August 2015 rads

Alibeths

I start in the 17th. Anyone else? Just finished chemo a month ago.

queenmomcat

My sim's on the 26th, and I start on the 31st. Does that count?

littleblueflowers

My sim is on the 17th...

Alibeths

is a sin when they make the mold n take pics?

ksusan

Yes, at the sim they get you positioned, take scans, and put marks on you. The marks are followed up/recalibrated at your first appointment with either further marks or tattoos.

I started in July and have had 21 of 33 (28 + 5 boosts). Since it doesn't get said much, I'll say that it's going well and I'm not having much discomfort. I have a little dryness/tightness/redness and occasional brief pains (in the same places as I had surgical pain), but my fatigue is manageable and my skin is uncompromised. My techs are great and I think of the linear accelerator as a Star Trek sickbay device.

Nancdancer

I start radiation on Monday. Anxious to get the first day over so I know what to expect.

Hopeful82014

Nanc, I remember how hard it was to face that first treatment back in June. The treatments truly are not uncomfortable and each session is over quickly, especially after the first few when it might take a minute or two to get you positioned properly.

Please let your techs know if you are physically uncomfortable so that they can make adjustments. And don't hesitate to tell them if you are nervous, etc. They can help, as can the nurses. Good luck!

queenmomcat

Ksusan: thank you for mentioning yours is going smoothly! I'm more than slightly nervous myself, because of that "don't know how I'll react" aspect, and have to keep reminding myself that most people don't post to say "I'm not having any problems." for a couple of reasons.

Midgiemoon

All,

I am 23/33 down, finishing on 8/21.

The process has been fine, and I have met great women while waiting. My rad techs I had are awesome ladies , but my RO is a bit of a hard ass, but I like him in spite of it!

I haven't had an easy time of it with the itchy skin starting only 8 treatments in. I have faithfully used aquaphor several times a day. I had to add in neosporin with lidocaine, along with a prescription steroid cream. I suffered with a lot of underarmans breast pain and a very sore nipple. Once I got the script for the steroid cream, I began to feel much better in 48 hours. Be my skin never wept, though, but it was was blistery and super itchy on my chest and underarm. .Definitely not a walk in the park for me, but the end is in sight. Make sure you tell your rad techs how you feel from day to day, mine were so helpful and had awesome suggestions, like using bra extenders. And, your RO Ned's to her how you are feeling. Don't sugar coat. I had to ask for the steroid cream, he didn't offer it up. I can't wait to show him the improvement on Tuesday...

My suggestions are to eat well, nap, use our lotion, and drink lots of water!

You got this!

-Midgie

Nancdancer

had my first treatment today. It took long because they needed to do X-ray. And have doctor look at them. The table I was on was uncomfortable and metal. They need. A woman to design this! I had to have my breast taped which I was not expecting. My appt time is mid afternoon which is not convenient at all. Needless to say, I left in tears. Hope that tomorrow is better

meezers3

My sim is tomorrow. Can't wait to get this over with.

ksusan

Nancdancer, tell them you want a different time when one becomes available. People finish every day and their slots open.

The table isn't comfortable. Most days, you'll be on it less than 10 minutes. I get 3 angles and on non-bolus, non-x-ray days I'm often out in 5.

Keys-Plez

I start radiation on Monday, Aug 17. I'm set up for 28 sessions.

I recognize some of the names in this thread from Summer Rads 2015. I just thought I'd check this out since I'm just getting started.

Most of you women sound like you're so well informed. I feel like a lamb being led to slaughter. All I really know is to show up Monday afternoon. There has been no information given about not wearing deodorant or preparation for radiation. I'm just going to show up. I'm at a very small facility. There's an RO, an MO and 2 techs. At least I think they're techs. All the background people are somewhere else...out of town, out of state, don't have a clue.

Through all this, I've seen my RO once for about 20 minutes. And that's it.

One of the "techs" told me to buy CVS Aloe gel with lidocane. So I did that.

I will be working through the whole process. My schedule is to go after work. I figure if I'm tired, I can go home and sleep it off. Plus if I "lube up" afterwards, I don't want to go back to work all stanky.

I'm making a lot of assumptions based on very little information.

I've already gone for two visits. The first was for CTs, the body mold and temp tattoos. The second was in the radiation machine (but no radiation) and new permanent tattoos.

I guess they get so use to doing their jobs that they forget that us new folks are walking in there with more questions than answers. Don't they recognize the "deer in the headlights" stare?

KBeee

My sim is Aug 21. If all goes well, I start on the 25th. Hoping the 2 week break after chemo is long enough. Luckily, I feel good

Keys-Plez

I guess I shouldn't be whining so much. I don't have to do chemo (knock on wood). All you ladies out who are doing chemo or completed chemo....God Bless You.

KBeee

What is everyone getting? I know I will be getting 30 treatments. Whole breast, axilla, mammary nodes, and sub clavicular nodes. I know I have 5 boosts at the end. I am not sure on bolus yet. I just got my Amazon order of Miaderm, Aquafor, and vitamin E oil.

ksusan

Kbeee, I'm 33 treatments. 28 whole breast [note: no breast] of which 14 are bolus, plus 5 boosts.

Alibeths

WHere in the keys do you live?

Also, i don't have a shopping list for rads...What did you get?

Keys-Plez

Alibeths....I am in Key West.

My radiation starts Aug 17 at 21st Century Onc. 28 sessions. Where are you going for radiation?

They told me to get the CVS Blue bottle of AfterSun Aloe Gel. It has aloe and lidocaine and no alcohol. I think the lidocaine is a topical pain relief.

I bought this plus some regular body lotion and Dove soap for sensitive skin. I have some hook up front bras from Walmart that I used after my lumpectomy. I also have sport bras that I slept in for 3 weeks. Per another lady's advise (on this site), I'm going to buy some more bras in larger sizes. I'm also going to get some Men's tank tops, the ones they call wifebeater's. I've heard they're good to wear over or under the bra and they're cheap and can be thrown away if they get terribly soiled. Oh yes. I guess cornstartch in a knee-hi stocking.

Other than that, my RO and techs have not told me anything. Most of the other information I got is from this website.

Midgiemoon

Ladies,

I am finishing up next week. I highly recommend buying a cooling towel. You soak it in water, then snap it. then I put it on my radiated breast, on top of my tshirt, every night after treatment and it draws the heat out without using an ice pack. My techs waned me not use ice packs because they can cause skin damage.

Also, buy some bra extender straps. I found my chest was swelling too, and they added just enough length to the band that I didn't have to buy new bras.

I also wear my cheap camisoles under my bra. Sadly, my under arm area has really taken a beating. It's the only way I can wear a bra right now.

If I think of any other tips, I will add them here.

~Midgie

Keys-Plez

Cooling towels. What a great idea. Can you point me to one on Amazon?

Thanks Moon.

CAMommy

I start tomorrow.

Midgiemoon

Keyz,

I got mine at a local department store for $3. Here is a photo of one an Ama in that looks similar.

fltchr

Nancdanzer - don't worry - I left my first day in tears too! It was just so overwhelming! Starting day 2, things were much better! I had day 11 today, and things are just routine now. My techs are great and are really getting to know me. They check on how you are doing everyday. Don't be afraid to mention anything.

Be sure to check with your RO on anything you use. Mine is very specific on what she wants. However, as soon as I mention any little thing, she has something for me. Also, I have been told to use nothing four hours before rads.

As far as to what you might need - my place does not have lockers so you carry your stuff with you. I bring a small bag with me each day so I don't have to have an arm full.

GoodConstitution

Thanks for that great idea...polar pad!  I am on day three of 16 and I can see the pinkness starting. My RO said I qualify for the shorter protocol Which made me 

Alibeths

so do you guys put on lotion of anything before radiation or only after

Midgiemoon

My treatments are at 330, so I put on aquaphor after my shower in the morning, and again around 11am. After my treatments, I come home, put on some Aloe and wait an hour. I use a cooling towels for a little while, then I put on my prescription steroid cream for my blisters ((I am at 27/33 and started blistering at tx8) and then more aquaphor. I do the same thing before bed.

I do have extensive blistering and redness, but my RO says I had an unusually severe reaction.

Use what your doc tells you to, and if you are really uncomfortable, ask for help. My doctor to me "I can't feel what you feel."

Wishing you the best!

~Midgie

Zoritsa

I started rads on the 12th, so 3 down, 30 more to go. The first day I was nervous, but everyone there is nice. I told one of the women that I'll feel like Bill Murray did in Groundhog Day for a while...but at least my weekends are free to do whatever I want.

Nancdancer

on my second week and wondering if anyone else arms actually elbows go right up against the machine. I am so afraid the machine is going to go the opposite way and my arms gets broken.

I am still so emotional when I go for treatment. Every one is so much older and I start to feel bad that I have this at 49 and will have to think about cancer TOR the rest of my life.

Alibeths

I started today. I'm 37

KBeee

I have my sim Friday. I am 45 and this is cancer round 2. It was the same in the chemo room; I was usually the youngest there