Sept 2011 Rads

I had my simulation today.  The procedure was pretty simple, and the tattoos fairly painless.  With that all said, i have to confess that I started crying the moment I entered the simulation room.  I still can't quite expain why.  I just did.  And I cried through the whole process.  This journey is so emotional. I cried right before my surgery.  I cried the first time I met with my MO about chemotherapy.  I guess I was naive to think I wouldn't cry today.

I start my actual treatments a week from today.  I am looking forward to them beginning, so I can begin looking forward to them ending!

Hello ladies.   I'll be popping back and forth from here and the August thread as my radiation will be continuing into late September.   I've just completed #14 today and everything is going very well.   I am barely pink, if at all.  I have some tiredness but nothing that is too much as of right now.  I'm still working full time.  I am very happy with how well things are  going so far!

Hi lovely ladies!

I'm starting radiation Monday (weather permitting-darn Irene) and will have 33 treatments and see my RO every Monday. I had CT scan on Wednesday and two tattoos-quick pinch. I'm getting my treatments at 7:20 in the morning, so I can head straight to work after. I'm a school nurse and don't return until the 6th.



Hoping I don't get too fatigued with the treatments. I have very fair, sensitive skin, so I'm very concerned about skin issues. I was given a special lotion to apply after treatments and before bed. I was also told not to use antiperspirant only deodorant. Only one I could find was Tom's.



On a plus side, my radiation center offers free massage and Reiki after treatments two days a week.



Have a wonderful weekend and if your on the East Coast, I hope Irene goes out to sea!



(((Hugs)))

Hi All.  I finished 6 months of ACT in June and had a BMX w/ TRAM FLAP 3 weeks ago.  Having my set-up appointment 8/31, and continuing Herceptin (every 3 weeks) through April 2012.

kate - I am also very fair skinned, and was concerned about burning, too.  My RO said skin reaction is not tied to skin pigmentation, and those that burn in the sun do not necessarily burn during radiation.  Hopefully he is right - for both our sakes!

Patty2525555.....  We are on the same schedule, good we can keep each other updated and compare how things are going.  Good luck Monday to us both...

Hello ladies! I would love to be a part of this group, I was dx 7/9/11, lumpectomy 8/2/11. CT is this Tue so Im thinking my first rad tx will be 9/6 or 9/7. I think RO said 35 treatments. What do you all mean about tattos? RO didnt say anything about this, if its real tattos like I think you all mean, then Im ticked! Getting a little peeved that things keep coming up that I have not been worned about. I can deal with whatever I have to but need time to accept it before they just spring it on me, ya know?

Love this web site and all the support and info!!!

Bless you all, lets kick Cs ass and show it... you picked the wrong BI to mess with!

Greetings, girls.  I started rads Aug 24 9 (that makes 3 so far) and will have the bulk of them in September, so I'd like to join this September group.  I get my rads at 3 pm and noticed when I am home in the evening my body seems extra warm.  I'm having whole breast radiation.  I notice I'm a bit more tired directly after the rads.

It's been a long road.  30 more rads to go. 

Stormy - LIke Evelyn said, the tattoos are small dots (think small freckle) that help the technician define the radiation area.  I have three, and will get a fouth at my first treatment.  Mine will be used to "level" me on the table, to make sure I am in the same position horizontally and vertically each time.  My RO didn't mention tattoos either, but I knew from these forums that they are commonly used, so I asked.

Thank you girls for the info on the tattoos. If they look like freckles I can handle that. I guess I just get a little cranky when I find out what they are going to do to me. Sometimes I feel like Im going through an alien abduction. Lol, not that I have.

Can someone explain what the HER(- or +) means? My RO told me I was positive for both ER (99%) and PR (89%).

Ashleere - Hello! I have a 20 yr. old daughter and a 15 yr. old daughter. I know what you mean, its very hard to go about the daily routine and not let on how much you just want to scream! My oldest tends to clam up, she will talk about it and is very supportive to me, but I have noticed that she has actually pulled away from me a little.  That hurts, but I understand that is her way of dealing with this. My youngest, however...OMG, she is stuck to me like glue! She is our comic relief of the family and my daily dose of sunshine. Yesterday, I actually had to tell her to back up 2 steps because she was following me around and just in my personal bubble space. I love them both more than life, but ghessh!  I told my husband we need to go out on a date so I can have some space and some time for just the two of us. So, tomorrow we are going to Home Depot and lunch, just the two of us! How sad is that, that I can't wait for a date to Home Depot, lol

Hope all you East coast ladies are safe. We are just continuing to roast in TX. I went for simulation on Friday and got 4 tattoos. Is anyone else doing rads in prone position (lying face down)? Was a little uncomfortable, but if each time is as quick, it should be fine. Starting Sept 6.

I agree, Lilylady, I am so sick of cancer and treatments! My final TCH was Aug 11 so am starting to feel a little better and now my eyelashes are all falling out still getting Herceptin every 3 weeks until the spring....it is a long road!

Stormy, I have 18 and 16 yo daughters and mine were the same! Oldest, a little withdrawn from me and youngest stuck like glue. Funny how they deal with it so differently. I have been so worried about them, but they are getting through it in their own ways.

Good luck to all who are starting treatment this week!

PS, why do I have six tatoos???? Does anyone know or have this many?