[Becky]

First - let them tell you what their rules are. Usually you can use Aloe, Silverdene (the prescription Grace mentioned), Aquafor or Biofene cream but you cannot have anything on during the treatment, just afterwards as it can deflect the beams.

The counts do not get affected very much if at all by rads. The rad oncologists also will not let you take any antioxidant supplements for the same reason as chemo - it could potentially protect cancer cells.

One good question is how much their machine is down for unscheduled maintenance. You really can't be out of commission during rads over and over again. Get a rad onc with a good local reputation. His/her personality and yours don't need to mesh and be soul mates. They aren't in your life that long and even if they want to see you once a year, their job is done forever after 6-7 weeks. Get the best in their field. Ask everybody. Axillary rads are given if one has over 4 nodes affected so I can't comment but there is always some in the field (even though they are so much more targeted now that ever).

I burned bad and I have no idea why as I usually tan otherwise but the sun never shone there is maybe that's why.

Ruth will be tired from rads but not nearly so as with chemo. Its just a day to day thing and really doesn't hit you until the 3rd or 4th week is over. Then you deal 2 more weeks or so and then its all behind you.

Wear cotton cammies or cotton bras inside out (so the underneath band against the skin is the cotton and not the elastic) if she burns. Or wear nothing (I went to work in an office so I felt compelled to wear something). Ask away, we are here for you.