August 2011 rads

MamaV

Merilee Oh no! I'm going to catch up to you - #8 for me today! Wondering when my skin will start to cook - worried...

julianna51

Day 1 of 32 for me today....  Not sure how I am feeling.   It was quick and simple, they did a few x-rays to make sure everything was right on, did the treatment, talked with a doctor (not my doctor) and was out.   Would have felt better if I could have spoken with my doctor but....next time.   Still no tattoos so I guess they are still making sure they have everything just the way they want.   At the moment I have more drawings all over me which I guess represent the area of treatment.    Had to have discussion with the doctor AGAIN to make sure no lymph nodes.   He ended up showing me on the computer so I feel somewhat...better.  

I was gone for the past several days on a business trip to NC and that has added a lot to my exhaustion.    I ended up coming home today because honestly right now I can't hardly put two and two together and have them make any sense.  

Oh, I also spoke with the doctor about lotions.....nothing yet, I can use whatever I would normally use until things start to chnge, then ask them.  And, of course don't put anything on before treatment.  I'm just going to use Aloe Vera gel for now.

merilee - so sorry your treatments are delayed.  I hope they get that fixed as soon as possible!

Cyborg - hope your indigestion/acid reflux is getting better.    Aloe Vera juice works very well for me and I have long standing issues....it has pretty much healed it all for me.

sarahbob

@ julianna51: where in NC were you. I live in Greensboro, (central NC about an hour west of Raleigh). We were in the NC mountains over the weekend. It was nice to get out of town, even for just overnight. 

 I am ready to get this started, so I can get it finished! 

sweetcorn

Merilee, I'm so sorry you have to delay your treatments for so long.

MamaV, Let me know if your skin starts to cook.  I just had treatment #3, and would like to know when it might start to happen.  I have been "slathering" the area quite often, so maybe that will help.

Jane

PatH

Onco DX came back as 18 so no chemo.  Friday I get my tatoos and gold marker implants and casting for positioning on table. Next week I will go through a "dry run" and then actual radiation treatments will begin. Tomorrow will be a walk through the cancer center and see what its all about.

I will be eagerly reading the posts here regarding eveyones experiences with this treatment. 

julianna51

sarahbob - How funny....I was actually in Greensboro.   I'll bet that it was really beautiful up in the mountains there.  When do you start your rads?

PatH - Welcome.   You'll be able to see the experiences everyone is having before getting started.  It is always so good to see that information although sometimes it is funny on how different everyone's treatment is.

cellomomof5

Merilee - our radiation system computer was down, too!  They did eventually get it up and running, but I had to wait an extra two hours first.  The waiting room was filled with women wearing johnnies... not enough magazines to go around.  And there goes my day...

Merilee

cello

Snaps right? They are talking about doubling up a few of my treatments so that I can stay on schedule. They said it would be safe to do 2 in one day as long as they were spaced at least 4 hours apart.

The clinic where I go is so busy that they have clients scheduled every ten minutes, I can just imagine that waiting room. Someone should have ordered pizza and put on a movie LOL

Welcome Pat, hear's wishing you an easy go of it all.

When I am all done, I am going to visit my daughter in Gatlinburg. I can't wait to see the mountains.

bb226

Don't tell me I am alone now Merilee. I finished #11 of 25 today. It has been an awful day. I could hardly work today because of the fatigue. I came home to one of my dogs hemorrhaging. My husband is now on the way to the vet to put that dog to sleep. (I am in bed trying to get some energy back.) The dog was 13 years old. I can't believe the timing of this. It is a sad day here.

LovesChristmas-Barb

I'm so sorry about your bad day and your dog, bb226. It is so difficult losing a pet...they're such a part of our everyday lives. I hope you're able to get some sleep and feel better tomorrow.

MamaMia41

BB, so sorry about your dog!  We are big animal lovers here and had to put one of our dogs to sleep last fall.  I still feel badly about that even thought I know it was the right thing to do.  Hope you feel better soon.

I am waiting for RO to call about starting rads this week, if I don't hear tomorrow I am calling myself.  I have been applying aloe twice a day in preparation, should I also be applying to underarm?  Not sure how much skin will be zapped, guess I will have to wait until it starts. 

Glad to hear everyone is doing well and hello to the "newbies".

KittyGirl2011

bb, It's so sad to lose a pet and I really feel for you.  This past spring I lost our beloved cat of 18 years.  I do think he is at peace now and once in awhile I see a fleeting glimps of him looking in on me.  Your pet would be happy to see you stay strong and rested for your own battle too.  Keep the happy memories close to you now and let it ease your sorrow.  Kitty

MamaV

Oh bb so sorry for you. Get some rest - hugs to you. I had #8 today and no SE yet.

kanatamom

Hi - I'm another newbie. Met with my radiation oncologist today, had my ct scan and got my tattoos. I start radiation August 17th. Best news of all today was that re-excision was successful and that I'm ready to move on to rads. Looking forward to getting to know you all.

Shauna

jenny12000

I started my radiation today. It was quick and easy. Last Friday, it was the "dry-run" and I couldn't control myself and crying all the way through. I think I was very scared and how much I did not want to have the radiation! When it finished, the social worker was waiting outside to talk to me. There are just so many nice people around during this breast cancer experience. I am just feel grateful for each of them. My husband went with me today. I was happy that I did not feel any sad feeling and was very glad that it was so quick to over with. I think it also the anxiety...now that I started, it should be more settled. Just take it one day at the time I guess. So, it will be all the way to 9/22. I can't wait until then and have a big birthday celebration on my birthday (9/23)!!!

Also, they don't do tatoo here...they use the sharpie marker with tapes to mark the position. I thought that's strange and did ask my RO doctor to make sure.

I also mentioned to him about the cream that my friend recommended - "Miaderm" that she used and never had any sun burn reaction. My RO never heard it and he recommends just the regular sensitive Keri lotion. The technician also told me earlier that the machine they have - "Artiste" is the new kind of machine that won't be too bad on the burn. I hope it turns out that way. What a day today!

julianna51

bb - thinking of you.   Losing one of our furry kids and losing one at such a time in your life is doubly difficult.   Please rest well and take care of yourself.

Elizabeth1889

Hi jenny12000:  I am in the July rads group so I know how scary rads can be at the beginning.  Hang in there and take things one day at a time.  I use Miaderm and my skin is holding up well after 21 treatments.  Supposedly, that cream was created by RO's.  Anyway different creams work for different people.

sweetpetit

Yes I am starting Radiation on August 25th. I am having the Canadian 4 week Radiation treatment, 15 days of whole breast radiation and 4 days of targeted. I have been searching the Internet for the best cream to use while undergoing treatment. I was diagnosed with DCI and DCIS with no node involvement. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel surgery done at Johns Hopkins on 7/8 and more margin removed with a second surgery on 7/20. I am happy to have this time to heal and to get my daughter off to College for her Junior year before treatment starts.

Cyborg

Bb26- so sorry about your sweet dog.

Julianna- found out that taking my calcium with food helps as dies taking effexor with food too.

Getting wiped out from rads and working.

bb226

Thanks eveyone for the support.

Cyborg-I am finding comfort in your last update. I thought I was the only one battling fatigue and working full time. Some days I have great energy and others not. I can really feel the toil of work on my system.

Welcome Lhusian, Jenny, PatH, and kanatamom. Did I forget anyone?

Sweetcorn I started noticing the pinkness about the 8-9 treatment.

MamaMia-I am surprised at what is turning pink. I am lotioning as high up as my collar bone, my whole side and underarm, and as much as my back as I can reach. I was surprised that the pinkness is up in the axillary area even though I am not having any nodes done. The other area that is surprising me is my side towards my back. I was never lotioning these areas because I didn't know until the pinkness started.

cellomomof5-I agree that it is frustrating with technology. Luckily they got it fixed. This happened 1 time for me and they moved me to another room. While I was being treated I wondered does this machine know what it is doing. Will this one break in the middle of treatment? With all the other stressors in our lives now, I am thankful for the sessions that are on time and are able to be done.

Merilee-I am glad that they can do more than 1 treatment a day to get you caught up.

Everyone have an uneventful day of rads.

Merilee

http://www.exercisetv.tv/workout-videos/body-sculpting/incredible-abs-6092

Hi everyone

I think the exercise is what helps with the fatigue and emotional drain of all this. Here is the link to the one I do in between yoga days. It is 20 minutes of belly work. I can't do all of them but it seems to be working. My estrogen nest that was forming at my naval has decreased significantly.. The web site has lots of free ones you can click on

BB I am so sorry you have to have a broken heart on top of everything else. .

Do you have any sick time you could take while you are grieving? It would be good for you to just let yourself have a giant sob day, and say everything that is in your head. Hugs to you my dear, I know you are overwhelmed, I have been there.

MamaV

Exercise is key!!! I took an amazing walk this morning. Especially if you are trying to go back to

Work! Be strong ladies and nap when you need to!

pat01

I go for my dry run tomorrow, and then if all is OK I start Thursday.  Woke up today feeling very agitated and not myself, despite a good nights sleep.  Very edgy at work today.  Realize I'm probably just nervous to get started.  I hate having my emotions all over the place.

sweetcorn

bb226--So sorry for the loss of your furry friend.  I found out Friday that our German Pinscher has liver disease.  What else could go wrong this year?

 Rads went fine today.  Only 21 to go!  Then some boosts, but that hasn't been determined yet.

Jane

lrw333

Well after another setback last week (computers being upgraded). LOL I had my first RAD today. Ladies you were right it was not that bad. I was out in 15 mins tops. But the worry and stress is exhausting. Now that I know what to expect I just can't wait.to be done.... Good Luck everyone who is starting.  Thinking of you all. We can do this together. I am so glad I have you guys here means a lot to me...

luckygmrabbi

bb226.  Enjoyed reading your post.  You said you have 5 small tattoos.  Was that required?  I certainly don't want them if I don't have to have them.  I had my last Chemo (TCH) on July 29 and will see a RO tomorrow.  I am told it will be 5 days a week for 6 weeks.  What determines whether or not you need to be tattooed?

Merilee

They use the tattoos to line you up precisely on the machine. They use a laser pointed at the tattoos so that they are aiming the same each treatment. Mine are so tiny that you can barely see them, like a dot from a pen

LovesChristmas-Barb

Not every RO uses tattoes...mine uses sharpie markers with tape over them. Just depends on how they're used to doing things....

sweetcorn

I had the sharpie markers first and then they asked me if I wanted the tattoos. The tape actually irritated my skin.  With the tats, I don't have to worry about the tape coming off and washing away the marks, although they said they would be happy to redo them, if that happened.  The tats are very small, and I got three.

Jane

MamaMia41

Good news, I will have dry run and first treatment (hopefully) on Thursday.  So glad to get this going!