November 2011 Rads

LuvRVing - I got tattoos at my planning session.  Did not hurt.  Right before I get into position for the rad treatment, the technologist uses a marker to make a visible dot on top of my tattoo.  They can see it well, and it is the correct spot.  I can wash it - no tape - and next time they put the dot on again.  It takes a second.
Lily - you are the best - making me smile - just hoping that all is well.  Each of us will not be the same after this - every lump, bump and twinge will send us running here then to the doctors.
Vicks - glad you can see the finish line!
Nat - I am about to finish week #1!!!  And today was the very first day I have entered the rads rooms without taking xanax.  I made it through with no more fidgeting and wiggling (toes only) than usual!
In fact, my radiation technologist gave me a glowing report
kdajay - my birthday gift was not having to start rads until after Thanksgiving week end.  YAY!
And here's a cake for you, since it is after midnight!   Happy Birthday!

It's almost the week end....
Hugs and prayers for those who need...
Joan

Joan. Thank you for the cake. It is perfect...all of the fun and none of the calories!

Happy Birthday, Kdajay!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes.

tvacrat I understand about the armpit and nipple. I saw the RO yesterday and asked if the boosts would include the armpit area and begged her for it not to. I don't think I can take much more. Also my nipple is now peeling for the second time, thank you. It kind of reminds me of a dog that has a really pink nose from being in the sun too much...only it is not wet and cold, just dry and sore!

lilylady I will keep waiting for your post today...dying to know if you flashed the doctor or not :-) Hope you find that the spot is nothing more than a reaction to the radiation. Holding my breath for you.

Kdjay-Happy birthday!  I hope you get to do something relaxing and fun today.

Lilylady-You have a wonderful sense of humor.  That's one of the things that makes all of this bearable for me.  Prayers that you are able to destress a little until your appointment and that all of this is nothing.

Vicks-I can't speak for AZ, but CA is having lovely weather.  Warm days and cool nights.  Hope it stays that way until you come.

I've had 10 treatments so far.  They cancelled today because the machine broke down.  That bumps me to Dec. 30 for my last one.  Hopefully there won't be any other problems.  I really don't want to carry this into the new year.  So far no major problems.  I've been slathering on the aquaphor 4 times a day.  (I laughed today as I picked up a jumbo jar.  My RO nurse told me not to bother getting the large one that I wouldn't need it.  I've used 3/4 of the small one she suggested and I'm not even half way through.  Maybe I'm being a bit heavy handed, but it seems to be working.)

Hope  everyone has a restful and fun weekend.  My husband is taking me to see River Dance tonight.  It doesn't start until 7:30.  Hopefully I won't fall asleep during it!

itt is Friday and I should be so glad week 1 is done. I am, but felt kind of down today. Not enough sleep. Had a late ap

Pt. with primary care and got home 10 pm Thurs. then up at 5:30 to make early rads appt. today.

I don't know if it is possible that the rads are making me totally wiped out after just 5?

One thing I feel is the physical and emotional drain on women is huge. In one week I have met a number of rads patients whose stories and treatments are so tough.

Maybe it's getting off steroids and not using Xanax that is wearing on me. Not sure but I am totally wiped out.

Today was X-ray day plus tx. Double time. I asked a lot of Qs and tech agreed that I was high maintenance today :-P

Have a good week end.

Joan

Joan, rads is emotionally exhausting, if nothing else try to relax and enjoy your 2 days off!



Dawmson, were your boosts in the same position as your zaps? I mean, were you lying in the same position? Unfortunately, I have big, dense breasts and my tumor was near the back BUT it was also near the top (2o'clock) and that part of my breast is kind of flat and shallow. So maybe I can get the more shallow kind that zaps less of your heart and lungs - here's hoping! I will find out next week, I guess.



Neither the Benadryl gel nor the 1% hydrocort helps my itchy rash for long, and it's all I can do not toscartch myself raw! Trying to keep myself distracted this weekend. At least I slept better last night (no night sweats - hooray!)

  nans-I am with you, I will finish up on Dec 29 if there are no hiccups. I don;t want this going into 2012 either. I had to wait yesterday because the computer kept rebooting but I did get my tx in.

  My position is flat on my back arms above my head and face turned with chin raised, The machine moves 3 times. The first time I don;t have the bolus but the other 2 shots I have the bolus draped all the way across the chest and even tucked in under me a little bit. Since I have no breasts I think it is taking their place.

MrsMo, I hope you are planning a little celebration on Tuesday.



Kdayjay, thanks for the info! I think they told me to expect about 20 minutes. And I didn't ask but I'm fairly sure my worst areas are part of the boost field . Here's hoping we're both wrong.



And I have cried on the table before so I know what you mean- hard to hold still if a sob grabs you. Right then.

I was pretty uncomfortable yesterday after my last full tx before the boosts, but today is so much worse. My armpit kills and the nurse told me there was a 50/50 chance that the skin would open during the weekend. I don't think it has, but it's awfully tight. And I noticed today that the skin in the fold under my breast has opened and it's raw. As are some of the areas on my chest. They'll give me Silvadene (sp?) to put on it, but I'll have to wait until I go in on Monday. Until then, it's Aquafor and more Aquafor. I've been taking Advil but I have some Percocet left over from my knee replacement in May, and I think I'll take that tonight. Every once in a while I wonder, with DCIS Stage 0, did I really have to do the rads? I guess I'll never know. Just hope that once this is over, it's over!

KDAJAY - I asked about the boosts and the tech told me that it had all been mapped out during the initial planning. So I don't think I'll have to stay much longer on Monday, but we'll see. 

I have 5 more regular and then 5 boosts, and the boosts will probably be on my raw area. Not looking forward to more rads in another day, but hoping to complete before the holidays.



Everything I've read (and my MO) suggest that drugs like Tamoxifen only give those of us with DCIS an additional 2-4% reduction in risk for recurrence, whereas rads gives us way more bang for our buck, cutting our post-surgery risk in half.



Jackie, that's the first time I've heard about that drink hmmm will look into that.

I have a few questions before I finish reading all the entries, I hope you all do not mind!

Is anybody doing tomotherapy? It has been recommended for me but the drive is a bit further.

My background-I had bc in 2002, did lumpectomy, chemo rads for right side. New primary on left side in march of 2011. Have done chemo, bmx, now healing from surgery waiting for rads.

RO said rads will be much more tough this time, more burning because I have less tissue and chest muscle needs to be treated. Larger area needs to be treated, including im nodes, supraclavicle nodes, axilla nodes.

I am a haircolorist, on my feet all day and need to look somewhat presentable. I have no breasts, could not do immediate reconstruction. What am I going to wear if I decide to continue to work? (seriously considering quiting, I only work a couple of days and have been approved for ssdi). Is clothing going to be uncomfortable? I always get hot anyways when working. Will my underarms rub and get sore? Can I wear deoderant?

How much fatigue will I have? I had alot of chemo and healing has been a long road. Feeling pretty good now less than a week out from bmx. Still no hair:(. Have many of you worked at a job standing all day? Would you just quit if you were me? I think working messes up my ssdi anyways. I tried working on chemo and had to take way too many breaks and had to have co workers help me and I was miserable. I just have a hard time thinking about not working, I am only 45 and have always worked. I know  i can go back after done with all treatment. I still need a hysterectomy and diep reconstruction. Did anybody else quit work for a year or two? Am I a wimp? I don't know what to do. I don't want to tell my bosses that I might not be coming back anytime soon. They are expecting me back Jan. 11. Sorry for the rambling on a thread I never posted on before, but I need advice!

Bak94 I agree with Natters. Your body needs time to heal. Most of the RO's have reccommended no deoderant and loose comfortable cotton clothing. As Natters said volunteer or find a hobby to fill the days but take the time to concentrate on getting well. Best of luck to you.

Tvacrat - I am so sorry you have such pain. I understand totally though as my armpit is the worst! Tight skin, peeling, open areas....yep, I know that well. When I started having open areas that seeped, I was told to use Domeboro soaks. You can find the powder at the drug store near the Epsom Salts. I use one-half packet in one quart water. Pour it on a washcloth or some other cloth and wring out. You want it wet but not soaking. Put the cloth on the open areas for about 15 minutes or so two or three times a day. It is drying for those areas that are seepy and stick to your clothes. When you go back to the doc ask if they have any burn gel sheets. I have found those to help the really dry, painful areas.



Your sister in pain...kdajay