August 2011 rads

Glad to hear you had a good experience today Pat01. My mapping was a very pleasant surprise as well. The staff set my mind at ease right away.

Hello all,

I'll be joining you for rads starting Aug 1st at Dana Farber in Boston.  I did my mapping last week, and am sporting six little tats.  I'll be getting both the right breast and under the arm zapped because of all the lymph nodes.  "Dry run" will be Monday the 1st, and then the 30 days will start right in the next day.

I just purchased some Coobie bras on the recommendations of several women with breast cancer.  They are soft and comfortable, and have removable pads for those who want a little extra coverage.  I'm hoping they'll feel ok when my skin gets tender under the arm!

Good luck everyone!  

I would like to join your group too. Met today with RO for simulation, not sure when rads will be starting, either middle of next week or first week in August.  Like some of you have mentioned, I am also stressing out over going everyday, but I have a vacation planned for the first week in October so that is motivation to get this thing going!  The thought of having to wear a sports bra for 6 weeks is really depressing me, I know underwire is out of the question, but how about a regular bra without underwire?

Good morning everyone.

MamaMia 41 - Try the Bali bra style 3036. It is a soft stretch cotton  bra. It has fab support and so COMFORTABLE in this heat. I wish I would have known about this after my surgery. I am wearing it now. Also Playtex has an all cotton bra that could help you. I went with the Bali because it was more on sale. Maybe I will kiss the underwires good bye after rads and switch???

Stay cool eveyone.

Hello to everyone.

bb226-thank you for the advice, the Bali bra sounds perfect.  I'm so excited that there are other options, I definitely need something with support.

julianna51-thank you for starting this thread.  I was also dx with DCIS; however, I had a lumpectomy after careful consideration, my own research and the advice of my surgeon.  Just curious how you came to the decision to have a BMX?  I think there is another women on this thread who had BMX with dx of DCIS too. Believe me, I thought of doing that too, especially when I needed 2 re-excisions to clear a margin.  My BS strongly recommended against MX and BMX for me, and I thought about it long and hard before deciding; she is a wonderful surgeon and came highly recommended, so I decided to take her advice.  

Thank you for sharing your story Julianna.  I guess no matter what decisions we make there is always some second guessing!

I will probably be starting rads on Aug 1st; went for the simulation on Monday, it wasn't bad.  The only thing is the markings they put on; they were drawn on with a SHARPIE (I expected something more high tech I guess) and have clear tape over them.  I am trying hard not to sweat them off, and will probably have to go back in before I start rads to have them re-done.  Don"t know why, but I am dreading the rads! I heard it's not too bad, maybe just the thought of going for six weeks.

MamaV how did it go with the mapping today. Just remember it another day you can mark off the calendar with the word done. I have my calendar on my bedroom door with the stats that my RO gave me for lumpectomy alone and lumpectomy with rads. I look at both everyday because I am dredging rads like everyone else in our group. My dry run is Friday and the big black sharpie is hanging on the calendar so I can mark that day off to. It is ironic that I am using a sharpie on that calendar like my RO uses on me. I cried during my mapping. I hated the photos and tattoos but it is over with, another hurrdle I leap over.

Where is everyone else?

Mapping went well. My sister came with me and talked to me the whole time. My RO was there most of the time encouraging me too! I'm only 2 week past chemo so nervous about this kicking my butt again. Looks like dry run will be Wed next week and first zap will be Thursday. For now I'm covered in sharpie marks and stickers. Guess the pool is off limits this weekend.



Thanks bb - marked this day off my list!

Had my CT and tattoos yesterday. I call the RO for the appt or dry run next Tuesday if I don't hear from them. I am going to have to change up the bras cause all I have is underwire.. Going to check out the maternity store soon.

Great attitude Merilee! I will try to feed off that to calm my nerves. I not so much nervous about rads as I am about coordinating with work and less than supportive bosses, who have been jerks about my time off with surgery and chemo.

MamaV - I am stressing the work angle too.  I talked to my store manager, who has been wonderful during all this.  He is willing to schedule me for mid shifts and closing shifts during my rad time.  I just don't want to have to work closing shift for five or six weeks straight.  Between that and the rads, I will have no life, and will rarely see my husband.  That part stinks.

Thanks Merilee.  We will have to do something.  We have a tough time seeing each other now, and this will all but erradicate any time we could have together. 

I see the RO again next Wednesday, then I'll find out more about what lies next after chemo.  What kind of lotion are you using to get ready for the "healing beams?"

Thanks for the tips on the Coobie bras.  I have never found a Bali bra in my size (34-36A).  A sports bra just flattens what little is there!

Cheers to all!

Jane

Hi Susan-welcome to the group!! Good luck at the RO tomorrow. It will be interesting to see when your treatment will start. My initial appt was 6/27 and I start officially 7/26. There was a simulation with CT and 2 weeks planning and now a dry run tomorrow. Granted my treatment is different from most people. I am having prone IMRT (intensity modulated radiation therapy) and they need 2 weeks to develop the plan of care. Also I have the last appt of the day and waded 1 week to start for that appt.

Not all people get the tattoos and yes they are permanent. Mine are on my back. I was at the dermatologist this week getting a mole taken off my back and the doc and nurse could not identify the 5 tattoos. It was only when they brought in a high intensity light that they guessed where they were. I was going to have then removed after treatment with my RO's blessing but my dermatologist said it was silly because they are invisible to the naked eye. 

Sweetcorn I must be the bra lady...I did work in the intimate department during college many years ago...so I must qualify. I also bought another bra that would be perfect for you. It is from Barely There. It comes in small, medium, large and extra large. It is all cotton again with nice support. I got a pretty liliac color that I am wearing now. Very cool in this heat. Again it is at Macys and Kohls.

I saw the dietician today per my request. i have been losing weight since beginning this journey in April. I wanted to know how much protein I needed to add to my diet. Can you believe she couldn't improve what I am doing now except to add 1 piece of string cheese instead of the fruit for my afternoon snack. My RO gave me permission to lose no more than 5% of my body weight during rads. She knows that I am trying to get to a normal BMI. 25 lbs down, 20 to go! I thought I read on one of the forums that we needed 100-125 gms of protein a day. The dietician told me no way...55-62.5 gms/day. Just an FYI to everyone. If I tried to eat 100 gms a day I would pork out!

No one answered my question about what are you doing to do to celebrate completion of rads. I need some ideas please. (So far I am seeing my sis in CA late Sept. Had to cancel in Aug because of rads. Also have a vacation to Hawaii in Nov. Bought a high top swimsuit today. Don't want any sun to the rad area. But I want to do something special locally at the end. I think I will be too tired to do much. I am thinking about some type of fun cake...Won't miss you RADS written on the top or something crazy like that. The kids and hubby might enjoy it.)

God I am anxious about the dry run tomorrow and starting Monday...Think it is a lorezapan (ativan) night. Should have had the 100 calories of wine at supper tonight. Sorry when I am nervous I ramble.

Hey have a great night tonight. Merrilee it is you and me tomorrow...

Thanks, bb226.  I will look for an all cotton bra at Kohls by Barely There.  I do have $10 to take off my total purchase!

I do not know what I'll do for a celebration at the end of rads.  I still need to decide how to treat myself for completing chemo!

Jane