Summer 2013 Rads

raspberry did they tell you your lungs were going to be scarred?

TMM60 they told me they would avoid the heart and only a possibility of the upper lung might be affected.  I'm also left side, I'm pretty sure they do everything to minimize exposure where its not needed.  Congratulations on the smoking.  I smoked for years and am more worried about that than rads also. 

Congrats on the quitting smoking TMM60!!!! I have also quit, but with all the stress associated with the whole cancer process I do admit to occassionally falling of the wagon.

I also look at the radiation as the lesser of the evils. I am having left side radiation, but using the breath hold technique. My heart is somewhat in the field (like 1% of so). I do worry about my lungs. But after my surgery I still have positive margins, so if I don't do radiation my cancer will most probably come back since there is still some there. I look at the tamoxifen the same way. Radiation lowers my risk of recurrence 50%. Tamoxifen takes it down another 40%. This is the only way to get my risk into a reasonable range.

Well, tomorrow is the big day - first day of RADS.  I am getting a little scared.  Feel like a kid when I had to go to the Doctor.  Shaking inside!

Heart2930 - Thanks!

Cool Melody.  Thanks.  Your words of advice and those of others will help me save my Xanax for when I really need it!

CB

Cmbernardi, first day for me tomorrow too. Haven't had much time to think about it, but when I do I feel apprehensive. Guess the RO will tell me what the final plan is tomorrow, and let me know whether there are any issues with my heart/lungs being in the field (that's the part that's concerning me). Also feeling pretty tired going into it (almost 3 weeks PFC) so hope it doesn't get much worse.

Had planning and mapping with RO today.  Took an Atavan, that helped.  I asked my list of questions and got thorough answers.  Feeling better about the process of rads.  Came home and slept 4 hours!  Emotionally and physically exhausted, still feeling the effects of last week's final chemo. RO said I might be eligible for 3.5 week rad study.  Unfortunately, they need a clear tumor bed as shown on CAT scan.  I have dense breasts so no clear pic of tumor bed.  (sorry if this is too graphic).  So I will start daily rads on 6/17 and will have 25 sessions with additional 8 boosts.  Will take 6.5 weeks.  From some of the info on this thread the 6.5 weeks seems customary.

Thank you all for you kind words of support and comfort. 

Good vibrations to all!!

Soteria, I had mapping/tattoos last week (one session). Supposed to have treatment plan discussion, additional checking, x-rays (think that's what they said) and first treatment today.

Soteria205, I had my first rad treatment exactly 2 weeks after my initial consultation with the RO. There were two appointments in between: one for a CT scan and mapping, another for the simulation/validation. Things might have moved a little quicker if Memorial Day hadn't been in that 2 week time frame.

Soteria205- I had one 1.5 hour long initial consult with my RO. 1 appointment for Cat scan mapping and tattoos. 1 week later I started treatment.

Welcome to everyone new who has joined! Hope your journey goes smoothly.

Welcome to everyone who is new to the summer rads board.  Heck of a time to be doing this with the heat and all, but each day we move forward is a day closer to returning to normalcy.

I have discovered a wonderful cooling pad called Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad and sold on Amazon for $13. I am half done with rads and feel a lot of heat, especially several hours after my treatments and in the evenings. I run water over this "chilly pad" and lay it over my chest for relief. My RO says it is fine to use. It doesn't drip and I can even put it under my top while I read or watch TV and only get a little wet. I cut mine to fit over my chest better. It is 33 inches long so could probably be wrapped around a "girl" for ladies who haven't had a mastectomy. I think it is meant to go around someone's neck when they are outdoors in the heat or playing sports or running. I am going to order more of them for a trip I am planning to the Western Caribbean and Central America in December. That trip will celebrate my completion of  15 months of treatment and I can't wait to go!

I have also been apprehensive about rads but the staff is so warm and understanding and here I am half done, finally knowing in my heart that I can do this. I imagine an angel wrapping her wings around me during the zaps and I sometimes bring my own music to play during my sessions. The only problem is that it can be hard to hold still when a song I really like is playing. Ha! I get bolus every day so some of my skin is a bit red, I am feeling fatigue come on--especially later in the day, and I have about a two inch area of itchy radiation rash, but I made it through chemo and the red devil so I WILL make it through this and so will everyone here! Did any of us realize what warriors we would have to be to fight this beast?!?! 

Idesim--After today we are 1/2 way there! Yay-yay-yay-yay!!!!

And today is my daughter's 25th birthday. She has been a Godsend throughout my bc: adjusting her work schedule to take me to treatments, buying me a flower every Tuesday when I have my Herceptin infusion, preparing food when I've felt icky etc. My husband works 45 miles away so he cannot always be there! My hope is that everyone has people in their life who step up to the plate. Reach out to local friends and family and to people on this board. We are all in this together.

Hugs to all

Linda -- after today 15/30

Lin, there are a bunch of those listed at amazon.  Can you link what you are using?  I've never been good with burns, and I want everything I can have on hand to handle this when it starts.

GoWithTheFlow--Here is a link to my coolpad: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YF7W22/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I hope it helps if your radiation area heats up...or just to cool down this summer. Best $13 I've spent!

Linda 15/30

I have one of those cool pads at home.... never used it yet, but thanks for the GREAT IDEA !!!!!!  Got mine at Bed Bath and Beyond last summer for my hubby, but no one has used it yet.

Still nervous about rads.... can anyone tell me what the tatoos look like???

Thanks Miss Melody !