August 2011 rads

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  • julianna51
    julianna51 Member Posts: 438
    edited July 2011

    bb - Thank you.  I've been debating about asking someone to come along with me for support so maybe that is a good idea.   Mapping is August 2.  Thanks for all the pearls of wisdom...will be good to remember as I begin my own rads journey.

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  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited July 2011

    #2 went even faster than yesterday. I was in and out in less than 15 minutes including putting on the dorky gown.

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  • sweetcorn
    sweetcorn Member Posts: 188
    edited July 2011

    Merilee,  Good for you! I see the RO tomorrow the get the scoop on my rads and hopefully a schedule.  The sooner I join you guys, the sooner I get it over with!

    My best to all who have "joined this club,"

    Jane

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  • MamaMia41
    MamaMia41 Member Posts: 101
    edited July 2011

    The mapping for me was not a problem.  As Merilee said, it's all relative; I thought the MRI was much worse and I made it through that, so I really didn't think the simulation would be too bad, it never occured to me to ask someone to go with me.  Everyone is different though, I prefer to do a lot of appointments on my own, I guess it makes me feel like things aren't too serious if I go by myself.  The whole process lasted about 20 minutes.  And I hate to bring this up again, but the marks with the sharpie are ridiculous!  I just can't get over it. 

    Thanks for the details on the actual treatment.  I heard it was a short appointment and I'm glad that seems to be the case.  My BS told me the worst part of rads is the inconvenience of going everyday.

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  • lizhbmom4
    lizhbmom4 Member Posts: 10
    edited July 2011

    Have any of you started using the lotion ahead of time?  Or do you just wait until after treatments start?  I'm also thinking of getting some aloe vera gel (it's good for other types of burns)...has anyone used it or heard of it being used during rads?

    thanks,

    Liz

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  • bwhite22
    bwhite22 Member Posts: 31
    edited July 2011

    Hi, Just had my planning session!  I'm glad to have that completed.  Have my last Chemo tomorrow, and then if the blood counts come back good I start rads on the 11th!

    Wishing all an easy time with this!

    Betsy

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  • Elizabeth1889
    Elizabeth1889 Member Posts: 1,036
    edited July 2011

    julianna51:  I would definitely take someone with you for the mapping.  For me, it was emotionally upsetting and being able to see my DH or a friend immediately afterward would have helped me tremendously.  Unfortunately, my center does not anyone but patients and staff in the treatment areas.  My DH did take me out to dinner when I returned home from mapping.  That treat was just what I needed to brighten the day and make me feel very loved.

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  • MamaV
    MamaV Member Posts: 907
    edited July 2011

    I worked the whole day and had my mapping end of day. I cried and was anxious but would have lost my mind if I sat at home waiting.



    I say work and don't let this stupid BC ruin your day!

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  • bb226
    bb226 Member Posts: 102
    edited July 2011

    2 done 23 to go...

    The appt was a little longer than Merilee's. My machine would not work. After being positioned the girls left the room to start my treatment. It wouldn't work even with rebooting the computer. I was  treated in a different radation room. It was interesting watching the rad techs breaking down the table parts and re-assembling them in another room. Total time about 30 minutes plus changing time.

    Betsy-Aug 11th is just around the corner. Hope your blood count is good.

    Liz I have been using the lotion my RO gave me for 1 month before treatment started. At my initial appt my surgical site was peeling. I asked her if I should lotion it. She thought it was a good idea and gave me a bottle of lotion. Last week I was given my 2nd bottle of lotion.

    Lauren I agree I hate the sharpie. I get even. When I am done with a treatment I take the sharpie at home and make a big x on the calendar. I made a calendar and taped it to my bedroom door. Like today the 26th I have written 2 down 23 to go. Saturday I wrote that I have finished 1 week and only 4 to go. I love coming home and marking off that day's treatment. I can't wait to get to Saturday and mark off that 1st week. It works for me.  

    Sweetcorn the end is in site...

    Of note I had an episode of fatigue this morning. Just before it I was extremely hungry. This is unusual for me. I sat for a few minutes and then had my break and ate my banana. I returned to my energetic self. Even went to a movie tonight.

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  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited July 2011
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  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited July 2011

    Going for healing beam #3 at 10:50

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  • MamaV
    MamaV Member Posts: 907
    edited July 2011

    Merilee - I love the pictures - so encouraging!  I keep telling myself healing beam, healing beam!

    bb - My daughter made me a chain link out of construction paper and wrote 1 down, 36 to go, 2 down, 35 to go, etc on each one!  It's hanging on the side of the fridge!  Tomorrow I start and we are going to make it a little cheering session every time I get home and rip one off!

    I'm not really nervous about starting tomorrow anymore - you have all been so encouraging.  I'm more nervous now about how my skin will hold up and how the fatigue will be!  Only time will tell!

    Vicky

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  • sweetcorn
    sweetcorn Member Posts: 188
    edited July 2011

    I have my mapping appointment tomorrow at 9:00. So this doesn't take long? I guess then the dr. will tell me how many treatments I'll get.

    Jane

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  • MamaMia41
    MamaMia41 Member Posts: 101
    edited July 2011

    The mapping shouldn't take long, I was told to plan to be there a couple of hours and I was out in about an hour.  Talking to the RO and the set up for the CAT scan took up the most time.  The RO will then take the information from that session to develop your treatment plan, once that's complete you'll find out the details like when you'll start and the number of sessions.

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  • bb226
    bb226 Member Posts: 102
    edited July 2011

    Sweetcorn good luck tomorrow at your mapping.

    Vickie what a cool idea about the chain link. I wish I had a daughter during this time. God blessed me with 2 wonderful sons instead. My boys ordered pink bracelets off the internet (money goes towards breast cancer research) and the day before I started radiation, the boys and my husband started wearing them. This was totally my oldest sons idea. They will wear them everyday during treatment. I even get one. When I am being zapped I look at the bracelet and have that link with my family. It was so sweet.

    Asked to have rads early today since it is my off day. Under 15 minutes including parking, changing, and treatment. Also back into my old room. Must have fixed the computer last night. #3/25 done. No problems so far (knock on wood). Thought my chest would be bright red and oozing slime plus be in bed by now. It's funny what the waiting period does to your mind. Too bad I feel great today. Thought I could milk it to get out of cleaning the house. Oh well.

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  • lizhbmom4
    lizhbmom4 Member Posts: 10
    edited July 2011

    Is mapping the same thing as a simulation?

    Merilee, I also like the images of healing beams of light!  I am going to try to visualize that during my treatments. 

    I'm glad some of you have mentioned ways to count down the days.  I'd almost forgotten I had something like that for chemo, and it really helped.  I had bought some "chemo bracelets", the idea being that you wear them on one wrist and then transfer one at a time over to the other wrist, to count down the 8 treatments.  I didn't like wearing them though (they weren't comfy, and also constantly reminded me of chemo), so I hung them in my bathroom, and threw one in the trash can after ever chemo session...it was something I looked forward to doing! I'm going to think of a way to count down the rads...maybe I'll use the paper chain idea.

    -Liz

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  • bb226
    bb226 Member Posts: 102
    edited July 2011

    Liz - The mapping is the same thing as the simulation. Takes about an hour with the CT scan, making of the position device (if you get one), etc. Plus, you will also have a "dry run" before starting the radiation treatment. At that appt they run spot xrays to check that the treatment plan is ok. It is like having a treatment but no radation. It ran a little longer than a real treatment.

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  • MamaMia41
    MamaMia41 Member Posts: 101
    edited July 2011

    Thank you for all the good suggestions for counting down the days of treatment.  I hadn't even thought of doing something like that, but I think I will now.

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  • Cyborg
    Cyborg Member Posts: 848
    edited July 2011

    Anyone going to take tomaxifen after radiation? I am.

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  • julianna51
    julianna51 Member Posts: 438
    edited July 2011

    I like the counting down idea...going to have to think of something.

    Here's something funny.   I was talking with my manager this morning about my radiation appointments (I had told her several weeks ago) and she thought that I would only be going once a week.....ha, don't I wish it were just once a week.    I felt bad for her....I could see her "wheels turning" on trying to figure out coverage for me every morning for six weeks.  

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  • MamaV
    MamaV Member Posts: 907
    edited July 2011

    Cyborg - I started tamoxifen last week. My MO wanted me on right after chemo. No SE yet.



    Getting anxious about first rad tomorrow ...

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  • LovesChristmas-Barb
    LovesChristmas-Barb Member Posts: 706
    edited July 2011

    Saying a prayer for you MamaV! I remember being nervous about that first one too...

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  • julianna51
    julianna51 Member Posts: 438
    edited July 2011

    Blessings to you that are taking tamoxifen.   I'm ER-/PR- so it isn't something that would do me any good.    I probably would have resisted if I'd been told I had to but when it makes a big difference in your chances....you do what you have to do.    Jusst like this radiation....   I spent more time today looking at DCIS, mastectomy and radiation....I  guess those ROs are right...I'd better give it up and go in with a smile and kick a$$ attitude!  ;o)

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  • Merilee
    Merilee Member Posts: 3,047
    edited July 2011
    Healing lightEmbrace the healing light
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  • bb226
    bb226 Member Posts: 102
    edited July 2011

    Good luck MamaV with rads today. Let us know how you did.

    Cyborg-I am also taking tamoxifen after. My ER/PR was 100%. I would be silly of me not to. Hoping there will be minimium SEs. I will start 2 weeks post rads per my RO suggestion.

    Just a word of wisdom...Remember I asked to move up yesterday. I was thinking 1-2 hours instead they moved me up 7 hours. The rad tech said it would be good and shouldn't be a problem. I had problems last night with swelling under my arm and pain (like sunburn pain), I took aleve and slept the best I have slept in 2 years! Today I am wearing a soft cotton t shirt under my bra. (My RO suggested this for latter in the treatmment.) I am trying to avoid the rubbing of skin under that arm.  I will think very carefully about moving up again. I don't know if the problem is from moving up or 3rd day of rads. It is very managable SE but I wonder if it could have been avoided.

    Merilee waiting for the pic of light...It is a highlight of my day.

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  • sarahbob
    sarahbob Member Posts: 131
    edited July 2011

    Hi ladies. I will be meeting with the Rad Onco Aug 10. I finished 6 rounds of Taxotere/Cytoan on July 15. My family has a beach trip planned for Aug 18-21 and so I will want to wait and start rads after we get back. From what the RO said when I briefly met him at the start of treatments, I will be getting 33 rads. I assume I will get more details when I meet with him on the 10th. So will I experience fatigue with rads also? I sure hope not.....I am ready to get back to the gym and back to my normal life. I have gained 50 lbs since surgery (Feb 2011) and REALLY need to get it off! I don't have time to be fatigued again! LOL!

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  • lizhbmom4
    lizhbmom4 Member Posts: 10
    edited July 2011

    Has anyone heard this, which I just read on BreastCancer.org (under 'Surgery', then 'Reconstruction' then 'Implants'):  "Metal and Radiation don't mix; if you have an expander put in and there is any chance you will have radiation therapy, be sure your surgeon uses one with a plastic port, not a metal one. A metal port interacts with the radiation right around the metal and produces excessive, unnecessary skin damage."

    I have metal ports!  I emailed my RO, who said this is true and that I should discuss it with my PS.  I am so frustrated...why didn't my doctors tell me about this before?  Why am I just learning about this after it's too late?

    -Liz

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  • neecee
    neecee Member Posts: 663
    edited July 2011

    Hey everyone!  I am 2 days PFC, and have my planning appointment with my RO on August 10.  Julianna, I feel you on the work schedule.  My head is spinning trying to figure out how I can construct my work schedule to accomodate rads and still work full time!

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  • sweetcorn
    sweetcorn Member Posts: 188
    edited July 2011

    I had my simulation today, so I am marked up ready to go.  It really didn't take long at all. The rad tech said it would be Monday or Tuesday.  The sooner it starts, the sooner it's over.  I work 8-5 and my appt. is at 8:45 to begin with.  She said they could move it to an earlier time when one opens up.

    I am blessed with plenty of sick leave available.

     Jane

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  • LovesChristmas-Barb
    LovesChristmas-Barb Member Posts: 706
    edited July 2011

    I just finished 23/31 and I am experiencing fatigue on some days but not everyone has a problem with it.

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