August 2010 Rads

Hi Carolsue--- I was diagnosed with IDC on July 5th, partial mastectomy on July 19th, meeting with oncologist on July 27th and Radiation Oncologist the following week--not sure when I will be starting radiation--I probably will be a later start but am curious to understand what happens/process. i notice you have IDC--have your already finished your chemo?

I'm supposed to start radiation on July 29.   I had my tatoos on July 19, but received a call on Friday saying there was something on my CAT scan so I need another one this Wednesday and a re-do of tatoos.    I need to have 33 treatments with 7 boosts.    Looking forward to keep up with all of you!   

Hi guys - I had my simulation today. First I met with the doctor and then I was shown a short video of what to expect during the simulation. The simulation itself was pretty interesting. It's fascinating how they make the mold. I'm going to be doing radiation in the supine position (facing up). The doctor felt that this was a better position due to the location of the tumor - toward the outside of the breast. Also, it's my right breast so she doesn't have to worry about the heart.

I have my dry run (this is what my place called it CarolSue) scheduled for August 17th where they will take x-rays and the 1st real treatment on the 18th. I'm trying to get this moved up a week if possible. The thing I'm not thrilled with is the 7:50am start. I am not a morning person at all so getting up at 6:30am for 6 to 7 weeks in a row does not thrill me. Hey - you gotta do what you gotta do but I'm working on getting a later appt. if possible.

I was not told anything about creams yet but I'm sure a real aloe plant is great!

Good luck to all.

hi ladies

well the day is getting near and i am getting myself into a right panic. once this weekend is out the way i know thats it i am onto radiation and that word is enough to frighten me.

oh well it has to be done.

good luck drim with your 6 weeks i have 5 weeks to do

alison

Hello all.

Did my simulation a week ago today, start radiation Aug 9, 28 treatments plus 7 more of boosts.  After the numbness from the diagnosis wore off I thought I was doing well, but as therapy approches my aprehension increases.  I had an Oncotype DX Breast test that determined I'm a low risk with radiation and anti-estrogen pills only so no chemo.  Although I am glad to not have the chemo, I've had the irrational reaction of "but are they sure--are we really doing enough to be sure there will be no reoccurence"?

Good luck to you all

Welcome SGJ and Chabba....our little group is starting to grow. bonniewe, thanks for posting your experience so far. For some reason I don't feel that anxious yet. Perhaps it's because I've been through chemo and had a relatively good experience with that. I've tried to keep a positive attitude through this whole ordeal and it seems to be working in my favor so far.

Deep breaths Chabba - I'm sure many people go through that feeling of 'have we done enough here'. I did go through with chemo because I was HER2+ but because of my low intermediate oncotype score (got the test before the HER2+ confirmation) I decided to go with TCx4/H instead of the standard TCH x 6. My feeling was that I didn't want to unncessarily overdo it with the chemo given the other modes of treatment available (herceptin and tamox). As you move further away from diagnosis I'm sure you will realize you made the best decisions for you.

Hello all, I'd like to be a part of this group as well. Technically, I started rads in July (7-28), but since that's the tail end of the month and I'm going to have it 7 weeks, I think the August group is more appropriate so I don't end up just chattering to myself while everyone else has moved on in the July group. ) I finished chemo July 14.

I have very fair skin, and have been very worried about it as I know open wounds or serious complications will delay my final TE's to implants switcheroo surgery, and for a lot of reasons, I want that over and done with. Depending on how my skin fares, my plastic surgeon says anywhere from 4 weeks to 3 months or more afterwards. I want 4 weeks, or close. So, I've scoured the net for every study and bit of information I can find on helping the skin weather this well. I ordered Miaderm cream (a nurse at my rad onc gave me samples and said they'd seen great results with it), but it is non-prescription and expensive ($28 for 4 oz). I have also now ordereed pure emu oil from Amazon since I've read great results in some of the earlier rads threads here though it hasn't arrived yet, and am taking curcumin supplements, 2000 mg a day. 

 All that said, I'm unhappy to report that after 3 days of rads, I woke up Friday night and felt two slightly chafed and painful hotspots, one underneath my boob and one on the outer side. By the end of the day yesterday, there was very slight peeling in several large areas, though only those two still hurt just a tad. Don't get me wrong, it's very mild BUT I don't feel it bodes well that I am having reactions three days in. I've heard that most start 1-3 weeks in. Back to the accursed fair skin I have....

 My rad onc did recommend 100% pure aloe vera gel, but said not to use the actual plant because of bacteria that can be on it. Since the Miaderm cream I've been using already has some aloe vera in it along with calendula and another active ingredient I don't recognize, I haven't bought any of the aloe gel yet. 

 In any case, I was pleasantly surprised by the tattoos -- had some idea in my mind that they would be noticeable, but if I didn't know they were there, I'd never know they were there, so teeny.

Howdy everyone.  I'm like Julia123; I actually started radiation last Wednesday (7/28), but this group seems more applicable than the July group.  I've done 3 of 33 so far, and Friday it felt a little warm and stiff, but by Saturday evening I was back to normal.  I'm also fair-skinned and green-eyed so pretty wary.  I got some Aloe gel yesterday and am keeping it in the fridge.  Planning to get some Aquaphor and Emu oil too (both were talked about in the July thread).  I kind of started to hyperventilate when the actual treatment began, but it was over pretty quickly, like Bonnie said.  I plan to count tomorrow and will try to "cleanse" with a deep breath before they start.

I had a lumpectomy in February and finished chemo (TCHx4 3 weeks apart) 6/15.  I will continue Herceptin every 3 weeks through March also.  My last two treatments have been Herceptin only, and I agree, Carol; this is MUCH easier!!  I did lose most of my hair but am starting to get some fuzz back.  When I started all this I seriously thought I'd be able to go hatless by our anniversary (9/18), but it is looking like Christmas is more realistic.

For some reason, last weekend I started freaking out about the radiation.  I think I went through everything up to this point kind of on autopilot and just being swept along.  Because of a family reunion and vacation, my docs let me take most of July off from treatment and maybe that gave me too much time to think.  :-)  Up to now I haven't been part of any bc groups, on line or otherwise, but I felt compelled to sign up and post today.  I'm looking forward to working through this with all of you - sorry we're all going through this, but thanks for sharing!!

Hi, Ladies of Aug 2010 rads!   Just home from 3 of 33 sessions (wow, only 30 more to go).   I counted again today and the zapping is really fast.    I noticed a little soreness just north of my incision and it is a little pink, also a little tiny burning sensation when I rubbed the Aloe Vera on after radiation.   One thing I have noticed today is that since I left there an hour ago I am so thirsty!   It could be the unusual heat here in Ohio, could be that I had 3 medical appts today and drove a total of 3 1/2 hours from appt to appt and did not drink water, or perhaps, it is the radiation or all of the above.  Yesterday, I ordered Miaderm and am looking forward to it's arrival.    I plan to also look for Emu Oil at Walgreens.    Hope everyone is doing well.   

Hello ladies,   I will be starting rads. Wed.   Oncotyping DX  was 0 w/3% recurrance so NO CHEMO.   I am doing 2 treatments a day for 5 days and Arimidex. 

Is anyone else doing this treatment plan??

I feel very blessed that things have worked out so well for me during this journey.

Hi ladies.  I thought I was going to be in the July group, but when I met with my medical oncologist she asked if I would be interested in participating in a clinical trial.  I said sure and they told me they needed to check to see if I am HER2 positive.  They said it would only take a few days to get the results back.  Upshot is that I waited three anxious weeks only to find out yesterday that I am HER2 negative and cannot participate in the clinical trial.  So I went back to the radiation oncologist's office today to have another CAT scan in case my body had changed in three weeks.  So I am part of the August group.  Here is what I posted in the July group section when I thought I would be a July member.  I need to add that my radiation oncologist and all of her staff are totally wonderful, caring, awesome people. 

"Hi!  I've been reading this board since I was diagnosed with DCIS but this is my first posting. I'll be starting radiation therapy too this month.  This whole journey has been overwhelming - so much contradictory information.  Even among the doctors I've seen.  But, I feel very blessed to have my cancer found early and to have it be very treatable.  I'll be doing radiation therapy (28 treatments and 8 boosts) and also Tamoxifen for the next five years.  I'm also waiting to see if I am HER2 positive.  Ahhhh... always something.  Good luck to all of us July gals (and guys, if there are any).... May our side effects be few."

Well today was the second day of rads...and I also get very thirsty Bonniewe! And I am in Ohio too so maybe thats it. *grin*. I have found that if I know I will be in and out of the heat lots, I freeze a drink bottle 2/3 full of water and just before I leave, add fresh to it and go. It last longer and if I have to leave it in the car...I still have a cool drink when I get back.

The time on the table goes quickly once the machine starts it's Zapping....its the getting into the position that takes awhile. 

Hi Ladies,  When I wrote last nite I had one plan and that all changed today.  My Rad Onc. called today and said that he could not in good conscience let me do the accelerated version without doing possible damage to my heart so I now will be doing 1 a day for 6 weeks.

Iwas disappointed but want the best outcome and I trust him to make the best decision.  So I have first zap tomorrow.    Well let you know how it goes tomorrow.