January 2012 rads

Druanne, good luck on Friday.  Wishing you a low Oncotype score.

Hi, Aussie,

I just finished four weeks of radiation in Alaska . . .they gave me the "Canadian special"  which was four weeks at a little higher dosage rather than six weeks, I think because I live four hours away one way and had to fly back and forth from home every day or do the traveling of eight hours on an icy road thru the mountains.  The travel was the only bad part for me . . .but I made it thru . . so I know you can too.  It really wasn't bad at all for me . .

I did find that if you start using Aquafor lotion/gel or bag balm stuff every morning and night even if you don't notice anything at first . . ., but not right before the radiaiton treatment (they won't let you) .. . it really helped me.  I didn't burn too badly, just got red like a sunburn, no peeling or blistering.  Put lots under your arm as well as that part got the reddest.  People have different reactions to all this radiation, but for me, it was the easiest part of everything, other than the traveling I had to do and the work I had to miss.   I've been done since Dec. 8th and am back to swimming in a chlorine pool, etc. with no side effects  . . .still continueing to use lotion and aloe vera to soften the skin and prevent peeling . . .hang in there, it sounds worse than it is, at least for me.  Maybe the 4 weeks vs 6 weeks helped too, I'm not sure . .

Hi Kate Have just completed  this no ill affects during the treatment, until 3 weeks after especially under the arms. It is like severe sunburn but pile that cream on 3 times daily. col

Hi,

I am going for my simulation tomorrow and I believe I will start on January 5th.  For me, this is the next hurdle.  I had neo adjuvant chemo (TCH) and finished in October.  I had a lumpectomy on November 29th and have clear nodes and margins.  My tumor was 7 cmm and I am HER2+, so chemo was a given.  I am fortunate to have responded as well as I did.  Chemo took its toll on my body and I am still recovering, but I was able to work and maintain my life as normal as possible.  I expect to do the same during radiation.  I am a teacher also and hope to only take a few days towards the end if I need to. 

I am still on Herceptin and will be on it until July 2012.  I am very grateful for it and have had minimal SEs since I finished with the other two drugs.

Both my oncologist and radiation oncologist have told me that exercise will help with fatigue. It is difficult to find the time when school starts, but it is well worth making the time. 

I should be starting rads mid January. I will find out my onco score 1/12 if not before. I'm hoping to find out before. I'm tired of waiting!

Glad to have found this tread.. I am startin rads at the end of January. 5 weeks of daily treatment. Found a lump during self excam in Feb. went to my GP. He was not to worried as the shape of lump did not cause him concern. Sent me for mammorgram, from there for a needle biopsy,, finally on to treatment..Because my tumor ended up being very agressive my MO wanted chemo done first.. Very happy with her decition.. My tumor shrunk from 6+ cm to dissapearing during treatment  Had modified radical mastectomy Nov 22 with imidiate recon. Now have tissue expander in my right "breast". Have had 4 fills (plus my initial fill durin surgery) Need one or two more.. Hope one as I am finding the last two fills to be very painfull. Guess from all the streaching off mucsle and skin.. Knowing this is temporary makes it a lot easier.. My Onco nurse also works in rads and she told me to start using a moisturizer now to keep skin moist, It will help when I do start rads.

Currently I am on Hercepin treatments every three weeks as I am HER-2 Positive. as well I am on Tamoxifen and recently started to partisipate in the trial study for Metformin/placebo.

HEY yorkiemom

 "Life is what happens while we're busy Making other Plans"

Is that a JOHN LENNON quote?

good luck w/rads.

Hi everyone!  If I decide to do rads, I will be in the January group.  I saw my BS today and he said I am healing well and should be ready for rads by mid January.  I have an app't with a RO near to my home that came highly recommended.  If he can't do the treatment in a way that protects my heart and lungs, then I am going to opt out.  For my low grade cancer and my age (71) I feel I would be taking a greater risk if I can't get the protection I need.  Chemo has not been recommended, although I will get the results of my oncotype test in about 10 days.

Just wanted to chime in. I will finish 34 radiation treatments next week. I will have had six boosts. Overall  it is not bad. You go in for a few minutes and its over. It is cumulative. The further you go the more you feel some fatique and skin effects. It is individual. My skin is very red at this point but hasn't broken down. Others at this point have had major problems. My tumor was on my left and I worried about my heart and lungs. It does depend on what system they are using on how much those areas get zapped. Be sure to ask. My RO said that they were getting just a small portion of my lung and he is always checking that I have no breathing issues. I believe that I am giving myself the best chance of beating this by doing the radiation. I am older, 65 but I want to be around for many more years and intend to do whatever I need to to succeed.

Some good tips I picked up from earlier forums when I was starting. Pack a small bag. I put a zip sweatshirt in to put over the charming gown they give you while I was waiting. Paperback book to peruse, creams that you will be using, slather on right after treatment. If you don't have get some old cotton t-shirts from hubby, BF or thrift store and use them after you have slathered. Aquaphor is really messy but good. Forget the bras, they aren't comfortable and the techs will advise you to not wear  them. Everyone has their own preference, use what the RO eccommends but also be open to other ideas for creams. Start using afew days before your first treatment and use two or three times a day just not within three to four hours of radiation. If I can answer any questions or concerns please ask or PM me.

Good luck to all of you.

Dear Ossa,

 Great Poem. Thanx, I needed that. Yes, I have enough, but a liitle bit more is ok too.

May the New Year keep you warm, healthy, and wise.

Maureen

Hi Sara!  Congratulations on your last TAC!  I'm happy to hear your chemo will finally be done.  My hair is just starting to grow back, but it's coming in at the sides and back first.  I looked better bald :-).  Also, now that I can taste... I want to eat everything in sight.

My first rad is January 4th.  I'll let you know if there is anything interesting.  I did get my first follow-up MRI last Wednesday.  I was way prepared this time and brought some ear plugs to add to their headset.  The sounds from that machine back in June freaked me out.  I am very sound sensitive so the ear plugs helped a lot.  I don't see my BS until the 12th so I'll probably go and pick up my report before I see him.  I'm not in the mood to wait to hear "all good" or "possible concern."

I have had four radiation treatments so far.  So far...so good.  But I am only at the beginning of this journey and know things could get rocky.  But right now I am doing good and so happy with the wonderful staff in the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center.  They are the kindest people I have ever met.

Happy New Year to all of you.

Helen

Hello ladies.  Hope you are all doing well.

I had a lumpectomy in August followed by chemo (TC x 6) September through December and will be starting radiation on January 9th.  I had my consultation meeting on December 29.  I am so ready to get this over with.  I will have to drive to the "big" city for treatment which means time away from work.  At any rate, I am almost through with this part of my treatment and I am truly thankful for that.  After radiation, plans are to go on Tamoxifen for 5 years (if I can stand it).

I look forward to being here with you and sharing our experiences.  If I hadn't discovered forum, I don't know what I would have done.  This forum has been a life-saver for me and I appreciate each and everyone for all that they do to make it better for the rest of us.

Hope you all have a wonderful day and I will check back soon.

HUGS!

Hi Ossa,

Did you start tamoxifen before rads?  My rad and onc say I have to wait until after.

I too have tissue expanders, I am not sure total but I had 50cc each fill.  I think around 600 total.  I am 5'10".  I think they are huge, but like everything else I am getting used to them!  They were a little uncomfortable after fill.  Now they are big and hard.  My husband calls them bolt-ons!!  I was informed that I will have to wait at least 6 months after rads before exchange surgery. 

Last TAC tomorrow! 

Happy New Year to all.