AUGUST 2009 RADS

flowerpower

Hello Ladies!  8 down & 30 more to go!!!

I had to bring my youngest son (10) to my tx today. The techs & nurses were so nice to him. They let him come back w/ me & they showed him around. They even took him into the room (b4 my tx) & explained to him what mom's been doing every day when she comes.  He thought the rad machine was pretty cool & that it looked like a big Transformer robot......typical boy!!!  The techs laughed & told him they had never thought about it like that.  So, as I lay there on the table today,  all I could think about was this giant Transformer zapping me! LOL!

Anyway, I thought it was nice of them to do that for my son b/c it really helped him understand on his level where mom goes every day & what it looks like where I go.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Kristen

ccbaby

Betsy and everyone... I had my consult today and he was iffy on whether I should get rads or not. My case is tough and I am borderline. I have many plus and minuses either way. I decided to get a second opinion, but I will have to drive 3 hours away to get it. I am scheduled for next Tuesday. Of course I don't want to do rads, but if I NEED it, then I will definitely do it.

Alyad

I tried to do a mohawk too- but it didn't turn out as cool. Someone there told me I looked like the bad guy from the movie The Fifth Element. See?

Him

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Me then:

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Alyad

Christy,

Either way I think you will feel better about your decision after getting the second opinion. I felt much better fwiw. That's cool you are getting in so soon. Let's get on with this already!

ccbaby

LMAO Dayla @ the Fifth Element comparison!!!

Yes, i think  I will have more of a peace of mind either way.

lollys

 Hi  CCbaby Betsy sent me to this site and said you are in the same situatiion as me although our pathology is different hope you too get peace of mind --let us know what second opinion says dont you hat this!!----------------      Hi everyone--joined the July rads thread but joining this one too--I am in a gray zone--surgeon said Idont need rads--,1cm tumor and 2 out of 30 nodes--had double mastectomy (left side was prophylactic right side had the cancer--but I had a close margin--yet pathologists said the margins were clear--I got concerned about the margins so pursued the idea of radiationbecause of that-- there is very little research on small tumors with less than 4 nodes positive and full mastectomy--so here i am --some say do everything possible others say I can get complications since i had 30 nodes removed I can get sever lymphedema--why put myself through this??yet some new studies show to do rads. for any positive nodes--talkedto rad. onc and bottom line is i should do what ever gives me peace of mind--but so far i cant decide what will give me that--i will talk to my onc. again--he is deferring to the other docs--but i have to make my decision this next week--I finished AC/T 2 weeks ago so need to start rads in a couple of weeks if I do it-- just so stressed about what to do--I did have multifocal cancer  and even though small tumors I did have lymph node involvement --hope everyone is doing ok--- will keep you posted--I am er+/ pr+ and her2 - so i will be on arimadex after rads--the decisions have been as stressful as the treatment for me--stay strong and stay well Lolly(Laura)

sherry35

hi all, everything went fine for me, 2 down 31 to go.  woo hoo!

annadou

Hi Everyone 

My 4th zap today -there is  a real discomfort  and funny sensations going on and my shoulder is getting stiff ... also there was a fly buzzing round my face and I couldnt move !!That fly has got  3 floors down-how come the radiation hasnt zapped it ?!!

good wishes to you all 

Anna

charmd

Hi Everyone,

I had #9 of 35 today.  Just feel yucky.  Is that a medical term??  Kinda of queasy, fatigue, and a weird pressure like pain in the base of my skull.  Of course, none of these are suppose to be side effects -- only fatigue later down the road.  I don't know.  Maybe these symptoms have nothing to do with the rads.  I don't know.  The only thing I do know is that I'm so tired of feeling tired, and I'm so sick of feeling sick.  

Well enough of my rant for today.  Hope all you amazing ladies are having a good day.

Charmaien 

lollys

Charmaien--love your quote--hopeyou are feeling better!!

Evreryone who has been reading my dilemma about rads-no rads--I just talked with my oncologist and after talking to 5 docs in different specialties from surgeon to rad. onc i have weighed the risk benefit factor and have decided to go with the radiation--eventhough I am in the gray zone--I did have a large positive lymph node and 2 total plus a close margin--I just dont fit into the usual criteria but if I am going for the best that I can i need to do the rads--hope and pray it is the right decision as it was my decision hope and pray i dont get the lymphedema as they took 30 nodes and the risk of that is fairly high--what can i say the decision is made and now i just need to get on with it and hope and pray for the the best!! hope everyone isdoing well and stays strong--will keep you posted--thanks all for listening!! Lolly (Laura) 

jancie

Love the mohawk picture!!!

I have my first rad appt on Friday.  I am feeling a little bit nervous but also anxious.  I am sure once I get through the first appointment I will be fine.  I don't know if the anxiety is because I want to start my treatment and get through it or because I am a little bit scared.

Charmd - Like you I am so sick of feeling tired all of the time.  I have had a 6 week break from treatment and haven't even started rads yet I feel like a zombie most of the time.  I have absolutely no energy at all.  I find myself crawling into bed around 3 pm every day wanting to just sleep for 8 hours straight.  Caffeine doesn't even help me.

I am on anti-depressants so I don't think my fatigue is due to being depressed - yet I have the typical symptoms of being depressed - no motivation at all to do anything.

fmakj

Charmd - I too have had # 9 of 33 today!  I sort of felt queasy over the week-end.  I noticed if I ate something small (like a piece of fruit), I felt a little better. I no longer have that feeling.  I have also been experiencing mild pressure (like a headache) within the forehead area either during the night or when I wake up... it usually goes away once I'm up and going.  Feeling fatigued about 1 - 2 hours after tx but yesterday and today am unable to sleep when I lay down for a nap!  Otherwise, I have started running in my pool (yes, so far I am allowed!) and feel much better both physically and mentally.  But as soon as I get ANY skin irritation, I will have to stop - (so I slather on the glaxal base both before and after getting in the pool! LOL)  It feels that this will take forever, but I know that we will all make it through this if we can lean on each other! 

Be Well All!

BetsyBuzz

Lollys - glad you finally made a decision. I know it's been a difficult struggle for you.

I go in for my simulation tomorrow. I'm not sure why but I'm nervous. I've been having trouble sleeping anyway and worrying doesn't help. I think it is just one more unknown. I want my life back. I've had pretty good energy lately and don't want that taken away again. I guess it is, what it is. Rads are the next step, ready or not, here I come.

Betsy

lollys

Thanks Betsy--I am feeling the same way--a bit scared nowthat the decision is made but a relief that it is made--hope all goes well tomorrow for you--I have to call the rad onc. tomorrow to set everything up --ct scan, simulation etc. maybe will start the end of the month--i also want my port out but dont know when I can fit that in--he has to take me to surgery to do it so I want my labs to be ok before I do that--would like it out before rads. but dont know how to fit everything in-one day at a time I guess!! Hang in there--let me know how things go--Laura

O3132W

LAURA:  I had my simulation last tuesday and my set-up today with my first radiation treatment.  I learned a few things that I want to share with you.  I ask point blank my rad onc the % or reoccurance I face.  He told me that after I had my Lump surgery my reoccurance percentage was 30%.  I am doing the shortened 3 weeks radiation which will be once per day X 16 treatments.  My Doc told me that when I finish this 3 wks that my reoccurance percentage will be 5%.  I feel really good about this and I will have a number of questions to ask my medical onc when I have my first appt this thursday.  Im sure she will add to my knowledge enabling me toward my best decisions.  Just to tell you the simulation was difficult but the set up was worse as it is hard for my 72 year old body to hold still for the time needed for mapping.  I also have to say that the radiation treatment today was one of those times that you want to ask the tech "have you done it yet? As I felt nothing and rad lasted about 20 seconds."  Doc gave me prescription for Biafine Emulson, comes in a tube  and I am supposed to cover breast with it  twice a day but not within 4 hours of treatment.   They tell me that I should be in and out in 15 minutes per treatment.  Except one day per week when they do xray pictures to re-verify location of rads.  I meet the criteria for 3 wk as small breasts, small tumor, negative for nodes.  Time will tell if I have made the right decision to have the shortened rads. but for now I am satisfied with my decision.   Good luck   Cathey

lollys

Thanks Cathey--I dont know how many treatments I will have since one of the Docs said 25 and the other one said 30 so I have to clarify that--I did have nodes and a close margin so guess it will be 30 treatments we will see but I also had double mastectomies so maybe only 25--thanks for your information and hope all goes well for you --will keep you posted--Thanks again Laura

ChrisC433

Well, I have officially begun the rads process.  I had my scans and markings on Monday.  Was to go back next Monday for sim and start rads on Tuesday.  I begged to get started earlier, so...I get sim and first treatment tomorrow.  If nothing interferes, I should finish up on 10/1.  We have rehearsal for my son's wedding on 10/2 and wedding on 10/3.  This timing will be great.  Come hell or high water, I will get a treatment each day without any misses!!!

The process has not been bad so far.  I was told not to use anything on my breast unless they give it to me.  It seems like I could be putting something on my skin to help keep it from drying out instead of waiting for it to happen and then try to fix it.  Anyone using anything for prevention???

How is the fatigue?  I go back to work teaching K-2 and was wondering if this is going to be possible?  I've heard rads arent' bad.  The nurse in the onc's office asked when I was going back to work and I told her the end of August.  She seemed a little surprised.  I said I have a great support system where I work and thought things would be fine.  She said "you might rely on that support system more than you think".  Am I being too optomistic???

Hugs to all,

Chris

O3132W

CHRIS:  I  had my second rad treatment today and I met another lady who I asked if she also was told to use Biafin Topical Emulsion to keep her breast from burning. She showed me her breast which was not even pink after her 20th treatment.  She said she really spreads this emulsion on thick at least twice a day and has had no burning.  I hope Im that lucky.  It does not smell and does not feel sticky.  It is water soluable and must be removed at least 4 hours before a treatment.   Three large tubes cost about $200 in Indpls without insurance.  After my insurance it cost me $35.00.  A lot of money but worth it is it gets me through the breastburn.  Good luck.     Cathey

KRMC

I just completed my 28 th regular rad on Monday Aug 10. I started on June 30th for DCIS.   I am on my 2nd day out of 8 boosts.  Its been fairly easy but taken up my whole summer. I had 3 small tatoos but I could not see them.  I had tanned eariler this year  and even though they dont agree with tanning, my nurses thought that probably kept me from burning. (scary huh)   I just had a slight rash.  My dr. suggested using hydrocortisone with aloe and it worked very good for me.   I am pretty tired at this point but have continued to work but shortened my work hours. Ive had days of lots of nausea. Eating light or not eating helped me most.  My sweet and supportive husband sent me a pink rose each day to my treatments.  He said he knew I loved pink roses and pink is the breast cancer awareness color and it was something to look forward to after treatment.  I will definitely miss the roses but not the treatments.

fmakj

Hi Chris, My Rad techs suggested using "Glaxal Base" it is a moisturizer.  Most Dr's have their preferences.  As long as it is applied 2 hours ahead of tx, I'm good.  They wanted to make sure it was not a thick layer as it needed to be absorbed.  I use it 1st thing in the morning, after tx and at bed time.  If I am going into the pool, I make sure that I use it both before I go in and then after my shower to remove the chlorine.  So far so good, I am pink (since day 1) but only on day 10 today!  Good Luck.

Be Well All! 

BetsyBuzz

Hi all,

I had my simulation today and also got the three small tattoos. I am getting a total of 33 rads, 26 full breast, 7 boosters. The simulation was very relaxing and I had no trouble with my arm hurting. The tech. said "wow I can tell you've been working on on your flexibility." I have been doing arm exercises since my initial surgery. The tech said some women have difficulty holding the position because of flexibility. They showed me the machines, I had my CT scan, they explained the everything thoroughly. It was nothing to worry or be nervous about.

I start my actual treatment next Tuesday, Aug. 18th. After my first rad, I will meet with the education tech on care, and then meet with my Rad. Onc. to cover any questions.

Chris, I plan on working daily through radiation too. I worked every other week through chemo. When I asked today they said by about half way through I might be feeling a little fatigue but it's not as bad as chemo. Like KMRC I might shorten my hours, if needed. Let's just keep our fingers crossed that there are no complications through the process.

KMRC - how sweet of your DH to give you a pink rose each day.

Betsy 

KRMC

Betsy:

Yes it was very sweet of him. We have been married for going on 27 years in Oct.  Good luck to you with your treatments.

lollys

Betsy--glad to hear things went well with the simulation and ct scan--hope it ALL goes smoothly!!!I am waiting to hear from the center to schedule all of mine--dont know if I will go back to work yet have been off for 5 months and it will probably be another 2-3 if I wait until after rads--but I am a nurse and am not sure if i want to expose myself to everything and also not sure I can work a whole day--I have a feeling my boss will want me back when I am feeling well instead of shortened days --we will see--You are amazing to have worked during chemo--you are a very strong lady !!! keep us posted on how things are going and stay strong!! 

Thanks everyone for the info on the different Lotions--every bit of info helps!! Laura

ChrisC433

Fmakj, Cathey, and Betsy - Thanks for the info.  I am going to get something for prevention.  I'll let doc know that I plan on using something and see what he recommneds.  I have heard of the glaxol based products, aqua something, and aloe vesta??  I don't want to end up with a nasty blistered burn for my son's wedding....wearing strapless dress!!!

 Take care all....thanks again for the info....I love this resource!

Chris

janincolorado

I'd like to join in - I had my consultation/simulation on 7/29 and had 1st of 36 total treatments Monday (8/10).  If I stay on schedule I will finish 9/29.  The actual simulation portion of my appt was probably only about 45 min to an hour.  No real discomfort for me at all.  They advised me that my first tx would last longer than normal and they did need to do some final adjustments.  I rec'd 3 tatoos at sim and got an additional 3 on Monday.  Tx times since then have been very quick.  I walk in the door at 8am and am in the car on my way to work by 8:15!  After 4 txs I have been having some weird sensations in my breast - not sure what that is - and think there is some very subtle color change to the skin.  We'll see how that develops.  My rad dr said not to use anything that they didn't give to me and suggested I start using the aloe they provided by the end of this week.  My next door neighbor is rad nurse - what a blessing she has been throughout this entire process.  Any time I've had questions she's been right there with good, reliable infomation.  She has also know all of the right times to offer support and encouragement.  I'm really lucky!

My BC dx was 3/17/09.  I had a lumpectomy 3/20 followed by a re-excision on 4/9.  Margins are not terrific, but acceptable.  I am part of a chemo clinical trial of Cytoxan & Taxotere for 4 cycles along with Herceptin weekly.  At completion of 4th cycle (7/10) now have Herceptin every three weeks for balance of a year.

I found chemo to be pretty difficult for 4-5 days after each tx, but not much of a problem otherwise.  I have continued to work two jobs (one full-time, one part-time) throughout and intend to do so through rads as well.  We'll see - - -

I am 5 weeks post chemo and anxiously looking for any sign of new hair growth. My hair has always grown painfully slow - imagine it won't be any different now

flowerpower

Hello Everyone & Welcome to the new ladies!!!

I had #12 of 38 today!!! It's moving right along.  Yesterday my rad onc asked me how I was doing & I was getting ready to say fine.........& then I started crying instead! I'm not really sure why I did, it just happened.  She told me that it's OK & that lots of people break down during rads b/c they have been through so much already & it's part of the healing process.  I guess that's how I felt.  Anyway, I'm all better today & I had a great day.  We will all get through this!!!

Hope you are all doing OK, haven't heard anything from some of you in a while. Just want you to know I'm thinking of you all & hope you're not getting too many SE's.

Ta, Ta 4 now,

Kristen

NanaB

I would like to join in on this group.  I had a partial mast 4 weeks ago, no chemo in my future, but radiation and harmone therapy is.  I have my consultation appointment next week and thern here we go.......I guess.  Sort of nervous about the radiations thing.  Any advice to begin with?

sherry35

Radiation is a breeze compared to chemo.  The waiting is the worst part, especially if your machine breaks down or they are running late. Then it's a pain in the but.  I've had 6 treatments so far and you don't feel a thing, you just hear noise like a high pitched whirrr. It's hard to believe that something i can't see or feel is blasting away at those little buggers.

I'm using the generic brand of glaxal base cream.  When I went to the pharmacy I thought glaxal was an ingrediant so i was picking up all the creams and looking for it. LOL  "Glaxal Base" is the name of the cream. Duh!!!  The generic brand is just called base cream.  For you canadian girls I got it at shopper's drug mart last week- double the size container for the same price as the name brand.  I think I paid $16 for the big jar of it. NICE!!!

I've spent the week away from home having treatments and hubby is coming to pick me up tomorrow afternoon.  YAY! one week down only 5 more to go.

Cheers,

Sherry

O3132W

NANAB:  Lots of women on these threads will have lots of advise.  I know this as their advise  made my experience tolerable.  I am doing my 4th rad treatment tomorrow out of 16. ( The shortened 3 wk radiation treatments. ) So far-so good.   For the benefit of back pain in this old 72 year old body and .laying on the hard HARD table with your arms above your head for 45 minutes was hard for me and  pain medicine taken before simulation and set-up helped me.  The treatments themselves only last 15-20 minutes and you feel nothing, like you might ask the tech. if she has done it yet.  As I have just started, I dont know much about side-effects but my rad onc gave ma a prescription for 3 tubes of Biafin Topical Emulsion to protect my breast from burn.  I hope it works.  Our Dx is almost the same  Good luck to you.  Cathey

KRMC

I had my 3rd boost today  with 5 more to go and my "boob" is so hot.  I have tolerated the rads really good but some nights the heat just doesnt cool down  and tonight is one of those nights.   Ive taken cool cloths to try to cool it down. Aloe too.  Its pretty painful tonight.  I have tried to get thru the day but its been a long one.   TGIF tomorrow.