Radiation with tissue expander

how is everyone doing?

I go for the first treatment today on the right side chest wall.  My expander has 340cc in.  I will keep you all posted.  Wish me luck!

Carolyn 2008--- It went okay.  I am itchy now and the radiation felt very warm inside.  I hope that is a normal part of the process....Anybody?

Carolyn---I put aloe on immediately after treatment, last night and this morning.  I also added aquaphor and that seems to cut down on the abrasive feeling whenever I move.  I should have been using it before this anyway!

btw, I am filled to @ 270cc.....That is my max.

I will definately do that.  HOw much do you take?  I suppose it has info on the package?  You take it or put it on????

First treatment, done. I felt nothing, no noticeable changes.  It takes longer to undress and get into position than the actual treatment it's self.  The machine is big and scary but I felt nothing during the treatment.  I will you all know as it progresses.

You know Carolyn I don't want to do it either!  I cant speak about how I will feel when it is all over but compared to what I have already been through, yesterday was a piece of cake!  I am scared of what rads will do to my reconstruction but I didn't come this far not to follow through and do everything medicine has to offer to make sure this cancer does not win.  They keep throwing me the curve balls and I'll keep knocking them out of the park!  Be brave and go do what you have to do.  We will all be here if you need a little help or a push!

Susan-sorry to hear about you being very burnt and peeling what did the doctors say about it? not sure what you mean directly under expander ? keeping my fingers crossed for you that it all works out did you use aloe and creams? look into borage oil i have it and the natural path said lots of good things it does for our skin from the inside out and highly recommend it for people going through rads i found it helped me with the expansions for the skin to stretch.

Carolyn, I was told I wouldn't need chemo or rads after surgery.  Then the pathology came back after surgery and was told I would need rads.  I so wanted to put this behind me.  The first words out of my mouth were "what if I dont do it"! For some reason I was more scared of rads than chemo. I can think of a million other things I would rather to for 28 days but I will go ahead and knock this out first. Lets hope the days go by fast and the outcome is awesome! Let us know how it goes.

Carolyn2008-- You are right where I was about a week ago.  I went to the radiologist with Ps, Bs and oncologist prediction I would NOT need rads.  Then he dropped the bomb---yes rads.  i was in a state of shock and denial.  He said the latest reports that have just come out say yes, for rads at even early stages--for me it was multifocal cancer.  I was so in denial I got a second opinion and even called in the PS to explain to me what the Sam H*LL was going on?  He said it was chancy the TE would hold up BUT I went in the right direction having a TE put in because no reconstruction and rads is even harder to deal with.  I don't want to have to go thru more surgeries, but I DO NOT want to chance more cancer in breast. 

SO , I had zap#2 and the doc and nurse said my skin looks really good and I go some lotion with aloe in it and it feels wonderful. One more day---Friday and I have two days and no zaps!!

Ktn--I am so glad you had treatment with no major problems.  This is encouraging.  And yes, isn't it interesting to note the different points of view?  So , how much tightness of the skin and muscle did you feel? 

Hugs to everyone!!

well how are we all doing?

Ktn good to hear that you treatment went well and no major problems as that is our fear with the te in so this is very encouraging for us te ladies (lol)    well your exchange will soon be here so please keep us posted how your healing is going.  How are ribs now still sore?

 Jess- how did day 3 go? any plans for your 2 days off?

susan- oh underneath ok i have heard that now a few times.  Is that common to have the expander shift? well the good thing is that the ps can almost fix anything that happens so cheers to your tummy tuck...  good to hear you are feeling better what color is your skin? 

Day 3 was okay.  I sat in the car on the way home and honed in the air conditioner vents on my breast.  Felt nice and cool.  Rad doc gave me skintherapy that is nice  but sticky.  glad to have two days off.  I have had a rash everyday so far, but it tends to fade as the hours pass.  I imagine it will get worse and longer lasting as I go. 

I have been stretching and trying to exercise and stay hydrated and that seems to help.  30 more zaps to go. 

My rad amount is calibrated to match the type of cancer i have, where it is/was on my breast and what size I am.  I am fortuante to get 3d version which is honed to stop short of the cancer findings, zap them and preserve good tissue.  I was told the intensity ratings, but i am not sure how that fits in with each and every individual.  The key is to get as close as possible to where the bad source was and preserve the rest. 

ps.. I did not have my TE deflated during rads.. and I did not let them tattoo my body for rads. I checked this out with my top radiation oncologist here in Kansas City Breast Center, Dr  Wall... MD Andersons, Dr. Yu .. and Virginia's Dr. Douglas Aurthur....

Just FYI