I'm a newcomer

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed with breast cancer the day before Thanksgiving and had

my lumpectomy on Dec. 11. All the nodes were negative, thank

goodness, but I guess I still have to have radiation therapy. I'm

pretty nervous about that, so if anyone has any experience with it,

can you please give me some advice? Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group. I didn't have radiation, just chemo but the ladies say its

not bad at all. Just be sure to ask for cream to put on the site that is being

radiated. I will keep you in my prayers.

Hugs

nne

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I'm a newcomer

I was diagnosed with breast cancer the day before Thanksgiving and had

my lumpectomy on Dec. 11. All the nodes were negative, thank

goodness, but I guess I still have to have radiation therapy. I'm

pretty nervous about that, so if anyone has any experience with it,

can you please give me some advice? Thanks.

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[Guest guest]

>

> I was diagnosed with breast cancer the day before Thanksgiving and

had

> my lumpectomy on Dec. 11. All the nodes were negative, thank

> goodness, but I guess I still have to have radiation therapy. I'm

> pretty nervous about that, so if anyone has any experience with

it,

> can you please give me some advice? Thanks.

>

Hi Pat,

My Lymps were also clear and as I had the least invasive type cancer

they sugested that I have radiation treatment because it was close

to the chest wall. The radiation treatment is kind of OK when

looking at the bigger picture. The treatment does'nt hurt (although

I got very sore but then I have very fair skin). What I did find

was about 1 month later I got so tired that I could'nt get out of

bed particulary after I had eaten. I would eat, go back to bed and

then sleep It was a peculiar feeling, but it does pass.

I don't know if its different but I was not to use deoderent or soap

during the treatmnet cos it can have metel in it, so I stank for 3

weeks, but a small price to pay for the peice of mind that it was

getting rid of any cancerous cells. Try and build up your vitamin

and mineral intake, eat as healthly as you can so that your body has

some defences to fall back on and drink loads of water to try and

flush it through your system.

I wish you all the best and will be thinking of you

Take care Lynn

[Guest guest]

I had radiation for about 33 weeks 5 days a week and went on my lunch hour

because the cancer building was just up the street from where I worked...I got a

slight sun burn in the area and put aleo vera gell on the area about 2 times a

day...I did not miss any work because of the radiation...

Cat...

Note: forwarded message attached.

[Guest guest]

>

> I was diagnosed with breast cancer the day before Thanksgiving and

had

> my lumpectomy on Dec. 11. All the nodes were negative, thank

> goodness, but I guess I still have to have radiation therapy. I'm

> pretty nervous about that, so if anyone has any experience with it,

> can you please give me some advice? Thanks.

It takes longer to get out of your shirt than to get the radiation

treatment...it reminds me of having a dental xray.

some docs mark you with pens: I opted for a tatoo (looks like a freckle

here and there) so I could bathe with soap as often as I wanted and

not worry about erasing my marks-

Just apply your creams that contain a heavy dose of aloe. Some people

burn and some don't. I turned pretty red near the end of my treatments

but it was gone without a trace after just a few days.

Andree

www.essentialsoapsinc.com

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your reply. I feel better now.

Fwd: Re: I'm a newcomer

I had radiation for about 33 weeks 5 days a week and went on my lunch hour

because the cancer building was just up the street from where I worked...I got a

slight sun burn in the area and put aleo vera gell on the area about 2 times a

day...I did not miss any work because of the radiation...

Cat...

Note: forwarded message attached.

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your reply. That makes me feel better.

Re: I'm a newcomer

>

> I was diagnosed with breast cancer the day before Thanksgiving and

had

> my lumpectomy on Dec. 11. All the nodes were negative, thank

> goodness, but I guess I still have to have radiation therapy. I'm

> pretty nervous about that, so if anyone has any experience with it,

> can you please give me some advice? Thanks.

It takes longer to get out of your shirt than to get the radiation

treatment...it reminds me of having a dental xray.

some docs mark you with pens: I opted for a tatoo (looks like a freckle

here and there) so I could bathe with soap as often as I wanted and

not worry about erasing my marks-

Just apply your creams that contain a heavy dose of aloe. Some people

burn and some don't. I turned pretty red near the end of my treatments

but it was gone without a trace after just a few days.

Andree

www.essentialsoapsinc.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Pat

Friday was my 28th treatment with radiation. I feel like I am finally at a

milestone. Now I have to take 7 boost treatments, and then I will be done

with the radiation.

I am very fair skinned, but didn't really start getting pink until the last

two weeks. I also got a bad rash. They are not sure if that is from the

radiation or made the eczema, that i had as a child flare up. But at any

rate the treatment is really nothing to be afraid of. I had the very best

team, and they made it so easy for me. We have lots of joking and laughter,

and it goes really fast. I will miss these people,as they became friends,

and I am used to seeing them every day during the week.

I will have to go back after the boost and see the doctor over there, to

check on my skin. they were always concerned about everything, and I saw the

doctor once a week, plus did labs once a week to keep check on my blood

count.

The worse part was it is a 45 minute drive and that is kind of hard to do

everyday. I drove it most of the time myself. Had a friend that took me 3

times. And my husband ,when the weather was bad. We just got snow so might

have to have some help next week. At any rate I think you will be fine, I

know it has to be so much easier then doing chemo. I admire the ladies that

have gone through that, they have more courage then me :-0 But then I guess

you do what you got to do !!!

As for the other lady that talked about the change in attitude I guess that

has affected me too. I don't sweat the small things as much as I used to. I

had a good friend that swore up and down she was going to take me to

treatments. Then when I chose the town nearest me, all of a sudden there

were not enough shopping places there, and she didn't like the time of day I

was going. She hardly ever calls me now, and when I mentioned this other

friend had taken me a few times, she seemed shocked. Asked me, why, if I has

asked her to. No i did not ,she offered. So the friend I thought I could

rely on ( I saw her thought rough times, with her husband being sick, and

eventually dying) was not there for me at all. Whereas the one, that I

thoughtour friendship was done, has been there for me. Life is sure

strange.

Do expect to be tired after you get into them. I kind of just sit around now

days, where as usually I have to be always doing something. But the doctor

says to rest as much as possible.

Sorry this has been so long, but be assured it will not be as bad as you

think.

Robin in Nebraska

[Guest guest]

Thanks for all the information. I really do feel better now.

Re:I'm a newcomer

Hi Pat

Friday was my 28th treatment with radiation. I feel like I am finally at a

milestone. Now I have to take 7 boost treatments, and then I will be done

with the radiation.

I am very fair skinned, but didn't really start getting pink until the last

two weeks. I also got a bad rash. They are not sure if that is from the

radiation or made the eczema, that i had as a child flare up. But at any

rate the treatment is really nothing to be afraid of. I had the very best

team, and they made it so easy for me. We have lots of joking and laughter,

and it goes really fast. I will miss these people,as they became friends,

and I am used to seeing them every day during the week.

I will have to go back after the boost and see the doctor over there, to

check on my skin. they were always concerned about everything, and I saw the

doctor once a week, plus did labs once a week to keep check on my blood

count.

The worse part was it is a 45 minute drive and that is kind of hard to do

everyday. I drove it most of the time myself. Had a friend that took me 3

times. And my husband ,when the weather was bad. We just got snow so might

have to have some help next week. At any rate I think you will be fine, I

know it has to be so much easier then doing chemo. I admire the ladies that

have gone through that, they have more courage then me :-0 But then I guess

you do what you got to do !!!

As for the other lady that talked about the change in attitude I guess that

has affected me too. I don't sweat the small things as much as I used to. I

had a good friend that swore up and down she was going to take me to

treatments. Then when I chose the town nearest me, all of a sudden there

were not enough shopping places there, and she didn't like the time of day I

was going. She hardly ever calls me now, and when I mentioned this other

friend had taken me a few times, she seemed shocked. Asked me, why, if I has

asked her to. No i did not ,she offered. So the friend I thought I could

rely on ( I saw her thought rough times, with her husband being sick, and

eventually dying) was not there for me at all. Whereas the one, that I

thoughtour friendship was done, has been there for me. Life is sure

strange.

Do expect to be tired after you get into them. I kind of just sit around now

days, where as usually I have to be always doing something. But the doctor

says to rest as much as possible.

Sorry this has been so long, but be assured it will not be as bad as you

think.

Robin in Nebraska

[Guest guest]

Hi Pat. Its been a long time since my radiation and if I can remember I didn't

have too many problems with it. I don't know if it is still done the same as it

was back in 1990 (I talk like that is so long ago lol). I had a little

irritation with the skin. Get a good moisturizer and let the area air out a lot.

I think a lot depends on how many treatments you have and what type of skin you

have. Start drinking a lot of water everyday. Get yourself really hydrated. I

think that it really does make a difference. my best to you. tt.

Pat pattianne10@...> wrote: I was diagnosed with breast cancer the

day before Thanksgiving and had

my lumpectomy on Dec. 11. All the nodes were negative, thank

goodness, but I guess I still have to have radiation therapy. I'm

pretty nervous about that, so if anyone has any experience with it,

can you please give me some advice? Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the advice. I've heard from so many wonderful people today and it

really does help.

Re: I'm a newcomer

Hi Pat. Its been a long time since my radiation and if I can remember I didn't

have too many problems with it. I don't know if it is still done the same as it

was back in 1990 (I talk like that is so long ago lol). I had a little

irritation with the skin. Get a good moisturizer and let the area air out a lot.

I think a lot depends on how many treatments you have and what type of skin you

have. Start drinking a lot of water everyday. Get yourself really hydrated. I

think that it really does make a difference. my best to you. tt.

Pat pattianne10@...> wrote: I was diagnosed with breast cancer the

day before Thanksgiving and had

my lumpectomy on Dec. 11. All the nodes were negative, thank

goodness, but I guess I still have to have radiation therapy. I'm

pretty nervous about that, so if anyone has any experience with it,

can you please give me some advice? Thanks.

[Guest guest]

I just finished my 19th treatment. So far I have not missed work- lucky

enough to have my treatments scheduled at 7:30 AM. I am more tired than

usual- but not sure if it is from having to go for treatments daily or

the actual effects of radiation. I also developed redness and an itchy

rash on my chest in which the doctor prescribed Benafine cream.

Expensive stuff and my insurance company would not cover it- not a

prefered medication,( but they haven't heard from me yet. ) Buy the

Aquaphor cream to start and do not use harsh soaps. Do not put on any

creams before treatments. Aquaphor also comes in a baby cleanser inwhich

I have been using. I have been using this stuff from day 1- do not wait

for symptons to develop. My radiation center is always giving out

samples of Auaphor and creams to try, so ask if yours has any. I am

using Crystal deodorant, which my doctor said it is okay, so check with

yours. I was told not to shave under the arm for the duration of the

treatments. My lumptectomy site is near my armpit- and my hair stopped

growing there from the treatments. Good luck and you will get throught

this.

Eileen

>

> I was diagnosed with breast cancer the day before Thanksgiving and had

> my lumpectomy on Dec. 11. All the nodes were negative, thank

> goodness, but I guess I still have to have radiation therapy. I'm

> pretty nervous about that, so if anyone has any experience with it,

> can you please give me some advice? Thanks.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Pat,

My situation's similar, I didn't have to go thru chemo (whew) either, and felt

a bit whimpish worrying about radiation after hearing what some of these poor

chemo gals have had to go through! But some of the stories I read about

radiation made me really nervous! I'm going to treatment #19 tomorrow. I could

see a bit of pinkness around #10 and now its gotten a bit pinker to where you

can see exactly where the radiation field is and between my two scars its

redder. But so far it doesn't hurt at all, just feels kind of wierd sometimes,

hard to explain...just kind of sensitive....

I started moisturizing my skin a couple days before I started radiaiton. I

carry a tube of aloe vera (I got it at a health food store 99% organic aloe gel)

in my purse and put it on immediately after radiation before I get dressed to

leave and I put it on probably 3 to 6 more times thru the day. I also use

lotion through the day a few times too. I started out with Lubriderm and now

have gone to Alba unscented because it's full of natural ingredients and then at

night I put on the Aquaphor and I really slather it on! I wear mens undershirts

to sleep in (I found some really soft cotton ones at Walmart, the brand is

) When I shower I wash that breast with my hand only, not a washcloth.

And I don't wear a bra, being an old hippie makes that alot easier So far,

so good...the nurse says my skin is in really great condition, and although it

looks pretty wierd to me, I love hearing her say it. Hope this is of help to

you. Take care, Cealy

pattianne10@...> wrote:

I was diagnosed with breast cancer the day before Thanksgiving and had

my lumpectomy on Dec. 11. All the nodes were negative, thank

goodness, but I guess I still have to have radiation therapy. I'm

pretty nervous about that, so if anyone has any experience with it,

can you please give me some advice? Thanks.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Radiation....it's been a roller coaster ride for me.

Everything being relative, I think that once you've had chemo, radiation is a

breeze, but if you haven't had chemo, it's more intimidating.

Anyway I didn't have to have chemo. I have had 32 of 33 radiation treatments.

My skin turned red immediately (2nd treatment). The doc told me that she'd

never seen skin burn so fast. I am Caucasian but have always tanned really

quickly and not burned, so I was surprised. The thing to remember is, radiation

burn is NOT sunburn, so red does NOT equal pain. In fact the red skin doesn't

hurt at all. And the " charred skin " that you read about in the horror stories -

I'm not sure that it's actually charred, as in ash; my skin turned dark

brown/grey and flaky right before it rubbed off (peeled). Not at all like a

sunburn peel, where the skin is white and comes off in sheets. This is much

more like dead skin cells coming off in tiny clumps, with new skin underneath.

It isn't like a sunburn peel at all.

My breast started swelling immediately too. It felt hot and heavy. I used ice

packs and took Aleve and other NSAIDs to counteract the swelling. The

inflammation did go down mid-radiation, but just recently has flared back up.

Begin the skin treatment immediately (use whatever your doc recommends, or go to

breastcancer.org to find a good list) and religously. This will help stave off

whatever skin damage you are going to have. I put the cream on in the changing

room after treatments, and then 2-3 times a day after that - especially heavy

right before bed. I also used the Curagel burn dressings at night, as I was

allergic to the Silverdine burn cream.

I did have to take one break from treatments to allow my underarm to heal -

before it got to a third-degree burn stage. My underarm, nipple, and the crease

under my breast all peeled, but there was surprisingly little skin pain. The

swelling bothered me more.

I personally liked the RadiaGuard cream best, as it is quickly absorbed (not

greasy) and is made specifically for radiation burn. In fact I don't think that

my underarm would have gotten so bad if I had used the RadiaGuard on it from the

beginning, but there was a little short in my brain about the field extending

under my arm....I was only creaming the breast for the first two weeks, until

the underarm started to get red. Then it burned quickly.

The fatigue is daunting but I am told that it goes away in a few weeks after

treatment ends.

Good luck,