Sept 2011 Rads

Robyn - welcome!

I had treatment 3 yesterday, and due to the rad machine at my RO's office being down for maintenance, will not have another treatment until Monday.  Had I heard this last week, the delay would have put me in tears.  Yesterday when they told me, I said, "oh well, what's a couple of day delay when I have 30 more to go?"  I can't believe I said that!

Janis:  Sending you good wishes that the nodules on the thyroid are nothing serious.  Good luck with your RO visit.

Had my first treatment today, it took longer than the 15 min I was told.  Imagine that. 

I am also being radiated on the left breast and my RO uses what they call gating for me, that way it does not radiate my heart at all.  It works somehow with your breathing.  The place I go to has very new equipment.

Back tomorrow for #2!  I guess I get drawed on tomorrow lol!  Today got a "x" with tape on it!

good luck girls, we all will overcome this!

Justmejanis - Holly crap! What a terrible day! I will be praying that those lumps on the thyroid are nothing for you. I just had #2 today, but last night I was having some chest pain that wasn't bad at all, just noticable, on the rad side and only when I inhaled. I mentioned it to the techs and they said it was from the nerve endings healing from my surgery. Humm?... Don't know about that. But, I will have to wait and watch it. I see my RO tomorrow after #3. I'm almost afraid to ask again, but I will.

Patty - Same for you, extra prayers! Its amazing how all this treatment is to kill cancer but it seems like its just a trade off for something else. I hope all turns out ok.

Oh yeah, I'm getting my tattoos tomorrow so I don't have to deal with this tape...YEH! My daughters know how against tattoos I am (for me personally, and them, till they are out on their own) so they are teasing me, telling me I'm getting tramp stamps, lol. At least we can find something about this to laugh about.

Rad #7 today and all going well so far. I think the skin is just starting to turn a little pink. My RO just said to keep up with the lotion.



Funny story about my treatment yesterday. I go at 7:20 in the morning and when I got there yesterday the parking lot was packed and there were people every where inside and out of the building. I walked inside and there were big lights and cameras all set up. The tech apologized that she forgot to tell me the day before that they were filming a commercial for the center. So here I am walking down the hall in my Johnny with all these people. I asked the two techs if they would be in the shoot and they said, "no, but Teddy Bruschi is". He's a big deal in New England-retired New England Patriot football player. He was not there yet, but I thought it was cool how they staged everything and was amazed at how many people it takea to film a 30 sec commercial! Anyway, it made for an interesting appointment.



On a sad note, we found out yesterday that my 12 year olds 1st grade teacher passed away from metastatic BC. She was first diagnosed when my son had her as a teacher. I had no idea she was being treated again. Even worse when I told my children about my diagnosis I used her as a positive example because they all knew her and knew she taught all through her treatment, was always smiling, and had gotten better. At least I thought so. I had to reassure them that I was going to really be fine. Today I had to call the adjustment councilors at my children's schools because they were so upset last night. I was too- it was the first time I cried since being diagnosed.



Justmejanis and Patty - sorry for the additional worries. Thinking of you both!



(((Hugs)))

Tit-tats, I like it! So now I can tell my girls I'm a cool, hip Mom. Yeah, thats right, I'm down with all the new rage! I've got this....lol

Leighsa - so sorry for your loss.  This must be very traumatic for you and your children!

Stormy - I am anti-tat, too, but gotta tell you mine are so small I can't find most of them.  I am amazed that the techs can find them!

I had asked my RO about the stabbing pains in the breast getting rads and he said the same thing -- those were nerve endings healing from surgery eventhough my surgery was in March.

Later this afternoon I will get my 12th treatment and my skin is definitely getting pink, so I am religiously putting emu oil on! No discomfort yet except for a little soreness in the area of the sentinel node biopsy. Now I am actually able to see the entire area of radiation because of the skin discoloration.

Also, someone had mentioned being covered during radiation and I just wanted to say that the radiation therapist drapes a linen sheet over me before radiation takes place. I think that is just for modesty's sake ... it is a Catholic hospital after all. On a few of these discussion boards women have posted about feeling vulnerable and exposed during radiation and this is just a way to give them some comfort. I appreciate it.

Take care everyone!

EvelynMarie

http://notmytatas.blogspot.com/

I had 13 today, so just 20 left to go.  My skin is pink but not too uncomfortable.  My biggest issue is the underarm area.  Very sore.  My bra is not my friend......

You are doing great Kate!  More than halfway there!  So glad you are not having any real problems. 

Has anyone heard of feet issues related to rads?  Two toes on my right foot (radiated side) have been making me nuts the past couple of weeks.  They keep tingling then feel numb..tingle some more and feel very strange.  Kind of little twinges of pain too.  I am clueless.......

Ok, so 3rd treatment today and visit w/RO. Got my tit tatts (6) can only find (4), lol so really happy with that and no more dang tape! They don't put anything over me during treatments, wish they would, but I'm getting used to it. Told the RO about this site and how much it has helped me; however, I always come in with questions for them. He said I should stop this site because it is only adding to my anxiety and I need to get on with my life. That's when I gave him an ear full! I told him that my anxiety would be much higher if it wasn't for you all here. That 90% of the info I have gotten is from this site, not him or his office. How I don't like surprises, I need to be prepared for what is coming and need time to deal with it. There is a "Suggestion Box" in the hallway ( with no paper or pencil near by) and I asked if that box is checked on the regular bases, because I have put 2 "Suggestions" in there. He looked surprised and told me I was quite the "Firecracker", lol.  Then he asked what were the "Suggestions"? #1 Can they come up with ultraviolet pen to use as markers so that they aren't visible to us, but the techs could see it with the red and green rays? or what about Henna tattoos? They last 4-6 weeks, so if your going for 6-7 weeks treatment, they could just redo them at 3-4 weeks, then at the end of treatment, the tattoos should also be gone. #2 Why don't they give tours of the treatment room before you go? That alone would ease some of the anxiety. Or, ask if any current patients would be willing to talk with the newbies, ya know get first hand support and help from someone else who is going through this. I would be very willing to do that. He liked both ideas and said he would look into them, especially the Henna tattoos. They just need to do a better job with communication to the patient and remember that we are real people with feelings and fears. Oh, I also told him that I am getting on with my life, cancer is part of my life now, so just like being dx. with diabetes or any other disease, you need education and support on how to live your new life! The look on his face was priceless, I think I really got through, or at least it was an "oh, yeah" moment for him.

The facility I am going to is highly ranked for their knowledge, skill and equipment. However, their bedside manner from the receptionist, techs to the RO SUCKS! So, my goal...I have 6 weeks left to make them all smile, laugh and remember that we are real people, just like their mothers, sisters, daughters, friends, etc. My biggest nut to crack, one of the techs. So on Tues., I'm going to ask her about her family (husband, kids, pets, whatever) No treatment for me on Monday as they are getting a new computer system... yea me!

luv2travel, I've also had a mild sore throat on and off during my rads (about 11 of 33 so far). I'm getting whole breast rads and have to think this soreness is due to the rads.

The ladies at the center I go to for rads are personable enough but on a superficial level:  hi, how was your day, how was work, what's the weather like outside.  Not one has ever mentioned canser to me.  I'm their last client of the day, it's a very routine, quick procedure, so I'm in and out.  Pretty much the same thing each day.  I do see the doc once a week, with a nurse asking questions prior to my seeing him and logging them on my computer file.

After everything is lined up on the machine, they always cover my breast back up with the smock I wear, or lay a towel over the exposed area.  

Good for your, Stormy!  So glad you spoke up and shared your suggestions! This is hard enough to go through without medical staff minimizing our concerns and opinions.  Who better to provide insights and suggest changes than those who experience it first hand.

I haven't needed to apply lotion or aloe yet. When you do this, how do you keep from wiping off the marks. I have the tattoos, but there are several marks as well. Any info appreciated.

stormy123, you crack me up "That's a big NO NO"

You could have #1 Stuck your tongue out at her

                      #2 Told her to kiss your er  "Boo Boo"

                      #3 Flung yourself on the floor and thrown a tantrum

Do they have hypoallergenic tape?  I think you probably have your tatoos now.  I tell them I'm getting the center one removed because it shows.  They always give me frowny faces.