Winter 2015-16 RADS

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  • Catfurr
    Catfurr Member Posts: 69
    edited January 2016

    HappyHammer-thx! I'll try the headphones next week. They play music pretty loudly, but the Xmas music made me teary. Better to have my own fight songs.....and ativan!

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  • Catfurr
    Catfurr Member Posts: 69
    edited January 2016

    PattyMeg-adorable pup! You should be able to get cooling towels at any sporting goods store or Amazon. Guess the cabbage leaves work the same for pulling inflammation. Will experiment with it! Ck with your RO about the heartburn. It's possible the beam is crossing your gi tract somewhere and meds might help

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  • HappyHammer
    HappyHammer Member Posts: 1,247
    edited January 2016

    Catfurr...seriously...I wear the headphones and hear music from the parking lot to the time I leave...told my techs and RO nurse how anxious I am...they get it and are fine with it...I smile and wave to any other patients as I go to change and all...also, the Ativan is my friend for rads...that is the only time I take it...do what you need to do to get through it! (PS- the Christmas music made me teary, too...!!)

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  • ivy2
    ivy2 Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2016

    Octogirl I hope your drysuit was dry indeed. mdoc - I'm trying to get as much beach and water in as I can with rashguards and 50 sunscreen! Phoebe - I love Tennyson, thank you for that line. HappyHammer- I asked about music but the RO nixed that as well :(. Unfortunately she said the music they play is horrible. I may just wear earbuds anyway...

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  • Suz-Q
    Suz-Q Member Posts: 205
    edited January 2016

    PattyMeg, your blanket stealer is adorable! Pets are so positive to have around. They give so much unconditional love!

    Catfurr, HappyHammer is right on about the Ativan. Do what it takes to get you through this! I'm on Celexa for three weeks and couldn't be happier!

    phoebe58, I love your Tennyson quote! Indeed 2016 will be happier!

    Ctgal48, I'm not sure how they determine who gets the boost. The percentage of remaining recurrence is cut in half with the boost. They target only the tumor bed where most recurrences will happen. In my case one of my surgical margins was less than 1 millimeter. Too close for comfort even though it was clear.

    mdoc524, Congratulations on finishing chemo! How much time off do the docs give you off before starting radiation? Thank You! For being our moderator! I don't know how you have done this during chemo and having twins to care for.

    I've been exploring the I WANT MY MOJO BACK discussion board in preparation for the next treatment phase after radiation is over. So glad to have so many different topics to explore here! I've seen one MO and he prescribed Arimidex. I'm getting a second opinion on the 14th. The first doc did not give me any warm fuzzy feelings, rather he made me feel very alone on this cancer journey and that contributed to the down turn in my mental state. For me, the worst part of this battle has been in my head!



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  • etnasgrl
    etnasgrl Member Posts: 650
    edited January 2016

    Hi everyone!
    I'm joining this Winter Club and am looking forward to getting to know all of you. I go in for my simulation on January 12th.....I'm a little nervous as I'm not too sure what to expect.

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  • 1957-2057
    1957-2057 Member Posts: 35
    edited January 2016

    Welcome etnasgrl, I was nervous too, had my CT scan done New Years Eve, was not as bad as I thought. Shoulder got sore from having my arms above my head for so long and the tattoos sting a bit but then it was done. Try to relax and focus on breathing calmly, it helped me. The tech and doctor explained everything, if yours does not just keep asking questions. Now just waiting for the call to start.

    Helen


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  • Cardinal
    Cardinal Member Posts: 24
    edited January 2016

    At the halfway mark through rads tomorrow, and starting to get trepidation about overdue MO consult (re possible further tx needed) this Friday - back to 'one day at a time' thinking needed here! I feel like I need to give myself a slap really, as I've been going along gen fine until now - helps to read how everyone else is doing along their own journey. Thanks again, Deb

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  • TallnTerrific
    TallnTerrific Member Posts: 114
    edited January 2016

    I would like to join this board. I start with measurements on 1-4-16, sim on1-11-16 and 28 days of rads over 6 weeks. Has anyone heard recommendations about different types of radiation machines? Anyone heard that Tomotherapy is best? Thanks.
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  • keepwalking
    keepwalking Member Posts: 147
    edited January 2016

    Meme - Yes, that was what my simulation was - just a CT and drawings all over my breasts. I assume that the tattoos will come on Wed when I have my first treatment on the machine.

    Helen 1957-2057 - (love those dates!) I can certainly relate to feeling "like an airplane circling the runway without direction from the tower"! I can't believe for me it has been 4 months since diagnosis and most of that time has been in a holding pattern. It is so frustrating and worrisome! So, like you, I am thrilled to be doing some treatment after surgery and to get this thing taken care of! I am glad that you are feeling some more calm, and hope your rads go well!

    Suz-Q - What a serene setting. Love the pic!

    Bjsmiller - Congrats on finishing your first round of rads! And glad that you did not experience much SE's.

    Mary - Amen to your 2016 prayer! Thanks! Congrats on your last chemo, and I hope your SE's are minimal!

    Catfurr - Cabbage leaves? Interesting... do you just place the raw leaf on breast? So sorry about your meltdown. I think sometimes we think we are dealing okay with the stresses, but then something happens to trigger a much-needed release. We just hope that it is in a safe environment and that we have support around - which thankfully you did!

    TallnTerrific - Welcome! Sorry, I haven't heard about TomoTherapy, but maybe someone else on here has.

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  • 1957-2057
    1957-2057 Member Posts: 35
    edited January 2016

    Keepwalking - Glad you are getting started as well. Just curious noticed your Dx 2 months apart, did they find it on your CT scan for rads? Did you have another surgery? Hope your rads go well.

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  • keepwalking
    keepwalking Member Posts: 147
    edited January 2016

    1957-2057 - Yeah, that's confusing but not sure how what is the correct way to put it in the Dx's. The DCIS was a surprise that wasn't discovered until the pathology report from the surgery. The IDC was surrounded by a much larger area of DCIS. But, my wonderful surgeon had taken very wide margins, then an extra chunk off of each edge, so he was able to get all of it in one surgery!!

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  • 1957-2057
    1957-2057 Member Posts: 35
    edited January 2016

    So glad you didn't have to endure 2 surgeries. Take care and let's stop this thing in 2016!!!!

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  • Suz-Q
    Suz-Q Member Posts: 205
    edited January 2016

    Hi TallnTerrific,

    I Googled Tomotherapy and the company has a website with patient information. http://www.tomotherapy.com

    Im sure there must be trial results for this therapy. It looks good. I used the search function on the upper left and there were 20 pages of hits. So, it is talked about here on the discussion boards.I think we all want to navigate radiation with the least amount of side effects

    Good luck!

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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited January 2016

    Welcome Welcome Etnasgrl & TallnTerrific - so sorry you have to be here but glad you found us... Awesome group here! We will get thru Rads together!

    Catfurr - sorry you are going thru low ANC & had 3 hospital admissions with neutropenia - hope no hospital this time! I can relate - had 2 Neutropenic hospital stays and one where theylet me monitor from home - not fun at all .. Hugs to you.. Never heard of cabbage trick for Rads but not surprised. I had to abruptly stop breast feeding & used cabbage to dry up milk & worked immediately - if anyone is going to try it - recommend separating each leaf - clean & dry them and put each in its own ziplock bag in the fridge... Then wear in your bra. Whoever tries it let us know how it goes.

    Suz-Q & PattyMeg - cute pet pics - they can always put smiles on our faces when we need it!

    Suz-Q - thanks for the Congrats - RO said 4-6 weeks break before starting rads after 5 months of chemo! I have my Sim on 1/21 so curious if I will start soon after that .. Funny your comment on dong this along with chemo & twins.. I am fortunate to have the greatest husband in the world who has done most of the boys care - some days it would sadden me to watch them just go to him for everything..

    Cardinal - hang in there & hugs to you! Sometimes our heads are our own worst enemy. Sending good vibes your way for Friday!

    All - thanks for the well wishes for last day of chemo yesterday - great feeling to now be done with that treatment phase.. Sharing pics - got surprised by 25 family & friends there to support - way cool!

    image

    image

    Thanks All

    Mary


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  • Peachy2
    Peachy2 Member Posts: 350
    edited January 2016

    mdoc524, what an awesome crew!

    My son is around your twins' age. As hard as I tried to keep things normal, my three and a half months of chemo was a really difficult time for him. One of the good things about being able to move on to radiation is that my treatment has been far less disruptive for him. Hope that you find the same thing with yours. :)

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  • lindab142
    lindab142 Member Posts: 105
    edited January 2016

    Happy Hammer & jhmom, congrats on finishing!

    Suz-Q, I saw the movie and also laughed so hard. The party was so funny. The "sisters" looked like they had a great time making the movie.

    I've got 11 more to go. I didn't hear about boosts, just about some treatments being directly to the lump. area.

    Have a great week,

    Linda

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  • TallnTerrific
    TallnTerrific Member Posts: 114
    edited January 2016
    1. Thanks to SuziQ for the link and information. My family friend is an RO and he thinks I should get Tomotherapy for the rads, but my hospital doesn't seem to have a machine and I start next week. He says because of the wide area and the left breast cancer with lymph node involvement, it would be the safest and most effective way to go. I don't disagree, but am not sure I am willing to change my plans. What do others think?
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  • 1957-2057
    1957-2057 Member Posts: 35
    edited January 2016

    TallinTerriff - Since I see you are having rads to your chest wall, speak to your RO. I think they will be honest and tell you if it is safer for you to go to a facility with this special machine. With all we are putting ourselves through you want to know you are doing everything the best way. Your RO will probably explain the differences better than anyone and if they feel it would be safer to go to another facility that offers this new machine. Best of luck to you in your treatment. Keep us posted.

    Helen

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  • Natejordlee
    Natejordlee Member Posts: 61
    edited January 2016

    Hello Ladies ! I have my start day tomorrow. Tall N Terrific I am getting my done on a Tomo machine because its on my left side and its my chest wall. I have to travel across the city instead of using the cancer center close to home but its the standard course here apparently. I don;t have a ton of information on it except its suppose to be more accurate which reduces chance of any injury to the heart ? Best of luck ladies!

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  • TallnTerrific
    TallnTerrific Member Posts: 114
    edited January 2016
    Thanks so much that is very helpful. Gives me courage to ask the question of the radiologist. There is a tomo machine in my city, but not with my hospital. It is kind of crazy, but neither my breast surgeon or my plastic surgeon knew about the machine.
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  • Suz-Q
    Suz-Q Member Posts: 205
    edited January 2016

    TallnTerrific, I'm sure your RO friend is concerned about the radiation exposure to your heart. Will you be doing treatments in the prone position? That's where you lay stomach down.My center does not offer the prone treatment yet. For left side cancers the prone position can keep the heart and lung out of the treatment field for many patients.

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  • littlejukie
    littlejukie Member Posts: 13
    edited January 2016

    Hello, 

    I just finished rads and made out great.  How are you making out with tamoxifen?  I am 50 and still have my regular period.

    Julie


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  • justmaximom15
    justmaximom15 Member Posts: 264
    edited January 2016

    Due to flooding in my area, I was only able to get one treatment in last week so this morning he told me it was almost like we were starting over. Not really what I wanted to hear but it's easier than I expected.

    Wish me luck though, not only is this the first full week of rads for me but also my first full week of work in a month!!

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  • Suz-Q
    Suz-Q Member Posts: 205
    edited January 2016

    lindab142, glad you laughed your butt off at the movie! We need these distractions right now!

    Mary, I loved the pictures! How nice of your family to celebrate with you!

    Julie, congratulations on finishing rads! I hope I fare as well as you did!

    Justmaximom, I'm going back to work today too, I've only been off two weeks though. I'm a little scared of fatigue hitting this week, it's my fourth week of treatment

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  • keepwalking
    keepwalking Member Posts: 147
    edited January 2016

    Mary - What a great surprise to have all of those friends and family there supporting you! Great pic with your boys.

    justmaximom - Too bad that you had to have such a long break in treatments. I am glad to hear that it is easier than expected. Hope all goes well for you back at work - also for Suz-Q.

    Julie - Congrats on finishing rads! There is a forum called Bottle o' Tamoxifen where you can find out how others are doing on it and share your experiences. Like any of this journey, there is a range of SE's - some worse, some better and some sail through. Here's hoping you will be in the latter category!


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  • ctgal48
    ctgal48 Member Posts: 11
    edited January 2016

    Today I had treatment # 4. It is getting easier. I hope I can still say that at the end of this week. Taking an Aleve before I leave for my treatment has helped ease my shoulder discomfort. When I meet with my doctor this week, I am going to ask her about the boosts. How soon after finishing the radiation treatments do you start Tamoxifen? Is there any follow up screening done when rads are finished? I am just full of questions today. I'll be sure to discuss this with my doctor, but it is interesting to see how my treatment compares to others. Wishing everyone a good day.

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  • justmaximom15
    justmaximom15 Member Posts: 264
    edited January 2016

    CTgal48, I've already started my Tamoxifen? My only delay on that was that I was on a medication that counteracts Tamoxifen so I had to switch to something else before beginning and that took a few weeks.

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  • mdoc524
    mdoc524 Member Posts: 336
    edited January 2016

    Happy Monday All .. Good Luck to all starting today or this week!!

    Peachy2 - yeah chemo not easy on the kids - my boys were great and could not have done it without my husband .. so looking forward to easier times with Rads

    TallnTerrific - I agree with all - best for you to question anything not sitting right with you .. I am left side with lymph node involvement and had my RO consult - she did not say anything about TomoTherapy but did advise no impact to heart and minimal to lung - she even drew a diagram. I plan on asking more about it - let us know how you make out -good luck!

    justmaximom15 - so many hugs to you and all living in the Flood Zone areas .. I see it on the news and heart breaks! Hope it gets better and good luck with 1st full week of rads and work!

    littlejukie - Congrats on finishing - good luck with Tamoxifen

    Hugs to all

    Mary


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  • Scotland219312
    Scotland219312 Member Posts: 237
    edited January 2016

    I finally have a start date! 30 treatments starting on January 25th. Sims on the 13th

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