Summer 2015 Rads

movingsoccermom

Sweethope, the shields are also called Nursing Pads on the box I have

Hopeful82014

Midgiemoon, SweetHope's covered most of it. It's not really that intimidating a process and usually the techs are glad to talk about what they're doing, etc.

Every center handles things differently; my sim. was 45 minutes, with some of that being discussion, rather than being on the table. The 1st treatment session was about the same length as they were checking the calculations, doing x-rays, etc., then a treatment, then meeting with the nurse followed by meeting with the RO. She showed me the different films and fields, etc., which was pretty interesting.

Don't sweat it - it won't be as bad as you're thinking (and I was VERY tense about it!). Good luck.

molly1976

I was surprised at what a breeze the sim was! I was only on the table maybe 10 minutes.

ksusan

This morning I put on some stickers--we decided I should test them before my sim to see if they give me contact dermatitis. This will determine whether I get marks and stickers at my sim, or go straight to tattoos.

dragonista17

Midgiemom-Maybe call and see if they have music? I have to say that the techs were super efficient, kind, and able to find a way to get me in a comfortable position. I have chronic pain, so that's saying a lot. I hope you're as comfortable as possible.

Hopeful82014

Oh yes - the music. Some of them can dock your iPod during treatment. My center has an older system that can't handle that but they have a HUGE selection of CDs. It is nice during the longer days to have the music and even on the shorter days it's nicer with than without.

I'm sure you could bring your own CDs or shuffle or whatever as well. Just ask. In fact, you could call today and find out.

Midgiemoon

Thanks, ladies. I forgot to ask one thing! Will my chest be exposed? i saw something about a tube top in a recent post, I was wondering if the breasts can stay covered if they are drawing on you like a piece of paper. I am very modest but getting over it I guess...

This whole adventure has been a blouse opening experience~

~~Midgie

Moderators

Dear suedogs, Just wondering how you have been since your first post. We are thinking of you. The Mods

knittingPT

Midgiemoon my center provides bathrobe type gowns that open in the front(kind of like a "spa) and we get to change in a locker room with curtained stalls. Then we go sit in the "back"waiting room. There is a table with a puzzle and all of us wait our turn. You really get to know the people who go before and after you. During the treatment, I take my left arm/breast out of the gown and the rest of me stays covered. I lie down on my back, and they put a big rubber band around my feet to keep them together and as a reminder not to move my legs. There is a big bolster pillow under my knees and my arms are on a holder thing up above my head. I know some places people have to change/disrobe right in the treatment area so you may just want to ask ahead of time. It may change what you decide to wear there. My place plays the radio so there is always music but I don't get to pick what type. It is a very quick process once they do the sim. They have the measurements to set up the treatment platform. I lay down. They line me up (they use a sheet to slightly roll me this way or that), check everything on the computer and do the first part of the treatment. They come back in room, move everything around to do the second part and leave the room while treatment happens. Then, final round. Total time is usually less than 20 minutes. Once a week I see the doctor right after my session and she checks my skin/answers question. I go back to the locker room, apply my aloe or miaderm, get dressed and I'm outta there. Let us know if you have any other questions.

Darumama

Midgiemoon: I wear a hospital gown. When I'm on the table my treatment side arm is out of the sleeve in a cradle of sorts. They line up my tattoos, do whatever drawing on me they need to, and cover me up with the gown or a paper drape.

Hopeful82014

I'm also in a front-opening gown (heavier than a hospital gown, which is good, as it's cold in there even with a warm blanket!). One arm is out during treatment and that side of the chest is exposed. I will say that they have been very careful to respect my physical privacy, covering my chest with a cloth whenever possible. During sim. and the first day (when they were drawing on me) the whole thing was exposed much more but they were still very careful.

I did state a preference for having female techs and the center's been more than accommodating in that regard. There's also a lot less handling of my body, etc., than I had expected from some people's experiences.

I took photos of my chest before washing off the drawings so that I can see where I need to apply lotion. Once it starts to redden that will be a moot point but in the meantime it's helpful to have for reference.

Metta

Hopeful82014, thank you, your post made me laugh. Sunburn? Let's do that again! It's hard to suspend my disbelief and be so passive and obedient.

Gatomal, I had the same questions about the techs: Just who are they? Did they get good grades? My RO laughed when I asked that, semi-seriously, and assured me that they are "certified." She says she also signs off on their weekly x-rays, and the nurse said the machine doesn't allow them to make mistakes (though that's probably not entirely true). I guess we have no choice but to trust them. If they mess up one day, it probably won't hurt us. Also, I can relate to the x-ray day anxiety ... I realize that the longer I'm on the table, the more nervous I get. I don't always understand what they're doing, and that makes me worry.

Sweethope, you were right; my skin hasn't gotten much worse since Tuesday. I thought that once it started going downhill, there would be no stopping it. So far it is not radically different. Six more to go.

Midgiemoon, that is wonderful that you escaped chemo! Please boogie down for all of us. I recommend Miaderm. Expensive but worth it.

After my last fed-up post, I took a nice long walk/run, and that calmed me down a bit (though perhaps the sweat will aggravate my skin). I will try the yoga, KnittingPT, thank you!

One thing I try to think of when I'm on the table is my grandmother, my father's mother, who died of metastatic breast cancer when I was a baby. She got b.c. in her early 40s just like I did. She didn't have chemo, just surgery and radiation, and my father remembers the burns on her neck. I always wondered about her, wanted to find out as much as I could about her, and pictured her watching over me. Now I feel closer to her than any time in my life. I bet she would tell me what you are telling me: Just take it day by day, moment by moment. We are strong and we can bear it.

queenmomcat

Thank you, ladies! I don't know yet when I'm having radiation much less how much--probably starting in late August or early September--but already worrying about skin issues (can I swim? what about bras?) All this has helped.

I'm still at the beginning of the process (been diagnosed, but inadequate margins so need surgery #2) but haven't even talked to the RO yet. Walking is still difficult even 10 months after spine fusion and I'm DD in the unaffected breast and maybe a DD- in the other, so kinda obligatory thankyouverymuch.

movingsoccermom

Queenmomcat, I was told no underwires, but all my bras have them and I just decided to wear them until it was too painful. This morning going into 22/25 regular treatments, I tried a non underwire, and spent the 90 minute drive in pain. After treatment, put my underwire back on, with flannel lining and nursing pad and was way more comfortable. I wear an E cup and so far so good with the adaptations. I just can't go without a bra! Fingers crossed for the last 3 treatments. Then just boosts. Hang in there everyone

Hopeful82014

Metta, I'm sorry about your grandmother. I'll bet she is watching over you.

My mom passed away from metastatic lung cancer 30 years ago this summer. Radiation was part of her treatments. I never thought I'd be going through the same thing, more or less, so many years later. I can't let myself think about her though during treatment - I'm pretty sure I'd lose it and that's one thing I've not allowed myself to do so far.

april25

Treatments have come a long way since decades ago. I'm sure those who have gone would be pleased that our chances are much better and everything is much less harsh--surgery, chemo, rads...

Thanks to everyone for relating their experiences! I always learn so much every time I come here.

I'm guessing that I must be on the more typical long-course of rads, with 35 treatments. My RO never gave me an explanation or a choice. He said he took all the factors and this was the result. But I'm not unhappy with that. It seems as if there's still not a clear-cut answer to going shorter or longer... I've got Grade 3, HER2+, and am over 50, so it doesn't seem as if my RO is in the wrong in his recommendation.

Although I live an hour away from where I'm getting treatment, I'm staying with my sister who is only 10 minutes away, during the week. I'm going to a little satellite center with just one machine, so I never have to wait... I just run in and out and never see another patient most of the time. The main tech is an older man who is very sweet, and his assistant is a very up-beat younger girl who does most of the tugging on the paper sheets to get me in place. The people at the desk and the nurse there are always quick to greet me and wish me good-by until the next time. The room is kept dim and there is always music playing. One day it was the Beatles and it was hard not to sing along!

I'm wearing a short, heavy hospital gown thing, open to the back and when on the table my arm is out of the sleeve, but they mostly keep me covered, just peeking under it slightly to make sure everything is lined up correctly. I used to get a warm towel, but as it's a lot warmer outside, I really am not getting cold at all during the short time I'm there.

I'm only in the room for about 10 minutes... mostly determined by how quickly I'm lined up. I'm lying on a table and it's comfortable enough--with triangle support under my knees and padded arm-rests. Plus I'm only lying there for a short time anyway. I can't tell how many bursts--just a long hum on one side and then the machine circles around to the other side and hums again and that's it.

I can't really get upset because they are so nice and it's so quick. And really, after chemo, I'm just happy I'm not doing chemo! Life is amazing not doing chemo! (I still have chemo side effects and life is STILL fantastic just not getting chemo!!!! I can't tell you how happy I am to have that over with!!!!)

I just did my 12th treatment. Nothing red or uncomfortable so far, but I expect something to happen around the 2nd or 3rd week... Hopefully just the "sunburned" feeling they talk about, but who knows? I've been putting on a bit of Aloe and Calendula cream every day to keep the breast moisturized.

So far, I can deal. It's a lot better than I thought it would be. Of course, things might go south, but I'll have to wait and see if that happens.

Best wishes to all of you! Congrats on those who are done or nearly so! Great to hear there have been some problems but nothing terrible. I hope all goes smoothly for those just starting.

Copperlisa

Hello everyone. Joining this group from the April Chemo group. Chemo is done, and coming off the SE from that. I start rads on July 6. I have my tattoos from my sim (much smaller than my other tats and am ready to get this show on the road. Students will be back in the classroom 4 days after I finish rads. I don't have time to sit around and wait. I am waiting to see how my skin reacts to the rads before choosing a cream to use. I've not had issues with chemo like many do as far as sensitiveness...and my nails look great. They've even gotten stronger...go figure. I'm one of those if it can have backwards SE, it will with me.

God bless y'all...we're off on another journey!

ksusan

Hi Copperlisa. Good to see you in this thread!

queenmomcat

Movingsoccermom: thank you for reassuring someone who's at the pre-treatment freaking-out end of things--all those side effects! what do I actually need to worry about?

(Hope I'm doing this right. still kind of a noob to these boards)

movingsoccermom

Queenmomcat, you are welcome! I was stressed before my first treatment also. Try not to worry ( I was not able to do that- lol). Be diligent with your skin care, eat well, exercise if you can, and be patient with yourself. It has gone quickly for me, with minimal skin or other side effects. Try to have them outline the edge of your treatment area, since my worst skin area is a small triangle in my armpit that had not been getting any lotion. So far under my breast is doing fine also, despite wearing my underwires. There is a triangle shadow at the base of my sternum, and immediately after treatment most of my skin is pink, but the pink is gone by evening, and the sternum area doesn't hurt. The biggest issue was a cold caught from DS. Good Luck! Edited to specify just have them do a tiny indicator of the corners, so you don't miss the lotion there.

ORgal

Is anyone else oddly happy about the weekend break from rads?  In the beginning I didn't like taking the weekends off because I wanted it over with quicker.  Now that I have my 21st and final session on Monday, I was really glad to have Saturday and Sunday as a break.

Hopeful82014

Oh, yes - I'm only 3 tx in and already the weekend is a welcome break. and next epweek is the holiday, too!

Hopeful82014

Queenmomcat - you're doing fine!

Side effects vary so much from one individual that it's impossible to predict. In general, thinner women (with smaller breasts) are said to have less of a skin reaction. I hope that holds true for me!

I'd call and talk to the nurses and find out what they advise for skin care - that way you can shop for it in advance rather than running around at the last minute.

Good luck.

AndreaC

Hi all -

I am almost finished chemo (last session is July 3) and will be starting radiation in early August (I will have 28 sessions). I had a double mastectomy in March for bilateral BC, so I have to have radiation on both sides. Is anyone else in the same situation? If so, how is radiation going?

Andrea

april25

ORgal -- Although I don't mind the rads so far (I've had 12 of 35), I'm always happy for the weekends! When I first heard that I'd have to do 7 weeks, I was, "every single day???" and they rushed to tell me that I got weekends off. Whew! --I just spend Saturday staying in and not going out at all. It's a nice change!

---

Holiday? 4th of July? Hmmm... so do we miss a day, since it's on Saturday?

Darumama

April25- My RO office doesn't have a long weekend for the 4th of July. They are open Friday and Monday.

SweetHope

I'm down to my last 5 boosts. Since the rad center is closed on Friday, I asked to double up on one day of treatment so that I can be done this week. The tech said that it is doable if you have 6 hours between treatments, but it must be doctor approved. So I will find out tomorrow.

BTW, breast, armpit, and even the sternum are fine. No rash or itch at all. So, Hopeful, fat people do well with rads too! I just wash with mild soap, wear cotton t-shirts, and when I did have an itchy rash for one day, I used aquafor and domeboro.

Best wishes everyone.

Hopeful82014

You're not fat, Sweet Hope!

I'm really impressed and encouraged that you are doing SO well. It would be great if you could double up on Thursday and be done wouldn't it? Crossing my fingers for you.

Our center is closed on Friday but I will confess that I don't even know when the Federal holiday falls. Canada Day is mid-week this year, so not much of a holiday for our northern neighbors.

queenmomcat

(taking notes. Thank you everyone.)

Valentine99

Well, I'm finding they are right when they say you can continue to see skin worsening for a few days after treatment ends. Lots of skin sloughing off, and some spots feeling more burnt, but I think I am finally turning a corner with it.

Welcome to all of our newcomers. I'm sorry you have to join us but at least we have each other for support

Sweethope, I hope you can double up so you can be done this week! Delays suck, but especially when the end is in sight!