SEPTEMBER 2009 RADS

BetsyBuzz, you bragger you.  All I did was sit around today.  They are going to increase my prednisone full time til I'm done because they think the rads are causing too much stress on my body with the Lupus.  But really, not as bad as I thought I would be!!!  Breast looks great!!!

Cake, we're 18 down.  I didn't want to take Monday off,  I like things to be even and organized (is that alittle weird?).  If we wouldn't have, we'd be done with 20 tomorrow.  Time has really flown and now I know -- I CAN DO THIS, YEA!!!

Hello Ladies

I had my SIM this week and I hated it and glad that is over. I can't believe after everything I have been through that I cried during the SIM. It almost makes me laugh now at myself. I am having a lot of problems with cording from my lymph node surgery and it hurts to lift my arm above my head. So staying in the position for so long with my head turned to the side caused me excruiating pain. Then I believe I had some type of Post Traumatic thing going on from the sentinel node biopsy because when they said they were going to tattoo me now all I could think about was that horrible procedure for the SNB. But once again I got through it and now I can start my rads on Sept 18th. I am ready to get this show on the road!

Reading all the posts to get advice going forward. Thank you all for your support.

Betsy --you only have 2 zaps???? wow --I have 5 angles--anyone else out there with that many--Iguess everyone treatment is different-- still only takes 5 minutes total so getting used to in and out withing 10 minutes including undressed and dressed-- hope eveyone has a good weekend--Laura

I have 5 different zaps and it takes about 20 minutes total. They have to reposition everything in between each zap. I think I have mentioned this before, but it is painful for me because I have my arms up for so long. They fall asleep and my upper back starts aching because my head is turned to the side.  Everyone's experience is different.

I get only two angles on my right side, and it covers my SNB area.  Maybe those of you getting more are having your left side done, which is trickier around the heart???

Stephanie,

I am sorry you had a tough time with your planning. I remember mine, I felt like a cancer patient there. And yesterday I had my first Rads and also felt like a patient. There is something, for me, about lying flat on a table with my arms up and having people fussing with big machines that makes me feel incredibly vulnerable. I had my second rads today and it was very easy and fast. I was trying to figure out why the rads feel harder than the chemo, and I think it's because, for me, my chemo nurse was so amazing that I felt she was there to guide me and be with me, while the rads really do fee much more inpersonal.  The staff are fine, it's just less personal and again, I think for me, the lying down makes me feel less in control.

I bought some aquaphor, some unscented dove and Toms of Maine deoderant.  Also I bought some aloe leaves to get the pure gel onto my skin.  We'll see how it all goes. It seems like I'm goign to be rubbing something into my breast all the time!!!

2 down and only 31 to go for me!

Pam

You know, when I first started I was scared to death.  I cried my first time and backed up and didn't want to get on the table.  The two young techs were all wide eyed, and were uncomfortable with the whole scene.  Finally, I got myself together, got on that stupid table and cried all the way thru it.  Now the weird part (just so you think I don't know it's weird). The music they were playing- the words were, "don't cry baby, don't cry", and it I remember thru the tears that this is really weird.  Anyway, now look at me, I can't wait to climb up on that thing, and let's get it on and over with.  All is well and we are all doing really good.  My husband keeps telling me how proud he is of me and my sister says, "you're doing much better than I ever would".  But, ladies what are we supposed to do?  You just get tough, do what you have to and it all turns out good.     

well 9 down--Betsy  i too am on my right side are you getting imrt or tomography cause mine is just the regular rads--weird how every place seems a little different-- also my wbc went down a little this week and so did my platelets--that is freaking me out cause they were on the way up last week--my red blood count is getting better --any one else further into treatment having this problem--will talk to the rad onc. next week--

aris--I am having a harder time emotionally with rads too---just cant wrap my arms around it --gotta get through it--thought i was doing ok then I got my labs back and started freaking out again--

stay strong everyone the weekend is here--Laura 

Is everyone having blood tests during radiation?  I'm finishing week 4 and haven't had one.  I didn't have chemo, does that make a difference?

I had treatment #18 yesterday.  I'm a little over half way done!  My rad onc. said I will get bloodwork once during treatment but she hasn't ordered it yet.  I get three zaps and then the machine moves to the other side and I get two more zaps.  Takes about 6 or 7 minutes start to finish.  My skin is  starting to darken especially under my arm.  My arm feels heavy too; anyone else experiencing this?  I mentioned it to the techs but they didn't have much of an answer.  I'll mention it to the doc when I see her next week.  Still using aloe and aquaphor; have little pink bumps on my skin now but nothing major.  By the end of the day my breast is really sore and the bra is bugging me.  Still working, but I have to nap after work each day.  Need the nap to get through the evening!   We're off to take see The Lion King on Broadway!  I'm so excited - something "normal".  Have a good weekend everyone!

WLL--ususally they wait a couple of weeks after treatment ---I actually didnt start until 5 weeks which probably was long but in my case I had 2 Simulations 1 week before i actually started the rads--you probably should talk to your onc. and get in to see the rad onc so they can get a plan and you can get your questions answered --I had lots of questions and decisions to make before starting as I was in a gray zone and wasnt sure what I was going to do-- make a list of your questions that really helps cause for me a lot of questions came up --good luck --it is easier than chemo in many ways--stay strong we will all get through this!!!-

I am having labwork every week--that is their protocol-- on one hand I am glad they are watching on the other hand it makes me crazy when i see it keep going down--hope it stablizing real soon --today is not a great day for me I seem more worried about everything today--havent really felt this way - today i am more freaked out about all that is going on with my body --maybe cause of those lab numbers--just cant put a finger on it--well guess I will go for a walk and maybe that will make me feel better---hope everyone is having a good weekend-- 

MTG - I totally get it, that's the way I was.  But I've already finished 19.  You'll do GREAT!! 

Finally started today - so far so good.  I get two zaps,  the machine moves by itself - the whole process takes maybe 5 minutes???  I am hoping that machine knows what it is doing!!!!  Kind of surreal.

Of course, the ferry ride etc. takes me an hour to get there.   

It has been very helpful to read thru and see what to expect!

Hope everyone is doing well!

ljh58 - I hope all went smoothly.

ljh58, aprilgirl 1, sandy425 - Looks like we'll all be going through this simultaneously. Tomorrow is my first of  33 + a booster. How many are each of you scheduled for ?