May 2012 radiation

Hi Ladies, 

    I feel so naive reading what everyone has been saying about their diagnosis and treatments.You all sound so educated on this whole deal.  I completed day 6 of my radiation today.  I've been blind sided by all of this ..things have progressed so rapidly that I had a lumpectomy and my lymph node surgeries before I even knew what stage my cancer was. Im very fortunate that chemo was ruled out.  I will be taking Tamoxifin for 5 years and I have a hysterectomy to look forward to after radiaton..as a precaution.  So far with the radiation ...Im beginning to get a little pink ....it just seems like Im constantly sore now but its been that way since the surgeries..maybe thats psycological...I've been using Aloe and am going to a whole foods store to conconct my own miaderm cream with calendula. Hope its ok to join your discussion.

Joining in here!  Radiation will start mid-May, for 35 treatments total.  I'm looking forward to getting past yet another hurdle on this enormous speed bump.  I had the "sim" a couple of days ago and it was pretty anticlimactic.  A couple of x-rays, three tiny "prison tattoo" freckles, a CT scan, and we're done.  The tattoos were nothing more than a drop of India ink and a small gauge needle to poke in an itty-bitty speck. 

Diagnosed 10/2011, lumpectomy, another biopsy, port placement, chemo x 6 rounds, single mastectomy, now radiation.  The plan is to let the radiation effects settle for six months and then reconstruction.

For those who are currently in the middle of their rads, what bra style or tips can you recommend?  I work full time and just can't come to the office with one swinging and one missing. 

Cyndielou

welcome. I feel a lot like you. So much of what everyone is talking about goes right over my head. Maybe if I hang around I will learn more about what is going on with me. When I went to Dr. for Radiation, there was no mold, no tattoe, no simulation. She just put me on the table, marked me with a marker, put tape on and started the radiation. I have had 5 treatments so far and I am still not sore in the breast area.  I have not been putting any cream on. Sounds like I should be. I thought they said not to use it until after the radiation.

mckenna - I know it sucks to have them draw on you and lay exposed for rads...cancer sucks!  You said it was a visible sign you have cancer.  At least you don't have to walk around bald...that's MY sign I have cancer.  It's starting to grow back, but it sure sucks!

hmmmm...good question!  I always colored my hair LOL.  It is coming back in dark with grey in it (I am 45 after all) and so far it's only long enough to stick straight up.  I had very thick, curly hair before chemo but not sure if I remember what color is natural for me.  I believe it was pretty dark.  I know it sounds ridiculous but losing the hair for me was the hardest part of chemo.  It screws with your self esteem....which for me was pretty good before all this cancer crap started.

Hi ladies, it's been a while since I was here - hello to everyone! Schatzi, thanks for the tip about the Glaxo cream.  I used to belong to Costco but BJ's is nearer now.  If they don't have it, I'll ask a friend to get it for me. Mckenna: yes my appointment with my RO on 5/7 is my first one. I wonder how long after that I will start the treatment?  Can't wait to get it over with but I'm not worried about it - I just want to be done with this whole thing! Also can't wait to switch my ovaries off but not really looking forward to the menopause....oh well, I guess it was coming soon anyway (I'm 50).

I was thinking today about future screenings.  Mammograms are useless on me as I have dense breast tissue and my tumor was only picked up on USS. My MO said the radiation will make my breast even more dense.  Interestingly, my initial scan revealed a mass around 1cm, the MRI said it was 2cm and the surgeon found it was 4cm!  Just learned of a mamography center near me that uses a new technology: Tomosynthesis - it's like a 3D mammogram, so I'm going to give that a go!

My biggest issue at the moment is my nipple, which has gone into hiding...not that I blame it, poor bugger!! I know it's probably because the scar tissue is pulling on the duct and tethering the nipple, but it's quite sensitive and sore. I wonder if it will ever be the same again? 

Hope everyone has a great weekend....remember, We Can Beat This!!  Hugs to everyone.  

Mary

Last week was My first visit they just discussed benefits and studies and such, second visit was pre simulation, they took ct scan and marked me up with a sharpie, and made a custom fit pillow in the position they want me. Now they are working on a plan that I will get Tuesday and do the actual simulation to see if everything is lined up then wednesday will be first treatment.

dlsrzbb, when they say not to put on cream until "after radiation," they mean after that day's radiation, not when it's all over completely.  They just don't want you to have cream on when you go in for the treatment. :-)

Mary, the "pillow" is a mold ... they call it a cradle so when you lay in it on the table you are in the right position..the CT I belive helps also in positioning as well as the tatoo's in lining your body up.  I had no idea it was so involved..but I guess you just dont know unless its something you are faced with either yourself or loved one.

Yes Mary.  Good luck with your initial apointment.

Thanks Mods....and welcome Mardibra!

Joanne

Glaxal did the same for me...don't forget to use it for 2 weeks after you are done rads too!!!