JUNE 2011 RADS

I had my 3rd of 33 rads this afternoon.  One of the ladies I chat with in the waiting room told me she had her 2nd lumpectomy after being clear 30 years & said she was 84.  As I was leaving I said "see you tomorrow" & she said "no - today is my last one!"  I had to turn around go back & hold her hand & tell her how happy I was for her & wished her good health."  That started fresh tears of joy for her from me - then about half-way home my energy vanished & I arrived home a weeping mess.  After resting 2 hrs I feel much better - I really don't cry easily & it usually gives me such relief when I can let it out.  So this pity party ended up being good for me! 

I had my 2nd treatment today. I had to be insistent on creams Emily. I asked the tech today where the radiation was hitting my back so I would be sure and get the cream in the right spot. He said...you don't really need to even use cream yet. You're going to burn anyways, but it probably won't happen until sometime around your 25th treatment. The cream might help you go a few more days without burning, but it's going to happen anyways, so you don't really need to worry about it right now.

Um, hello? I'll take a few days. Geeeeeeeeesh! Whatever. I'm putting the cream alllll over me!  

Emily, have you been able to make an appointment with a LE therpaist yet? I started seeing one consistently last week. My hand is mainly the only thing I notice swelling. Mine started about 12 weeks ago though so I can't blame it on rads either. I don't know what triggered mine. I've heard though that early treatment is key to getting it under control. Have you visited the LE boards yet? They are full of helpful information. And I'm not comfortable during rads either. It is very uncomfortable for me in my shoulders...

Hi - I just had my initial scanning appointment today - tats and rads start Thursday.  I am completely unprepared.  I think I'm having 33 treatments.

I had 7 months of chemo which worked (tpr), and then a double mx 4 weeks ago.  Now we start the last treatment that will be a major pain! 

Pam- are you having RADs at WVUH? I am...I was just wondering if we are seeing the same doctors. 

Yep, sure am, Melanie Ann!!  

Melanie...I saw the Lymphedema Physio some weeks back while still on chemo and she gave me some exercises and a temporary tensor sleeve. My arm and hand were only minimally swollen then and that seemed to clear until 2 weeks ago when it got much worse. Physio said they'd see me after chemo was done but still waiting for that appointment.

I see the rads doc tomorrow and will ask about creams...

got my tats today, last of Taxol and herceptin will be 6/27, chemo port out 6/28. Dry run is 7/1 begin 35 days of "fun in the sun" 7/5.  My rad dr is a pain, made me sign a statement saying I am beginning radiation against his advice.  He wants me to wait 3 -4 wks.  No medical reason why, he just said it was protocol.  His assoc is starting a friend of mine 2 wks after her taxol ended. Protocol?  My rad dr also told me I would get cancer again, he said chemo and radiation mutates the cells and I will get cancer again, too bad for me being hormone neg and her2 pos too, oh well he said, it is worse than trip neg.  wow way to instill possitive attitude bud.  I am stuck with this group too, seems no one really likes their attitudes.  Got yelled at when I questioned his methodology too, was told I am the patient and he is the Dr and he knows best. Really, do tell, did not know I had no say in my treatment, my body, my life...guess not.  I will keep on questioning this Dr as I plan on outliving this guy, for me not a good possitive role model in my life.  Good thing I only have to see him 1x week too.  The technicians are really nice though and that is a blessing. So I start my trip through radiation 7/5 whether he likes it or not.

Mammalou - not eating alot - eating the right foods - mainly protein.. what actually causes you to lose weight - is sleeping through dinner when you are exhausted and not eating...  The body is working on healing.. you DON'T  want to lose weight now - you will lose muscle instead of fat if you do...

Maybe484...What makes a good candidate for the Canadian/European protocol? 

tdsmjb...OMG...what kind of beside manner does that rad doc have? I meet mine Thursday and my regular onc told me not to be put off by him...he's kind of a "worst case scenario" presenter. I don't mind hearing it like it is and I know they have to tell you all the possibilities, but it is the WAY they tell you. You can tell things in a way that doesn't scare the @#$% out of people but they still know what they are in for. I guess it is good you only  have to see this guy once a week, but too bad you don't have other options. My options are limited too, unless I want to drive 70-90 miles one way or stay with my parents during the week for a 10 minute daily procedure! But I haven't met him yet so will give him a chance...just have heard that others don't like him very well.  

Vickiff I talk to the nutritionist tomorrow - I will ask her about it - and will research it a little. I wouldn't worry about it but I know she said it was new research results..All the research I find is pro or inconclusive if it helps or not.

Today I will be 1/3 done with rads!!! 

 tdsmjb: Sorry you have a lousy RO. These docs are suppose to be there to support us in our battle not bring us down. That is just awful.

I saw my nutrionist at the rads office and she said I could loose 1lb a week and my PS said the same thing. I am not dieting just exercising and trying to eat better. Notice I said TRYING!! I lost 2lbs over the last week. I am very overweight and maybe that is why they said it was ok. dunno.

Tomorrow is herceptin #2.

Have a great day all. 

Had 12/34 today.  I thought I was having 35 treatments, dr said 34 today.  My breast is a little sore, but I also have a black ring around the nipple. Dr says he will keep an eye on this. He says it may be some blood under the skin from biopsy.  Has anyone had anything like this?

I should've asked what made me a good candidate for the Canadian/European protocol.  I don't know.  But from what my RO was saying, it sounded to me as if this would be an option for lumpectomy patients with clean margins and no LNI.  I was hoping that I'd escape WBI, since my tumor was in my axilla, but no such luck.  I'll be having the boosts in my axilla--not looking forward to that part, as the whole area is very sensitive there, due to two excisions and a SNB within the past two months.

ETA:  Article on hypofractionated radiation  http://www.cancer.gov/aboutnci/ncicancerbulletin/archive/2010/022310/page2

Try the Target brand of Aquaphor..............Big jar..........much cheaper, less greasy, and it worked great for me.........................Compared the ingredients and they were identical....................had no real problems using it, and I finished exactly 1 week today..........................good luck ladies.................and I to have LE.  6 visits to an LE specialist (board certified on LANA), and she is great...............mild case, caught soon, and I'm ready for a sleeve already................You can do this ladies...............

That's correct. I'm having boosts because my tumor was in my axilla.  I'm dreading rads and expecting lymphedema.