Angels,

When you get seriously uncomfortable with the sunburn stuff, mention it to the radiation techs, the nurses, or the doc....they usually have samples to give you. This way, if you like the product, you can buy some...if not, see if there is something else.

Glad you made it thru the first one..one day at a time and soon you will be finished.

Hugs, Deb

Angels- It gets better. I took a Bob Marley CD and pretended I was on the beach. It did work. Since it has only been 4 months, if I hear Bob Marley now I have to turn it off! The first day lasted longer I believe (i think they are making sure they are hitting the right areas) and as other posters said they measure usually once a week. I had variations of tightness of the mask (the radiation therapists said sometimes your face area gets swollen) but I think at the beginning--a lot is nerves and the newness of the mask. You will get use to it--I was panicked at first BUT after a few weeks I would get drowsy in it. Good luck!

Angel,

For the skin I have two scripts that are Betamethasone Valerate, one is cream based for the skin and the other is ointment based for around the mouth and lips. They work wonders. I also have scripts Pilocarpine to help the salivary glands working, a swish and spit, a swish and swallow and finally fluoride trays. I use everything the RO gave me. NO pain meds...I could have used them twice but did not acquire to ask for them. Over the counter I use carnation VHC, ensure, boost, boost energy fruit drink, Juven for amino acids, gatorade and benefiber; although, I am off solids and doing all liquids. Before my rad txs I bulked up and gained about 7 or so pounds...so far I lost 10 pounds or so. They say I'm doing well and if I can keep it around two pounds per week I'll be okay. I try to shoot for 3000 calories per day but honestly I peter out around 2000. Sometimes I get more in sometimes I don't. I drink a lot of fluids, over 60 ounces a day. I slowed down on the water and do a lot of supplement drinks. Water has no calories...so I try to get what I can in whatever liquid there is available. I've been able to drive every day but take someone with me just in case...Every time I see the RO someone is there with me...Two or three set of ears are better then just yours.

If or when you enter the liquid stage and you don't have a PEG then...VHC is a Godsend. It's thick like pancake mix but has 560 calories per 8 oz...nothing out there like it. I also need extra extra extra time in the bathroom in the morning just for phlegm. The first thing I do when I wake up is get a cup of coffee and a carnation VHC...every day. It's hard work and it hurts at times but soooo many others have done it and so will you. You'll be fine, one day at a time. And for every little thing come here and ask...even if it's just for a pick-me-up...we all need those. You will be fine.

best wishes

Angel,
I used prescription Biafine on my skin and it was wonderful. As Christine says, nothing on the face or neck when you go for radiation. Put the cream on after you get home. Biafine is also supposed to help prevent you from burning. Instructions say start to use two weeks before you start rads. My RO also said to wash with only Dove or Olay soaps, others dry skin too much.

Take care,
Eileen

My Drs nurse gave me a bottle of Aloe . I used it everyday after rads and had no problems. Aquaphor on the lips too. I cleared up in about 2 weeks after rads stopped. The aloe was thick like a jell and not watered down.

Thank you all for the information. I started Chemo yesterday. I was good there and afterwards, but this morning I woke up with horrible thick saliva and hard to get up. I have had severe acid reflux and burning in my somach today. I an taking Emend the 1st three days during chemo and I have Phenegrin also to take. During my chemo they give me 1 bag of fluids then a mixture of meds with some fluids that contain zofran, ativan and dexamethasone, then I get the rest of that bag with cisplatin, after that runs out I get another bag of fluids. It took almost all afternoon after I had rads at 9am and chemo at 10am. I have been in the bed a lot today. No one has mentioned about how to care for my skin at the RO. So I will bring it up on Monday. Again thank you all, Angel

Angel:

Chemo days can be quite long ones. It can wear you out easily as time goes on with the rad tx. Hang in there, ask questions and take the advice given. By keeping your intake of fluids as high as possible, it will enable you to avoid many problems. Even if you think you are doing ok, take the anti-nasuea meds. Once you fall behind and are sick, its too late to get ahead of it. Hope you get rest over the weekend for a fresh start on week number two.

Christine, Today I feel very hyper, but okay. No nausea but already real dry mouth. The flouride that I use at night makes me have a very dry mouth. Does anyone know if the gel flouride is better than the cream as far as making your mouth dryer? Thanks a lot. Angel

get some biotene mouth wash and some biotene toothpaste,, they will help but ask your dr 1st if it's ok.

Angel

Please don't ignore the "sunburn" or try to tough it out. Keep on top of it despite the other symptoms. The posters have given you excellent advice as usual. No gel/lotion etc during actual treatment and try all the doctor's samples in the waiting room (Aquaphor, etc) Start experimenting with creams and bug the doctors, nurses and techs for alternatives if something doesn't work. In the very beginning, my RO recommended Burt's Bee Salve and it worked really well for me but it did not last. Although Burt's lip balm worked the entire TX time. Hope you are one of those who just sail through this burn wise.