Any April/May 2012 rad girls out there?

Good luck Joanne!

Hello Ladies,

 I will be starting my radiation treatment tomorrow morning and will have a total of 16 treatments.  Feelings of apprehension and fear have set in but at the same time want to finish my treatment and move on with life.  I was told not to use any talc powder, deodorant or lotion on the affected breast and side or to shave my underarm.  Any suggestions from you ladies for an electric shaver?  Good luck to all starting their treatments.

Luvmygoats: first week of rads is done. It was rather uneventful. The only issue that arose occurred Friday. They wanted to take pictures of my superclavical but apparently my arm was tense and wouldn't stay in exact position. But they didn't tell me what they were trying to do or ask me to make a concerted effort to not move my arm (I'm talking about my arm moving its muscles more than anything as I would tense up and then relax a lot). I would have certainly obliged had they clued me in (they didn't say what they were trying to do until I was off the table).



Welcome to the new rads ladies!! For those of you worried or apprehensive, there's absolutely nothing to be worried about (except for the inevitable redness/irritation to the skin and possible fatigue but we are all in the same boat for that so we can commiserate). The actual radiation treatment is so easy and really, for me, the easiest part of my cancer journey.



Also wanted to mention something that I learned at the radiation talk I attended regarding the possible skin issues we are all facing (MizMarie also mentioned this earlier in this thread). The doctor giving the radiation talk said that any of the creams/ointments/gels we are using on our skin will not prevent the burn/irritation to the skin. By moisturizing the skin, the burn/irritation discomfort will be slightly eased.



Speaking of bras (per Luvmygoats and Cindy), I must say that I haven't worn a bra since the morning of my surgery. I didn't wake up with one and the PS did not indicate that I needed to wear one. When I asked him if I should be wearing something for support he said I could wear a camisole with a shelf bra if I wanted to (but he didn't insist). I've quite enjoyed not wearing one. Prior to surgery I was a DD and always wore an underwire and would never dream of leaving the house w/o wearing one (and i was always self concious of my overabundant chest) and now I am an average C (I will admit though that I feel very small after living 30 years with such a large chest). But having implants, these suckers don't move when I walk so I have no problem going out without a bra. Additionally, while doing some reading about breast cancer and lymphedema, I found out that it is not recommended to wear underwire bras or any kind of tight bra after surgery as there are lymph nodes in that area of your body (there are lymphnodes all over your body, I have come to find out after a physical therapy appointment). And also my RO's office recommended that I not wear a bra during the period of radiation treatments (they don't have to tell me twice!!).



Good luck to those starting tomorrow!! Have a great week everyone!!



Cathy

Cindyl. Love the picture. You HAVE to have a sense of humor with what we are going through!

Taika, I also had the start of redness after 4 treatments. My RO said it wasn't that bad and didn't mean I was going to have worst SE's. I already started creaming up to be safe. Hang in there!

I have a plan, and it's a good one!

Last chemo this Thurs, 4/12, will start rads 4/23.  This is perfect timing as it gets me done less than a week before we leave for our "family-moon" trip (hubby and I married last year and blended our families - this will be first vacay with everyone.  It's like a family honeymoon - "family-moon").  And now the trip will also be a celebration of finishing treatment!

Got my tats and did sim last Friday, I'm ready to do this!  Also happy with time I got each day -- going in at 3:10, which is perfect for me because my typical work schedule has been that I'm in the office until 3 then working from home in the afternoon -- this will just necessitate me leaving a little earlier from office and getting home a little later, but still something that everyone is somewhat used to.

Have a beautiful day!

RuthieG... Are you getting the Neulasta shot after chemo? Reason I ask... I did for the first three and hated it (bone pain). After my 4th and final, my MO said I didn't have to have the final Neulasta shot if I didn't want it. So, I declined it and all was well. However, I did not know that they do bloodwork before rads (I too wanted to start early, business trip to Orlando end of April). My WBC was too low. I had to wait 5 days and have it retested. Now, I won't finish (knock on wood) until May 1st. I will miss my trip, but, it was just for work. However, I wonder if I got that last Neulasta shot that things would have been different.

Everybody else getting bloodwork drawn every week? My RO said it's to check for anemia? Apparently radiation causes anemia?

Hi, I'm Michelle and I'm new to the forum!

I'm halfway through my radiation--I started March 28 and will finish April 18, 16 sessions in all.  The side effects have kicked in.  My breast is dry and scaly and looks sunburned.  It also feels heavy and can be sore to the touch--as mentioned in earlier posts, riding over potholes and bumpy roads makes me wince and cringe.

The tiredness has also settled in.  I hate this drained and lethargic feeling.

I'm receiving my treatment in the prone position (on my stomach).  Is anyone else being treated in this position? As for lotion to soothe the skin, I was given calendula lotion.  It is gentle and does feel good on the skin, but I can't say it's that moisturizing.  I like to put the bottle in the fridge so it's cold when I apply it.

Best wishes to all who are starting or are in the midst of radiation!

Welcome Michelle!! Seeing that you are having 16 treatments makes me so curious about what our ROs base the number of treatments each if us should have. I know it's based on our tumor size, nodes, pathology, and other criteria. but I'm curious to know how they make the ultimate decision. I have to have 28 and I'm guessing that number of tx has a lot to do with the fact that I had a 10.5 cm sized tumor. No node involvement (had one show up positive in first PET scan but it was no longer positive after chemo - though they are radiating under my arm as a precaution). I had a complete pathological response to the chemo so after surgery I was completely clear of cancer, so I'm assuming that is why I don't have to undergo more treatments than 28. I hope all goes well with the rest of your treatments and that you are able to keep your skin from getting worse.

1 down and 29 to go! One of the three set ups they tried for me was prone, but they decided that on my back slightly tilted was the best for me. 

 I hate to think how tired I'm gonna be as time goes on.  I'm exhaused now.  

8 of 25 done today. My ankle hurts.overdid it on eliptical and walking today. Need to learn to slow down

I cried like baby that first week too.couldn't have done this without my DH

Hi Girlzzz~ Welcome to all our new members, so glad to have you!  Okay, new question:  I am now 9 treatments into my 33 and I am having some pretty good redness of my skin.  I treat my skin 4x a day with something (Aloe, Aquaphor, emu oil, Mia Derm, etc), and so far not too much pain.  Here is my issue...I am seeing redness way above my breast on my chest and it really concerns me.  I had a big tumor and crappy margins, so I know they are radiating a large area, but it shouldn't include the skin that far up on my chest.  My Rads Plan showed they'd have to hit a good chunk of my lung and some of my heart, but now I am worried that they are playing "fast and loose" with the radiation beams and hitting too much of my lung/heart!!  Has anyone else experienced the skin reddening in areas where the rads was NOT hitting?  My hope is that it is just some sort of residual effect.  My RO has been out since I saw him last (a week ago Friday) and I see his partner tomorrow.  I didn't want to stop/delay rads, so I've just been waiting, but now it is really dark red and I'm really concerned.  Any insight you guys have will be helpful.

Thanks,

SAN

Started rads yesterday.  Up early 1 hour drive and 0735 appt. time.  Used my Xclair last night.  Felt good but I was surprised it was kinda hard to spread.  Thought it would have a litle more "give" than it did.  Then again my RO's instructions says not to apply anything 2 hours before tx so maybe she uses Xclair because it doesn't have a"grease" factor to it.  Other cream she OK's is Aquaphor.  YUCK as I've said before.  Xclair this am on breast just feel like good hand cream.  Guess I'll wash it off and ask tech too if I need to wash off from night application.  Less I have to do to that side the better.  I swear - not really - It is swollen already.  AND it did feel warmer than other side.  Already felt like mild sunburn.  It had, to me, returned to normal smaller than L side size though last week BS said some edema still.  My surgery was 2/21 so it's been awhile.  Meet with RO on Tuesdays.  Tech though my sports bras making my cleavage too damp.  Gosh - I have 6 of them and hard to find in big girl sizes at a price I'm willing to pay.  And no time to shop for anything.  I live rural but work city but even though I drive all day I must account for majority of my time with employer.  Now 30 minutes or so I can fudge, HAH, I do get lunch time but much longer would not go over too big considering how much time they've let me off for recenty.  I'm a hospice nurse so do set my schedule within reason.  Supposed to be 8-5 but that's flexible a little 9-6, 8:30-530.  If you're not terrribly busy, trust me, they will find someone you can go see.  Oh, let me see, Friday they called me to cross 40 minutes across metroplex to admit a pt 23 miles each way but forgot they didn't have Dr.'s order to admit.  So sorry - you can go back to your regular schedule.  HATE Fridays on my job.

 Nuf ranting.  Was just on time for appt. yest.  Waiting in wrong waiting room and the thickest fog I think I've ever seen here.  GRRR.  Told recpt. 1st tx.  Thank goodness some came in said going to tx and walked off.  Oh - can I just go back???  Recp. asked do you know where dressing room is??  Of course, been here 2x last 2 weeks.  Now I know.  Felt like a dumba**.   That and the keys to lockers stick either.  Bet I'll learn quickly which ones don't.  Already picked out 2 that do stick.  Carrying fanny pack today to load up pens, lip gloss, 2 cell phones, cream if I feel I need it, car keys.

Hi Ladies

While I'm still in active chemo TX (last one next Friday YAY!).  I have an appointment with the RO April 26 to discuss RADS.  I met with her prior to starting chemo but I don't know at this point what's she's recommending as far as number of TX, when she wants to get started, boosts, nothing really.  I'm the type that has to be dragged kicking and screaming LOL!  I have alot of concerns and have been doing a ton of research.  Of course I will listen to the experts but I still have reservations with my pathology.

Question for you ladies.  Have any of you had an MX, no nodes, good margins where RADS has been highly recommended?  I'm totally commited to TX, geez I've come this far, but I have to wonder if this is overkill.  Sigh... The MO said at our last meeting that she would confer with the Tumor Board.  My MO (whom I love) says don't think about it right now, just get through chemo, one thing at a time.

RuthieG

Face down was considered in my case becase my tumor was partially under my arm and treatment with me laying flat on my back caused the beam to hit my neck  and chin.  Not a good thing. At a slight angle my breast kind of folds in a way the RO didn't like as he thinks we will ge skin breakdown there.  Face down apparently presented other problems.