November 2011 Rads

I got my first rad tx today (IMRT).  I was nervous.  Everything went okay (as far as I know).  The tech took a lot of pictures.  Has anyone else had pictures taken?

TooManyCocktails - I too had pictures taken of my breast and a head shot.  I felt the head shot was actually stranger than the boob shot.  I can understand taking a picture of the boob to watch for swelling or whatever but why do they need a picture of my face?

I had my 5th rads today and so far no skin reaction but I am feeling tired.  It's a drag we are going through this so close to the holidays but at least most of us will start the new year done with radiaiton and on the next step of our journey.  

I'm scheduled to have a follow-up CT/Pet scan next Monday and got a letter from insurance today that they won't cover it.  It showed a spot or two on my lungs six months ago and while it is probably nothing I don't think I can rest until the docs look at it again and can reassure me.  My insurance has been great up until now.  I can't really complain but I am going to fight! 

I did see my picture (face) on the display when I go into room for treatment and as I'm leaving the next patient pops up..

Hello!

As Natters said above: I too have to provide my full name and date of birth before each treatment. It doesn't bother me; I'd rather them have the right person! LOL

I'm so surprised that so many are starting hormone treatment while doing RADS; I won't start until the day after rads is over with (Arimidex).  I still have my ovaries, even though I had a hysterectomy in 09'.  Right now, I'm having some pain in both on and off and I want to have an ultrasound to check things out. *sigh*.  I hope I don't have to have them removed and that there aren't any issues.  I really can't go thru another surgery; I just can't. I had throat issues after my 2nd lumpectomy from the laryngeal tube they put down my throat and I had an endoscopy on Halloween and apparently stopped breathing a little (I have sleep apena). I'm just really scared to be put under again.

I had my dry run today-start the actual rads tomorrow. They changed almost all of my marks including putting one right in the heart of my armpit. What are the chances of that tape staying on for very long?

  They took lots of pictures of my chest. The head shot they took is on my chart and also on the shelf in the locker where my form is.

  I got crappy appt times for the nest 2 weeks because they are so busy. As people finish tx I will gain seniority and get the later appts.

I, too, thought the face photo was strange - until I saw my folder at the radiation station (sounds like a PBS show!) and realized that it's our photo ID. I wouldn't want someone else's treatment and I'm sure they wouldn't be happy getting mine.

 TVacrat:  SO SORRY you had to go thru that!!!  I know I sure would have been disappointed, but I personally would be glad the Dr.s be careful...

Day 2 of 5 is now history.  Tomorrow morning will mark the half way!!!

Also saw the MO today.  He gave me the report on the OconoT test.  The results are that on the scale of 0-100% chance of reoccuring in 10 years is a 12%.  He said he sees no benefit for me to undergo the chemo!!!!  He has given me a prescription for the generic form of Femara (MUCH CHEAPER) which I will take for the next 5 years.

I praise God for the positive answers to the many prayers of friends and family (and my own).

We all need to hang together and beat this AWFUL disease....

I had #16 of 30 today. My breast is bright red, has a rash and my incison is tender and starting to break open a bit (its in the crease under the breast). I saw the RO today and he didn't seem at all concerned. The nurse said she was surprised that I'm having such a skin reaction because I'm more olive skinned and tan easily. I had skin issues since #5. No bra is comfortable (I bought the Playtex bra that someone recommended). My nipple is sensitive also. I'm doing the skin care recommended faithfully, too. I know it's only going to get worse. I haven't noticed any fatigue yet (no more than usual anyway). I hope that's not next. My stickers have come off several times already and the tattoos help them put them back in the same place. They're so tiny that they have to use a special light to see them. It's only a tiny blue dot about the size of a freckle. I can't even see it. Has anyone else noticed that they have the chills after rads? My DH said it's probably like a sunburn effect.

#11 treatment for me today....can't wait for this to be over with. Had a HORRIBLE morning.

1) Was going to take the train for the hour drive, but missed the exit, so I drove instead. This was at 5:20am this morning

2) Had to do films today, which means that takes awhile and then treatment after. I hate laying on the table in the cold room for that long

3) Was to run up to the Oncology office to give a urine sample; but they forgot to put the order in, so I had to wait for my NP to come (this was supposed to be an in and out thing)

4) Go to the parking garage and my free ticket doesn't work. I sit for 15mins until someone lets me out!  I was in tears by this time.

5) I JUST now get to work after being up since 5 am and doing two hour drives. I'm already beat and it's only 10am. 

Just venting abit....I know it is not anyone's fault, but I am so frustrated that the radiation machine at my cancer center was out of order for three days in a row: Thurs., Fri. and Mon. Due to missing three doses, plus the weekend in-between, I now have to add two days of rads, in addition to making up the three missed days. 'Just frustrating....oh well

Sher 

Had my first rads today.  It was so quick...I know they told me it would be, but after 6 months of chemo which usually took 3 to 4 hours, I was surprised!  It's probably in my head, but I am exhausted today.  I've been tired because of the chemo, but nothing like this.  Hopefully it's just mental.  I don't think I could take this for 6 weeks.

Chrys23, I hope today was better.  I know even a little thing can make a difference in your mood for the day.  To have so many things go wrong can really set you off.  Hopefully, you got all the bad experiences out in one day and the rest of the time will be better.

Shirleta, prayers that your radiatioin machine will be fixed quickly.  I was disapointed too to see that my center would be closed Thanksgiving and the Friday after.  My RO had said they would be open.  Fortunately, they are doing appointments on Sunday so that only puts me one day behind. Maybe your technitions will be able to quicker than expected.

Does anyone have any words of encouragement to get me exercising?  I keep telling myself I will get started, but each day I don't.  I know it will make a difference in my engery.  My poor dog is very sad about her lack of walks each day! I had carpool today so didn't get her out first thing in the morning like I usually do.  I intended to take her after running some errands, but then the fatigue set in.

Nan

Those frustrating days are so challenging. Especially when one is tired and emotionally already worn out. Our machine was down yesterday so I had to wait an extra 45 min., but they were able to fix it and I didn't have to miss a day. I was able to finish reading an entire magazine this time. It usually takes me a week.

Today we had stormy weather with a tornado watch in effect right when I got to the treatment center. The Dr. said to a group of us waiting in the lobby, "If the sirens go off we can all go back to the "vault" (I think it's special treatment room). It has 8 ft. thick cement walls. It's not going anywhere"!  Glad to know we were is a safe place. The storm had passed by the time I was finished.

Hang in there ladies! This too shall pass. I'm so thankful we have one another to cheer one another on and keep one another encouraged. Only 2 more days and weekend! BREAK! 

Keep smiling. It's the most beautiful curve on your body. :-) 

Hi everyone....long time no see!  I've had a lot going on but I am finally going for my planning session today.  I will start with my dry run on 11/30 and have my first treatment on 12/1.  So I guess I'll start a new discussion for December.   Not looking forward to the giant time-sucking commutes, and I am hoping that Mother Nature holds off on any more nasty weather until after the middle of January.  If all goes well and I don't have to miss any sessions due to illness or bad weather, I'll be done the second week in January.  Not sure about what days will be skipped due to Christmas and New Years.  The holidays are on a Sunday but that often means Mondays off.  We'll have to see how that works out.

Getting the dreaded tattoos today - not really happy about the "forever" reminders.  I might have them lasered away at some point.  I will be having 30 treatments, five are boosts to the scar line.  And they will be using electron beam technology to keep the radiation very shallow, which avoids damage to heart and lungs.  I will probably also have to hold my breath to create additional space between the chest wall and the heart.  I'll know more later today, I suppose.

Hugs to everyone, hope you are all faring well and looking forward to being finished.

Hi ptdreamers - I have finished 26 of 33 treatments and my skin just started to get pretty red last week, but it's not sore or peeling. My skin tone is on the fair side but not super-fair. More "warm" than "cool" as the cosmetics industry would say, ha.

I have used Miaderm 3-4 times a day since day 1 of my treatment. I sometimes layer Aquaphor on top, and I've sometimes used hydrocortisone ointment on a couple itchy spots. I have two containers of aloe vera gel that I haven't really used at all. 

My routine is lotion once after my morning shower, once after my 2pm rads treatment, once in the early evening and once at bedtime. I take a normal shower in the morning but keep my back to the spray and use Dove sensitive skin body wash on my breast and underarm. I stopped wearing a bra in week 2 (I'm an A cup). 

One thing I discovered was that I am allergic to Ivory soap - it made me itchy. So I recommend trying any new product before you start rads, or in a spot far away from your breast, so you don't accidentally contribute to the irritation.  

Also, I only wear 100% cotton shirts and soft sweaters or jackets. I can't wear wool or synthetics or anything that fits too tight to my body (so no camisoles or tank tops). They make me feel hot and itchy. I mostly wear Target Merona brand long-sleeve shirts (make sure you find the 100% cotton ones) with one of my husband's t-shirts undernearth. 

So, there's my plan. I hope you make it through without problems!  

MrsMot - (((hugs))) and sending positive thoughts for "much ado about nothing"!  I got my tattoos today, just one is where you can see it.  It would probably blend right in if I had any freckles or skin marks in the area; but I don't and there it is right in the middle of my "v neck".  It's small and not very dark, but it's there.   I found the radiation planning to be no big deal.  I know some people talk about having to keep their arms over their head for a long time.  I think I was in that position for five minutes or less.  I sleep with my arms up so it's not a problem for me, but I can see how it would be difficult for anyone who doesn't have good range of motion.  I am blessed with hyper-mobile joints.

The good news for me is that they will be able to do the radiation without splashing any on my heart and lungs.  This was a big deal because I had Mammosite radiation in June 2010 and we were all worried about double-dosing my organs. 

Our round trip today was 4 hours and 10 minutes.  This is going to be grueling.