MAY 2009 Rads

May I join you?  I may have to leave eventually for the June rads as I think mine will be closer to the end of May.  I'm trying to start AFTER my dd finishes pre-school so I can stay on a regular schedule.

Funny that I haven't really been nervous about rads...that will probably come back to bite me.  I don't know a ton of the details but my dx is about the same as yours, Lisa, so I would assume it will be very similar. 

Hello Ladies:

I will most likely start my rads in May. I finish Chemo on the 12 of April. I had a quick question if I could. I will be going to city of Hope for Rads. They are asking me to bring with me for my initial consult my slides of pathology from surgery. A DVD of MRI. Latest blood work, as well as oprative report, most recent chemo records and notes. This seems a little excessive. Like they are taking over as regular onc. not just rad onc. What was required from you.

Lisa:Where are you having treatment? Just curious. I will be driving a long distance to city of hope as they are in Duarte. I live in Glendale so about 25 min to 30 each way no traffic. (like that ever happens)

Lisa: Amazing how we are journeying together. Glad to see we have made it this far. We are one right after the other. I can not wait to get this behind me. I am not worried about the Rads. Nothing could be as bad a chemo. I want my taste buds back and energy and hair. Same as everyone does. I love your pic. Be well.

HI there California Girls-- ok if this Midwesterner joins you?   I will have my last chemo on Apr 16 - that day my med onc will arrange my initial appt with the rad onc for 10 - 13 days post-chemo,  Will likely start rads a 1-2 weeks later.  Daily drives to Duluth MN - 75 miles  managable traffic, nice scenery.. maybe a few stray deer and other assorted wildlife.  It'll be a 3--4 hour daily adventure --- lots of friends/co-workers have offered to drive, and I intend to take each and every one of them up on the offer.  

I will get my radiation in the same health system as my imaging/surgery/chemo, so all my data is at the rad onc fingertips.  My chemo nurse told me the rad onc will manage the rad therapy and determine the type and frequency of imaging (mammograms vs.MRI) that is best for me post-radiation.  My med onc will manage my hormone therapy and schedule regular follow-up appts - usually every three months.  Not really sure what other ongoing screening I will need - know a colonoscopy is in my future in the Fall.

Everyone tells me rads are so much easier than chemo - I am choosing to believe that with all my heart. Hope that is the case for all of us.  Nice to be traveling this leg of the journey with you. 

Welcome kt57, Princess,: We can bask in the radiation glow together. (GULP)

Thanks Bold - -   May our Doctors and Nurses and Technicians and Radiation machines (!) all be imbued with the highest healing energy! To Life!

Hello All:

 Another midwesterner here. I'm in Northern Kentucky, about 5 minutes across the Ohio River from Cincinnati.I am going  to start in May as well.Don't have date yet. Undergoing inflation of expanders. Should be finished in about 2 weeks. Then will go in for 3D conformational visit.I will have 25 treatments over 5 weeks with no boosts.

PrincessKauai59: I also must have entire right chest wall,supraclavicular nodes and axilla radiated. Am hopeful not burned so badly can't have implants.

 Med onc started me on Arimidex 4/1 while undergoing inflation( I finished last chemo 3/10), then will take me off during radiation, then put me back on for 5 years.Having serious depression on this med, and return of previously "cured" (with Neurontin) hot flashes.Like having constant PMS. Has anyone else started this med yet?

 I need radiation because I had cancer in both breasts ( 2 different tumors!) and in 3 of 14 nodes by time diagnosed. (Even though I had mammograms every year for 15 years that were read as normal).I also had short margins at the skin(less than a mm).I also had more than 1 tumor in each breast.

I've been told fatigue occurs in 75% of patients but starting an exercise program in advance helps. So I'm on the treadmill everyday and waiting for our weather to warm up soon so can walk outside.Jealous of you California ladies and your blue skies and warm weather.But kt57- I'm guessing our spring comes earlier than yours?

 I will only have to drive about 10 minutes to my treatments. My doc uses hospitals in Cincinnati and in Northern Kentucky, so I had my choice. Chose Ky of course. Rush hour traffic on bridge to Cincy probably not as bad as LA traffic, but it is brutal! 

Kindly permit me to join the May group. I'll look forward to having companions along the way.

Hi lisalisa:

Believe it or not, only radiating right side.Because left side did not involve nodes, no lymphovascular invasion and had big margins(1.5 cms) around largest tumor.

The mammographer did not find most of the tumors, even on day he finally found one in right breast.I was scheduled for a simple lumpectomy until my OB told me I needed an MRI before lumpectomy.MRI picked up multiple tumors in both breasts. Original surgeon was upset I had MRI and didn't believe I really had so much cancer, so was going to "poke around" in my breasts! So I fired her, got a better oncological surgeon and had bilateral mastectomies. The path report was shocking. Even my ducts were full of DCIS.

I've also heard different stories on whether one is fair or not makes you more vulnerable to burning. I'm Irish, but not a redhead.I'm going to be given an injection two times a week called amofostine to try to prevent fibrosis. Hope it works.   

Bold: you're right- let's get it behind us.

PrincessKauai59- thanks for the welcome.

Mine was missed on mammogram too, as apparently this is typical of lobular ca.  Also missed on mammo: my mother's post-menopausal breast cancer and my sister-in-law's breast cancer...  I'll have both MRI and mammogram f/u on remaining breast.  Don't really want the mammo, but Oncologist states it's necessary still.    Am off to the Sonoma Coast for the weekend - - best to all!

Ok, so it appears I may be the only "South East" gal here so far! (Raleigh, NC).

You can count me in as one of the "mammogram missed my tumor" gals.  I had a baseline last May that was clean (I still have the letter that says "no evidence of cancer" Yikes!)  When I went for the diagnostic mammogram my "dense breast tissue" hid the 3cm tumor!!

As far as rads go, not quite there yet.  My last chemo is 4/17...yipeee!!!  At which point we'll make an appointment with the rad oncologist and go from there.

Everyone have a great weekend!

Diane

Beth2009: Welcome   What kind of chemo are your getting?   

Tami, I have an hour and half each way (80 miles).  Have many offers to drive or ride along for company -- will take them up on their kindness, just to help the time go by.  It's an easy drive -- not big city traffic - a few stray deer is the greatest risk.   Think it will be nice to go by myself sometimes too - head clearing, sing at the top of your lungs time!