Winter rads 2014-2015

mmtagirl

Finished #5 today.. Not so bad. I did notice yesterday and today that my radiated side is slightly more pink.. DH says not so much..... I know. Lol!

coloradocancermom

Hi Ladies,

I'm new to this community - I'm due to receive my last chemo treatment on 11/20 and will start rads after that.

I do have a question, for those of you that had a port for chemo, when are you due to have it taken out? I'm really hoping that when I see the MO on Monday that we can discuss when I can get it removed.

Thanks and looking forward to connecting with you all on here!

Nomatterwhat

Coloradocancermom -- I finished my chemo on 10/23.  My surgeon wanted to leave it in for three months, but I was determined it was coming out!!!  She knew I didn't want to do radiation in the first place, so we put together a plan that made me, my surgeon and my radiation doctor happy.  I had the port removed that morning and my sim done that afternoon of the 6th.  I get to start radiation next week.  I can hardly wait. 

coloradocancermom

Nomatterwhat- So happy that you got it removed before and hoping they will do the same for me!

Good luck next week.

HockeyCat

Is anyone here working through the radiation treatments? I know it takes 5 days a week for 6+ weeks. Not sure if they can accommodate my work schedule. I heard it's hard to get the appointment times I want, especially during the holiday season. Also, I'm not sure if I can/should keep pushing myself to work through it... I ended up in ER this morning with high fever, 5 days after my final chemo.

Beachbaby65

Hi Hockeycat, I had to take a break from work with my last chemo as I got a fever also. It's been 3 weeks and I've decided to work part time for now. I also don't have a choice in appt times which really conflicts with my work. I will be going back to work tomorrow and we'll see how it goes. I can't really afford to not work so for now I plan on pushing through! My advice is to go slow. If working full time is to hard try to go part time. Hopefully your employer will work with you. I'm grateful for weekends because the fatigue is brutal for me already. 4 down and 29 to go. Gosh the end seem so far away sometimes.

mmtagirl

Hi, I am working through rads. I was fortunate to work through most of chemo and I am hoping that rads is much easier. At least that is what I have been told. I live close to my oncology center so getting to appointments is relatively easy to work around. I may be surprised, but, I just can't imagine it being as fatigued as chemo.

perfectlyimperfect39

Hi. I haven't worked for seven months. I was really ready to go back and told my plastic surgeon that I needed a note stating that I could return but he wouldn't give it. Thank goodness I don't need to work. He is worried I would be too fatigue with radiation but others get through it. He just wants to keep me healthy since this tissue expander process has not been too pleasant.

Nomatterwhat

HockeyCat, Take care of yourself.  Yes, I have worked through all my chemo and plan to work through all my radiation.  My Center sets up a time and that is my time and only mine until I am done.  I am going on my adjusted lunch hour, (1:30 - 2:30) since I only work 5 minutes away. 

CAS4

hi! Had my last chemo 10/13 and first rad this past Thursday, 11/6. I was scheduled for port removal prior but cancelled bc I had a cold. The day after my 1st rad my "port tail" was wiggly, hard to describe, so before my 2nd I had it flushed and that helped. I kicked chemos ass and the week following my final one it showed me some teeth. But these first two rads have absolutely exhausted me. I glided thru chemo so I've found this upsetting. I hope the fatigue stays here and doesn't continue to increase with the next 32 rads.

Glad I finally joined, been on the outside reading for months now. I can't believe YALL are working. You are wonder women! I can't sleep at all at night and have ridiculous hot flashes and left leg pain every damn night which my heated chest joins in on the party now. I also began getting pain in my right arm yesterday, my rad arm. As long as I don't use it it doesn't hurt or have discomfort- thank god I'm left handed.

I think my rad techs need to go back to art school- my chest looks like drunken frat boys got some sharpies and drew a few racetracks ma round my right breast.

YALL are all amazing warriors!!

SandyLovesLucy

Hockeycat, I worked a reduced schedule through chemo and plan to do the same through rads. I have my sim appointment next week but they can't/won't tell me what time my daily appointments will be. I travel several states as a sales rep and am usually booked several months in advance. Right now my December calendar is blank because I don't know my rads schedule yet. I am trying not to freak out over this! My fatigue became very difficult for the last few weeks of chemo and I had to take more time off. I will have a couple of weeks off through Christmas and the new year so hope to get plenty of rest then.

Cas4, welcome. I hope your fatigue won't get worse. You are on your way to getting through the rads weeks! You cracked me up with the frat boys reference. I told my daughters that I'm going to be a badass with my new tattoos.

Perfectlyimperfect, take the doc's advice and rest, rest, rest! Sounds like your body has been through a lot and needs time to continue to heal.

Mmtagirl, fingers crossed for both of us that the rads fatigue won't be as bad as chemo fatigue!

I'm so glad you are all here. We will continue to kick cancer to the curb together!

Hugs, Sandy

CoyoteNV

Good Morning - Today is the day. Rad  #1.  It's 3 weeks after final chemo. I figure I am really finished with chemo because I don't go in for an infusion tomorrow.  That last one was a real bugger that I can now put behind me.

I'm hoping for an easy run through radiation (not that any of us are out to proof how tough we are), but I've been working on this BC project since July of 2012 and my "get up and go" has about "got up and went."   I did not have radiation treatment the first time around because it was not "recommended" by the cancer board. Apparently, the radiation oncologist did recommend it (I had an opportunity to read a report).  What do they say about hindsight being 20-20?

My treatments will be using TomoTherapy equipment. It is hinted at being a kinder-gentler type of radiation with less damage to surrounding tissue.  Anyone else using that?

Perfectlyimperfect - "...not been too pleasant" made me smile.  That is the supreme understatement about this entire process.  I do believe that will be my new response to those who inquire.  I will now forego "OMG, It is the worst experience I have ever endured."

HockeyCat

CoyotesNV, good luck today! Hope it goes smoothly. Let us know how things go.

mmtagirl

Perfect, you might ask why your doc won't let you work if you really want to My MO through chemo thought work was the best thing to do as well as exercise. And my PS said to do everything I did before. Saw him today as a matter of fact. I asked about doing my Muay Thai kickboxing (I was already doing it) and issues with contact and he told me to do it if I felt ok. My expanders will be in for almost 1.5 years by exchange.

Not so pleasant ....my new mantra!

Now, I was no where near my A game but I felt more in control and not so ut of the loop. My schedule was driven by me which helped a whole lot.

Having said all that, rads 6 and I feel tired this afternoon/evening.

CAS4, your drunken sailor analogy mAde me snicker.

Coyote, I am not at all familiar with Tomotherapy. Hope all went well today!

Sandy, my RO office has been pretty decent about scheduling. I am getting the same time every day which is helping me. I told them about an important meeting next week and they worked around it. Hoping for us both that rads is a non event!

Hugs to all,

Ann

SandyLovesLucy

Hi Coyote,  hope all went well today!

mmtagirl, I should be getting scheduled for the same time each day, too - they just haven't been able to guarantee me morning or afternoon.  I can work around either option if only I know what it is!   This whole "not too pleasant" ( I LOVE that!) experience is not so much fun for those of us who love to think we are in control of things!!! 

 

perfectlyimperfect39

mmtagirl: the funny thing after telling him I wanted to go back to work and him denying, I thought wow I'm really tired lol I guess it's best not to be committed to having to go to work but just find other activities outside the home. I have been getting on the treadmill for a turtle pace walk just to get my body moving.

Coyote: I have my pre radiation appointment Wednesday and will have to ask about the tomotherapy. Hope your first rad went well.

CoyoteNV

Thank you all for the good wishes.  Today was - as expected - a really easy appointment.  Actual treatment was 8+ minutes..... The commute was 3 hours.  

I'm up way to late, and I'm pretty sure most of you won't see this until tomorrow.  I hope it is a good day for everyone.

Hope50

Today was number 5 for me. I'm really really tired today. Isn't that too soon from the rads to be tired? Maybe it's still from chemo recovery. Nothing else noticeable at this point. Takes longer to get there than the actual radiation. Hope everyone is doing well.

perfectlyimperfect39

o of morning beautiful ladies. Hope you all have a great day. I am going for my SIM today. Anyone have questions that I should ask?

SandyLovesLucy

Perfectlyimperfect, no questions but good luck!

Pita119

HI Perfectlyim,

I am going for my SIM tomorrow. Let me know how it goes for you today so I have an idea of what to expect. Thanks

Beachbaby65

good morning everyone, I had my 6th rad yesterday and my first exray ( to check that they're in the right spot I guess), which results I received via my electronic chat app. Now I'm sitting here scared because the report said that although the lungs are clear there is a 5mm nodule on lower lobe.I don't go for #7 till 1:30 . The report recommends scanning in 3 months to see if size changes. I'm terrified of the possibility of lung cancer and just the idea of more treatment is exhausting. I thought I was dealing with bc really well. I haven't cried, been upbeat, and positive. I don't know that I can maintain that attitude much longer especially if I have this sword hanging over my head for 3 months. I have been struggling financially because my job hrs do not work with my treatment schedule, I'm newly engaged to a wonderful man who lives 45 mins away so we do a lot of driving and this is just one more blow to our plans( not that he knows yet). Feeling very overwhelmed ,but grateful I have somewhere I can go to express my fears.

perfectlyimperfect39

Beachbaby: I am so sorry your feeling this way. This rollercoaster is not fun. I could say breathe and relax but we all know to well it's easier said then done. I do try to repeat to myself where does worrying get me. It can't change the outcome. That helps me a little bit. I will be praying for you. Sending hugs.

CoyoteNV

Perfectlyimperfect - I hope your day went well and your doctor filled you with information that put your mind at ease.

Hope - Today is #3 rad for me.  The treatment is quick, but the commute is long (3+ hours RT)  I definitely have not gotten over the tiredness from chemo yet (I have not had a blood test to check if I am still anemic, but if being pale as a ghost is an indication, I am.) I really doubt that two radiation treatments would knock me down as low as I was yesterday afternoon.  I was back to the point of having difficulty getting up stairs.  I don't expect to feel anything for another week of so. 

We are heading out now.  Hope it is an uneventful day for all.

perfectlyimperfect39

Hi everyone. Just got back from the sim. It was a little uncomfortable to lay with my arm up during it but not awful. They tattooed four spots. The crazy thing is that I have tattoos and the tattooing hurt. Lol Although it was a few seconds for each one so not terrible pain. I asked the tech how he was not laughing while looking atmy twisted scrunchy face during the t tattooing. Oh and I felt the need to apologize for a hairy armpit. Like they never see that. Lol I did try to shave beforehand. Ugh the humiliation of all this.

InGodshands

Hi everybody. I will be having a double mastectomy just before Thanksgiving and starting rads after I heal. So I am a little behind the rest of you but wanted to ask those of you that have tissue expanders in place how long you had to heal prior to starting rads and if you have found getting your arm in position ( above your head ) difficult or painful. Any advice is welcome. Thanks Good luck to everyone too

MagicalBean

Hello All,

I've been following a few groups for a while, trying to decide where I fit best. Since I'm 12 treatments into 30 I thought I'd land here. This adventure has been scary. Never going to happen to me-right? And here I am, 67 years old and on one heck of a ride. But with an impressive group of companions. You are all so inspirational.

So far I have had no reaction to the rads. SIM was a breeze and my first tx was the same day. No rash or burn and no fatigue either although my RO says it's a matter of time before some reaction is evident. I meet with him once a week and he has been great about keeping me informed.

I just keep expecting "the other shoe to fall".

Keep warm all.

perfectlyimperfect39

Quick question: when everyone got their tattoos did they get one on the opposite side of their cancer? I can't remember why he said they gave one on non cancerous side.

MagicalBean

I got 3, all on the cancer side.

Hope50

Beachbaby I have a spot on my lungs also they are wAtching. It hasn't changed at all. They don't believe it's anything. Yes it's scary when you've been dealing with cancer.