Guest guest Posted April 22, 2004 Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 Joann, there are some ladies here that have taken arimidex, but I am on tamox so cant help you there. But I did have radiation. I had 37 treatments. It helps to wear a cotton t-shirt, it is more comfortable and easy on the skin. Keep aloe or some other lotion on at all times, so your skin doesnt dry out. I didnt know this and I burned really bad. I had to have a net (gauze) vest, to wear and burn creme. The only other side effect I had was I got tired near the end of the treatments. I had my daughter drive me as I had to drive 40 minutes one way for a 7-8 minute radiation. Before you start they will set you up an appointment to measure the area to be radiated, and to give you the tatto's. Those are so the radiation only goes where its supposed to. It is not scary, you lay on the table with your arm above your head (not moving). Hope this helps Hugs Jeana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 22, 2004 Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 Joann, there are some ladies here that have taken arimidex, but I am on tamox so cant help you there. But I did have radiation. I had 37 treatments. It helps to wear a cotton t-shirt, it is more comfortable and easy on the skin. Keep aloe or some other lotion on at all times, so your skin doesnt dry out. I didnt know this and I burned really bad. I had to have a net (gauze) vest, to wear and burn creme. The only other side effect I had was I got tired near the end of the treatments. I had my daughter drive me as I had to drive 40 minutes one way for a 7-8 minute radiation. Before you start they will set you up an appointment to measure the area to be radiated, and to give you the tatto's. Those are so the radiation only goes where its supposed to. It is not scary, you lay on the table with your arm above your head (not moving). Hope this helps Hugs Jeana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 22, 2004 Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 Joann, there are some ladies here that have taken arimidex, but I am on tamox so cant help you there. But I did have radiation. I had 37 treatments. It helps to wear a cotton t-shirt, it is more comfortable and easy on the skin. Keep aloe or some other lotion on at all times, so your skin doesnt dry out. I didnt know this and I burned really bad. I had to have a net (gauze) vest, to wear and burn creme. The only other side effect I had was I got tired near the end of the treatments. I had my daughter drive me as I had to drive 40 minutes one way for a 7-8 minute radiation. Before you start they will set you up an appointment to measure the area to be radiated, and to give you the tatto's. Those are so the radiation only goes where its supposed to. It is not scary, you lay on the table with your arm above your head (not moving). Hope this helps Hugs Jeana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 22, 2004 Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 Hi . I did the radiation also.I asked for a perscription of Biafine lotion. They had samples so I didn't have to buy any. I started using it from the get go and I never burned. Got a little red near the end. My nipple got pretty dry and the aquaphor ointment worked for that. The whole experience wasn't so bad. Looked forward to talking each day with the other people in the waiting room. Have to find something good about it. I always tried to make the other people feel comfortable and joke around with them. God had a purpose for me and I let Him use me. Good luck and God bless. > Oh happy day. Today is the last day of chemo. In about three weeks I > will be starting radiation. I have started to go to my sites to read > up on what to expect. But any information you girls can give me will > be apprecated. Also I remember reading that there are certain foods > you can eat before treatment to alleviate some of the skin side > affects. ( like curry powder, alfelfa sprouts. ) But I can't find the > imformation now. Have any of you heard about that? Thank you all for > being there. > Lucilla your post today on share was so uplifting. Thank you for > sharing that. I too sometime get depressed but I know the Lord is > with me. > Also I will not be going on tamoxifen as I am a diabeted with eye > problems. But he is going to put me on a newer drug, I think it is > called arimidex. Has anyone have any imformation or experience on > that. thank you all. Joann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 22, 2004 Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 Hi . I did the radiation also.I asked for a perscription of Biafine lotion. They had samples so I didn't have to buy any. I started using it from the get go and I never burned. Got a little red near the end. My nipple got pretty dry and the aquaphor ointment worked for that. The whole experience wasn't so bad. Looked forward to talking each day with the other people in the waiting room. Have to find something good about it. I always tried to make the other people feel comfortable and joke around with them. God had a purpose for me and I let Him use me. Good luck and God bless. > Oh happy day. Today is the last day of chemo. In about three weeks I > will be starting radiation. I have started to go to my sites to read > up on what to expect. But any information you girls can give me will > be apprecated. Also I remember reading that there are certain foods > you can eat before treatment to alleviate some of the skin side > affects. ( like curry powder, alfelfa sprouts. ) But I can't find the > imformation now. Have any of you heard about that? Thank you all for > being there. > Lucilla your post today on share was so uplifting. Thank you for > sharing that. I too sometime get depressed but I know the Lord is > with me. > Also I will not be going on tamoxifen as I am a diabeted with eye > problems. But he is going to put me on a newer drug, I think it is > called arimidex. Has anyone have any imformation or experience on > that. thank you all. Joann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 22, 2004 Report Share Posted April 22, 2004 Hi . I did the radiation also.I asked for a perscription of Biafine lotion. They had samples so I didn't have to buy any. I started using it from the get go and I never burned. Got a little red near the end. My nipple got pretty dry and the aquaphor ointment worked for that. The whole experience wasn't so bad. Looked forward to talking each day with the other people in the waiting room. Have to find something good about it. I always tried to make the other people feel comfortable and joke around with them. God had a purpose for me and I let Him use me. Good luck and God bless. > Oh happy day. Today is the last day of chemo. In about three weeks I > will be starting radiation. I have started to go to my sites to read > up on what to expect. But any information you girls can give me will > be apprecated. Also I remember reading that there are certain foods > you can eat before treatment to alleviate some of the skin side > affects. ( like curry powder, alfelfa sprouts. ) But I can't find the > imformation now. Have any of you heard about that? Thank you all for > being there. > Lucilla your post today on share was so uplifting. Thank you for > sharing that. I too sometime get depressed but I know the Lord is > with me. > Also I will not be going on tamoxifen as I am a diabeted with eye > problems. But he is going to put me on a newer drug, I think it is > called arimidex. Has anyone have any imformation or experience on > that. thank you all. Joann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2004 Report Share Posted April 25, 2004 I finished radiation about 6 weeks ago. The skin effects, I learned, are very individual. I started to get some itching and bumps around treatment #22 of 33. Another woman I met in the waiting room had burning after 10th treatment. The remedy they advocated was hydrocortisone 1% cream. It worked well for me. Since I had lumpectomy and had no idea what to expect, the aches and pain I did have were apparently due to the drawing in of tissue as the incision healed, not the radiation therapy. I did have some problems with my arm. My main side effect was the fatigue. I felt every day like I was hit with a ton of bricks. By nighttime I fell into bed. Since I am a chronic insomniac this was unusual for me. It was lucky I was not working during that time as it would have been very, very difficult. My resistance lowered a lot and I got a very bad cold plus several mouth irritations that turned into infections. Radiology oncologist said this was common but not usual. Just my body s reaction, I guess. I am better now but still do not feel " normal " . I do not think you are ever the same after something like this. The doctor said that the radiation itself is gone but did not deny that some of the effects may last forever...good and bad... Carol > Oh happy day. Today is the last day of chemo. In about three weeks I > will be starting radiation. I have started to go to my sites to read > up on what to expect. But any information you girls can give me will > be apprecated. Also I remember reading that there are certain foods > you can eat before treatment to alleviate some of the skin side > affects. ( like curry powder, alfelfa sprouts. ) But I can't find the > imformation now. Have any of you heard about that? Thank you all for > being there. > Lucilla your post today on share was so uplifting. Thank you for > sharing that. I too sometime get depressed but I know the Lord is > with me. > Also I will not be going on tamoxifen as I am a diabeted with eye > problems. But he is going to put me on a newer drug, I think it is > called arimidex. Has anyone have any imformation or experience on > that. thank you all. Joann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2004 Report Share Posted April 25, 2004 I finished radiation about 6 weeks ago. The skin effects, I learned, are very individual. I started to get some itching and bumps around treatment #22 of 33. Another woman I met in the waiting room had burning after 10th treatment. The remedy they advocated was hydrocortisone 1% cream. It worked well for me. Since I had lumpectomy and had no idea what to expect, the aches and pain I did have were apparently due to the drawing in of tissue as the incision healed, not the radiation therapy. I did have some problems with my arm. My main side effect was the fatigue. I felt every day like I was hit with a ton of bricks. By nighttime I fell into bed. Since I am a chronic insomniac this was unusual for me. It was lucky I was not working during that time as it would have been very, very difficult. My resistance lowered a lot and I got a very bad cold plus several mouth irritations that turned into infections. Radiology oncologist said this was common but not usual. Just my body s reaction, I guess. I am better now but still do not feel " normal " . I do not think you are ever the same after something like this. The doctor said that the radiation itself is gone but did not deny that some of the effects may last forever...good and bad... Carol > Oh happy day. Today is the last day of chemo. In about three weeks I > will be starting radiation. I have started to go to my sites to read > up on what to expect. But any information you girls can give me will > be apprecated. Also I remember reading that there are certain foods > you can eat before treatment to alleviate some of the skin side > affects. ( like curry powder, alfelfa sprouts. ) But I can't find the > imformation now. Have any of you heard about that? Thank you all for > being there. > Lucilla your post today on share was so uplifting. Thank you for > sharing that. I too sometime get depressed but I know the Lord is > with me. > Also I will not be going on tamoxifen as I am a diabeted with eye > problems. But he is going to put me on a newer drug, I think it is > called arimidex. Has anyone have any imformation or experience on > that. thank you all. Joann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2004 Report Share Posted April 25, 2004 I finished radiation about 6 weeks ago. The skin effects, I learned, are very individual. I started to get some itching and bumps around treatment #22 of 33. Another woman I met in the waiting room had burning after 10th treatment. The remedy they advocated was hydrocortisone 1% cream. It worked well for me. Since I had lumpectomy and had no idea what to expect, the aches and pain I did have were apparently due to the drawing in of tissue as the incision healed, not the radiation therapy. I did have some problems with my arm. My main side effect was the fatigue. I felt every day like I was hit with a ton of bricks. By nighttime I fell into bed. Since I am a chronic insomniac this was unusual for me. It was lucky I was not working during that time as it would have been very, very difficult. My resistance lowered a lot and I got a very bad cold plus several mouth irritations that turned into infections. Radiology oncologist said this was common but not usual. Just my body s reaction, I guess. I am better now but still do not feel " normal " . I do not think you are ever the same after something like this. The doctor said that the radiation itself is gone but did not deny that some of the effects may last forever...good and bad... Carol > Oh happy day. Today is the last day of chemo. In about three weeks I > will be starting radiation. I have started to go to my sites to read > up on what to expect. But any information you girls can give me will > be apprecated. Also I remember reading that there are certain foods > you can eat before treatment to alleviate some of the skin side > affects. ( like curry powder, alfelfa sprouts. ) But I can't find the > imformation now. Have any of you heard about that? Thank you all for > being there. > Lucilla your post today on share was so uplifting. Thank you for > sharing that. I too sometime get depressed but I know the Lord is > with me. > Also I will not be going on tamoxifen as I am a diabeted with eye > problems. But he is going to put me on a newer drug, I think it is > called arimidex. Has anyone have any imformation or experience on > that. thank you all. Joann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 2004 Report Share Posted September 11, 2004 I only had fatigue and burned. But if you keep the radiation site gooped up with pure aloe, you should have no problems. I was not nauseaus at all. Jeana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 2004 Report Share Posted September 11, 2004 I only had fatigue and burned. But if you keep the radiation site gooped up with pure aloe, you should have no problems. I was not nauseaus at all. Jeana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 2004 Report Share Posted September 11, 2004 I only had fatigue and burned. But if you keep the radiation site gooped up with pure aloe, you should have no problems. I was not nauseaus at all. Jeana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 radiation Hi Janna, I finished radiation July 7th. Had 34 zaps. I will tell you what I did and how I felt. For each session of " tanning " you will have no clothes on from the waist up so they can calabrate the machine to your particular numbers determined from the simulation and CT scan. This insures radiating only the area necessary. After the second tanning, I felt worms crawling in my skin. They gave me biafine cream to use. It is a burn cream and it helped tremendously with the crawling skin sensation. I used the biafine cream throughout the 34 tannings. If you use any cream or anything on the breast, make sure it is washed off at least one hour before tanning as the cream could divert the rays hitting what should not be hit and not hitting what should. After about 3 weeks my nipple became extremely sensitive also and they gave me a cream for that also which again was a tremendous help. What I did throughout tanning was wear a mans 100%cotton T shirt, without the sleeves during the day, under my bra. I wore a mans 100% cotton T shirt with the sleeves at nite with the tanned breast side cut out so the skin was open to the air. These shirts did a great job of keeping my skin from feeling burned, sore,itching, etc. When I could at home, I just wore the t shirt with the one side cut out around the house again to expose the breast to the air as much as possible. I never burned but I did peel under my arm and under my breast. A lite coating of corn starch kept both areas from itching or cracking. If you use corn starch, make sure to wash often and put fresh corn starch on the area, a lite coating only. My nipple and the areola peeled also, just kept using the nipple cream. Once I could go without the t shirt under the bra during the day, I cut out circles of cotton shirt to place over the nipple and areola to place inside the bra so there was no rubbing of the area. When I started itching from sweating, especially under the breast, I tood a hand held fan and directed it on the area under the breast and that felt REALLY good. I never felt nauseaus nor did my skin burn so I had to stop tanning for awhile. I also was not tired. I am more tired now even after two months have gone by. It takes awhile for the white blood cell count to come back up. I hope this helps you. Let me know if you have any other questions. You are in my prayers Toni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 radiation Hi Janna, I finished radiation July 7th. Had 34 zaps. I will tell you what I did and how I felt. For each session of " tanning " you will have no clothes on from the waist up so they can calabrate the machine to your particular numbers determined from the simulation and CT scan. This insures radiating only the area necessary. After the second tanning, I felt worms crawling in my skin. They gave me biafine cream to use. It is a burn cream and it helped tremendously with the crawling skin sensation. I used the biafine cream throughout the 34 tannings. If you use any cream or anything on the breast, make sure it is washed off at least one hour before tanning as the cream could divert the rays hitting what should not be hit and not hitting what should. After about 3 weeks my nipple became extremely sensitive also and they gave me a cream for that also which again was a tremendous help. What I did throughout tanning was wear a mans 100%cotton T shirt, without the sleeves during the day, under my bra. I wore a mans 100% cotton T shirt with the sleeves at nite with the tanned breast side cut out so the skin was open to the air. These shirts did a great job of keeping my skin from feeling burned, sore,itching, etc. When I could at home, I just wore the t shirt with the one side cut out around the house again to expose the breast to the air as much as possible. I never burned but I did peel under my arm and under my breast. A lite coating of corn starch kept both areas from itching or cracking. If you use corn starch, make sure to wash often and put fresh corn starch on the area, a lite coating only. My nipple and the areola peeled also, just kept using the nipple cream. Once I could go without the t shirt under the bra during the day, I cut out circles of cotton shirt to place over the nipple and areola to place inside the bra so there was no rubbing of the area. When I started itching from sweating, especially under the breast, I tood a hand held fan and directed it on the area under the breast and that felt REALLY good. I never felt nauseaus nor did my skin burn so I had to stop tanning for awhile. I also was not tired. I am more tired now even after two months have gone by. It takes awhile for the white blood cell count to come back up. I hope this helps you. Let me know if you have any other questions. You are in my prayers Toni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 radiation Hi Janna, I finished radiation July 7th. Had 34 zaps. I will tell you what I did and how I felt. For each session of " tanning " you will have no clothes on from the waist up so they can calabrate the machine to your particular numbers determined from the simulation and CT scan. This insures radiating only the area necessary. After the second tanning, I felt worms crawling in my skin. They gave me biafine cream to use. It is a burn cream and it helped tremendously with the crawling skin sensation. I used the biafine cream throughout the 34 tannings. If you use any cream or anything on the breast, make sure it is washed off at least one hour before tanning as the cream could divert the rays hitting what should not be hit and not hitting what should. After about 3 weeks my nipple became extremely sensitive also and they gave me a cream for that also which again was a tremendous help. What I did throughout tanning was wear a mans 100%cotton T shirt, without the sleeves during the day, under my bra. I wore a mans 100% cotton T shirt with the sleeves at nite with the tanned breast side cut out so the skin was open to the air. These shirts did a great job of keeping my skin from feeling burned, sore,itching, etc. When I could at home, I just wore the t shirt with the one side cut out around the house again to expose the breast to the air as much as possible. I never burned but I did peel under my arm and under my breast. A lite coating of corn starch kept both areas from itching or cracking. If you use corn starch, make sure to wash often and put fresh corn starch on the area, a lite coating only. My nipple and the areola peeled also, just kept using the nipple cream. Once I could go without the t shirt under the bra during the day, I cut out circles of cotton shirt to place over the nipple and areola to place inside the bra so there was no rubbing of the area. When I started itching from sweating, especially under the breast, I tood a hand held fan and directed it on the area under the breast and that felt REALLY good. I never felt nauseaus nor did my skin burn so I had to stop tanning for awhile. I also was not tired. I am more tired now even after two months have gone by. It takes awhile for the white blood cell count to come back up. I hope this helps you. Let me know if you have any other questions. You are in my prayers Toni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 --- I had 6 weeks rads. I was fatigued and a little burned but no nausea. I kept aloe vera lathered on at all times. I also wore cotton mens tees in a small no bra. They were cool and absorbent. In breastcancer2 , " Toni Graf " <tagraf@c...> wrote: > > Radiation > > > Hello everyone, I just had my treatment simulation for radiation and > will receive my first dose on Monday. What should I expect? I have > been told nausea, fatigue, and a sunburn. Let me know. Thanks > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 --- I had 6 weeks rads. I was fatigued and a little burned but no nausea. I kept aloe vera lathered on at all times. I also wore cotton mens tees in a small no bra. They were cool and absorbent. In breastcancer2 , " Toni Graf " <tagraf@c...> wrote: > > Radiation > > > Hello everyone, I just had my treatment simulation for radiation and > will receive my first dose on Monday. What should I expect? I have > been told nausea, fatigue, and a sunburn. Let me know. Thanks > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 I also had 6 weeks of rads. They said the only side effects might be the skinburn and fatigue, not nausea. I had no fatigue at all from the rads. In fact I was a font of energy and a total surprise to my rad therapists. You see, half way through the rads we sold our RV park business and I had to continue running the business and pack our personal and business belonging and still take the treatments. It may have just been the adrenalin of having to do all of that keep me so busy I didn't have time to be tired, but, whatever, I went from 7:00 am until 11:00 pm with only a few days when I felt the need for a 30 minute power nap. I started getting slight skin burning about the 4th week and they gave me a gel to smear on my skin. The 6th week was the boost treatments and the next week my skin turned pretty brown and I had some blistering but the doctor said to mix the gel with hydrocortisome creme and that worked. My last treatment was August 5 and the skin is almost the natural color again. Everyone is different, but I consider myself one of the lucky ones. I told my therapists that I just didn't have time to be tired or to have skin irritations so I didn't have them. They said maybe my attitude worked. Debbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 I also had 6 weeks of rads. They said the only side effects might be the skinburn and fatigue, not nausea. I had no fatigue at all from the rads. In fact I was a font of energy and a total surprise to my rad therapists. You see, half way through the rads we sold our RV park business and I had to continue running the business and pack our personal and business belonging and still take the treatments. It may have just been the adrenalin of having to do all of that keep me so busy I didn't have time to be tired, but, whatever, I went from 7:00 am until 11:00 pm with only a few days when I felt the need for a 30 minute power nap. I started getting slight skin burning about the 4th week and they gave me a gel to smear on my skin. The 6th week was the boost treatments and the next week my skin turned pretty brown and I had some blistering but the doctor said to mix the gel with hydrocortisome creme and that worked. My last treatment was August 5 and the skin is almost the natural color again. Everyone is different, but I consider myself one of the lucky ones. I told my therapists that I just didn't have time to be tired or to have skin irritations so I didn't have them. They said maybe my attitude worked. Debbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 I didn't have radiation but a lot of the women did. I am sure they will get back with you. You are in my prayers. Hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Lifehttp://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html Check out my breast cancer ornaments at:http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.htmlalso check out my other ornaments and lots of nice gifts at:http://www.cancerclub.com RE: Radiation -----Original Message-----From: janna_harrison Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2004 5:44 PMTo: breastcancer2 Subject: RadiationHello everyone, I just had my treatment simulation for radiation and will receive my first dose on Monday. What should I expect? I have been told nausea, fatigue, and a sunburn. Let me know. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 I didn't have radiation but a lot of the women did. I am sure they will get back with you. You are in my prayers. Hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Lifehttp://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html Check out my breast cancer ornaments at:http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.htmlalso check out my other ornaments and lots of nice gifts at:http://www.cancerclub.com RE: Radiation -----Original Message-----From: janna_harrison Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2004 5:44 PMTo: breastcancer2 Subject: RadiationHello everyone, I just had my treatment simulation for radiation and will receive my first dose on Monday. What should I expect? I have been told nausea, fatigue, and a sunburn. Let me know. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 Hi Toni, I had 36 rads + 4 boosts. For me, radiation was easy compared to chemo. Rads did NOT give me nausea ever, nor was I fatigued by it . I did have severe burning, but that's due to the type of breast cancer I had. Hope you have an easy time. Ann Check out my chemo hats: www.cjhats.com__________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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