What to Expect at Rads Office

 My 1st appt. was an intro sorta meet & greet ...he then went into "The Plan"telling me risks they have to tell you everything, he checked my incisions,felt node area ,reflexes,etc.  then I had to sign to say "Go Ahead".

He met with me twice during rads... Friday is my last treatment ...so yesterday was a question and answer  visit...checked how I was...cooking...I had 25 with a bolus, I am quite red peeling( bad sunburn)discoloured under my arm..not to fatigued ...nuttin compared to AC.

ml

C

My appointment wasn't doom and gloom, but it wasn't exactly a party either.  It was just kinda cut and dry, this is what the plan is.  The nurse went over side effects, skin care, tips on eating and excercise, etc.  The doc came in and I asked her all my questions, she looked at my scars and told me the treatment plan.  Then I went to have the CT scans.  I was supposed to leave after that but they brought me back in for mapping and tattoos because I have a hard time finding babysitters and that way I wouldn't have to come back.  About a week and a half later I went in for the simulation and the next day I started tx.  I only see the doc once a week to check on my skin and it's really quick.

My onc didn't want me on the Tam until after rads.  She said if there are side effects they want to be sure if it's the rads or the Tam.  But there's people doing both at the same time too, so I guess it depends on the doc.

Don't know if that helps, but like I said, pretty boring stuff!

You will most likely have a CT scan before starting rads...to help map out things. And yes, the tatoos....they were the same appointment for me. I also met my rad onc the same day. They talk about what to expect with rads and skin care. they will give it all to you in writing too.

When rads started....I met with my rad onc once a week. It was very quick...just "hi, how are you, how are you doing/feeling?" Stuff like that. I saw my rad onc only 5 times. I was suppose to see her 3 months post rads, but cancelled because my anxiety was too much going back down to the BIG cancer centre.

Rads by far easier than chemo for me. It was harder mentally though (for me). Like I said, I had to go to the big centre....I saw so many cancer patients and I was always the youngest. My hair was short, and all the ladies in the waiting area had hair, and their breasts and were at least twice my age.  I would over hear them complaining about there DCIS diagnosis...* I hope no DCIS ladies rant on me..lol* I wanted to scream. I left almost daily with tears in my eyes. Thats just my experience though

They will probably do mapping with itsy bitsy tats,that was nothing,but I do remember the dry run(the day before,my actual Rads)I felt so overwhelmed,laying on the table,bald,and feeling so vulnurable,couldn't stop crying.The techs were great,so understanding.After that it was not bad at all.It felt like a had a job to do everyday(which I did).Had 33 rads.

Good point christine.

I suggest bringing something for distraction purpose. I always had something to read.....even if it was cupon flyers. When you look like your engaged in something.....people are less likely to talk to you in the waiting area. I you like to chit chat...thats fine. But I did not. I have had enough breast cancer talk at that point...I just wanted to get in and out.

Wow Carol,

Does your rad hospital have last minute deals?

Sounds great....lol.

I started AI's the same time that I started Rads....I saw the rad onc for the first time while still doing chemo....since this was 3 1/2 years ago, I don't really remember the details...but the first visit was to talk about Tx plan, what radiation was etc....then there was a visit to measure, tattoo the boarders for the rads (these were just little dots like the size of a pin dot) and to figure out how much radiation...then the day before rads started there was a "dry run".  During rads, I saw the rad onc weekly.  My last visit with rad onc was 6 weeks post rads....my med onc follows me and keeps her posted (I think thats what he said)....I had 25 rad Tx....5 days/week for 5 weeks....2 or 3 different fields.  I probably wasn't at the rads clinic more than 1/2 hour/day....luckily it was close to home/work...And it wasn't doom and gloom...the techs who did the rads were great and so friendly...Hugs...

No teddy bears for me, hahah.  The experience was totally fine though.  Friendly, cheery rad onc, professional techs.  It all went well.  It's easy.  Getting there every day gives you something to do and to focus on, like a job.  The appointments are short which is nice.  I had no burning with 25.  After chemo, it's a breeze.

kimber...my med onc suggested my rad onc....I really liked her, so that was good.....

My rad onc told me that it was a ct scan to set up rads not look for tumors.  That made me feel better :-)

I started tamox with radiation - it was my reg onc who prescribed it and told me to go ahead.

I started tamoxifen the week before rads. I saw my rad onc weekly, and it was nice having her to bounce questions off or check symptoms with. She's the one who suggested I split up the dosage to minimize side effects, i.e., take one pill in the am and the other pm, as I was getting bad bone aches and hot flashes.

I was told no Tamox during rads....I started the day after rads. My oncs recommendations, so different opinion.

Regarding the CT scan, I didn't go into details about what area they are mapping ect...I would asume they would scan your uper torso region ( waist - neck/head). Again, the purpose is to help map out for the rads. The techs are not looking for anything unusual......BUT....if...remember...if..... something was to show up? It would be seen. Thats what was told to me.

You will do good.

don't expect the rad technicians to smile.

must be too much effort.  my doc was great

I know everyone's insurance is different (and thank God I have it) but do you have to pay your deductible every day with rads?

billynda....I didn;t have to pay copay for each rad appt....don't remember what I paid, but I think the cost was based the total cost...