January 2010 Rads Start
Comments
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Quite a few gals should be starting their rads this week. Good luck to all of them. May you experience gentle side effects.
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bone scan and rads today.....double cancer fun...hi-ho!
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Cookie, good luck for the scan....
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Turned out to be a tripple cancer fun day!
Density scan was fine, except we had to wear hospital gowns and street shoes.
Blue and white searsucker and snow boots look really odd.
Rads was fine, as I was putting on my goop I noticed a stitch had popped out of my drain.
Rads onc doctors are not big on taking out stitches,(I thought the resident looked like she would faint) so I had to hi-tail it to my PS before she left for the day.
(PS says the swelling will get worse and stop going down at night...and will last one month past rads, but she says "big red" is not out for revenge over the reduction.)
Oh and apparently I was supposed to leave scar tape on for 12 hours not 6 weeks.
Just another day in paradise!
9 down 21 to go!!
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Hello everyone! I am coming over from the November Chemo group....I start rads on Thursday! I had my last chemo tx on 12/23. I went today for my consult with my rads onc, who I absolutely loved. I will be doing 28 regular, 5 boost, supine, no clavicle, no axilla. I asked about supine, and she said they don't do it yet...they need special equipment and she is waiting until it has been tested more. I was hopeful about doing the Canadian fraction since I was node negative, but she doesn't do it on patients who have had chemo, due to increased skin sensitivity. Oh well. They had an opening right after my consult to do a simulation, and I am ready to get this underway, so I went right from one to the other. It looks like a map of downtown on my chest now, but no tattoos! They don't do them at all - they don't want patients to have any permanent reminders. Thursday I go for my "dry run" and the first rad tx.
Has anyone heard about using green tea topically? My rad onc. wants me to brew strong green tea and spritz it on the treatment area 4 times a day. She also wants me to use a steroid cream, no Aquaphor. We talked about deodorants -- I have been using Tom's and she said to check the label and make sure it didn't include Buffered Alum. I hope mine doesn't, since the cornstarch just doesn't do it for me. I just finished "smelling like chemo", and was so happy to be able to smell nice again!
Wishing everyone comfortable scans and no side effects.....
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wow Redhead pam...interesting post!
Where do you go for treatment?
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Happy Monday everyone!! After a nice two day break from radiation, now back at it, a full week ahead.
My hospital visits are no where near as exciting as yours, cookiegal. I'm cracking up reading your posts. "Big Red" had me ROFL!!!
Hi Onty! This thread has really liven up, hasn't it! Thanks again for starting it, and keeping the tally of the January group.
OneL--my treatment time is 10:45am. That way I miss commute traffic. Not sure if what I'm feeling is radiation fatigue, but I seem to be a little foggy in thoughts and slower in movement. Or maybe I'm foggy because I'm 56 and want to blame the cause on something other than myself?! Or maybe it's from going cold turkey off estrogen a couple months ago?
Sido--How ya doing with the rads? We're about even (just did my 5th one today), I believe? Any issues yet? The two days off helped my skin and surgery scars feel much better, and the little red bumps almost cleared up. Not looking forward to what SE's five days straight of rads does, though.
RedheadPam--No aquaphor? Interesting. Did your dr poo-poo it, or just suggested something that might work better? I haven't heard about using green tea, let us know how it works.
Today's tx went fine, and I am now...
5 down 11 to go.
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Welcome RedHeadPam!
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My Dr prefers other lotions over Aquaphor...she feels it is too heavy. They have a lotion they give to all their patients that they feel works better, but I don't know what it is yet....I will ask her next time and post it here. Apparently the green tea, although an antioxidant, promotes the action of the radiation and prevents some of the bad skin burns and inflammation. I haven't had a chance to research that at all, but am interested to learn more.I am NOT generally a "natural treatments" kinda gal, so I am usually skeptical, but I have a lot of confidence in my Dr -- she is experienced and has a great reputation. I'm at Central Indiana Cancer Centers.
I'll let you know how the tea goes -- at least it sounds like it would be cooling!
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I love Indiana...I really do.
Can I move in with you and finish treament there?
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Gal, are you cookie or cuckoo!
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sophie, I am glad it worked and don't feel like it was a "duh" moment. There are still things that I just scratch my head for and am too embarrassed to ask.
Welcome, RedheadedPam. I am also a red head, OK I was a red head, maybe when my hair comes back it will be red again, but I am not holding my breath. I don't care what color it is, I just want hair.
Debbie, I know what you mean, I am 60 and I blame a lot of stuff on chemo these days. I also went cold turkey off estrogen in July when I got my dx. It has not been easy, but it is better now. The hot flashes stopped when I started chemo and once or twice a day, I get hot, but not like before.
cookiegal, we are given so much information, if they really want us to remember, they should pin a note to us when we leave their offices. After all we are doing chemo, what are they thinking. You would think by now they would always give written instructions.
Good evening to Onty and Sido hope all is going well for both of you.
Juannelle
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Hi everyone...jumping in from Sept Sisters Chemo group...started rads last Tuesday...noticing that I am thirsty all the time...so I've increased the water intake....Was kinda sick of water after A/C chemo...but guess it's time to load back up...so tomorrow will be day 5...seems a little sensitive this evening but nothing to cry about. Drinking my glass of wine every night hoping to get through this without many se's :-) I also started tamoxiphen on Wednesday and so far not to much happening on that front....wondering when it will kick in...My periods stopped 3rd week of chemo in September and have had hot flashes since then. I've been told by my rad dr not to use anything on my breast/underarm until they think necessary...seems after the fact to me....would rather keep any pain at bay if I can...I meet with him tomorrow and will ask his thoughts on this. Have a great evening everyone!
Melinda
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OneL--I hope you're right about the hot flashes getting less frequent. I stopped taking estrogen in October, and so far I'm not seeing any indication that things will improve. 10-15 hot flashes, strip off the shirt kind of hot, day and night. Aargh. I'll probably get scolded for this, but I loved my estradial, and I miss it.
((RedheadPam--I'm looking forward to hearing what lotion your rads dr recommends. And if the green tea compress works.
Melinda--Funny how different dr's will give different instructions on when to apply lotions. My rads dr said start right away applying lotions, 3-4 times a day, don't wait for the SE's. Yet yours is saying wait until they say it's okay? Do ask about that.
I'm drinking my medicinal glass of wine right now, so I'm toasting to all of you. Have a good evening, every one.
Debbie
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Melinda,
Welcome here! Yes I remember you from September thread. Looks like you are finding rads a walk in the park compared to chemo. Is that the case? Please take a moment to tell us of your rads treatment plan by answering the questions in my OP on this thread. -
Hi everybody,
Just checking in. Today I had treatment 4 out of 33. So far, so good. I've been getting a few weird twingey pains deep inside my breast but nothing bad. My rad nurse said I should start using a NSAID like Aleve.
I've been drinking a small glass of red wine at night and 4 oz glass of grape juice in the morning, just in case it does help.
The topical green tea thing sounds intriguing.
I've also been faithfully applying my Natural Care Gel 3-4x a day. Strangely enough, I haven't noticed anything different (no wetness/odor) with the non deodorant pit. What a nice surprise! Oh, and speaking of pits, the rad nurses says that at a certain point most of the underarm hair will fall out, even though I'm not officially getting treated in the axilla. Yippee, I say.
Good night, girls.
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Evening Ladies!
Had 5th tx today and for some reason I was exhausted today. I don't know if it is rads fatigue or what, but I slept for almost 12 hours last night. I was supposed to go to a class this morning and I just could not get out of bed. I'm also having pain twinges like Melissa. I tried the Aquafor last night, but I like the Lindi lotion better. I also used the Tom's deodorant and didn't have any reaction so I'm going to keep using it.
Juannelle, I love the idea of the doctors pinning notes to us! I feel like I forget everything. Today I forgot to go to a chiropractor appointment. Since I'm only 42, I'm going to blame it on chemo-brain.
RedheadPam, I'm interested in the green tea idea. It's nice that they didn't do tattoos. I just have three tiny dots and they draw on me anyway.
Poor sweet Cookie, I hope there aren't any more triple-fun-cancer-days for you and that "big red" behaves!
I envy everyone their medicinal wine!
Be well and minimal se's,
Sido
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Good evening, ladies.
Welcome RedheadPam! I'm intrigued with the green tea compress...keep us posted.
Melissa, welcome back...you and I are the only 2 DCISers I think, and you are 4 tx ahead of me.
To all who enjoy those occasional brain-freeze moments....why is it we forget the perhaps-important details but can't seem to forget any bad stuff we'd be happy to forget?
So much happening these days I welcome any/all distractions from BC. My daughter (my 38 yr-old baby) is pregnant with her first baby and I am beyond excited as the time draws near. Hosting a baby shower on the 23rd and hoping SEs are mild so I can be Ms. Energy (or Atomic Dog?) that day. My son and daughter-in-law have 2 children and let me just say....it's a whole lot more fun (for me at least) when it's your daughter!
Tomorrow afternoon is simulation. Started using my Radx Moisture Therapy yesterday. Got my soft bras on Saturday and a jar of Aquaphor today (I succumb to all those testimonials). I'm ready. Sleep well, ladies.
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Guess what. The tat in my left arm pit has almost disappeared. I will have to ask them if they are giong to redo it because today they almost couldn't find it today.
6 down, 22 to go
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kim I am not the only one!!!!
One more funny...mine is so small I draw a map to it each day.
Today the tech said I could just start marking the actual tat with ink myself.
I said are you sure, what if I do it wrong?
She said it's not such an exact science.
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Cookie, whooo boy, you are too funny!
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unklezwifeonty; I'm on Zometa too; I've been getting once per month since April 2007, and getting it this afternoon.
I started the radiation to my spine yesterday; 20 treatments all together, so 19 more to go. My treatments are in the afternoon. Since part of my stomach is in the radiation field, I was told I might have some nausea, and it could start within an hour of treatment. Sure enough, it did. About 45 minutes after the first treatment, I started feeling queasy. Took a Compezine, but ended up throwing up a half hour later anyway. What made it worse was the fact that I also had a sinus headache going on at the same time. I ended up going to bed at 6:30pm last night. Around 9pm, the headache and nausea were gone, so I had a little snack and watched tv for a couple of hours before going to bed.
This time, I'm going to try to taking the Compezine before my treatment, to see if I can prevent the nausea. And I know now, til the rads are done, anything important I need to do, I need to do in the morning.
I have an appointment at the pain clinic this morning, that was scheduled 2 months ago, and a before my rads this afternoon, I see my regular oncologist for my monthly appointment and my Zometa treatment.
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Cookiegal - DH is from northern NJ, so we go east all the time -- I love NY! Maybe we could trade!
I checked my markings out in the mirror last night, and I've changed my mind -- I don't look like a map of downtown after all -- I look like maybe cave drawings, or something off of a survey map? I have three colors of lines, dots and crosses all over the place. Some of them I can let fade, others I have to keep, so I went out and bought some colored sharpies this morning so I can do any "touchup work."
I was thinking that if there is a silver lining in all this, it's that we're going through this in wintertime. Besides wearing hates and scarves everyday, I now need to wear a Tshirt or tank under my clothes....am I ever glad it's cold!
Can someone give me info on the medicial wine? That is right up my alley!!!! I haven't had a drink since before chemo, so that sounds delish right about now. Now that chemo is officially done, I am planning a sushi fest tomorrow....and a drink would be lovely, too
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Redhead Pam, here's a link to an article concerning the wine. I believe it was an European study that is being referred to.
Unklez...Hi! Glad to hear you're all done with chemo! Rad Start Date: 1/5/10 Ax-yes Clv-no Supine 30 +3 zaps
27 zaps left...I may be crazy but the zings go away soon after I begin to drink my wine
....Only one glass! Really! But using a "Mother Marguerita Glass" haha! ... no just a normal one...Radioprotective Effect of Moderate Wine Consumption in Patients With Breast Carcinoma
Received 22 July 2008; received in revised form 5 September 2008; accepted 1 October 2008. published online 22 April 2009.Purpose:
Given the high cost and side effects of radioprotective agents such as amifostine, attention has been focused on potentially equally effective but less expensive and toxic natural substances. We evaluated the potential radioprotective effects of wine in preventing skin toxicity in patients with< breast cancer.
Methods and Materials
Before treatment, the medical history and habits of patients were assessed and the information recorded in their clinical folders. Patients were divided into three groups based on the dose/fractionation scheme used: control group, 60.4 Gy (standard technique); Modulated Accelerated Radiotherapy in Adjuvant treatment of breast cancer (MARA)-1 protocol group, 44 Gy (concomitant boost to tumoral bed); and MARA-2 protocol group, 60 Gy (concomitant boost to tumoral bed). The impact of the following variables on acute skin toxicity was evaluated by chart review: radiotherapy protocol, planning target volume (PTV), comorbidity (e.g., hypertension and diabetes), hemoglobin level before therapy, adjuvant hormone therapy, adjuvant chemotherapy, cigarette smoking, and drinking habits.
Results
The study population consisted of 348 patients. More severe skin toxicity was significantly associated with the radiotherapy protocol (p < 0.001) and median PTV (p = 0.005). In addition, the incidence of acute toxicity of Grade 2 or greater was higher in patients without alcohol intake (38.4% vs. 22.3%, p = 0.021). The daily amount of alcohol intake also influenced the incidence of skin toxicity, with an incidence of 38.4% in patients with no wine intake, 31.8% in patients drinking half a glass per day, 13.6% in patients drinking one glass per day, and 35.0% in patients drinking two glasses per day. Multivariate analysis showed that wine intake, PTV, and radiotherapy protocol were all significantly correlated with acute toxicity.
! Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Oncology, "John Paul II" Center for High Technology Research and Education in biomedical Sciences, Catholic University, Campobasso, Italy !
Research Laboratories, "John Paul II" Center for High Technology Research and Education in Biomedical Sciences, Catholic University, Campobasso, Italy
National Research Council, Institute of Systems Analysis and Computer Science, BioMatLab, Rome, Italy department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli," Catholic University, Rome, Italy present address: Department of Radiology, General Hospital "SS. Annunziata," Cento, Italy present address: Department of Nuclear Medicine, General Hospital, Grosseto, Italy reprint requests to: Gabriella Macchia, M.D., Radiotherapy Unit, Department of Oncology, Catholic University,
Largo A. Gemelli 1, 86100 Campobasso, Italy. Tel: (+39) 0874-312-259; Fax: (+39) 0874-312-720Have a great day..
Melinda
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...it's not such an exact science....?? Gulp. Maybe that's why my face is looking sunburned, and my breast isn't.
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Melinda---that's the same report I read before starting rads. But it doesn't specify what "a glass" is, ie how many ounces. My wine glasses are 16 ounces, much like your Mother Margarita glass. Isn't that the norm? (she says with an innocent look on her face).
My husband was quick to point out that it's probably what they pour in a restaurant: 6 ounces. Spoil sport. : /
Seems weird that one glass has the maximum benefit, but two glasses have less benefit than not drinking at all.
So what are you drinking? Cab? Zin?
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I finally had my first visit with the radiologist and simulation/mapping. The visit was really uneventful, went over what they will be doing, SE's and the mapping. I really liked the radiologist and because he's been doing this for such a long time he seemed to know what I was going to ask and answered all of my questions before I even asked. I will go on the 25th for my 1st test run and it just so happens that I will also have my port out that afternoon - busy day. Because I am a cancer patient having radiation treatment I get a special parking pass to park in the lot close to the building rather than the parking garage - whoo hoo - the perks of radiation!!!!
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Debbie,
Hey we must have the same glasses! I do fill to the 6 oz line but always have 2! Now I guess I'll fill it to the 12 oz and just have one ~
~! Yesterday I had Tin Roof Merlot but the day before Yellow Tail Pinot Grigio~ The study says reds though...so I moved over to the reds..... I used to drink red exclusively, but my tastebuds changed and I like the taste of the YellowTail Pinot... it's good for a great price...I can't even imagine why two would increase you back to 35...it just doesn't make sense and they offer no reasoning....maybe it would be too inviting to us to think that more is better!
BTW...have you ever seen a mother margarita glass....the rim is 12 inches wide....in my 20's at a nice little cantina in Cancun I had the pleasure of one and then got the nerve up to go para-sailing....quite the ride!
Where are you in your Rads??
Redhead Pam...A sushi fest sounds awesome! Jealous...but have fun...think saki counts for the medical wine??
Almost wine:thirty! Cheers!
Melinda
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Melinda--Nope, have never seen a Mother Marg glass, but I'm sure I would like to! I got out a ruler to get a visual of a 12" wide rim. Woweee! I'll be at your house in about....say....20 minutes?
Rads today went fine, in and out in under 15 minutes including changing clothes. I'm glad we're having cool, rainy weather, as I always seem to be hot when I'm done with tx. So far, no add'l burning, no itching, no more red bumps. Breast only slightly swollen. BUT, I think I'm finally getting the fatigue: last night went to bed at 8pm, and slept for 11 hours. I rarely go to bed before 10pm, and sleep no more than 7-8 hours. Point is, last night was highly unusual, and it will be interesting to see if that pattern continues.
jenn3--I get a pass for a special parking lot too. The hospital I go to is always packed, so it's nice not to have to fight for a parking place, for a 2 minute rads zap.
6 down 10 to go.
Hey, a question: while you wait for your tx, are you talking with any of the other patients in the room with you? There are 4-5 other women of various ages getting rads same time I am, and none of them talk. They might say a quiet "Hi", but then go back to reading or close their eyes. One woman never looks up from the jigsaw puzzle she's working on. Ok, I don't expect them to divulge personal information, but I thought there would be a little more "how are you today? Nice weather we're having" etc.
Maybe the Tom's of Maine deodorant isn't working like I thought....
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I did neoadjuvant chemo (dose dense A/C x 4) and am on #3 of 12 weekly Taxol/Herceptin, Stage IIIA w/ + lymph. I will take 3 weeks off after this round of chemo and then have bilateral mastectomies (not tissue/breast sparing). My questions are: has anyone else done in this order? Did you do immediate reconstruct? How long after surgery did you start radiation and how did that affect healing post-op and reconstruction? THANKS everyone for sharing. It really helps us a few weeks/months behind you to make decisions.'
Blessings,
Jeanne
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