May 2010 Rads Group

I had my set up appointment today and I am now a happy wearer of lovely sharpie green x's on my chest.  They did cover them with tape so they will stay longer.   Now lets just hope I am not allergic to this tape.  I go back for the simulation May 14.  So looks like I will start May 17 with my treatments.

Susie64

so glad you had an easy time.  I am hoping I will too.  Trying to be positive now that I have the dates and know when it will be over and hopefully be cancer free.

Hi gals,

I had my first treatment yesterday {05/04}. It was easy and I was in & out so fast. I met with my RO and nurse to ask questions. All went well.   I had my second treatment this morning, as the machine had to be serviced later in the day. It took aprox 20 minutes from the time my foot hit the lobby until I was driving away from the center completing my 2nd treatment. Once the guy positions me the way he wants me, he leaves the room and the actual treatment lasts anywhere from 2-3 minutes. Then, I hop off the table, put my top/bra and "hair to go" back on and leave.   So far, so good.  I have not noticed any "side effects".   I hope everyone is doing well and continues to do well.   Two down & 33 more to go !

Georgia

Hello ladies. I, too, just had my second treatment, so I'm not really feeling any side effects yet. My question is do we start using cream the doc gave us now? Is it preventative? Or does it not do anything until our skin is irritated? I was prescribed XClair. I am scheduled to see the doc soon, but I thought some of you ladies might know the answer before I get in.

SHAVING question!!!!

I have very little hair on my head, no boobs, and I refuse to also have hairy armpits!!!  I draw the line at this one! 

I shaved the night before my first treatment.  I am only on day 2 but will have 4 treatments total done later today since I am doing twice a day rads.  I am having both level 3 axillary nodes radiated.  I am wondering if the hair will stop growing or do I need to invest in an electric razor?  Other ideas?  Things are ok now, but I will not live like a jungle woman!  lol.

Met with RO yesterday who changed the field of treatment.  Since I opted for ALND last November, he'll radiate breast area only.  But he still wants me to do 25 plus 6 boosts - taking into account grade and TN status.

Kinda interesting, last fall he recommended foregoing the extra surgery and dealing with the nodes in radiation... now he says I made the right decision... the extra nodes that were pulled were clean, so I can avoid what would have been unnecessary extra rads.  Hindsight, geesh.

I start May 20, finishing July 5. Cannot wait!  Did the planning and simulation yesterday.  Now hoping all the marker marks will disappear... only faded a bit in the shower today... mmmm...       

One week of rads done, and I'm already tired of this.  I know, no whining.  I have a short drive to my tx center, very pleasant people there; it's all over with quickly.  I think it's being tied to the routine that's got me bummed. 

As for when to put on creams--I started the day I had my first zap.  I have an afternoon appt. time, so in the evenings, every time I go in my bedroom/bathroom, I add more cream.  I put on some after my shower in the am, too.  Once I get home from rads, I'm just wearing a t-shirt with nothing underneath, for more air circulation.  

WHEW, done with my 25 rads to whole breast and on Thursday they did my final measuring for boosts, and ANOTHER TATTOO, this time it's an oval drawn in green marker around my incision, and the tattoo marks the outer edge of that oval, and now I will be going to another machine, the techs all told me that the last 5 are the easiest, they will be easier because they don't penetrate like the other rads, and they are aiming at the incision so that any cells remaining in the area of the scar tissue will be out of there too.  I did get a little bit red, but was able to continue working through it all and still wore my dream bra. My daughter ordered me 3 of them in the beginning, and I couldn't have made it without them.....ordered online through Dream Products.  They were a blessing.   I asked if I will be getting burned on the boosts, and they said not really.....so am expecting a good week next week.  I have decided not to do any of the hormonal treatments, I am 64 years old, and have had a few problems in the past with blood clots in superficial veins in my leg.  I swayed back and forth at first, but because I am grade 1 and tumor was 3mm, I am thinking that this will be all I need.   ER PR + HER-  I would love any imput on this.  OH, I need to say that all I used during treatment was Pure Aloe Vera Gel, the center gave me, and it worked on me so well, I don't know if it depends on the skin, but this was a breeze for me, and hope I made someone else feel better about it by saying it was more a nuisance than anything else, getting through the 5 weeks, and now 1 week to go seems so good to my ears.  Have a good weekend all!!!!!

itiz....believe it or not, the sleep bra combo pack is what she bought for me, and so comfortable that I don't feel like I have one on....and at night I sleep in an old tshirt.

Itiswutetiz......it's not really a seam, its like a dart, and it left a mark on me, but other than a mark, it did nothing to bother me, went away quite soon after I took it off. It is at the bottom of the bra, and it has hook fasteners on the front side, and oh so comfortable. The dart goes about half way up the cup side, so maybe it would bother some, but I had no problem with wearing it every day.

Thanks for that relieving and soothing description. I am going for set up today and probably simulation Wednesday. They are not sure, because I actually just had my second surgery 6 days ago, but want to get Rad done before off for Denmark June 19th. Will also enjoy the benefits of salt water off Danish coast - though much colder!

SueHan:  Sorry to hear about your experience.  My sim guy explained every step of the way, to the point of saying, "I'm turning on the overhead lights now."  He prepared me for the photo, too, and I was sitting up for it.  And my tats were like pinpricks. I have sweet gals who do my rads; I wish I could send them your way.

My first week of rads went really well, but I am completely wiped out by the end of the day.

Hi Thanks for all your feedback! I am going in for appt now with doctor to give me orientation of "the angles the RAD will aim for", and with your responses can ease up knowing the digital pictures are standard at least. I guess my follow up surgery last week, on the one hand found no DSIC so great, but on the other hand the doctor thought the radiologist over reacted in suggesting the second surgery at all. Once the ball was rolling couldnt prevent the 2nd surgery, so I have a bit of pent up feelings to let out. Will go the the gym after my appointment today for that! Also have school end of high and middle school for my kids coming up, but not much for parents at this stage of the game so starting Rad tomorrow. 

I am not even pink yet.  I'm just warm to the touch.  My RO's nurse today pronounced "that's the best-looking chest I've seen all day!"  I feel very fortunate.  My DH and I went out to dinner last night, and I about fell asleep during the meal, but other than the fatigue, things are going well.   Being tied down to the schedule is a nuisance.

Michele:  Now I feel really guilty.  I shall not whine.  It's just that I sit at work, making progress, and go "gotta leave for rads," or, having lunch with friends, gotta schedule around rads.  Ok, note to self:  create better attitude.  This is tons better than chemo.