January 2011 Rads

Snow snow snow, maybe difficult to get to rads tomorrow since it is 25 min away.  Will call in advance to make sure they are open.

I am on my DH insurance plan and once I reach 1k for myself it is 100% plan pay but your right Sherryc that does not include co pay.  We do a flex plan every year but it is hard to anticipate what you need, case in point last year.  It was eaten up by a few MRI's and sonograms before May started.

Possible snow here in western Oregon this week, however, the forecast appears to be improving. I just want to get through with no delays! 5 sessions to go.

A friend at church--a nurse who is also a BC survivor--said a new treatment is being developed which involves giving radiation at the time of breast cancer surgery. Just one time, and you are done. I didn't get a chance to find out more. Has anyone heard about this? That would be wonderful if we could avoid all these daily trips.

susantm - I also asked about it and have read several articles about it.  Technology still too new and the equipment very specialized and expensive.  It would be great though.  Surgery & rads at the same time.

michcon - The 5 day radiation I think you are referring to is Mammosite.  The balloon can be inserted during surgery. A dummy balloon is put in and then you have to wait and make sure everything is clear before you can proceed.  If everything is clear, then the dummy balloon is removed and the real one is put in its place.  You also have to wait at least 2 weeks before you can do the 5 day rads.

I had the balloon put in two weeks after surgery and still there was no guarantee for success.  I had to have mine removed because the rad onc was not able to get all the air out of the lump cavity.  

The 5 day rads is still new and a lot of the bugs still have to be worked out.  Mammosite has been around for several years and is not in trial. 

Sherry - I won't rub it in too much but we were at 80 degrees today with lots of sunshine.  But wait, it is going to be cold (for us) later in the week.  Tues - Thurs highs in the 50s.  I will not complain about the warm winter we are having.

The snow in Frisco was on our local news tonight and they even had pictures of the white stuff. 

Sherry - I was also told when you live in the Rio Grande Valley it is like being on another planet.  I have seen up to a 60 degree temp difference between here and Amarillo on the same day.  Incredible!

Jo1955 - Frisco is 30 miles north of Dallas, was a small town of 27,000 when we moved here in 1999, before that a spec in the dust.  We are now over 100,000.  Made it to work (only 5 miles away) with no problems but a bit icy in patches.  Have my rads at 1:00 call the office before I go.  It is in Plano just south Hwy 121 and they said Plano was clear, amazing.  Delayed school for two hours. DH is taking son to school be fore he goes to work.  He works 30 miles away and has to take the freeways.  Wish I could post a pic of what our street looked like yesterday but having technical difficulties.

SherryC - I know what you mean about TX weather.  If you blink it changes from one extreme to the next.

First radiation done---24 more to go (then 5 boosters). Went well--it was a bit nerve-racking the first time (like first chemo). People were great--told me to use the cream as much as I can in the day. Meet RO on Fridays. Hoping this will go pretty fast.

Thanks Jo---Like your experience, my RO is not the greatest personality in the world but the techs were amazing and said to ask them anything if I had questions. Definitely makes the process easier.

barbard2 - I am so glad for you - hearing from our "children" can make all the difference.  Hope your rash goes away and quickly.  I go for #13 today and keeping my fingers crossed for no rash...

5 down, 25 to go.  Got a call very early this morning that the machine was broken and I should come in later.  Went in around 11:30 and all went smoothly - although it is a little disconcerting about the machine breaking.  Hmmmm....

Anyone else feel any nausea?  It's so strange, I know that's not a normal side effect.  Since #2 I have felt nausea.  On the weekend I was okay - a la no treatments.  Just curious if I'm alone in feeling this way.  Only positive thing about that is that I'm not hungry!!

Hope everyone is having a good start to the week.  Not looking forward to the 16 inches of snow we're supposed to get Tues night into Wed here in NJ. 

Omaz - I am tiring of the snow very quickly!  I guess if I have to miss the treatment that day they'll just tack it on to the end.  Glad you started today - just becomes very routine now.  I know what you mean about the machine - I feel like it's my friend, actually.  It has a big smiley face sticker on it that I stare at, just like this .  It will be strange when it's all over.

Having success with using corn starch right now instead of any of the deodorants.  Although it's a bit messy! 

Welcome Paula.  This has been a GREAT group with so much useful and supportive information.  

Sorry, I got behind on the boards!

Omaz - I started today. 

Is it weird that I feel something after only one treatment? My boob has been a bit achey today and I just checked it and it's pink around the nipple area. I hope it's just random and not how this will be. I was told that the pink wouldn't show for 2 weeks! The rash scares the crap out of me. I know that if I made it through chemo this should be cake, but it's not feeling that way right now. 

I started using baking soda with cornstarch for deodorant and it seems to work so far. The true test will be Saturday night when I'm getting crazy at a Kid Rock concert! Please let the rash hold off until after! 

Michcon--I had really weird sensations my first week as well.  I also would get pink after tx but it would go away by the next am. They say your body is not supose to know it is getting radiated yet, but I don't buy it.  I think my boob knew from day one.  I did start having an itch around week two which I used cortisone cream for and at week three it blossomed into a terrible rash with itch.  It was Christmas and my doc was out of town so I used a steriod lotion I had in my medicine cabinet.  It was for poison ivy.  Not what my RO would have given me but he was not upset and glad I has able to take care of it and I had a 5 day break so it was practically gone by the time I started tx again.  When he got back he gave me a scrip for Kenalog which has helped. I am now at 5 weeks and the rash is gone and hardly any itching at all.  I am peeling and very red but it does not hurt. If you itch make sure you ask for something right away.  Also my nipple started getting sore the first week so my RO told me to get silicone nipple protectors.  They are wonderful, only $6.50/pair.  I exercise alot so my nipples are really sore when wearing my sports bra.

Oakley I have heard of some getting neasua but the RO's say it is not associated but hey there are quite a few who have complained about it.

Barbcard so glad your DD is coming to visit.  I know how hard things have been on you not communicating well with her.  AS far as the itch and rash.  Mine blossomed at Christmas and it is pretty much gone now.  I think I always to things backwards.hehe  Ask for a prescription steriod cream if what you are using is not working.  Mine gave me Kenalog and I know Jo used Topocort.  Ask about these.

Welcome to the newbies and Good Luck to those that started today.  Use lots of cream and keep your skin in good shape.

Finished number 24 today, 4 more reg rads and 6 boost to go. Even though I am peeling like a snake I am not in any pain, just red and peeling.  My skin is dry and in good shape.

 About a week ago we had a disussion regarding cost of rads.  I got my first EOB with the cost and mine is $2300 per session.  So glad I am only paying my $30 copay.