June 2010 Rads

Hi amIdoneyet. I will be starting rads near the end of June I think. I meet with my rad onc next week to find out what the plan is. I'm 1 week post mastectomy right now. Thanks for starting this thread as I too would like to share info with others. Your timeline is so close to mine! I was diagnosed on Oct.16th and had my surgery on May 13th. Do you already have your pathology back from your AND?

I start my rads June 7.  I'm doing 33 treatments.  I had my lumpectomy May 14.  I got my tattoos last week.  I've been putting lots of lotion on in preparation.  I ordered some Miaderm online and should get it this week.  I'll be checking in to see how everyone is doing.  My last treatment is July 22.

I ordered some Miaderm online. I should get it before I start treatment.  The radiation nurse gave me a sample of Xclair, it's prescription.  I've been puttin Udderly Smooth on my breast for a couple of days.  I've also got aloe vera, vitamin E and Seven cream..I may have gone overboard, but I want to be prepared.   I've read some of the other posts about creams on this board, they were helpful.  I started using Tom's of Maine deodorant on the side of radiation. 

i go for simulations on june 8th and will start 5 weeks of rads shortly after. glad this group was started.

ray

Hi all, I'd like to join this group too, even though I had my first rads on May 26.  Was diagnosed with stage IIb BC in Dec, had lumpectomy, lymph node dissection with one positive node, and revised margins in Jan. Had my last chemo on May 10. Then had my rad consult, CT scan, 8 tattoos (didn't know I could opt to not have them), and they said I need 33 total (25 rads and 8 boosts). I figure I will end in mid-July so I thought this made more sense then joining the May rads group. Not thrilled with the tats, esp the one in the middle of my chest that can be seen, but what with all the scars and lack of hair, no one's gonna really be looking at my little rad tattoo. I did ask my rad onc about the whole not wearing deodorant thing and he looked at me like I was insane. So I can wear deodorant woo hoo! (esp since its been 90 degrees here recently!)  They also told me not to use any lotions, creams, etc on the area to be radiated except what they give me. They gave me Aquaphor which comes in a little tube. I haven't had to use anything yet though; everything looks the same to me, nothing is burned or painful or even pink yet. I was warned about the skin redness and fatigue but that was pretty much it in terms of SE's.  SOOO much better than chemo lol.  So far the biggest problem is parking--they have about 6 pull in parking spaces and I can't paralel park to save my life. The other day it took me longer to park the car than it did to get my rads treatment.

I've had 5 treatments so far and feel fine. Well as fine as I can feel after 16 weeks of chemo, but so far no problem with the rads. Hope it continues to go this well!

I love your name amidoneyet! OK, I'm just popping in here to hopefully encourage all of you just starting. I only have two boost treatments left and I'm done.  First, remember everyone is different and not everything will apply to your case/treatment experience.  I started out really scared inside and the stories I read of burns etc, worry about heart/lungs terrified me, extreme fatique forcast was dreary...facing 33 every day treatments seemed forever and had 1 1/2 hr drive each way every day arrrrrrr.  Since I only had a lumpectomy I can only tell you my experience.  I also did not have to go through chemo so I'm fortunate to not have that accumulation of body stress. I did not experience abnormal fatique, just moments at end of week, and wanted bedtime earlier. I got red right away and freaked but that's all it was.  I only just now got a couple tiny burns (not painful) for the first time and that was "under" the stickers they put over my marks (because couldn't put the cream under there to protect it) so they removed stickers and renew marker every day for these last couple days. Honestly they don't hurt and although skin got hot, red and sensitive, had a little discomfort at times, all was ok even though I sure did worry myself.   I faithfully used an Rx for Biafine from the very first treatment, putting it on right after treatments in dressing rm. when I got home and again at bedtime. Being heavy, I made sure I didn't have skin on skin rubbing, kept soft cloth in the crease. and followed all the rules to the extreme.  Ask ask ask your onc. Everyone seems to get diff. rules/suggestions from their docs. find out yours in detail. Never wonder...ask.   Actual time in the treatment rm seems about 5 mins total.  I remember facing all this and it seemed like a long long long time, but I'm surprised how fast it's gone and the drive hasn't been so bad after all...tried to stop and take photos of scenery, get coffee, play fav music and vary stuff on daily trip.  I'm amazed looking at calendar where I put a heart sticker for every day done...only two more to go and IM DONE. Facing it seemed forever and the calendar looked so...empty. It's full now, so fast it seems.  Just remember...this is TEMPORARY.  You're going to do so much better than you expect! I salute you all. I'm 70 yrs old and doin' great.

Thanks for posting itiz - its good to hear from someone who is almost done and who had a good experience.  I like the idea of marking off the calendar.  I'm glad you are doing so well.  I feel like I know my plan, but had a day this weekend where my other breast started hurting.  Made/makes me second guess everything!!  I need to take a deep breath!

Thank you for posting your encouraging support.  Im from Ca. too, where are you having treatments?  Im through Kaiser in Ontario.  I know time definitly goes fast, sometimes we get in such a routine we dont even want to stop what we're doing.  Take care

I also had my first rads today.  My breast feels a little hot.  Has anyone else experienced this?  Sometimes I think it's all in my head.  I wore my underwire bra today, but think I'll have to go with a softer one.  I went to Nordstrom and bought a couple of soft bras that give me support.  I don't think I could handle a sports bra, too much squishing!  One down, 32 to go!  I've been putting miaderm on afterwards.  It cools me down a little.  Good luck everyone with your treatment.

drfsunseri - I had my first rads on the same day as you. My breast also felt hot - my family went straight from radiation to shopping, so I didn't get a chance to put on aloe gel (stored in the refrigerator) on until later that night. After I put the aloe on and lay down with the air conditioner, it didn't feel as hot. My appointment today was at 7am, so I could go home and put the aloe right away. It is still slightly more warm than the other breast, but not as hot as yesterday. Two down, 23 more to go! All of my regular bras have underwire, so I bought some oversized sports bras. Seems to work so far.

BarbaraA -  if you are worried about lymphedema, do you have access to a lymphedema clinic or other PT specializing in lymphedema? I started seeing one about 4 weeks after my surgery because I noticed lymphatic cords under my arm. I didn't notice any swelling at that time, but when she measured both arms, my affected arm was a couple centimeters larger than the unaffected arm. I was also measured during my consult with the radiation oncologist, but the lymphedema specialist took more measurements along my arm, and the tape measure seemed to be more accurate. Over the course of several weeks of PT, my affected arm has decreased in size. My therapist gave me a bunch of stretches and exercises to do that she said would be very important for me during radiation. If you are able to see a lymphedema specialist, they can monitor you for the beginning stages of swelling (which aren't very obvious).