May 2010 Rads Group

Nancy, So far it's pretty lonely in here but maybe we'll gather strength as May zooms closer. May is not that far away!

 Cher

Count me in.  I start May 3.  I go for my set-up next Wed and 'dry run' next Friday.  I was kinda hoping the rad onc would tell me I didn't need rads!  I have a strong sense of denial!  I have TE's and just hope I don't have any issues. 

I'll be having 30 sessions with 3 boosts for a total of 33.  I had bad margins on the chest wall and the anterior side. 

It's still April and I had my simulation last week and will start tomorrow April 22, so hope you don't mind me jumping in for May, since I will be having them (33) through all of May plus a smidge of June.  I'm having IMRT type.  Do any of you know if you're having IMRT, 3 D or other kind?  And is anyone else taking Femara or other of those drugs for estrogen positive, post menopausal ladies?  I recently turned 70, so it's grandma checking in!

Hello everyone,

Just had my simulation yesterday for 5 weeks of treatment starting May 12.  Finished chemo April 8, 6 weeks of Docetexel/Taxotere, and am enjoying a break from that.  The simulation was not bad except for the tattoo part...that hurt for just a moment.  The staff were very friendly and professional and now I wait for the treatment to begin.

Glad you started this thread Nancy, this is my second time around for treatment as I had a recurrence but did not have radiation last time so it's all new for me.

Cher-that sounds like a great option to stay in a RV vs a hotel or apt.   I feel lucky to live close to my centre  (10min) and it is sometimes easy to forget how difficult it is for those who have to drive long distances or make other arrangements. How are you feeling about living in your RV for six weeks?

Diane

itiz- thanks for the info.  I go wed for my set-up and Friday for my simulation and officially begin on Monday.  Busy week next week.  I'm not sure how I feel about rads.  I guess after next week I will.  I did start using Vit E on my incision as my rad onc suggested and it does seem to be helping.  Anyone else have little stitches poking through?  I see my ps next week and I'll ask him to snip them.  I don't think they're supposed to be coming through! 

Anyone else have TE's in place?

Suse64 - I live near Battle Creek and will have radiation treatment in Jackson.

Hi everyone!  I am headed to MDA this week for twice daily rads for 4.5 weeks.  I have my rad sim Friday and start rads the following week.

Thanks for starting this topic!!

I guess I will be joining this group.  I have already had 4 session of AC and 3 sessions of Taxol chemo.  My last chemo was taken from me because the last chemo put me in the hospital for four days.  I had a right Mastectomy four weeks ago.  I meet with the Radiation Oncologist Thursday.  I was previous told that I would have 7 weeks of Radiation.  I am hoping the surgeon was wrong!  Okay I can have hope.  lol

I started rad last week (Apr 20) and scheduled until June 4.  I am using Miaderm and have ordered some Tamanu oil that was recommended by someone on another thread.  I had a bi-lat mast on Feb 10 with TE.  I feel a little tightness on the rad side, but other than that, I don't feel bad at all.  I am working while I do this as it keeps me from going nuts!  I, too, and triple negative and finding that there are more and more of us out there.  We will survive this!  Glad you started this, Nancy!

I see my rad onc tomorrow and will find out my date for simulation.  I expect 7 weeks of rads. I finished 4 tx of TC on April 8 and have been enjoying the respite from chemo and the upswing in energy.  Just hoping the rads won't bring on more fatigue.  I live 10-15 mins from the cancer center, which is fortunate.  I'm triple neg, too.  Glad to meet you gals who are sharing this experience.

Hi everyone,

I'm very glad to join this group. I finished 6 rounds of TAC on 2/18. Had a lumpectomy with axillary dissection on 3/30 and I went for my simulation yesterday. The whole simulation process was very comfortable and I felt like I was in capable hands. My  "dry run" will be on Monday, May 3nd and first treatment will be Tuesday, May 4th.  I  hope everyone does well and I am wishing everyone the best of luck with their radiation treatments.

My appointment went well today.  I go back May 5 to get set up for radiation.  He thinks he will have everything ready for me to start by the second week in May but the way the nurse talked it sounds more like the third week.   He confirmed the 34 treatments.

I had my rad onc official consult at MDA today.  My sim is scheduled tomorrow morning with rads to start next week....twice a day for 22 days.  I am very ready to get this going and done!  Sounds like things are moving along for most of us.  Good to hear!  Contunuing good luck to all!

Hi, my rads will go until about June 7th. I've had 6 so far of 33. I was really nervous about it because I have such sensitive skin and after the first day, I was a bit pink already. So that kind of freaked me a bit. But so far for me what happens is that in the evening I'm sort of hot to the touch and pink and in the morn. somewhat back to normal. I use a cream they gave me, after the treatment in the dressing room. And then got an RX for Biafine and use that every night. I don't put anything on in the mornng prior to treatment. I would suggest checking "anything" you use with your oncologist/dr because some of the things I've heard mentioned on some of the forums.. I have been told are not good and could cause problems or burns. I went to drug store to get some Aquafor I'd seen mentioned, but the ingredients say it has alcohol in it which dr. said is a big no no. so it's a little confusing. On the weekends I'm also trying aloe vera directly from plant. I feel very fortunate that my situation was caught very early and I haven't gone through what so many of you have. I'm also getting aquainted with the other patients I see every day. Everyone is so NICE. I'm still nervous about what another couple of weeks will bring, but doin' great so far. And the process is so FAST once you get going.

It's encouraging to read your comments.  That the procedure is quick, that you've not experienced fatigue, and that you're pink, not flaming red.  My rad onc was very encouraging, too, but I was skeptical.  As I understand it, the early doses are more generalized; the boosts are focused to the area of concern.  I asked my doc why having had chemo didn't affect the number of rads.  I guess it's just protocol.  People are super nice at my center, too.

I got the pup right before my surgery.  I have another Lab and 2 goldens, too; one's my sweetie.  The pup held still for that photo and has hardly stopped going since.