Winter 2015-16 RADS

Lila-claire66

Mdoc Mary, please add me to this group. Hi to my friends from Sept Chemo group too, Hi Octogirl!

I don't have a start date on rads but anticipate mid to late Feb. Eager to learn from all of you.

etnasgrl

Okay girls.....this afternoon I go in for my FIRST rad treatment!! I'm nervous, but also READY to get this started!
Wish me luck!

KateB79

Peabrain, I have a less-than-stellar attitude about rads, too.

Chemo was another story. I was really positive most of the time. . . I'm trying to keep that going, 'cause I swear it helps.

What's this about scars opening up? Noooooooooo!

HappyHammer

Etnasgirl and Peabrain- You've GOT this!

Finished up rads TODAY!!! Yay.

About the attitude- mine was better during chemo, too. Rads is just so different.

keepwalking

Peabrain and Etnasgirl - Glad you are getting started - because the sooner you will finish

HappyHammer - Woohoo! Congrats on finishing!!

Completed #11 of 21 today - Halfway!! I was very tired and weak for a few days, but now that is better. I am just tiring more easily than usual. I had an interview and testing this afternoon for a new job I applied for in the gap between surgery and rads. Unfortunately, the interview part wasn't until after 3.5 hours of testing, and I felt almost brainless by that time! I hope I didn't look and sound as out-of-it as I felt.

Best to all!

Peachy2

Yay, Happy Hammer and Cardinal! DONE!!!

El_Tigre

Hi I am wondering the purpose of boosts?

I'm not signed to receive any due to reconstruction and my RO said there was no data to benefit me in my situation of BMX and reconstruction on the horizon.

Peachy2

El_Tigre, as it was explained to me the boost targets the tumor cavity specifically. They put a plate with a cut-out in on the machine so that radiation only hits that area. I finished last week, and have what looks like a cloud-shaped sunburn with well-defined edges remaining around my lumpectomy scar. Kind of like when you apply sunscreen and miss a spot!

Shopgal2

peabrain I felt the same way about rads when I started last week. It's like after chemo I just wanted to be done with docs.

Hey Lilaclaire! Good to see you over here on this board.

Congrats to those finishing.

Shopgal2

my machine broke down today and I was the first patient st 8am. I told my team I didn't do it. Lol. So I sat and waited and waited until finally they told me to go upstairs to see my ro for my first weekly checkup. Thankfully after the appt they were able to do my rads on a machine on the other side. Now I just got a call that the machine still isn't working and they need me to come in 1/2 hr earlier to use the machine on the other side. I was worried they would cancel the session for tomorrow.

Good news is that I lost another 4lbs. I am in a clinical trial headed by my ro for calorie reduction. I started the program 2 weeks ago, and have lost 8lbs since starting, and 12 lbs overall since I ended chemo on 12/9. Now onto the other weight I need to lose.

etnasgrl

First treatment done!!! WOOHOO!!!
It really went very well.....but to be honest, I didn't know what to expect so I had some crazy ideas!

All of the techs and nurses were super sweet, which makes the process a bit better. The only thing I don't care for is how ALONE you are. They leave the room and close that huge, thick, heavy door and it's just you and the machine. It wasn't a terrible isolation feeling or anything, just not my favorite.

Oh well....24 more to go!

El_Tigre

Thanks Peachy, Before this thread I had never heard of boosts.

marijen

So here is today's question : )

If radiation or chemotherapy kills every cancer cell it touches, why do we need surgery??

phoebe58

yahoooooo Cardinal, happy you are done and it went pretty well....let us know how you get on with the 'peak reaction'.

Peabrain -- my attitude was great with chemo and surgery - genuinely positive ... now, not so much -- I think because I had been informed I was in the grey area and may not need rads, I was prepared only for a biathlon not a triathlon

I will add another ooooh noooooooo to the very thought of scars opening up -- I had a nipple losing diep, so I have a round crop circle scar that has belly skin in the middle, [eventually it will get an origami swan nipple and tattoo] with a 2 inch line that goes off towards the side armpit, and a small snb scar too

I had #10 of 28 today. Still a little swollen, feels tighter but not painful, but skin is fine. No wild dreams yet either!!

marijen

My attitude is definitely going down facing rads. I get it.

phoebe58

Marijen, I am not sure they get absolutely 'every' cell....... I had asked that after chemo, double mastectomy surgery and then Letrozole, why I would even need rads, and was told rads can better mop up any potential local stray cells...... that's why the double or triple approach.... and just a guess, perhaps it's hard to get to the middle of a blob without a super high dose.

ivy2

Congrats on finishing, HappyHammer I hope all continues well for you:)

Etnasgirl I hope all of your treatment goes smoothly.

I had the sim on Monday here and begin rads on the 28th. It seems like a lifetime has passed the diagnosis.

marijen

You're probably right Phoebe, thanks.

PattyMeg

Congratualations Cardinal and Happy Hammer! I'm right behind you with two boosts to go.

Linda I'll pray for you, but tell your boss he's an A hole! People are not perfect and you've had a few other things on your mind.

Marijen, my doc suggested I get a flu shot, but I'm a preschool teacher, so lots of little germs. Haha

Good luck to all of you just starting or almost done! I signed up my family for a dodgeball fundraiser today for the American Cancer Society. It takes place in March and will be a good wy for me to channel my rage LOL. Any suggestions for our team name? Patt

Jabe

I ordered an Edible Arrangement for the rads team to thank them. Hope they like it. I ring the bell tomorrow!!!

Cardinal

KateB79 & phoebe58 - I should have used a bit more careful wording with that 'scar opening up' description - the SNB scar in the armpit area is looking a little angrier and redder than previously, and the tech had just commented that the skin might break open at the scar area; not that the scar itself would open up. Sorry for the horrible vision - I am creaming the bedevil out of the area!

Marijen - I am large busted and had a fair bit of swelling & rib pain on the treated side, so the RO strongly encouraged me to get a major compression type of bra to hold everything in very tightly, reduce any pulling, and make the inflammation easier to bear. As Miss OCD had saved the tag, what I picked up (on the 5th store search) was a 'Nike Pro Rival' high support bra at a big sports store for $75 CDN. It was a learning curve to get in and out of, but I found it immensely helpful - I found that absolutely nothing moved when I wore it, so no rubbing/chafing in addition to everything being held in place - and I can wear it down the road too!

Congrats Happy Hammer and upcoming to you PattyMeg - way to go!

For those of you struggling through - we're all with you, and I sure do remember some dark moments along the way.

Hugs to all, Deb

mdoc524

Hello All & someone said it - what a chatty board - love it!

So many finishing this week - Jabe, HappyHammer, PattyMeg, Cardinal, ctgal48 and anyone else I might have missed! Congrats to you - hope you heal quick without issue!

Welcome welcome Lila-claire66 - sorry you are here but so glad you found us - keep us posted when you get your start date & # of treatments

Peabrain, etnasgrl, Jerseygirl - must feel good yo get started - good luck. Peabrain - totally with you on feelings about starting rads - I am in that place "put a fork in me I'm done" .. Hoping to lighten up once I get started - hope same for you...

Lindab142 - good luck with your last 5 boosts - hope you can get some support at work & for your depression - hugs for you!!

Marijen - as far as vaccinations I was only advised to get Flu shot back in October during chemo.. I had issues of no or low white counts including 2 hospital admissions for neutropenia during chemo so I specifically asked my RO if radiation impact white blood counts & was told no so hope that holds true

Shopgal & Tallnterrific - hope heartburn & dizziness gets better for you

Not the best week for me - one of my 9 year old twins came down with the dreaded stomach virus Saturday night (vomiting with a little bit of the runs) - I went into complete psycho germaphobe mode with wiping down door knobs, light switches, remote controls, fridge handles, faucets, all bathrooms & spraying Lysol like a nut. Well then the other twin last night started with the runs & 101.5 fever today - no vomitting. My husband puked all night last... Aahhh I am just waiting for my turn.. My stomach feels not too great - not sure if in my head! I have my sim on Thursday & getting my port out on Friday - fingers crossed I can make both...

Have a great rest of the week all!

Mary

marijen

Thank you mdoc. I guess I'll leave it alone for now. Had a flu vaccination in the fall. I also wonder about a pneumonia vaccine, pneumonitis is caused by the rads, not a bacteria or virus? I had shingles over 20 years ago and the special medicine caught it early, I wonder if I'm inoculated.....?

HappyHammer

You gals are great cheerleaders! Sending lots of hope and healing your way with a bit of Oomph for whatever you need to push through.

PattyMeg

Mary, I'm so sorry that on top of everything else, you have the dreaded stomach virus going through your house. I pray that you don't get it. Drink some ginger ale and stay away from everyone in your family! Good luck and I hope everybody feels better soon. Patty

HappyHammer

And, Mary....learned this from working in schools forever..wipe everything down with wipes or bleach spray on a cloth...even light switches and toilet handles....sending healing mercies to your fam as you fight this virus!

Suz-Q

Congratulations Happy Hammer, Cardinal, and PattyMeg on finishing this week!

I'm two weeks out from finishing whole breast rads and one week from the boost. I haven't seen any real change in the boost area since finishing. The area at the upper part of my radiation field for the whole breast and under my arm still look grey-brown-pink speckled and are improving a bit each day now. My BC nurse navigator said it should heal quickly now

Good luck to those starting rads this week. It will be over before you know it!

Lila-claire66

Yikes Mary! Sure hope you don't get sick as well. Hope the fam recovers quickly too.

el Tigre great to see you here too! Looks like we are going to learn so much before we start rads.

ShopGal congrats on weight loss. I had put on more than 15 lbs post menopause and just could not get it off. Now I'm down 17 lbs and feel great! I do NOT intend to gain it back either.

Thanks Peachy 2 about the info about the 'boost' treatment, now I can sound informed if it's suggested.

Congrats to those who finished or are almost there!

Rest well everyone

octogirl

Shopgal, are you allowed to share the way you are losing weight? Congratulations!

Octogirl

Y0tis

Hi Everyone. I'm so glad I found this sight, this is my first post.

I'm going for my Sim appointment tomorrow, and should be starting 6 weeks of radiation sometime next week. I've been able to maintain a pretty positive attitude so far as I feel very grateful that my tumor was found very early and was very small. I'm starting to feel very anxious and emotional about rads the past few days; not sure where it's coming from. I'm eager to get the process started so I can get on with the rest of my life, but at the same time I'm kind of scared.