March 2011 Rads

Options
1…89111314…46

Comments

  • Eloise
    Eloise Member Posts: 137
    edited March 2011

    My machine was called Sequoia -- all the machines at my facility were named after California national parks, and the rooms had photographs from those parks, taken by a former patient if I remember correctly.

    I think I told this anecdote in the Feb 2011 thread -- at my Kaiser clinic, every time you go in for any appointment, the receipt that the front desk prints out for your copayment has a list of any other upcoming appointments, immunizations you're supposed to get, routine tests you need to take, etc. It's handy.  It happened that I went to see one of my non-oncology doctors a few days before rads started.  The receptionist took my copay, and printed out a receipt which was two pages long.  She looked at it and said, "Huh, this thing is on the fritz again.  It says you have an appointment every day at the same time for weeks and weeks, and it isn't even with a person, it's with some Sequoia Machine."

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Antigua
    Antigua Member Posts: 63
    edited March 2011

    Helo to everyone: A new week.

    3rd rad today 3/28. It was another very pleasant day, but my wait was over one hour.  the patient who went in to Rads before took one (1), hour, I wonder what she was there for.  I took mu usual 10mins, then I loob up, I did not do my weekly Labs today, because they did not have my forms ready so they said tomorrow.

    Sleuth01 - Hold one, please remember the reason you are doing Rads is to lessen your chances of recurrence.

    Sandymess - Please have your Rads Team make an appointment with a Lymphedema therapist, because Rads is a Risk factor for Lymphedema, they will give your exercises and a sleeve and massages. I have been doing some exercise before Rads started that I found on www.cancer.org. 1 -800-227-2345.  The information was developed with the assistance from the Oncology Section of the American Physical therapy Association.

    Shooshoo23- I feel your pain about the tattoo on the sternum, yes it did hurt.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited March 2011

    Teal/Pink, hope it's okay if I hop in here for a moment. With that new lymphedema sleeve, you want to check it first for a good fit, as a poor fit can cause more problems. Here's a page about proper fitting of garments:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/proper_fitting_of_lymphedema_garments.htm

    Also, when you're wearing a lymphedema sleeve, hand protection of some kind is important, either a glove or a gauntlet (fingerless glove). Here's a brief article about why that's important:
    http://lymphedivas.com/lymphedema/gauntletandsleeve/

    When you first wear your garments, use them for only an hour or so. Next day, a couple of hours. Building up gradually will help you know if the fit it right for you and will help avoid chafing. Good for you for being proactive about taking care of your arm!

    Be well!
    Binney

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sandymess
    sandymess Member Posts: 299
    edited March 2011

    Girlfriday: There's a really cute rads nurse in Augusta, too. And he has the most amazing blue eyes!

    Antigua: Thanks for your suggestions. I did already go to physical therapy and got a couple of sleeves for the lymphedema. I'm doing the stretches, too, but I'm worried about it getting worse or having cording! 

    This is all so freaky!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lestwin
    lestwin Member Posts: 83
    edited March 2011

    sandymess:  I had cording, I think caused by my oncologist nurse taking my blood pressure to the lumpectomy arm and node removal (whatever that word is) but I used, and am still using a soft ball to exercise with every day.  It went away and now I no longer feel pain or big veins sticking out.  I got it at the grocery store.  Worth a try at least.

    Had my 31 tx today.  The RO tried to stop my boosts, and last week too, but I have only 2 left and am determined to finish up.  I have 2nd degree burns with oozing green gunk coming out.  He gave me a script for silverdean but I have to try it out first as I am allergic to almost everything made known to man!  Apart from that, I am doing very well considering I am also fighting leukemia which is an ongoing illness with its own SE.

    Next it's arimidex which I am totally scared sh-tless about.

    Eloise: You made my day about the nurse and your printed list of appointments.  I almost covered my monitor with the mouthful of wine I had just taken!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shooshoo23
    shooshoo23 Member Posts: 96
    edited March 2011

    Well, 1 down 32 left to go! I was so scared today before my appt. it was ridiculous! Then, it took all of 5 min and I didn't feel a thing! Afterwards however my underarm feels "scritchy". I don't even know if that's a word but that's the only way to describe how the skin under my arm feels. Have any of you felt anything at all after only one rad?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mheffner3
    mheffner3 Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2011

    Going for my simulation today. Glad to find you all!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • libraylil
    libraylil Member Posts: 528
    edited March 2011

    Mheffner. Welcome, this is a great group of supportive peeps. They are all very positive and upbeat. I have 4 rads under my belt



    All. Enjoyed my extra 2 day rad vacation while attending a conference. Back to reality tomorrow. Felt so great to do something normal and forget about BC for a while. Best mentally and physically I have felt since July. Libraylil

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • crlacey
    crlacey Member Posts: 31
    edited March 2011

    Welcome to some of our new members!

    I was ready someone a few pages back worried about the number of X-rays taken. Last week, the techs did an X-ray almost every day to be sure they had me lined up correctly. Then yesterdays team of techs also did an X-ray. I guess at least I know they are getting me in the right position every day.

    Yesterday was # 8 out of 36. It was also the first day I noticed a slight redness in the radiation area. So I doubled up on the cream last night. I'm very fair skinned, so I'm hoping the burn doesn't get too bad.

    My Aunt and I are still working with a genetic counselor in trying to see if this stuff is caused by something. So far, BRCA1 and BRCA2 came back negative. Considering my grandmother and her sibblings all had some form of cancer and then my aunt had BC and now me, they have a hard time believing that nothing is going on geneticly. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • GirlFriday
    GirlFriday Member Posts: 461
    edited March 2011

    lestwin:  Sounds like you're pulling through strong while facing a lot of difficulties.  I hope you heal quickly so you can put more energy into fighting your leukemia! 

    crlacey:  I'm going to try to go through the genetic testing too.  There was no family history, but there is part of the family that is completely unknown.  I have three sisters, and I'm 37 and being "young" with BC is one of the signs...I figure if I can get some more insight it might help my sisters.

    12/33

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sandymess
    sandymess Member Posts: 299
    edited March 2011

    crlacey: So strange! My grandmother and all of her 8 siblings had some form of cancer, too. She and all of her sisters had BC and so did my mother. I am going for genetic testing in May. Hopefully, that will give my female family members more of an idea of what the heck is going on.



    Off to my verification appointment today, then I have my first rads tomorrow. I am nervous but I really want to get this over with and get my life back!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shooshoo23
    shooshoo23 Member Posts: 96
    edited March 2011

    I'm very concerned that after only 1 rad I can "feel" it. It doesn't hurt but I can definitely tell something was done. Anyone "feel" something right away? Does these mean it will get much worse?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marjie
    marjie Member Posts: 1,134
    edited March 2011

    Number 10 of 33 under my belt. Yay!  So far so good, no real skin changes...maybe a bit pink afterwards but not a big deal.  I wear firm athletic bras so that there is no movement or rubbing and I think that helps.  Sometimes it will get a little itchy around my scar or nipple but that is it.  Totally bearable!

    Shooshoo - the nurses and my RO said there seems to be a direct correlation between how your skin reacts to the sun and how your skin will react to the radiation.  Make sure you are taking care of your skin right away so that you can maybe stop something before it starts!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RiverCat
    RiverCat Member Posts: 13
    edited March 2011

    Today was 12 of 34.  Skin is holding up well, but I woke up this morning with pain under my arm.  It really started hurting during radiation and has continued.  It feels like someone is pulling really tight on it and is uncomfortable to move or raise my arm.  Overall, if that's as bad as it gets I certainly won't complain. Have a good day.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pumela115
    pumela115 Member Posts: 231
    edited March 2011

    Hi everyone, number 11 out of 33 for me today. I had shooting pains last night and my boob is a little tight and pink. I saw my RO today and he said that is all normal (if any of this is normal :D) Can't wait to be done! Hope all is well with everyone!

                                                           Pam

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sandymess
    sandymess Member Posts: 299
    edited March 2011

    Well, got my verification done. I lined up perfectly. ;) Tomorrow starts the ratrace of driving an hour to and from treatments. I'll be glad to be finished with all of this. Can't wait to start my countdown!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Adey
    Adey Member Posts: 3,610
    edited March 2011

    21 of 28

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LovemyLife12
    LovemyLife12 Member Posts: 43
    edited March 2011

    Okay 15 done!!!! 20 left!!! 4 weeks YIKES!! 

    Everything going well. 

    Pumela115- I had the shooting pains after my 8th treatment.  Continued thru the weekend, now they have stopped completetly. Just a little sore

    Sandymess- 1 hour commute is long, but you can do it.  Good luck

    Yay for all the countdowns.  We'll all be celebrating Graduation day soon.

    For those of you wearing sport bras- I am having trouble finding good ones that are not "racerback".  I need the regular straps for under my clothes.  Any suggestions?

    Thannks..CK

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • msjag
    msjag Member Posts: 416
    edited March 2011

    For those who had chemo before radiation, are any of you still having any effects from the chemo? I still get muscle "chills" throughout my body during the day, and my stomach feels raw at times after eating...like it did with chemo....my arm is a bit sore today underneath, of course I'm left handed, radiating left breast, so I'm constantly using that arm...sorry...guess I'm feeling down about all this today, just want to go back to feeling "good".  Nurse practioner said she has heard of patients saying they get those chills, and she thinks its the nerves all waking up .  8 down, and 27 to go....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lee7
    Lee7 Member Posts: 657
    edited March 2011

    Marjie,
    I hope your RO is a little wrong about skin and the sun...I'm pale and freckled and burn very easily in the sun.  :(  I dread the thought of getting really scorched as tx go on.

    Rivercat, maybe mention your arm pulling to your Onc in case you are starting to get cording in your armpit from the rads. I think they can adjust where the rads go if it gets any worse. I have cording from my node surgery and it is painful for me to put my arm up for treatment.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RiverCat
    RiverCat Member Posts: 13
    edited March 2011

    Thanks Lee, I hadn't thought of that. I will ask about it.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shooshoo23
    shooshoo23 Member Posts: 96
    edited March 2011

    msjag- I'm pretty sure I still have some effects from the chemo. My stomach sometimes feels 'raw' like you say and there are some other things. I've been feeling down too. Just sometimes feels like this will never end! But I still feel much better than I did closer to the chemo. 

    I'm with Lee about that fairness thing too! I freckle and burn as well and since I felt something after my 1st tx I was panicking! Had my second tx today and it doesn't feel any worse than it did yesterday so I'm relaxing a bit. The tech said we'll just take it a day at a time. Sometimes I forget to live in the moment.

    Hope everyone is doing well! Smile 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pumela115
    pumela115 Member Posts: 231
    edited March 2011

    Msjag, i had chemo before rads, it's been two months since i been finished and i think i am having some effects still. No chills but my feet just burn and hurt alot, and i am going to lose my big toenail on both feet. I am tired all the time, not sure if it is from chemo or the rads. Oh this has been such a long year, but we are almost done. Yay for us!!!!  My armpit is a little sore tonight also. Is anyone trying to work while they are doing rads? I'm having a hard time because one day i will feel ok and the next i will be just to tired to go to work. Oh well i'm trying. Thanks for listening to me ramble on.

                                                                Pam

                                                                

                                              

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • thrmine
    thrmine Member Posts: 98
    edited March 2011

    Hi all,

    Teal/Pink I was dx with lymphedema this week.   I had noticed my hand was getting bigger than the other one.  I'll be fitted for a sleeve within a week or two.   For now I have stretching exercises.  I am also concerned about how the rads will affect this arm.  I can't seem to get the fluid out from under my arm.   Bummer! 

    I had pain in my collar bone and pain at the primary site over the weekend.  It was gone by today and still gone now.  Wonder if that is normal.    BNo chills but hot flashes.  I have aches and pains coming on, but I think that may be from Herceptin which started two weeks ago.  

    Lestwin, geez, so sorry about the blisters et all.

    My machine is just machine.   No name.  Apparently it hadn't occured to anyhere here yet. :)

    See the RO tomorrow.  6 out of 33 down.  

    Hope everyone is hanging in there.   I will check out the links posted above.  

    Thanks everyone.

    God Bless,

    Alice 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • thrmine
    thrmine Member Posts: 98
    edited March 2011

    Forgot to ask, cording?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lee7
    Lee7 Member Posts: 657
    edited March 2011

    Sorry to hear about anyone getting lymphedema...I think it is more common than what we are being told. 

    After my second surgery, I went and saw a physical therapist who specializes in lymphedema just so I could get info about how to prevent it if possible, and to get measured for a sleeve to have just in case I need to fly, or if I do start swelling.  I didn't want to wait until it happened to get an appt knowing it could take WEEKS to get a PT appt and then more time to order a sleeve.

    My advice is if you can see a PT, sooner is better.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shelbytroy12
    shelbytroy12 Member Posts: 26
    edited March 2011

    My last chemo was over 3 weeks ago.  I finally feel like a normal person (with no hair).   I start rads in a week.  Just when I am feeling good and enjoying not being in a medical facility, it is time to start up again.  It's good  not to feel like a patient for awhile.  A little nervous about the radiation - not that it will hurt, but just the fact that they are putting radiation into me.  Seems wrong but if it will make sure the BC doesn't come back - got to do it.

     Wondering which doc is ordering mammos, MRIs etc for folks once treatment is done.  I am getting conflicting information.  Is it the surgeon, the oncologist, the radiation oncologist, the PCP?  I don't want to be forgotten about and want to make sure I get what I need. Plus all my docs are not in the same facility so not sure where to go.  Would love any advice.  Thanks!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Eloise
    Eloise Member Posts: 137
    edited March 2011

    shelbytroy12 -- I had a discussion about that with my radiation oncologist at my last appointment.  He said the way they work it in my HMO was to let it be the patient's choice. Women who are doing tamoxifen or another hormonal treatment are usually checking in with their medical oncologist for that, so they usually have that doc do it.  Women who have some other ongoing medical issue might have their PCP or their ob-gyn be in charge of it.  I decided I would rather have him (the radiation oncologist) be the one -- I like him, and I think he'll have the best handle on distinguishing normal post-radiation mammogram changes from something that's of concern.  I still have to go to the building that my ob-gyn practices at -- that's where the radiology center is. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Eloise
    Eloise Member Posts: 137
    edited March 2011

    LovemyLife12 -- I have a front-closing cotton bra with straps that are in the normal bra position so they don't show in the back of clothes, although they're wider than most, that I got at Sears; made by Dr. Rey Shapewear.  I looked it up just now and it's actually described as a sleep bra, but I found that the support was adequate for daytime if I didn't get too big a size.  Also, J. Jill makes camisoles with shelf bras that I like a lot -- they come both with wide straps and with lingerie straps that are adjustable. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mheffner3
    mheffner3 Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2011

    @ CK

    My doctor suggested the "cotton/spandex leisure bra" marketed by the Vermont Country Store. I haven't ordered one yet - and can't tell by the picture what the back is like - but it's worth calling to check. I'm sure you can get their info via google.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories