Fall 2013 Rads

Day 5/30 for me today (Friday here :-)) so after today I get two days off.

I was told yesterday that all those first four with the imaging had lined up pretty consistently so they would only do imaging once a week now. Because they wouldn't need to come back into the room half way through now - it would all be a bit quicker.

I also just shut my eyes and just concentrate on keeping still.

I haven't been told anything about breathing - they just said to keep breathing normally as they had allowed for that - so even though my zap is on my left-hand side - it must be far enough away from my heart. Well here's hoping

So what is the theory with the breathing - you breathe in and hold it for the duration of the zap to create more distance?

I had final one today! My underarm skin is peeling but no longer painful. I was concerned about my range of motion last week due to the tightness but now I notice that it has improved significantly.

Whoo Hoo Grace! Done and done. Congrats

Thank you radies! If I could do back flips, I would have done them! Lol

Congratulations Graceforme!

The breath holding sounds like a simpler version of the Gated technique. My radiology team used a 4D CT scan to plot precise measurements of lung/chest movement during breathing. I asked earlier if anyone had this done. Apparently it is starting to become more common for women who had breast cancer on the left side. It is a way to limit radiation to the heart and surrounding tissues.

I had my Gated CT done today. In addition to the CT scan, they monitor breathing with cameras and a sensor cube that sits on your chest. Afterwards the physicist and dosimetrist calculate depths needed to cover the fields needed with radiation while limiting exposure to the the heart and surrounding tissues.

I had three opinions from nearby facilities. Only two did the Gated technique. University of Penn uses goggles so you can "see" your breathing in a wave pattern.  I decided to go with the hospital closest to my house that used the Gated technique. 

It is a lot of planning! I will be going back in next week for some xrays, then will begin radiation treatment on the following Monday.

I just started today. I was thinking about all the things I need to do tomorrow and then it dawned on me that I have to do the drive again... ( I hour 15 min to get there). Will have to get used to this. My times are all over the place too - I'm afraid ill look at the wrong day and mess up the time.

Another week down!!

Hi Carla53

Thanks for letting me know. I don't ever use creams or lotions or makeup etc. so have no idea what will be good to use or not. I just figured I need something not tested on animals or made from animals etc.

Hope your RO says its OK and hope it works well for you.

Looking forward to keeping up with your progress.

Day 5 for me and they told me going in they were going to do an x-ray to make sure I was lining up right. Don't know how often they do that? Of course it took longer today and it was xtra cold!!!

I think X-rays are once per week.

I came home from 6/44 this afternoon and cried. I was just feeling tired and didn't expect to cry, but I did and I feel a little better. I think going twice per day and having each visit take 30 minutes is going to be more emotional than I expected. I'm feeling the fatigue already and my skin is turning pink. I have been enjoying visiting with ladies in the rad waiting room. I'm also in a relaxation study and I will have some one on one instruction every day. It will involve stretching, guided imagery and deep breathing. I will enjoy that.

I get x-rays once a week as well...

About the emu oil... I read on the summer rads thread that several swore by it... I have not tried it though...

Lorrie

I cried on my way home from #14 out of 33. Tried accuboost today and could not do it due to the fact that my lumpectomy created a "cavern" and the clip could not be detected. How will a mammogram ever work for me again? But then I thought about how lucky I am to be a 5 minute ride to an amazing comprehensive cancer center. It's all relative.

cider I keep looking for relaxation or mindfulness classes as I think they will help. Let us know what you think oh them. A cry now and then just happens. You've been going through a lot and you are away from home too. Hugs to you. And I certainly hope your PE is innocent.

I get X-rays once a week also. I'm half way through and so far good. Pink and a little rashy but no real pain. My therapy room has a ceiling that looks like the sky with blooming trees above and they play music so it's quite pleasant. I wish they would expand that to other areas such as the biopsy room.

Hi all, I have been out of commission for awhile, so have missed out on a lot here. These boards move so fast, so forgive me if I am a bit behind!

Canuck and lamom, so wanted to tell you I would be in your pocket for your first treatments, but that has now long passed! BTW, canuck, you asked what lotions I was using. My RO said the only 2 things I can use are pure aloe Vera gel or aquaphor. So far I rarely use either, since it is too sore to touch, and I'd rather just leave it alone. He said that is fine. No need to use anything unless I really need it.

Fephna, sounds like we are sure having a similar experience. My rads machine broke down as well.

Cider8, that must be rough, having to go twice a day for so many areas! Do you have to to them at separate times of the day, for example, morning and afternoon, or do you get both appts. in a row? I have to get rads 6 weeks on both sides. So far I have just been getting them on the one side, but my RO said we could start doing the other side soon, so I would finish sooner, so that would mean I would be there on the table twice as long. Basically, it would be like two appts in a row. I'm not sure how I will hold up with doubling of side effects, particularly fatigue. Have to decide which is better, double the side effects but getting done sooner, or dragging them out for 12 weeks of treatment.

Granny, glad you are done with your rads. I think what I meant by "enjoying" going to rads is really that I am enjoying spending time on "me". This is the only time that it is really all about me, and I don't have to feel guilty to spend time on myself. Going to rads also gives me a sense of control, because I am actively doing something to fight cancer recurrence. I feel somehow "protected", at least until rads are done. I am afraid that after they are finished, I will go back to worrying and waiting and what ifs again. And since I have to go for so long, I may as well find things about it to amuse me. I have started asking the techs questions about the equipment and how it works. I find it fascinating!

Happy rads free weekend to all!

I have to have at least 6 hours between my twice per day treatments. The hospital is only about a 10 minute drive in traffic. But, gosh, I can see going twice a day is going to get old real fast. I mostly see it as a blessing to be so far away from my family so I can focus on taking care of myself. I'm staying with such a good family (guest room very separate) vs being by myself.

I did have to work on some crisis management today: hubs got the time wrong to drop my daughter off for an all day camp thing. The scout troop was waiting for him and couldn't get a hold of him. He was taking a shower! I really have to let things go! He's finally missing me and I think our time apart will be good. I think he really struggles with me being sick from treatment; caregiving is not one of his strengths. With me gone he can see that while I don't do as much because of treatments, I still do a heck of a lot.