January 2012 rads

I'd like to join you ladies. My rads were delayed by TE troubles, but I am moving into a schedule now. I had my simulation with CT scan and markings done today. Film to confirm (and tats I guess) will be Friday of next week, and then I start treatments on Jan 16. I think I am getting 28 + 4 boosts, but it hasn't been mentioned since my first consultation in October, so I guess I'll get confirmation next week.

I'm caught up on your posts so far, and read the entire December rads thread too. It looks like we'll have to take really good care of our skin to be kind to the burns. I thought I would be getting rads with a TE in, but it was removed due to infection, so now I have a bumpy crater with extra skin bunched up for later reconstruction. My RO says the creases I have can intensify the radiation in those places because of skin against skin.

Hi Helen,

Thanks for responding! I love the bacon frying analogy! Would be nice to have a bite of it while we are frying under RAD!  I agree we will do anything to keep the monster away... during chemo I tried really hard to visualize the poison killing the evil cancer cells, but I always came back to the worry of it also killing good cells. Same with radiation. I, too, heard the fatigue will hit around the fourth week of treatments. I had serious fatigue, bone/muscle/nerve aches with chemo so I guess I will be used to it. Walking seems to help so far. I am glad to have all of these posts so I don't feel alone.

So my appointment today was to get the ball rolling and have my exam and set up my mapping date.  I'm going in on Tuesday, January 10th for the mapping then the ball is rolling.  A bit nervous since this makes the cancer real...I've had surgery before so that wasn't a big deal but radiation is so cancer

newksmom100, it's always a good idea to hear the opinions of various doctors.  Your surgeon was correct in advising you to see the MO and to make sure the MO didn't feel chemo was necessary.  There are many factors that determine chemo and looking at your dx, the only thing I can think of that would get you a ticket into the chemo chair would be your age.  Typically, the older you are (with your dx), the less chance of doing chemo.  If a women is younger, the MO will suggest chemo because the younger you are when you get BC, the more aggressive the cancer is considered.

There is also a test called an Oncotype dx test.  This is a test that either you can request or an MO will suggest in regards to chemo.  There is also the BRCA test.  Both these tests will test the genetic components of your tumor.  If you have any family history of breast cancer the BRCA helps give you an idea of your recurrence chances and many other factors.  All this information is something an MO would talk to you about if need be.  Good luck in your treatment decisions.

Anne 67 - I had a reexcision also and the second one got clear margins.  Good luck, I'm sure it will turn up ok.  Just seemed like my breast was sore and never really healed inside before I started RADS. 

I love this board.  It is so nice to talk to other ladies going through this.

Helen

tnhelen-I am on my stomach because they are radiating my left breast. They are trying to minimize any possible damage to my heart, lungs, and ribs. My left breast will hang down in a hole and my right breast is kind of smashed on a flat surface. It sounds more uncomfortable than it is. 

Lucille-what subject/grade do you teach?

newsksmom-think of your MO as your primary care physician for your breast cancer. Even though you will be working with the RO first, after you are done with radiation your MO will be the doc you see for all your follow up appointments for years to come. I also think they want you to meet the whole team at first.

Have a great day! Mary 

Hi ladies;

Popping in here to share some helpful info on the main Breastcancer.org site on Radiation Therapy, including types of radiation therapy, what to expect, and how to manage side effects.

Hope this helps!

--Your Mods

Terry71

Check with the American Cancer Society,  Sometimes they have grants to help with travel expenses...Maybe there will be a microwave and small fridge that you can prepare food from home to take with you and just reheat it.  Also, generaly hospital cafeteria food is pretty reasonable, cheaper than fast food places..

Vickie

Hi Mary,

I teach college freshmen and sophmores...very much like high school They keep me on my toes and make me laugh during all this.

Cindy 

So many teachers on here! I teach too, 5th grade, and hope to continue working throughout. I have had my initial appt and tattoos and begin radiation next week 1/12. I was perusing the board to see if there is anything I should do beforehand to prepare and prevent more side effects, didn't find much. I tend to have sensitive skin so a bit concerned about that.  

Hi Ladies,

I had a lumpectomy in October and a re-excision in November. I just had my 6th radiation treatment today. The last 3 times it has taken less than 10 minutes. I bought a jar of the CVS brand of Aquafor and I use it right after the treatment and at bedtime. I'm also using Tom's of Maine deodorant. I don't feel fresh or clean. I think I'll pick up some baby powder tomorrow and some aloe.

I have my first rads on Monday and I am calm.  I have been using Emu oil twice a day for about a week and hoping everything will go well.  They told me to have "clean skin" for treatments, no creams ect.  But, they said it was okay to apply after treatment.  The nurse told me that some of the greasy ointments actually create burns, so try to stay away from them.  The RO is very pro Aquaphor, but I don't like it much as it does not absorb well.  Other people have mentioned Calendula lotion which is supposed to be very good and someone told me about Sween cream. I guess whatever works for you!  I have olive skin and am hoping that will help!  

I purchased front opening sport bras and am hoping these will work. I was told that some people cannot wear bras during rads.  I have been wearing these sport bras 24/7 since my lumpectomy and hope to continue.  They are cotton and no frills Fruit of the Loom from Walmart. 

I have been told this part of the treatment will be easier than what I have already been through.  Chemo was not terrible, surgery was fine and I recovered quickly, so on to the next hurdle.  I am still on Herceptin, but so far no mentionable side effects from it. 

AussieKate Herceptin is a wonderful target drug for HER2.  I was stage 3 with a 7cmm mass which was completely destroyed with chemo.  I had no traces of a mass by the end and my margins and nodes were clear.  I had a lumpectomy 6 weeks ago.  Chemo was not terrible for me and was able to maintain a some what of a normal life during most of it. 

tnhelen glad to hear you are doing well.  Do you have noticeable fatigue?  That is my only concern as I  plan to continue working.  I  will be going to treatment from work everyday.  

I am starting 6 weeks of rads on Monday. I am little apprehensive, but after two rounds of chemo and a BMX, this does seem like an easier ordeal, all things considered.

 About the chemo discussion earlier in the thread, I had neo-adjuvant chemo, and although it did take my hair and some of my energy, it also killed an awful lot of cancer. My tumor shrank from 8X8 centimeters to 1.2X0.3. It was not a complete response, but it was significant all the same. 

I have had 17 out of 30 rads.  I was VERY nervous to start like many of you.  Until the last couple of days, it has been very easy.  The mapping was much quicker than I thought.  The tats were painful for me though very quick.  Each treatment takes less than 5 minutes including getting me in position.  The machine zaps about 12 seconds from one side of the breast and 18 from the other side where the cancer was located.  The worst part for me is that the waiting room is co-ed.  I seem to see mostly men waiting plus there's a convict that comes in at that time.  Makes me self conscious sitting there and walking around in my gown.  The last four days I've had fatigue.  I worked 1/2 days on Wed and Thu and not at all on Fri.  Some people could probably work through it, but i don't like working when my productivity is low and I'm out of it.  Also, I've had fibromyalgia for 20 years and expected that it would make the fatigue worse, but don't think it has.  My skin is pink but holding up.  I've been using aloe after tx and My Girls cream at bedtime.  The RO had me start using 1% OTC steroid cream 2 x a day this week. 

Good luck to all of you.  I think you will find the first 3 weeks to be a breeze.  I can't vouch for after that yet.

Ah, rads. I've been through chemo, mastectomy and now rads. I was SCARED to death, worst than chemo to do this, but I've got 11 of 42 to go. I had a woman who had been through this terrify me with her horror story thus, where my fears began. The burning has set in and tonight I am trying Aloe Vera with Lidocaine, I was trying to read up on it at first, couldn't find anything so I'm trying it. It's sticky and uncomfortable. Maybe a nice shower and back to Aveeno. It's fairly expensive and we just haven't had the money to spend on Aveeno or Aquaphor (I'm running low and don't want to run out before this ends, but I may be able to get some tomorrow.) Anyhow sorry for the complaining. I am grateful to go through this with a great bunch of ladies. Thank you all for your posts!