January 2012 rads

Had my tx #3 today, Got home at 3:30, had a late lunch and fell asleep. My DD got home from work at 8:00 and woke me up. I was hot flashing and totaly exhausted. Is it possible its from the rads? Its too soon. I do suffer from fatigue from another condition so maybe its just me. 

 Kayce...6 1/2 weeks is not so long when its done but the duration seems like a liffe time. I've decided to treat myself during my 7 weeks to my favorite foods that I gave up when I was dx'ed. I had a cheesesteak and an apple turnover today. Bad girl. Its my way of coping. tommorow pizza. OH, I think murder is excusable in your circumstance.

Ladies, goodluck on your rad journey

good health...............................Maureen

Kayce234:  I'm already tired too!  Don't start until the 23rd.  I so believe it's stress related.  The mind is working overtime, will it hurt, will I burn,will I peel, will I be fatigued, what cream to use, what bra to wear, can I endure this?? See.....exhusted. 

Good morning all, hope it was a good weekend for y'all.  I've got two questions that I'm hoping someone can answer.  I went yesterday for CT scan and mapping, but still do not have a start date as RO and dosimetrist have to plan treatment.  Do any of you have an idea of how long that may take?  Also, curious as to cost.  Do any of you have a idea as to the general cost per treatment (before insurance)?  Thanks much.  Hugs to all. 

Thanks Ann, I appreciate that you shared your experience.  I just got a call and treatment plan is set up already and tomorrow is a dry run and rads start on Thursday.  Funny how different doctors/treatment centers operate so differently.  Glad to get this started (finally), but a little scared too.  Just knowing that it's all going to be good. 

I was just given a blow to the gut.  Met my onocologist for 1st time today.  She is suggesting chemo first.  I just about threw up.  I was given an option however to have a oncotype dx test done.  This is a genomic test to see the likelyhoold of my cancer recurring whether in the breast or somewhere else in my body.  I told her to go for it.  It it comes back with low # then I can forgo the chemo.  If the # is high then I will need chemo.  She still said that even if # high, it is my choice since I have low grade cancer.  And here I was all ready to start my rads on the 23rd.  They just cancelled my first 2 weeks since this test is done in California and will take almost 2 weeks.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed. 

Kingjr

I had chemo first and it shrunk my tumour to the point where it was gone.. Started Chemo May 19/2011. 4 AC/4 DT Was done Oct 18/2011 Then Surgery Nov.22/2011 Now starting Rads. Jan 26/2012. All good. Glad I had chemo first

ossa,

I'm just curious, did you get  mast after your tumor shrunk to nothing. And if so, whats the point of chemo first. Excuse my ignorance.

Maureen

My daughter said there's a balm that is sold even at walmart called wrecking balm that is suppose to remove tatoos.  Don't know if it does but maybe it would work on the small dots.

My diagnosis is a little difficult to determine as my body had a bad reaction to stereotactic biopsy.  Original diagnosis after biopsy was invasive mammary carcinoma with lobular tendencies and high grade DCIS as well.  After lumpectomy was just a guess as biopsy had made a mess so just guessing as to tumour size on pathology report.  Therefore Stage 1 or 2 and grade 2 or 3.  So I just call it early (stage1/2) breast cancer.  Medical oncologist said doesn`t really matter as far as treatment.  Had Oncotype DX done. Score of 18 so reprieve from chemo.  Had simulation and tatoos last Tuesday, starting radiation on Friday. 16 + 5 boosts.  Very fair so concerned about burning.  Moisturizing with recommended cream as suggested before starting treament.  To make sure skin insn`t too dry already.  Getting worse now with winter and Tamoxifen.

ossa,

Thanx for that great explanation. 80%!!! You  did  the right thing.  I'm so glad it worked for you.

My MO and sugeon wanted me to  do the chemo first . The BS said " it would make the sugery easier on her."  Yea, so......... I guess I didn't understand her logic. It would have been easier on me too.  It was not explained to me like you just did.  I didn't ask the right questions. I just did not care for the MO and I left. That was my second opinion.

My tumor was fairly large,  but my breast was realativly large compared to the tumor. Logic told me a mast was over kill. I did have a nipple sparing partial mast.  I hope I made the right decision. The result is good, but lopsided. The right breast is a DDD and the left one is a C. I can't wear a bra but a sports bra works. Sounds vain but the drama of a mast was hard to handle for me. ALL you woman are so brave.

I suppose that I may still need the mast  so I may have doubled my pain and time to get rid of the C. The rads have the potential of shriveling the breast like a raisin.

Thanx again, You taught me something..............................Maureen

Ann Alive, I just paid for my CT and mapping. The CT was 300 Euros and the mapping 450. That is the total cost.

Thanks Helen, I agree never again. Have to have a follow-up MRI in May regarding other breast.  If they have any concerns about what is in there it will be only an excisional bioposy/lumpectomy.  Just take it out while I am out!  Trying not to anticipate the bad and just go with what comes up, less stressful

Got the clean pet scan results today woot woot!!  Now I can follow thru with next weeks mapping.  CA 27-29 came back slightly elevated but doc said not to worry as this is normal after chemo.  Taking family out to celebrate tonight

Maggie