January 2010 Rads Start

I asked yesterday about how they know the machine is delivering what it's supposed to deliver.  They told me they have 3 physiscists who test it weekly, monthly and annually -then of course the exrays every 5 days show them that they are hitting the mark on the fields.  They always seem happy to answer my questions there.

The tech noticed a spot under my arm yesterday that was getting quite red -- asked me if it hurt and I told him not too much, which was true then.  Then when I got home I put my Aquaphor on and skin peeled off from it -- and then it started burning.  I think the location is more problematic than anything -- the lower 1/2 of the pit- so it is subject to being chafed by the arm -- which I now try to hold out a bit so skin doesn't rub on it.  I think I'm going to call and ask about this -- but I see the dr. tomorrow so I may just wait until then.  I didn't realize I was getting radiated that far up into my armpit and I did use Tom's of Maine on that skin.  I'm not using anything now and really wish I hadn't put it there now although the biggest issue is probably just that the armpit gets rubbed and chafed and no air.

I sit around w/a shirt 1/2 on -- good breast covered, red breast uncovered and arm up -- my husband says hanging that boob out all the time ( dinged up as it is) is putting him in danger of the 4 hr. erections that erectile dysfunction commercials warn about!    Poor guy -- EDS is not his problem, that's for sure!   W/no kids and it being the two of us, I can sit around like that and not worry about it.  Air it out girls!  I'd say start sooner than later!

By the way, my dr. does not like Aloe, she thinks it is drying to the skin, and I have to admit that has been my experience in the past w/mild sunburns.  Karenanne

I am getting "the works"..I counted 5 zaps also they apply a pad like device for the first 4 gel like not sure what it is the tech said to make sure my skin gets the benefit.

ml C

Cookie - Happy Belated Birthday!

Debbie, my Rads Onc says only plain, unscented cornstarch for deodorant on the rads side.  I use Tom's on the other side right now but not on the rads side, because while it doesn't have any aluminum or alum in it, it does have a zinc compound and she doesn't want anything containing metals used on the rads side.

 We chatted about the NY Times article. I really trust everyone who works on my treatments, but that are always very careful and thorough.  I know exactly the "routine" for my treatment (one long and two short from the right, one long and one short from the left, and when the wedge should go in and go out), and if anything varies I would definitely speak up! She said that other centers in the area have had overdose incidents, but not the one I go to. Also, they have a team who goes over all the treatment plans in detail, they check my blood weekly and do new xrays weekly to make sure everything is aligned just right. I am on my second set of alignment marks on my chest.  They said that people tend to relax more as the treatments go on, so the marks need to be re-checked and re-drawn at least once a week.

I'll have tx number 9 today -- Dr says my skin should start to turn a bit pink by the end of the week. By the end of the week I'll be a third of the way done..WooHoo!

Kim - No they didn't knock me out to remove the port, but it wasn't bad - quite simply actually. They numbed the area, which actually hurt more (the numbing medicine burned), but once it was numb all I felt was a little pressure.  I talked to the surgeon and the nurse the entire time, laughing and talking about my reconstruction.  Today it stings/hurts more, but that' because the numbing medication has worn off, but again, not too bad.

Also, my rad likes Lubriderm, Aloe only if it's alcohol free and a new product called Miadern.  They aren't crazy about Aquafor, but said if I wanted to use it I could.

Red-head Pam:  After reading your post, I grabbed my Tom's deodorant and checked the ingredients, but I don't see anything like zinc.  Perhaps mine is a different product/formula.  It's labeled "unscented Tom's natural original deodorant improved with hops."  There were several others on the shelf and this seemed the plainest.  Not that I would argue with your doc!

And thanks to the posters about the armpit.  I keep forgetting to ask about radiation extending to that area but will put a sticky on my wristband tomorrow. 

Debbie, I think my DH would eventually see the new tat and would not believe the story about the techs giving me a fancy one.  But it may be worth a try, after all, if it is already there, what can he do about it?

I had #5 today and am still doing fine.  I did see the Rad Onc today and my breast is doing fine.  However, my fluid retention is getting worse and he is going to send me to have a Doppler to see if I may have a blood clot.  He doesn't think that I do, but he wants to be sure.  My legs and ankles are so swollen, that my toes hurt.  I do see the Med Onc on Thursday and he said to talk to her about it also.  I have been doing this since my 3rd chemo.  At first I was having trouble getting a deep breath, but don't seem to be having that problem any more.  I think it is just an SE of chemo.  Glad I am through with that.

I am ready to get my port out also.  I go back to my surgeon on 2/9 and I will talk to him about how the port is to be removed.  There is just so many things to remember to talk to each doctor about.

I have a mammo on my good breast next week.  It has been over a year since I had my annual mammo and it is time.  There better not be a problem with it, I will be so upset. lol

My Rad Onc told me that Tom's was fine to use.  They also don't want me to use any lotion or cream without talking to them first.  They gave me some lotion called Remedy Skin Repair Cream.  That is all I am using so far and will wait and see how it does.

mom2acat, I also have acid reflux and take Nexium everyday.  So far the rads have not cause me to have any heartburn, so that is something else that I can watch for.  Good luck on your rads and hope you get to feeling better.

Juannelle

After my 12th treatment (of 28 + 7 boosts) on Friday, I had a bad case of upset stomach.  It lasted all weekend and to complicate matters, I became quite constipated.  I don't know if this is radiation-related or something else.  I finally became "uncomtipated" today, but my stomach seems to flare up whenever I eat.  I am hungry, but the food just doesn't seem to sit well.  Is or has anyone else experienced anything like this?

I really enjoy reading all the posts, even though I don't share much.  Treatments for me, seem to be fairly unremarkable.  Just a little pinkness, and bit more of the occasional shooting pains. 

 Thanks to all for sharing.

Pat H.

Unkle..yes they are .I am getting it all ... anybody else have the pad ?..have to get the right terminolgy today ..its like a gel goes across my chest(leftside) that stays on for the 1st 4 zaps ,they come in  take it off and 1-2 more  zaps...I will ask again today .  C

 Thank you for my birthday greetings!!!

what's up to all my dogs?

(how many years have I been waiting to write that)

sad to report yesterday was a DISASTER

(first of all there is this very cranky lady I see at rads every day I have nicknamed Cancer-zilla.)

OK so remember my tiny tattoo...I was supposed to mark it every day, but yesterday I forgot to because I had a meeting to do volunteer work for a bc charity.

So when I got to my appointment, they had to mark me, and did it in the wrong spot.

They were going to put some ink on me, but once they realized they had made the error they gave me a new bigger tattoo

All because I forgot to mark myself, because I was helping a bc charity. ARRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!

(not to mention my radiation was off by a tad)

and to add insult to injury, they did this while cancer-zilla was 3 feet away talking about her poodle.

She kept asking what's wrong, what's going on, and it just added to her over the top anxiety.

Plus my hubby is weird about the tatts.

Listen I am being a total baby, when I think about the lost breasts and lives I have NOTHING to complain about,.

But I was almost done, and all I needed to to was mark myself with a sharpie in the morning, and I forgot, and now my clevage has two very visable tatts.

Anyhow have status check today and will try to get to the bottom of how many boosts.

Hi,

Just started face up, 25 doses to chest wall only, 20 to go. I refused the clavicle/axilla radiation based on the fact that no nodes were found to be affected.So far I'm finding the daily regimen irritating beyond belief. It seems that every time I feel like life is getting back to normal, something else interrupts the flow. I'm not complaining, just saying. Otherwise it's fine, though exposing my scarred right side to freshly graduated radiation technologists is a little more intimacy than I was willing to entertain with perfect strangers. Otherwise, health care has been excellent. I read today that I should consider my condition chronic. This is supposed to help me accept the interminable therapies and their attendant side effects. It helped...a little. I guess I"m still processing this incredibly difficult to accept diagnosis. That's it for now. Cheers!

Sweetlander- No No supine 25

Yesterday I had my mapping done.  Looks like 2/10 will be start date.  Ugh.  I have to wait a full two weeks before I can start. 

Had my port removed yesterday.  Those shots to numb the area were incredibly painful.  I cried right there on that table.  The nurses were wonderful and held my hand through that part.  After that was fine.  I am sore today and taking pain meds. 

Anita

Still researching a "bolus."  I found an old post by ccbaby.  I hope she doesn't mind that I'm copying and pasting her explanation. It makes sense, then that they would use it for women with a mastectomy.

ccbaby wrote:

 A bolus is a rubbery material, is used to 'fool' the radiation beam so it will deposit the maximum dose on the skin surface instead of a fraction of an inch deeper, as it would otherwise. They used a bolus on me too, but every 4th day would remove it.