January 2010 Rads Start

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  • nannajean
    nannajean Member Posts: 25
    edited December 2009

    Hi

    I start my rads on Dec 29th and have 16 treatments I think I am a stage 3 as I had a 2cm tumor but 7/15 nodes were pos HER2-, grade 3, oncologist said a stage 2 but 7 nodes and grade 3 sounds more like a 3 to me. Had 6 chemo and ended them on Dec 1so although I have 3 rads in Dec I would like to be a part of the Jan group

    Hugs

    Nannajean

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited December 2009

    Welcome DayLilyFan and NannaJean,

    Please keep us posted as  you learn more and your treatment progresses. I hope this thread is as nice as the chemo threads I am on. I learn something everyday on those threads about chemo and hopefully this will be true here as well and the rads will be truly a walk in the park with you all.

    Love,  

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  • missmelis1
    missmelis1 Member Posts: 11
    edited December 2009

    Hi, I'm starting radiation on January 6th. No axilla or clavicle rad. Will be supine. 33 treatments with several boosts...but not sure of the number.

    My doc wants me to use Natural Care Gel three times a day (not to applied three hours prior to tx). No shaving, no deodorant, baking soda only (yuck). Good thing it's winter here! 

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited December 2009

    Dear MissMelis1,

    Welcome. Looking forward to having you here.

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  • chinablue
    chinablue Member Posts: 545
    edited December 2009

    Here is a question for those of you that had chemo prior to radiation:

    Did your radiation oncologist ask you to wait a few weeks before starting radiation to clear your system of toxins? 

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited December 2009

    Dear China,

    Yes. My radiation oncologist mentioned waits from 3 to 8 weeks. When are you planning to start?

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  • chinablue
    chinablue Member Posts: 545
    edited December 2009

    I finish my last taxol treatment January 26th.   I was thinking that I would start up radiation the first week in February and be done around mid March.  I mentioned this to a good friend who completed her radiation in the summer and she said her onc told her to wait between chemo and rads.  

    Oh gosh, I really wanted to be done.  I have my introductory appt. with a rad onc on Jan. 7th. 

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited December 2009

    I hear you on wanting to finish and move on with life. I think you should ask the rad onc to start asap. I think if you are getting CMF chemo they can start rads in parallel but not otherwise. Another thing you'd ask is if you could get Canadian fraction. I'm going for that at Sloan and will be done in 21 rads as opposed to 33 if I did conventional fraction. That's 12 days of life!

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  • O3132W
    O3132W Member Posts: 211
    edited December 2009

    cookiegal:  I am 73 years old and I choose the shortened rad treatments of 3 weeks.  I had to request this as the center follows the "standard  of care" rad treatments.  If you are considering the shortened, please know that I have no regrets, had no breast burn due to the increase of rads and would recommend this to anyone meeting the right criteria.  My surgeon, when asked, stated that the 3 weeks has the same results as the longer.  I admit that I was a little nervous about my decision but as I stated, looking back, I would do the same again if I had the same decision to make.   Good luck     Cathey from Indiana

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  • gogo_xago
    gogo_xago Member Posts: 131
    edited December 2009

    Hi all,

    my mom had the fist radiation today. She will have 30 IMRT ( intensity modulated radiation therapy). Her rad onc. suggested this method as the hospital has this technique. As he said she will have 25 regular  and 5 boosts. She had CT scan for planning on 12/21. This was quite difficult process, as her hand must stay stable for about an hour. But today is easiest and she finished in about 20 minutes. She finished chemo on 11/27 so she started exactly 4 weeks after that. I hope that everything will be OK for everybody. Best wishes for new year for mom and me.

    Gogo 

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  • chinablue
    chinablue Member Posts: 545
    edited December 2009

    What are boosts?

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited December 2009

    Boosts are the extra few doses given to the tumor bed.



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  • gogo_xago
    gogo_xago Member Posts: 131
    edited December 2009
    Boost is the extra dose, usually double, given to the very specific area where the tumor used to be.
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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited December 2009

    I don't know much about radiation, as I haven't met with the rad onc yet (coming soon), but was told by my onc that they like to wait at least 4 weeks between chemo and radiation so that the body can recover from the chemo.  Now, with that said when I asked if I could have radiation in conjuction with chemo back in early December I was told yes, but then they declined it due to my clincial trial protocal.  So.............. do they tell us we have to wait because the appt books are full or would they really rather us wait between the two?

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  • one-L
    one-L Member Posts: 1,110
    edited December 2009

    chinablue, no my Med Onc didn't say anything to me, but she did schedule the Rad Onc consultation and my last chemo was 12/24 and my consult is 1/8, so it will be at least two weeks  after  that before I start rads.

    Jenn, I think each clinic is just different.  We all get such different treatments and are given different reasons for the differences.  I don't think the appointment book is full where I go.  They are busy, but not so that you can't get in. I am just hoping for early appointments, but it will be my luck  that everyone else will also want the same thing.

    It sounds like we are all getting ready to start this journey, or have already started.  Cheers to you wonderful ladies who had to start before the rest of us, but we will be depending on your help to get us through.  I will be thinking of you.

    Juannelle

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited December 2009

    Dear Gogo, thanks for updating us on your mom. She is the first on this thread to get started.

    Dear Sido, CookieGal, kmf/KarenAnne, NannaJean, all the best for your first radiations tomorrow!

    Dear all, please take a moment to look at the first post in this thread and send me an IM or post to fill/correct the info about your radiation treatment.

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited December 2009

    Dear Cathey from Indiana,

    Thanks for sharing your experience with Canadian fraction.

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  • sanaisa
    sanaisa Member Posts: 167
    edited December 2009

    Thank you Jeanette for posting this information regarding the Mammosite Therapy option.  I am curious, was this method determined at the time you had your lumpectomy, or afterwards?  I had my lumpectory in July, then did chemo from August to December (just finished 2 weeks ago).  I am getting ready to meet with an Oncologist on the 31st and find my stats look pretty similar to yours (except that I am Her2+)... Is this an option after chemo is already done?  I would much prefer the 5 day program, with less risk to rays aimed near my heart/lungs.  This method sounds very targeted...I am definity going to ask!

    Hi Onty...I am in the early stages of being considered for the S0307 trial.  Looks like with IDC (infiltrating), plus the fact I am under 12 weeks post final chemo, that I have a good chance to be part of this study (plus other criteria).  They haven't determined if I will be eligible for the pill form, or the IV form, yet.  I will keep you posted! Thanks for your support/encouragement.  I may be changing Oncologists, too...we'll see!

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited December 2009

    Good luck Sanaisa. Always good to hear from you.



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  • Sido
    Sido Member Posts: 234
    edited December 2009

    Hi all,

    Got the call today to set up my appointments and get started.  When I did my staging the techs said that it would take a while for the onco to design the protocol, but I guess they finished sooner.  I'll know tomorrow when I actually begin tx.

    BTW, if I start this week, I will be just two weeks out from my last chemo, which my rad onco said was the minimum.  She was more concerned with how my lumpectomy incision healed than making me wait to get totally over the chemo.  No complaints though, the sooner we start, the sooner we finish.

    Be well,  Sido

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  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited December 2009

    Hey all...sorry for cryptic last post.

    My first TX is tomorrow.

    The "check" was a bit uncomfortable, it took half an hour.

    The main problem is the healthy breast right has to get pushed to the side, and I had surgery on it as well, so it was really akward. It felt like my boob was getting pinched in my armpit!

    This is only a problem if you are on your front, not your back.

    I was silly to be upset about the Ipod. They told me to bring one and I could play music while they did their thing. I guess people get ancy since the check it is so much longer than actual treatment, kind of like getting MRI.

    I was crabby because I got a ipod, paid for music, then when I got there they told me I had to use theirs instead of mine.

    Not a big deal, but since it was so uncomfortable it would have helped.

    Anyhow the treatments are much shorter than the check so I am sure it will be fine.

    3:15 Tomorrow! 1st of 30.

    I wonder if I will regret not doing the Canadian 16. The techs kind of thought it was odd of me.

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited December 2009

    Dear Cookie

    Thanks for the detailed update clarifying things. It really helps to hear the thoughts and reactions from someone going thru' the rads. Regarding canadian and standard, you gotta do what you believe in.

    Good luck with #1.



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  • precioustime
    precioustime Member Posts: 233
    edited December 2009

    I had BMX with Axilla dissection in rt. arm 2 weeks ago.  My introductory appt. with Rad. Oncologist is 1/7/10.  Pathology report showed 12 pos. lymph nodes.  Question:  Has anyone heard of someone getting radiation to lymph node area after surgery?  How does it effect skin? 

    I am also going to be getting radiation to mediastinal lymph node!  Question:  Has anyone heard of someone getting radiation to this area and if it is safe?  The good thing is that I will be radiated on my rt. side instead of the left side!!

    Thanks, 

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  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 911
    edited December 2009

    Hello Jan Rad Ladies!

    Thanks Onty for starting this thread.

    I'm not sure if I'll be joining you but I have been following along with interest. 

    I have a consult with the Rad Onc on Jan 15.  I appreciate all the info you have shared and especially the timeline to start rad after chemo..

    I'm hoping to go on vacation between chemo and rad (if needed) and I think that the timing may work out for me.  Yippee!

    It will be interesting to see what treatment (if needed) will be suggested for me (regular or Canadian) since I am in Canada.

    I'm not sure what to expect from the consultation with the rad onc.  Any suggestions on what to ask?

    I guess the most important question I'll have for rad onc is why I'll need radiation at all.  I had a radical mastectomy (left side only) with clear margins and only 1 out of 5 nodes positive.  After 6 FEC tx wouldn't the chemo have gotten all the cancer that might have got away?

    I'm also worried about my heart...

    Marie

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited December 2009

    Dear PreciousTime,

    Welcome to the January board. I have not heard of anyone getting rads to mediastinal nodes. Are these located towards the center of the chest? Was the decision made due to the number of involved nodes?

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited December 2009

    Dear Marie,



    Welcome! I agree that the number one question is why you'd needs rads at all. They may recommend radiating the axilla and/or clavicle due to the relatively large size of the tumor. Very curious to know whether they would recommend Canadian fraction or conventional!







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  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited December 2009

    do I bring the aquaphor to the appointment?

    Has anyone used mygirls cream?

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  • unklezwifeonty
    unklezwifeonty Member Posts: 1,710
    edited December 2009

    Hi CookieGal,

    I have no experience with these 2 creams. Hoping someone else would answer from their experience. What I have heard is that you can use these creams to help with the skin but the radiation guys prefer you have nothing on the skin at the time of rads.



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  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited December 2009

    you are right...I meant for after!

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  • precioustime
    precioustime Member Posts: 233
    edited December 2009

    Dear Unkleswifeonty

    I had MRI and biopsy of mediastinal lymph node (located in middle of chest) prior to Neo Adjudvant Chemo which was positive. 

    After Neo Adjudvant Chemo-- PET scan showed all the cancer gone from axilla lymph nodes and the medidastinal lymph node had shrank 1/4 of the size it was.

    "Pathology Report"  showed 12/18 positive lymph nodes in axilla area!!!  It's amazing how these lymph nodes did no show up on PET scan prior to surgery!!!! 

    Anyway-- I will be getting radiation under my rt. arm as well as radiation to mediastinal lymph node.

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