December 2011 Rad

Options
24567…18

Comments

  • kks_rd
    kks_rd Member Posts: 363
    edited November 2011

    ((((Rose)))) I know you've had a tough road.

    Thanks for the hugs everyone!  I am thrilled to tell you I got the call from my BS this morning that he checked everything out and it looks like all my margins are clear.  So I'm a December rads gal after all.  Will go for the CT simulation and tats on 12/9.  30some treatments mean I should be all done sometime around Feb 1st or so..??

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shelley2011
    shelley2011 Member Posts: 199
    edited November 2011

    bgail, I don't know anyone who was pulled off rads to do chemo. I did meet some cancer patients who did rads before chemo, but not the other way around. Doesn't mean it doesn't happen, I just haven't heard of it.

    Miscalculated my final rad.  It will be Jan. 11 as the center is closed Dec 26 and Jan 2 for holidays.  Bummer.

    First treatment down, 29 to go. Took a little longer than the rest of them will as the doctor modified the area he wants to radiate to include more of my armpit area lymph nodes so they had to calibrate and calculate and take pictures before the actual treatment.  I heard the lasers go for maybe 10 seconds, then the machine moved to the other area and the lasers went for maybe 15 seconds. And we were done!  Takes the machine longer to change positions than to administer the radiation. The techs are very nice and by going so early in the day they are fresh and perky. 

    I threw deodorant and moisturizer in my purse and applied it in the dressing room after tx.  Funny, I shower and get dressed at home to drive 5 minutes to treatment to get undressed....and then dressed again.

    My weekly meet the doc will be on Tuesdays, and would have been today even though it was first tx but doc got called to hosp so I will see him tomorrow.  Was told he will ask about fatigue and appetite, and that I should ask any question I want and to remember the appt isn't over until I say it is.  My docs have been great about that, I have never felt rushed and am very grateful for that.

    Kat, we are all waiting with you and will be here for you no matter what path you are on...

    Rose, hang in there honey.  When you are having difficulty physically, feel our arms holding you up.  When its hard emotionally, we are there with hugs and tissues. We are with you.

    HUGS to all.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited November 2011

    I had my sim today and will have my first treatment tomorrow evening at 7pm.  That time will work great for missing traffic going into Boston even though it will make for a tiring evening.  I'll have my days to get things done and DH's work schedule will not be impacted nearly as much as we expected.  My end date will be Jan. 12 assuming we don't have to skip a day due to weather or whatever.

    Because I'm having treatments in the evening, I don't need to change anything about my morning shower routine, including not needing to switch to a deodorant rather than antiperspirant. 

    Hugs to all, and welcome to my June chemo buddies!

    Michelle

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mommaof4
    mommaof4 Member Posts: 62
    edited November 2011

    Hello ladies... I had my bmx in May followed by chemo (tch) x 6. Sooo happy chemo is over ;) I am currently 5 weeks pfc. I had my radiation mapping done last wed and have my first radiation treatment tomorrow. I'm a little nervous but can't wait to be start so i can be done and only have Herceptin and my exchange surgery left to do. Good luck and minimal radiation se's to all of you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Southamptonmom
    Southamptonmom Member Posts: 491
    edited November 2011

    Good luck today, Michelle. I woke up thinking about you. :) Hope it is a smooth path!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bgail84
    bgail84 Member Posts: 94
    edited November 2011

    Had my radiation mapping today; will start the first of 33 treatments tomorrow. Am excited to start  and moving forward.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited December 2011

    Thanks, Rose!  Just back from my first treatment.  We made it to Boston and back in near-record time, just 2 1/2 hours including treatment.  During the day we couldn't possibly make the trek this quickly, and it helped that they were ready for me and I was 20 minutes early. 

    Good luck to everyone getting started.  I think this is a case where the "front end" of the treatment is easier than the tail end. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BertIsHealed
    BertIsHealed Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2011

    Hello All, Today is day 8 of my RAD treatments.  I've read some of the other topics, but has anyone experienced anything physically.  This morning my breast felt like it had been in a microwave, eventually the feeling subsided.  Maybe I didn't hydrate enough. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited December 2011

    Treatment #2 tonight, and the drive in to Boston was not pretty - I guess there was a tree lighting ceremony at 7 and we got caught up in that traffic.  Yesterday's trip in was an hour, today's was an hour and 25 minutes.  So far the trips home have been smooth sailing.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shelley2011
    shelley2011 Member Posts: 199
    edited December 2011

    Bertishealed, I am going for #4 this morning and have not experienced what you are.  I can say that after #2 I sorta felt like my breast was warm, but not uncomfortable.  Didn't happen yesterday tho....Strange.  Hope someone else can help you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bgail84
    bgail84 Member Posts: 94
    edited December 2011

    LuvRVing, hope your drive in today is better than yesterday. I had first treatment yesterday.  Already the tape is irritating my skin. If they are touching up marks every day why are we using tape? Just saying. Hope everyone has a good weekend.Smile

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BertIsHealed
    BertIsHealed Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2011

    Thanks Shelley2011, I'm, feeling better today.  Yesterday I made sure that I got plenty of water in me and extra rest.  I know what you are talking about, you do get warm sensations.  It's not uncomfortable but you are "aware" of it.  Hope #4 goes well.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Rockym
    Rockym Member Posts: 1,261
    edited December 2011

    Anyone refuse to have the permanent tattoos?  I was suppose to have my CT scan and mapping today, but since I want to wait until the first week of January to start RADS, RO said we couldn't do anything today.  I have another appointment at the very end of the month so that once the sharpie marks are on, they won't wash off.

    I don't think the RO was very happy about me not doing the permanent thing, but I have read that some places only use markers.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sandy115
    sandy115 Member Posts: 172
    edited December 2011

    Hi Everyone 4 weeks post Chemo had simulation done Nov 14th start Rads Monday.Wishing to get all this over with.Starting on Tamoxefin tommorow.Was suppose to have more nodes taken out before Rads as the surgeon only took out 2 and 1 was infected but she has now decided not to go back into sugery I want the rest taken out.I am suppose to have armpit radiated so the surgeon thinks that is enough.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited December 2011

    Sandy - it is good that your surgeon wants to leave your nodes.  Radiation is just as good as surgery according to my RO, and not having all those nodes removed lessens your risk of lymphedema.  It sounds like your surgeon is up on the latest research.

    Rockym - I didn't want the permanent tattoos but they did them anyways, just lightly.  So then the techs can't find them during my simulation.  So now I have tattoos and marker with tape...lol. 

    The drive for treatment #3 was easy last night.  Afterwards, we went to Chinatown for a yummy dinner.  This is gonna get expensive if we eat out after every treatment!  They changed my time to 6 p.m., not sure how that will work for leaving the city.  DH thinks we'll get stuck in traffic, so we'll do it for a couple days and see how it goes.  If it's too much, we'll have to get the time changed.  Apparently they don't "really" have a consistent 7 p.m. slot, just a "last slot of the day" which changes as people finish their treatments.  Makes it hard for DH to plan his workday. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shelley2011
    shelley2011 Member Posts: 199
    edited December 2011

    LuvRVing, is that your current picture?  Your hair looks great!

    Rockym, honestly the tattoos are such small little black dots that I can't even find them.  I don't know how the techs see them but they assured me they know where to look.  If you took a fine point magic marker and made a quick dot on your skin, that would still be bigger and darker than the tatts.  I thought I would be upset by them, but since I can't find them amid the freckles and age spots I mostly forget they are there....just my thoughts.  I had the same emotional reaction to them also....like why do I have to have more permanent physical reminders of what I am going through, but for sure the only things that are going to hang around are the two scars from the lumpectomy.  And all the techs and nurses comment on what a nice job my BS did, and they don't show even in a bathing suit, so DH and I are the only non-medical folks who will know they are there....

    Again, just  my thoughts.  Not trying to sway you one way or another as we all know that we have very few choices throughout this process and sometimes it just feels good to go against the stream.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited December 2011

    Shelley - yes, that picture was from last weekend.  My hair is growing very quickly but it's really white.  That color is compliments of L'Oreal Wink Here's a better picture. This is 9 weeks PFC.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shelley2011
    shelley2011 Member Posts: 199
    edited December 2011

    Michelle, you look beautiful.  I am so impressed that you are only 9 wks out. I am 5 wks pfc and I think I am seeing peach fuzz all over my head.  But it is hard to imagine that I would have as  much hair as you in only a month!  Fingers crossed!  I would be out in public with your hair!

    Sandy, my BS and I had some conversations about removing more lymph nodes.  She only took one SLN during lumpectomy and it came back with micromets.  I negotiated with her by getting RO on the phone to reassure her that he would increase the radiation field to pick up as many armpit area nodes as possible and she was satisfied.  Even the nurses at radiation are hugely supportive of doing nothing to jeopardize the cancer side of my body.  I was told to not carry my purse on that shoulder, to never allow anyone to take blood pressure or blood from that side, and to be extremely careful to not create an open wound there.  The risk of lympedema is lifelong to us and radiation does eliminate the possible mets to nodes.  I, too, am afraid of further mets in the nodes but since all the doctors seem to agree now that surgery is unnecessary I am going with their decision.  Good luck and have faith!

    Hugs to all!  I have enjoyed the weekend off of the rads routine!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anita333
    Anita333 Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2011

    Hello everyone,

    I am starting radiations on Tuesday and would like to join your group. I'll have 25 rads and 5 boosters. If everything goes as planned, I should be done on January 19th.

    Finished 4AC and 4 Taxol on Oct 6th. Had a second lumpectomy because of clean margins begining of November. Had my markings and sim done on Nov 16th.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • michelleo13
    michelleo13 Member Posts: 342
    edited December 2011

    Hi Anita, I'm from Kitchener too. You're having tx at Grand River too right? I should be starting the week after you...still waiting for my appointment schedule. I had the same chemo regimen as you too! I finished Nov 15.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anita333
    Anita333 Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2011

    Hi Michelle,

    That is great! Yes I have my treatment at Grand River. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited December 2011

    Thanks, Shelley!  I had a headful of peach fuzz 2 weeks PFC.  I guess I'm lucky to have good hair genes!   Check out the "Hair, hair, hair..." thread - lots of pictures that will give you hope and you'll see how everyone is different.  It's a fun discussion.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Suz39
    Suz39 Member Posts: 125
    edited December 2011

    Hi Ladies,

    I am getting my first treatment today.  I'm about 4 weeks out from my last chemo, and my hair is starting to grow back, but it is nothing like the lovely long locks of LuvRVing.  Mine is still just a shadow, too short to be measured, but I am still very excited!

    Shelley, I am interested in your micromets - and increasing the field to get the armpit nodes.  I had isolated tumor cells in one of the 3 SLNs that were removed during my MX.  I have opted out of having my lymph nodes radiated, and am only having the chest wall radiated.  My RO said that he doesn't know what to recommend to me because they don't have data on isolated tumor cells or micromets, because they only had the technology to see them in the last 5 years, so don't have any data on the impact of radiation.  He said I was in a gray zone because having isolated tumor cells meant that my cancer had prooved that it could walk, but without knowing if treatment was worthwhile, he said it was equally relevant to consider me "node negative", because that is what I would have been diagnosed as 5 years ago.  Uggh!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sandy115
    sandy115 Member Posts: 172
    edited December 2011

    I was to start Rads today and didnt I spoke to RO about having aux nodes  taken out 1st and he said he would speak to the BS again  so now Rads are on hold.I dont know when the BS will get back to me it could take awhile but I want to have piece of mind knowing there is nomore infected nodes.The RO said he understood now trying to convince the BS she initialy told me she would take the rest of the nodes out during my post op appointment after lumpactomey then she changed her mind.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kennylynne
    kennylynne Member Posts: 152
    edited December 2011

    Hi Ladies Was wondering how many ladies have started there tamoxifen before rads??? Start rads a week Monday but Onc had me start my tamoxifen already. Just curious.........

    Sandy sorry that you have to wait now for your rads, why did she change her mind about the nodes???

    This journey should be an interesting one.....hmmmmmm

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shelley2011
    shelley2011 Member Posts: 199
    edited December 2011

    Kennylynne, I will be on Aromacin since I was post menopausal at diagnosis.  Originally MO told me to start it after rads but then later he and I had a convo and I told him that since my estrogen and progesteren levels were so high I was worried about the 'fertile ground' in my breasts.  I had an LCIS marker positive also.  So, he told me to start anytime. Apparently they worry that we will get confusion as to the cause of side effects - rads or pills.  Since the only side effect expected from Aromacin is severe joint pain, I think I'll know.  I plan to start in the next few week, but honestly am giving my body a break from so many drugs right now.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nana2Six
    Nana2Six Member Posts: 17
    edited December 2011

    Hi,

    I have a radiation 'consultation' with an RO on Dec. 20th. I should have asked how long that would be but didn't. Is the first time you 'consult' also when you get tatoos and 'set-up' for radiation or is it just an 'info' session? Also, I was diagnosed early Sept. and still have not seen a medical oncologist although that could be because I just got clear margins after a re-excision. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sandy115
    sandy115 Member Posts: 172
    edited December 2011

    Kennylyn I started Tamoxefin 3 days ago before Rads I dont know if thats the norm or not.

    Shelly2011 the BS said it would not benifit me to take out more nodes as it does not effect the survival rate but I want it done for peice of mind she also said the side effects can be severe if they take out more nodes especially lymphadema so now its a wait and see game to see if she will go back in meanwhile I have to put rads on hold I dont know if that will effect my treatment the RO said he didnt know the answer to that as usually you have Rads 4 weeks after chemo and im 4 weeks out today.Fustrating

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shelley2011
    shelley2011 Member Posts: 199
    edited December 2011

    Nana, my consultation was to review pathology results and have the RO lay out the plan.  From there it went like this:  appt for mapping and tattoos, appt for CT scan, appt for final sim, and then the first tx.  The consultation took as long as I wanted it, since me being me I asked a lot of questions, mostly about side effects since my last chemo really kicked my butt.  Good luck to you on the 20th, and feel free to hang with us until a January rads group starts.

    Sandy, I was sort of in the same boat....the micromets were so small in the one SLN that was removed that none of the docs seemed to know what to do with me.  Then my oncotype came back at 18, creating another grey area.  I did chemo for insurance.  Rads were always in the plan even though my margins were clean.  And I did start rads almost exactly 4 wks pfc, but I do know someone on these boards who asked to take December off and start rads in January and her RO agreed, so maybe its not that important to start at 4 wks?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LuvRVing
    LuvRVing Member Posts: 4,516
    edited December 2011

    I don't think there is any hard and fast rule for starting rads.  I started two months after my final chemo because my RO insisted that my TEs be removed, so I had surgery in early November. 

    My appts were one consultation (after the surgery) to be sure I was ready to go, then one planning appt where they did the CT scan and the tattoos, then one appt for the simulation and rads started the day after the sim.

    Those of you who are still in the planning stage - it's not too soon to start using the recommended moisturizer a couple times a day.  Aquaphor and Moisturel are a couple that were on the list I was provided. 

    Going for #5 of 30 tonight. So far the commutes have been pretty good - less than 3 hours round trip.  It's raining today and we are going a little earlier, I hope the traffic is light.

    Michelle

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories