Summer 2013 Rads

Wildlyshel - thanks for starting this thread..

I will be meeting with the radiologist soon and learning about the treatment for me - all I know at this point is it will be 5 days a week for 6 weeks ... it'll be so good to share our experiences with once another.

slv58 - I will have to look up prone-position .. thanks for the advice

Lawgirljenn, ask lots of questions, I wish I knew more when I met with my RO, foolishly I didn't realize that different areas would be radiated-I guess I thought that there was only one way to do it! I sat there listening to all the possible SE in shock and really didn't know what to ask, since that first apt. I've been trying to read as much as possible and may ask for a second opinion on my treatment plan. I would ask what areas are they planning to "zap" chest wall? Whole breast?Supraclavical? Axillary? How many grays of radiation? Am I a candidate for prone position? I do believe that radiation treatment is necessary with lumpectomy and some agressive mastectomy, but this is my opinion. I have read that radiation treatment increases chances of survival by 50-70% but I also feel that there are serious SE associated with it, so I think each person has to weigh their own circumstances, ask enough questions to feel comfortable with treatment plan and make RO aware of your concerns with long term SE. I wish I had known a bit more with my initial consult, and I wish I knew more now, but at least I have questions.

Im also from the Feb chemo group and have 2 infusions to go. Ive been told that they want you to wait a few weeks before they start radiation to give the chemo meds a chance to get out of your system.

From a few that I know who have had it, they told me that its alot easier to deal with then chemo was plus your hair will start to grow back! YESSSSSSS!

Gina

Hi all. My last chemo treatment is may 22nd. I will be doing rads after that. I will be joining you ladies . I cannot wait for chemo to be over! I have to start my research on rads now. Thanks for making this group!

Robin

Wildly Shel, I don't even know what an RO is? LOL.  I've been so focused on getting through one part of treatment, that I have not even looked ahead. I REALLY am looking forward to being done with chemo. :-)

Hi everyone, had my second last chemo wed., and just trying to muddle through my thigh pain (SE). I had a very much needed talk with my MO regarding my fears of my radiation plan. Basically all she had to say was that because of the way my disease had presented itself (very agressive-grew 1cm in a month) that my team decided that they would treat me with the most agressive treatments to give me the best chance of Ned. She said this included rads, but that the final decision of how much they will radiate would be made after surgery. I really didn't want to hear this, but needed to. It has brought a scary reality to me, I think because I feel so good, that maybe I've been in a bit of denial at how serious TN is. So...instead of fearing radiation, I will welcome having the big guns on my side! I will have another apt. With my RO to discuss my specific concerns, so I'm feeling better about everything. It really helps that I like and trust my MO so much, she explains things so well to me.

He everyone is doing well. IamNancy, how are you feeling after your last chemo?

Robin3, welcome to our group, it will be comforting going through this together.

Sorry this is so long-I will be seeing my BS on Monday for pre surgery visit and hopefully getting my surgery date (!) so I think my rads will be starting in July at some point, so I may be behind everyone by a bit.

Hello everyone... Joining up now, as I have 9/12 weekly taxols left to go and then starting the six weeks of rads in mid-June. Concerned about SEs, like everyone, and trying to get info about how the SEs are on a daily basis as well as for the long haul.... Not looking forward to it, but sure as heck has to be better than four intense Red Devils.



Someone asked what an RO is... Radiation oncologist.

Then someone mentioned Ned's... What is that?

Not familiar with all the jargon yet.



Hope everyone is having few side effects from their present treatments....

Peace,

C

Hi everyone,

                     I finished prone position rad tx a week ago.  If you are being advised to have rad tx, you have nothing to lose by asking if you are a candidate for prone position.  There are protocols with much shorter tx's.  You may have to go to your nearest big city, it will be worth the effort.

I'll be joining you ladies too - probably around the first of June. Met with my RO once around the beginning of Feb, but don't really know too much about what's in store for me, other than that I'll be getting 33 treatments. Expect to be sent back to RO in a couple of weeks - last chemo May 16th.

  Prone position is you lay forward instead of on your back.  It depends on the location of your tumor, and more suitable for larger breasted women.  The advantage is fewer tx's, and fewer SE's.  Doesn't hurt to ask.  I found out about this therapy on these boards.

Hi all, I finished chemo in February, just had surgery a couple of weeks ago and will be starting radiation probably in two weeks.  I haven't researched anything on it yet, kind of wanted to take a break as I've been overloaded with ihnformation since October! 

I'm goibg to have to read up on the prone position, my tumor was deep in near my armpit, and I had lymph node involvement, perhaps I would be a good candidate!

Its another scary stop on what has been a nightmare ride, but for me hopefully I will arrive at my cancer free destination!

Thank you so much!