December 2010 Rads

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited December 2010

    tammyg - Sorry to hear you are hurting and have to also deal with sick kids.  That makes it tough.  Sending you out a big cyber hug and hope everyone in your household gets better soon.

     

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  • Latte
    Latte Member Posts: 1,072
    edited December 2010

    tammy - i also have the electric shocks under my arms and was also told it is a good thing bevcause it means that the nerves are regenerating;

    IowaSue - the 18 rads is a canadian protocol - you should be able to search for it and find others who have done it because I remember people in other topics discussing it

    my rads technicians are generally non-communicative. on the first day they were great, but then i guess they think they don't need to talk to me any more - they don't even tell me not to move or say when they are leaving the room and the rads are starting. and we don't have blankets - but they do cover me up with my robe after they have positioned me. the secretaries and nurses are much nicer. i'm jealous of the conditions some of you have in your rads clinics!

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited December 2010

    Latte - Your rad experience sounds alot like I went through.  The rad techs would only talk if they felt like it.  Don't bother to ask questions - they would not answer.  The secretaries were much nicer and were always helpful.  The rad nurse was the worst.  The rad onc was never available unless I demanded to see him.  Sure glad I don't have to go back for any kind of follow up.

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  • rachel5738
    rachel5738 Member Posts: 920
    edited December 2010

    I have only had my rad simulation--the people were really nice and friendly--hoping that continues. My RO has the personality of a piece of wood so am not hopeful for any great times with him. When you are done radiation--do you have to go back for checkups?? I know that I do with my MO but wasn't sure about RO. Perhaps he will surprise me and be amazing once I start radiation!! I am due to start on January 10th now as he didn't sign treatment plan before he left on vacation! I was originally to start on January 4th. Not off to the greatest start!

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited December 2010

    rachel5738 - I had a rad onc that was a moron.  When I finished rads I had to go back one week after for a "skin check".  I think he was just covering his butt because he let mind get so out of hand. Had a terrible time.  After that, no further follow ups and I am glad.  Mine started out nice and then turned to stone.  Each rad onc is different and I have read others were to go back at 3 months and then 6 months.  You will have to try and find out sometime during your treatments.  You probably won't find out until close to the end.

    I really don't see the need to go back, that's what I have a med onc for.  If I have any problems I would rather him take care of me. 

    Good luck in starting rads. 

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  • localgirl
    localgirl Member Posts: 39
    edited December 2010

    Hi all-

    Had #5 today plus the weekly x-ray to check to see if everything is still in alignment.  Pretty uneventful.  

    My good friend from college is an RO at MDA where I am being treated (by a different RO) and I asked her about the silence from the techs and their demeanor and she said that most of them are not chatty since they take their jobs very seriously and ultimately, they are the ones who push the button so they feel incredibly responsible.  My techs are very nice and polite but like most, all business.  I go in, lay down, they offer me a blanket, and I just stay still and pretty silent and let them shimmy me around.  They come and go pretty silently but there's no chit chat or announcements about their coming and going. Sounds like that's what most people are experiencing too and that makes sense I guess. I did tell her that it would be good to prepare patients beforehand that their techs may not be talking much because some people are put at ease by casual conversation.  

    Sorry to hear that other techs are not only quiet but rude too - My mom was telling me a horror story about a P.A. she had to deal with today for her cancer treatment.  It's such a shame that a few bad apples can make someone's experience so negative - not like we don't have enough crap to worry about!

    rachel5738 - *love* the piece of wood analogy!  Too funny!  

    Have a great night everyone

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited December 2010

    localgirl - My rad techs were nice but very businesslike.  Although I have to admit, they did a great job at explaining everything they were going to do when it came time for the boosts.  They told me about having to do x-rays and then a template, the additional markings, etc.  My rad onc never discussed to I am grateful to the techs.

    You are right, they are always a few bad apples that give the rest a bad name. 

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  • toni30
    toni30 Member Posts: 252
    edited December 2010

    Iowasue - I am getting the shorter (Canadian) protocol - 20 txs total - 15 regular txs and 5 boost txs.  I just finished tx #12 today and feel pretty good. I am working full time.  I definitely need more sleep, and have felt fatigue since Day 2.  But my breast is okay - no burning or itching.  Thanks to this board, I have been using aloe vera and aquaphor, which helps. Hope your experience is also good.

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited December 2010

    tammyg-sure hope things get better there with you and the kiddos.  Tuff taking care of sick kids when you don't feel so great yourself.

    Had #17 today officially 1/2 way done.  I have 17 more left to do including my boost. Had the works today.  Rads, weekly x-rays then C-T scan to recheck me for my boost.  Then off to a private yoga class which was great.  Yoga instructor is a teacher and decided to not do classes this week but offered me a private class in her new home studio.  Only itched once today and the new ceam (kenalog) worked.  I am back to feeling like my old self.  I hate being in funks, glad that has passed. DH is finally feeling better also, antibiotics have kicked in.

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited December 2010

    Sherryc - Glad you are feeling better and not itchy anymore.  Congrats on making it half way you are now officially on the downhill slide.  Also glad to hear DH is also feeling better.

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  • sandiddstn
    sandiddstn Member Posts: 88
    edited December 2010

    Want to slide in here to say Hello!!!!... Just found this theard, had treatment #16 today.  Question for you all about the skin.  My RO has not gave me anything for the redness.  Keeps telling me to do corn starch and less is better.  Any body ever hear of this?  So afraid my skin will not hold up for the next 17 tx's.   I have read about the cream you all have used but still I am not sure what to do since he has not offered any thing.  I swear this is driving me nuts.  Any one want to join me in the loonly bend, I will be the one with no boobs and half tan, and as of now, no hair...:)  I will be easy to find. 

    Did any not do what RO says and use cream anyway?  Man where to turn or where to go... 

    Some one please help a crazy lady!!!

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited December 2010

    sandiddstn - My rad onc would not let me use anything.  I always thought he was a moron.  When i got the itchy rash, I convinced him to let me use Topicort which I read about on the Nov Rads thread.  He had not heard of it and looked it up on the internet - then gave me a RX.  Still no creams and I look like a lobster.  Well, I said to heck with him and took the advice of ladies on the rad thread and used Aquaphor 3 times a day.  I would make sure I did not use it 4 hours prior  to treatment and would race home to put it on after treatment.  Aquaphor is greasy but it did wonders for my skin.  I continued to use it two weeks after rads and my skin is back to normal.

    I could tell you horror stories about my rad onc but I won't. 

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  • sandiddstn
    sandiddstn Member Posts: 88
    edited December 2010

    Thanks jo1955... This may sound dumb but what is it and where do I get it...I was thinking anything to use at night and shower it off in the morning before treatment.  They can't tell can they?  My mind is sooo not working right now I feel like a pre schooler... :)

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  • spark
    spark Member Posts: 130
    edited December 2010

    I am getting 25 plus 5 boosts. i had treatment # 3 today. i do get these sort of shooting pains once in a while. my RO told me not to use any creams until i start showing symptoms. She said I could start using Calendula ointment?

    SingltonA: Hi!!! so nice to see you here from our chemo group!

    What does DH stand for?

    When should I start using the calendula, or aquaphor or aloe vera?

    Oh and caught a cold from my sister's kids during xmas, but they told me not to take vitamin C, so what do i do for my cold?!?

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited December 2010

    spark - If I were you, I would start using creams now!  Don't wait untill your skin start showing symptoms.  My rad onc did not let me use anything and I paid for it dearly with all kinds of problems.  Once I started using Aquaphor 3 times a day, my skin thanked me every day.

    You should be able to use just about any over the counter cold medicine - that should have not effect on the rads. 

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  • raincitygirl
    raincitygirl Member Posts: 3,143
    edited December 2010

    DH=dear husband whether they are truly dear or not :)

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  • singletona80
    singletona80 Member Posts: 224
    edited December 2010

    Hey,  what are boost ?? Do everybody get boost? My RO didnt mention anything about that.....

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  • yellow78
    yellow78 Member Posts: 82
    edited December 2010

    Hi Everyone!

    Quick question I am having treatment number 13 today but noticed that everyday this week I have had x-rays.  Has this happen to anyone else?  Last week I only had x-rays once what could be the reason for this?  I was going to ask today but curious if this happens on occasion.

    thanks, Jenn

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited December 2010

    Welcome newbies glad to have you join us.  This is a great place for support and information. Please don't hesitate to ask questions. 

    sandiddstn-my RO gave me a prescription cream and told to use it 2 to 3 times a day. He also said I could use aloe vera if I wanted and if I really felt I needed more I could use aquafor at night.  Used about where to get aquafor.  I got my at Wal-Mart but you could look at CVS or Walgreens as well.  And yes you will be fine washing it off in the morning.  I have used it a few times at night and actually by in the morning as greasy as it is it soaks up into my skin.

    Spark- I am with jo use the creams as soon as possible.  My RO recommended me to start using creams my first day of treatment to stay ahead of the problems.

    Singletona80-I have not heard of anyone not getting boost, but every RO is different.  My RO told me about it along with all the other info and it got lost in my brain somewhere.  My techs have talked more about and then I asked my RO and he explained it better to me.  Just ask at your clinic and they can tell you.

    Hope everyone has a great day!  I have tomorrow off and am looking forward to having another long weekend.

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited December 2010

    singletona80 - If you had lumpectomy, the boosts are usually done at the end of rads.  The amount done will vary with each person and rad onc.  I had 5. You will be remarked the week before just in the lump scar area and the rads are concentrated on this area only.  The radiation used is not as intense as what you are getting now and does not penetrate the skin as deeply.  This is done as an added layer of protection that all the cancer cells were destroyed.  The advantage to the boosts is it gives the rest of the breast a chance to being healing.  My boost area got red and I ended up with what looked like a tan in that area for awhile.

    Hope this answers your questions. 

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited December 2010
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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited December 2010

    I am going to dive in and bring up a personal subject here.  When I started rads and they told me I could not shave under my arm or wear deo I was completely grossed out.  They did tell me I could use the natural deo Crystal which comes in a roll on.  I have been using it.  It is better than nothing but does not work as well as my old deo.  I was complaining to my DH about the shaving thing and he said why don't you use my beard trimmer, it has a plastic guard on it so the shaver part will not touch your skin.  He does come up with good ideas sometimes.  I took a look at it and sure enough the plastic guard is so you can set different lengths to cut.  I put it on the shortest length and have been much happier.  Now my hair has fallen out on the bottom half of my armpit and this week I guess the rads is effecting my glands because I am no longer producing any odor under my arm so that is a good thing.  Don't need any deo now.  I just thought some of you newbies might want this info. I may be the only one grossed out by this but when I started no one was talking about it on the threads so just thought I would throw it out there.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2010

    Hi,

    I have 22 dx under my belt and 11 more to go. I seen many posts that the tx in Canada are shorter, not for me. I live in Vancouver and getting 28+5 boosts, as far as I understand is depending on breast size. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2010

    A tip for those with large breasts that are uncomfortable not using a bra: wear a soft t-shirt and on top of that the bra, It is the thing that has worked the best for me so far, luckily is winter and I can afford wearing many layers!!

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited December 2010
    Sherryc - I read that you could not use a blade razor but an electric razor is acceptable.  So continue using DH's trimmer.
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  • raincitygirl
    raincitygirl Member Posts: 3,143
    edited December 2010

    danielaes, that is also my understanding, that unless you have a cups or very small b cups, the US doesn't do the shorter course yet.

    Love your tshirt under the bra suggestion as I can tell I am going to need some solution.

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited December 2010

    Jo I read that also about the electric razor however I would not recommend doing that all by itself.  I did that once when we went camping about a year ago and I had a horrible rash after that.  It really irritated by skin.  But the beard trimmer with the plastic guard keeps the electric razor part away from your skin.

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited December 2010

    Sherry - That is good to know - will keep that in mind

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited December 2010
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  • toomuch
    toomuch Member Posts: 901
    edited December 2010

    Arrrgh. Just back from 5th treatment. My plan changed again and I was on the table for 2 hours for xrays and another setup. It felt like there were screws digging in to my head and scapula and after an hour and a half I started to cry. The radiation techs offered to give me a break and let me get up but that would have meant more measuring again and I didn't want it to take even longer so I stuck it out. It's the 3rd time this week that I was there for 2 hours or more and I'm so frustrated. Okay. I vented and I feel better. THANKS!

    SherryC My RO told me that it's likely that I'll never have to shave on the left side again. I figure that's the only perk to getting axillary radiation!

     JO I love your New Years Bear!

    Wishing each of you a Happy New Year and a Healthy 2011! 

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