February 2010 radiation starts anyone?

unklezwifeonty

Join us on the January 2010 rads thread ......

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topic/745061

Hoolianama0508

I may be starting in February. I had to switch radiation oncologists because I moved too far away and just can't commute. My consultation is next week.

unklezwifeonty

Hi Hoolianama,

Join us on the January 2010 rads thread if you don't mind. There are many women there who have started their treatments this week and we will benefit from hearing of their experience.

jacee

Not sure if there is anyone here or not. I should be starting rads this week or early next week. (Feb). I had my simulation last week. No tatoos, just permanent marker covered with little tape circles. I had positive axillary nodes and a positive intramammary node, so both those areas will get rads. Also, rt mastectomy. Got clear margins, but rad onc said they will target the mast scar at the end.

 

I will be having 30 treatments. Up to the collarbone area. Said my lower neck will be affected as well.

 

Side effects??? This is what I was told....

 

 -Of course redness of the skin, possible blistering and peeling

 

 -There WILL be damage (scarring) to the right lung, though it will be minimal and I should never

  know it's there, unless I run a marathon. ( this one scares me )

 

-Irritation to the esophagus which might cause my throat to hurt, may feel like clearing my throat    all the time.

 

-lymphedema

 

-fatigue

 

I have to admit I cried in my rad onc's office after he "convinced" me to have rads. I know with node involvement it's the normal next step. I just don't want to do it, and am doing so very reluctantly. Hopefully there are more of you out there that are beginning this journey this month. My chemo group was so much support, so looking forward to meeting more of you going through rads.

 

Once again...I KNOW WE CAN DO THIS!!!!!

 

Joni 

chinablue

Hi Ladies,

I will be starting the process on Friday with a CT scan followed by a simulation (tattoo time) on Tuesday.  I start my daily treatments on Feb. 22.

I also have node involvement.  I don't really know what they are going to radiate until I meet with my rad onc again.  I will let you know how it goes.

Of course I am scared of the se's, but I think what bothers me the most about this process is the daily grind of it all.  I think it is really going to wear on me emotionally.  So, in order to be proactive, I am currently looking for a therapist that can help me out with this stuff. 

I feel good knowing I have you gals out there if things get dicey and also to celebrate milestones. 

jacee

Welcome China..it will be hard to do an appt. every day. I'm fortunate in that my treatment center is a mile away from my work. I get off at 8am so will go right there. I'm sorry you're having a hard time emotionally...glad to hear you recognize it and are getting some support. I'm trying to remind myself that compared to chemo this should pass quickly, with hopefully less se's.

 

Good luck with your simulation. Mine only took about 30 mins. 

chinablue

It looks like my rad treatments will be at 7:20 in the morning.  They assure me that I will be able to get to work by 8:30 am.  I wonder if you put all the lotion on before or after treatment.  Anyone know?  It is the only time I could get so I will make it work.

lieberman1

Hi Everyone.  My Mom does not have a computer so I post on the boards for her and it helps her to hear that there are others out there who understand what she is going through.  She just finished her last round of chemo and boy did it hit her hard.  I am glad the chemo is done!  She has to continue on herceptin until October 2010 but the side effects aren't nearly as bad. 

We are meeting with the radiologist tomorrow.  I am more worried about what the radiation will do to her than I was with chemo.  She is 69 years old and I am so affraid it is going to be to hard for her.  I am hoping the radiologist will recommend a treatment that will not cause her any pain. 

Good luck to all of you and thank you for starting this thread.

MaineCoonKitty

Hi all you February Radiated Roses!

I had my simulation and tattoos today and will start treatment tomorrow for 33 doses.  Finished 6 three week cycles of Taxotere and Gemzar 3 weeks ago; had a left side mastectomy on May 1st.  I have a rare form of breast cancer called Phyllodes tumor - less than 400 diagnosed cases in the world every year.  When my tumor was removed, it weighed 22 lbs and had grown that large in just over 3 months.  yes...you read that correctly...22 lbs.  I had so much infection and edema in my body that by Aug 1st, I had lost almost 60 lbs of yucky stuff.

So.....here I am.  What a long, strange trip it's been!

jacee

Wow MaineCoon, so glad you were able to get rid of 60 lbs. of junk!!! Hopefully you are well on your way to being free of this. Good luck tomorrow. You'll have to tell us how it all goes.

Lieberman- how fortunate your mom is to have you. I bet radiation won't be near as hard on her as chemo was. I too, had a TERRIBLE time with chemo. 

China- I think you put any lotions or creams on immediately following your treatment. Like in the dressing room right afterwards from what I've read. I don't think they even want you to use deodorant before treatment. 

Good luck to all...we should be GLOWING soon!!

Joni

retrievermom

I saw my radiation oncologist last Thurs and am tentatively set up for the prep work on the 5th and my first radiation on the 8th.  I say tentatively, because there is still the question of chemo.  Both my surgeon and the rad onc feel I will not need chemo, but defer to the oncologist, who I will see on the 4th.  Rad onc says 25 doses, followed by 10 boosts.  Right breast, lumpectomy.  Since I was hating the thought of chemo, radiation doesn't sound so bad.  I feel fortunate that:  I live about 10 minutes from the treatment facility; I have a flexible job schedule and supportive work environment; I have health insurance; I have a husband and friends who are more than willing to help; and I had negative nodes.  Trying to keep a positive outlook.

MaineCoonKitty

I was most afraid of chemo - not the surgery, not the radiation.  I was afraid that it would disrupt my life and that I would be unable to work.  After all the trauma of the testing and the diagnosis, I wanted "normal" routine back.

But silly me....chemo was pretty easy for me after lugging around a huge tumor for 3 months.  I didn't have one moment of nausea, let alone vomiting.  I did have some fatigue in the last couple of cycles, but that was easily handled with extra rest and not pushing myself too much.  I did what was important to me and didn't care if I had dust bunnies under my bed or unfolded laundry in my dryer.  I worked somewhere between 40 and 50 hrs a week, all through my chemo - only taking off my treatment day.  It really wasn't bad at all.  I expect rads to be even easier, just a minor inconvenience.

I guess the thing that surprises me the most is that none of it is ever as bad as we expect in the beginning.  It's the worry and the fear of the unknown that is far more frightening than the actual experience.  Although I wouldn't wish cancer on anyone, there are good things that come out of this awful disease too.  We all learn that we're not immortal and that we had better make the most of the time we're given.  We learn to move forward and not dwell on the past.  And most importantly, we learn to forgive ourselves and those around us.

MaineCoonKitty

"Wow MaineCoon, so glad you were able to get rid of 60 lbs. of junk!!! Hopefully you are well on your way to being free of this. Good luck tomorrow. You'll have to tell us how it all goes"

LOL!  I was about 80 lbs overweight at that time, 60 lbs of it was the tumor, infected breast, and the edema that goes along with a systemic infection.  I'd never recommend the "Cancer Diet', but it took 60 lbs off of me in record time!  The steriods of the chemo put about 20 lbs back on, but that's beginning to roll back off as well.  All the swelling and the water weight made me look like a swelled up toad.  I'd forgotten what felling good actually feels like!

Karen09

Hey ladies!  I just had my "markings" done today and my first treatment is going to be next Monday.  The hospital is over an hour away so I'll be staying in a hostel that the hospital has set up through the week and then coming home on the weekends.  I don't drive so it makes it easier to stay down there.  I'll miss my home though and my cat.  And my computer!   I'll be having 21 treatments.  I had a partial mastectomy back in July and then 8 treatments of chemo (4 FEC and 4 taxotere). 

SoCalDawn

I will be starting 33 treatments on Feb 15th. I spent about 4 hours last Saturday reading through the January "class" posts and feel more prepared now. Not ready. But prepared. ;-)

precioustime

I was on the  January posts thinking I was going to start RADS in January- HOWEVER I just started Feb 1st.  and am having 33 treatments with boosts incorporated in each treatment!?  This is all new to me because normally ladies get their boosts at the end of their treatment. 

I am having rt. axilla, rt. supraclavicular, rt. chest wall and both sides of medistinal nodes radiated.

I will wear a bollus each session which makes the machine target closer to the skin area. 

This evening will be #4 and so far have only felt a little warmth in the treated areas and seem to be Very Thirsty after each treatment.  I have a 4oz glass of wine when I get home in the evening- I heard this helps the skin from burning and the Rad. oncologist said it also helps blood circulation. 

I have also read alot of the January posts and am appreciative of their input and experiences. 

From my experience-- just like Chemo and Surgery- the unknowing was the worst part-- Now that I have started RADS I feel a little more at ease--BUT still not my favorite thing to do--I was sun burned really bad as a kid - so much I had to visit the ER and ever since I have really tried to protect my skin from the rays.  How do you protect yourself from RAD burns?

Loretta

unklezwifeonty

Gals,

I eventually started in Feb and I started this thread Feb thread way back when but now I am only maintaining the Jan thread. Join us there instead?

VinRobMom

I will have my first consult with the radiologist on 2/11.

jacee

Found out today my first treatment is Feb 8th. Same as Karen.

Loretta, I also had some bad childhood sunburns. I haven't gotten any definite suggestions about skin burning yet from the nurses. I've probably gleaned more from this site than anywhere. Think I'm going to try Vit. E oil right after treatment, then maybe some coconut oil after shower. Just have to see how it goes, I guess.

Here we go !!!!!

Joni

arbella

i am supposed to be starting at the end of feb...maybe beg march..and after meeting with 3 different oncologists i am still confused about what to do. some say the short course with boost, some say the long course plus boost. i know that many are doing the shorter course due to convenience, but i am still worried. what is everyone doing?

jacee

arbella- I know I am having 30 treatments, and he did mention boost at the end. Not sure if that's included in the 30, or if they will be added on. Should find out Monday.

Also, the radiation nurse told me over the phone that my treatments will be long (20 minutes). This seems like a long time to be radiated. Do you all know how long your treatments are?

Joni

precioustime

Jacee- If you are going to be on the TOMO machine like me-- it takes about 20 minutes to get lined up with tattoos, CT scan is ran everytime before treatment to make sure you are exactly lined up as before and then 7 actual treatment minutes for me. 

Arbella- I was told that my boosts are incorporated in with the 33 treatments for me.  I'm guess this is because I am wearing a bollus for every treatment and they are radiating the mediastinal nodes (in the middle of the chest)-- that they are spreading the treatments out longer? 

I had questions yesterday evening about how the beams are directed and if this is directed closed to my heart---and was told that the physists (spelling?)  is not there when I am at 6pm -- but that's who I would need to speak with or the Dr.?!?!?

Seems like I am having less anxiety as treatments are going --

Today I woke up with sore throat-- hope that is not a S/E-- I believe other ladies say that S/E's don't occur until 7th or 8th treatment?  Who knows?

Have a Great Day Ladies.

Loretta

chinablue

Hi Ladies,I went for my CT scan and markings for radiation today.  It was nice to chat with my rad onc about where they are going to zap me.  I love that she shared all her knowledge and fully answered all of my questions.  I have an X at the middle of my chest and an X below and behind my armpit.  These X's were made with sharpy pen and were covered with a clear sticker.  I was told if the sticker bothers me it is ok to take it off.  It is ok if the marker comes off.  I did not ask then what is the point of it anyway.  I will be zapped on my neck and my entire right chest area.  My rad onc said that she was going to stay away from where my bs took 24 nodes because zapping that area would surely cause lymphedema.  The chances of bc coming back in the nodes was very very small and the chance of lymphedema very large.  Hmmm..I wish everyone a wonderful weekend. 

jakhope

I just posted on the January thread, before I found this one. I started this Monday, Feb.1st, my radiation treatments. I am down now 5 out of 33, with the boosts the last week and a half. So far I really have had no side effects. The radioligist nurse suggested I get the pure aloe gel, found where suntan lotions are sold, and keep it in the frig and apply that after every treatment. She also said to apply moisturizer in the evening and even AM daily. She said it would be worn off by the time I went for treatment, for me it is in the afternoon. I am so happy I found out this week my onc score is 14 and I will not need chemo, but will be put on Arimidex when radiation is done.

Everyone rest up this weekend and drink lots of water. I really think that helps.

Best wishes and strength to us all.

Jeannie

chinablue

My rad onc suggested that I apply Xclaire three times a day starting the first day of rads.  If I have the opportunity, she would like me to apply pure aloe in between.  She said that because I am so fair, it is better to be pro-active.  After all I have read, you better believe I will.

jacee

Chinablue...I have the same type markings as you, sharpie marks with round circles of tape over it. Now I'm freaking out wondering about having that ink on my sein for so long!! Then radiating it on top of that. Can that really be good???? I start wondering if THAT could cause cancer!!

 I like the idea of aloe in the fridge. And what is Xclaire?

jakhope- YAY that you don't need chemo!!

I'm finding out alot from you all. Keep sharing

chinablue

I am not worried at all about the sharpy ink on my skin.  Millions of people use sharpies and get it on their skin daily.  I work in an elementary school and the kids k-4 use sharpy on many of their art projects.  I am thinking it can't be dangerous.  Next time I go (1 week), they said they will replace the sharpy marks with tattoos. 

Xclair is a lotion that the rad onc prescribed for me.  Here are some links that describe it in more detail:

http://www.ecancermedicalscience.com/news-insider-news.asp?itemId=232

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/114393.php 

I haven't picked it up from the pharmacy yet.  My rad onc says it is effective and is readily soaks into the skin so their is no gloppy residue.

TJO92183

Started with the simulation during the last week of Jan. 5 little dot Tatoos and my 1st treatment on Feb 2nd. 4 treatments later and my breast (what's left of it) is already sore. I was also told there would be minor SE. Let's hope so. Good luck to all of us. Diagonsed Nov 9th..

Anonymous

I start up  again tomorrow, 8th, with rads. My story is a little confusing. I had 4 rads back in December but developed a seroma. The surgeon opened up the seroma and left it open. I had to wait until the wound healed before starting back on rads. Friday the 5th I got the okay to continue. Now I'm not sure if I have to make up the first four rads and do all 35 treatments or not. I should have been done with the rads next week.

TiffanyF4

I had my tattoos done and the fitting, doing a trial run for the rads on Wed the 10th. Finished up last chemo tx last wed. Looking forward to getting this over with.  Happy to find a place of support and resource!

koka

Hi  girls, I'm new here..., I see we all are fighting courageously, and doing what we must do.

tomorrow I will start radio, I had a difficult journey with the 8 cycles of chemo ended with a thrombosis caused by the porte a cathe, but they tell me radio will be a smooth operation. I'm worried about the risk of lymph-edema, I can not do without my right arm. Anyone here knows about that risk?