SEPTEMBER 2009 RADS

I was told that rads were a piece of cake except for the initial consult.  I disagree.  It is depressing to have this committment every day.  I have large breasts and i get 14 zaps and it takes fifteen minutes, maybe 20, my shoulders are killing me from having my arms up overhead.  However, an 84 yr old lady told me, well if its helping you be grateful and she humbled me.  I have yet to have the skin problems but the breast is hardening a bit and painful.  I've had 14 treatments so far, have many more to go because of the size of the breast.  I've met some nice people in the waiting rooms, the staff is great, but i hate rads.  I will be so glad to get it over with. And i think they are raising my blood pressure, at least the stress of it is.  I hate that noise the machine makes too!  The table is hard.  You'd think there would be contoured table for us in the 21st century!  I will be in rads for all of September!  Started Aug 17.  Labor Day weekend...yea!  Monday off!!!

Kawee -  Well, that certainly explains why that woman is an acquaintance and not a friend. You're right, she just doesn't get it !

All - I got my start date for Rads - September 16th. Now for the odd question: Does anyone know what brand(s) of permanent ink, the technicians use instead of tattoos ? 

My radonc was kind enough to let me use ink instead (I had a list of good reasons) but I'm pretty certain that they just do not do this at my hospital so my guess is, they used regular rather than permanent ink. I'm covered in tegaderm tape to protect the markings. Since I'm concerned about having the tape on throughout rads - can't moisturize under them and will, at least at somepoint, have to pull them off (ooch) and change them - I'd like to find and buy some of the permanent ink pens others use, just as an extra precaution. I'm a belt and suspender type but I'm thinking that a trip to Staples may not be sufficient. Help !

All - Hi -- I'm thorugh Rad# 4.  So far its been OK with no major SE.  I have woken up wheezing the last 2 days and of course afraid that this is from rads.  Even though they assure me it is not.  I have tried to walk or run every day and so far I've been able to. 

I do get tired -- especially the few hours after -- I go about 10 and come home eat lunch and just want to fall asleep.  But all in all its been OK.  I am using lotion and Caldera every day.

Wanted to ask about Vitamin D -- my rad onc told me not to take it -- but BetsyBuzz sounds like yours said OK.  I ask because in February before diagnosed I had a physical and my Vitamin D was really low so I have been taking supplements and wanted to continue....

I asked for tattoos -- at my sim they put huge lines and crosses all in ink that went up half way to my neck and then tegaderm circles 6 different places -- this did not seem like something I could live with for 6 - 7 weeks -- so had tattoos put on.  It helps so that I don't have to worry in the shower or while running / sweatring...

Reading everyone's input and thoughts has really helped me.

elimar - Thanks for the inpput. Like you, I care more about permanent marks on my skin than I do the inconvenience including the inside of clothes I wear during radiation  - which, let's face it, are gonna get goopy anyway. (I bought a few packs of mens undershirts from Target which I'll just toss when this is over.) Not to sound dumb, but are you using regular Sharpies like from a office supply store ? Do they smear if you add lotions and such several times a day ?

Thanks Kawee and Ikat....I will have a total of 25 and then 5 boosts. I am so glad not to have to go in tomorrow. They had to take some films of me in between the radiation on Thursday, which took longer and then when I went in on Friday, I had to re-do them again because they said the machine was down when I did them the day before and they didn't realize it!

I don't know about all the places, but ...  If I had wanted tattoos, they would have been small dots.  I COULD see the ones they put on my mom (when she got rads for lung cancer a few months ago.)  I chose Sharpie marks, having first read about it on BC.org, otherwise I probably would have been too uninformed to even make an alternate request.  Finally, my marks are crosses that are about an inch long and I'm assuminig that this is because if they made them freckle sized, they might get rubbed off too easily.

To me, I'm lucky that I read these forums to even KNOW that there was an option besides tattoos.   It's not like my Rad-Onc place would have volunteered the info.  They have a consent form with the tattooing procedure on there as a part of rads, and I'm sure it gets signed by many just as a matter of course.   I crossed it out on mine and wrote in Sharpie. 

I dont think that many hospitals actually consider the ink an option and thus don't feel the need to mention it.  Luckily, I read about it here and it was a big deal for me so as soon as I knew it wasn't a medical necessity, I lobbied hard and they were kind enough to concede. With that said, I'm at least a contender for the "Mine is Bigger Than Yours" Contest. Although the ink dots are relatively small, they put the dot in the middle of a cross so that the dot would be easier to find. All in all, it looks like someone played tic tac toe on and around my breast. But, so what...I'm thrilled they will be gone when rads are over. I'll buy a selection of Sharpies next week.

As for the location and number, my guess is that it somehow relates to the location of our breast cancer. I know these are guide marks to direct the radiation beams.

I hope those of you who are already in the midst of session, enjoy having tomorrow off ! 

I had 4 tx b/4 they mentioned about tatoos on 4 of the important points. I said, "OK, it's not like I'm a stripper. Even the senior center wouldn't hire me." (I'm 58, pushing 59.) Well, I still can't see where they tatooed. At least I don't have to be remarked & clear dots on those areas. They change the dots & remark the other areas just about every day. I've been amazed that I haven't broken out from the little clear bandages; I break out from everything. I've had 8 tx & so far everything seems to be going fine--rt breast has just gotten a little pink & a little more tender after Fri. I've just gotten a tube of Jeans Cream, which I heard about on these boards, so I will be using it regularly. At least it's not as goopy as the Aquafor samples that I was given at the start. The Jeans Cream is pretty pricey, so I'll find out whether or not it was worth it. 8 down, 17 more full breast ones & 10 boosts to go--but who's counting?!?!

My rad onc recommended the use of Lindi body lotion at least twice a day during rads.  Here is the link to the Lindi site.  I've done 5 rad treatments thus far.  The Lindi lotion is great and not too slimy.  It is made for people undergoing chemo or radiation.

 http://www.lindiskin.com/

Wow, dsgirl...that is a long round trip! I am fortunate that mine is only 10 minutes away.

I was very apprehensive about getting the tattoos and was going to deny them all together, but the rad techs kind of talked me into it. They kept telling me that it is my choice though. I think that since I really didn't want them, she did them very very small and light. I can barely see the two on my chest and the other two are my sides are a little bit bigger, but not noticeable.

dsgirl...what a long trip for you to be zapped!  It only takes 10 min. or less once you are "tattooed"...ccbaby...I don't like the tattoos alot either but I guess we just have to look as them as "warrior" wounds...we have to do this to KILL that freaking cancer...a few little brown spots are definetly worth it in the long run....

lol- yes it's a distance to drive for so many weeks, I think it was 6 weeks of radiation mentioned by the medical oncologist, but it beats what we had to travel to see the breast cancer surgeon and medical oncologist, that was 320 round trip. We did stay at a motel the week of the surgery, and have gone there 5 times for appointments where we just stayed overnight, the final appointment is coming up this week, and I will be turned over to the Rad doc the following week.

My primary doctor is located where I will have the radiation treatments. I have heard of people driving 100 miles or more to go to work, and since we are retired we can take our time and take time for sightseing, eating out or picnics, go to a show or shopping, I hope.

dsgirl

Don't know about anyone else, but I am dreading going back tomorrow.  Feel like I have anxieties tonight.  I don't know why, it doesn't hurt, takes 10 minutes.  Tomorrow is #16 and I am really tired (again, I have Lupus also).  I guess I'm afraid it will just keeping worse and worse and people are going to have to carry me there.  I know it's silly, but I hate this fatigue.  It really helps if I just am really careful and not do too much, but even then I feel like I weigh about 1000 lbs.  (I really only weigh 150.  I take a nap everyday.  I know I shouldn't worry.  It is what it is.  Thank goodness for my absolute jewel of a husband and that I don't work and I have a someone come in to clean.  Compared to alot of you I am blessed.  My darling daughter sent me a care package of movies, books, CD's and a large Starbucks card (she knows that's where I go when I feel sorry for myself. 

dsgirl - driving 150 miles and all you've been thru with the traveling.  My hat's off to you!!  I'm also retired, so we are blessed in that respect! 

Hi ladies,

may I join in? I have the first of 34 txs tomorrow.  Had my sim last week, 4 tatoos and all. My only concern is that because of my bone mets my back hurts if I stay on the table for too long...so hopefuly it will be fast. My doc prescribed xclair cream for the area. Has anyone used it? Thanks for all the info and good luck to all of us!

Ineia

Ineia, Mine only takes 5 to 10 minutes.  Onc told me to use 100% aloe vera gel.  So far, so good.

Let us know how it went and how you did.