April 2010 Rads Group

I'll be starting rads the 1st week of April. My 6th and final TC tx is on 3/16. I am sooo ready to get past the extreme fatigue days I experience about the 4th day out.

I start April 5th.  Perhaps I'll bring some chocolate Easter bunnies to bribe the staff so they'll like me from the beginning.  Had myself tattooed on Tuesday, I thought it was simply a consult but I misunderstood.....

I also got a complimentary bottle of Calendula lotion.

The resident asked me what my thoughts about radiation were.  Dumb question.  I said that I thought it was something I wanted absolutely no part of, but that I should do anyway.

Here we go.....

I'd scheduled my rads for 8:30am, and then got laid off yesterday.  I hate the idea of having to get up that early just for rads.  It will be about an hour's commute.  BAH! 

I'm tempted to switch the time, but if I get another job I'm afraid I won't be able to quickly switch back to what is one of the most desireable (pre-workday) slots!

Hopefully I'll get used to it and enjoy having ny whole day still ahead of me.  Or just get a new job really fast.

I'm happy to have a break from work, right now BC is one of the easier things in my life to deal with.  Although the financial reality will probably hit in about an hour, as soon as I pay my bills.

When the s**t hit the fan, it really does, and all over the place, too!!

I was able to pick my rads schedule ahead of time, that's one of the reasons I waited an extra week or so, to get the slot I wanted.  My rad onc was fine with it.

I don't have to do anything besides surgery, rads and tamoxifen - so good luck with your Herceptin treatments!!!! 

(((HUGS)))) back!

Finally finished chemo on the 16th. So happy to be done with that part. Appt with Rad Onc on 4/1. During initial consult in Nov. she said probably 30 with 6 boosts. Hoping that changes since chemo. Onc says my chemo was just "mop-up" so hopefully won't need as many rad tx. good luck to all in this next phase.

ebethnp:

You are in violation of the following rules of bc.org:

I had my simulation on Friday and will start 5 weeks of radiation plus boost on April 12.  Unfortunately, I won't know what time slots are available til I come in on April 9 for my "dry run."  I thought I wouldn't have a problem with radiation, because it seemed, in prospect, the least stressful part of the whole experience (surgery done, pathology read, decisions made), but when I went in on Friday for the simulation I really got kind of upset (inside); it all seemed more real and more serious than I had realized.  

Went to see the rad onc today. Thought I was gonna get set up for my sim however due to having previous lung issues she had me scheduled for a CT scan of the chest this coming Monday instead. Once they get the results back then they will do the sim. I am so ready to get started and done. MY plan was to be finished by the 2nd week of May. Now it will probably be close to the last week of May. UGH...

I was supposed to start Wednesday, March 31 but it has been delayed because insurance didn't approve IMRT.  It is what the rad. oncologist felt was best for my left breast dcis.  I believe doctor will appeal. I had gone for the simulation on Tuesday and was given the "go ahead" to start next day.  I had spoken to billing person 2 weeks prior and asked her to get it approved.  Before leaving Tues. I asked if everything was a "go" with insurance and nothing had been done to get authorization.  Miscommunication between the employees there (to my detriment) because treatment has been further delayed.  I was diagnosed in Jan. and lumpectomy in Feb.  Here it is April already.  I've been very positive until this.  The radiation therapist is nice but seems inexperienced.  She alone did CT scan last week and tatooed me (4 marks).  When I went in Tuesday for simulation, a more experienced therapist helped her reposition me and they placed a temporary mark next to the tatoo mark between my breasts.  This has clear tape over it.  The therapist who did the CT scan said since I will be going every day that it would be ok???? Is this normal (permanent and temporary daily mark with tape over it??? I wonder if she placed the permanent tatoo mark in the wrong spot.  Any thoughts?  Also is anyone having IMRT for left breast dcis?  Is anyone having conventional radiation for left breast IMRT?

willheal, I had my simulation last week and got tatoos.  He said that they would also put sharpy marks on me when I had the radiation that would be covered with tape.  All kinds of cautions about how to wash, etc.  So I think (from my limited experience and from reading) that tattoos and temporary marks with tape are frequently used together.

I'm expecting to be starting in April, but haven't had the simulation or anything yet.  I just had a drain removed last week and have had some seroma issues, so they're giving me a little extra healing time.

Does anyone have experience with autoimmune disorders and radiation?  The RO says it's usually not a problem unless it's scleroderma.  Mine isn't, but I've had so many skin problems and rashes in the past I'm kind of concerned that I'll develop some kind of horrible chronic skin condition.

willheal,  I share your concern about environmental factors.  I think endocrine disruptors probably play a major role.  And one web site I found had a statistic that a woman living in an urban area has twice the breast cancer risk of a woman living in a rural area.  Gives one pause.

Thanks for starting the group, Sue.

Suepen, we both start tomorrow!!  Even though, since you're in Australia and I'm in New York City, they're probably actually different days.....

Good luck!

I started rads today.  The tech was really nice, although I have Sharpie marks ALL OVER my best and booby.  All fine.  33 more to go.

Katie