February 2011 Rads

Beacher - I also have a nasty sore throat today, although I honestly think mine is from radiation. It seems to be more pronounced on the side I am being radiated. I have only been doing rads for a week, so i'm a little worried about the progression of this sore throat.

Adey - I have also heard about the tightening with rads and the TE's. My PS and RO actually collectively decided to take out some of my "stuffing" in my TE's. They are flattened now and saggy after being so pumped up. Once rads is done and i'm healed they are going to pump me back up. If you are worried about the amount of fluid in your TE's and tightness, you might ask your RO about this. 

Heather-  My RO said that a sore throat and/or cough could be a SE of rads...  I wish there was a consensus, every doc seems to say something different.

Beacher- I'm going to try to tough it out!

Like a gal on the January thread says; "Lube that boob!".  I'm starting now.  (c:

Hi All, I go to see my radiologist this Thursday and am scared.  I have no idea what to expect.  It sounds like that the first appointment will be setting up how many treatments and what else?  All I have heard is that it will make you tired.  Just finished my last chemo treatment on 19 Jan and am having muscle pain and spasms. Will the radiation affect my pain more? I am also having anxiety and having a hard time figuring out what to eat and being at peace with this whole thing. I thought I would jump in and get support because I am thinking someone else has had the same feelings as I am having and could guide me as to what to do about this

Thanks ladies! God Bless! 

For those of you who have already started, how much were you told ahead of time regarding what to use or not use on your skin? I've seen on other threads that folks can't use deodorant and about getting approval for creams, oils, vitamin supplements, etc. When I went in for my planning session last week I asked about this and was told they'd talk to me at the first treatment, but doesn't that seem a little late?

I've read a lot about people using products that contain calendula, so I've done some looking around (even learned the correct pronunciation at Super Supplements, I had it wrong). I have really fair/sensitive skin and am worried about burning, so if I buy enough product maybe I won't end up needing it??   :-)  Has anyone used a calendula spray? I picked one up at SS, 22% in a glycerin/purified water base, made by Hyland's.,, it just sounded like it might be a good thing to have if the skin is too sore to touch?

Also, is it typical for there to be two weeks between the planning session and the first treatment?  I was a bit surprised that it would take so long.

Thanks, (and cute song Eloise)

nondairy971 -- At your very first appointment, the radiologist will probably just examine you, talk to you about how radiation works, and tell you what course of treatment she or he is thinking about prescribing.  You may also meet some of the other staff at this visit, the nurse, radiology techs, and social worker.  If you have a good team, this should be a real opportunity to ask a lot of questions.

The appointment after that will be the longest one -- you'll get a CT scan and the process of mapping out the radiation will begin.  You'll probably get tattoos at this one, unless your center does non-permanent markers.  Mine didn't hurt; they're three small dots, the one that's between my breasts is visually annoying and I might get it removed or covered with something else after I'm done, the other two are on my sides and I can't see them unless I'm really looking.  The CT scan won't hurt but you will need to lie still for several minutes at a time.  You may also get further instruction from the nurse about skin care at this appointment or the next one.

At appointment #3, probably a week or so later, the team will look at the plan that the doctor and the team have worked out, do an X-ray or two, take more measurements.  Time-consuming, but nothing hard for you.  Either at this appointment or at #2, they'll talk to you about what schedule you prefer for the regular treatment.  At my clinic this appointment is combined with the first treatment but that isn't always the case.

Then your treatment begins. Usually they'll schedule you for the same time every day, or close to the same time.  If things are running well, you'll be in and out in less than 15 minutes.  Come in, strip to the waist and stow your stuff in a locker, put on a gown, the tech takes you back to your treatment room. I have the same three techs every day and they're sweet.  They'll help you lie down on the table and take your arms out of your sleeves and pull the gown down to your waist, you'll put your arms over your head in a padded cradle with a ring to hold on to -- quite comfortable.  My techs offer warm blankets for my legs and abdomen. They will take a few minutes to nudge and tug you around on the table to the precise point where all the tattoos and the marks on the table line up where they should be.  This is what I find hardest: learning to let them move my body and not try to help -- just be dead weight -- and if the third tech comes in the room after I'm lying down, to remember not to put my head up to make eye contact when he says hello to the bottom of my feet!  When you're in position, they'll cover up the breast on the side that isn't being treated (they need to expose that side at first in order to get the marks to line up). Then the techs will leave the room and go into the control room.  They'll be able to see, hear, and talk to you.  The machine will turn on, whir, move around, while a sequence of beeps and buzzers reminds everyone else not to go in the room.  It's not loud -- reminds me of a fax/copier sound.  You need to lie very still, but you can breathe normally.  Some places let you choose music (mine doesn't), some have special artwork on the ceiling to focus on (my room is named Sequoia, so there are lots of tree and leaf images). I don't feel anything, although some people report feeling a slight warmth.  This actual radiation sequence is maybe about three minutes long.  Then they'll come back, help you off the table, walk you back to the changing room, and you're done.  Once a week you'll meet with your doc afterwards for a quick exam and chance to ask questions. 

I don't think radiation should add to any pain you're having now.  It shouldn't affect what you can eat or what you want to eat, and in fact the docs don't want you to change your diet during radiation -- not to stress your body further, and also so you stay the same size and the measurements don't get thrown off.   It will give you fatigue, more so as the treatments go on and for a month or so afterward, possibly more.  Your skin will be affected, and you'll need to put creams on several times a day -- each doctor or clinic seems to have their own regimen, but basically they're all moisturizers.  The skin will probably be red, possibly itchy and may peel like a sunburn. Most of us have been advised to avoid underwires and very constricting bras while the skin is healing and to go for camisoles, soft sports bras, or go without when possible. Undershirts or tanks are good to stop the rest of your clothes getting gooped up from the creams.  The nurse at my clinic had me buy a yard of white fleece to cut into strips and put next to my skin, though I haven't needed it yet.

Hope some of that helps!  I'm only on day 11 so I haven't had much in the way of side effects. 

Eloise:  I think your description was right on (rads).  There are a few minor differences but WOW, I am going to read it to my husband.

Had #6 yesterday, so far so good except for the UTI which was the worst I have ever experienced and I've had major bladder surgery, eons ago.  Saw my RO and he answered all my questions this time without too much grinning.  My questions were all the advise I got from you guys and I got a positive response except for the cream and how often to use.  He says only Aquafor and once a day on top of the breast only, weird.  He did give a script for 5 cipro as I was desperate and I took one last night and it feels like night and day.  Got to give him credit for that without a urine test too.  He also suggested referral to an LE specialist if my arm gets worse.

His basic confirmation was: drink water/eat protein/avoid anti-oxidants/use cornstarch/aquafor/excersize.

Congratulations to all that are now DONE.  We are all behind you in different stages but we WILL be doing the HAPPY DANCE!

Good morning---I FINISHED RADS YESTERDAY...YAY....was tooo fatigued to post last night.I didnt have too much of that before...maybe 4-5x during the entire tx.and yes im well done.

BUT THANK GOD IM DONE.IM AT THE FINISH LINE WAITING FOR ALL MY SISTAS.IM THE ONE WAVING LIKE CRAZY.GOOD LUCK EVERYONE.HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGS K

grannydukes-HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Doing the Happy Dance

I am going to the radiologist this Friday.  Had two lumpectomies with an excision of a enourmous hematoma in between!  Apprehensive about it and wondering what kinds of creams I should buy....  Husband freaking out about $$$, I guess this is all a part of the "treatment plan." 

Eloise:  thank you!  I noticed you declined tamoxifen....

Hi there, just back from my second to last treatment.  I saw the Onclogist as well.  Things are doing well, though the skin under the arm is looking like it may break down as well as the area under the breast.  Very painful as well (tylenol, advil, etc) Polysporin will take care of that (if that happens).  The techs said next week may be my worst week in terms of redness, skin tightness, break down, etc.

Will see the Oncologist in 6 weeks for follow up and again in 6 months.  At that time if things are doing well, I will be discharged to the care of the Medical Oncologist and my own physician.  

Only tomorrow's treatment left to go and I am so DONE!!!!-

take good care all

Teklya

Teklya will be waiting for you at the finish line.

Eloise - you described things really well.  where I go they take x-rays every 5th treatment to make sure that they aren't hitting the lung anymore than needed.  Mine is on the right side so we only have to worry about the lung.  The first time they took x-rays on me they had to adjust things.  They said that I was so tense and anxious at the beginning that after I relaxed it changed the measurements of where the beam was hitting. I just finished 16 of 36 today.  My skin is looking good.  I was having pain inside the breast that was uncomfortable, and when I talked to the onco nurse she reccomended Aleve twice a day.  That worked well.  At the cancer center here we are seen by the RO every Wed. He looks at our skin and is available for any questions. They provide all the creams and ointments needed based on how the skin looks. 

For all of you just starting out.  Radiation isn't as scary as it seems.  I'm a worrier so I, like a lot of us here, had a hard time sleeping the night before each of the 1st appointments.  I hadn't found this site yet, so I didn't have any idea of what to expect. The worst part so far is the drive each day.  Not too bad really. The best part is, there is an end, we just have to be patient and take it one day at a time.

YEA!!!! for all of you that are finished  So glad to hear your done.  God Bless you on your path to health.

I don't post very often. I mostly come read what every one has to say.  So often you girls have posted just what I need to hear. It's either what I'm feeling and I feel validated or someone has answered a question.  I'm glad I found this place.

Elizabeth I had surgery o 9/30 a Thursday meet with mr RO the following tuesday and actually had my first rad TX on 12/2

Did anyone see the news about removal of nodes for early stage BC?  It was on one of those early morning news shows (I caught it on MSNBC on line).  It left me so furious with my surgeon, maybe that's too strong a word, frustrated maybe.

From my take on the article, since July, the study has recommended only removal of 1 or 2 nodes for testing because the treatment for a lumpectomy will take care of any cancerous nodes, especially with the systemic 5 year treatment pill after radiation.  I am upset, because I already have issues (removal of 21 nodes, all clear by the way), and when I told my surgeon 2 weeks ago that I was having issues and would it get worse with radiation, he reluctantly admitted it probably would but then told me that I could die from cancer without radiation.  Duh!  Talk about shutting the barn door after the horse has bolted.  He knew (before surgery) I only have use of that one arm (the other one is pretty restricted (injury)).

If anyone reads this who has not yet had a lumpectomy, please discuss this with the doctor before surgery.  I don't mean restrict him if he needs to take more, but make him aware of this study.  You have to be your own advocate.

Grrrrrrrrrr! and I was having a good day before reading this.