Any March 2012 RADS out there?

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  • Califgirl12
    Califgirl12 Member Posts: 92
    edited March 2012

    Hello Ladies, well after my very first RAD treatment, I woke up with an infected boob. It started out with about half side pink, then spread to whole breast and arm pit area (all on treated side only.) We halted treatment and now am on 2000mg/day--- of Cephalexin 4-500 mg x4times a day. We just got back from a Cruise on Sunday and had noticed slight pink on about 1/3 of breast. At the RO the nurse thought it was infected but no other symptoms....she was right. I have fever, pain, selling, and redness....also have a large hematoma. My surgeon had removed quite a large lump to ensure clear margins-tumor was 1 cm, my Surgeon called it "tiny." ......music to my ears. I just read somewhere that large tissue removal for lumpectomies are prone to this...I am 8 weeks out from surgery. I guess nobody said it would be easy!

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  • Califgirl12
    Califgirl12 Member Posts: 92
    edited March 2012

    Regarding proper fitting bras. I called Athleta.com and their customer service helped me to select a good sports bra. She was so nice too. After I explained what it was for, she said they would cover all shipping costs if they did not work out for me. She said by all means wear them and see how they fit. No problem if they were washed. They should arrive shortly. I will let you all know how they fit. I am large at 38dd and need one that is practically bullet proof to hold my girls in place for exercise.

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  • moonlight60
    moonlight60 Member Posts: 57
    edited March 2012

    Carlyn, the "zings" are sharp, very brief shooting pains. I've been getting more of them and that entire breast is sore, like the whole thing is briused. Today was my 9th session and I've just started feeling the tiredness and my skin is slightly pink.



    The sessions themselves don't bother me at all...i find all the big machines and noises kind of fascinating.

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  • moonlight60
    moonlight60 Member Posts: 57
    edited March 2012

    I've been using Miaderm that my RO recomended, but so far i haven't had any skin issues, just pinkness, so I don't really know how well it works.



    I still wear a bra for work but it's uncomfortable so i go braless at home and when I'm on my own time. I had Oncoplastic surgery, so though I'm still a C cup, they've been lifted and going braless is kind of fun now. The bright spot in this whole ordeal!

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  • carolinames
    carolinames Member Posts: 43
    edited March 2012

    Yayyy for the weekend...5 rads completed!  Got used to the noise from the machines by the end of the week.  Doing my rads late afternoon so it's nice to get home a little earlier than when I leave from work.  Always looking for the silver lining during this journey.  Have a good weekend March friends! 

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  • fondak
    fondak Member Posts: 376
    edited March 2012

    I'll be starting the 12th also.  I had a masectomy and 9/9 lymph nodes so I will be getting a bit extra to the underarm area.  Monday won't as one of my 33 days because they are going to do the tattooing and some other things which I wasn't clear on.  I have my temporary marks from last weeks visit.

    I should finish on Thursday April 26.   My twin sons high school graduation ceremony is that Saturday the 28th.  I've been wondering how I will be able to dress but just so excited to be there.

    Thanks for starting this. 

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  • crking71
    crking71 Member Posts: 40
    edited March 2012

    Just finished treatment #8 on Friday.  After the 6th one, I started to get kind of pink, tender and a little swollen.  This happened a little sooner than expected, but I am pretty fair-skinned so I'm not too surprised.  I am also using aloe vera gel right after treatment, so hopefully that will keep it from getting too much worse.  Glad that we have the weekends to recover!

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  • mary625
    mary625 Member Posts: 1,056
    edited March 2012

    Fondak:  I am on exactly the same schedule as you!  Ending on April 26th too.  I'm a little nervous for Monday and trying to get used to all of the noises of the machines.  I kind of stupidly chose 8:00 a.m., forgetting that the time changes tonight.  It's going to be all the more difficult to get out of bed next week, and I've been having a lot of trouble getting out of bed since my BMX.  Oh, well.  It was either that or 5:30 p.m., and I hate the traffic around that time of the evening. 

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  • MizMarie
    MizMarie Member Posts: 332
    edited March 2012

    I survived my pre-rads mammogram on Thursday; even with a big ol' seroma, it actually was no worse than any other one.  I'm hoping to get a call from the RO early next week to schedule my simulation, and be ready to jump in from there. 

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  • jlsjls
    jlsjls Member Posts: 15
    edited March 2012

    Hi I start radition the 22nd. Ro and my surgeon will be placing a balloon in my left breast where I had a lumpectomy march 8th. The plan is to place a radiation seed in the balloon 5 days twice a day, then start on hormoral therphy. I don't have the path report yet

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  • fondak
    fondak Member Posts: 376
    edited March 2012

    Mary625: I'll be thinking about you tomorrow.  I am not a morning person at all.  I was able to get an afternoon apointment.  At least when you are done you don't have to stop something you've started to head to radiation.  My doctor is about 30 - 35 minutes away.  I think the steroids with my last round of chemo caused severe insomnia for me.  I am just now getting to where I can sleep more than a hour and a half at a time. 

    I haven't even thought about the noise!   I keep thinking about not wearing a bra with only one breast which is not small! 

    Moonlight60:  Glad to hear you find the noises fascinating.  I'll try to take that approach with it.

    Caroinames:  I will also remember that you got use to the noise by the end of the week.

    I usually pray for others during mri's, scans and all that goes along with this.  I close my eyes before it starts and don't open until it's over. I don't like elevators so you can imagine :)

    Tomorrow I'll have the March ladies in my prayers!   

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  • lioness1111
    lioness1111 Member Posts: 19
    edited March 2012

    Joanne,

    The Whelan study was conducted in your neck of the woods, at McMaster University.  http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/radiation/new_research/20080922b.jsp

    It showed that the three week schedule was equivalent to the standard five week schedule for early stage BC following lumpectomy.  Actually, the recurrence rate was .5% less, although that was not considered significant statistically.    At my HMO, the standard schedule is six weeks (33 treatments).  My RO said that, in her opinion, the primary benefit of the shorter schedule is that it saves time and trouble.   She said that there may be a slightly higher incidence of skin and/or cosmetic issues.  (The study showed a difference, but it was not statistically significant.)  I only drive ten minutes to my appointments so the inconvenience is not that much of an issue.

     I wish you all the best in your treatments. 

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  • WaveWhisperer
    WaveWhisperer Member Posts: 898
    edited March 2012

    Jisjis, you're lucky to be able to get that accelerated partial-breast irradiation, the 2xday for 5 days. That was what I wanted too after my lumpectomy, but when the BS got in there and discovered a positive lymph node, she decided that I would need the full radiation schedule.

    Then, in my first meeting with my RO, she said I was eligible for a clinical trial testing that 3 week course of treatment versus the usual 6 week course. It was for women of a certain age with a certain cancer profile. I volunteered to be in the trial, hoping I'd get in the group getting the shortened course. Nope, I ended up in the group getting the full 6-week course.

    (Lioness, I'll check out the link you mentioned to see how that compares with the clinical trial I'm in...thanks for that.) 

    Oh, well. Two tries for a shortened treatment and I didn't get either one.

    I had my tattoos last week and should hear this week when rads actually start. This weekend I bought some camisoles and soft bras.

    A good week to all... 

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  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited March 2012

    lioness - that is interesting - maybe that explains the 16 sessions ??? not sure.  I see the RO again for my CT scan and planning, etc. on March 19th so will ask him.

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  • pheno
    pheno Member Posts: 12
    edited March 2012

    Joanne -- I'm on a 19-session schedule (14 whole breast and 5 boosts), which my RO described as the "Canadian protocol."  Larger doses of radiation for a shorter period.  He said using this vs. the longer schedule was determined by anatomy.  I just finished #11;  so far, so good.

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  • jlsjls
    jlsjls Member Posts: 15
    edited March 2012

    Hi,wavewhisper, the treatment I will be having is called mammosite balloon catheter. My BC was caught very early, stage 0 dcis. The path report for my lumpectomy will be out to morrow late afretnoon. How soon after your surgery did you go back to work. I feel very guilty not be at work and putting a extra burden on my Co workers.

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  • jlsjls
    jlsjls Member Posts: 15
    edited March 2012

    Anyone else out there having or had breast brachytherapy

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  • MizMarie
    MizMarie Member Posts: 332
    edited March 2012

    jlsjls - I went back to work 2 weeks after lumpectomy, but I had a SNB and quite a bit of swelling and bruising.  Others have reported being able to return to work just a couple of days later. 

    I just got a call from the RO letting me know that my mammo is clear, and I am set for my simulation on Wednesday.  First treatment will happen next Tuesday - yay!

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  • Snoopsmom
    Snoopsmom Member Posts: 119
    edited March 2012

    MizMarie - I have my simulation on Wednesday as well. I imagine I'll start my first treatment next week as well. I sure hope so....I want to get this show on the road! I'll be doing the usual 7 week schedule. Let me kow how yours goes!

    I'm retired so I didn't have to worry about going back to work. I found as well that my SNB site was more painful than the lumpectomy site. No chemo needed, thank Heaven! I'm set for a three week trip to Australia in September so I want to get as "healed up" as possible by then.

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  • jlsjls
    jlsjls Member Posts: 15
    edited March 2012

    Thanks for reply. I feel better not going to work,lumpectomy was just the 8th. O.k. what is SNB and what is simulation. I'm new at this and don,t know the BC language yet. Someone should come up with a dictionary.

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  • MizMarie
    MizMarie Member Posts: 332
    edited March 2012

    SNB = Sentinel Node Biopsy.  Simulation is the planning appointment where they do CT scan, and/or x-rays, and determine the appropriate position of your body and amount of radiation to be delivered.  Sort of a "dry run" before actual treatment begins.  I don't know how different it is for brachytherapy, but I believe there is information on this website that describes it.

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  • mary625
    mary625 Member Posts: 1,056
    edited March 2012

    SNB is sentinel node biopsy which is a procedure to remove and biopsy the first node that the breast drains to and several surrounding nodes.



    Simulation is the first session of radiation where they take x-rays, digital photos, mark you with Sharpee markers, etc. to simulate and test the radiation plan. I just had it today. I could have done with a little more explanation and narration, like "now we're going to mark you up" and "now the machine is going to rotate to the underside of the table."

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  • ckk
    ckk Member Posts: 270
    edited March 2012

    Hi ladies..I am starting rads on March 19. I just finished 4 rounds of TC, and had my mapping last week. I was told by my rad center to start using an aloe/Vit E cream on the breast 2x/day, and then all through treatment. I picked up a couple of stretchy bras in anticipation. Here's to hoping for an easy journey for all of us!

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited March 2012

    Hi,I start end of march.

    but do you'll pay copays with rads? my copays are usually 30 each-was for chemo. at 25 rads/ 30 this is another thing that is going to add up.

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  • mary625
    mary625 Member Posts: 1,056
    edited March 2012

    Day number 1 today.  I found out that I am having a bolus in my treatments.  I did not know what that was, nor was it really explained to me.  Basically, it looks like a big square of transparent plastic filled with a gel or liquid, from what I could see.  The radiation techs just told me that it was a cold thing that they would be putting on my chest.  I think it was there through all of my fields of radiation, and I think I get 4.  From what I can tell from the February forum, the bolus is to help concentrate the radiation in the skin (my words, not sure of the accuracy of this info) and those who have had the bolus have had more redness, discomfort, delayed treatments, etc.  I remember the RO telling me that she would be concentrating on my skin, but did not explain this at all.  I met with another radiation oncologist today (mine was in the OR), but did not know to ask a question about it at that time.  What led me to question it is that I am already feeling a hot sensation in the area that was radiated today.  GRRR.

    The other unusual thing, at least to me, is that I am having protons given in a proton accelerator to a specific point where my mastectomy scar ends in the center of my chest.  I spent the time today asking questions about that.  

    I feel like I always have the most aggressive treatment as I am Stage III, so hopefully for most of you, you will not have to deal with these things.  I am going to start demanding more information and time with the procedure tomorrow.  I have felt rushed by the radiation techs today and in the simulation.  The minute I go in the room, they want me to get on the table, start pushing me into position, applying the bolus, marking me up--two and three of them at a time--with little explanation.  I am going to get new Sharpee markings every day that I have to wash off before the next day plus I have some that were applied in the area of the proton radiation that are covered with some sort of tape that will stay on or be replaced when it starts to come off.  I want to apply lotion right after my treatment, but that makes the Sharpee markings come off all over my undergarments and clothes. 

    Well, enough complaining.  I guess it's easier than chemo and surgery.  At least I hope it will be. 

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  • Beebop
    Beebop Member Posts: 206
    edited March 2012

    Hi, just wanted to chime in. I started in Feb, but my last one will be March 30th. I did 19 of 33 today and my nurse told me she has never seen anyone's skin look as good as mine does after 19 treatments. I have just some slight pink in a few areas but not really uncomfortable. I use Emu Oil. I put it on right after my treatment in the morning and also before I go to bed. It's not super greasy, doesn't stain my clothes and is natural. I know it may not work for everyone,but it's done wonders for me!

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  • tlead
    tlead Member Posts: 15
    edited March 2012

    Simulation tomorrow morning.  I can't wait to start and get this over with!

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  • carolinames
    carolinames Member Posts: 43
    edited March 2012

    Thanks for the tip Beebop...going to look for some Emu Oil!

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  • Joanne_53
    Joanne_53 Member Posts: 1,477
    edited March 2012

    I googled Emu oil last night - is there anything special I should be looking at or for?  And where do you buy it?

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  • MizMarie
    MizMarie Member Posts: 332
    edited March 2012

    I had my simulation today; easy-peasy!  The tech marked me up, took a few photos, and did the CT scan.  The CT showed that my chest anatomy is such that the conventional beam radiation would cut right through my heart, so they will be using a different type of beam called IMRT which can be curved around the chest wall, to avoid the heart.  Same number of treatments, etc, but because it is a more complicated planning process, I have to do a second simulation appointment (they call it "day zero") next Wednesday, and will have my first actual treatment the following day.

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