January 2011 Rads

Omaz--The images are like flat screens that come out of the machine before the actual radiation starts--with that round thing with the metal teeth (so technical !!). Nobody said anything about dosimeter readings--don't even know what that is--I meet rad onco tomorrow AM for checkup so I will ask him. What is it?

Had #2 today and I also get four zaps - two from each position - - one with the machine way down low on my left side (left br being treated) and one with the machine up high and to the right of me.  It goes fast.  Today was in and out in about 10 minutes.

Tech had just been to a rad conference and she heard me telling them yesterday that I ordered Miaderm online.  She remembered after hearing me explain about Miaderm that the had gotten samples of it at a recent rad conference so today she gave two little vials to me.  Wasn't that sweet?  So now I have some until mine arrives.  Also cracked open the Glaxal Base last night.  So far so good . . . but still do feel a little tingly after treatment.

He said the "dosimeter" i checking to make sure I get the amount or radiation the doctor wants at that location - the 'dose'.  Tek - My affected breast is bare, no coverage. I see my onc on Monday and I'll ask about the number of zaps and what they mean.  Its all so mysterious!

I am in the Atlanta area too.  Misssed 2 days and I found out today that I have to make them up on Sat and Sunday.  That doesn't make me happy and that doen't make sense either. I just dread having to go. I should want to get this over with.  But then again none of what I feel lately makes sense. 

So far I have 5 treatments under my belt -I have to seee the medical oncologist tomorrow at 8AM.  Another drive on the ice. UGH! I guess I get all the info about Tamoxifen.  

Debbie

Today I went for an informational tour of the radiation oncology facility I'm going to (Kaiser in South San Francisco) -- it's optional, but recommended for all new patients.  Very nice program, for all types of cancer although I think most of us were BC patients. First one of the dosimetricians showed us around the building, took us into the CT room, one of the treatment suites, and then brought us into a conference room for a PowerPoint presentation about the theory of radiation, showing samples of CT scans overlaid with how the dose was being targeted, etc.  When he got to showing us the scans he told us the prostate cancer we were looking at was his own -- which he had been treated for a few months ago.  Then one of the nurses came in and told us to stop by the nursing station any time if we had questions -- "we're always busy, but we're never too busy to talk to patients".  The nutritionist came by and said if any of us had questions about food, feel free to stop in, and the social worker gave us the rundown on what she could do to find us rides if we needed them, put through disability and medical leave paperwork, etc.  Really nice and took care of a lot of the minor procedural questions -- I'd had a little bit of health education from the nurses the day I came in for my consultation with the oncologist, but at that point I was convinced that I wasn't getting rads and was just here to confirm it was unnecessary....so I didn't pay as much attention as I should. 

ive had 8 treatments, so far skin seems ok. Seems a little redder than normal. no pain though.

I cant wiat till this is over........... *sigh* but then again, after this i start the tomoxifen.......i have trouble takign tablets GRRR

I dont want to wear my bra's, but i have no choice, I am at work so i feel a bit asymmetrical with out...

Pennythoughts, I got a Miaderm sample, too, from the staff. It is a little round container that is perfect to carry in my purse for use after getting zapped. I fill it up once a week from my big tube and keep it with me.

I'm having no pain at all now, just a little flaking--kind of like dandruff. I am back to using my regular bra now with the boosts. I feel very fortunate for how easy things went for me. Hope Tamoxifen goes as well.

Finished first week - yay!  They took X-rays today to check position.  Brought them muffins.  I paid attention to the zaps - roughly 20 count, turn, 17 count, 2 count with teeth, switch sides and repeat.

Jo - I see the rad onc on Monday and I'll ask her what exactly is going on.  I think it is the regular 25+5 schedule, maybe they are just doing the zaps in a particular way.  I do have a large breast - I don't know if that takes longer zaps to get the radiation distributed.

Well today I go for my last full breast rads and start on my 6 boost on Monday.  The end is so close.  I am actually doing pretty good now and my skin is good.  Peeling alot but it is a dry peel which is good.  I am glad things have turned out better because I had a rough time in the middle with rash and itch. Yesterday my tech said I was backwards with the problems. I told her go figure I would be the one to do things differrently.  My breast was very swollen last night and tender but took a couple of asprin before bed and it was better this morning.

Jo wish you were a few hours north on the day I finish we would def have a celebration.

#5 done today--met with Nurse to look at skin--no problem right now--she mentioned that some people may not have skin problems (granted--I haven't heard of that right now!). Didn't see Doc but will see him next week. I seem to have about 4-5 zaps of various lengths. 4 positions. I am getting my axilla zapped also so that is the one that is positioned directly above me--so I can see the teeth!

I had my last zap today, as well! The receptionists and nurses sang to me before I left and gave me a graduation certificate. It was great! And I am SO happy to be done. Also saw my oncologist and got a prescription for Tamoxifen, which I will start in a week, as I will be out of town for a couple days this week, and don't want to deal with SE's while away.

 congrats, to jw523! And hang in there, the rest of you. You will make it!

#10 today.  No real problems so far.  YAY.  Then I went to have my port removed.  YIKES!  That was something else.  So glad to have it gone!  Right now the freezing is leavng and I just took some Tylenol.  Pretty painful actually, more than I thought it might be.  But, the Dr had to do some digging to actually get the port out!

Guess the weekend will be a quiet one with very little activity.

take good care and have a good one

Teklya