Spring 2016 Rads

Moderators

Hi all, since no one else has started a Spring 2016 Rads group, we thought we'd do the honors! Please check in here and share your radiation therapy experiences together!

There's some helpful info on the main Breastcancer.org site on Radiation Therapy, including info on types of radiation therapy, what to expect during the process, and how to manage side effects.

Also, the Treatment Side Effects section is a great resource for tips to help manage any side effects you may experience.

You may also find it helpful to read the Winter 2015/2016 Radiation thread, for more tips and tricks from others who've been there!

Hope this helps!

--Your Mods

Caber224

I just had my first of 15 radiation treatments today for DCIS. Anyone else starting now

knitnpurl

I start on April 4. Eager to be on the last phase of treatment!

SouthernSkies

I posted the following on the Winter thread before seeing this one:

Hi all, I'm a newbie on the boards. I had my simulation today and start my treatments tomorrow, 28 + 5 boosts. Happy April Fool's Day to me! I was told not to wear a bra during treatments. I'm not sure how to deal with that as I work in a professional office environment and it just won't jive well. I have large "head lights" that aren't easy to cover after breastfeeding two children. Any advice on how to work around this issue? I also run regularly and I have to have something to strap them down!

Thanks!

DisneyGirl16

I had my mapping appointment today and start my 33 rad treatments next week.

SouthernSkies, I was told not to wear any underwire bras but could wear others.

Mmesamom

Hi all! I had my consultation and simulation on Tuesday and start my radiation on the 18th. 28 sessions. I'm ready to finish this!

fabchick

I am on day 13 of 20. So far, the surprise to me is how emotional it is for me. Going every day just reminds me I'm sick, and I feel like a piece of meat. I have some redness and a little fatigue but not bad. Looking forward to be done with this phase. Hang in there ladies

kbutler

Start 4/4/16 33 treatments. Can't wait to get this started and behind me !!!!. Prayers for all in this group !!!!

Skittlegirl

I am on day 15 of 33. I have my appointments at 4:20, so the biggest hassle besides driving there every day is trying to get dinner started before I leave or having something that my husband can make.

Moderators

Welcome to all! Thanks for posting and please keep us posted on your progress!

--The Mods

Katja23

Hi,

Jumping over from the winter rads, I've had 25 out of 33 (includes boosts) treatments as of today. So, I am here to offer some encouragement.

I have some slight redness, beginning after a week and a half or two, but it hasn't gotten any worse, no itching, or pain, or discomfort. I don't feel anything. I don't have any fatigue, although I have been going to be earlier than I used to, which had been too late, anyway. No one told me not to wear a bra, so I do. The radiation oncology nurse gave me natural aloe vera gel with instructions to apply it twice a day, and also apply corn starch 4-5 times a day. So, I do that, and nothing more (and some days do the corn starch only twice a day). I do vigorous walking for exercise, and when I get sweaty I change my bra (even when I first get into the office, walking 1.8 miles from the commuter train station).

Emotionally no problem. The radiation technicians and, RO, and nurses, are all very friendly. I was pleased that I could get in and out so quickly. My appointment was originally 7:24 am, but I gradually moved it up to 7:12, and so I have no problem making the 7:44 commuter train, which I did not originally expect to make. Best of all, it's spring! I see the signs of spring (greening grass, daffodils, etc.) advance every day on my way to the hospital which is a more scenic route than my regular route to a different train line and different station. (Last year we still had snow at this time; it was a bad winter.). I'm glad I am doing this in the spring, not winter, or hot summer.

Good luck, all!

WarriorCheryl

I'm not sure about getting radiation therapy. I finished 12 weeks of chemo- taxol and herceptin and will be getting herceptin every three weeks until the end of the year. My lumpectomy in November 2015 was successful- 1.3 cm, clear margins and no lymph nodes. Her2+. I am cancer free. Why do radiologists insist on radiation treatment?

I am 63. And otherwise healthy. I am a 34dd size. I worry about the immediate and more so the long range side affects of the radiation. Overall radiation for 6 weeks seems like a lot followed by targeted blasts. I also wanted prone position treatment to keep my lungs clear of the Rays, but the doctor said I am fine to go with te treatment on my back.

I am having thoughts that I think this is not necessary.

Artista928

The reason for rads is to zap any cancer cells that may have been left behind in the breast. Even though you have clear margins and are deemed cancer free, no one really knows for sure, so for extra insurance, there's rads.

I will be starting later this month. I'm not looking forward to it but it seems much easier than chemo so that's good.

SouthernSkies

Thanks you for the responses on the bra issue. I do not wear underwires, so I will continue wearing one unless it gets uncomfortable.

Day 1 of 33 is done! I work until 1:30 and have my RADS at 2:00 and then go home. I was in and out the door in 25 minutes. Not too bad! . I have a ton of time built up for sick/vacation, so I will work half days until my treatments are over. I could probably go back to work for a few hours, but I am treating myself to some down time after the last 5 months of dealing with all of this. My boss said go for it!

Kkubsky

I started my treatment 3/21 and was on the winter thread...but am jumping over to here since I am officially being treated in the Spring...

I am having the Canadian Protocol-16 whole breast and 2 boosts. I have had 10 treatments so far. I keep waiting for my boob to explode or something...lol. So far no real SEs....a bit of pink in the crease underneath. I am expecting more to appear next week....

Randi1035

Hi I'm starting Rads next Thursday. I have the simulation Tuesday. Don't know what to expect. Reading the forums trying to figure out how red/itchy/blistery it gets. Everyone is so cheerful about it that I'm starting to think it's nothing, but IT'S SOMETHING.

I am scared.

abigail48

someone posted I think on this thread, on a site which has good products for itchy and dry skin. I hope she'll re post it. I lie in shallow very hot baths with epsom salts and lemon oil for my trouble of this. it helps for a while

7of9

I just wanted to say good luck to you guys/gals. I finished rads (50 g?) 25x - done 2.5 weeks ago...and my new skin looks amazing! I was looking like a well done piece of salmon by the last week and it did continue to cook/peel for exactly 10 days after then it literally started to get better overnight. There is a light at the end of the tunnel!

Not everyone is the same but I thought the "tiredness" associated with radiation felt more like being tired from having 25 consecutive back to back to back...blah blah doctors appointments (week days) rather than any physical tiredness brought on by treatment. I walked 2 - 3 miles 5 - 6 days a week throughout treatment (I don't normally but I thought oxygenating myself would be great for healing from surgery and it worked so why not continue). I joined our local ymca and the treadmills have internet and cable on them plus my 69 year old mother joined with me. As a side benefit she is down 11 lbs!

I also had rads every morning. I did not shower in the mornings - switched to evenings as I thought maybe better for my skin. I also used Aquaphor 2x a day RELIGIOUSLY and would put on something like Euceryn (sp?) or an organic lotion that smelled nice a few times throughout the day. I actually started the second week taking the tub of Aquaphor with me and putting it on RIGHT in the changing room RIGHT after treatment.

The first few treatments were a bit nerve wracking so I took an attivan or 1/2 of pain killer (stretching my arm over my head was super tight) then by the last week I kept my eyes open and watched the machine and screen readings as I was curious. It REALLY helps if your technicians put on happy /cheerful music during the treatment which was much shorter than I feared. They usually had on an oldies station for me - 60's music mostly, doo woop etc.

One bit of strait up advice is to clear your schedule to allow yourself the down time and or exercise time you need. I lucked out with my son's sports schedule being light this time of year, but enough activity to keep me preoccupied on him and life going on. But I did blow my grocery budget as I bought more pre-made but healthy meals and or splurging on to go meals by Thursday and Friday. My husband dropped my son off at school and when I came home each night ( I did not miss any work) reveled in the fact that they made both beds before the left. (holy sh!! LOL)

I sincerely wish you all the best...

iammags

I'll be starting soon, too. It's going to be a pain in the ass but it's worth

Wenrisa

hey all! I have my simulation apt today and then I start rads next week sometime ( week of the 11th) for 30 treatments. Can't wait to be done

august57

I see my Rad Onc MD 4/14 for simulation and I agree, I'm a little more freaked out by the rads than the lumpectomy and what to expect.

august57

I am new to the site and love all the info

august57

I am new to the site and love all the info. I'm an RN and work 12 hour shifts, just wondering how fatigue is during radiation tx's?

brithael

Jumping over here from the winter site - I started rads on March 15 (the ides of March!) and completed treatment #15 of 31 today. As far as SE's go, I have a tan on my back and boob, a darker area where my lymph nodes used to be (they removed 27!) and a few small bumps on my chest which have gotten better in the last week. They give me a gel called Radiaplex which seems to do the trick. I do have some fatigue but not overwhelming. I have had some burning, stabbing pains mostly in the underarm area, but they seem to have gone away this last week.

Today was probably the fastest day of rads I've experienced. They seem to have a hard time getting me placed, and once, they had to take films and get the Dr. in to make sure they were right. That was a very long time to lie there half naked with my arms over my head! It seems the machine was saying one thing, but the films were saying something else. Now they seem to have gotten it worked out.

I'm still dealing with some chemo SE's like not having a normal bowel movement in whenever! I have a consult in GI coming up later this month to check that out. Hair is growing, but so slowly - can't wait til it is longer.

Good luck to all those starting out -it's not that bad really, and it you had chemo, it's practically a walk in the park!

iammags

Congratulations brithael on your last rad! Must feel great. My consultation with my RO is on Wednesday. Are there any questions that you didn't ask but wished you had at yours? Any tips?

angiesgo

hi all, im starting Rads soon too, about mid April. I just finished 12 weeks of Taxol/Herceptin and will continue with Herceptin for the rest of this year. Been told I need 6 weeks of treatment. Have not had my simulation appointment yet. What exactly happens, a CT scan was mentioned?

thanks Angie

LifeOfBabbs

Thank you moderators. I'd like to be part of this group. I had my radiation "education" appointment last week, and I start radiation on Friday. I guess they don't actually do the radiation until Monday April 10th though because they're doing something else on Friday, such as a dry run or something.

Good luck to everyone, and may we all be here to support each other during this difficult, and scary time:-)

LifeOfBabbs

fabchick and Randi1035, it is scary! I am afraid that I'll be crying all the way there on Monday. I think it's important to allow yourself to feel what you feel. I don't want to feel embarrassed about being upset about this. I also worry if the radiation is going to give me cancer in the years to come! The stuff is not good for your body, obviously. I'm glad I found this group.

kbutler

first day of rads was uneventful except for the gas leak scare in which we had to be evacuated. Thankfully I was done with treatment just waiting for to see doctor since it was first day of treatment. Had to dress really quick. 1 down 32 to go !!!

jdot

Hi Everyone, I just finished 16 treatments on Friday (4/1). I was given the option of 4 boost treatments but after doing extensive research and discussions with my doctors I decided to skip the boosts. I did not have a problem with skin side effects other than mild discomfort and itching. Toward the end of week 2 a pink rectangle appeared on my chest, covering a larger area than I anticipated. I started with aloe gel on day 1 and wish I had applied it further under my arm earlier on. I also used a burn ointment recommended by my local breast care center. After day 1 I gave up on wearing a bra and opted for a daily uniform of a long-sleeved cotton t-shirt and fleece vest (March in Maine is still cold enough to wear a fleece vest). My treatment facility is 60 miles away so the 120 miles of round trip driving was tiring. After day 4 I called in on my husband and friends to drive me back and forth. I also had more fatigue than I expected from radiation, especially the first few hours after each treatment. I'm still a little itchy and my RO said to continue using aloe for the next week or so. I'm now on day 4 of no radiation and I'm SO happy to be having a normal day.

iammags

LifeofBabbs- I know that this is scary. I'm nervous myself. But I got through dx, 2 surgeries, countless poking, needles, strangers looking and feeling my boobs, and various other scary, unknown things. But I made it through and I'll make it through radiation and anything else that comes my way.

I noticed that you had DCIS. Have you spoken to your doctor about not doing rads? With my IDC/DCIS there is about a 30% chance of it coming back. If it were not so high I don't know if I would do it. Not suggesting anything in your case, btw, just telling you about mine.

jdot- congrats on finishing! It must feel great.

Good luck to everyone out there today!