January 2012 rads

Rockym

Druanne, good luck on Friday.  Wishing you a low Oncotype score.

sjdinalaska

Hi, Aussie,

I just finished four weeks of radiation in Alaska . . .they gave me the "Canadian special"  which was four weeks at a little higher dosage rather than six weeks, I think because I live four hours away one way and had to fly back and forth from home every day or do the traveling of eight hours on an icy road thru the mountains.  The travel was the only bad part for me . . .but I made it thru . . so I know you can too.  It really wasn't bad at all for me . .

I did find that if you start using Aquafor lotion/gel or bag balm stuff every morning and night even if you don't notice anything at first . . ., but not right before the radiaiton treatment (they won't let you) .. . it really helped me.  I didn't burn too badly, just got red like a sunburn, no peeling or blistering.  Put lots under your arm as well as that part got the reddest.  People have different reactions to all this radiation, but for me, it was the easiest part of everything, other than the traveling I had to do and the work I had to miss.   I've been done since Dec. 8th and am back to swimming in a chlorine pool, etc. with no side effects  . . .still continueing to use lotion and aloe vera to soften the skin and prevent peeling . . .hang in there, it sounds worse than it is, at least for me.  Maybe the 4 weeks vs 6 weeks helped too, I'm not sure . .

sjdinalaska

Hi, Aussie,

I just finished four weeks of radiation in Alaska . . .they gave me the "Canadian special"  which was four weeks at a little higher dosage rather than six weeks, I think because I live four hours away one way and had to fly back and forth from home every day or do the traveling of eight hours on an icy road thru the mountains.  The travel was the only bad part for me . . .but I made it thru . . so I know you can too.  It really wasn't bad at all for me . .

I did find that if you start using Aquafor lotion/gel or bag balm stuff every morning and night even if you don't notice anything at first . . ., but not right before the radiaiton treatment (they won't let you) .. . it really helped me.  I didn't burn too badly, just got red like a sunburn, no peeling or blistering.  Put lots under your arm as well as that part got the reddest.  People have different reactions to all this radiation, but for me, it was the easiest part of everything, other than the traveling I had to do and the work I had to miss.   I've been done since Dec. 8th and am back to swimming in a chlorine pool, etc. with no side effects  . . .still continueing to use lotion and aloe vera to soften the skin and prevent peeling . . .hang in there, it sounds worse than it is, at least for me.  Maybe the 4 weeks vs 6 weeks helped too, I'm not sure . .

Kate60

Hi Everyone. Great to see so many of you here - I mean that in a positive way. Anyway WELCOME.

I got the call to see the RO next Tuesday. Like DRUANNE wrote, I have no idea of what's going to happen. I 'think' they tattoo the spot???? first and do other markups. I guess my 1st rad will be a week or so after that. Wonder if I could ask for a flower design or something nice

Kate 

colagecon234

Hi Kate Have just completed  this no ill affects during the treatment, until 3 weeks after especially under the arms. It is like severe sunburn but pile that cream on 3 times daily. col

Kate60

Thanks Colagecon - is there a special cream to use before hand? or just any good moisturiser?

Did you have both breasts treated ? I think I'm only have the left one done which had the cancer in it.

anafoefana

Hi,

I am going for my simulation tomorrow and I believe I will start on January 5th.  For me, this is the next hurdle.  I had neo adjuvant chemo (TCH) and finished in October.  I had a lumpectomy on November 29th and have clear nodes and margins.  My tumor was 7 cmm and I am HER2+, so chemo was a given.  I am fortunate to have responded as well as I did.  Chemo took its toll on my body and I am still recovering, but I was able to work and maintain my life as normal as possible.  I expect to do the same during radiation.  I am a teacher also and hope to only take a few days towards the end if I need to. 

I am still on Herceptin and will be on it until July 2012.  I am very grateful for it and have had minimal SEs since I finished with the other two drugs.

Both my oncologist and radiation oncologist have told me that exercise will help with fatigue. It is difficult to find the time when school starts, but it is well worth making the time. 

tnhelen

Day 2 of radiation went very quickly.  Tomorrow meet with RO. So far, so good.

hawk

I should be starting rads mid January. I will find out my onco score 1/12 if not before. I'm hoping to find out before. I'm tired of waiting!

chef127

GOOD DAY LADYS

I'm am off to meet my RO and go over the process of rad treatment. I'm really nerveous. I don't want to do it, but I proberbly really need to. 

I hope he brings a compasionate and inteligent aspect to this. I don't want to be treated like a number. NEXT.

This will be first line of defense to BC that i have taken besides surgery. I guess I need to do Something.

Here goes, wish me luck,  Maureen

Ossa

Glad to have found this tread.. I am startin rads at the end of January. 5 weeks of daily treatment. Found a lump during self excam in Feb. went to my GP. He was not to worried as the shape of lump did not cause him concern. Sent me for mammorgram, from there for a needle biopsy,, finally on to treatment..Because my tumor ended up being very agressive my MO wanted chemo done first.. Very happy with her decition.. My tumor shrunk from 6+ cm to dissapearing during treatment  Had modified radical mastectomy Nov 22 with imidiate recon. Now have tissue expander in my right "breast". Have had 4 fills (plus my initial fill durin surgery) Need one or two more.. Hope one as I am finding the last two fills to be very painfull. Guess from all the streaching off mucsle and skin.. Knowing this is temporary makes it a lot easier.. My Onco nurse also works in rads and she told me to start using a moisturizer now to keep skin moist, It will help when I do start rads.

Currently I am on Hercepin treatments every three weeks as I am HER-2 Positive. as well I am on Tamoxifen and recently started to partisipate in the trial study for Metformin/placebo.

chef127

hi ladies,

WOW, the meeting with RO went really well, I'm no longer nerveous. 

7 weeks of treatment because they use a lower dose of rads. The best part is NO rads to my lymph area. YEA. 

I was assured that it is a really doable thing, aside from the possible burn and fatigue [which  is inevitable]. OK we can do this.

KATE, I did ak for a daisy tatoo. No such luck. Maybe if enough girls ask  they can add this service. It would make for a nicer experience and a pleasant remnant. If the tatoo is very obvious I will have a daisy tatoo done to cover it. It is no more than a dot...... I'll do it anyway.

HAPPY & HEALTH DAYS, Maureen

pupmom

Will be starting last week of Jan. Simulation 1/12. Good luck to all!

msmouse

I will start rads sometime in mid Jan. CAT scan & markings Jan 3. I had neo-adjuvent chemo (TAC every 3 weeks x6) and finished mid Oct. Lumpectomy Nov 15 w/ a 2nd surgery Dec 2 for better margins. My initial tumor shrunk for almost 5cm to less than 1mm! My tumor was on the left side so am very concerned RE. cardiovascular issues. I have met w/ the RO and she says 6.5 to 7 weeks w/ boosts the lastt week to the tumor area. Hoping for an easy go of it!

Good heath & best wishes to everyone!

Debbie

chef127

HEY yorkiemom

 "Life is what happens while we're busy Making other Plans"

Is that a JOHN LENNON quote?

good luck w/rads.

pupmom

Hi chef,

I don't know where that quote comes from but I've heard it for years. Always resonated with me!

Best, yorkie

Kaara

Hi everyone!  If I decide to do rads, I will be in the January group.  I saw my BS today and he said I am healing well and should be ready for rads by mid January.  I have an app't with a RO near to my home that came highly recommended.  If he can't do the treatment in a way that protects my heart and lungs, then I am going to opt out.  For my low grade cancer and my age (71) I feel I would be taking a greater risk if I can't get the protection I need.  Chemo has not been recommended, although I will get the results of my oncotype test in about 10 days.

chef127

Yes yorkiemom,

John Lennon, 1988 BEAUTIFUL BOY..  I believe he wrote it for his son Jullian. Great words.

Kaara, Good luck w/rads. I opted out of chemo because I have a lot of health issues with multiple sclerosis. I'm doing the rads because the path report said cancer on the skin that was removed, but my surgeon said he scraped and lased the skin before closing it. I can't be sure so I elected to do it, otherwise I would not have done it. I also worry about my heart and lungs but...................

What ever you decide it'll be the right choice.

Stay Well to all, Maureen

ptdreamers

Just wanted to chime in. I will finish 34 radiation treatments next week. I will have had six boosts. Overall  it is not bad. You go in for a few minutes and its over. It is cumulative. The further you go the more you feel some fatique and skin effects. It is individual. My skin is very red at this point but hasn't broken down. Others at this point have had major problems. My tumor was on my left and I worried about my heart and lungs. It does depend on what system they are using on how much those areas get zapped. Be sure to ask. My RO said that they were getting just a small portion of my lung and he is always checking that I have no breathing issues. I believe that I am giving myself the best chance of beating this by doing the radiation. I am older, 65 but I want to be around for many more years and intend to do whatever I need to to succeed.

Some good tips I picked up from earlier forums when I was starting. Pack a small bag. I put a zip sweatshirt in to put over the charming gown they give you while I was waiting. Paperback book to peruse, creams that you will be using, slather on right after treatment. If you don't have get some old cotton t-shirts from hubby, BF or thrift store and use them after you have slathered. Aquaphor is really messy but good. Forget the bras, they aren't comfortable and the techs will advise you to not wear  them. Everyone has their own preference, use what the RO eccommends but also be open to other ideas for creams. Start using afew days before your first treatment and use two or three times a day just not within three to four hours of radiation. If I can answer any questions or concerns please ask or PM me.

Good luck to all of you.

Ossa

May you have enough happiness to keep you happy.

Enough trials to keep you strong

Enough sorrow to keep you human

Enough hope to keep you thoughful

Enough failure to keep you humble

Enough success to keep you eager

Enough friends to give you comfort

Enough faith and courage in yourself to banish depression

Enough wealth to meet your daily needs

Enough determination to make each day a better day than yesterday

Happy healthy 2012 to all

chef127

Dear Ossa,

 Great Poem. Thanx, I needed that. Yes, I have enough, but a liitle bit more is ok too.

May the New Year keep you warm, healthy, and wise.

Maureen

Anonymous

Ossa, love your New years poem.

I too will be starting rads in January. (Hi Rocky ).  I have last TAC on Tues, then mapping on Jan 13 and then it begin shortly after that.  I have tissue expanders and have to get un-radiated side deflated by 20% before mapping.  Not as bad as I was expecting.  I still have port and can't get out until one month after last chemo.  Does anyone know if you can get it out during radiation?  I hope so, I really don't like looking at it.  Then again what's a couple more weeks!!  I also found out I have to wait at least 6 months for exchange surgery. .  So, I now have a plan for next step in this process or journey! 

Here's to a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Sara ♥

Rockym

Hi Sara!  Congratulations on your last TAC!  I'm happy to hear your chemo will finally be done.  My hair is just starting to grow back, but it's coming in at the sides and back first.  I looked better bald :-).  Also, now that I can taste... I want to eat everything in sight.

My first rad is January 4th.  I'll let you know if there is anything interesting.  I did get my first follow-up MRI last Wednesday.  I was way prepared this time and brought some ear plugs to add to their headset.  The sounds from that machine back in June freaked me out.  I am very sound sensitive so the ear plugs helped a lot.  I don't see my BS until the 12th so I'll probably go and pick up my report before I see him.  I'm not in the mood to wait to hear "all good" or "possible concern."

mags20487

Hi Ladies...I too will be starting rads toward end of January.  I just had my last chemo...did 4 Taxol and 4 AC with minimal SE's and am already exhausted.  Can't imagine what rads will do to my already fatigued body.  But that being said I know I need to do it to give myself the best chance to fight this ugly bugger.

Maggie

tnhelen

I have had four radiation treatments so far.  So far...so good.  But I am only at the beginning of this journey and know things could get rocky.  But right now I am doing good and so happy with the wonderful staff in the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center.  They are the kindest people I have ever met.

Happy New Year to all of you.

Helen

oldchristine

I will also start in january

rjbaby69

Hello ladies.  Hope you are all doing well.

I had a lumpectomy in August followed by chemo (TC x 6) September through December and will be starting radiation on January 9th.  I had my consultation meeting on December 29.  I am so ready to get this over with.  I will have to drive to the "big" city for treatment which means time away from work.  At any rate, I am almost through with this part of my treatment and I am truly thankful for that.  After radiation, plans are to go on Tamoxifen for 5 years (if I can stand it).

I look forward to being here with you and sharing our experiences.  If I hadn't discovered forum, I don't know what I would have done.  This forum has been a life-saver for me and I appreciate each and everyone for all that they do to make it better for the rest of us.

Hope you all have a wonderful day and I will check back soon.

HUGS!

Ossa

rjbaby

Feel the same as you.. sooo thankful for these ladies.. enormous support here..

I started taking Tamoxifen three weeks ago, I was quite apprehensive about it because of all the negatives I had heard about it yet knowing it was something I needed to do for me.. My MO explained Tamoxifen as a security.. Imagine after Chemo the "door" is slightly open.. Tamoxifen shuts the door..Made sense to me... The only SE I have had so far is some hot flashes (not bad). A few mood swings where all I want to do is cry.. They do not last.. Worth the SE if it will help me get rid of "my uninvited guest" as I call my cancer.

You ladies that have tissue expanders.. do you have a lot of discomfort the day/night of the fill and how often do you have fills? I have a fill every of 60cc (2 oz) every week. How many fills are you having??   So far I have had 4 (#5 tomorrow) plus my initial fill of 240cc (about 8 oz) (during mastectomy.)

Find the first day/ night very uncomfortable..

Anonymous

Hi Ossa,

Did you start tamoxifen before rads?  My rad and onc say I have to wait until after.

I too have tissue expanders, I am not sure total but I had 50cc each fill.  I think around 600 total.  I am 5'10".  I think they are huge, but like everything else I am getting used to them!  They were a little uncomfortable after fill.  Now they are big and hard.  My husband calls them bolt-ons!!  I was informed that I will have to wait at least 6 months after rads before exchange surgery. 

Last TAC tomorrow! 

Happy New Year to all.

Ossa

sarasowise

Yes I started Tamoxifen before rads. Started three weeks ago. Rads does not start until Jan 20 as I am still getting fills..My onc or rad dr. did not say anything about waiting.. 

I also has chemo before surgery because my tumour was so big (thankfully it shrunk until gone during chemo)

As for my fills... Do not know why they are so painful, I am not a wimp when it comes to pain (had all three of my kids without drugs) No drugs after leaving hospital post mastectomy.  Feels like my skin is about to burst... 

Are you having implants or diep or tram flap surgery for the exchange?

I have been offered tram flap, but upon reading the different opinions I think I am going to talk to my PS about diep, sounds less invasive.. This of course will not be until summer/fall as I also have the 6 month waiting..But my son is getting married in July and I would rather wait until after to have my surgery or it will be cutting it to close I think