AUGUST 2009 RADS

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  • Anxiousmama
    Anxiousmama Member Posts: 92
    edited August 2009

    Thanks all. I actually told the dr. about it when she came in to explain the problem with needing to do the second simulation. She seemed really upset that I had two problems in one day there!  Hopefully that means they will do something about it. 

    I may try the plant trick since I'll be seeing her so much the next few weeks. She seems really mad every time  I've been there, so maybe she just hates her job or something. 

    SueinOhio, yeah, I'm "only" 39...  That part would probably have been funny if I hadn't already had the other problem. I am glad they wanted to get it all right. Seems there was one angle where that wasn't an issue but it got my breastbone in the ray and they didn't want that either. It  was kinda akward, though - at one point I had 4 people in there moving me and padding around trying to get it all just right. 

    Wish me luck tomorrow. I really hope they actually start this time.

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  • SueInOhio
    SueInOhio Member Posts: 29
    edited August 2009

    Anxiousmama:

    We ALL wish you luck tomorrow! Hang in there!

    Sue

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  • sherry35
    sherry35 Member Posts: 409
    edited August 2009

    hi all, my rads start thursday and i'm getting nervous. i'm not sure why because i know it's way easier than chemo and i did that.  maybe it's just a fear of the unknown.

    fmakj-where are you and where are you having treatment? I'm about 1 1/2 hours from my hospital and they won't let me drive myself. 

    Anna-I swear if I ever get to Greece I will not come back to North America. I'm in Canada but have always dreamed of getting to Greece someday!!!! :)

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  • DebbyB
    DebbyB Member Posts: 16
    edited August 2009

    I had my last chemo treatment on July 9th and started my rads today.  It was quick and easy for me.  Went in at 7:50 a.m. and walked out at 8:05 a.m.  Will be doing 6 1/2 weeks.  Still have Herceptin treatments every 3 weeks until April 2010.   

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  • fmakj
    fmakj Member Posts: 1,278
    edited August 2009

    Sherry - I've been having computer problems lately..... it just freezes up on me!  I am being treated in London, Ontario.  I live close to Woodstock.  They didn't say that I can't drive myself... but my family (husband, kids, parents, sisters, nieces.....) believe that they need to drive me.  I do admit, it takes about an hour to drive home and that is usually the amount of time it takes to start yawning!  I know that soon I will not be able to drive home as we are supposed to have fatigue setting in somewhere around the 2 week mark.  Tomorrow I will be having # 4 of 33, so expecting next week sometime for that!  I usually have someone with me anyway!

    Hope all are doing well without too many side effects!  I just looked into the July Rads to get ready for what is to come!  lol  It doesn't look too bad though!

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  • Alyad
    Alyad Member Posts: 817
    edited August 2009

    Blake, I amhaving IMRT, I hope the appeal works - sometimes they just automatically say no at first and hope you'll go away. I had one of my surgery fees refused bc they said the surgeon didn't need an assistant- we appealed it and I think they paid it. I was referred through my insurance to a case manager- she was an oncology nurse who reviewed my treatment and sent an ok to the insurance company. When I told her I was having IMRT she said "I was afraid of that", but said in my case it was warranted (left side, TRAM recon already done, doing the intramammary nodes bc of tumor location (sub aerola)). I hope things work out for you.

    I had my first of 25 today- It did take about an hour. The IMRT machine is also a CT scan- so they did that first and verified I was in the right position (BTW- my other breast gets "taped" out of the way to the side. I'm 35. I was told it would take about half an hour typically. I get a scan everyday and then about 15 minutes of treatment time. During the treatment phase I could hear something traveling around me inside the donut- sorta sounded like something munching on gravel.

    Welcome to all the new members!

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  • Blake1960
    Blake1960 Member Posts: 60
    edited August 2009

    Alyad:Thanks for the reply! IMRT is what we are trying to get approved as well. I had a left mx with expander and then implant and they are trying to make sure that there is little to no damage done to the implant as well as heart and lungs. Plus targeting the left upper quadrant. I have to have the implant replaced 6 weeks after rads.... wrong implant was put in.  The insurance company is supposed to have a case manager call me too. I hope I hear something today. Supposed to start rads now tomorrow. If we don't hear anything today, it will most likely be pushed out some more. Please put some positive thoughts out there! Good luck with your rads.... you are so young to have this happen.

    Everyone else good luck too!!!

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited August 2009

    Sherry35 - I start my rads on Thursday also and I am SCARED!  My hubby is out of town so a friend is taking me because I am insisting on taking a valium and/or Lortab and she doesn't want me to drive on that med.  (I have a high tolerance for meds). 

    In any case, maybe I am in denial, I don't know.  I haven't seen this radiologist since the clinic I attended when I was first diagnosed.  The group of doctors didn't expect that the chemo would totally get rid of my tumor and the large mass of tissue they took out showed no evidence of cancer at all and we are talking about a mass of 6.2 x 5.3 x 3.2.  I am wondering if it is really necessary that I do radiation or is that hopeful thinking?  I would love someone to pipe in and let me know if I am just in denial or what.  My tumor was not located next to my chest wall. 

    Although I have been anxious to start treatment again as this is just another phase to complete - I am also wanting to skip radiation.  I have always been the one to say "go as aggressive as possible"  I just don't want to deal with the fatigue.  The drive is only 10 minutes each way so that is not an issue for me.  I guess because I finally started riding my horse again, I don't want to stop because I am too tired. 

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  • Alyad
    Alyad Member Posts: 817
    edited August 2009

    Jancie,

    from what some people have said ( folks from the March chemo board who have already done rads) , radiation is not a big deal compared to chemo. When I was first dx, I didn't want to do any of it cause it all scared the hell out of me. So I had a MX instead of lumpectomy, and was going to refuse chemo, but then I had a positive node which scared me worse and I did the chemo. I probably could have gotten away with not doing rads, but at this point having been through so much I want to treat this as aggresive as possible.

    That's great that the chemo got rid of your tumor, it helps me to know it works since I had chemo after surgery- sometimes it was hard to deal with the thought I was getting poisoned to kill something that may or may not be there. Radiation is the same- I may be getting it for nothing, but I may not. Everyone is different, but if it were to come back, I want to be able to look back with no regrets and say I did everything I could to prevent it.

    I am also on the bisphosphanate trial- anyone else on this? You get one of three drugs (no placebos)- either Zometa injection every 3 months or one of two pills. I got ibandronate (aka daily Boniva). Bisphosphates have been shown to reduce the rate of bone mets. I'm on it for 3 years.

    Dayla

    http://www.lbbc.org/content/clinical-trial/researchers-compare-three-bisphosphonates-for-early-breast-cancer.asp?section_tag=G

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  • Alyad
    Alyad Member Posts: 817
    edited August 2009

    test

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited August 2009

    Alyad - thanks for responding.  I totally agree with your statement "I want to be able to look back with no regrets and say I did everything I could to prevent it"  If I don't do rads then I will always second guess myself if I did everything possible to prevent a recurrence.  What are the percentage numbers as far as rads helping to not get a recurrence in the future?  If I am only going to drop my percentage by 1-3% is it really worth it?  Oh so many questions for the radiologist. 

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  • sherrilynne
    sherrilynne Member Posts: 65
    edited August 2009

    Done with Chemo in July, just had simulation yesterday Aug. 3, starting 1st rads tomorrow Aug. 5.   Here we go......    We can do this!!!!!

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  • sherrilynne
    sherrilynne Member Posts: 65
    edited August 2009

    I was told I would have 6 1/2 weeks of rads.  Does anyone know how they decide how long the treatment?  Thanks

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  • Anxiousmama
    Anxiousmama Member Posts: 92
    edited August 2009

    Jancie:  I'm sure it varies by the person and specifics of the cancer, but my radiologist told me that radiation will cut my chances of recurrance in half.

    Thanks everyone for the well wishes. Things went well today. I barely talked to the receptionist, but I did get my treatment done and she didn't say anything rude. I think I'll just stick with saying as little to her as possible. Today lasted about 30 minutes b/c of the xrays, but they said it will take 5-10 min. from now on. 

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  • jancie
    jancie Member Posts: 2,631
    edited August 2009

    Anxiousmama - well with that information - I will definately do rads if it cuts my chance by 50% - again I will talk to the radiologist and see what she says but if she recommends rads then that is what I will do.  I will not go against the doctor's recommendations because they know a heck of a lot more about this stuff than I do.   BTW - I do know where Round Rock is!  I lived in Dallas for over 20 years.

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  • beatlefanallison
    beatlefanallison Member Posts: 7
    edited August 2009

    Hi everyone,

    I'm new to the boards.  I just started radiation - treatment two today.  Not bad so far.  I have heard it gets worse.  It's good to read other stories from some of you.  I am 49.  I got DCIS high grade and had lumpectomy surgery on June 25.  I haven't had chemo.  The 38 radiation treatments should be followed by Tamoxifen.

    I got Biafine cream in a prescription from the doctor and will see whether using that helps.  I was told to use it morning and night, at least for now.

    We'll see how all this goes.

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  • flowerpower
    flowerpower Member Posts: 30
    edited August 2009

    Janice~ please know that you are not alone in being scared & nervous to start rads. It is totally normal to feel this way.........I was feeing the same way too! I think for me it was fear of the unknown. Once I had my first tx., I realized it was not that bad & I was able to relax. I knew I had to do rads b/c of my diagnosis. Dayla made a great point about no regrets!  Hopefully your radiologist will answer your ?'s & help calm your fears. I was also wondering if you have ever tried taking Ativan or Zanax to help w/ anxiety? You are stronger than you know....look how far you've come already! Chemo & surgery were definately not easy!  Whatever you decide, I wish you the best!

    Sherrilynne~ Welcome! From what I understand, it depends on your diagnosis & chance of recurrance. Maybe someone else will come along & give you more details.

    Dayla~ thanks for posting the website about the trial, I hadn't heard about it.  I will definately check it out.

    Anxiousmama~ glad to hear things went well today!

    Beatlefanallison~ Welcome! I am also getting 38 tx.  I just had #5 tx today & my skin is red & irritated already. I'm going to ask the Dr. tomorrow about it. I have to use a bolus every other day, so I'm wondering if this is why.  I will ask her about Biafine cream.

    I hope everyone has a great day tomorrow!Laughing

    Kristen

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  • charmd
    charmd Member Posts: 118
    edited August 2009

    Good morning all and welcome to the new ladies.

    Haven't posted in the last few days.  My treatments Monday and Tuesday were cancelled because the machine had to be repaired.  Late last night I got a call that the doc wants me to go to a different facility today and not miss another treatment.  The good news is that it's only across the street from the doc's office I am taking my son to this am. The bad news is that I'm taking my son to a pediatric orthopedist because it appear one of his legs is significantly shorter than the other according to his step-mom, Dr. Barbie.  In all the 10 years of well check ups, his ped doc has never said there was a problem, but we will go this am and get an expert opinion.

    Hope you all have a good day.

    Charmaine 

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  • flowerpower
    flowerpower Member Posts: 30
    edited August 2009

    Charmaine~ I hope your son is ok & it turns out to be nothing. Please let us know what you find out. Thinking of you & lifting you up right now!

    (((Hugs))) to all,

    Kristen

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  • annadou
    annadou Member Posts: 221
    edited August 2009

    Hi all

    First zapping today -uneventful -very quick-lets hope it continues.

    Hope you are all well -here its very hot 39 c which is 115 F I think so I stay inside all day

    Take care all 

    Anna

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  • charmd
    charmd Member Posts: 118
    edited August 2009

    Hi Kristen,

    Thanks for the concern for my son.  Buck is fine.  He has a very slight curve to his spine, but nothing to be concerned about today.  We will get another xray in 6 mos to check it again.  I actaully felt sorry for his step mom when the ped doc was talking to her like she was overreacting.  Since I am in the middle of a nasty legal dispute with my ex regarding cutody and child support, I am choosing to beleive that Dr. Barbie is showing genuine concern for my son, and this was not some granstanding on their part to try to look like good parents. I might actually start believing this if the little devil on my shoulder would just stop whispering in my ear.

    All the Ladies: Hope all of you are doing well today.  I'm feeling pretty yucky, I think it's just fatigue coupled with a bad lunch eating out today.  The kids and I are all feeling a little off and I think it was something we ate.

    Hugs to all.

    Charmaine

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  • Alyad
    Alyad Member Posts: 817
    edited August 2009

    Hi everyone,

    bc my case is so unusual (didn't have a full node dissection mainly) the breast rads specialist I saw said she couldn't really give me a percentage on how much rads would decrease my risk. For those of who were told it would decrease chace by half- keep in mind that is a relative risk not an absolute. for those of you into stats, research "relative vs absoulte risk" on this site- there have been some good posts that do a much better job than I can at explaining the difference.

    basically if not doing rads, 2 people out of a 100 had a recurrence, and then people who did rads- 1 out of 100 had a recurrence, you could say it reduced your risk by half.

     I had tx 3 of 25 today, went better than yesterday. One bad thing I can say about IMRT. It takes longer. I get a CT scan everytime after they spend some time arranging me and my mold just so. then the scan to make sure I'm in the right spot. Wait a bit, assuming its right on the first try (happened first time and today, but not yesterday), then I get the rads which takes 14 minutes.

     Today was the shortest one and I was there an hour, but I did have a short weekly visit with the rads onc before treatment. They've told me half an hour will be avg. I already have a little redness. I used one of my samples of My Girls cream yesterday and they gave me a sample size Aquaphor today.

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  • Alyad
    Alyad Member Posts: 817
    edited August 2009

    Charmaine , I like your signature quote!

    Dayla

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  • charmd
    charmd Member Posts: 118
    edited August 2009

    Dayla:  Thanks.  Hope you have good day.

    I swear by Aquaphor.  I've used it since my kids were little.  When my son was born, the docs suggested it for his circumcision wound and diaper rash.  Since then, I've used it for just about everything.  

    Charmaine 

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  • sherry35
    sherry35 Member Posts: 409
    edited August 2009

    hello ladies,

    Just a quick chirp hello this morning I am off to first rads tx.  I am a little anxious but again I think it's just the unknown. Here goes nothin.

     Cheers

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  • ccbaby
    ccbaby Member Posts: 985
    edited August 2009

    I am going in first thing tomorrow morning for my consult with the rad onc. I have a list of questions for him, but I was wondering if there is anything you girls think I need to ask since most of you have already started your rads?

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  • BetsyBuzz
    BetsyBuzz Member Posts: 592
    edited August 2009

    Hi all, I'm new to this thread. Finished chemo DD 4A/c & 4 Taxol on July 20th. I have my simulation on Aug 12th. I'm just so glad to be done with chemo! I think they may start my radiation on the 17th, I'll know more next week. 

    Betsy

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited August 2009

    BetsyB...I'm here too!  My meeting with the rad onc is next Friday..hopefully I can get my tats and whatever the week of 8/17 and then get started the week of 8/24.....I hope...the sooner the better.

    Soo glad to be done with chemo too!  When I had my lovely neulasta shot yesteday the nurse who works both in rads and chemo said  "Chemo is so much easier than rads"  I said WHAT DID YOU SAY?  and she said RADS is so much easier than Chemo..she had me going!  It felt like someome punched me in the stomach! 

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  • Alyad
    Alyad Member Posts: 817
    edited August 2009

    BetsyBuzz- NICE HAIR!! welcome to the thread!

     I go for 5 of 25 today, one week down! It is getting easier- taking less time for them to get me arranged just so.

    Dayla

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  • BetsyBuzz
    BetsyBuzz Member Posts: 592
    edited August 2009

    Alyad - did the mohawk the first day of my 3rd AC - I felt like crap but my DH wanted pics. The red dye made me sick to my stomach, so only the front got colored. Within two hours I buzzed it off. Got loads of compliments - who would guess I could pull off radical?? 

    Titan- looks like I might be slightly ahead of you. Just like the last round of tx. Hope the n.shot is not causing you too much grief!

    I've had allergic reactions to aloe in the past - but I heard vitamin E is good. I will wait to talk with my rad.onc. before purchasing anything.

    Sherry35 & ccbaby- how did your appointments go?

    Betsy 

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