rd week or rads and I need 33 treatments. My dr. said that I could put on the creams/ointments before treatment but not alot and he never said anything about deodorant so I put mine on every morning. I am also feeling a bit of discomfort under my arm where I had three nodes removed. I sometimes feel real itchy inside and also have zapping and my doctor said the itchy is healing and the zapping is the nerves growing back after my surgery.

Yes I hope we all finish soon with no other issues. Then onto the next step, Tamoxifen...Yippee!

Jenifer

If you take any vitamins, be sure and let your rads onco know this.  Many of us were told to not take any during treatments.  I think some were allowed certain ones, but, can't remember which ones now.  lol

Candi Cane said:

Taylor manny, I did get some

Taylor manny, I did get some Aquaphor and I have using lots of it.  I do think it might be helping. It's so greasy!  lol

I have started radiation too and was given a prescription for Biafine and was told that aquaphor was also good.  Bought a big jar of it today.  It's so greasy that I am afraid it will stain everything.  Looking forward to being in this group.

Kylez said:

If you take any vitamins, be

If you take any vitamins, be sure and let your rads onco know this.  Many of us were told to not take any during treatments.  I think some were allowed certain ones, but, can't remember which ones now.  lol

 

I was told no "multi-vitamins" during rads (and chemo) but was given approval during both to take D and B complex.  I deal with SAD so during fall/winter it is important for me to take D even with using my light box.  I've also taken B complex for years as I feel better with it.  1/2 way throught 12 weekly Taxol, I started having problems with keeping K (potassium) levels close to normal, (still do after 3+yrs) so K was approved.  Comtinued with calcium also as huge family HX of osteoporosis and started Femara a week after starting rads.

Winyan -The Power Within

Susan

Ritzy said:

I don't know how many of you

I don't know how many of you will be finishing soon, but, remember to keep using your creams even after your done for a few weeks at least.  Your skin is still "cooking" and you still need to take care of it.

Sue

Yesterday I finished my last Taxol on a DD schedule (after 4 months total ACT)! They told me they wanted 3-4 weeks off before starting RADS so that the taxol is totally out of my system.  I'm a bit bummed about this as I have 33 sessions as I won't finish until about 9 days before my wedding weekend. (Start July 8: End Aug 21 Wedding Sept 1)  I'm hoping that I have enough energy to have a great time!  I do have the summer off while on RADs which is great, but I start school meetings 5 days after my radiation stops.  I guess I won't know how fatigued I'll be until I start (and get into the 3rd week or so?)  I also am worried about the skin and wearing my wedding dress, and how much my reconstructed breast will be affected.  Unfortunately, moving our wedding date just didn't make sense.  We had many pieces in place already when I was first diagnosed, and it also seemed like a great celebration of life and love when I'm finished with my treatement.  Thank god we did not pick Memorial Day, which was one of our original options!

I'll keep checking back here for advice. Hadn't heard about the vitamins and will definitely ask my radiation onc.

Thanks!

Kaleen

moriak said:

Starting in July

Yesterday I finished my last Taxol on a DD schedule (after 4 months total ACT)! They told me they wanted 3-4 weeks off before starting RADS so that the taxol is totally out of my system.  I'm a bit bummed about this as I have 33 sessions as I won't finish until about 9 days before my wedding weekend. (Start July 8: End Aug 21 Wedding Sept 1)  I'm hoping that I have enough energy to have a great time!  I do have the summer off while on RADs which is great, but I start school meetings 5 days after my radiation stops.  I guess I won't know how fatigued I'll be until I start (and get into the 3rd week or so?)  I also am worried about the skin and wearing my wedding dress, and how much my reconstructed breast will be affected.  Unfortunately, moving our wedding date just didn't make sense.  We had many pieces in place already when I was first diagnosed, and it also seemed like a great celebration of life and love when I'm finished with my treatement.  Thank god we did not pick Memorial Day, which was one of our original options!

 

I'll keep checking back here for advice. Hadn't heard about the vitamins and will definitely ask my radiation onc.

 

Thanks!

Kaleen

Just wanted to say to all that are currently having rads have a great weekend with 2 days off!

Jenifer