March 2011 Rads

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marjie
marjie Member Posts: 1,134

Hi everyone!

I will be starting my radiation treatments March 2nd. Had my RT planning and setup session way back end of January so I thought I would start up a March forum for everyone just heading in.  These forums are such a great place to share information and experiences as well as just blow off some steam when we need to!

I will be having 25 sessions + 8 boosts.

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Comments

  • GrandmaBubba
    GrandmaBubba Member Posts: 111
    edited February 2011

    marjie - I guess it's you and me so far. I have my set up appointment 2/21. I don't know about you but I REALLY don't want to do this. I had surgery on 11/19 and 11/24 and 12/13. That put my TE fills a month behind, so now we're rushing to try to complete fills. I just feel like I don't have any control and I don't like it.

  • marjie
    marjie Member Posts: 1,134
    edited February 2011

    GrandmaBubba - yay someone on board!  I just want to get it done with - I know the idea of rads really scares some, but I'm so damn glad to be done chemo that I am just charging right ahead.  I am lucky that I live only about 10 minutes from the cancer centre so even the daily grind won't be too bad I don't think.  You sound like you definitely have a lot on your plate....for me the setup appt was pretty simple. 

  • Adey
    Adey Member Posts: 3,610
    edited February 2011

    I'm here too!  I start on Monday but will be going well into March.  And away we go...

  • lrr4993
    lrr4993 Member Posts: 937
    edited February 2011

    Hey all - visiting you from the january rads thread to share the word about miaderm.  This was one of many recommended to me pre-rads.  It has been great.  My last whole breast radiation is tomorrow and I have had absolute no problems.  I have had some minor redness that quickly fades (I am now tan) and slight itching, but no blisters, peeling or anything like that.  I did have a sore place develop  under my breast where I was not putting the miaderm due to some miscommunication with me and my onco.  Once we cleared it up and I started using the miaderm under the breast, the spot healed . .. it was due to extreme dryness. 

    The techs and my rad onco are surprised at how well my skin has done, particularly since I am fair skinned.  

    I highly recommend it.   

  • Adey
    Adey Member Posts: 3,610
    edited February 2011

    Is Miaderm prescription or otc?

  • lrr4993
    lrr4993 Member Posts: 937
    edited February 2011

    OTC.  I googled it and ordered it from a website.  Sorry - don't remember which one.  

  • Adey
    Adey Member Posts: 3,610
    edited February 2011
  • marjie
    marjie Member Posts: 1,134
    edited February 2011
    I have a big tub of Glaxal from Costco Tongue out only this my rads onc really recommended until/unless I run into difficulty
  • shooshoo23
    shooshoo23 Member Posts: 96
    edited February 2011

    I have my set up appointmen on 2/28. I'm also just so happy to be done with chemo! Hope rads are easier! 

  • PitPat
    PitPat Member Posts: 156
    edited February 2011

    I'm a March Rads girl! Just got my date of March 16th for my markings. I'll have a total of 28 treatments.

    I'll have to leave home for 7 weeks to get the complete treatement as I live rurally. Hubby will be a single dad for the whole time!

    Though I will miss my family, I'm actually looking forward to it as a time of healing and completion of this journey. To not have the daily pressures of being a mom and partner and just focus on getting this thing DONE.

    Last chemo is March 2nd.

  • marjie
    marjie Member Posts: 1,134
    edited February 2011

    Welcome PitPat!  Your last chemo is the date of my first rads - I'll be thinking of you!  It will be hard to be away from home for so long, but I think you are looking at it with the right attitude.  I have talked to ladies here who are spending some or all of their treatments at "the Lodge" for out of town cancer patients, and they quite like the support they have found and new friends.  Everyone has that common thread...

  • heavenschild
    heavenschild Member Posts: 212
    edited February 2011

    Just went to see radiologist, I will actually be starting rad in March b/c of multiple surgeries (3 surgeries) for BC and time needed to heal and all swelling to go away.  Funniest stuff heard:  (from radiation oncologist) "You have the perfect breast for radiation!" (i.e. small); (from nurse practitioner) "Congratulations, you get to start radiation!"  Had to laugh, it was like I had won the prize!  Good news is that it should end the day before my birthday.  Hugs to all.

  • Ween62
    Ween62 Member Posts: 10
    edited February 2011

    Hi Marjie

    I am officially a March girl now. Just received my schedule today. I start February 28th. 6weeks, 5days a week. Had surgery Jan 3 and thought I would start soon after. I've been impatient waiting and now I am finding I am acutally having some anxiety about it. Just want to put it behind. Glad to know I am not the only one ready to start. Good wishes to all!!

    Lisa

  • marjie
    marjie Member Posts: 1,134
    edited February 2011

    LOL Katetarbill - The first time I met my rads onc was before I had started any treatment (chemo) and he laughed and said "Your going to love me after chemo..."!  You know whats funny??? I am actually looking forward to rads just because its NOT chemo!  My rads will be done right in time for my birthday too.

    Welcome Ween62 - I'll bet there will be lots of us by the time March rolls around Smile

  • PitPat
    PitPat Member Posts: 156
    edited February 2011

    To me...rads means the end of treatment.

    I still have recon to complete, but that is so different than treatment, and I can do it on MY time. I can get myslef to a place where I'm not run down physically from dealing withthe toxic effects of chemo...and rads.

    Marjie...your from the Oct chemo board right? Glad to see it is almost over for you too.

  • marjie
    marjie Member Posts: 1,134
    edited February 2011
    Hi PitPat - Yep!!  just about done.  I have no recon but still have herceptin for a year.  I am so looking forward to not feeling all toxic. I never used to get sick so I laughed the other day because I thought when I wake up now and I think it's going to be a good day....the "old me" probably would have called in sick Surprised
  • heavenschild
    heavenschild Member Posts: 212
    edited February 2011

    MARGIE - I am VERY grateful I don't have to do chemo plus rads, I did miss the bullet on that one.  Took care of my mom and watched her go through chemo for lung CA, definitely not fun!  The *school of pain* definitely gives you a different perspective.  @[-'--,--'---

  • Adey
    Adey Member Posts: 3,610
    edited February 2011

    Two rads down and 26 to go!

  • marjie
    marjie Member Posts: 1,134
    edited February 2011

    katetarbill - you're not kidding about a different perspective.  I sometimes worry that I have lost my sympathy.....I'll be listening to someone talking about all their aches and pains and stress and blah blah blah and even though I am nodding my head, in the back of my mind is this voice saying "Seriously..??"

    LOL isn't that awful?

  • msjag
    msjag Member Posts: 416
    edited February 2011

    MARJIE! Nice to "see" you again.  I officially start rads 3/4, going 3/3 for "test run" as they call it. all marked and ready to go. Thanks for starting this thread.  My rad oc/nurse wants me to use aquifer and I can use 100% aloe gel or the plant.  ALso glad chemo is over and looking forward to getting this phase going going gone!!!  I will find out exactly how many rads/boosts next visit, onc believes it will be 28 and five boosts.   Any one here TN?

    Ready to take this journey with all of you!!

    JoAnn

  • texasrose361
    texasrose361 Member Posts: 1,829
    edited February 2011

    Hey Adey!!!

    I am gonna be a March Gal too :) I see my RO on the 24th and then we'll go from there... I am aiming for first available appointment...

    Has anyone heard of or is a candidate for the "cyber knife"? The treatment center that i am going to has this option for some cancers (mostly involving organs) just curious

  • Michelle010611
    Michelle010611 Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2011

    I'm a March 2011 rads girl! I had a my radiation oncology appointent today. Plan MRI Monday morning, simulation for radiation Tuesday with an anticipated start date of Thursday, February 24th. I had surgery on February 2nd. Is 22 days later too early to start radiation?

  • Pinkprincess
    Pinkprincess Member Posts: 280
    edited February 2011

    Not doing rads in March but will be in April sometime...I will be ease dropping. I hope that is okay. Also having TE placed on March 16 and getting filled fast PRIOR to rads. Has anyone else here done that ? If so I would like to see how the rads react. Thanks for your help in this girls:)

  • GrandmaBubba
    GrandmaBubba Member Posts: 111
    edited February 2011

    KCMomx3 - I just got my last fill until after rads. I had a lot of complications and fills got delayed so they had to rush and this is all the time we had. I'll let you know how it goes. Talk to your PS, quick fills can be rough. I was taking Xanax for anxiety and she said it helps to relax the muscles too. I've gotten 280cc in the last two weeks and it can be painful for the first couple of days. I've been told it won't have an affect on the TE's, but I'll let you know. I have my set-up Monday and start rads the next week.

  • marjie
    marjie Member Posts: 1,134
    edited February 2011

    Michelle - they won't do rads unless they are confident that you are healed up from surgery.  I know I healed up pretty fast, but I had a date with chemo first (ick!).

  • msjag
    msjag Member Posts: 416
    edited February 2011

    Just read through all the rad info given to me by rad onc, geez, it scares me more than chemo. the side effects, the late side effects. I will be posiitve and know they have to tell us all of this, but doesn't mean any of us will experience any of them.  Just found out a neighbor was diagnosed, and had lumpectomy and will be having rads in March, I told her abou this wonderful site and thread, hopefully she joins us.  I feel "armed" and ready with products, clothing, and positive thoughts, sending all those positive thoughts to all of you, too.

  • texasrose361
    texasrose361 Member Posts: 1,829
    edited February 2011

    msjag- so gald you shared with her. Isnt it amazing what BCO has done for us! I remember the hopelessness i felt before finding this site!

  • rackie
    rackie Member Posts: 192
    edited February 2011

    hey all, i will be starting my rads in mid march.  no date set. get my markings on march 7th.  i will be so happy to put this behind me.  i had the chemo and have gone through 2 surgeries in a three week period.  rads should have alradey been started, but due to second sugery, it was delayed.  can't wait to move on and bring on the spring time!

    jackie

  • Pinkprincess
    Pinkprincess Member Posts: 280
    edited February 2011

    Heading to my rads consult today, I won't be starting until after surgery and expansion. Som probably late April early march. Just trying to prepare for it. Thanks for all of your support. I am planning on refusing tattoos. Anyone else?

  • marjie
    marjie Member Posts: 1,134
    edited February 2011

    KCMomx3 - I wouldn't worry about the tattoos....I have three, two I can find if I look really really hard and the third one I can't see at all.  It saves a lot of setup time at each appt and ensures that the radiation dose is delivered exactly the same each time.  They are (no exaggeration) the size of the period at the end of this sentence .

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