Radiation treatments

So glad you're posting and feeling better
I got your PM and glad you got mine, I sure hope some of that info helps.

As far as future treatments, I'm still not sure what mine are going to be, I have a feeling that chemo is still in the plan, but want to request the oncotype dx test to see what my score is, plus I'm still waiting til Monday to find out how this last surgury went, concerning the new margin they took out. I'm crossing my fingers that it is clean now and I can move on to the next step, which is seeing the Onco for my treatment paln.

Have you already seen an Oncologist? and do you already know the next step after this?
If so I'm jelious... I try to be patient, because I know this is all about the wait, but I would really like to know what's happening next already.

Some one else will have to answer you about the hair dye thing, for now if you want to dye your hair I think you can.........

Pammy did before she started rad's, but I don't know if she can any more

Take Care

Aurora

Hi Pat....
When I found out I was not going to have Chemo and would be keeping my hair, the very first question out of my mouth was to ask if I could dye it. I explained that no way was I going to grow old gracefully when Garnair Nutriss made Sarah Jessica Parker's hair color #63 Brown Sugar!! My Rad Oncologist laughed and said he didn't care if I wanted to dye it "Pink"!!
It seems that the radiation is not going to effect the hair on your head and therefore you will not have any changes. Do what you normally would do...use same shampoo, conditioner, styling products, etc. Just do your best to rinse really good around the radiated area so you do not leave a residue.
Do not wear antiperspirant as they contain metals.
Do not use any lotions on the area unless they give them to you or tell you which ones to use. I still lotion my legs, etc.
Do not shave. This may irritate the area. Unfortunately, when they called me to start rads it was for the same day and I had already shaved that morning. One week later, my underarm is stinging.
You will have a SIMULATION first (this is where they take all the measurements & draw on your boobie) and they may tattoo you. This is just little dots that are no bigger than a freckle. And don't worry, they do not connect the dots!!
You will go 5 days a week and weekends off (this allows good cells to heal).
They will almost always start you on a Monday or Tuesday, never towards the weekend, so they can watch carefully in the beginning.
You may lose the hair under your arm (this is one time I am crossing my fingers that I have hair loss!).
You may stop sweating under your arm as the radiation can effect the sweat glands.
Using plain old cornstarch in the area under your arm and under your breast will help to eliminate friction irritation.
Be prepared with some large T-shirts to wear to bed or just around the house (I am going to steal a couple of my husband's old ones). Some lotions I hear can stain your clothing because they are greasy and I already want to come home and ditch the bra!!
This is the best heads up I can give you. Your Rad Oncologist's Nurse should go over everything with you and give you a printout, pamphlet, or booklet.
Hope this helped some......:) Pammy