July 2009 rads group

I'm starting rads tomorrow, June 29th so I would like to join the July group. I had my simulation last Thursday and will find out tomorrow how many treatments I will have. This was not how I planned to spend my summer, but I look for humor in everything.

I had not planned on spending my summer this way either but like you said have to find humor, I tell everyone I will be most radiant this summer, it wil be hard staying out of the sun, we have a huge garden but plan on going out early morn and evening.  Hope all goes well.

I'm having my simulation July 7.  I can't wait to get started.  I would love to join this group.  I'm going to be an early morning gardener also -- this is the hardest part for me!  I spent last weekend with my daughter and her friends at Lake Michigan and this coming weekend will be at my best friends cottage up north.  Then no sun.    Started on hormones 2 weeks ago.  Oncotype score 17. 

I haven't gotten all my cancer information to put at the bottom -- I will get it on the 7th.  What exactly do I ask for?

Hi ladies!

 I would love to join you all as well! I just finished up 6 cycles of chemo on 6/4/09 and go in tomorrow for my simulation. I will start rads Monday (7/6) and will have between 32-34 zaps, will know more after tomorrow.

I have a sister who just finished 36 treatments, and a friend who is on #22 of 33, and both say that it is not too bad, so I hope we do as well as they did!

What creams/lotions are you all getting for your treated area?

Janine

I'm starting rads on July 7.  Had my simulation two weeks ago but am waiting for the new machine which is supposed to be better. 

I go today, ask for all the info that is posted, stage, tumor size, Grade, ER/PR and HER status.  My score was 21.  Well gotta go have to drive 1 hr 45 minutes to treatemnt will be a lot of long drives along the lake this summer!  I live in Port Hope Michigan in the Upper thumb region.

I would also love to join the group.  I was mapped last Thursday and begin treatment on July 7th.  I was told it would be for 7 weeks.  Yes, I am completely bummed about having to spend my summer this way, but it will make way for many more summers to come!  I imagine I will begin Tamoxifen once the radiation is complete.

Hi everyone,  I'm starting rads tomorrow (July 1) for 33 treatments.  A few weeks ago I was looking through the discussion boards on Komen.org and someone mentioned a cream called Recovery cream.  I took it to my simulation to ask if it was OK to use, and the nurse said that someone else was using it and liked it.  We'll see!

I'd like to join the group as well. I  had my simulation a couple of weeks ago and start on July 6 for 25 treatments. I was told to use Lubriderm if I needed it but nothing else. I'm also supposed to start Tamoxifen but need to check with radiation onc regarding start date. Good luck everyone.

Hi, Everyone~
I'd like to join this group.  I was in the June group, but for various reasons didn't get my first zap until today.  It's still technically June, but since the other 27 will be in July, here I am!

Today took quite a long time.  I was on the table for an hour while four techs lined up this and lined up that and marked me up some more.  It made me wonder what the simulation a couple of weeks ago was for.

They told me that from now on it will take only 10 minutes or so.  I was given a hydrogel to put on the entire field after every treatment.   The doctor said if there's any problem that doesn't take care of, let him know.  "We have all kinds of creams," he said. 

I don't understand the docs who don't want their patients to uses any lotions/creams/gels of any kind especially if there's pain and/or irritation.

Hugs to all,
Artemis

Another woman at church went thur this 2 years agao and she told me she used Aquafore as soon as she got home everyday and she had no problems.  My Rad said no so good luck others have had success with it!

I have been a bit concerning about burning and have been reading posts from the May and June rads group for information.  My rad onc has given me a cream called "Jean's cream"  They had me start using it twice a day from the day of my simulation and now that rads have started I go to 3x per day. 

 I have also read that aquaphor, eucerin, radiant cream, biafine and 100% aloe have been used by others with success.  I asked about these creams and the doc said they have had good results with Jean's cream so I will stay with that unless I have some burning.  The doc also said that biafine is a good cream, but is now presciption only and is not covered by some insurance plans.

I am going to use the Jean's cream 3x per day and then at night I plan to put on a layer of aloe and hope for the best.

My simulation did take quite a while, but now that I have started treatments (my 3rd), it only takes about 10 minutes.

Kathy

I started my rads on June 22nd.  This is my second of 7 weeks.  They told me 30 treatments but yesterday they told me there are actually 35 treatments because of the boosters whatever they are.  So far I have had some mild heartburn and nausea.  No burning of my skin yet.  The techs are wonderful.  They don't do tatoos, just felt tip markings with protective stickers.  My rads oncologist said she does not expect much burning but I'm usine 100% aloe anyway.  Based on what I've been reading, she is underestimating that.  They told me not to use deoderant and suggested I use Neutrogena or Dove to wash the area.  I was also advised to avoid swimming pools and hot tubs.  Bummer!

Rreynolds1

Hi Ladies.  I have my staging tomorrow. I wish I had found this site 6 months ago. What a crazy year 2009 has been! After mastectomy and 8 doses of chemo I don"t know why I am so uneasy about the radiation. Hope we all sail through.