Radiation September 2018

Whome08

Hello,

Second day of radiation. So far, so good. It takes longer to get to the facility than the actual treatment.

No other treatment for me is necessary. Two down, 14 to go. Hoping for smooth sailing.

StaMoo

I start on Sept 10, 21 treatments with 2 boosts. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences, it has helped calm me down a bit. Not looking forward to the tamoxifen either....

flag6818

bcsucks1- welcome to the group! Hopefully you won't have any negative effects to your implants. Keep us posted when you start your rads.

Njmom2boys- so glad this group is helping you! I have been searching out other ladies with bc since my diagnosis. It eases my anxiety to hear their stories of survival and helps strengthen me on my journey as well. This is also a great place to share worries with others that are having those same thoughts.

Viewfinder- I've been meaning to see The Book Club. I did see Crazy Rich Asians this past weekend, which I loved.

Whome- welcome! Keep us posted on your progress!

Stamoo- welcome! Happy that this thread is helping you cope. Keep us posted on your treatments!

3 down, 18 to go!!!! So far, I'm hanging in there. My main complaint is my ribs are sore on my right side because I have to lay in the prone position and there's a bar or something that is pressing into my body. Very uncomfortable!!! I definitely will be looking forward to the weekends to have a break from that

duffyzmom

NJMom - I originally was told 20 treatments but I haven't heard that from the RO yet. So it may or may not include boosts. My lumpectomy had clear margins and no lymph node involvement so maybe I can get by without boosts. As far as massage I've read pro and con about it helping with CC. I plan to use the lotions at least 3 times a day so maybe that will help some. My implants are under the muscle and 3 years old so I'm hoping that helps. My RO implied that if they were new implants I wouldn't qualify for the accelerated treatment.

NJmom2boys

Hi Duffyzmom,

I also have 20 treatments, the last 5 are a boost to the one area where the cancer was. I had clear margins as well as no lymph node involvement. My implants are under the muscle as well, but 7 years old. Not sure how that plays into it. I am also putting the cream on at least 3 times as well.

This group is awesome

NJMOM

NHgmom3

Getting ready to go in for 4th treatment today, 12 more to go.

flag6818

Nhgmom3- I had my 4th treatment today also. How's it going for you so far? For me, I haven't had any skin issues to this point. I'm a little more tired than usual, but not too bad. I'm looking forward to the weekend to get a break though.

4 down, 17 to go!!!!

NHgmom3

flag6818- I am also tired. Just finished 4th treatment. Not sure if it is the Arimidex and/or radiation. The rad.onc. would have preferred that the med. onc. had not started the arimidex until the rads were completed so 2 treatments were not occurring at the same time. I to am glad that the weekend is here so I can rest. I am not having any skin problems using plenty of lotion.

HoldingOn52

Hi-- I also am taking the AI and radiation concurrently. Did the radiation oncologist indicate the reason for the preference? (3rd treatment today)

NJmom2boys

HI,

Some questions for you. Day 3 for me. After I got home my breast looks a little pink. I have been using the calendula cream 3 times per day. I did go for a run this afternoon and it was hot out there...maybe the sweat irritated it? I didn’t think I would be seeing pink by day 3.

Also...anyone find any comfy cotton sports type bra that they like?

Thanks for any advice,

NJ

NHgmom3

Holdingon52- The Rad oncs preference to start the arimidex later, was if I had symptoms she would be able to determine if it was from the radiation. She said it was ok but she had preferred to wait.

Whome08

Day 3 of 16 for me. No skin issues, but do feel a tad tired. Not sure if it's from rad or just running around. Have the weekend to chill. Definitely using the lotion as much as I can

dcbooklover

Thanks for starting this thread! I start radiation on Mon, 9/10; 6.5 weeks long. some of regular and some are boosts. thought it was funny today to get a tattoo for the first time at 46! hope the SEs are manageable -- I already had ACT chemo so I figure it can't be as bad as that!

DX: 12/2017; ACT chemo; lumpectomy/SNB 7/26/18; ER+/PR+/HER2-; Grade2a

flag6818

Njmom2boys- I noticed a little pinkness on day 3 but it was gone by this morning. I was worried too.

My favorite sports bra has been the Danskin front zip from Walmart. It has removable cup inserts too. I love that I don’t have to try to pull it off over my head after a sweaty workout.

flag6818

dcbooklover- welcome! Good luck on your 1st treatment this Monday! I didn’t get tattooed for rads, but my back looks like a treasure map of sharpie marks and stickers! I never thought I’d get a tattoo at 44, but I’ll be making a trip to see Vinnie Myers in January to fix my areola. I’ve noticed my “lumpie” boob is perkier too. After I get the areola fixed it may end up looking better than the other side!

out_and_about

Hi all,

I am starting radiation on Monday. I thought I was starting today, but it turned out to be a second planning session. I am getting 15 regular and then a few boosts to be around 18-20 treatments according to my tech today. My RO said 3.5 weeks. I am nervous even though they say side effects are not bad. I did pretty well with chemo, side effects were manageable except for the first round. I guess I am just worried that I will be the weird one who handles chemo better than rads. I get conflicting information where some of the people tell me "oh you might have fatigue or you might have skin issues", and others kind of seem like they don't think this will be a big deal at all. Also I am a runner. I wonder if my skin will be too irritated to run with my arm rubbing against the area the whole time.

odat4me

I have an appointment for my first radiation treatment on September 12. I had a Cat scan Friday and the tattoos. They want me to come back in though for another cat scan on my stomach this time which I thought was strange they think it may help with the radiation set up. I liked everyone set the cancer center they gave me a lot of information (probably too much). Than you for your posts!

Anonymous

I'n not getting AI and radiation concurrently. I wonder why? If I remember correctly, she said we'd start the hormones a few weeks after my last radiation treatment. I start radiation next Thursday.

RE Lotions:

which one are you using? The doctor's office recommend two...one is $18 and the other is $70 (said I'll need 2 tubes, $35 each). Yet NJmom2boys mentioned Boiron Calendula Cream and it's much more reasonably priced. Also, easier to order online than make a trip to a specialty shop.

Please share the names of effective lotions you are using. Thanks so much!

Anonymous

out_and_about ,

I don't run, but my technician told me I have to be very careful about rubbing. Besides the lotion, she suggested I get cornstarch to help minimize sweat and abrasion. She also said when I'm home to go without a bra as much as possible, and wear loose fitting clothing.

The article about Skin Care Tips at this site has some very helpful information.

kmajor

flag6818 ~ My first treatment went really well. I have quite a few marks on me and stickers and I got tiny tattoos. They have me laying on my back and I have to put my arms above my head and hold on to a bar. I don’t know how I feel about this position cause I worry about my heart and lungs. I see my RO on Monday’s so im going to ask him about it.

flag6818

viewfinder- I bought Miaderm based on a friend’s recommendation that went through radiation last year. My dr gave me samples of Medline remedy skin repair. The miaderm is expensive. I found both on amazon. I’m using the Medline directly after the treatment only because it’s a smaller tube and doesn’t take up as much room in my purse. At home, im using the Miaderm. The Medline is a bit thicker, but seems to absorb well. Overall though I prefer the Miaderm. I’m also trying to go braless as much as possible. My onc told me to start the tamoxifen the day after I finish my rads.

Out and about- welcome! Keep us posted on your treatments and good luck on Monday!

Kmajor- so glad your first treatment went well! I hope it’s a breeze for you!

duffyzmom

2nd treatment was much faster than 1st. A lot fewer patients starting rads that day. My appts are at 10:36am so I guess anyday there are new patients will cause a little delay.

Anyone else having issues with your rib pain? I can tell if I'm in position correctly if the board hits my one sore rib. I'm sure part of the issue is how long I had to be in position for the first round.

I'm using Miaderm and have been pretty happy with it. Whenever possible I am going without a bra. Although I have a couple front zip that I wear if I'm exercising. As far as SEs - I haven't quite yet recovered from the fatigue from chemo so I don't think the rads are causing any more than I already had.

Anonymous

flag6818 thanks for telling me about Miaderm and Medline remedy skin repair. Yes, they are expensive. I'm hoping others can offer other suggestions. I'll spend that if I have to but don't want to if there are others just as good. For example, someone mentioned Boiron Calendula Cream; it also comes in a gel.

flag6818

duffyzmom- yes!!! Rib pain!!!! I also can tell when I’m in the correct position. If I’m in pain, it’s the right spot, lol! Hoping this weekend will help the ribs recover.

AMLmom51

I may not be starting radiation in September as I hoped. I had my lumpectomy and IDC margins are clear; however, the DCIS spread in the opposite direction so I will have to have re-excision surgery. My surgery will be scheduled at my appointment this Tuesday.

I'm not familiar with the terminology "simulation". Is this the first appointment with the radiation oncologist?

Does the surgery site need to be completely healed before radiation is planned?

flag6818

amlmom51- I’m so sorry you have to have another surgery! I think a simulation is where they sort of do a practice run of your radiation treatment to make sure the machine is set up perfectly to target the correct area. I think it’s also called a planning scan sometimes. Anyone else know if that’s right? I’m still learning all the terminology and information; it’s too much information sometimes

Anonymous

flag6818, Mine was called CT Film Markings. I had it Thursday. It is a planning scan.

The oncologist marked areas around my breast that need treatment, then the technician gave me a CT scan. The marks won't be removed until my last radiation treatment.

In the mean time, I can't bathe or swim ; when showering I face opposite from the shower head so the water doesn't hit the area too hard. Received a list of 12 do's and don'ts (eg. pat don't scrub; don't wash marks off or try to re-mark).

Article at this site: The Radiation Planning Session (Simulation)

Ingerp

AMLMom in addition to the scan/pictures/tattoos, some treatment centers call your first actual radiation appointment a simulation because they check to see if everything lines up okay and may or may not actually zap you. Last time they said everything looked good to go so they went ahead and treated me that first day. I’m not sure but think this might be more common when your left side is being treated and you have to do the breath hold thing.

Di356

Hi

I will be starting my radiation September 17th. 17 treatments. I finished my chemo August 7th.

I also cannot wait to get back to ME again. I'm starting to feel alittle better from the chemo

Side effects. I just hope radiation is good to me.

Embrace Life

Anonymous

A few questions:

Do you drive yourself to treatment?

Besides becoming tired and some redness, etc. where the treatment is applied, has anyone experienced any other side effects. I've read about radiation pneumonitis and wondering how common it is.

Thank you.