February 2010 radiation starts anyone?

I may be starting in February. I had to switch radiation oncologists because I moved too far away and just can't commute. My consultation is next week.

Hi Everyone.  My Mom does not have a computer so I post on the boards for her and it helps her to hear that there are others out there who understand what she is going through.  She just finished her last round of chemo and boy did it hit her hard.  I am glad the chemo is done!  She has to continue on herceptin until October 2010 but the side effects aren't nearly as bad. 

We are meeting with the radiologist tomorrow.  I am more worried about what the radiation will do to her than I was with chemo.  She is 69 years old and I am so affraid it is going to be to hard for her.  I am hoping the radiologist will recommend a treatment that will not cause her any pain. 

Good luck to all of you and thank you for starting this thread.

Wow MaineCoon, so glad you were able to get rid of 60 lbs. of junk!!! Hopefully you are well on your way to being free of this. Good luck tomorrow. You'll have to tell us how it all goes.

Lieberman- how fortunate your mom is to have you. I bet radiation won't be near as hard on her as chemo was. I too, had a TERRIBLE time with chemo. 

China- I think you put any lotions or creams on immediately following your treatment. Like in the dressing room right afterwards from what I've read. I don't think they even want you to use deodorant before treatment. 

Good luck to all...we should be GLOWING soon!!

Joni

I was most afraid of chemo - not the surgery, not the radiation.  I was afraid that it would disrupt my life and that I would be unable to work.  After all the trauma of the testing and the diagnosis, I wanted "normal" routine back.

But silly me....chemo was pretty easy for me after lugging around a huge tumor for 3 months.  I didn't have one moment of nausea, let alone vomiting.  I did have some fatigue in the last couple of cycles, but that was easily handled with extra rest and not pushing myself too much.  I did what was important to me and didn't care if I had dust bunnies under my bed or unfolded laundry in my dryer.  I worked somewhere between 40 and 50 hrs a week, all through my chemo - only taking off my treatment day.  It really wasn't bad at all.  I expect rads to be even easier, just a minor inconvenience.

I guess the thing that surprises me the most is that none of it is ever as bad as we expect in the beginning.  It's the worry and the fear of the unknown that is far more frightening than the actual experience.  Although I wouldn't wish cancer on anyone, there are good things that come out of this awful disease too.  We all learn that we're not immortal and that we had better make the most of the time we're given.  We learn to move forward and not dwell on the past.  And most importantly, we learn to forgive ourselves and those around us.

Hey ladies!  I just had my "markings" done today and my first treatment is going to be next Monday.  The hospital is over an hour away so I'll be staying in a hostel that the hospital has set up through the week and then coming home on the weekends.  I don't drive so it makes it easier to stay down there.  I'll miss my home though and my cat.  And my computer!   I'll be having 21 treatments.  I had a partial mastectomy back in July and then 8 treatments of chemo (4 FEC and 4 taxotere). 

I was on the  January posts thinking I was going to start RADS in January- HOWEVER I just started Feb 1st.  and am having 33 treatments with boosts incorporated in each treatment!?  This is all new to me because normally ladies get their boosts at the end of their treatment. 

I am having rt. axilla, rt. supraclavicular, rt. chest wall and both sides of medistinal nodes radiated.

I will wear a bollus each session which makes the machine target closer to the skin area. 

This evening will be #4 and so far have only felt a little warmth in the treated areas and seem to be Very Thirsty after each treatment.  I have a 4oz glass of wine when I get home in the evening- I heard this helps the skin from burning and the Rad. oncologist said it also helps blood circulation. 

I have also read alot of the January posts and am appreciative of their input and experiences. 

From my experience-- just like Chemo and Surgery- the unknowing was the worst part-- Now that I have started RADS I feel a little more at ease--BUT still not my favorite thing to do--I was sun burned really bad as a kid - so much I had to visit the ER and ever since I have really tried to protect my skin from the rays.  How do you protect yourself from RAD burns?

Loretta

I will have my first consult with the radiologist on 2/11.

i am supposed to be starting at the end of feb...maybe beg march..and after meeting with 3 different oncologists i am still confused about what to do. some say the short course with boost, some say the long course plus boost. i know that many are doing the shorter course due to convenience, but i am still worried. what is everyone doing?

Jacee- If you are going to be on the TOMO machine like me-- it takes about 20 minutes to get lined up with tattoos, CT scan is ran everytime before treatment to make sure you are exactly lined up as before and then 7 actual treatment minutes for me. 

Arbella- I was told that my boosts are incorporated in with the 33 treatments for me.  I'm guess this is because I am wearing a bollus for every treatment and they are radiating the mediastinal nodes (in the middle of the chest)-- that they are spreading the treatments out longer? 

I had questions yesterday evening about how the beams are directed and if this is directed closed to my heart---and was told that the physists (spelling?)  is not there when I am at 6pm -- but that's who I would need to speak with or the Dr.?!?!?

Seems like I am having less anxiety as treatments are going --

Today I woke up with sore throat-- hope that is not a S/E-- I believe other ladies say that S/E's don't occur until 7th or 8th treatment?  Who knows?

Have a Great Day Ladies.

Loretta

I just posted on the January thread, before I found this one. I started this Monday, Feb.1st, my radiation treatments. I am down now 5 out of 33, with the boosts the last week and a half. So far I really have had no side effects. The radioligist nurse suggested I get the pure aloe gel, found where suntan lotions are sold, and keep it in the frig and apply that after every treatment. She also said to apply moisturizer in the evening and even AM daily. She said it would be worn off by the time I went for treatment, for me it is in the afternoon. I am so happy I found out this week my onc score is 14 and I will not need chemo, but will be put on Arimidex when radiation is done.

Everyone rest up this weekend and drink lots of water. I really think that helps.

Best wishes and strength to us all.

Jeannie

Chinablue...I have the same type markings as you, sharpie marks with round circles of tape over it. Now I'm freaking out wondering about having that ink on my sein for so long!! Then radiating it on top of that. Can that really be good???? I start wondering if THAT could cause cancer!!

 I like the idea of aloe in the fridge. And what is Xclaire?

jakhope- YAY that you don't need chemo!!

I'm finding out alot from you all. Keep sharing

Started with the simulation during the last week of Jan. 5 little dot Tatoos and my 1st treatment on Feb 2nd. 4 treatments later and my breast (what's left of it) is already sore. I was also told there would be minor SE. Let's hope so. Good luck to all of us. Diagonsed Nov 9th..

I had my tattoos done and the fitting, doing a trial run for the rads on Wed the 10th. Finished up last chemo tx last wed. Looking forward to getting this over with.  Happy to find a place of support and resource!