March 2011 Rads

Adey

KC, I actually requested tattoos.  I have cross hairs made with a marker and then a clear plastic disk over them but with the crazy amount of lubing the boob I decided I didn't want to have to think about displacing them.  Either way works go with your gut.  6 down/22 to go.

msjag

The tatoos are so small, I acutally thought they washed off, had to have my hubby try to find them!! they are so darn small!!  Hope rads are going well for those who have started.

sheri56

Just got the call....1st of 30 treatments will be on Monday. Feb 28. May I join you here? My biggest concern is how the radiation will effect the already existing lymphedema in my hand and arm. I too, see radiation as nearing the end of this long journey.

Thanks for being here!  

nred2002

I start rads tomorrow.  33 sessions, 5 boosts at the end.  I am at Dartmouth Hitchcock in NH and feel very grateful to be at such a great place.  Nancy 

cms77

I added my name to the February rads group, but I don't officially start until March 2nd, so can I add my name here?  Had my planning session today and got my tatoos.  I have to say I was surprised how much it hurt getting them.  I just want to get this over with; 28 treatments so I'll be finished sometime around April 8th.  Had chemo, then surgery with TE's put in, now rads. Can't wait to be done with this.

starella

Hi, sign me up for march7.

LovemyLife12

Starting Rads today.  Had Simulation yesterday.  The center I go to does not do tattoos.  They took a pen and made long lines all over my chest, then place tape over the lines.  Nervous, but ready to get this done!

Adey

lovemylife- mine does marker with clear tape too but I requested tattoos because of my excessive lubing!  Got 'em today.  I can now lube with abandon!  (c:  7 down and 21 to go.

texasrose361

I see the radiation oncologist tomorrow- is there anything i should actually ask them???

I also see it as a nearing the end of this journey (well at least this leg of it!) you know the bulk of my tx will be over (chemo, surgery and rads)

marjie

All welcome!!  It's looking like a rads party

cms77 - they did three tatoos for me but the one that hurt the most was right over my breast bone...ouch!  The tech said it would hurt because there was no flesh there...and she was right, lol.

texasrose - my rads onc was pretty good explaining it all and outlining all the possible SE's.  I am like you...rads seems like it is close to the finish line.  I am looking forward to getting it started and being done.  I start on March 2

Pinkprincess

I met with the rads dr and he said he would NOT be getting radiation to my armpit but I had 3 nodes involved out of 13 and feel that I have done EVERYTHING with protocol and very aggressive w the BMX too. What are you guys hearing from yours with positive nodes? HELP!

rackie

kcmom, i am getting rads i had 5 out of 23 infected so i need to have radiation.

jackie

Adey

KC- I had one node positive but it had extra-capsular extension and my margin was close to the chest wall.  So, I am getting rads.  It seems that standard of care right now is 4 or more.  I got three opinions.  Maybe that would set your mind at ease.  Good luck.

Pinkprincess

I know I wanted rads even with just the three but I thought they would be doing the armpit? Are they doing your arm pit or chest wall ? Or both?

crlacey

Hello ladies!

Looks like I'll be joining you all in treatment during the month of March. I've done the simulation run and am waiting to get the call for an official start date sometime next week.

LovemyLife12

2 of 35 completed at 8:35 this am.  Not bad.  Only lasted about 2 minutes. Good luck all. Night night

texasrose361

KCmom- i am getting my armpit area radiated along with the radiation field going a little past my sternum due to the tumor that was attached there... So i am not sure why your dr isnt doing that area to be on the safe side.

I start march 7th for 33 visits. I did my set up/marking today. I do the simulation next friday, then start the monday afterwards

The tatoos didnt hurt as bad as i thought,sorta like a shot with a little extra sting...

i was disappointed to learn that i wont be having radiation to my mets (lungs and femur) they said the tamox and herceptin will take care of that

rackie

kc mom i am getting rads to my chest wall and my armpit.  i had a bmx and axilliary dissection but because i had invasive dcis in my breast and 56 nodes they want to radiate the whole area.  i imagine it is going to get sore!

jackie

MoQi

hello hello~

i will have planning session next monday, rads start on march 7th. 25 sessions, no boost for me.

Qi

msjag

What determines if you get boosts? Is it having a lumpectomy vs a masectomy?

I will find out next week what I will be getting.

marjie

I am not sure about what determines boosts....perhaps it is lumpectomy vs mastectomy.  I know I had a lumpectomy and the boosts will be concentrated on the tumour site.

Pinkprincess

I had BMX and am still getting the boosts but want the armpit radiated since I has 3 positive nodes 1 encapsulated and 2 with micromets. I thought the pit would be standard....I know I am in the gray area but if I am going with rads I want it full force. Any ideas on this ladies?

debn

Hi, Ladies!  I had a lumpectomy and will having 28 rads + 5 boosts.  I had 0 nodes, but my rads actually reach into the node area.  I finised #28 yesterday and boost #1 today.  Make sure you take care of yourselves, get the rest you need and keep up with the ointment you rad onc suggests.  I used Aquafor until last week and now got a presciption cream last week. I found it best not to try to wear a bra and dress comfortable. I wear camisoles to give a little 'cover'.   My thoughts are with you!!  I was scared going into this, not knowing what to expect and it wasn't as scarey as I first imagined.

ElizabethAnne

Hello everyone,

I'm jumping on the bandwagon!  My first treatment out of 33 is on March 7.  After reading all of the information all of you know about your treatment plans, I realize I didn't ask enough questions and my radiation oncologist didn't offer a lot of information.   I've been taking notes and will get the answers as soon as I can.  

Glad to meet all of you!

marjie

Welcome ElizabethAnne!  There is a wealth of information and support here - I am always taking notes

texasrose361

Looks like a couple of us will start on the 7th

I feel ya kc mom on wanting to hit this as hard as possible- why not if you're already gettting rads, right! We can not look back over time and think what if... tell your rad onc your concerns and maybe he'll reconcider the armpit area

shelbytroy12

Hi all

I am so happy to be joining/following this thread as it means I am done with chemo!   What a great feeling to move on to the next step.  I am starting rads on March 22nd.  I already got my tattoos this week.  Didn't hurt as much as I thought it would.  I am planning to work through radiation and see how it goes.  I am getting the rads at 8am.  Any suggestions for how to deal with putting the cream on and then having to get dressed for work?  Should I wear layers so it doesn't stick to my clothes? I"m assuming I don't want to wait 8hours until I get home from work. Thanks for any tips.

debn

I used Aquaphor, which is really greasy.  I found I had to wait about 15 minutes before dressing, then I wore a camisole under my shirt.  It didn't stick if I waited a bit before dressing.  Make sure you talk to your rad onc about how the times of day to apply ointment.  They generally don't want you to apply it less than 4 hours before your treatment.  My treatment was in the afternoon, so I applied Aquaphor in the morning and then after my treatment each day.  Be sure to keep up with whatever ointment they suggest, as it seems to really help.  Try to wear clothing that doesn't rub and a camisole is much better on tender areas than a bra.  I found the first week I was very tired, but my body seemed to adjust after the first week.  I didn't really see any pinkness to my skin until the 2nd week, but everyone is different.  Good luck!!  It good to have all of the support of others you will find here!

Eloise

My RO's nurse suggested getting a yard of very soft white fleece and cutting it into sections to wear under your bra or camisole to prevent chafing.  You will end up with bits of little white lint stuck to your clothes and body, though!   Layers are definitely a good idea, and remember you'll be undressed from the waist up for rads, so leave your work dresses or jumpers in the closet until it's over.  I have been wearing J. Jill camisoles which have a built-in shelf bra, but nothing in the way of hooks or fastening to irritate the skin. A front-opening bra is handy for reapplying cream during the day without having to do too much undressing. 

thrmine

Hey Jackie,

Alice here from the Jan. mx list.  My rads were delayed too, thanks to a second sugery.  I thought I's be done by Valentines Day, but no siree.  Had my planning scan and markings done last week.  Still no schedule but I expect 6 week of treatments.  Based on chemo and surgery, I seem to be prone to all the side effects that happen only 20% of time, so I have some anxiety about starting rads.  

Thanks for running this thread.  Company sure helps.

Alice