August 2011 rads

Welcome Pat H and others!

BBC and Jane so sorry to hear about your dogs, I'm sending heart healing prayers your way.

My start is pushed out to next week, so 0 of 30.  The RO returned from vacation today and agrees we can wait for the BRCA results although she also believes it is likely to come back negative - 90%.  

Our weekend away was great, I almost forgot about everything here.  We kayaked across Scott's Flatt Resevoir, it was so beautiful and my boobie didn't hurt, yeah!  The luau Sat night was corny and fun.  The boys played flip the kayak until they were exhausted on Sunday.  Only boo boo was I must have been in the sun in my vneck t shirt and got sun on my chest - yikes!  I thought I had SPF 70 on all the time.  Hopefully that will be all better by Monday.  Any suggestions? 

Had my dry run today.  They lined me up with lasers, then did some xrays, then drew the outline of where the radiation field would go on my chest with markers, then took pictures.  She said the markers were just a visual reference, as the actual mapping was done on a computer.  It was a really quick appt., and so I start tomorrow with the real thing. 

I'm pretty tired today, didn't sleep well the last couple of nights because of worry.  But I wasn't as anxious at the appt. as I thought I would be.  The good news was I qualify for the Canadian protocol, so I will have 16 regular zaps, then some boosts, how many as yet undetermined.

Do you start putting cream on right away, or wait for pink skin?  They didn't mention anything about it yet, and I will need to go buy something.

Pat

My RO also said to wait to use creams until they tell me I need to.  I expect to start next week (pending BRCA test results being negative   Merilee, I LOVE the image!

Hey all!  I had my consult with my RO today.  Looks like I will be starting rads in a couple of weeks.  I am scheduled for 25 full breast rads and 8 boosters.  I am still not excited about this 5 day a week thing, but at least I now have a plan.

Hi everyone.

I am doing the happy dance...13 down and 12 to go. Over half done. We went out to dinner to celebrate. Had energy again today. Basically only had that 1 day of extreme exhaustion in the last 5 days. The area is pink and swollen, but no pain. The prescribed cream is working well with the itching. I am using my lotion 4X a day and leaving a heavy layer on that absorbs into the skin. I think my skin doesn't look too bad (yet). I also noticed that my hair in the area is falling out. I won't have to shave this weekend. That is a plus. I hope the following 2 plus weeks don't bring too many surprises.

My husband is coming to my appts tomorrow. The rad tech told me he can come in during set up and treatment. He really wants to go to my appt with the RO. I am not sure why but I will enjoy having company. Afterwards we are going out to lunch since it is my day off.

I opted out of the boosts because my margins are so good and my DCIS was very small. My RO said she would support that decision. I looked at the benefits and risks and made my decision. Research does not necessarily support boosts with DCIS with good margins. I have noticed that everyone this month is having boosts.

Good luck everyone!

#12 today for me

I had a lumpectomy, needed re-excision to get clean margins, no chemo, and  will be starting rads August 15. Not looking forward to six weeks of this, but resigned.

Merilee beautiful image today! #11 for me today.



Welcome newbies! We are all in this together!

#14 done, 11 to go. I am on the downward swing! (Happy dance.) I can't believe I am still working full time. I was told by my doc and nurse that by this point I would have to cut back or go on short term disability. Ha! I am proving them wrong. I have a very physical, demanding job and somedays with no break or lunch because we are short. I will cut hours if I get to the point of not being able to cope with the fatigue. But now it is a challenge to keep going. Hope my body can keep up.

Pat enjoy the wonderful sleep now.

Sarabob- Yes that sounds about right. Your are getting the boost that adds days. 25-28 days is the typical amount for the standard whole breast radiation with 1.8-2.0 Grays per treatment for a total treatment dose of 50 Grays. The boost adds another 1.8-2.0 Grays per day of boost treatment. So you will wind up in the 60's. The Canadian version is shorter because it delivers a high amount of Grays per day over 16 days with 3-5 days of a boost. (You would get the same amount of total Grays per total treatment or very similar.) But with that there might be some more short and long term side effects. My doctor stated she would do the shorten version but I had to understand the added risks and sign a waiver.

MamaV are you 1/3 of the way done??

Toni hey you start in a few days! Six weeks sounds like a very long time at the beginning but it goes fast because you live for the weekends. I don't look at the individual days but kinda look at the weekends. So really it is only 6 weekends. I know that is so illogical but it is a mind game and works for me.

jackifp you are also starting very soon.

Anyone planning on tamoxifen after rads. A new study just came out about the benefit lasting now 15 years after starting the drug instead of 10 years. That drug is looking better all the time. If you are interested in reading a summary of the article it is in the risk section of breastcancer.org under research. I read the article in the medical journal earlier this week.

The weekend is just around the corner.

#8 today. I am also working and less tired today.

BB226 I am planning on taking tomaxifin. I am trying to learn what foods and stuff I can have with it. So far, no tumeric, benadryl or grapefruit. I wish there ws a solid list of how this drug iteracts with herbs, spices, foods and drugs.

Merilee, I love the image and really needed the pick me up.  bb, great info!  I'm not starting rads next week.  I'm not sure rads will be in my new wellness plan.  The test came back positive for BRCA2, wah, I don't like the odds of a do nothing plan or stay on the same treatment plan so I see the breast surgeon tomorrow, then the gyn onc.  I have a lot to learn before agreeing to the new wellness plan.  I'm grateful my friend is also a genetic counselor... better to know now.  Deep cleansing breath.  Peace and healing prayers to you all!

Hi all. I begin radiation on Tuesday next week. I agreed to be part of a trial on whole breast vs. partial accelerated radiation and I was randomized into the control group, so it's 36 whole breast treatments for me. I have to admit I was really disappointed but my family seems relieved that I'm getting the standard of care.

Julianna - I loved your comment about being tired after work - thats me! 

Had number 2 this morning, been edgy all week, last couple of days just plain sad and teary, and I'm not sleeping at night.  Woman in waiting room was on her last one today, and she was as excited as if she were getting married, couldn't stop telling everyone it was her last one.  I sat there all grumpy and envious, was glad when they finally called me in.  Had a little cry in the waiting room.  I hate feeling this way, it is just not me.