August 2011 rads

jackifp

Thanks, bb226, for the encouragement. It's such a weight off to have the last chemo done (3 days ago), but this last one really kicked my butt. Called the RO today to start that process, and felt a panic coming on, since there's still all that to go. And working those all those consecutive days and the hour extra commute into my teaching high school has me nuts. It's good to hear it feels less stressful.

Elizabeth1889

julianna51:  Good luck tomorrow during your mapping.  I will be thinking about you.

Sharon_W

Hi gals, joining in... I saw the RO last week, consult on Mon and simulation & tatoos on Tues.  I got really nervous the night before, but am doing better now.  I start on the 8th for 30 visits.  She told me not to buy lotion until I meet with their nurse the first day, not what I saw on the July Rads board, any opinions here?  I may be participating in the Herceptin trial (they're testing HER2 status this week.)  So would have two doses..  I've been back to work for three weeks from surgery, but decided to go back out for RT... My job tends to be pretty crazy intl conf calls at inflexible times, lots of fire drills.  I can change my mind later if all goes great.   

I've also been working on diet, down 7 after putting on 20lbs last year.  only lost 3 since the dx..   My PCP recommended an organic near vegan diet, lots of cruciferous veggies and fruit, whole grains, no red meat, almost no dairy - occasional non fat ok.  A friend loaned me a copy of Anti Cancer and I'm digging into it now.  Anyone read it?

Dragonfly - thanks for sharing your experience with Herceptin, it's encouraging.

Julianna - good luck tomorrow.  Sending peaceful prayers your way.

coraleliz

Sharon, From what I can tell, each center has different "recomendations" for creams. I was given samples. After you hear what they have to say & what samples you get, you can try the different products out. I really thought I would do well since I don't have sensitive skin. But the areas that are giving me a problem are those that have recieved sun exposure in past years. Mostly itching so far. I had my 11th treatment today. I doubt any one product will work for everyone. Sounds like trial & error....

Merilee

Number 7 for me today, so far so good

rochelleanderson

Tomorrow starts rads for me - wish me luck, and healing to all of you.

MamaV

Again Merilee love it! Keep them coming. #4 this afternoon

Merilee

Thanks Mama V,sending you healing energy

sweetcorn

Rochelle,  I start my rads tomorrow also.  Good luck!

Jane

rochelleanderson

We're stuck in it together then Jane, I'll think of you.

julianna51

To everyone already started....blessings for a good day.   And, thank you Merilee for your photos, the visualization as we go through this is so powerful.  

lrw333

BB your words gave me hope to. Julianna Nutcase is an understatment for me. This waiting is driving me crazy. I try to look at the positive side of things but it is hard to do. So glad to be able to vent a little where people truly understand. Thanks everyone. I am with you and think of everyone often even though I don't say a lot. LOL

Merilee

#7all done along with weekly x-rays. Easy breezey

Sharon_W

Healing prayers and vibes to everyone who's started!!!  I'm in a holding pattern until more info comes in on HER2 status.  I'm going escape camping in the foothills of the Sierras with my boys this weekend.  Start RADS on Monday, hmmmm... maybe I should bring my sunglasses, ha!    I love the healing images.  Cheers!

bb226

#7 of 25 done. Still a little pink. In and out in 15 minutes. SWEET! I am tired when I get home and am able to lounge around the house and watch TV. It is nice to be working 8 hour shifts versus 10 hours and taking call.

For all of you about to start...things get easier. The stress level decrease, sleep quality increases, relaxation time increases, and your crabbiness decreases. My husband has noticed. (Oh course I didn't think I was crabby but that is what happens with no sleep and high anxiety.)You aren't constantly running to MD appts. Everyone of us that did start is counting down until the last treatment. There is an end in site.

Good luck to the persons starting tomorrow.

merilee I still think of you at every treatment since we are on the same schedule. Glad things are going well for you. Any pinkiness or tireness yet? I am hoping I am normal with these side effects and would like to hear from you if you are willing. Love the lights.

KittyGirl2011

Hello Ladies,  Thought I would join this thread for now even though I'm not sure yet exactly when rads will start.  I'm just 11 days post surgery and see the ONC for the first time on Aug 9.  I'm feeling less anxious since the path report but just hope I won't need to do chemo first.  The surgeon did not think so but his opinion might differ from the ONC.  We'll see.  I'll let you know where I'm at ASAP.  Thanks, Kitty

julianna51

Elizabeth and Sharon (and anyone I might have missed) thank you for your well wishes today.    My mapping went well.   There was a moment when I was sitting there waiting where I almost lost it thinking...."this really sucks."   But, it passed quickly.   Everyone was really very nice.   They did a CT scan, I have lovely little black Xs and tape and will be ready to go on Monday.   Between now and then, I guess my RO will do his wizardry and make my exact plan.   Monday's appointment may take a little longer than usual so they can do any fine tuning.   I'm sure those of you that started already know all this :-)

Good news is that I MAY not have to do a full six weeks, I will not have to do boosts, they are staying away from my lymph nodes (YAY!!!!!, my biggest worry), they will focus less on the outer side of my right breast and most everything will focus on the inner right quadrant where my mass was.   I guess my treatment is a little different that many since I was such a lucky one to have a BMX with DCIS and STILL have to have radiation.  I will know more of what the full plan is on Monday.   I am ready to  get in, get out and get well.

Heading out of town to NC for a few days so that will be a great little break before getting started even though much of it is business related.

I am feeling very happy today.

Sounds like those of you who have started are doing well so far, so glad to hear.   bb - I love to hear how everything seems to improve once treatment starts....maybe I'll get my mind back!

I know there are some others of you beginning treatment on the 8th - it is going to go well for us all.

Blessings and love,

Juls

ps. Does anyone else have problems with your posts deleting or your cursor moving around while in these forums?   Maybe it is just more of my fogginess.

Sharon_W

Wanna make God laugh?  Tell Him your plans!

Ok, so I thought everything had been poked, prodded, mammo'd, biopsied (3x), cut out, sent to pathology(4x) and a plan was in place.  But, noooooo, this is breast cancer, so even the "best" diagnosis is still a hurry up and wait exercise.  I was at a friend's house over the weekend for a kidscamp out.  She happens to be a genetics counselor for Kaiser.  We don't really talk a lot about work when we are together, we do fun stuff.  Well, on Sunday, our conversation turned to church and faith.  I mentioned that my dad had converted to Catholicism and his family sat shiva for him.  Well, her work and my ancestry took the conversation in an entirely unexpected direction.  She asked me a few questions about my dad's side of the family - who happen to be from Eastern Europe.  There's a 1 in 40 chance of being BRCA positive if you are a Ashkenazi Jewish woman.  No one asked me my family history other than of others with cancer.  She suggested I consider having the test done as it would potentially change my treatment plan  I might even have to consider preventative surgeries.  I called my PCP, she directed me to the oncologist.  The oncologists office sent off a note to their genetic counselor and tomorrow I find out if I have an appointment next week.  Ugh...  I don't know for sure, but IF they do the BRCA gene test, I think it takes three weeks to a month.  Wouldn't that change the radiation start date?  If it's positive would the lumpectomy have been a waste?  Do I need to consider mastectomy?  having my ovaries out? so many questions!  I just don't want to live in stressville.  Guess what?  I did what any woman would do, I bought something.  Jazz tickets to the Mondavi Jackson Hall series.  So now I can take my mind off this mind boggling question and think about live, fabulous, Jazz!  The other answers will come in what ever time they come, I obviously need to learn to live with uncertainty.  Anyone out there test for BRCA?  

Julliana - so glad to hear the mapping went well.  did they tatoo you or just use perm marker?  I had tatoos done last week. 

Ladies who are in treatment, continued healing prayers and good luck to you!  

 Blessings to all  

julianna51

Sharon - So so sorry about those curve balls that come out of no where!   I went for the genetic counseling (just because I was  worried for my daughters) but based on their proogram, I have a less than 2% chance of having one of the genes.   So, insurance will not pay for it, also based on other factors.   I think it is an excellent idea that you go see a genetic counselor and get tested if that is what they think.   I was just reading today on how some treatment works better than others in those conditions.

In the meantime.....LET IT ALL GO.   I think you did wonderful uying your jazz tickets.  I'm so envious.   I can't ever find anyone to go listen to live jazz with me or any jazz for that matter hardly.    Enjoy it and let your mind  go.   We will all keep you in our prayers.

For me, no tattoos yet.   They said they'll probably do something more permanent after Monday's appointment and fine tuning.   Right now I have black marker covered with little circles of tape.  Hope it lasts!

 HUGS to you!

Merilee

Sharon,had the BRACA test and my insurance (blue cross) did pay for it and the company that does the testing has a fund to help those who do not have the coverage. You can do your plan while you wait for results, and if you do have the gene, then you can make a decision to do more at that time. Chances are you do not have it and I would hate to see you wallow in the icky waiting game any longer than need be.

bb- No pink yet but I am using Xclair and maybe that is the difference.

Hi Kitty

What I do is, when I hear the beams come on, I give thanks for the healing light and acknowledge and give thanks for  the healing intentions of the team. I open to that healing and imagine my body beaming with light from head to toe...works for me.

Merilee

#8 today

sweetcorn

I thought the treatments were starting today, but we did the "fine tuning" that julianna mentions.  I have green marks with little circles protecting them!  They said tattoos will come also. But I don't know exactly when.  Anyone?

Tomorrow is the real deal, first of 25.  Then the boosts, but the RADONC hasn't determined how many yet.

Jane

MamaV

Sharon - I had the test.  My insurance (BC/BS) paid for it too - even though I have no history, but I am under 45 so that was one of the risk factors.  I was worried about my daughter and neices too.  My results came back in 2 weeks.  Negative.  I worried about it too.  Either way, you can't change anything, just might change your treatment plan.  You will be strong and do whatever you have to do to make sure this evil monster doesn't come back!

Merilee - thank you again for the picture.  I close my eyes and visualize the picture with every treatment.  I also say a prayer that the beam is a healing beam and not a burning beam for all of us!

Sweetcorn - good luck tomorrow!  It's a breeze (so far).  #5 for me today (I will have 28 then 8 boosts). 

Healing prayers for all

Vicky

Sharon_W

Hi Vicki, Merilee and Julianna, thanks for your advice, it is very helpful.  I know the probability is very low, but I agree I want it tested.  They are scheduling the GC appointment and know I am looking for some info to decide whether or not to start rads on Monday.  The RO is on FTO, so I'll make my decision based on what I hear from the MO and GC.  It seems reasonable to delay starting a day or two for some more info.  I'm not sure I'd wait three weeks for full results - they really have to give me good info about DCIS, ER-, PR-, HER2- and BRCA+ treatment recommendations.  What I don't want to do is go through rads to find out I need a mastectomy.  If that would be their recommendation in my case, then I'll delay rads for the BRCA results.  If there are other surgical recommendations, I can always add those in after rads are done.  I'm feeling more at peace now, thanks for your prayers and good vibes. 

Vicki, Jane, Julianna, mamamia, anyone i missed... sending good, healing beems and peace prayers your way!  What are you all doing to pamper yourselves? 

MamaMia41

Hi Sharon,

I think it is totally reasonable to wait for your BRCA results before starting rads; I had the test done before I made any decisions about surgery, because like you mentioned I would probably have had BMX if positive, and rads would not have been recommended unless there were close margins.  My results came back in one week (sooner than I thought, thankfully) and my insurance covered the majority of the cost.  I'll be thinking of you.

P.S. In case you don't see the other thread, I tested HER+; waiting to hear about the randomization and other details regarding the study.

Cyborg

I have the worst heartburn ever since. Starting radiation. Has anybodyelse experienced this? I wonder if the rads are nipping my throat or upper stomach.

BobbiMarie

KittyGirl, we are practically neighbors.  I'm in Maple Lake but doctoring in the cities.  I just went through the 'to chemo or not to chemo...that is the question' for what felt like an absolute eternity.  It consumed my life. I hope you are handling the ???? better than I did.  I went for a second opinion and opted not to do chemo....I had a choice.  Both doctors said exactly the same thing - they would support me either way. 

I go for my mapping for rads on Monday.....going to the new Maple Grove Hospital.  Keep me posted on your status.   

rochelleanderson

1 down 32 to go

Day 1 went well,  I believe I'd freaked myself out too much ahead of time!

Extremely tired now, I don't think this is from the treatment as much as lack of sleep.

Hope  you ladies are doing alright 

bikenyc

Just started my rads this week.  2 down, 23 to go.   I don't know what I was expecting, but I guess I wish there was more of a way to SEE the radiation in action...I don't know, a light or laser or something (just a show for my benefit).  Just to hear a buzzing seems like it's not really doing anything. 

But I have been wiped out the last 2 days when I get home.  2 hour naps each evening.  I didn't think fatigued was supposed to happen right away, think it's the radiation or just hot and lazy summer evenings?

Sharon...I got my BRCA results back in like 2 weeks, and my insurance covered it (I'm 41...results were neg).  Feels good to know everything about your cancer and def arms you to make decisions.  Did you do chemo?  Even if your results were positive and you needed a mastectomy, they would still probably have wanted to do radiaton on the area if you hadn't had chemo, right?  I know it's a lot to think about.

KittyGirl2011

Hi BobbiMarie, glad to hear from you and local too!  If the ONC does not mention it I'm going to ask for the Oncotype DX test to better determine if chemo would do me any good.  Hope for a low score!  Let's keep in touch. Kitty