December 2010 Rads

jo1955

grannydukes - Glad to hear you are finally starting rads.  I did every day for 6 weeks and if I can do it so can you.  The hardest part for me was the drive everyday in spite of the skin problems I had.  I found dealing with traffic was more stressful than the daily zaps.

YOU CAN DO IT!  WE ARE STRONG LADIES. 

jo1955

DebbieLynn - Way too cute - Thanks. 

What's the website - gotta check it out. 

Sherryc

grannydukes glad you decided to join us here and that you are going ahead with your treatment. You will do great.

MrsNice-what did you dilute the emu oil with to be able to spray it?

Jo I am so happy that you will be finished tomorrow.

 I did #1 today (33 more to go) and no problems.  After I finished I drove to Target on the way there I felt a little warm tingly for a few seconds and then it went away.  Others have talked about how many zaps.  My machine is pretty quite it just hums.  I have four angles and each one last about 15 seconds.  They only marked my tatoos, they made a circle around them but no other marks. I used the xclair cream this morning and after treatment, will use it again before bed.  That is what they said to do so I will be a good patient.  Debbielynn my doctor said fresh aloe is very good to use also.  He recommended that if I wanted to stretch the prescription at first to alternate with fresh aloe.  It felt good to finally get started, now I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

[Sherry--lumpectomy left breast 9/30/10. No chemo, oncotype score 23 with 14% recurrence rate. 28 reg rads and 6 boost for a total of 34
Diagnosis: 9/27/2010, IDC, 1cm, Stage Ia, Grade 1, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

susantm

Coming over from the November thread. I started this past Monday, so #4 of 33 today. No SE so far other than I feel tired today, but that may be just that I am not used to getting up at 6:00 am, which I have to do to get to radiation by 8:30, so I haven't been getting quite enough sleep. I am using Miaderm lotion, which I really like because it is not greasy and smells good. I haven't been at it long enough to know how well it works, but the nurse said the doctors were seeing better results since they started recommending it. I have three small tattoos just like Jo's, but I only had magic marker for the sim appt; I don't get daily markings.

 I'm drinking lots of water, as recommended, and eating more protein. I hope it works!

jo1955

Sherryc

Jo I went to satisfaction.com and I can't seem to be able to copy those cute things.  It just copies the code and does not show a picture.  Have any ideas what I am doing wrong?

bher

I finished treatment #16 out of 36 today.  I do have a TE which has been a great concern for me.  I have a bolus treatment every other day which makes the skin react quicker from what I am told.  So far my skin is holding up ok.  I am pink and have some itching but no peeling or breaks in the skin.  I am noticing that the TE is feeling a lot tighter in the last couple of days and is very uncomfortable.  I cannot wear a bra any longer. I have been using Miaderm and Udderly Smooth.  I cant wait to get this over with.  The days are going by so slow.  Good luck to everyone.  This board has been a life saver for me. 

jo1955

Sherryc - I sent you a PM for the pics.

Sherryc

Jo good luck today I will be thinking about you.  After I said everything was great last night I had some irritation.  Felt like chauffing but my skin looked fine.  I put some talc powder on and that did nothing for me.  So I finally put my cream on and went to bed.  It was better this morning when I got up but after I got in the shower in came back.  Once I put my cream on it went away again.  Caught me kinda off gaurd.  I really did not expect to feel anything after my first TX

jo1955

elaineg

I am not due to finish chemo until early February, but wondering how soon after last chemo do rads normally start?  I am ready to get this all over with!!

Sherryc

elaineg, don't really know since I did not have chemo, but seems that I have read others starting pretty quickly.  Maybe someone else here can answer that for you better than I can.

yellow78

Hi Everyone!

 Hoping to join this group.  I finished chemo on November 18th and going in for my tatoos on December7th and probably starting rads the week of the 13th or 20th.  I am hoping rads won't be too bad considering I just finished about 6 mos of chemo.  Just wanted to say Hi.

Jenn

Sherryc

Welcome Jenn, hate you have to join us here, but maybe we can all be of help to each other with our questions. On another discussion board we have had a disscussion regarding oncotype scores.  Did you have that test and if so do you mind sharing what your score was.

yellow78

Hi Sherrys,

thank you!  My oncotype score of 32 and based on my age (31 at the time of dx now 32) and grade of the tumor it was decided that Chemo was an important part of my treatment.  Thanks again, Jenn

starling

Jo - I am having 19 treatments. Its a kind of higher dose which takes the place of the usual 33. So far I haven't met anyone else doing the same thing. You must be so glad to be dine with all this!

My rad onc is really nice. I found out that every week he meets with me to check my skin and make sure I am doing ok. Had the first visit for this yesterday and will be every Tuesday until done. So far I am a little ping and a little sore, but not bad. I stopped wearing a bra and that always feels better!  I go for number 5 today. Counting Down!

Sherryc

Jenn you are really young to be dealing with this.  I am 48 and that is considered young for BC as well.  When I go into the rad clinic I am the youngest person that I see there other than the employees they are all young cute girls.

yellow78

Hi,

Sherry I know what you mean with being the youngest person, where I received Chemo I was the youngest as well, even my support group that I go to.  I had one lady ask why I was at the group she didn't realize that I had BC, she thought I was too young to be there.  It is tough but I am getting by.  I have two young children so I need to stay strong for them.  Jenn

Sherryc

Jenn that must be a real challenge keeping up with the kids.  At least I am an empty nester and my husband can take care of himself when he needs too.

jo1955

Yellow78 -  Hate to see you here under these circumstances.  You will find the ladies here are not only supportive but full of information to help you get through this.  Ask any and all questions you may have.

starling  - So the countdown begins.  Don't hesitate to tell your rad onc if you are having any problems with the skin since you are having a higher dose.  I have read on the Nov thread of several ladies having the dose that you are and some have had skin issues some have not.  Like we know, everyone is different.  I will be following your countdown so I can do the happy dance with you.

yellow78

The summer was tough because they wanted to do alot and I really could not but now they are in school, my son is 5 and is in kindergarten and my daughter will be 4 on Sunday she is in preschool.  That helps alot.  I am starting to feel better, Chemo was rough but doable, I am also a runner and I was able to run throughout chemo (not as much as before) but I feel like that helped me with the fatigue.  As sad as it sounds I miss going to the clinic each week, it was nice to talk to the nurses.  I will be going back up there on a monthly basis to have my port flushed so that will be nice.  Where I am having my rads done everyone is super nice as well.  My rad onc. is a very nice person (very caring).  I am trying to read back on the posts but have you started rads yet?  If so, how as it? 

jo1955

yellow78 - I go in today for my last rad - had 25 rads + 5 boosts.  I did not have to have chemo but will answer any and all questions you have about rads.  All the ladies will help you get through this.  They have been fantastic and my life saver.

When are you starting rads? 

Valgirl

I am in the November Rads but since I don't finish until Dec. 21 will join this group also.  I will have #18 of 30 today.   No major problems so far.  My lumpectomy scar and SNB scar are a little red, raised and lumpy and yesterday bothe were sore.  I have been putting Sween Cream (that is what the RO gave me) on and that has helped. 

susantm

Done with week #1! I feel more energetic today than I did yesterday, having gotten more sleep last night. The fact that the sun is shining today may also have something to do with it.

I found out that I do have boosts--the last 7 or 8 (I already forgot what the doctor said today) of 33 are boosts.

My work for tomorrow got cancelled, so I can sleep in. Looking forward to that very much!! I am not used to getting up before 6 am.

Sherryc

Jenn-I started yesterday so today will be #2 of 34 for me.  I was not excercising at all before all this.  I started yoga at the beginning of Sept.  After my surgery the end of sept I started walking and really watching what I eat.  I decided that maybe the exercise will help me battle the fatigue.  I have now started to run a little.  One of my girlfriends just ran a 1/2 marathon and her goal is for us to run a 5K in the spring.  I told her I did not know if I could do it, but she in convinced we are doing it.  But I know her and she is going to stay on top of me and keep me motivated.  She checks in with me a couple of times a week to see how much further I am running.

FireKracker

HEY JO.....congrats.you are done.ya ya ya

as i say on the other threads THIS CALLS FOR A GROUP HUGGGGGGGGGGGGG

do you feel it Jo???????

We are all gonna get there.God bless.

K

lexyloohoo

Hello thanks for all the great info.  Had my first rad consult today.  Fall into a grey area regarding Rad treatment since my tumor was only 8mm but very aggressive so going to still do the rad treatment.  Just started chemo this past weds so won't start until mid April.  Will have 25 treatments.  Have TEs so she told me that they would have to deflate the right side to do the radiation on the left side and get the right angle.  She said right after we can get the side reinflated.  Should be an interesting 5 weeks.  Thanks for all the useful hints and will have to come back closer to April.  Good luck to you all!!!

yellow78

Hi Jo1955,

I am should be starting the week of the 13th or 20th, next tuesday I am going for my "tattoos".  I am going to be doing 6.5 weeks of rads.   I am starting to get a little nervous because I don't know what to expect.  Thanks, Jenn

jo1955

Celebrate, Celebrate, DANCE TO THE MUSIC

That is what I am doing!  FINISHED WITH RADS!  BIG DINNER FOR TONIGHT WITH HUBBY & FRIENDS. 

jo1955

grannydukes - What a feeling to be done!  Did not think I would ever get there.  My rad experience was not a good one until the last couple of weeks. Have to go back next Wed for a skin check.  Don't know what happens as far as more rad onc follow ups after that but will let everyone know.

Jenn - I sent you a PM