Starting Rads tomorrow Questions?

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LovemyLife12
LovemyLife12 Member Posts: 43
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi all!

I hate being here, but have enjoyed the encouragement you all give one another.  My mom and grandmom arre breast cancer survivors 20 + years for each.  Sure hope I get those genes.

My question is two fold.  First I have yet to start radiation, but my breast is sore some of the time.  Especially after the "test run" today?  I started a walking  DVD 5 miles with arm movements.  I think all this might be muscular.  Not sure.  Think I will ask the RO tomorrow.

Secondly,my chest looks like a road map.  This place does not do tatoos anymore(they did 20 years ago).  The techs placed tape over the lines and said to try not to rub them off. I don't think I can stand tape on my breast for seven weeks.  Anyone heard of this?

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  • KittyDog
    KittyDog Member Posts: 1,079
    edited February 2011

    I had a MX so a little different.  They did tattos but there was one area that had tape on until I started burning and another area that they used a marker to connect the tattos.  Then when my skin got really bad, they used a special marker and just remarked every couple of days with it. 

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  • Eloise
    Eloise Member Posts: 137
    edited February 2011

    LovemyLife12 -- I'm guessing you had a lumpectomy and SNB sometime since late November, so it wouldn't be unusual for you to still have some occasional soreness from the surgery, and the exercise might be accentuating that.  But do talk to your RO about it. As far as exercise in general, my RO recommended keeping up with it during rads -- he said it would help fight the fatigue and improve circulation which would improve the effectiveness of treatment -- as long as you give yourself permission to take a day or two off towards the end if you're feeling like it's too much.  For me, that day was yesterday, day 21 of radiation, and it was partly fatigue and stress, partly that I have a sore patch of skin under my arm and was trying not to chafe it further.

    Good luck with the tape.  I find the visible one of my tattoos annoying, but I don't know how I would have kept tape in exactly the right place all this time.   

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  • pj12
    pj12 Member Posts: 25,402
    edited February 2011

    I had tape over ink marks early in the radiation process. It was hot summer in Florida and impossible to wear things high necked enough to hide it. So got remarks from EVERYONE, cashiers, clerks, neighbors, mailman, etc. I was so glad when they put the tiny tattoos on but soon discovered the older radiation therapists could not find them in the dimly lit treatment room! So I took to circling the little tattoo spots with a magic marker. I was more concerned with them lining me up right than what strangers thought of all the hieroglyphics on my chest! 

    Good luck and this too shall pass!

    Pam 

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  • LovemyLife12
    LovemyLife12 Member Posts: 43
    edited February 2011

    Thanks so much for all the replies.  My DH is away on business and I don't sleep very well without him here.  So I think that might contribute to the soreness.  My first rad treatment was today.. 34 more (27 regular and seven targeted boosts).. thank you all

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited February 2011

    Lovemylife .. I think the tape would be uncomfortable too.  I had 3 permanent tattoos applied.  It didn't hurt and you can't really see them on my chest.  I know they're there because the ink is blue.

    Hope all goes well for you.

    hugs,

    Bren

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  • BrandyB
    BrandyB Member Posts: 195
    edited February 2011

    The time FLIES BY. It will be over before you know it. As far as the tape is concerned, I just did my best to keep it on. It's not really a big deal bc they see you EVERYDAY. If the tape begins to peel or the lines fade, they'll touch them up. The tape they use is very soft and flexible so it never bothered me. As far as people seeing the markings... I never gave a care in the world about that! Let them think I had some cool tribal markings or whatever. What did I care? You are in the home stretch now baby!!!! I'm sure you'll meet some amazing people during your radiation treatments (as I did). Do Yoga breathing and guided imagery while the radiation is happening.Lead the radiation straight to those little bastard cancer cells!!!! Let them fry!!!! Send mental energy to your healthy cells to 'hang in there, you can do it. Put up a good fight!'



    Now that you know how crazy I really am... I hope that helped some :)



    Brandy

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