June 2012 Radiation Rads

mimikitty

Similarily I had a small mass show up in the other breast on the MRI before my surgery and it was biopsied.  Turned out to be "benign breast tissue".  I got the impression the radiologist might haved missed it altogether from how the pathology report was written.  They ended up recommending another MRI in 6 months to monitor it. My MRI biopsy experience sucked.  Such an uncomfortable position, the pain killer didn't work and it left a lot of scar tissue in that breast, which my husband is slowly removing with acupuncture. Hope your experience is not as bad.

Both my surgeon and radiology oncologist said they don't believe it's anything to worry about.  I suspect the folks that read the MRI images point out anything at all in order to protect themselves from being sued down the road.

Neeners815

Hi Lagata!  Those darn MRIs *often* show stuff that's absolutely nothing; same thing happened to me!  Once we are labeled with having bc, they really check every thing out, which is good but also stressful.  Hang in there, girl.  Young buck, eh?  Is he at least cute?

Mimi - looks like we are rads date twins!  I can't tell from your message how many sessions you're going to have (math is hard!).  I have 30 coming up.  Haven't even started, but ready to be d.o.n.e. 

akinto

I am hoping to start Monday afternoon, depending on whether a wound is completely healed. I had a post-surgical staph infection (twice, one for each lumpectomy).

Then 16 doses (the Canadian standard for DCIS). Then 8 boosts in July.

The RO said that the treatment plan is pretty hot. Yikes.

I am counting on the list here for some good ideas in coping. Thanks!

Neeners815

Hey Akinto - good luck with the wound.  So you will have a total of 24 treatments?  (I'm telling you guys - math is hard ).  What did the RO mean by the treatment plan being hot?  Well, good luck.  We're all in this together.  I also had/have (never know how to word it since it didn't spread and they got it all out) DCIS and Grade 3, but I'm having 30 treatments.

Scottiee1

Hi everybody out there who will be starting Rad. I just finished on Thursday and want to say to all of you that it is all doable. You will find that rad techs are like angels...they make everything so much easier to endure and don't be afraid to ask them for anything you need, be it different schedule, advice, skin prep etc, etc, etc. I was terrified initially and after my first treatment, I really enjoyed going there everyday (I know, sounds crazy)

As a matter of fact, I'm going through some withdrawal symptoms at the moment like who is taking care of me now? Of course, this will pass. Good luck to all of you starting. My thoughts will be with you all

Bonseye

Scottiee-thanks for encouragement as I am just starting and am a nervous wreck. Don't want my TRAM surgery to be ruined......praying for an easier ride then I have had.....I go for my dry run on Wednesday and then start on Thursday. Getting my skin care products and getting ready. Had an awful headache from lying with my arm over my head for an hour.....caused me a horrible headache for the whole day yesterday. Having Rheumatoid in shoulder AC joint is causing me problems......had taken pain meds and it didn't work....stretching every day and hoping that will help by next week.....5 1/2 weeks here I come!

Scottiee1

The worst part for me was when the 'rad angels' left the room....I felt very alone so I asked them to let me know what was going on along the way. They did this for me everyday and I was fine. You will be fine. Just keep on top of any skin problems. These problems usually begin after the third week. You have been through so much, radiation will be a breeze for you.

akinto

Neeners, good work with the arithmetic!

 I think that the RO was trying to tell me that the plan will be tough. I will likely get burned. I have large breasts, so I think my cancerous one has to be exposed to the gamma rays longer.

 I went to a  groovy hippy apothecary and bought calendula cream with a base of beeswax and olive oil and some organic aloe. Hope they help.

 There is a new anticancer organization, http://www.letsfcancer.com/. Its motto is "F%#k Cancer!". I agree.

Mtalsky

I didn't see anyone having internal radiation? I'm getting it starting on the 11th. I go on Thursday to get the ballon implanted, RO on Friday to get scanned. I don't know what to expect. Has anyone been through it? If so what can I expect? Can I work? Will it hurt? I need to research this because I don't know what to expect. I am thrilled it is for only 5 days, twice a day instead of 30+ treatments.

Lagata1276

Mtalsky - I asked about internal rads when I met with my RO last week, he said it was possible even though I'm 45, but the balloon should've been placed at time of LX or within 2 weeks. Since it's been about 6 weeks, he didn't recommend it. Good luck with it!

Scottiee - did you have any problems wearing your bras throughout treatment?

Neeners - yeah, he's pretty good looking :-)

Belinda977

RO discussed the internal rads.  However, my breast is too small.  Here, it's part of a clinical trial and the recurrence info isn't as exact as whole breast radiation.  I am going with the whole.  I am praying this hematoma clears up soon so I can start.  

Scottiee1

I was told no bras with underwires. I bought a whole bunch of "Aah bras" that you can buy on line or the shopping channel.....they saved my life, even now where my skin is peeling a little.

Neeners815

Scottie - what's a rads angel?  And could anyone else see them besides you?    (just kidding!)  Interesting comment regarding the underwire bra.  I wonder if sports bras would be uncomfortable?  I really have no idea - nobody really answered my bra question in the other thread.

Mtalsky - it's several pages long, but go take a look at the May rads thread.  I'm pretty sure one or two of the ladies had the balloon thingie.  I asked my RO, too, but he said it was too intense (?) for me.  He must have known I was a wimp

Lagata - Ohhh.  Maybe seeing the RO will be niiiice

Akinto - thanks for the info on the new site.  I'm definitely going to check it out.  I agree: f it! 

Belinda977

My RO said no shaving underarm during treatment...do you plan to follow this or go against medical advice?  6 weeks in the summer and no shaving..YIKES.   I don't have lump node involvement and they are just radiating the breast. 

Neeners815

No shaving?  WHAT?  Mine did not tell me that.  If I lived in Europe, ok, maybe.  But no way am I not shaving here.  It's stinky enough even using that Tom's Natural deodorant!

lmlola59

Mtaisky I  attempted to do the internal in January and had the ballon put in by my surgion at lumpectomy,but I went to the RO 4 days later and he did scans and decided it was to close to my ribs.I don't think I would have been able to work because of its placement,but I was still uncomforable becuase of the surgery.I was under the impression it would not be painfull and with it being complete within 5 days I was all for it.But do know you will have it in for more than 5 days as it will be over a weekend either on the front end or back end.At least this was the way it was done in my area.I was dissapponted but knew this was a possabilty going in because f the location and I didn't want any lingering rib issues so it is best.

Scottie1 thanks for dropping in with encouragement I have been thru 7 treatments and feeling some discomfort but I think it may be do to the location.It seems to be right on the spot that my bra hits near under arm so I am sure it is just because it may rub.Not only are the techs angels but I also see the nurse and doctor once a week or more if needed so you can always address any issues as you go.

I also went out before rads and got some non underwire bras,but I was going to do this anyways since many feel that this is not good over all for us.I also got 2 sports bras that look more like a bra in the strap area so if it was to show it isn't this big strap. No shaving during rads unless you use an electric razor.I have not yet gotten my under arm hair in so not yet an issue.

Scottiee1

I was told definitely no shaving, even electric shaver. I complied and found it all doable.

The secret for me was all cotton, very, very loose tops. Doing the saline solutions cut down on any odor.

Scottiee1

Sports bras will be fine. The trick is to find ones that are not tight fitting under the arms because eventually (accumulation of rads) they will rub and skin will peel.

valerie0118

Mtalsky,  I just finished my internal radiation last week.  I got a bit tired but got through the work week.  My first treatment was at 8:30am and last was at 3:15pm every day and in between I went into work.  I wasn't very active and did a lot of work at my desk so it is doable if you don't have to be very active.  The port is the worst part of the whole thing and it is not that bad.  It is just aggravating to have it strapped under your armpit and you will need to wear loose tops over it.  They used the bra they sent me home from the hospital in and gave me an extra to change into if the port leaked (and it did).  The procedure is painless......just a little tingling inside and then it is done.  I didn't get any redness outside but one other person on another thread reported some redness after the last treatment.  I asked about this and they told me some people do and others don't get burned outside.

My fatigue was bad the weekend after the treatment.  I basically slept away the Memorial Day weekend.  By Tuesday I was almost back to normal and a week after, I'm up til about 11pm and starting to exercise a bit.

Good luck!  Let me know if you have further questions!

Lagata1276

I will look into the "aah bras", I have a red coobie bra that I ordered awhile back and love. I see that the hospitals gift shop sells them too, so must be for "us." I have plenty of zip front sports bras so will try that too.



I was told no shaving except with electric razor as well. One of the nurses said Nair was okay, but not too sure about that. Anyone try a depilatory that wasn't an irritant?



I am hoping to keep my appointment with the simulation next week. The steri strips the nurse put on me were covered with a band aid. I was told to remove the bandages, but did they mean the band aid too? It is taking the steri strips with it so I left it on, but there's a lot of blood on the pad. I'll call the docs office tomorrow I guess.



I just started reading a really good book, "Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips" anyone read it? I'm loving it so far.

akinto

No need worry about your armpit hair: None of us will be exposing our top halfs to the sun for quite a while, I think. Better to leave the skin to rest and not scrape off skin with the hair!

 I just bought an SPF 50 t shirt to wear with my bathing suit for our vacation at a lakeside cottage after my rads. So there's no way to see my armpit!

 

Cindyl

Hi from the April/May Rads thread! I am a 44dd.  (now.  Before surgery I was a 40)  Anyway, I managed to wear sports bras until the last week of rads.  Then my skin completely broke down and left me wearing a shelf cami in one size bigger than I would normally wear.  Today 11 days after rads I managed to get the sports bra back on and have been wearing it for 6 hours and will be shedding it soon.  Hope to manage to wear it all workday tomorrow.

Scottiee1

Haven't read it but will certainly look for it at my local bookstore. I was told not to use an electric razor......use nothing......better not to irritate the skin. Mine finally broke down this

weekend and had to visit my walk-in clinic to be told I had a FUNGUS even though I was

so compliant in following "orders" so be very careful.

DorisMarie

Mtalsky ...I popped over here to answer your ? about internal rads..I see Val has already done that..I'm the one that did get burns..still dealing with them..peeling and all itchy..but val didn't soo..one tip is get sports bras one size larger than norm..I just slipped my arms out and pulled bra to my waist for treatment..so much easier than pulling it off an on over the head..I don't work outside the home..but just had a day or two of fatigue..nothing drastic..it is very doable..not the most comfortable thing..but not as bad as you would think..my main complaint was no shower..LOL..Good luck..Doris

valerie0118

Thanks DorisMarie for telling her about the NO SHOWER!  Make sure you take a long deep shower before your catheter gets placed.  There is no shower until that baby comes out!  They even made me wait 24 hours longer because of drainage when they removed it.  I did find out that Super Cuts will give you a shampoo for about $4.00 and did this midweek. 

They made me wear the surgical bra they provided.  It was very comfortable and they gave me a second one on my first day to switch around in.  

Riverangel

Hi Ladies! I am jumping on this thread....All I can say is Wow! Reading through everyone's comments has been so insightful and helpful!



A lot of questions I had have been answered and I now have several others to ask my drs and all of you...I will space them out. . Feeling really grateful at them moment of having others to talk to.



I will be starting 29 rads within the next few weeks, waiting on scheduling my CT scan, tats and trial run. My MO has started me on Aromasin this week. Has anyone had this at the same time?

Scottiee1

I started letrozole 3 weeks before I started radiation. My MO said that some RO's don't like you doing this because if you have any reactions, they don't know if it was because of radiation or HT. I said I didn't care, I wanted to get started on HT as soon as possible..5 years is a long time..the sooner the better I say....good luck with the rads.

lmlola59

I was suppose to start Tamox but I talked with MO and I am going to wait till after rads.She said my RO team would be thrilled as they don't like you being on this during rads.i wanted to wait so I know what is causing any side effects I may get and not wondering ,but that is just me.Plus I expect it will cause me more intense hot flashes and I am hoping to get past some of the warmest weather around here before i add more heat.

Jennt28

My rads CT scan and tatoo session is tomorrow. Should be interesting as the pneumonitis that I already have from the chemo, and any permanent lung damage it has caused, should be visible on the scan...



The MO was going to let the RO know about the pneumonitis and I am not sure at this point if I will even be able to move forward with the rads. So it should be an interesting day all round.



Looks like everyone is feeling OK here so far :-). My MO doesn't write the Tamoxifen script until after rads. She believes in one thing at a time...



Jenn

Neeners815

OK, I'm back from my appointment, embarrassed! Today wasn't rads, it was xrays and measurements. I said "I thought we did that last week with the tattoos?". Do'h! Apparently those were just measurements with the Cat Scan machine and not the measurements with the radiation machine. Sigh. I'm slightly bummed. I really wanted to start today. So tomorrow is my 100% real start date. Sheesh.