August 2020 Radiation Group

morrigan_2575

Anyone else starting Radiation in August? I am scheduled to start Monday 8/10 for 25 Sessions.

I went for my Simulation/CT-Scan on Friday and got my tattoos.

When I talked to my RO he said I will not get boosters but, he may use the wet rag on my boobs to make sure he gets the skin red. He said they want to see the skin get rid (I forget why).

I had a BMX and they found micromets in my Sentinel Node. I wasn't expecting Rads since they normally only do it for 4 or more lymph noses but, the Tumor Board decided it would help reduce my risk recurrence if I had Rads on top of Chemo.

megomegs

@Morrigan - I had my first treatment yesterday (8/3) and second in the middle of the storm this afternoon! I'm only getting 15 sessions because they are doing a 'supplemental' boost - which means my extra week of boost will occur at the same time as my last week of treatment...so I'll take it.

I was shocked that I actually had a minor amount of discomfort after the first treatment, and slightly more today. It's not painful yet - but I can feel the tenderness, especially around my nipple, and my inner chest area is warm like I got too much sun. Meeting with my RO tomorrow and will see what she thinks.

I've been surprised how emotional and scared the radiation process has made me, but I've loved reading the posts from others during RADS. It's made me feel more normal and slightly less stressed - so I thought I'd turn up and share my experience too.

Good luck with your treatment next week!

morrigan_2575

Sorry you had issues with your treatment. I'm hoping mine isn't too bad. I can't imagine it being any worse than 5 months of Chemo.

Did they give you anything or tell you what creams to buy?

megomegs

They provided me with Boiron Calendula Cream and told me to use it 2-3 times a day, but not within 4 hours of treatment. Others have suggested Aloe Vera and Aquaphor but I'm only using the Calendula for now. No one told me to use it in advance of starting, but other members on this site started using the creams a week or two in advance. I wish I had known to do that.

Oof. 5 months of Chemo? You are a rock star. Here's hoping RADS will be super simple for you. Keep me posted on how your treatment goes!!

morrigan_2575

thanks for the info. I've heard Aloe and Aquaphor as well. I had expected them to send me home with a list of what to buy and what to use when (after the simulation) but, from asking around it seems like they give you that after your first treatment. OK, I can be patient 😃

Chemo isn't fun but, it wasn't as bad as I feared. Thankfully it's in the rear view mirror.

dysonsphere

Thanks for sending me here Morrigan. I know zero about rads so this should be interesting journey like the rest of it!

Fab4mom

New to this group, met myRO this week and will be starting radiation in the next 2-3 weeks. Started TCHP chemo in February, DMX 7/7 with expanders found residual cancer in breast and nodes. Axillary dissection 7/14 had 1 more of 24 nodes positive. On HP infusions now through radiation and then switching to Kadcyla and adding tamoxifen.

I see a lot of my Feb chemo girls here, ready to tackle this next phase together!

morrigan_2575

I'll have to ask on Monday what they're doing. I know that sounds crazy but, I don't remember. I know from the simulation he's not doing the scar which I'm a little worried about because I have seen a few recurrences that seem to happen at the scar.

I do remember he was focusing on the lymph nodes, under my arm, my chest (between 2 boobs) and along my neck (I think).

He did mention that he wants my skin to get red because that means the radiation is hitting my skin and not just going deeper. He said that if it doesn't get red enough he'll use the wet towel trick.

I feel wholly unprepared for Monday. With Chemo and Kadcyla I did so much research and, knew what to expect, what to bring with me, what to buy, etc. With this I feel like I'm just winging it 😁

pjb61

Hi everyone. Hope it's okay if I jump in here. I started radiation on July 30 but I didn't see a July group so here I am.

I had my 6th treatment today. I will get a total of 16 whole breast treatments and then an additional 5 boosts to the tumor area. I had a lumpectomy in March and did 4 rounds of TC chemotherapy in April-June.

So far, I'm doing well. Mild soreness and maybe a bit more tired than normal but nothing too bad yet. A little worried about what is to come. Lol

Fab4mom

What does everyone’s doctor say about radiation for immunity? It seems like it shouldn’t make you immunocompromised from what I’m really a researching, but was wondering about your doctors take on ot

morrigan_2575

i don't think it does but, I will ask my RO today when I go for my first treatment.

I keep treating it like it's nothing but, I need to take it more seriously. I know it'll kick my ass eventually

pjb61

Fav4mom, I specifically asked my radiation oncologist about immunity and she said radiation for breast cancer has no effect on immunity. She said the only time radiation would affect it would be if you were having radiation in an area with large bones (where the radiation would impact bone marrow) such as the pelvis.

morrigan_2575

I just had my 3rd radiation, it's getting shorter and shorter. I spend more time driving too/from the center than I do in the center 😁

I meet with my RO tomorrow so I can ask him questions since I haven't been given much information/direction.

So far it's going well, I don't have any redness or soreness but, I know that will come. I don't have any fatigue but, I expect that will come.

morrigan_2575

4 down 21 to go.

Met with my RO today. Like pjb61 he says no issues with Immune System from Radiation.

I am getting 3D conformal radiation therapy targeting the lymph nodes. He's targeting the lymph nodes under my arms, above my clavicle and the internal mammary lymph nodes.

Fab4mom

mmorigan - I’m doing the same plan as you. Went for my simulation today and the tech said prepare for the hold my breath method, as it looked good on my simulation. It wasn’t too hard to hold my breath for 30 seconds, but I think I’ll practice this week. My tech was wonderful. I go for my first practice next Friday where they take X-rays but don’t actually do radiation and start the week after Monday.

I’m glad I have had a few OT sessions because I was fine holding my hands over my head. I definitely felt a lot of stretch in my lymph node armpit, but it was ok, and I don’t know if I could have done it if I hadn’t been working on home stretch and some in person therapy.

morrigan_2575

" I go for my first practice next Friday where they take X-rays but don’t actually do radiation and start the week after Monday."

I'm glad they told you that in advance. I showed up on Monday expecting to start Radiation and they tell me while I'm settling into the mold...oh we're just lining you up and taking pictures today. Of course at the end they decided to go ahead and do my first radiation anyway LOL.

Fab4mom

That’s crazy mmorigan. My RO is on vacation next week, so I feel like the practice will really just be practice for the tech, because I don’t think they’ll start without her on site. That’s the impression I got. I’m ok with one extra week off. I’ll be busy next week with two OT sessions for range of motion and my HP infusion, plus the Friday practice. Oh, and I’m helping my parents move out of their house of 30 years into an independent living apartment. So, life is not boring.

Festaville

Starting my radiation treatments tomorrow 8/18 at MSK Commack. RO specified I do not take any antioxidants but the list of my other supplements were given the green light. So noted , that the consensus of opinion is that your immune system is not compromised unless the treatment is in the large bone areas. My thoughts are that I want by immune system to have all it needs to keep my killer T cells working at optimum performance so they can clobber those little microscopic cancer cells that might have took a casual swim before this Rad treatment begins. Any little buggers that try to skip around the zap of the red beam beware !

Hopefully this will be doable and any issue with the skin or any other side effects, will be handled by my very knowledgeable team! A little nervous ....To be continued.........

Fab4mom

festaville - I start on Monday and am hoping this radiation zaps any cells that somehow are outsmarting my chemo, surgery and Herceptin. Good luck to you, I hope you SE’s are mild.

morrigan_2575

i had to stop ALA (for neuropathy) because of Radiation. Would be nice if they told me that before I started, only found out when I mentioned it to my MO

mheibel

I had my mapping done on Monday and start next Monday for 28 sessions. I too was told to stop my antioxidants while during radiation. My RO said they fight against the radiation. Well, I want the radiation to do it's thing so I can get through this next phase of treatment.

I'm recovering from an infection that led to surgery so my radiation was delayed a bit. I want to start PT so my arms have a better range of motion before radiation, but unfortunately I have to wait until next week to start, which doesn't help me much. I'm trying to move more on my own every day.

Hope the first few radiation treatments go well for everyone.

morrigan_2575

Does that include Multi Vitamin?

They didn't tell me anything. I'm supposed to meet with him tomorrow. This is annoying that I'm 2 weeks in and haven't been told don't take X, Y and Z. I gave him my list of medications 😡

morrigan_2575

Saw the RO today. Everything else I take is fine, I only had to stop the ALA which I did, last dose was Sunday.

I wish they had said something before I started but, they didn't seem to care much. Said it's theoretical

Fab4mom

I had my first radiation treatment today. I asked at the end if I should put anything on my skin, and was told not to put anything on it at all. My tech said if it gets pink, they’ll start by giving me aquaphor, but nothing for now. I’m worried because I read a lot of posts saying start right at the beginning with something.

Does your facility play music? Mine seems to always be on the 70’s rock station. Blaring American Women today. Just makes the experience a little more surreal or something

morrigan_2575

Yes my place has music mostly classic rock.

My RO had my putting Aloe Gera on 3xday from the start.

morrigan_2575

15/25 sessions completed. So far my skin is a little pink. 2 more weeks to go. 😁

mheibel

I'm 5 treatments in of my 28. I've been putting on lotion three times a day. My RO told me to be sure to put the lotion as far as I can reach on my back (under my arm and over my shoulder). I also can't take vitamin C and cod liver oil, but I have no side effects yet. My RO said they usually show up in week 3 or 4 and are cumulative. I'm tired, but I've been working pretty much through this whole process, chemo, surgery, then 2 more surgeries and now radiation only taking about 3 weeks off total. Grateful that I can work from home during COVID, but I'm just tired. Looking back....I wish I would have taken more time off to care for myself and process everything.....but work has been a nice distraction.

Looking forward to trying to relax this weekend and get geared up for knocking out 5 more treatments next week. Hope everyone else is doing well.

Fab4mom

mmorigan - so glad you are doing well, it gives me hope.

mheibel - I have done 5 out of 28 as well. Interesting that you are putting lotion on 3x per day. My RO told me to put absolutely nothing on it yet, and they will give me something if I start to get pink.

I had my 5th treatment yesterday and on the way my car warning light went on. The power steering went out as I pulled into the hospital lot. In true 2020 form, my car broke down, but I was able to get it safely to the side of the parking lot. I threw on the blinkers, called my hubby and went into radiation anyway. I was out before he was there and calling a tow truck. Like, literally out of the blue my car dies, but somehow I make it all work out. I feel actually lucky, even though it once again sucks. It seems like how everything is going this year. Sucky, but so far, still working out.

My skin is already feeling a little tight, and last night my shirt felt like it was rubbing a bit on my radiated area. I have very sensitive skin, so I’m worried, but so far I can handle it all. I don’t have too much extra fatigue.

morrigan_2575

My RO gave me Aloe Vera Gel Alcohol free and, told me to apply 3x day, to my boob, under arm, and become area. I also got in between the boobs and as much of my back as I can get.

I noticed last night (after #15), that my cancer boob is a little tighter (I can see the outline of the TE Port) and, it's moving from pink to red.

UnrealTarHeel

I had my first radiation of 20 on Thursday, so just squeaking in at the end of the August group. I had been hoping to use a really lovely turmeric cream that I read about and bought but my RO said it was an antioxidant and could interfere with the treatment. A neighbor used Boiron calendula and I see Megomegs is using it (I think?). So, maybe will try that--although calendula also seems to be an antioxident. Sigh. I'm so tired of trying to figure all of this out and would just love something that's not petroleum jelly, like Aquaphor is. OTOH, it's four weeks, so may just bite the bullet. Would love to hear how various remedies are working for all of you.

--Judy

CocoB122

Hi Judy,

On the advice of my RO I used a calendula cream (Boiron, there are others though, he didn't have a brand preference) once daily. But his most important rule was aquaphor every night before bed, and I followed that religiously. Today is my final radiation treatment and, knock wood, no major skin problems so far. Oh, I did experience some nipple irritation especially when sleeping. For this I used Medela brand hydrogel patches, because my SIL had extras left over from breast feeding. My RO ok'd them, and they really helped.