October Rads. 2009

Hi!  I am so happy that I found this site.  I've learned so much..

I have had 3rd treatment of 12 Taxols.  I'm seeing my oncologist tomorrow to see how I'm doing and to talk about when to start radiation.  At my last appt with him he seemed to think I could start radiation WHILE doing the Taxol.  However, when my oncology nurse tried to schedule my appt with the radiation doc, the scheduler said she likes to wait until Taxol is over with.

I can't find any information on this site about this.  I did talk to my best friend who is a nurse at Mayo Clinic about it.  She said that she had heard they were starting to do this.

It is something I really want to do so that I can be finished with all my treatments by the end of the year (I hate to start all over with my deductible). 

HI all,

Appt with Rad Onc tomorrow to find out particulars-Paulding-thanks for your info from your visit.

talk soon

Joni2

Hello, Ladies,

Nice to meet you - I've moved from board to board as this journey progresses.  Dx'd with DCIS on 8/24; lumpectomy 9/18; path report comes in tomorrow.  If clear margins, on to Rad Tx.  Met with the radiation oncologist last week.   I'm supposed to have a total of 35 treatments but we are going on vacation right before Thanksgiving - so, I need to start rads next week (10/1) with simulation this Friday.

My poor breast is all bruised from the lumpectomy.  I've been using Arnica gel to help speed up the healing so I can move forward.

This whole thing started only a month ago.  My husband and I are still in shock, I think.   Our support has been tremendous - but it's still happening to us.

I'm so glad to have you with me and to be with you in the 7 weeks or so.  I read all of your posts (read through most of the September rads group posts already).  SO HELPFUL!!!

 Liz

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on your clean margins and no chemo, Liz.  I'm really happy for you.  My margins weren't clean.  I had my re-excision on 9/3 after Chemo.  This time, I was free and clear of cancer.  YAY!! 

I went for my initial set up today and it went well.  My tech was an absolute sweetheart and answered so many of my questions!! 

First, they made the mold that will fit around my body to keep me in position during my treatments, then she did some markings with a permanent marker and took pictures, and finally, I had the CT Scan.  Piece of cake.  The whole thing took a half hour or so. 

I go for my simulation Wednesday (9/30) and start Rads the next day (10/1).  I'm going at 10:30 every morning.  That seemed like a good time.  I'll be finished on November 12th. 

I'm nervous.  It's the fear of the unknown.  I was told that after having gone thru Chemo, Rads would seem like a walk in the park.  I hope that's the case.  I couldn't stand it if it was anything like Chemo.  I felt like crap by the end of that and I'm just starting to feel better now.  Also hoping my skin holds up.

I bought Dove body wash today and a big tube of Eucerin Calming Ointment.  I think I'm going to pickup some of the pure Aloe you girls have mentioned as well.  Can't hurt!!

My very best to everyone as we continue this journey together!! 

Hi,  I just finished my chemo yesterday and will be starting radiation within the next few weeks. I have had first consult visit and will be going in for my marking soon. My question is regarding the porta cath - did you have one and if so when do you plan to have it removed? Mine is scheduled to be removed October 8 and some folks are telling me that is too soon.

Dx: 3/18/09 IDC; 2.5cm; grade 3; stage 1-2; ER/PR+

Hello all,

 I had my first radiation treatment yesterday and would love to join this group since i'll be going all through October.

I did AC x 4 and Taxol x 12, finishing on Sept 8 (I am in the March Warrior Princesses chemo group)  and had the port out  on September 16. My onco was happy for me to have it out that quickly as my blood counts had always been fine. 

I elected not to have tattoos so have six large crosses on me covered by clear stickers! First treatment yesterday was a complete anti-climax - I was only on the table for 15 minutes and most of that was them getting me into position. I am  using Vitamin E cream but am also going to get a calendula cream after reading about it elsewhere on the Radiation board.

My naturopath has told me to cut down on carbs and especially sugars - apparently a low carb diet 'cools' your body which helps counteract the effect of radiation. Anyone else been told this?

Thanks so much! All of this info really helps me and I believe I am going to go ahead and have it removed on the 8th. Mine has been aggravating the crap out of me also Patti. It became inflammed on one occasion and scared me goofy! I just want it out. Mine is pretty deep and will have to go to OP surgery to have it removed. Good luck to all you guys and we'll just keep hanging on for the next adventure.    Virginia

So, had the "pillow" molded today, as well as the CT & the tattoos.  1st rad scheduled for 9-29-09.  I have an appt with onc on 10-1 & I'm going to insist that the port-be-gone!  Have hated it the whole time (thankful to have had it on chemo days tho', hated it the rest of the time).  Thanksgiving will mean alot more to me this year than in years past is all I have to say.

Joni2

Dear strngwmn39:

I had my mx in late April, so I've had a while to gain back my strength and flexibility.  My surgeon said to do my exercises, and when I thought I couldn't go any further, to go another inch.  It was painful at first but I am greatly improved at this point.  I still have pain when I extend fully over my head, but even that has reduced. 

I finished chemo 3 weeks ago and start radiation on Monday 9/28.  I think you are correct, the field of treatment will be larger that it might be for lumpectomy, but I don't know if that will mean different SEs or not.  You might want to ask your onc about taking something for the discomfort prior to your treatments - Tylenol or whatever.  The treatment sessions are not that long, but you could ask about pre-medicating to see if that makes you more comfortable. 

Best of luck - take care of yourself.

Hi Everyone,

I have my first appointment with the radiation oncologist on Wednesday. Can you please tell me what to expect? Also, I met with a medical oncologist yesterday. He gave me my first prescription for tamoxifen. He said that I could start taking it immediately, or wait till after radiation. Is there any benefit for waiting until after radiation or should I start now?

Deb

Hi, Deb,

During my initial meeting with the radiation oncologist he did a brief physical exam (this was two days before my lumpectomy).  We talked for about an hour - thanks to these boards, I had pretty specific questions.  He explained radiation therapy, number of treatments, etc. We talked, mostly, about side effects (skin changes and fatigue). 

I had my surgery on 9/18.  Today was the "simulation".  Normally, he likes to start rads a month after surgery.  We are going on vacation right before Thanksgiving, so this whole process needed to start earlier.

The simulation took about 40 minutes.  I met with the doctor for 15" or so - to finish asking questions and to sign the consent.  Then, it was on to a room for "molding". For this, I just laid on a table with my arm over my head (this was the only hard part...) for 20" or so.  During this time, the table went in and out of a CAT scan machine.  They put wires or something on my chest to help with "markings" (these came off after the process was over).   Then, they put 4 large X's in different places (these are made with a permanent marking pen - that may "wear off" on your clothes over time) and, I think, that's where the "tattoos" were put.  These tattoos are so tiny - they were like 4 tiny bug bites. 

I have a very low pain threshold and found this whole thing to be just fine.

Hope this answers a little bit of your questions?

My official rads start next Wednesday (9/30).  Looking forward to getting a move on this process.

Best,

Liz

 Hello Ladies,

I started with AccuBoost Breast Cancer Radiotherapy procedure on Sept 22.

 I start radiation on Sept 30. Anyone else start with AccuBoost Cancer Radiotherapy Procedure?

 Dolores, I don't know what that Star Wars sounding procedure is, so I guess I'm not having it.

Little Red, I've been told that for some gals who have had chemo & are going into rads that you actually start to feel better as it proceeds because you are recovering from the chemo, so you feel better each day & the radiation doesn't zap as much as the chemo.  Of course, everyone is different, but I'm hoping that's true in my case!  I've been working all through chemo with just a day off here & there, but it's definitely been a struggle.

Joni2 

Hello again

I had my first 5 rad treatments this week, and going back for # 6 on monday, so I will be a little ahead of some of you, I have been reading both here and Sept. Rads group.

So far so good, I have been using the aloe vera as instructed, and have no "sunburn yet, I do have a swelling around the nipple, it's looking just like the bad reaction I had to the blue tracer dye, it did not show up until today, I will be sure to ask doc about this tomorrow as aloe vera does not relieve the pain associated with the swelling. I wear cotton inside my bra, and that seems to help, without a bra any movement does create some pain. The treatment is very short for me, I am in and out in 8 to 10 minutes. I can feel I tense up when the actual radiation is going on, can't help myself, it's no more than 12 seconds on one side, then it buzzed over to the other side and zaps me again for 15 or so seconds, I try to breathe normal, but so far have failed there. The techs are kind, say I am doing ok, and breathing is allowed, heehee.

dsgirl

Hi all

I'm starting radiation on Wednesday this week. 

I had neoadjuvant chemotherapy first - finished Mid July.  I had a mastectomy end of August. 

I'm looking forward to getting this next phase out of the way.  I'm planning on working full time - hoping radiaiton doesn't take too much out of me. 

Good luck to everyone!