JUNE 2011 RADS

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  • EmilyInOntario
    EmilyInOntario Member Posts: 626
    edited June 2011

    Thanks Ladies for sharing all these great ideas!

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  • GmaFoley
    GmaFoley Member Posts: 7,091
    edited June 2011

    Newathis: I am going on 3rd treatment this afternoon and I feel like my breast is swollen and warm too... the tech said it was too early for that to happen, but I am going to ask the RO after treatment today (every thursday we see the RO, Nurse and whoever else).. I really think it is swollen from the Rads...

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  • Melanie_Ann
    Melanie_Ann Member Posts: 414
    edited June 2011

    Hello ladies. I'm joining the group. I haven't had my consultation yet, but I go in next Tuesday for this. I think I should start the 20th. I'm not really looking forward to it, since I already have lymphedema. Blech...

    Thanks for all of the tips so far for everyone who has started. 

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  • NewatThis
    NewatThis Member Posts: 41
    edited June 2011

    Hi Grammie Esther, how did it go today? I had my third treatment too. I was told by a friend to remember to stretch. She ended up in physical therapy for her shoulder. It doesn't seem like it takes too long but I do notice slight stiffness unless I do. What did you learn about the swelling? I don't see the RO until next Wednesday. But I was told absolutely no ice, even though I crave it!! (Ice has been my friend!). And are you able to apply cream 3-5 times a day?! I'm having a hard time sneaking into the bathroom at work for so long! Thanks to all for the great tips. Wishing for a cool June!

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  • GmaFoley
    GmaFoley Member Posts: 7,091
    edited June 2011

    Newathis:  my RO todays asked me if I wanted a cool compress (not ice just a moist washrag) - told me to lay naked with a fan going..I am already warm after 3 treatments.  I did find out the reason I don't need boosts is because I had a clear margin after my second surgery and he is giving me a slightly higher dose of rads than people that get boosts at the end.

    I found out today my anxiety wasn't the rads.... I ended up having a breakdown today and they have a volunteer counselor/therapist and called her right in to help me... It was a past issue I thought I had dealt with years ago but having the arms pinned in the mold over my head triggered it and all the emotion of it came flowing out... I feel better about things this evening but kinda numb... 

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  • Beetlebum
    Beetlebum Member Posts: 73
    edited June 2011

    GmaFolley: I'm so sorry that brought back bad memories.  My heart goes out to you.  I hope your rads are going okay.  I go tomorrow for what was called "session I".  I have no idea what that is.  I really dread this.   Our lives are changed forever with this BC.  Hugs, Brenda

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  • suebak
    suebak Member Posts: 199
    edited June 2011

    Hello to all.  I am starting rads on June 7th. Had my markings done today. I don't know why, but I am more nervous about this then I was having my surgery. I was very surprised to hear I could not shave under my right arm while having rads, can't imagine what that is going to look like. I guess I will get threw this too. Just feeling a little sorry for myself today.

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  • GmaFoley
    GmaFoley Member Posts: 7,091
    edited June 2011

    Beetlebum: thanks for your concern - the counselor is going to be with me tomorrow during treatment and walk me through some imagery to get me through the treatments..

    Anyway, to ease your mind....Have you met and talked to your RO yet?  if not that is your first visit...if you had then it is your first simulation visit..This is when they make your mold to lay your arms in - if you are uncomfortable in the mold let them know at this time because once that is in place that's where you are gonna stay for all your treatments..... After you are comfortable they take lots of pictures (CT/x-rays) they will ask you not to move.. then they mark you with a sharpie pen and at the end when they know they have gotten you in the right position you get little dot tatoos that you can barely see...

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  • Beetlebum
    Beetlebum Member Posts: 73
    edited June 2011

    Thank you Grammie.  Yes I have had the apt with the RO so I guess tomorrow with be the mold for my arms.  Suebak:  Yes we will get through this.  We don't have a choice.  It's okay to feel sorry for yourself.  I get that way too.  Some days I feel strong and some I don't.  I guess we better get used to the new normal. 

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  • bluewillowskys
    bluewillowskys Member Posts: 365
    edited June 2011

    I didnt get any kind of molds made for my treatment. On my first day they took a bunch of xray pics od some type and gave me 2 additional tattoos( i got 4 when they did my CT scan last week.).  I have my third treatment tomorrow. SO far the only problem is staying awake while driving the 90 minutes to the hospital at 630AM. After tomorrow my appts will be between 1030-1130 AM so I shoud not be falling asleep then...My daughter is going to go with to keep me awake tomorrow. When I was at a traffic light today a woman pulled up next to me and started yelling at me to "wake up and watch the damned road !" . I guess my driving must have been pretty erratic to evoke that kind of reaction from someone... I  sure hope my family will be able to go along with me when the fatigue REALLY sets in a few weeks from now...

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  • NewatThis
    NewatThis Member Posts: 41
    edited June 2011

    Gma, I'm so sorry.  I wept through the first treatment, sniffled through the second.  Today was your rough one.  We are on the same schedule for now, so please know I'm with you.  I'm 3 hours ahead of you--East Coast--and early in the am.  But you have my support as we get through this.  I have never, ever met such caring and empathetic people before going through this and it sounds like you have also got kind folks there to hold your hand and see you through.  They'll get you through the day, and this great discussion board will hold your hand at night.

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  • BlazerFanC
    BlazerFanC Member Posts: 71
    edited June 2011

    Gma, Thank you for the info on weight loss (or lack of) during rads.  I guess I will just try to eat a healthy diet and maintain until this is over and then start back trying to lose some more weight. Sorry to hear you are having issues. I will send prayers and good vibes your way.

    Suebak and Karebear76  We are all starting together next Tuesday, June 7.  I'm going to enjoy my weekend and get in a 1/2 marathon walk while my skin is still happy :-)  I don't know if my skin will want to do the other 2 I'm registered for later in June.  Here's hoping!!

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  • Elizabeth37
    Elizabeth37 Member Posts: 84
    edited June 2011

    I have my first appt with RO on june 15 and was wondering how long did you have to wait till you started your treament.

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  • GmaFoley
    GmaFoley Member Posts: 7,091
    edited June 2011

    Momoftwo11: I waited a week for the set up but they were willing to do the set up the week I talked to the RO - It really depends on how busy the center is that you are going to...

    Well... off to work and then to rads after work - I am hoping this system will work...

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  • mamadog53
    mamadog53 Member Posts: 61
    edited June 2011

    Why do some people get molds made and others don't?  I didn't get any made they just put my arm in a trough sort of thing and my left arm they have to roll up a towel and tape me to it because the darn table is so narrow that my arm kept slipping off.  If there was something to hang on to it would be better.  I have another idea also is that they need something to grab hold to in order to get up from the table.  I hate that the techs have to let me grab onto them.  A bar or something would be ideal.  I'm also having trouble staying awake on my long drive as well.  My appointment is at 1:45 pm until week after next then it moves to 11:30 am.  I'm hoping that will make a difference.  When I'm a passenger I can lay my seat back and be asleep before we get out of town.  I've been like that all my life.

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  • 40-years-old-now
    40-years-old-now Member Posts: 309
    edited June 2011

    I had my first rad and my first chemo yesterday. My rad were on my arm and leg. Today My face is red. I wonder if it is from the chemo, meds, or the rads??

    Any ideas? 

    This morning my daughter came down stairs and woke me up (sleeping on the couch because stairs are hard to take) and said my face was red but my feet were white.

    The arm rad is in my arm pit, could this be the cause of the red face?

    Candice

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  • crog234
    crog234 Member Posts: 801
    edited June 2011

    Went for my trial run today.  Start rads on Monday June 6th.  The xrays they did today were not bad.  The only thing is my right arm went to sleep...  Couldn't wait for them to finish up so I could get feeling back in my arm... 

    Cindy

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  • bluewillowskys
    bluewillowskys Member Posts: 365
    edited June 2011

    its weird how many people have had a trial run...i didnt have one of those. I just had afew pics taken and had my first rad the same time.

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  • BlazerFanC
    BlazerFanC Member Posts: 71
    edited June 2011

    bluewillowskys

    I'm the same as you (I think)  I had my setup last week and I'm supposed to have my first treatment June 7.  They did tell me the first treatment would take longer so perhaps they will be doing the trial run and first treatment at the same appointment.  I'll find out soon.

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  • crog234
    crog234 Member Posts: 801
    edited June 2011

    bluewillows:   I called it a trial run because that's what they ( at radiation center) called it.  They actually did xrays and made sure everything is lined up the way they want it to be when they do the radiation starting on Monday.  I had my markings (tatoos) done last week.... 

    Cindy

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  • Beetlebum
    Beetlebum Member Posts: 73
    edited June 2011

    Had my "mapping" done today.  I don't remember getting tatoos but have another appointment on 6-13-11.  They said if all goes well they will go ahead and start my first treatment that day.  If not it will be the next day.  I was happy with my RO and his staff was so nice.  The last thing I want is a crabbie person in my life.  Ya'll have a good weekend.  Stay RAD!

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  • GmaFoley
    GmaFoley Member Posts: 7,091
    edited June 2011

    Blue willow and Blazer: thats when you get the trial run is with your first treatment... for me they just did alot of xrays to make sure I was lined up correctly with the beam and they used a sharpie in different colors to identify what beam was for what area....

     My 4th treatment today went a little better.. (I did ask for some anti-anxiety stuff to try next week though until I get through my new challenge)... but for some reason I am pink...doc is on call this weekend - said if I run a fever to give him a call... He said that "MOST" of his patients don't pink up so early but it is possible and gave me a new cream sample to try over the weekend..its called Xclair. Gonna give it a try.. 

    Oh something else that came out of my RO's mouth is the reason they give us the gooey aquaphor is that you have to rub (massage) your breast to get it on and the massage is good for the swelling and circulation... OH REALLY???   They have alterior motives LOL... He is right though - my purple has gone away for a nice pink....Is that why our ribbon is pink???? Because thats what color we turn during this??? 

    Ladies, try to have a relaxing weekend - we just dropped our house price so need to straighten up incase any lookers come our way...

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  • BlazerFanC
    BlazerFanC Member Posts: 71
    edited June 2011

    GmaFoley

    That's funny about the massage.  My DH and I were talking with a friend who had BC several years ago.  Her husband told my DH that he was able to help out with lots of rubbing and massages.  My DH laughed and gave him a hug and said Thank you!!  It was pretty funny, we have to remember to laugh :-)  Have a great weekend. 

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  • GmaFoley
    GmaFoley Member Posts: 7,091
    edited June 2011

    Well ladies our new week starts...I pray all goes well with our group!!! Have an AWESOME week!

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  • crog234
    crog234 Member Posts: 801
    edited June 2011

    I will have my first radiation today.  Appointment is at 11:45 today and I am nervous...  Not sure why I am nervous as I know it won't hurt today.....

    Only 32 more to go after today but who is counting!!!!!!

    Cindy

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  • coni111852
    coni111852 Member Posts: 419
    edited June 2011

    Hi ladies, I would like to join your blog, I will be going tomorrow for simulation and markings, I will start june 14 for 5 weeks I think that includes the boost not sure yet I'll ask tomorrow, I'm still sore from my surgery, had double masectomy, but only had cancer on left side...I just wanted to know what to expect and if getting the marking hurts? I'm the biggest baby and hate needles.

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  • mks16
    mks16 Member Posts: 415
    edited June 2011

    Hi everyone!

    I start my rads in July, but there's no July topic and not sure that one is needed. I will be following your updates until its my turn:)

    Coni, I went in for simulation and markings today. I think we might be in the same treatment centre? London? In any case, markings hurt only minimally, and its not like needle pain anyway. The whole appointment today went refreshingly quickly and I was out of there in 15 minutes. Make sure you're there on time, because they're so efficient, your time slot will be taken up by someone else if you're not there on time - happened to me today, parking lot was full today and took forever to find a spot.

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  • coni111852
    coni111852 Member Posts: 419
    edited June 2011

    I'm in Ottawa:( when in July do I start?

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  • EmilyInOntario
    EmilyInOntario Member Posts: 626
    edited June 2011

    I'm starting my radiation Monday June 13..next week...anyone else starting that day?

    I also found the simulation quick and not too stressful at all. Most of the time was spent getting the head and arm mold just right..I wasn't leaving there until I was totally comfortable as I knew I'd have to have my arms in position for 15 or more minutes esach treatment. My hands were numb by the end but it was only mildly uncomfortable and I have been practising  stretching my arms and shoulder muscles so muscles won't pull during treatment.The tattooing was just several mild pin pricks and I was talking through it all so hardly noticed.

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  • coni111852
    coni111852 Member Posts: 419
    edited June 2011

    emilyontario I start June 14! I'm in ottawa I go tomorrow for simulation...I'm 4 post op still sore in shoulder dreading moving and streching my arm.

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