November Rads 2009

Marcia- I have Kaiser too. I know each Kaiser plan may be different, but I was referred to a rad facility by Kaiser and I had to pay a $25 copay to see the rad onc for my first visit, and I have no copays for the rad treatments. I verified this through the rad office and Kaiser before starting. I had a lumpectomy and SNB through Kaiser and was charged a $500 copay - then I find out that my plan says I have a $500 copay for surgery as an inpatient and only $25 for outpatient surgery - my surgery was definitely outpatient, as soon as I woke up they were like "here's your clothes, don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out" seriously the nurse didn't even make sure I was ok to sit up, get out of the bed and dress on my own, and then I walked out with my husband. So I am having Kaiser investigate the charges. the surgeon even told me on the day of my surgery that I was not spending the night and that she had coded it wrong, but she corrected it prior to surgery, she was new to the Kaiser system.

I have the high option Kaiser. About going home the same day. I knew it would be that way and actually I had my husband stop at MickyD's on the way home. I got home by 7 exhausted but not in any pain. I took the meds and went to bed.

After having both knees replaced NOTHING can come close to that pain...

marcia

Glad to see everyone is doing as best as possible.  I think I will try the red wine.  I am on xanex but at this point I think a glass of wine might help me a tad.  But of course I will ask my Dr. first.  I feel like a little kid always asking permission.

This weekend was relaxing. I did too much yesterday so feel like dog doo today, but at least I got out like a human.  No puking yesterday and today.  It is deffinatly the rads.  I fellow sister here told me she did the same thing for about a week then was ok.  I hope it goes away soon.  I am sor tired of puking.  But the end is near!  I am very thankful I only have 5 weeks to do.  

Has anyone not had reconstruction yet that is planning on doing it?  I plan on doing DIEP, as soon as I can, but now I hear I have to wait about 6-9 months after rads.  I was so hoping to have some boobs by spring, but now doest look that way.

Much love Deb 

Lauren, happy anniversary!  

Here's an article about the red wine study:  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32648681/ns/health-cancer/

Of course, get your doctor's OK first.   

Well, good luck ladies - it is Monday, and a week with five more rads. Hoping we all have minimal SE's

It's Monday and another week of RADS begin minus Thanksgiving of course.  I've been like a blausy lump al day today.  Sooo tired. Next week on Tuesday is my last day for Rads. I hope everyone is doing ok.  So far I am not nasueous anymore, and have had virtually no skin problems at all.  Yesterday I noticed I was a little blotchy red on the clavicle area, and under my armpit.  So I've been slathering the aloe gel they gave me, and it seems to be working.

Today will be 16 of 28. Skin is holding up pretty well, but a little redness along my clavical and underarm. I spent a week in a compression bandage for a seroma that devloped along my right (non cancer) mastectomy incision line. I'm hoping that the fluid build up has stopped and I won't need it drained again.

I have found a wonderful device to help spread the pressure of a seat belt across my chest area. It is a heavy duty nylon thingy that you slip the seat belt through and secure with self contained velcro tabs to hold it in place. I got it at an auto supply store for about $15.00. It's easy to move from car to car or driver to passenger side.  It was designed for short people to keep the seat belt riding up on their neck. I love it.

I've conquered my fear of the whole rads process by asking questions and more questions. (I'm such a geek.) My technician is wonderful about answering them and seems to take pleasure in educating me. My macine is one that rotates around my body. It makes four stops, but I wanted to know why she flipped the lense after position #3. She showed me these shaded areas along the edge of the lens and explained that those edges deflect the rays and cause them to curve along the shape of my chest. The angel is reversed after stops #1, #2 and #3 (left side) which has to curve up and she has to change it to curve down (right side) for stop #4. She also explained about the "gel pack" she lays on top of my mold for "shots" #3 and #4. It acts as extra layers of skin and fat so that the dept of ray penetration can be adjusted so as not to adversely affect lung tissue.

My technician will let me use my iPod, but I find I'm only on the table long enough to listen to one or two songs so it's hardley worth it. She does let me know the times she's going to have me on the table longer for taking xrays or films so that's the only time I use the iPod.

The one thing I haven't heard anyone else say is if they feel dizzy when they sit up after treatment?

About the "pressure of a seat belt across my chest area" issue. I posted on this way back after my surgery, and got some great replies. I bought a small clip for this purpose at an Auto Zone. Before anyone runs out to get something similar, whether clip or Velcro-type, call the stores first. I was told at several that they don't carry them anymore due to liability issues.

After I got mine, someone posted to my thread that they used a scrunchie! With the belt unfastened, slip the scrunchie on over the buckle insert part. Wrap it around several times. Fasten the seat belt, then slide the scrunchie up into position until it is comfortable. The advantage to the scrunchie is it can stay in place on the seat belt all the time and can't get lost. I find with my clip I have to take it off, or it falls off when I let the belt retract, sometimes flipping under the seat or behind.  If I didn't already have the clip I would go get a scrunchie.

Hi guys, just checking in.    I thought you might enjoy this hospital directory they posted on engrish.com today.       http://www.engrish.com/index.php

I think I'd rather go to 'Super room of B' today...  the others sound kind of scary.  

I have some swelling in my breast/underarm area after 4 treatments.  My SNB scar stings a bit and the back of my upper arm is sore again like it was after surgery.  My nipple is sore too.  An Advil takes care of all that, though, so overall it's going OK .   

Hubby is off from work this week.   It's so nice to be driven to treatments! 

Kime _ congrats. What a feeling to be done. I've only 25 more to go and I'm with you. 

mom2acat - thanks for the input re: Zometa during rads.  It took it and it was fine - no flu-like side effects I was prepared for.

Meanwhile I'm on the second half with my 19th treatment out of 33.  Pretty much same old -same old.  Bumpy rash on my collar bone, pinking up, crazy itching (like a sunburn), boob is swollen and sensitive, scars redder, one day nauseous and no appetite, next day not, more tired than usual - nothing special - you've all got it.

Anyone know about the boosts?  Do they last longer or are they just a stronger zap?

And one question/observation.......if the machine can zap us right through the table for those back zaps, why can't we wear a t-shirt so we don't have to freeze in there?

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday everyone!!!

Momuska - the boosts are not stronger, and are a bit shorter in time - but they are just concentrated on your surgical cavity (if you had a lumpectomy, as I did - a large one).  I have two more boosts to go and I'm done with my 33 sets of rads.  My breast is not lumpy, just very red, no blisters, fortunately, but my sentinel scar and part of my armpit are the sorest.  They say we heal quickly from all this - sure hope so.  I look like a lobster bit into my chest and decided to hang on there forever!  Good luck - stay strong.

Linda 

kime - CONGRATS on being done!  For me 1 week from tomorrow, can't wait.

rinna40 - Though 25 feels like a big number right now, it does go fast. I started with 33 and am down to 6.

Niknak0320 - Congrats on getting the first half done, hang in there it does go quickly.

KQuigley - Sorry you are feeling nauseous. Not sure what the law is in Wisconsin but I also see the rad doctor every week which surprised me big time. I would think you would see the chemo onc more often than the rad onc but what do I know. Looks like you have about 12 left. I also was more emotional last week when I had about that many left also, broke down and cried on the table one day. It has just been such a LONG road.

Anyone else get a rash on their upper back that had the supraclavicular area radiated? I guess the radiation goes through so that can happen if I understood my tech correctly. Actually that rash on my back has been bothering me so far than under the arms or my mastectomy site that is being radiated.