January 2012 rads

J-bug, thanks for the link.

Athatbascan, I too was really concerned about rads for a while.  The nurse who did my mapping told me that you usually hear the horror stories, but most people go through it with little consequence.  She said most people do get a little pink, but they do fine.  It was reassuring to me and I am hoping that if I am proactive with the lotions, I will do okay. It is only 6.5 weeks, and we can do anything for a short time!!!  I am sorry for your burns and hope you find some relief!  I have heard from others who have been through it that sometimes it helps to stop for a few days to heal if the burns are really bad. 

Maureen, I share J-bug's concern.  Chemo is scary, but the alternative is scarier.  I also agree that being brave does not mean you are fearless.  I was and still am scared!  Every step is scary, but in the end, we get through it and look back and feel like perhaps it was not as bad as we thought it would be.  Not a walk in the park, but doable.  In any case, we will do this together and get through it too!!

 

Marilyn and Anafoefana thanks for your posts.  Sometimes I think we all feel like we are on the merry-go-round alone and it's nice to hear from others.  My best friend is an 11 year breast cancer survivor and she of course has been right here with me, but our cases are so far on the opposite ends of the spectrum that the only real connection is that we bost have/had cancer.  She is DMX, I am lumpectomy, she is chemo only and I am rads only.  I don't know anyone who has had rads, so have no one to talk with besides you ladies.  Read one other forum here regarding radiation and it was so depressing that I could not sleep.  Decided that those were the ladies who have had a hard time and while I feel for them (and I truly do), I MUST  keep a positive mind.  Biopsy was painless, lumpectomy was generally easy, so have to assume  that rads and tamoxifen will be bearable.  So, thanks for your input and honesty. Take care -

Wondering if anyone can tell me how many tattoos they put on.  I go Tuesday for mapping then off and running.  I've been reading about the creams and am going to start tonight with the lotions - think i have some Aquaphor in the house.  Sounds so far like most are doing well and I hope it keeps up for everyone - I've been a bit nervous about the rads.

I've been a little more tired this weekend but I don't know if it's related to the radiation.  I hope it goes away because I sure don't like feeling like I have run a marathon.  My hospital is really close.  I was going to go to Nashville but talked to the doctors and they said the hospital near my home was fine.  Iet is Sarah Cannon and the team is wonderful. 

I'm meeting for 'markup' tomorrow.  20 sessions to start next week.  Second time in the same area in 10 months.  I am praying for and visualising a path made easy.

Hi AussieKate:

I'll be starting radiation later this month, have my mapping session scheduled for the 18th.  Some say no side effects to speak of, others say lots of tiredness but I'm optimistic I'll fall in the former category and not the latter.  I'm much more concerned about the side effects of the hormonal treatment but should know more about that later this afternoon when I meet with my medical oncologist to discuss my situation and get his recommendation.   

Happy to meet you and the others who are sharing this journey. 

Maria

findingsolace: There's that 6/10/11 diagnosis again! Welcome! I think that doing radiation too close to surgery is more of a concern than too close to chemo, but maybe there is someone in the group who has more of that experience. The doctors asked me to wait at least four weeks after surgery so that I could lay with my arms above my head. I could not do that any sooner and had to work with a PT to accomplish that. Also, they are concerned about the skin healing properly from surgery.

My RO has said that I will not need any creams or ointments. They want to give me the the things I will need for that. They even gave me a deoderant that they want me to use. : ) 

Dress rehearsal today!! 

Hello Everyone! As I mention my RO said that I will have just 25 and no boost since after mastectomy there is not data proving that boosts does reduce local recurrence, because it will be impossible to know where to target and it will further damage the skin (when they do lumpectomy, they know exactly where to target the boost). My RO actually joked saying that the only one that beneficiates is the RO because he will be paid for another week. A friend's RO said mastectomy scars are where most recurrences happen and she will put up with the boosts on her scar. Any comments or thoughts?

Hello ladies.  Had my first treatment today and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.  I had to do a simulation first which took about an hour and then on to the real thing.  That took about 20 minutes.  My radiologists and the other staff are so nice and helpful and they make me feel so good about doing this.  My radiologist told me today that the treatments from now on will actually be about 5 minutes long total.  That means it will take me longer to get there (45 minutes) than the treatment itself will be.  They did some more mapping today and I feel like I am a road map!  LOL!  I didn't or don't have any tattoos.  All of my stuff is drawn with marker on me.  She said that they would touch up the markings as needed since they will see me everyday.  If everything goes as planned, I should be through February 22.  At last, an ending to treatments in sight!  Yeah!

Hope everyone is doing well.

HUGS!

I am finishing my rads this week (Dec. rads) but thought I would offer encouragement. My treatment has not been bad. I have been pink like a sunburn, itchy and some pain. My RO did not want me to use anything---dryer the better, but I have used some creams. The best advice I got from my RT was to uncover the area and let a fan blow on the breast for a while. It has helped a lot. DH laughs when he looks at me since I have the fan going and only left breast is exposed--wrapped in throw for rest of body--and markers all over. I also have not worn a bra--baggy shirts and I am a teacher.  The worse for me is the 30 minute drive to the cancer center. So here is hoping that all of you make it through Jan. rads with few issues.

Ladies I wanted to chime in and offer encouragement. Finished last Wednesday with twenty eight treatments and six boosts.I was always slathering Miaderm and Auquaphor on. Used the Aquaphor on my nipple and incision site. Towards the end I added hydrocortisone cream 1% to relieve some of the itching. Be sure to put Aquapor under your breast where the crease is. That is the only space I routinely missed and that's where it broke down. When I finished the RO said my skin was in great shape. Now it looks like I have a very strange tan. Best of luck to everyone.

bgail84 and ptdreamers - thank you for the encouragement!

Yay Marilyn113 - you are almost done!

My first RO appointment is Monday. 

Hello,

 I began radiation mid-January also.  Yesterday was the beginning of my 4th week (6 weeks in total).  

 Yesterday I began to notice some red on my skin; I'm using Aloe gel (pure) is there anything else that you know of to treat the skin?  I did get a prescription cream from the doctor (will pick it up tomorrow).

 Thank you in advance for answering my questions.

Best,

Patrithia 

I have my "dry run" tomorrow and offially start on Thursday, Jan 12. They told me to wear an old shirt because they would be using markers on the dry run. Are these markings in addition to the tattoos and they will touch them up every day?  UGH UGH.

I was supposed to have my first treatment yesterday, but when I got to the hospital they said the RO needed to talk to me.  She was not there so I had to go home and wonder what in the world was happening. They told me to call her today.

 I got a call from the RO today while at work.  She told me she has been feeling really uncomfortable  and felt strongly that she needed to present my case to the multidisciplinary board at the hospital. She said she did that on Friday and that the consesus was that they need to radiate my lymph nodes as well. She said that with the size of my tumor, she really felt that I should have had a complete lymph node dissection (only had sentinel and two) with a lumpectomy.  My breast surgeon was not as sure of the need to radiate the nodes.

I told her I was okay with it, I know there is risk of lymphedema but hopefully that won't happen.  I am dissapointed, but I trust the drs and I think they are doing what is best for me in the long run.  I surely don't want to increase my chances of going through this again! 

Ralston are you having the nodes done as well?  I guess if they remove them then you don't need to have it.  The RO said that radiation is very effective on the nodes.  I did not have any positive nodes and although my tumor was 7cmm, it was mostly in situ.  I am not sure... but I made the decision to have the nodes done as well.  Hoping no real bad SEs. 

I start tomorrow after work.