Twenty Days of Radiation

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granitegirl
granitegirl Member Posts: 22
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

The past six months have been filled with a Mamogram, Mico-Cluster Calcifications, sterio needle Biopsy, MRI and three Surgical incisional Biopsies to clear the Margins. All for DICS - intermediate grade - stage 0 breast cancer.

Finally, I feel like I am nearing the end, as tomorrow morning I will be starting four weeks of Radiation at Sloan Kettering in NYC.    My appointment is at 7:30 am, and I am hoping all will go smoothly and the 20 treatments will fly by. 

I will try to post each day with updates on how it is going.

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  • juviben
    juviben Member Posts: 29
    edited March 2012

    Best of luck!  I had 35 days of radiation and it wasn't a problem AT ALL.

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  • granitegirl
    granitegirl Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2012

    Day 1:

    Woke up early this am and made myself a healthy breakfast and took the subway and crosstown bus to Sloan.  

    I got to the Hospital at 7:15 and was in the Treatment room on the table at 7:25.   They have a monitor with my picture on the screen to insure they are treating the correct person.   I was changed and out of there at 7:35.   Arrived at work at 8:10 just ten mins past my normal start time.

    I purchased a travel size Aquaphor and slathered my right breast before I left the Hospital and again mid-way thru the day.

    Just took a relaxing bath and slathered up again.   Ready to repeat the process tomorrow.

    So far no issues and I hope the next 19 Treatments go so well.

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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited March 2012

    Granitegirl - I had a total of 19 radiation treatments.  the last 3 were boosts.  It was a piece of cake--i did get tired but I never had any problem with my skin.  I used lots of Aquaphor.  good luck.  it will be over before you know it!

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  • granitegirl
    granitegirl Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2012

    Day 2:

    Another quick and easy day of Rads.   Got to Sloan at 7:15, in the Treatment Room and on the table by 7:25 and out the door by 7:40.   At my desk by 8:15.   So far so good and hope the next 18 are as easy.

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  • financegirl
    financegirl Member Posts: 114
    edited March 2012

    I finished 35 sessions of radiation, 29 regular and 6 boost.  I did not have any true pain and trouble till I hit about session numbers 25-29.  The doctor originally said that most fair complected individuals begin to experience problems about 3.5 weeks in.  Those with normal coloring begin to experience problems about a week later.  So, if you are typical, with only 20 sessions you may be able to get thru radiation with very few, if any problem. 

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  • granitegirl
    granitegirl Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2012

    Day 3:

    Just like the first two, arrive at Sloan at 7:20, on the Treatment table at 7:30, out the door at 7:40.  Very glad to have the early appt, even at that time when I leave there are about 10 people waiting.

    I have not noticed any change in my right brest, using lots of Eucerin after the Treatment and before going to sleep.

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  • granitegirl
    granitegirl Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2012

    Days 4 and 5:

    More of the same, arrive at Sloan at 7:15 and out by 7:40 at work by 8:15.   The past two days have been very long work days, have not left the office until 7:00.   The long days along along with the Treatments are beginning to take its toll and I am very glad to have the weekend to rest.

    I am not having any negative effects from the Radiation Treatments but combined with a hectic work day I am exhusted.

    Glad to have the first week behind me, 15 days left to go and hope not to have any SE's from the Treatment.

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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited March 2012

    Congratulations on doing your first 5!

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  • akmom
    akmom Member Posts: 272
    edited March 2012

    Hi granitegirl, I am watching your posts with interest. I also have DCIS intermediate grade, had a core biopsy and excisional, and will soon be starting a course of 16 radiation treatments.

    I went yesterday for the CT simulation. They made a mold to hold my arms in position over my head, marked the breast and tattooed three tiny dots. Then I went sliding in and out of the CT sim a few times, and we were done. It sounds like the "real thing" will be much the same.

    I will be asking for an early morning appointment like you did, to avoid losing so much time from work.

    Hope you get a good rest this weekend; take care of yourself!

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  • granitegirl
    granitegirl Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2012

    One Week Down

    After five radiation Treatments I was feeling fine, then Saturday came and the fatigue hit me like a ton of bricks.   I was so exhausted, I had brunch with my Dad then went home and took a three hour nap.  Woke up, made a light dinner then went back to sleep.  Sunday I was tired, but not as bad a Saturday.

    Day 6:

    Woke up this am at 5:30, made a healthy breakfast then off to Sloan for my 7:30 Rad.  I brought the Rad Technician a small potted plant, a White Hyacinth and she was so appreciative.   It made me happy to bring the small token to the hard working tech.   The Treatment went easily and I was out of there by 7:40.

    I had to go back to Sloan at lunch time to meet with the RO.   I am lucky that the Hospital is about half an hour from my office.   The meeting with the RO was pretty quick, my breast is only a bit swollen and not at all red.   I told her that I have been using Eucerin and Aquaphor and hopefully that is preventing any burning.

    Hope the rest of this week goes as easily.

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  • granitegirl
    granitegirl Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2012

    Day 7:

    More of the same, except it took a little bit longer today, there will a couple of early birds in before me.

    I still have very little issue with redness, but my breast seems a bit swollen and my nipple looks a bit darker.

    I am at the mid-way point with the regular treatments, as I will have 5 Boosts after 15 regular Treatments.

    The Countdown continues.

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  • granitegirl
    granitegirl Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2012

    Day 8:

    Again, more of the same routine.   At the Hospital at 7:15, finished with the Rads at 7:40. 

    I had to hang around for about an hour for the simulation for the boost, the last five of my Treatments.  I asked the Technician about the diff between the regular Treatment and the Boost, but she lost when she started talking about Protons and Electrons.   I guess I just have to trust that they know much more about Radiation Treatment than I ever will.

    I found a great weapon to combat the fatigue!  For the past few days as part of my lunch of got a fresh veggie juice from a deli right in my office building.   I have been getting carrot, beet, parsley and ginger.  The drink is a very pretty color, because of the beets and so yummy.   I feel energized and healthy drinking it.   It may just be mental, but I think it is helping with the fatigue.

    Just two more this week, then two days of rest.

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  • akmom
    akmom Member Posts: 272
    edited March 2012

    Thanks for posting, granitegirl, still following with interest. Glad you found something to help with the fatigue. Hang in there for the weekend!

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  • Kel237
    Kel237 Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2012

    Loving your posts, I just started today my 1st of 33. I am very fair skinned and alittle nervous. Sounds like I have the exact same diagnosis. Wonder why you only have 20 sessions. Lucky you.  I am feeling tingling sensations in my breast did you feel that on your 1st day?  I am small chested also ugh I think I just need to relax. Thanks for posting love following.

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  • granitegirl
    granitegirl Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2012

    Day 9:

    Again, more of the same, got to Sloan at 7:20, in the Treatment room at 7:30 and out of there by 7:45, at work at 8:15.

    Feeling tired today, even with my fresh veggie juice drink at lunch and a big piece of chocolate cake for a work B'day party.   My breast is a bit sore, but still not red.  My nipple looks a bit darker, but nothing serious.

    Glad tomorrow is Friday and I will have the weekend to rest.

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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited March 2012

    granitegirl, i love following your posts.

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  • granitegirl
    granitegirl Member Posts: 22
    edited March 2012

    Day 10:

    Yes, more of the same. At the Hospital at 7:15 and out by 7:45 at work by 8:15.

    Two weeks down and two more to go -- Half way there.

    The Techincan gave me the schedule for next week and I am glad I still have the 7:30 time slot.   While it is early and not the best way to start the day, it avoids breaking up my work day to get to the Hospital and there is no waiting to have my treatment.

    Very glad that it is the weekend and  I can sleep late.    I am not having any SE's - a bit of fatigue, but that could be from my early start and very busy work schedule.   I work in the natural stone business, dealing with vendors all over the world; Italy, China, Turkey...   Most of my work is e-mail driven, communicating back and forth with salespeople and vendors.   A slow day is around 200 e-mails and can be exhausting.

    Time for rest and start again on Monday.

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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited March 2012

    Congratulations on having the first 10 treatments!  hope you get lots of rest this weekend.

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  • granitegirl
    granitegirl Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2012

    Week 3, Day 11:

    More of the same, got to the Hospital at 7:20, finished with Treatment at 7:45.

    Had to stay around until 9:00 for the weekly appt with the RO.  I did not see her until around 9:15, still got to work by 10:00.

    Still not having any major SE's, no burning, although my nipple is darker. The fatigue only hits me on the weekend and then it hits hard.   I spent this past weekend resting and felt ok today.    

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  • akmom
    akmom Member Posts: 272
    edited April 2012

    Thanks for posting, granitegirl. Funny that fatigue hits on the weekend - it's like your body says "aaaahhhhhh.... now we can relax".

    I have my first treatment tomorrow and am grateful to you for posting your experience here so I have some idea what to expect.

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  • granitegirl
    granitegirl Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2012

    Day 12;

    Got to the Hospital a bit earlier this am, the subway and bus connections just clicked.   I thought I would be lucky and get in and out early too, but had to wait a bit longer than I had previously, still got my treatment as usual and at work by 8:20.

    Not having any skin SE's, but felt tired most of the day.  I also feel a bit of a cold kicking in and not sure if related to the treatment or just seasonal, I will ask the Tech in the am.

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  • Spitfire984
    Spitfire984 Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2012

    Question: Stage1a, Grade 2 ERPR+ Her- 1.6 cm tumor, Had the lump removed on the Feb14, doing 33 treatments of radiation, I got my OCT DX test result today 11, Has anybody else just had radiation and do you feel good about that? I am 52 years old, was on a hormone patch for about 9 years now, off now, they said no chemo, just radiation and a pill, 8 percent chance it will come back,,, Need help?

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  • granitegirl
    granitegirl Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2012

    Day 13:

    Lucky 13!  Got to the Hospital early again, at 7:00 and they took me right away.   They schedule appts every 15 mins and the 7:00 person was late so they took me right away.   I was out the door by 7:20 and at my desk at 8:00.

    Not feeling too tired today, but my nipple is much darker and a bit sore and itchy.   I am using lots of Aquaphor and that helps with the itching.

    Just two more days and I have the weekend to rest.

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  • akmom
    akmom Member Posts: 272
    edited April 2012

    Hey, granitegirl, nice you got through early today. Only 7 more to go!!

    I was supposed to have my first round yesterday, but the cancer centre phoned at midday to say they had a machine breakdown and had to postpone. New start date of April 10 (unless the machine isn't up and running yet, in which case another delay). Wish we could get this show on the road!

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  • granitegirl
    granitegirl Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2012

    Day 14:

    Another early day at Sloan, got to the hospital at 7:00 and went right in for Treatment and was out of there by 7:15.  

    Feeling a bit tired but nothing too bad.   My nipple seems to be getting darker and occasionally I get stabbing pains, but it is still manageable.

    Tomorrow is the last regular treatment then on to 5 boosts next week.   At least I will have the weekend to rest.

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  • granitegirl
    granitegirl Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2012

    Day 15:

    Not so lucky today, got to Sloan at my regular time, 7:15 and I hate to wait almost an hour for my Treatment,   The Treatment went as regular and I was done by 8:40.

    I got my schedule for next week and found I have one more regular Treatment,   I was surprised since I thought I was only having 15 regular Treatments followed by 5 Boosts.   The Tech said that I was scheduled for 16 standard Treatments and did not see a schedule for the Boosts.    I called the RO and asked and was told that they did not have the Boosts scheduled yet.

    On Monday after the last standard Treatment I will meet with the RO and hopefully they will have the Boost schedule.

    I was hoping I was near the end, but I will get it cleared up on Monday.

    Looking forward to rest this week.

    Happy Holiday to all

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  • granitegirl
    granitegirl Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2012

    Day 16:

    Same as last week, I got to Sloan at 7:15 and had the last of my Standard Treatments. 

    I waited around to meet with the RO.   I met with the RO a little after 9 and discussed the Treatment.    My right nipple is much darker and I get occasional stabbing pains.   The RO said that was normal and I could take Advil for the pain and was not concerned about the darker nipple, said that it was normal and he has seen much worse skin damage.

    We talked about the Boost and I asked about the diff between the Boost and the Standard Treatment and if the Boost was needed.   He told me that the most important is the Standard Treatment and the Boost adds "under a 2%" insurance against recurrence.   It seems like a small number to me, but I will be proceeding with the Boost, figuring I have gone this far, I should finish the whole process.

    The Boost machine is busy and I don't have a slot for the Boost until Friday, when I will have the set up and first Boost at the same time slot.

    I am nering the end and will be glad when it is finally done.

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