#72450 04-04-2008 05:33 PM | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 28 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 28 | My dad did his 16th radiation treatment today (yeah). His face (the whole face) is becoming extremely dark (we are African American). I noticed yesterday that his had two burn marks (thankfully, they are not hurting him yet). He is currently using Eucerin. Others I have spoken to are using Aquapor (by Eucerin). Is anyone using anything different and which one of these works best. He is also starting loosing hair (which freaked him out today when he came from the barber) at the back of the neck area. I wonder if he should be lotioning that part too? Also, can anyone tell me how they dealt with that mask especially the mouth piece because it drives my dad crazy.
Anxious caregiver.
Squamous cell ca cheek/jawbone/mandible/Stage IV positive lymph nodes.Surgery, Jan 08. Removal of cheek,removal of lymph nodes.Currently undergoing week4 of radiation treatment--to receive 33 treatment in all.Takes Fenyl patch and hydromorphine.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | He will continue to loose the hair on the back of his neck but it will return eventually. I never had any discomfort on the back of my neck but I did use the Aquapor stuff towards the end of Rad and it really helped me.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 98 Senior Member (75+ posts) | | Senior Member (75+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 98 | You loose the hair on the back of your neck because that is where the radiation exits. I am 7 months post treatment and mine has grown back. I was on the chemos cisplatin and 5fu, and my hair thinned out a little during treatment, but it was barely noticable.
Ask the radiation oncologist or their nurses for some cream for the burns. They said some over the counter lotions contain aluminum which is not good during radiation.
All I can say about the mask and mouth piece is that they play cd's and music during my 40 minutue radiation treatments which helped by distracting me.
Tom
SCC T4N1M0 left side tongue & 1 node
Dx 05/21/07 42 yrs old
40 Tx IMRT @ 70 Gy started 06/25/07
Cysplatin & 5fu 1st & 4th wks
treatment ended 08/23/07
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 510 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 510 | RADIAIPLEX was prescribed right away for Buzz...I slathered it on him every day immediately following his IMRT, then 2-3 times more by bedtime. His burns were so severe that the RO stopped at 28 of 33 (even she was surprised by the severity) but the RADIAPLEX worked wonders for him.
CG to 77 y/o hubby;SCC Alveolar Ridge; Wake Forest Baptist Hosp surgery: 07/19/07; bi mod radical resection/jaw replacement;
T2 N2-B M0 Stage IV-A
28 IMRT +
6 Paclitaxel/Carboplatin
Getting stronger every day!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 |
Geo:
As the doctor for prescription beta-val cream. I also had used the aquaphor cream, but found beta-val to work much better. You put it on gently, no ned to rub it in sore skin. It will gradually soak in, I have no scars from my radiation. As far the the mask goes, I used to just close my eyes and try to pretend I was laying on a beach. Sometimes I would count, but I always closed my eyes so I wouldnt feel so confined. The hair on the back of his neck will grow back quickly.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 28 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 28 | Thanks for the suggestions. I will get the aquaphor not sure if the other is available over the counter but will check. Unfortunately, yesterday, when I stepped out, my dad put pure aloe vera on his skin, which burned him really bad. Now on top of the burn from the radiation, his skin has become raw. Help! What should we do now?
Anxious caregiver.
Squamous cell ca cheek/jawbone/mandible/Stage IV positive lymph nodes.Surgery, Jan 08. Removal of cheek,removal of lymph nodes.Currently undergoing week4 of radiation treatment--to receive 33 treatment in all.Takes Fenyl patch and hydromorphine.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | My face cleared up in no longer than 3 weeks and all I used was Aquaphor. I used it everytime it dried out on my face and I couldn't feel it. I even carried one everywhere I went. LOL it worked for me tho
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I can say I would like to deal with the Rad mask with my 16 lb sledge LOL, but like some dipstick, I brought it home.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 18 Member | | Member
Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 18 | My mom's radiation oncologist prescribed silver sulfadiazine for her badly burned neck. It relieved some of the discomfort from the burning and seemed to promote healing.
CG to mom (non smoker) during treatment. Dx 7/07 SCC side and base of tongue, Stage 3/4, T4, N1. Refused surgery. Completed tx (41 rads, 8 chemo) 10/07. PET on 1/9/08 showed active cancer. Fought bravely until the end -- 2/12/08.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,019 | I also used silver sulfadine for my burned skin although that was right after my radiation ended, not during it. It worked amazingly well!
During treatment I was given somehting called "radiagel" that was especially for use during radiation. I think it was mostly aloe in it and I honestly am not sure how much it helped.
Nelie
SCC(T2N0M0) part.glossectomy & neck dissect 2/9/05 & 2/25/05.33 IMRT(66 Gy),2 Cisplatin ended 06/03/05.Stage I breast cancer treated 2/05-11/05.Surgery to remove esophageal stricture 07/06, still having dilatations to keep esophagus open.Dysphagia. "When you're going through hell, keep going"
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