December 2010 Rads

Hello Ladies - Well I'm due to see my onc first thing in the morning.  Kinda anxious - really don't know what comes next other than perhaps starting Femara.  He is really good and I am sure he will answer all my questions before I have to ask.  Let you know what happens.

 

s it really necessary to be tattooed can you request not to be?

My simulation is scheduled this Wednesday, 12/15.  Hope to start 12/20 - 25 + 8 boosts.

About how long does the simulation take?

 Your new friend, Jacky

beljmc45,

I was not tattooed at all. I was marked with paint pens, and the marks were covered with clear stickers. That is the way my RO does it. I would have refused tattoos. There are other methods that can be used. I just didn't want any more permanent marks on my chest. I have enough from the bmx and the port.

Depends on you and your Onc.  I am still in Chemo, receiving weekly Taxol plus Herceptin treatments and I began rads last week.  My Onc said some chemo mixes w/rads and some doesn't.  Plus he said age (I'm 37) and health matter, I went into all this pretty healthy and am handling chemo well (with a nasty weight gain, which I remind myself is good).  BTW, my rads are for mets to my ribcage and not breast, so I only need 13 treatments.

jo1955 - I hope the Femara works for you this time.  Let us know how it goes.  Congratulations on everything being fine!  Nice that you don't have to see any Doc's for 4 months.   

I just finished #24 of 30 rads today.  6 left now.   My boosts are included in each rad. 

Looks like my next mammo will be end of June.  Surgeon said 6 months after rads are finished is when he does the next mammo.   I did read on the John Hopkins site that the standard of care is mammo every six months on the affected breast for 2 years, normal once a year mammo for the other breast and after two years once a year for both breasts.  

Went to my first rad treatment today, pretty uneventful, although the computer had to re-booted, so I have a feeling these machines break down a lot. My breast feels tingly and warm already - I put cold compress on it and used aloe vera. Jo - seems like a good result from the oc - congrats.

Hi everyone, I have my last rads tomorrow for my mets to the bones. It has liminated a lot of my pain I was experiencing. So I am pleased with that. See RO tomorrow to see what all he has to say at this point. Curious and asking RO if you experience pain again in your bones or even a new area can they radiate some more?

Wish everyone the best with your rads. Your getting closer and closer to getting done with all of this.

michelekb: I had a road map all over my legs, hip, and chest for my spine. Not tattoos on me not even when they did rads to my breast wall.

itzmeshel: I did rads with chemo as well my first and second time around.

jo1955: hope Femara works for you. I cannot take any of that cause I am TN

@Latte.  Welcome, though I'd rather have met you almost anywhere else.  Wonder if treatments for BC in Israel are similar to those in the States.  Rad # 4 today, so in a couple of hours there will be only 28 to go, including boosts.  BC has a new meaning to me now: Before Cancer.  Yes, plz hang out on this thread.  Shalom, Barbcard2

Thanks for welcoming me, although, yes, I wish it was under different circumstances.  Everybody here seems so supportive and helpful - nice to be able to relate to such a wonderful group!

Anybody else having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit this year?  I have not even started shopping, and that's not like me at all.

I'll let you know how my simulation goes tomorrow.

Hi Everyone.

I haven't been posting for a few days, just been a little DITD (Down in the Dumps). My boob is getting very pink, almost red (is that dark pink?) and my nipple is pretty sore now. I used conrstarch orver the weekend and last night and it helped alot. Hard to dress for work when not wearing a bra. Between that and my head itching all the time from this blasted wig which I have come to HATE, I am very cranky. Add that DH's car broke down and I am driving him to work and back and my rad appointment everyday (schedule just doesn't work out for HIM to do the drving - grrr) and then trying to actually work at work...add Christmas behindedness to the mix and I am in a foul mood.  AH. I feel better now, thanks for letting me rant a bit!

Today is number 12. Yay for me!

Sherryc - After I saw my onc yesterday and he told me I only had to have a mammo once a year, I was a bit concerned.  Most ladies have said they are getting follow ups every 6 months.  I will see him again in 4 months and with the timing of my annual, will probably have my gyn schedule it and see what happens.  The onc said he does not like to do additional tests unless there is a reason.  Sound logical to me and I will just go with it for now. The tx plan can always change and I like the idea of fewer med appts.  I have to trust what he says - he is really good and would not lead me in the wrong direction.

So far so good on the Femara.  Last night was the first yellow pill.  Will keep using the sample bottle for now and if no nausea will get the RX filled.  The Arimidex took about 3 weeks before I got sick.  Cross my fingers that won't happen again - really don't want to do Tamox.

 

Would someone please tell me what TE means?  4 down, 28 to go.  Sounds like a football score.

TE - temporary expanders or tissue expanders

I had to look it up.  If you search abbreviations it explains what they all mean.

Finished #25 of Rads today.  5 to go and counting down.  

Broke my tooth at lunch today - so dentist tomorrow.  Need to get that fixed before I leave town Dec. 22.   Going to visit our Son and Daugher-in-law in California for Christmas.