Starting radiation tomorrow

Options
pammycake
pammycake Member Posts: 35
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I finally finished chemo. I'm pleased to report that my hair is starting to grow back. I'm sure it will not come back in as quickly as it fell out...lol. I have been feeling wonderful. I can't express how wonderful my family has been to me and my friends. I walk around with no hats, ok well sometimes I do, but the majority of the time I just go naked...lol.

I will say I'm a little worried about the rads. I was the same way with the chemo. It will all pass. I would like to know what if any side effects anyone experienced doing the rads.

Comments

  • Moonwalk
    Moonwalk Member Posts: 7
    #2
    Options
    I finished radiation Aug 30. I too had had chemo prior to that. Compared to chemo, radiation is a breeze. I had 34 sessions, one every week-day. Maybe I was lucky, but I had no side effects, except a little fatigue. The only thing that held me back was the time spent going for the radiation. It really is like having x-rays taken. The 'tatooing' was the longest visit. I met some wonderful people at the daily visits too. My skin did not even redden, and I attribute that to the care. I did not wear a bra, and wore either a soft camisole, a t-shirt, or an undershirt (Jockey makes them for women, although men's will do also). The most important thing was that I 'slathered' on Aquaphor (made by Eucerin Company) 4 times a day. Then I covered it with the shirts (above) so I would not stain the outer clothes. Aquaphor seems to have a vaseline-type base to it, but it works. Start using it now, and religiously through-out the treatment. Some women get a charring effect if the skin gets bad, and although that is an exception, I wanted to avoid that. (Just check with your radiologist, as I did not use it after my shower, immediately before a radiation treatment). Aquaphor is available at Target, Wal-mart, K-Mart here, and of course drug stores. The 3.5 ounce jar was $7.50, but I bought the 14 ounce jar for $14, and used it all. Good luck. Other than the time it takes, you will breeze through the radiation. Prayers are with you. Jean
  • pammycake
    pammycake Member Posts: 35
    #3
    Options
    Moonwalk said:

    I finished radiation Aug 30. I too had had chemo prior to that. Compared to chemo, radiation is a breeze. I had 34 sessions, one every week-day. Maybe I was lucky, but I had no side effects, except a little fatigue. The only thing that held me back was the time spent going for the radiation. It really is like having x-rays taken. The 'tatooing' was the longest visit. I met some wonderful people at the daily visits too. My skin did not even redden, and I attribute that to the care. I did not wear a bra, and wore either a soft camisole, a t-shirt, or an undershirt (Jockey makes them for women, although men's will do also). The most important thing was that I 'slathered' on Aquaphor (made by Eucerin Company) 4 times a day. Then I covered it with the shirts (above) so I would not stain the outer clothes. Aquaphor seems to have a vaseline-type base to it, but it works. Start using it now, and religiously through-out the treatment. Some women get a charring effect if the skin gets bad, and although that is an exception, I wanted to avoid that. (Just check with your radiologist, as I did not use it after my shower, immediately before a radiation treatment). Aquaphor is available at Target, Wal-mart, K-Mart here, and of course drug stores. The 3.5 ounce jar was $7.50, but I bought the 14 ounce jar for $14, and used it all. Good luck. Other than the time it takes, you will breeze through the radiation. Prayers are with you. Jean

    Jen,

    Thanks for your information. I will go and get some of it. I have to do it 6 1/2 weeks of radiation, but I will be skipping one day for a trip to the pumpkin farm with my daughter...lol. I do hope that you are well and again I thank you for your information.

    Pam
  • Idalia
    Idalia Member Posts: 76
    #4
    Options
    Dear pammycake, the nurses and technicians who treat you will be fountains of information. There are certains you should avoid - aluminium based deodorants, tight clothes, etc. Radiation isn't bad, just time consuming. Good luck.
  • pammycake
    pammycake Member Posts: 35
    #5
    Options
    Idalia said:

    Dear pammycake, the nurses and technicians who treat you will be fountains of information. There are certains you should avoid - aluminium based deodorants, tight clothes, etc. Radiation isn't bad, just time consuming. Good luck.

    Thanks. I have been told to try and not wear a bra and if I have skin irritation I could get a cream for it.
  • LorettaB
    LorettaB Member Posts: 51
    #6
    Options
    Congratulations, pammycake, on finishing chemo! Radiation is a breeze compared to chemo. I finished my radiation treatments 2 weeks ago and my energy has greatly increased. I did have 1 week of burning. It was so weird...after about 20 treatments, I woke up one morning and my breast hurt. It was like a bad sunburn had developed overnight. I slathered on the pure aloe lotion that the nurse gave to me and I was also given a great burn cream (can't recall the name) which knocked out the burn in a day or two. My nurse told me not to use Aquaphor...she said that it's ingredients could increase the burn to the skin. But I would ask about that because the radiologist said to use it. I just kept using the pure aloe lotion and that really did the trick.

    I met some wonderful people at radiation therapy. One couple in particular made me really see love in action. I had an easier time talking with people at radiation than at chemo. It may have been because chemo makes everyone feel so lousy. I got to know all the technicians and we would talk about our lives. During treatment, they would play music. They were all so wonderful. I actually miss them!

    Glad to hear your hair is growing back and congrats on going naked!;) I stopped wearing my hats when I just had fuzz and everyone comments on how it is growing back in. My hair came back mostly white with grey and brown. I am not sure if I am going to stay "natural" or if I'll wimp out and head straight for the hairdressers!

    You're almost done! Keep your spirit up because this last part of treatment will be done before you know it!

    Hugs, Loretta
  • Wendy59105
    Wendy59105 Member Posts: 17
    #7
    Options
    You are just ahead of me. I have not started yet.I have my first oncologist visit on Monday. I am anxious to get started. I was lucky and did not have to do the chemo thing, thank goodness you are through. Let me know how you make out with the radiation. I am told it is easy.
  • pammycake
    pammycake Member Posts: 35
    #8
    Options
    LorettaB said:

    Congratulations, pammycake, on finishing chemo! Radiation is a breeze compared to chemo. I finished my radiation treatments 2 weeks ago and my energy has greatly increased. I did have 1 week of burning. It was so weird...after about 20 treatments, I woke up one morning and my breast hurt. It was like a bad sunburn had developed overnight. I slathered on the pure aloe lotion that the nurse gave to me and I was also given a great burn cream (can't recall the name) which knocked out the burn in a day or two. My nurse told me not to use Aquaphor...she said that it's ingredients could increase the burn to the skin. But I would ask about that because the radiologist said to use it. I just kept using the pure aloe lotion and that really did the trick.

    I met some wonderful people at radiation therapy. One couple in particular made me really see love in action. I had an easier time talking with people at radiation than at chemo. It may have been because chemo makes everyone feel so lousy. I got to know all the technicians and we would talk about our lives. During treatment, they would play music. They were all so wonderful. I actually miss them!

    Glad to hear your hair is growing back and congrats on going naked!;) I stopped wearing my hats when I just had fuzz and everyone comments on how it is growing back in. My hair came back mostly white with grey and brown. I am not sure if I am going to stay "natural" or if I'll wimp out and head straight for the hairdressers!

    You're almost done! Keep your spirit up because this last part of treatment will be done before you know it!

    Hugs, Loretta

    How tired did you get? Did it get so bad that it put you in bed? I am hoping that I feel like I worked out a lot and some sleep will just make me feel better. I really appreciate your kind words. I can understand your possibly wanting to head to the salon. Some of my hair is coming in grey too.

    Take care!!
  • pammycake
    pammycake Member Posts: 35
    #9
    Options
    Wendy59105 said:

    You are just ahead of me. I have not started yet.I have my first oncologist visit on Monday. I am anxious to get started. I was lucky and did not have to do the chemo thing, thank goodness you are through. Let me know how you make out with the radiation. I am told it is easy.

    Wendy,

    I'll be more than glad to keep you updated as to how things go. They are very nice people there. I moved mid-stream durning chemo and I liked them so much, I finished there. It actually felt funny not going to chemo yesterday...lol.

    Thanks for responding to my post. Take care!!

    Pam
  • LorettaB
    LorettaB Member Posts: 51
    #10
    Options
    pammycake said:

    How tired did you get? Did it get so bad that it put you in bed? I am hoping that I feel like I worked out a lot and some sleep will just make me feel better. I really appreciate your kind words. I can understand your possibly wanting to head to the salon. Some of my hair is coming in grey too.

    Take care!!

    I really didn't notice that I got tired. I was mostly tired of getting up at the crack of dawn to make an early morning appointment then making it to work on time. One thing I am noticing, however, is that there seems to be a "fog" lifting from me. I am not sure if this is residue chemo effects or from radiation. But it seems to get better everyday. I just feel more able to focus.

    You take care too!
  • cleva
    cleva Member Posts: 6
    #11
    Options
    Well I'm posting this a little late...but I hope the first radiation treatment went well for you.

    My recommendation for radiation is to make it fun...I met so many people there and had such a good time that when I stopped going there was a huge void. Every few days I would apply those fake tattooes somewhere on my upper body...it came to be that the technicians were looking for that!! It was some fun for them as well as the reactions I got where great!!

    I'm very light skinned and didn't have any burning until my boost treatments at the end. However I did use Aquaphor and Aveno Cream daily -- the Aquaphor was really sticky so during the work day I would use the Aveeno Cream -- I'd go in to the Ladies room and apply it during the day. Then I'd have to wash off before my treatment. The nurses will tell you everything to use and such.

    The only problem I had was the drive time -- going in was a breeze -- but the commute home I hit all the evening traffic...

    Good luck and congratulations on finishing Chemo!!!
  • JillSt
    JillSt Member Posts: 3
    #12
    Options
    I just finished treatment 29 out of 33, so I'm almost done with radiation. I was lucky that I did not have to have chemo. The first three weeks were a breeze, after that I did feel the fatique. I felt achy, similar to the flu. The nurse said that some people who have not had chemo have a harder time with radiation. My skin does look sunburned, but applying the creams they gave me helped a lot. The staff there was wonderful, I met some really nice patients too. I will miss them when I finish next week. It does go by fast. Best of luck, please let me know how you're doing
  • jotaylor
    jotaylor Member Posts: 3
    #13
    Options
    JillSt said:

    I just finished treatment 29 out of 33, so I'm almost done with radiation. I was lucky that I did not have to have chemo. The first three weeks were a breeze, after that I did feel the fatique. I felt achy, similar to the flu. The nurse said that some people who have not had chemo have a harder time with radiation. My skin does look sunburned, but applying the creams they gave me helped a lot. The staff there was wonderful, I met some really nice patients too. I will miss them when I finish next week. It does go by fast. Best of luck, please let me know how you're doing

    I was just wondering how they decided you didn't need chemo. I had a reexision of a 1.8 cm invasive ductal almost 2 weeks ago; they got clear margins and negative nodes. Radiation is a for sure thing; chemo is a grey area. How do you decide? I really don't want chemo if it's not necessary, but I don't want more cancer either. Thanks.
  • pammycake
    pammycake Member Posts: 35
    #14
    Options
    jotaylor said:

    I was just wondering how they decided you didn't need chemo. I had a reexision of a 1.8 cm invasive ductal almost 2 weeks ago; they got clear margins and negative nodes. Radiation is a for sure thing; chemo is a grey area. How do you decide? I really don't want chemo if it's not necessary, but I don't want more cancer either. Thanks.

    I was told that it has to do a lot with age and the stage of cancer you had. I couldn't understand me having chemo either. I thought hey they got all the cancer, my nodes are clear, why poison my entire body? The chemo oncologist told me it's because of my age and they wanted to treat it aggressivly. I do hope that you find the answer you are looking for about the chemo!!
  • slyng
    slyng Member Posts: 12
    #15
    Options
    pammycake said:

    I was told that it has to do a lot with age and the stage of cancer you had. I couldn't understand me having chemo either. I thought hey they got all the cancer, my nodes are clear, why poison my entire body? The chemo oncologist told me it's because of my age and they wanted to treat it aggressivly. I do hope that you find the answer you are looking for about the chemo!!

    That's exactly what I was told too - my age is 36 so I have a longer time to live and potentially not get cancer back. I also had grade 3 tumor which is a more aggressive type. I was told by my surgeon I would probably only need radiation and had just come to terms with that and then when I saw the oncologist and radiologist they both suggested chemo, which I know all of you know is a huge shock! I've had 2 rounds and 6 more to go. I can't wait to be to the radiation part...I wish everyone the best!

Discussion Boards