February 2011 Rads

Hello Everyone!

I've got my "topography" appointment 2/18...Not sure my of my total rads cycle but I think it's 6 weeks. I just wanted to say thanks for all of the sharing on here.  It's a definite source of comfort...even the complaints!  Makes me feel not quite so abnormal, because I really do have such a great prognosis, and shouldn't complain, but sometimes they are on the tip of my tongue. 

MJbmiller be careful on those roads.  It is currently 26 degrees here.  I need a warmer place to be.  Good luck on your boost.

@mjbmiller:  I live in Maine, and the weather is often snowy. They key to driving on slippery roads is STOPPING...so many people get brave up here and for get that.  Go Slow.  Forget about traffic following you...concentrate on keeping your speed low, and shift into neutral if you find you are starting to slide at a stop....it helps a lot! 

Elizabeth, re timeline between surgery and rads....: I had my lumpectomy on 11/17/10, but didn't see a radiation oncologist until 12/23/10, and didn't start rads until 1/24/11.  Part of the delay was that my surgeon didn't think I needed any further treatment and so I didn't push to get oncology appointments sooner, and the delay between my initial radiation consult and treatment was because I signed up to qualify for a clinical study of herceptin for DCIS, which meant I needed to get tissue samples tested for HER2 at the lab that was heading the research study on the other side of the country. As it turned out, I'm HER2- so I didn't go into the study.  Anyway, my radiation oncologist said that total interval of 11 weeks between surgery and radiation was longer than he liked in general, but he felt it was okay in my case since I had such a small area of DCIS.  It was really my decision as to whether to do rads at all; my Van Nuys score puts me in the surgery-only category, but I have a lot of family history of various cancers early in life. 

everyone starting should come and look @ your post.  You did not leave anything out. That is exactly what happens line by line. 

I had sooo many delay since my surgeries that it actually took 7 mos since i had the SN removed.RO said that i waited way too long.so i asked him what he would tell his mother????he answered how do you know i like my mother????ha.he knew the dr.who messed me up and he said just do the tx.log stage,low grade,ned etc.i dragged my feet on it but I DID IT.ONLY GOD KNOW IF I DID THE RIGHT THING.When i finished on Monday he said im sooo glad you did it.you are cancer free.yay.

I had #13 of 25 today so I've passed the halfway mark!  A bit of fatigue, but hard for me to be sure it's rads-related because I tend to be pretty low energy at the best of times.  I have red patches under my breast and around my nipple, but otherwise no skin discoloration.  But my doc, who I saw today, told me to expect more fatigue and skin problems before I see him next week. 

And now another topic from those of us with experience for those just starting out! It's time for What Not To Wear -- The Radiation Edition.  

DON'T wear a tight skirt, tight pants, or tight underwear.  You're going to be lying on a table and inching your butt up and down and around on it, and then lying very still.  So you really don't want a wedgie.

DON'T wear a dress, since you'll have to take it off and expose your butt to the passing parade.

DON'T wear a lot of perfume, because the next person to be treated in your room might be having problems with smells and nausea.  I don't think you have to go all out with unscented products, just don't add anything you don't have to. 

DO wear cute shoes or socks if you have them, because it'll give the techs something to talk to you about.

DO bring along a hoodie or cardigan if you want, especially on doctor day when you'll be going beyond the dressing room-treatment room corridor.  Both for modesty and warmth, it's nice to have it to put it on over your exam gown as you walk over to the doctor's office.  If you don't have one, the techs will usually give you a blanket or you can take a second gown and wear it back to front. 

What am I forgetting here? chime in!

I go tomorrow for simulation and then on to the real thing!  Thanks for the list Eloise!!

Hi Everyone--Just jumping over from Jan thread...I guess I am a Jan/Feb rads. I am almost done my full breast rads--1 left to go--and then I have 5 boosters. The plan is to finish next Friday. I learned so much from these threads. My RO isn't the most friendly or patient focused Doc (someone mentioned they are more scientists than Docs..I think that is my Doc). I have pretty white (British) skin so was so worried about burning however, I am only slightly pink and slightly sore. I slathered on so much cream each day that I have gone through a load of cream. I also used some cornstarch underneath my breast after I showered, to keep it dry. Compared to chemo, rads seem to be easier on your body but the back/forth to the hospital and daily visits is very tiring. Just this past week, I have started to feel tired/lack of energy/yawning all the time. Good luck on the rads...lots of cream!!

Thanks Eloise I start on Monday and you were helpful.  (c:

Eloise thanks for the list (and the shoe comment).  Adey and Eloise neg  I'm right behind you, Tuesday 15th.   I've met the RO (remember beard makes him look satanic) so I'm guessing this next appt is getting me ready.  I ready to get this party started.  libraylil

This is my first post here.  I will be going to see the RO on the 14th for the final planning session, which from the list of things to happen will be the simulation.  I have already had the CT and x-ray and they made the cast for me to lay in so that I will always lay in the same position for every treatment.  I am hoping they will do the first treatment then so that I can get this over with.  Form the last visit with the RO I will be getting 28 treatments and he did not say anything about boosts.  I really need to be finished with this before the end of March so that I will have time to heal and regain some energy before I go to SIL#2 graduation and see my DD and 3GD at the end of April.

I had 12 rad treatments on my spine back in Nov. and I got so sick and still have some of the same issues from those treatments.  I still have to use the Magic Mouthwash a couple of times a week so it will be interesting to see what 28 treatments will do to me.  I just pray I do not get a case of the hiccups during the treatments.  Needless to say I am not really wanting to do this. When I got in the CT machine I lost it big time.  I cried for 2 days.  I think it finally hit me this is a big deal and my life is forever changed.  

I am glad I found this site as I have gotten so much support and encouragement from the ladies here.  I hope everyone has a good nights rest and a joyous day tomorrow.  Joy and blessings, Amy Jo 

I still have 1 more Chemo to go on March 1st but called RO recommended by my MO for a consult.  I was told they would not even schedule me until I had a full body PETscan.  So right now I'm in the waiting game (isn't this whole trip a waiting game?) for my MO to set up scan.  I really just wanted to thank you all for the tips and advice provided on this string.  I just wanted to understand the process and reading through this has helped me greatly.  Hope you don't mind if I continue to lurk until I join my own group hopefully in March/April.

Well I am on the home strech, have my 4th of my 5 boost today.

For the new girls, all I can say is keep the lotion on after tx to keep your skin hydrated.  I thought I did but got bad rad burn under my arm.  The silver cream the dr perscribed is working real weel.  Will be so glad to have my lunch hour back.  Like Rachel said, it is the drive everyday that can wear you out, but it will be worth it in the end, right?  Keep telling myself that everyday.