July 2010 Rads

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  • EnglishMajor
    EnglishMajor Member Posts: 2,495
    edited July 2010

    Hi ladies, I will have 30tx to the breast & lymph nodes. I had a unilateral mx and just finished first week of rads.

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  • MagPag
    MagPag Member Posts: 98
    edited July 2010

    Good for you, EnglishMajor and happy Friday to all who finished a treatment week. Can anyone tell me how long after you finish your rads that you'll feel good enough to go on a vacation?  We're bummed missing most of the summer and want to plan something soon.  Thanks! 

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  • rocknesmom
    rocknesmom Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2010

    Welcome, Julieee! I'm having 33X rads, too! Sounds like forever,  but so did 16 weeks of chemo and i'm surprised that's over!  I'm starting mine on the 12th, so I will be a little ahead of you. Great to have someone with professional experience here to chat with!

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  • KittyDog
    KittyDog Member Posts: 1,079
    edited July 2010

    Hello July Ladies....chimming in from the May group.  I just finished 34 rounds July 2. 

    YOU CAN DO IT!

    Wishing all of you a quick, fatigue free and burn free treatments!

     Abby

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  • rocknesmom
    rocknesmom Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2010

    Thanks, Abby! Glad you are finished! Any advice for those of us about to start?  I start in one week! Not really scared - more anxious to be finished!

    Thanks for the good wishes!

    Linda 

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  • julieeee
    julieeee Member Posts: 18
    edited July 2010

    Thanks Friscomom!  I hope I can be of some help & ease some minds! Plus, I can learn so much by being the patient this time & going thru radiaition with all of you! Even though I have no fear of radiation, I am going thru the rollercoaster of emotions since my diagnosis. Anger, disbelief, anxiety, fear, crying at the drop of a hat, screaming in a pillow & days when I feel amazing. I don't feel like my usual balanced self & that scares me. I have made an appointment to start seeing a psychiatrist again. I think talking on here will be incredibly helpful, too.  I hope everyone out there tonight had some fun over the 4th!!!

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  • julieeee
    julieeee Member Posts: 18
    edited July 2010

    Thanks Rocknesmom! This Thurs I'm having my hematoma aspirated, THEN I should be ready to start rads! I'm ready to get it started! PLUS, I'm so tired of being on exercise restriction! I think being able to do yoga/pilates again would really help with the emotional rollercoaster I feel like I'm on. I think being the patient will be a very big learning experience for me. It will make me a better Rad Therapist & person in general. I hope you had a relaxing 4th of July!

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  • waltersren1
    waltersren1 Member Posts: 17
    edited July 2010

    First radiation treatment tomorrow.Not to nervous right now but I'm sure I will be in the morning.

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  • bailey1958
    bailey1958 Member Posts: 199
    edited July 2010

    Hello July Women,

    I have been informed that I am in the cue to start my radiation - I am hoping this month - though I may end up in August. I am from Canada and it seems my treatment is different than those of you from the USA. I have been told I will have 16 treatments with 4 boosts to the tumor site - my tumor was very high on my chest wall where very little breast tissue exists and as a result my surgeon couldn't get a clear margin - so the boosts are to ensure this area gets "cleaned up".  I am feeling a bit nervous about not having a OncoType test but if I choose to pay or join a study I can get one. I am feeling a bit conflicted about what to do. Everything I read about my highly receptive ER+++ tumor suggests that the hormone therapy is the best course of action. Do any of you have any thoughts about that?

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  • ratherbeatthebeach
    ratherbeatthebeach Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2010
    This is my first post, I am leaving in ten minutes for my first of 33 RADS. I am  little nervous. My lumpectomy area is just begining to look and feel somewhat like my breast again. Oh well, I guess the new normal has to be flexible. I will let you all know how it goesLaughing.
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  • waltersren1
    waltersren1 Member Posts: 17
    edited July 2010

    1 down 32 to go.There really wasn't anything to the actual treatment.I know it will be the side effects that will be bothersome.Good luck to all you ladies that are also starting this month.To ratherbeatthebeach I hope your treatment went well today.Looks like we are on the same exact schedule with the same amount of treatments.

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  • MagPag
    MagPag Member Posts: 98
    edited July 2010

    Hi July Gals, you all are doing great, keep it up.

    Bailey1958, sounds like you and I have similiar plans.  I'm starting tomorrow with first of 16 followed by 3 boosts.  Hope you can get started very soon.  You're right, doesn't seem like many of us in the states are getting the shorter course. Best to you.

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  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited July 2010
    MagPag and July Gals - I am having the shorter course and finish Friday - YAY!! I think most women in the states don't know about the Canadian protocol. I researched and basically insisted my radonc do it. Keep up the good fight! You'll get there!
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  • shygal
    shygal Member Posts: 89
    edited July 2010

    Hi Bailey1958 - yes the 16 sessions with 4 boosts must be a Canadian thing as this is what I'm getting at Sunnybrook in Toronto as well.  I start next week (having my planning session tomorrow) and I'm getting very nervous about the unknown - even more so than chemo I think.

    Anyone have any good experiences to share so far?  Thanks.

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  • spendygirl
    spendygirl Member Posts: 231
    edited July 2010

    Had my simulation today - scheduled to start one week from today.  I'm really happy to be moving forward with treatment.  Seems like we're always waiting for results of some test, and that waiting is brutal.  Onward we all go!

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  • MagPag
    MagPag Member Posts: 98
    edited July 2010

    Hi All,   Glad you had a good experience with the shorter course BarbaraA. Congrats on seeing the finish line so close.   Found out today that a friend's mother in the UK had this protocol 15+ years ago and is doing just great.  Made me feel good about my decision.  Had my first today....it actually was ok.  Felt good to learn the routine and meet the techs.  Take care. 

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  • LisajM
    LisajM Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2010

    Hi All, just joined site.  Finished my last round of AC treatment yesterday, Yeah!! Had clinical trial for 16 weeks THLapatinib, lumpectomy following, then 8 weeks of AC.  I am having Rad simulation tomorrow and starting rad on Monday.  I am moving forward so fast because it has just seemed like it has taken forever and am anxious to get it all over with.  I also have a vaca scheduled for end of August I would like to make. The RadOnc seemed to feel this was acceptable but my Oncologist was somewhat concerned that I am starting so soon after AC.  Anyone else going into radiation or have started radiation this quick?  It also makes me nervoucs reading about all these breakdowns on Rad machines, I am cutting it to the wire for vacation.  Hoping for the best

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  • bailey1958
    bailey1958 Member Posts: 199
    edited July 2010

    HI again,

    Got my call today to go Monday and have my CT scan and tattoos??? done - also going to have blood work to determine if I am peri-menopausal so they can decide on hormone treatment for me and I will also have my follow-up ultrasound to rule out another suspicious area that was spotted on my breast MRI back in June. Oh when will the good times end? 

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  • LoveCranes
    LoveCranes Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2010

    Hi everyone.  I have my second appt this week with the rad onc to get prep for rads, however it might be delayed depending on my results from the onco test --hopefully it will be a low score. 

    Just waiting and doing nothing is so hard to do, but at least my appts are this week for me to finally get the ball rolling again for treatment.  

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  • bailey1958
    bailey1958 Member Posts: 199
    edited July 2010

    I'm with you Love Cranes. I am feeling relieved to be going for the prep for my rads tomorrow but I am feeling very anxious about my ultrasound follow-up that is also happening tomorrow. I keep thinking if they find more cancer with the ultrasound that it doesn't change anything - cancer is cancer at this point - if I suddenly have more than I guess I just have to deal with it - I hope they can tell me right away and I I don't have to wait beyond tomorrow. I feel like the more I wait the more I second guess every decision I've made to this point. 

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  • newyorker1
    newyorker1 Member Posts: 10
    edited July 2010

    Hi all!  I just started today and had my first treatment.  I noticed a hotness in my breast and assume its inflammation fromthe radiation.  I was surprised to get this so soon.  I completed a 12 week weekly taxol and herceptin June 8th and am continuing with herceptin every three weeks for the remainder of the year.  Tommorrow is second day of radiation and also a herceptin treatment!  I had very few side effects from the taxol and herceptin but since I started the three week schedule and they triped the herceptin dose I notice alot more.  So now that I am adding radiation to it I am nervous.  The radiation oncologist noticed something in my liver as an unexpected finding from my CT scan taken for my treatment plan.  He wanted me to get a CT scan of liver but after speaking to my oncologist I decided to get an ultrasound.  My liver enzymes are totally normal and neither doc says they are concerned but I get the ultrasound tommorrow as well.  So it will be a long day!

    I wanted to avoid as much additional radiation as possible adn my oncologist agreed.  So.... no matter what they say it still makes you nervous.

     I will be getting the 6 week schedule.  Initially the rad onc recommended the shortened 4 week schedule but after doing my CT scan saw that "a little bit of heart" was in the treatment field and wanted to go slower and do the more traditional 6 week schedule.  Everyone says it will be fine but since I am on herceptin as well I was concerned.  I considered a masectomy to avoid the radiaiton but inthe end decided to stay with the radiation.

    Looking forward to hearing how all of you do.

    NewYorker1

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  • Chicago1018
    Chicago1018 Member Posts: 147
    edited July 2010

    Hi Ladies--

    I had my first "zap" on 7/1 and have 7 under my belt as of today.  I am having Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) rather than the standard rads approach.  I understand it isn't typically used for breast cancer but it frequetnly used for prostate cancer.  My radiation oncologist was of the opinion that based on my anatomy the more standard approach would have exposed my heart to too much radiation. 

    So far I don't have any blistering but my skin feels pretty tight.  My TE feels like it is migrating closer to my collar bone and is pretty hard at the moment.  Hoping it doesn't get too much harder than it is now!

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  • bailey1958
    bailey1958 Member Posts: 199
    edited July 2010

    Hi Everyone,

    Had my prep for my radiation today and it seems I may be starting on Monday. That said I had my follow-up ultrasound and it was a miserable experience. They cross referenced with my MRI and I felt pretty beat up when they were done with me. I was feeling pretty overwhelmed by the time I got to my prep as the ultrasound technician couldn't tell me anything. First thing I did was start to cry. I'm not sure who I was feeling more sorry for - me or the poor guys who were measuring me for my radiation treatments! Still feeling pretty upset - so worried that I have just gone through all of this and I am going to have to start over if there is more found. I feel pretty overwhelmed and vulnerable today - I think going to the cancer centre just really makes everything so real and scary. I sure hope my surgeon and radiation oncologist's lack of concern about the MRI are correct but that said I was also told my initial lump was nothing to worry about and it turned out to be cancer. I think I need someone to give me a slap to snap me out of this. Oh the waiting game - I just hate it.

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited July 2010

    Dear MagPag,

    I was about 2 months ahead of you as started last week of April.  I think you will be fine for vacation about 3-4 weeks post final rad.  This will give your skin time to heal and for you to get back most of your energy.

    I found I was fine energy-wise until about the last week, then had a dip just as things were winding up.  Then a rebound with another dip which lasted about 2-3 more weeks.  My skin came through OK, but did have some peeling.  That was over with at about Week 3 post rads.

    Of course, I was probably a bit more tired than I needed to be as did two 45 mile cycling events immediately post rads.  I am just fine now that I am 5 weeks out.  Just a bit dark where rads were and I can tell I am still healing underneath.  But really feel past this now.

    Hope this helps with your planning some summer vacay.  - Claire

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  • changes
    changes Member Posts: 622
    edited July 2010

    Hi everyone,

    I start radiation tomorrow. I am partially dreading it, but also glad to get it started, so I can get it over with! My oncologist has assured me that my heart will not catch any of the radiation - I have a terrible family cardiovascular history and my cancer was in my left breast. She demonstrated the angles the machine will come at, and said it might get part of a lung, but not the heart.

    I am curious - has anyone else already started on Tamoxifen?? It seems like most people wait until after radiation. My medical oncologist wanted me to go ahead and start and the radiation oncologist said it was fine with her, so I've already been on it a couple weeks.

    From some of your postings, it looks like I owe a big thanks to my surgeon. I have no recall of the injection for the sentinel lode biopsy. They asked me if I would "like something to relax" and I said yes, so they gave me Versed. I remember nothing after that until I woke up and the surgeon was standing over me in his street clothes, telling me I could go home as soon as I could sit up. I was shocked, because I had no idea they had even started the surgery, much less finished it. It's fine with me that I have no recall of something painful.

    Wishing everyone the best :)

    Karen

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  • MagPag
    MagPag Member Posts: 98
    edited July 2010

    Hi Bailey1958, sending you a vertual hug (way better than a slap).  The waiting is the worst and I hope you get your results soon and they are negative. I too had a suspect area on my MRI that was removed during a re-excision and it was B9.  Keep good thoughts and let us know how you're doing.

    Thanks for the tip, Clair_in_S.  I'd like to take off sooner since 3-4 weeks post rads will put us after the begining of the school year.  Taking it day by day and hope I can find a last minute deal when I'm ready to go. 

    Hope everyone is well and ready for tomorrow's zap.  Donna.

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  • rocknesmom
    rocknesmom Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2010

    Hi Everyone!

    I started rads today! Pretty painless! A little long, but they said that was just the first day! No discomfort at all. My best news: down to 25 cycles plus 3 boosts, versus the 33 I was told originally! YAY! One week less! My blood test showed that I still have high levels of the dreaded Taxol in my blood, 3-1/2 weeks after the last infusion! HATE Taxol! Good for those of you who said you had no problem with it! A/C was no problem for me, but Taxol kicked my you-know-what!

    Newyorker1, we seem to be on the same schedule, as we started today! I had a little warmth, too, but I thought it might be in my head!

    Good luck to everyone! Stay strong!

    Linda 

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  • bailey1958
    bailey1958 Member Posts: 199
    edited July 2010

    Hi Donna,

    Thanks for the hug. Went out to a movie for a distraction and feel a bit better. I think The waiting game is pretty tough that's for sure!!! The impression I got today was they were having a problem finding what was seen on the MRI. My radiation oncologist was very negative about MRI's - I think the thing that I have learned in this process that has been the most surprising is just how imperfect the screening tools are (MRI, ultrasound and mammogram) and how critical it is they be used together in order for dense breast tissue to be really "seen" clearly. There really is no way around this - cancer sucks. 

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  • JenC
    JenC Member Posts: 382
    edited July 2010

    Hi everyone I hope you are all feeling well.  I have a question for your ladies.  I had a mastectomy in April and started AC on April 29th. I have had a few set backs with stitch abses, etc so I dont start Taxol until July 29th weekly x 12.  I have an appiontment with the radiation onc. on August 25th.  My regular onc said he "does not think" that I will have to have rads but not sure.  How is it determined if you need rads or not.  I know I will not be done chemo for a few months but I just want to know what is next.  Does the radiation onc decide if you have rads or is it the regular onc or are there?   Thank you ladies.  Hope you all have a great day.

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  • marilyn7
    marilyn7 Member Posts: 86
    edited July 2010

    Hi Everyone,

    I'd like to join in.  I start rads July 19th - 35 treatments - GROAN.  

    My last chemo was June 28th. I"m still dealing with fatigue, neuropathy, and lack of taste buds (in that priority order).

    My hope is that the chemo fatigue abates before the rads fatigue sets in.

    Warm wishes to all of you.

     Marilyn 

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