Any April/May 2012 rad girls out there?

Fran ~ I feel a little less "chemo-y" every day that I put between me and my last infusion.  Yes, my legs still burn going upstairs, in fact, all my joints hurt A LOT when I wake up in the morning.  It takes me a while to work out the kinks.  I'm only 42 and I really didn't have kinks before all of this :-\  I'm not sure what you are asking about putting other people's names in caps...do you mean bolding the type?  When you are typing your post, look in the left corner of the box.  There is a B and an I.  If you select the B you will bold your type, the I will put it in italics.  You can also use macros to accomplish this pressing the control key (bottom left of your keyboard) "ctrl" and the letter "B" at the same time will bold things, "ctrl" and the letter "I" will italicize, and "ctrl" and "U" will underline.  If that's not what you were asking...please feel free to disregard all of the above =]

Michbunny ~ I'm not totally on the Aquaphor bandwagon.  I have noticed that a lot of RO's recommend it, but I have also noticed that Aquaphor has very effectively infiltrated the radtiation oncology field.  They keep the RO's totally stocked on samples and the RO's give out coupons to their patients.  In my experience (I worked for doctors for a number of years) these actions usually go along with offering kickbacks (from small to massive) to these same doctors.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not accusing any RO's of foul play, I'm just saying it is easy to convince yourself that a product is the "best on the market for my patients" when you are getting free concert tickets and trips to Hawaii from the same company who distributes said products.  I am a bit cynical by nature, so feel free to draw your own conclusions   I am using emu oil and Mia Derm, both of which came highly recommened by women who actually used them and saw great results.  I have my stash of Aquaphor samples as well, but I'm using more than one product to cover my bases.

Well ~ I had my first "day off" from rads today.  Our machine went down and my RO's office called to say we'd be skipping my tx today.  I was surprisingly upset.  I guess I didn't realize how much I wanted to stick to my little schedule and be DONE on May 11th.  Oh well, "Flexibility" is my new middle name.  

SAN

RO gave me samples of both Aquaphor and Miaderm.  The clinic "recommended" cream, however, is a brand of vitamin E/aloe cream called Colonial Dames.  I started out using the recommended cream, and tried both the Aquaphor and Miader.  Aquaphor is way too greasy - like Vaseline.  I did like the Miaderm, so I ordered a couple of tubes of it.  Pricey stuff, but I've read good things about it.  So now, I'm alternating Miaderm and Col. Dames.  So far, I have only slight pinking, but I have a feeling this is the calm before the storm...  Today was #15, so 18 more to go! 

Hi All ~ So today was interesting...had to go back to the radiology onc to have another CAT scan and get re-marked as the doctor didn't like the original plan.  As CrazyGirl said, forget about trying to retain any form of modesty.  Three guys in the room along with the doctor moving my boob around, making new marks for intended tattoos, I guess.  I have marks all over me now...some of them faded and some new.  Taking a shower in the mnoring should be very interesting.  Because I am very large breasted ("anchor tits" is my term for them...sorry if that offends anyone) they wanted to make sure the necessary areas get radiated.  That would be my hope as well!  I can only imagine what a pretty picture I was on that table.  Oh my!  I am hoping they get me back in for the simulation soon, but as SAN has posted it looks like our machine is down...yikes! 

I am also having issues with my autoimmune disease and will probably have to go back on steroids which doesn't make me happy.  I have managed to lose 34 pounds and don't want to gain them back.  Also can't imagine having another drug to deal with.  Sorry to whine, I guess I figure you guys will understand my need for a tiny pity party today.  I have to see the rheumatologist, hopefully tomorrow.  I don't know about you guys, but this running from doctor to doctor is getting to be old...but I have to say I am grateful they are proactive and that there is treatment for all of us.  Hope you are all having a great evening.  I will quit complaining now... Hugs to all of you for being there for me.  Linda

I had my 4th Radiation Treatment today and felt extremely exhausted.  I came home and crashed!!  Never even heard the phone ring! I have had a queasy stomach and did mention it to the techs - they said that if that continues then we will speak to the RO.  12 more to go!!

MOT --- 16 treatments seems to be the norm for many of us Canadians -- I too am having 16 treatments.  I have 13 more to go - started on Tuesday.

http://www.cancer.ca/canada-wide/cancer research/research news/shorter radiation schedule works for women with early stage breast cancer.aspx?sc_lang=en

SAN ~ It is quite a pose to have to be in, but I know the techs see the same thing everyday.  Trust me, I don't think they are looking at "me" but it's just such a vulnerable place to be.  Honestly, Dr. Coleman, the techs, and I were all laughing today because it just went from crazy to ridiculous as they moved me around like a hunk of meat.  Another one of those "you have to laugh or you might cry" moments.  I choose to just laugh cause it makes life a whole lot easier!  Hope the machine is fixed tomorrow...not sure if I will even be called back for my "tats" tomorrow.  Oh well, another hiccup in life's ridiculous ironies!

yesterday was tx 4/30.

We have the little capes with no arm holes at all.  But there is also a bathrobe to wear if you like.  I like the way out treatment area is set up.  You check in with the receptionist, go to the womens changing room which has a bunch of skinny little lockers (don't know what people do with winter coats?) the changing room has several curtained off cubicals next to a small group of lockers so you have some privacy.  Theres also a private restroom in the changing room so if you want to wash the goop of of your hands, it's handy.  Then when you leave the changing room the tech is usually waiting at the door to walk you back to treatment.  You may encounter one other patient in the corridor ... hop on the table and zap.  We have only a bunch of ugly fake plants to look at though.

They've been getting me arranged then  draping a cloth over me and when you're done one of the techs hustles over and grabs your robe to help you back on with that... So all in all I think they really do try to make it not awful.

Yesterday was the first weekly meeting with the RO. He meets with all of his patients on Thursday, but made a point of letting me know that if anything came up I should tell the techs or the receptinist I wanted to see him, and that his nurse was always available for questions, in person or on the phone.  They gave me a bag of information (which wouldn't fit in the locker) a water bottle, and some samples of "special care cream" and "natural care gel" which is what they recomend you use when the redness starts...

Also made me an appointment with a nutricionist for next week.

Joanne, thanks for the link re: shorter RAD time.

Claire, just what you needed, an infomercial.  That really was uncalled for.

Is anyone else using a calendula-based lotion or ointment?  I wonder if it's a new skin cream that's being tested?

13 treatments down, 3 to go!

I had my 5th treatment today - 11 more to go!  The technicians are really nice and only needed 1 xray before starting the treatment.  The queasy feeling in my stomach was better today and the feeling of fatigue is about the same as yesterday.

Fran- wonderful news about your BIL. so glad to hear it.



Itsok: you and I had the same chemo. Just wondering how you did with it. I find the A/C part to be horrible. Really suffered bad side effects from it. I would actually do a BMX surgery 10 times before doing chemo!! Just noticed the date you were diagnosed - I was diagnosed one day before you 8/23.



I'm sorry to hear about the distances you ladies have to travel for your radiation treatment. That must be extremely difficult especially since it is every day. As someone mentioned earlier, I will add my easy commute to my list of things to be thankful for. I realize that I am very lucky to live in NY, right outside of NYC so I have many medical facilities available to me. I will also add to my list a SIL who is an oncology nurse and who insisted I get my chemo at her facility (I did have a long commute for that but that was once every 2 weeks so I am not complaining).



As far as the rad macine goes, my best friend is a rad therapist (the therapist is the tech (or techs) who is with you in the room/works the rad machine), so I already had an idea of what the machine looked like but she gave me an in-person sneek peak at the machine that she works on at her job. But I can understand how intimidating it must be to someone who has never seen one before or even had the need to know what radiation was. Radiation is a very precise treatment and I believe measurement is done in millimeters. An ironic note to all this, I took a test years ago to get into a school program to become a radiation therapist. Needless to say, I did not get in - I was an average student in science and math but these subjects were definitely not my strong suit! Well you must be very good in these subjects to get into the radiation field. It is a very good paying job though.



Had tx #10 today! 18 more to go. Three more weekdays off until I return to work next Thursday . I am treating myself on Tuesday to a medical massage and facial!! I was given gift certificates for this during chemo but I was in no shape to go anywhere during that time.



Enjoy your weekend ladies!



Cathy

5/30 done.  Had to wait more than a minute or two for the first time today. They brought a gentleman down from the hospital side for treatment and he apparently took longer than expected because he is in such bad shape right now.  Trooper (my hearing dog) got to put on his therapy dog collar and visit with the family while we waited.  They seemed pleased to have the distraction..

 Ready to just relax for a couple of days.  Wish I could go water walking, but that's not recommended until we're done with tx.

I asked about swiming and was told that any chlorine would be a very bad idea.  RO is petty sure we're going to have a tough time skin wise anyway, as I'm fair skinned, bigger, and frequently get hives and other skin stuff.  So I'll stay out of the pool and the hot tub (sniff) but he says I should be able to get back in the pool by June, so...