January 2012 rads

hey lifedhanging,

Good luck with your mapping on Monday. They do their art work with a marker all over the chest and breast and then tell you not to wash it off, UGH. tatoos and positioning. Easy. I wore a blouse that exposed my chest area and had to do some errands afterwards. Got some pretty weird looks. No explanations please. It didn't look like dirt. It is very unattractive. I did wash it off the next day after my tx. I hope they don't need to remark my chest.

anyway, I'll PM you. 

Maureen

Yorkiemom - Don't worry about that... They will mark you again

Ralston, How's the Tamoxifen going for you so far?  My MO told me we should wait to get through the rads first.  I think it was to keep the possible SEs separate.

Rockym - The hot flashes/night sweats are horrible, but I don't have any other SE's.

I start tomorrow, Monday, Jan 16. I got 5 blue tattoos on Friday and I'm a little unhappy with one that is high on my chest, mid-sternum. It will show in most tops I wear, anything with a V-neck, and I wouldn't normally apply makeup there. Another is on the left side of my upper chest. Are these two for the clavicle rads? I am getting 28 treatments to the L clavicle, and also (same days) 28 treatments to L axilla and chestwall. Then 5 boosts to the incision.

Is there a way to remove the tats later where they won't show or scar? I'm not a tattoo woman and kind of wish I had asked for an alternative. I knew from these rad threads to expect them, but they were presented as "we're going to do your tatoos now, just a couple of them where the X marks are." I had only 2 X marks between breasts and below axilla, but got 5 tattoos. Surprise, and did they ever sting! They are small, but have a faint streak under the skin next to them, like a comet, which makes them show more.

Having my rad planning tomorrow.. what exactly does it consist of?

Kaara,

 You've really thought this through. I've been on the fence about doing rads but I finelly went ahead with it even though I have doubts. I asked the rad techs how old the monster machine was. Yes it is antique. And I still went for it. 

I suspect you will get exactly what your looking for in rad tx. GOOD for you. 

I am contiplating walking away from treatment half way through. I feel that it is over kill , but what do I know. Don't settle with what your not comfortable with. I will most likely finish the 7 weeks.

goodluck in your search................................Maureen

Hello all,

   I'd like to join the group. I've finished my first of 6.5 weeks of radiation. I had my lumpectomy on 12/9 and my first rad consultation on 12/15. Because of the holidays my simulation was scheduled for Jan. 3. At that time I got my CT scan and three of my markings (ones on each side of my body and one between my breasts). I requested that they not be permanent because, for me, the tattoos were the tipping point of this whole thing. I didn't want to be reminded forever of this part of my life. I found the simulation to be pretty easy. They don't use forms or anything like that where I go. Just have you link your hands above your head and they line up on the marks. I had my first treatment two days later at which time they gave me two more marks, these actually on my breast. They have covered them all with clear tape and I'm not finding them too difficult to keep. I've only had to have the one between my breasts remarked and taped. The others are all holding fine. My treatment time is a bit longer than some of the others who have posted. The machine stops and "shoots" at me so to speak 5 different times so it takes longer to complete. Still not more than about 5 -7 minutes but I didn't know it was going to be so much radiation going into it. I've been lucky in that my RO encourages the use of creams and I was given a list of different ones people there have found useful. I am currently rotating about 4 of them and doing fine so far. I'm most concerned about the burning (because I'm very fair skinned and big breasted) and the fatigue (because I'm trying to work through the treatment and not have to take time off). Once a week they x-ray me to make sure all is still on target. It was explained to me that changes in weight can cause them to have to make adjustments. I'll also have to have periodic CBC tests to make sure that the radiation isn't causing problems with either my white or red blood count. It seems that different centers all do things differently. I'm looking forward to hearing how others are holding up and I'm glad to hear that there are others out there with the same fears that I've had in this journey.

AnnAlive, My tattoos are only three small dots, but I cannot stand them.  Now that my rads are over, I fully intend to have them removed.  I have an appointment with my PCP next month and I will ask her to recommend a dermatologist.  I will let you know what happens.

Elizabeth - Because of the initial X marks being "inside the bra" I was not prepared for tats on the upper chest. Please let me know what you find out about removal. It seems like I read that ROs like some of the tattoos to stay to have a permanent record of what was irradiated, in case of future treatment near the area. It seeems to me they will have enough film records to recreate it if needed! 

Maureen - I'm more like "annoyed" with the look of the tattoos than "upset." After all, compared to the current look of my lopsided chest after the failed TE, the tats are just specks. They just add to the disguise I have to put on before going out in public. Of course, I'll have no disguise on the tattoos (no makeup) when I go for rads.

Kaara - I think the total rad dosage is calculated based on what the RO thinks you need, and divided into the many doses over 7 weeks so your body and skin can tolerate them. Stopping mid-way would mean you aren't getting their therapeutic total. The alternatives are interesting, though, and I hope you find one that's good for you. It's hard to know what to ask for when the options aren't presented. I have doubts too, but figure with my stage and grade, they are throwing everything at me to help prevent recurrence.

Ossa - The first planning appointment consists of positioning, possibly creation of a custom mold (mine holds my left arm over my head, and my head is turned to the right to keep my chin out of the field), markings (I got 2 Xs marks with clear stickers, replaced by tattoos at dry run), temporary wires taped on to mark areas for the scan (they marked my drain scars and incision, and removed the wires afterwards) and a CT scan. There were other pen markings they made, and wiped off.

Today is my first rad! The tech told me that I'll be seeing my RO too. I've been using Moisturel cream to prepare, and have Miaderm too, which I may start using later today. Must shower these off before each treatment.

Thank you AnnAlive..

I had my first treatment this morning. It went quickly, with separate treatment to the clavicle (do any of you get that?), and then to the chestwall/axilla in what seemed like 2 beams. The techs did put a bolus over my chest and said they will do that every other treatment (that is, skipping the bolus tomorrow). I saw my RO today, and will see him every Monday. I asked lots of questions and he showed me a printout of my CT in the planning program, which shows where the beams cross organs. They miss my heart, but radiate a small slice of my lung, which the RO said was not a problem. Of course, the beams cover my entire mastectomy area, bumpy as it is with skin saved after the TE was removed last month. I applied Miaderm after I got home, and will use Moisturel a couple of times during the day/evening, and Miaderm again at bedtime. Regimen made up by me. I hope it works to minimize burning.

Ossa - Did you get plowed out in time to go to your appointment?

AnnAlive

Leaving in 10 mins.. plow is going by right now

I am sitting here waiting for my 1st treatment and getting annoyed because I hear they are running late. I am so reluctant to go thru this anyway, if they make it difficult I will be do tempted to not do it. I was supposed to start last TH but the machine was being upgraded.

Just home from planning appointment.. Rads start Jan.26.. 28 treatments total

Annalive, I am also getting the clavicle treatments. was told that area is more likely to react because of thinner skin. Getting a mold made sometimes this week...was told this is because I have tissue expander.. When you have tissue expander they have to give you a stronger dose of radiation in order to reach target.. mold (beeswax) is to protect skin..