Summer 2012 RADS HANG OUT

kjiberty

RN:  I hope you have a nice respite!  Enjoy your time at the beach.  I have completed 13/33; so far not fatigue, but I hear it's going to hit probably next week.  Also, when my RO said people complain of fatigue, he said it's usually the ones who have not gone through chemo who complain the most about fatigue (yes, we know what that's about!).  

Hortense

Kjiberty - I was also sent through the cat scan about three times. Those were the measurements I was refering to that go to the physics department. I should have been more specific. 

During the simulation I had my right arm above my head - my lump was on the right side - and had to hold on to some sort of a handle. My left arm was allowed to stay relaxed by my side. There were red laser beams aimed at my breast area which I was not to look at directly, but which were very cool when I noticed them crossing the room. The warm mold pad was under me, from my waist to my head, throughout the measurement taking and was made to hold me in exactly the same place every time I have radiation. They carefully turned my head to the left, away from what I imagine will be the radiation beam's track, and made me keep it that way until the mold cooled and got firm. I found the process very interesting.

I am to wait for a call from them sometime in the next week and a half when I will be told the date for my practice run. The real thing will start the day afterwards and as I understand it, will run for about five weeks. 

I was also told that every skin type reacts differently and that there is no predicting. People who never burn in the sun might well react and pale skins which usually sunburn might not. And, a reaction might occur towards the end, or even afterwards. The nurse suggested getting calendula oil from the baby section at Target, so I did. I also got aloe gel from the healthfood store as it had fewer preservatives in it than the ones I had gotten at a vitamin store which was loaded with them and I will be returning. 

I read somewhere on here that it's a good idea to begin using moisturizer twice a day before starting radiation, so I have. 

Good luck everyone! 

Summer51

Good morning everyone.  I'm back.  The last several weeks have been a nightmare.  I lost my beloved son-in-law in a tragic accident 3 weeks ago.  I've spent the last several weeks with my daughter and her babies.

Unfortunately I had to leave her to come home for radiation.  It was not easy to leave.

Today I start the first of 33 rads.  Wish me luck.  Keep us all in your prayers.  You've  all been a great source of strength and support through surgery, chemo TCx4.

Together, we will get through our rads treatments.

I hope and pray you are all doing well.

Diane

Belinda977

So sorry Diane!  I am sure you are so torn about not being with your daughter.

slak

Oh Diane, that is heart-breaking.  I hope your daughter has others to lean on while you are doing rads.  I cannot imagine what she is going through now, and how difficult it is for you.  

Many (((hugs))) 

Stacie

Diane,

This is horrible.  Really really bad.  You definately did the right thing by going back to do RADs so you can be with her for a long time...she will need your help raising those kiddos.  I have a stepson, seven nieces and nephews, and one granddaughter who lost a parent in their childhood.  They are all doing okay.  Strong characters these kids.  The wives?  They have a more difficult time.  Initially lots of people line up with support, but then they go on with their lives and you are left with your grief and those who understand it takes time and stick around to help.  That can be you.

kjiberty

Diane:  I am so sorry! Praying for you and your daughter's strength during this difficult time.

Nkb

Summer- I'm so sorry.

Good luck with your rads!

onvacation

Diane - so sorry for your loss.

jpmomof3

Diane, best wishes to you and your daughter and family. That is truly awful. And I know it's hard for you not to be there to help her right now but as said above take care of this so you can be there for her long term. Fight on.

tina_jason

Diane, I am so sorry for your loss and that you have to go through this in the midst of an already difficult time.  I am praying for you and your daughter.

mt4ever

Diane, sorry for your loss!  Hang in there and take care!!

Stacie

Did RAD #10 today.  I am sore and beginning to turn red.  I dread how it will feel after 20 and 34.  Anyone that far along who can comment?  STILL WAY better than chemo though. 

Cottontail

Does September count as summer?  If so, I'm crashing this rads party.  I see a lot of familiar names here.

My RO has already talked with the nurse navigator at my BS's office, so I know I'll be doing 6.5 weeks of rads.  She has said that I can start at 3 weeks after my lx, or when I have full movement of my arm, whichever comes later.  After reading through this thread, I think I'll try to push early to get an appointment right at 3 weeks after my surgery.  Is knowing how many treatments the "plan?"  If so, I will try to push to get the simulation scheduled ahead of time.  I'm already seeing my MO for a follow-up with her, 3-weeks post surgery, so if I'm lucky I will be able to get it all in the same day.  (I'm sure I've jinxed it now, though!)

I tend to heal fairly quickly (the quarter-inch scar from my core biopsy in March is virtually invisible, and the incision for my port is already fading), so barring anything drastic I think I should be ready to start rads right away.

(I can't afford to pay another $4500 out-of-pocket again next year, so I am trying to get as much as possible done this calendar year.  My PS won't "even me out" until after I'm done with rads, so I'm hurrying everything so I can get that done in December.  If I miss the window on that, I'll just have to be lopsided.)

My favorite brand of lotion (First Aid Beauty) has a new aloe gel out, I think I will order some soon so I have it on hand.  Hopefully my RO will approve of it. 

Stacie

Welcome Cottontail. "Summer" is all really relative. I am in hot as heck TX so your "in".

Summer51

Thanks to everyone for your support, prayers and good wishes. 

I did my 2nd rad today.  Only 31 to go!

Good luck to everyone with their treatments.  

I ordered some lotions tonight.  "My Girls" and "Miaderm".  I'll let you know how they work.  For now I'm using pure Aloe Gel from CS which was recommended by my RO.

Diane 

kjiberty

Cottontail:  Are you hoping for 3 weeks after chemo OR your surgery?  My BS said once you start rads, the healing STOPS, so the longer the better.  The don't recommend rads until 4-6 weeks after surgery.  However, on chemo, they recommend 4 weeks after chemo, but I pushed it to 3.  My RO said okay, but by the time the planning was done it was 4.  

Nkb

Consult with RO tomorrow- what do I need sure to find out about?

chapter4

I am 7 rads into a total of 36....I've noticed some redness above my mastectomy scar but that's it so far...long way to go so I'm a little concerned redness is already showing up. I use aloe from a plant...I cut about two inches off and open it (like a pita) scoop out the aloe and spread it on. I will let you know how it's working as I go.

Cottontail

Kjiberty, 

I'm hoping to start rads 3 weeks after surgery.  My RO told my nurse navigator that was the soonest I could start.

I did chemo first, and am getting my lx @ 3 weeks (to the day) after my last chemo.  I have to fit in 6.5 weeks of rad AND plastic surgery (probably bilateral reduction and lift) by the end of December.  There's no way I can wait 6 weeks after the lx to start rads, or there won't be time for the ps.

dventi

Hi All, Rads suggested after chemo which ends in October 2012. Havent selected an RO yet or gone for consults.

Seems to me after speaking with bc survivors that those who have had a mastectomy do not warrant RADs and those that had a lumpectomy are always recommended RADS.

Does anyone know what the RO's base their decisions on when to offer RADS.. If you have a mx, does that always mean you dont get Rads? Just a little confused on this one.

Thanks for your input!!!! 

Belinda977

For a lumpectomy with IDC, in order for the recurrence rate to be the same as a mastectomy you must have rads.  If you have lumpectomy and no rads the recurrence rate jumps quite a bit.

Melrosemelrose

dventi- Having a masectomy does not guarantee that one will not have rads.  There are other factors that are taken into consideration such as node involvement, size of tumor, margins, pathology of the bc, stage, grade etc.  In my case, the decision for radiation was not determinied until I was almost finished with chemo.  My case was taken by my onco to the hospital cancer center tumor board where there are at least 20+ doctors who reviewed the specifics of my case.  On that board are oncos, breast surgeons, radiology oncologists, pathologists, and other doctors who review and make recommendations.  At my first appt with my onco before my onco had all of the information from my lumpectomy/partial masectomy, I was told that for me a masectomy would be the same as having a lumpectomy and radiation but that I could possibly need radiation even if I had a masectomy if the pathology and further study of my situation warranted it.   I know that the idea of having radiation is unnerving since the mere thoughts of having another treatment and imagining what happens is mind boggling.  However, once you find out the factual side of the process from beginning to end, one can get a little comfortable of what to expect.  Hope this helps a little.  Hope all is well with you and of course, wishing you minimal side effects. 

chapter4

I had a mastectomy and chemo...but because of node involvement and other issues raise in the post above...it was recommended I have 36 radiation treatments followed by 5 years of tamoxifen. My cancer was multifocal with close margins....sometimes it feels like its just too much but I decided early on to do everything I can to fight this....so here goes.

dventi

Belinda 977 - Thank you for your input! Appreciate it.

Melrosemelrose -Thank you for your input. Your responses are always so clear to understand! 

Did you end up having rads? Looking at your signature, it seems that you had a lumpectomy and then a mx?  Just curious as I had a lumpectomy and was wondering what was the basis of having a mx 1 month later?

Enjoy your day!! 

Melrosemelrose

dventi- The tumor board did not recommend rads so I'm not having radiation.  I had the masectomy because of the need to get clean margins plus the breast MRI I had before the masectomy showed 3 areas of suspicious areas plus possible node involvement.  A second lumpectomy was not a good option for me once the results of the breast MRI came back.  Two of the 3 suspicious areas turned out to be very very small DCIS and the third was area was a fibroadema (non cancerous).  The possible problem node was removed and examined and nothing was found.  I'm okay with UMX w/o recon because I'm small breasted gal to begin with and I'd rather not have any kind of implant to hide any possible future problems. 

FYI:  I'm here on this thread because I have travelled with many of these great gals in chemo and continued here with them at a time when i thought I'd was having radiation.   even though I'm not having rads, they are still a integral part of my healing and journey, so I'm here to support them and everyone else.  HUGS to all and hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing weekend!!!!

Stacie

Having RAD #12 today and looking fwd to the weekend w/o medical appointments. Five grandkids are coming and were going kayaking and school shopping.

Hiker61

Fourteenth rad today. It is SO not a big deal so far. I'm fair-skinned, but I barely have pinkness and no skin pain whatsoever. I've been pretty religious about applying Miaderm...maybe that is paying off. No fatigue--I feel great!

Melrose--good to see you and hope that you're feeling good after your last chemo! 

Belinda977

15 of 30 treatments done today...50% done.. YIPEE 

Marcia1111

dventi - I had a BMX and will have rads when I'm done with chemo.  The RO explained in laymen's terms that it is "bursting out of my lymph nodes, hence the need for rads.