June 2012 Radiation Rads

Cindyl

Infobabe... some people are treated face down.  They did three setups on me, one on my front and one on flat on my back, and one at about a 15 degree angle. We ended up going with face up, on the slant.  I don't know what other options there might be. 

Neeners815

Infobabe - check this pic 

 

For me, both of the arms are above the head (and my head is to the side).  Hope this helps. 

Scottiee1

I'm sure you will get used to this very quickly. My BC is on my right side so I did not have to do anything special re breathing.

msmatanzas

Hi all I am starting June 12, i can only say  that the rads better be ready for me! I am sending DCIS to the heap along with HER2!  lol

msmatanzas

Denise your just an amazing women..You deserve all the blessing u can handle. Thanks for being here

Infobabe

 Cindyl   Neeners815

Thank you for that.  That is some of the best informatioin I have received so far.  That lying flat does not look good to me.  It is like aiming a beam at a fried egg. 

mamabee

Hi all -

I had my CT scan last week and go in tomorrow for my "dry run". Guess I'll start the real thing next week. I'm also a left-sider so I guess I find out tomorrow if they want me to do any breath holding. My RO gave me Miaderm & Aquafor to use - the nurses told me to slather it on twice a day. I've read on other rads threads that emu oil and aloe vera are good too. They're worried about my skin as I'm pretty fair and I also have a tissue expander pulling me tight. 

Infobabe - Four years ago, my mom also had a left-sided lumpectomy and radiation at age 76 for stage 1 cancer. She did the 3-week radiation regimen so she went twice a day, morning and afternoon. She is VERY fair-skinned and got pretty red, but no blistering or skin breakdown. Also her heart and lungs came out fine, and she's still cancer free. I hope this helps - good luck!

Hildy910

 

I should have known that the ladies of BCO would already have discussed the use of a bolus (aka the gel-like thingyI get every other treatment).  For those who are curious:

 http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topic/730460#top

I think they are using mine to target the scar tissue of the incision--my tumor was not close to the skin. However, having read that thread I'm going to go back and ask whether it will make my skin burn more--it certainly was not mentioned when they first told me about it. This site is so helpful! 

 

 

Moderators

Hi June gang,

Popping in here once more now that we are in June to share some helpful info on the main Breastcancer.org site on Radiation Therapy, including types of radiation therapy, what to expect, and how to manage side effects.

Hope this helps!

--Your Mods

Mela3

Hi Denise-

First of all-good luck.  Not everyone has a rough time with radiation. I cried too. It was that light at the end of the tunnel, I guess.  That's when you realize what you've been through.  My med onc said that sooner or later your mind processes this, sometimes before or during treatment, and sometimes near the end of active treatment. 

I started with Eucerin and went to Aquaphor and Aloe later when I got my "sunburn". The soft cotton sports bras from Walmart were the BEST. I felt fine and went back to work a few hours each day to start getting my life back.  After ACT chemo and reconstruction surgery, I had been home enough.  I did get anxious, like a caffeine feeling toward the end but never got tired like everyone said.  Then a week after the last treatment the burn was painful for about 3 days and the rad onc had to give me silvadene and painkillers.  Like a sunburn it continues to get worse afterwards before it heals. It hurt but nothing like surgery.  Just put your mind to getting through this and you will. Trust me you've been through worse. 

Hang in there-Mela

Neeners815

Infobabe - it's really not a problem (and I have pretty decent back issues).  They put something under your knees to make it more comfortable, too, and after the Cat Scan/tattoo day, you're really not laying on your back long at all.  10 miniutes-ish (and most of that is repositioning in my experience so far).

Infobabe

mamabee

That is reassuring if I end up going that route.  Right now, I am torn.  I know I wont have peace of mind until I make a firm decision. 

Neeners815

I think my boob might be shrinking in some places already, which sounds crazy because I've only had 2 treatments... or possibly I'm paying more attention to the boob than I did after surgery?  Either way, I cried when I saw it.  Sigh.

Mtalsky

Dorismarie, thanks for your comments. Because of what you wrote I'm going tomorrow by myself to get the cathider put in and also decided to go to work after. Hopefully it will go smoothly and not cause to much discomfort. The radiation actually starts on Monday. Nine days seems like a long time having this half in and half out. Oh, they will give me a surgical bra to wear while this is implanted. I had to wear the same bra after surgery to limit bleeding. Not fun, but better then the alternative!

Iniah

Hi Denise

I will be starting rads in about 2 weeks, so I am right behind you!! Glad to hear your tips and experiences. You are not alone!!

Iniah 

Jennt28

Neeners - HUG... (and a tissue).



And a gentle hug for everyone else that has already started.



I am just starting to feel almost like my old self today. Am going to enjoy the next nearly 3 weeks until I start rads I think.



Jenn

Neeners815

Thanks, Jenn.  I think sometimes you just gotta get it out!

I forgot to tell you ladies two things.  The first real rads on Tuesday - the song playing on the radio as I laid there and she was adjusting my position?  "Takin' Care of Business"  Seems very appropriate, eh?  Also, yesterday when I was showing the tech the little rash bumps in righty, she said "well you haven't had any treatments yet, so it can't be that" and she kept talking.  I finally said to her, "Hey, you know what when you said 'you haven't had any treatments yet?' what did you mean?  Please tell me that yesterday was a treatment!"  Remember how I went on Monday, thinking I was going to have a treatment, and all they did was xrays and marked me up more?  I was all paranoid!  So she answered "oops!  Sorry, yes you've had one treatment.  I got you confused with someone else.  I'm glad someone is on the ball!"  (This doesn't really instill a ton of confidence in what she's doing, I have to say.  Oh boy! )

Nel138281

Hi All,

3 down and 27 more to go.  So far so good. Just want this portion over.  Humorless office I am going to could I just say.  I was joking about how horrible the johnnies are and they wanted to talk to me in private.  REALLY  i do not need johnnie counseling, tho something other than typical hospital issue would be great. They really can not think out of the box. 

Wish all a stress free day.

Nel 

Neeners815

Nel - we're twins.  We're 10% done!  Now what are Johnnies?  Hospital gowns?

slak

Nel - I'm with you on the Johnnie thing.  The Johnnies are so bad where I go, that one of the nurses kindly told me to wear a second one like a robe over the first one.  I'm glad she did because they had me walking through the general public area to get to the area for mapping.  I think there may be some real money to be made in making a Johnnie that works for women and doesn't leave you exposed and hanging out in public!

Cindyl

The clinic I went to had a nice bath robe to wear over the cape that they used.  Much nicer...

akinto

Just finished treatment 3 of 16. I got a red hot spot after #1. They told me it can't be a burn. It might be cellulitis.

This is very frightening, as I have been fighting it since early April.

 The treatment itself is nothing.

Did anyone else catch the MAyo Clinic  news re ginseng and fatigue? Are you taking it?

Lagata1276

Went for my simulation today and was out of there in 40 minutes. My good looking RO came in to mark me up and said he doesn't do tattoos... Unless I wanted them. I'm like, no thank you! After the first scan, he came back in and I asked him about taking a deep breath to protect the heart. He said he found it hadn't made a difference in his research/experience, but offered to do it anyway to compare the two for me. What a sweet guy, he could've said no. Won't know my end date til later in the treatments to see how things are going, but my start date is Tuesday for both the dry run and treatment. I made sure I asked!! I got the time I wanted as I'm going over my lunch break every day since my office is only ten minutes away. Can't wait to Get 'er Done!!!

Neeners815

Lagata - So lucky you didn't have to have tats!  And so lucky you have a cute RO.  My guy is eh.  I thought he was gay before he mentioned his wife.  I didn't mind whipping out my boob to show him when I thought he was gay - heh.

It looks like the Johnnies are gowns.  The ones we have have three arm holes, so your bottom isn't ever hanging out.  They're nothing great, but I just cross my arms across the front and am fine.  I just wanna get in and out of there as quickly as possible. 

Momof2inME

I would just like to thank all you ladies for sharing your experiences so far.

I go for my planning session next week and feel pretty calm about it. I think that's becasue you all have been so open and forthcoming about the what to expect.

Bonseye

Love the word "Johnnies" for gowns!  LOL  Gotta laugh as you go through this. I think my family is tired of the whole thing....don't blame them--I am too.  THis is "suppose" to be easy.  Unfortunately my arm is in so much pain over my head.  After the BMX I have pain in the muscles and to boot I have Osteolysis from my Rheumatoid Arthritis--basically little fractures in my clavicle where it meets my shoulder......extremely painful in and of itself.  Now lie me on a hard hard table (had two back surgeries) with my arm over my head---just another chapter of torture.  Thank you for letting me vent here as my husband said my son gets upset....can't talk about it.  Just lubing myself up with Aquaphor......ugh!!  My arm hurts all day.  In fact yesterday I took a lorazapam and pain meds.  It made me "loopy" but still had a lot of pain.  Seeing the RO on Monday and will need to talk about these issues--otherwise this will be a long few weeks....Thinking tonight I will have a glass of wine by a campfire and try to forget.....

#2/28 done......Can it be that my skin feels warm??  No redness--just irritated feeling....??  

 Happy Weekend everyone!!  Thanks for listening.  Haven't been able to keep up--need to go back and read how everyone is doing--Best to you all!!

Neeners815

Bonseye - ask if they can put something under your elbows when you have to put your hands above your head.  That's what I did (for some weird reason my left one hurt a lot) and it helped.  It's worth a try.  

janiemomof2

I got great news today! My RO called to let me know that I was placed in the "short arm" for the research study I enrolled in for radiation therapy. You could end up with the full "traditional" 33 sessions or the shorter Canadian version of 16 sessions with your mamasite 'boost' each day along with full breast.

I'm so relieved that this will all be finished sooner than later... I will be finished by mid-July!

Riverangel

Went in this morning for my scan and got my tattoos...didn't expect those today, but I do feel I am one step closer. Not sure of the exact start date for the rads to start, probably in about a week.



Neeners....interesting about your left arm hurting, today when they were doing my scan and had me put hang on to the bar above my head, my arm hurt too...tingling like I hit my funny bone, kinda uncomfortable. Is it for the sentinel lymph node biopsy? My tumor was very close to my underarm and on my left side so maybe still healing from the surgery? Will have to see it happens when the treatments begin.



I did have a moment of being scared during the scan, I've been pretty calm thus far, but got a little scared today and I feel close to tears this afternoon. I don't know if its anxiety or if it's because I have also started hormonal therapy too....feel a little bit on an emotional roller coaster. I guess that's normal?!?

Bonseye

Neeners815-Thank you for your advice   I actually have a mold of my right side and my arm rests on this mold.  It is as hard as a rock and my arm is so numb by the end I need help having someone move my arm.  It is like my arm isn't attached anymore.  It pulls all the muscles from my side--up to my shoulder blade.  I have had three surgeries and my muscles seem to not be too happy....hence I am not too happy. I thought this would be easy   Guessing there is no "easy" in this journey......

 I see my RO on Monday and hoping new pain meds and some miracle will help me.  I am trying to keep all this in so as to not burden my family.  So much of this has been hard.  Going bra-less with a soft cotton shirt--my Aquaphor and Emu Oil.  I am suppose to massage the hard scar tissue in my TRAM flap breast and that is impossible with the Aquaphor.  Plan on whatever makes me comfy is the answer.....