Summer 2013 Rads

I had my mapping and CAT scan done last thursday, my simulation is this friday. Not sure if I start Monday the 10th or the 17th. I can't wait til this is done with and I can be free! :-)  I cried during the whole CAT Scan thing. I didn't think I was freaked out, but apparently I was. I am done with chemo, but i'm so tired of the whole cancer thing. It's one more thing to take a deep breath and just do. When I get my simulation I will be sure and take my Ativan. Good luck to you ladies who are currently doing radiation and good luck to those who will be starting soon with me. :-)

Crapola, Paula. More of the waiting game for you. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers wishing good news for you.

My RO says no tattoos.  I asked him why, and he replied that the tattoos were originally designed to  mark exactly where a patient had had rads prior, even years before.  And he went on to say that with the computerized medical records we have nowadays, there is no longer a reason to permanently mark the patient.

And here I was, hoping for some wee kitty tats.

Had my first RADS treatment today and it went just fine.  I was so crazy scared going into it but it was just as easy as pie.  They gave me the aloe and a skin cream and told me to use it 3 times daily.  I only need 15 treatments so I have the first one under my belt.  I am so glad tht the other Sisters who just started are also finding it to be uneventful.  RADS is soooooo much better than chemo, I cannot believe it.  Friday I see the OBGYN to schedule the oophorectomy for July and then will have to take a new hormone blocker I guess.  After the surgery I hope to move back to my Virginia home to be with my boyfriend Blaise and try to build my life back again.  Happy happy week to all and Peace!

CB

I have the simulation on Friday and will begin rads on the  10th.

I had my tattoos and CT scan right before leaving town on the 31st, and will be flying home and finally starting rads on Monday.  Cannot WAIT to get this next chapter over with!  I'm a little concerned because I still have a little scabbiness on my lt. nipple.  It might be finally off and healed by Monday, but if it's not, does anyone know if it will matter?  I sort of thought that the doc wanted me to be all healed up before we start.  It's already been 7 weeks, though (8 by Monday).

LeeLeeLynn - My RO hasn't said anything about diet beyond eating healthy and not trying to diet during treatment.

nyama - my incision from January still has a small hole and is draining.. they are still doing rads .. they said, as long as there is no infection it is fine.. and they also said, it can't heal until there isn't anything left to drain..

LeeLee - no one said anything to me about vitamins or diet..

Congrats on your halfway point Heart!

I had that happen to me today, I was walking briskly along and then all the sudden my legs felt like lead.. it went away after a bit.. but it was still annoying.

Lin43, we are now in our second half

Happy "Almost the Weekend" to all! I can't remember a time when I looked forward to weekends as much as I do right now! 

I can relate to the sudden fatigue. I can be sitting at the computer one minute and feel the urgent need to lie down the next. Or my legs suddenly feel very heavy! So far it hits me later in the day so I am still good when I go to rads in the morning. And I teach private flute lessons in the morning so am ok for work. It is weird, though, that sudden bone-tired feeling!

The techs and doc worked on me today to draw on the marks for the boosts that I will get the last five treatments. I now have red, purple, blue, and green lines on me. Quite the sight! They told me that tattoos used to be done all the time to provide a permanent mark showing where rads had been done, but now that we have everything elecronic, tattoos aren't done as often or done everywhere. They do set me up very quickly for rads with all these marks, but the cream/oil I use plays some havoc with them. They have a clear tape that they can use for problem areas and don't seem to mind redoing my marks often. My doc says that my skin is holding up well considering I am getting the bolus every time. I joked that my skin goes from a rose' in the morning to a cabernet in the evening and back to a rose' the next morning. She gave me permission to use hydrocortisone on the itchy area. 

The very best to all of you starting out. It gets less scary and I have to say that the past three weeks/my first half of treatment have gone by fast. Over the half-way mark! Yes!!!

Hugs to all

Linda 16/30

cmbernardi-13?!! Super for you!! Had my 5th tx today. Putting pure aloe gel.......so far good to go.Hoping all you women are doing good. Yep,the ole legs just aren't what they used to be,that's for sure!

I don't have an answer for you Nancy, but I have the same problem with one of the dots being too high, I was so annoyed seeing it and now we're stuck with the damn things.  A small complaint compared to the big picture, but still am not happy with it.

and I have the start of a 5 o'clock shadow on my head

Off to see the RO today and I think this will get the ball rolling on my rads.  2.5 weeks post surgery, incisions appear to be closed up, and Im ready to get this all over with.

Gowiththeflo: glad things are moving forward for you.  I start rads on the 17th as well.  You don't happen to be in the midwest?

Good Afternoon All,

I had my lumpectomy last Thursday, will be meeting with my surgeon on Monday to go over the pathology report and have my sutures removed.  Hoping to get some information then on starting rad therapy.  I've been told it's usually a few weeks after the surgery to give the site time to heal.  

Reading everyones experiences had been helpful.