Any March 2012 RADS out there?

Carolinames and Joanne - I ordered the Emu Oil from Amazon. There are several different ones. I use the Koru Naturals brand. I got three 4 oz bottles. Went through the first one in a couple weeks so ordered 2 more. I think that will be enough, although I really like it and may continue to use it. It's supposed to be good for wrinkles

Mary625:  I think they use bolus on me.  I am going to ask tomorrow if that is what the sheet they put over me is.  They told me that it is used to keep the radiation from going as deep as it could.  They said it makes the machine think there is breast tissue there.  They will use it for 14 treatments alternating one day on and one off until it gets to 14, then the rest it will be off.

I also get extra radiation to where the drain ports are. They told me that was because cancer lives in blood and this was just an extra precaution.  It concerned me because I was in the hospital an extra day because of a hemotoma.  I ended up black from the blood drainage all the way to my waist.  When I asked the doctor about that he said that the hemotoma did not concern him.  He also said that he has never heard of it coming back where the drain ports come out but they do it as a backup.

My doctor was out and I had to see another doctor also.  I see mine every Tuesday. 

Hope you have a good remainder of the week!

I had my simulation yesterday too. It was a interesting experience. I asked them if I was going to glow in the dark after all this (LOL!) because I might as well get some fun out of it! Unfortunately, they said no.  Also wanted a smiley face tattoo....they nixed that as well....what an un-fun bunch! Actually, they are really nice...all female group, including my RO who is a real dear. I go next Wednesday for the plan lineup, and if everything is good, I'll get my first treatment at that time. I'm hoping for an early morning treatment time after that so I can get it out of the way for the day. Hopefully I'll be all done by the first week of May.

One question for those who have already started... My skin care instructions say to use an electric shaver, so I bought one. I've been using it for several weeks, but I've found that it's REALLY irritating to my skin. My underarms get red and painful. I assume they want you to use an electric shaver to PREVENT irritation. What do you all use? 

Wave, I love the band aid story! Too funny. Mine are tiny, also..they look like a dark freckle.

I was reading in one of my books, "The Cancer Fighting Kitchen", that there's studies that have shown that sea vegetables help to hasten cell growth after radiation. I guess that includes Nori, etc.  My local Costco has started to sell it in sheets, so I guess that I'll be buying that next.

MizMarie:  They told me that the circles are to keep the marks from wearing off so they want them to stay on.  They also told me not to rub over them with a cloth to help them stay on and when I start treatment to not use a cloth over the radiated area but to use my hand and dove soap.

I was amazed at how they are using a curved beam to suit you.  It is so encouraging to see how far they have come with all this.

Take care - Fonda

Starting rads next week on March 21st.  Hope the next 6-1/2 weeks goes by quickly!

Had my simulation today and more tattoos. I thought my arms were going to fall off. But, as the techs said, today was the hardest part. I'm having a total of 22 treatments, 16 regular and 6 boosts. I lucked out and got the time slot I wanted: 8:30 am. They said it was a coveted time period and just opened up today when someone else finished their treatments.

WaveWhisperer -- why more tattoos?  how many did you end up with in the end?

Joanne, I guess the first set were preliminary ones. Today's are a different color and are the "real" ones. I think I got 5 today. They may or may not be in the same locations as the first set. The little bandaids are on, so I can't really tell. I know the first ones were so small the techs had to search to find them today.

10 down...23 more to go.  No SE's so far.  Happy St Patty's Day and have a great weekend! 

13 down, 17-ish more to go.  My SE's are similar to Moonlight60's - pink, swollen and a little tender, itchy and sometimes a tight, heavy feeling in my breast that was similar to what I felt when I was breastfeeding.  The fatigue I'm feeling is not much different than usual, but being a mom to 2 young boys, I'm used to feeling tired all of the time.  I am getting tired of the daily trips to the treatment center, but fortunately it's not too far of a drive.  I will be glad when I'm finished, that's for sure!

Went in for my verification/simulation appointment b/4 I start actual rads tomorrow.  Went really quick.  Hopefully every visit will be fast since I have to leave work to go.  

I start April 10th --- the RO put mine off so I could get my annual vacation in -- he said 2 weeks won't make a difference.  Had my CT scan, simulation and tattoos yesterday and I am already to go ...

Hi Amy,

We have almost the same diagnosis. I am 12 days into RT. 4 more and then 5 days of boosts. Really starting to feel SE's. I have 2 little kids at home that keep me busy all day so not sure if this is my usual tiredness or radiation fatigue. So far my skin is okay, just red. I try not to put my bra back on after a treatment and letting em "hang free" for a bit seems to help with the tenderness. Still have to decide about tamoxifen. It's just too much too soon