Winter 2013-2014 Rads
This thread is for anyone starting radiation in winter 2013-2014. I am hoping we can share preparation tips, support through the process and recovery wisdom. Together we will make it through the treatments, emerging stronger and more RADIANT in the Spring!!
(Edited to remove specific dates so all winter Radiants know they are welcome!)
Comments
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Hi TeamKim and thanks for starting the Winter 2013 - 2014 thread!
For you, and all who join you throughout the season, here's some helpful info on the main Breastcancer.org site on Radiation Therapy, including info on types of radiation therapy, what to expect during the process, and how to manage side effects.Also, the Treatment Side Effects section is a great resource for tips to help manage any side effects you may experience.
You may also find it helpful to read the Fall 2013 Radiation thread, for more tips and tricks from others who've been there!
Hope this helps!
--Your Mods -
Hi TeamKim, thanks for starting this thread. I am due to start rads shortly after Christmas day which is exactly six weeks after my lumpectomy and snb. I wanted to get started sooner, but my RO said I need at least the six weeks for lumpectomy and snb healing. -
Welcome Sally! I will be starting sometime in late January -- I get. 3 week break after chemo, then meet with RO to get the ball rolling. You will be ahead of me, so I will draw on your knowledge. In the meantime, I am reading up on the Fall rads thread to see what supplies I need to have on hand. -
Hi TeamKim and SallyS70,
Count me in as someone who will start Radiation in January. I don't have a start date yet but I meet with the radiation oncologist next Thursday and should have a better idea of my plan after that. Radiation will be the last major treatment for me. I had chemo in the summer/fall and lumpectomy on Monday.
Time to start reading up on the other thread. -
Welcome to the club, Once.... Feels good to be closing in on the last leg of this rotten journey, right? Check in when you have your plan, and we will be in your pockets for the zip zap! -
TeamKim: Thanks for the link on the Cytoxan/Taxotere site. I've added this to my favorites. Due to low blood count problems I may not finish this current chemo until mid January, but Rads will be following closely. I'll be following those of you who start earlier w/interest. -
Welcome MinusTwo -- Let us know when you have a start date. So sorry you have been delayed on your journey through Chemoland... It is a bit of a trip down the rabbit hole, isn't it? Hoping we all can learn from each other on this last leg of the journey. -
I'm starting my radiation December 11th, so I'm not excactly late December, but I'm finishing in January. I'm sort of in between the Fall 2013 and this group. Am I in the right group? Had my simulation this week and I'm pretty nervous about starting this, but I am so encouraged to see all the posts here. -
Hi RoseCal --
You are so very welcome to join us, and you will be blazing the trail for us to follow! Since we are all beginners too, you might want to also follow the Fall Rads thread in case you have some questions for the veterans there. Good luck next week and keep us posted! -
I'll have my simulation appointment on Dec. 19th and will find out then when my rads will start. Just had my last chemo yesterday, so I'm thinking I'd like to start rads one month later on Jan. 6th after all the holidays. That's also going to be my first day back at work, so that should be interesting! I will do 5 weeks of rads. Thanks TeamKim for starting this new forum. -
Hello Team Kim & Winter Rads group, I would love to join this group. I will start rads around the first of the year. My Last chemo was Nov. 29. I have not followed the other rads thread, but will start to read their posts. -
Welcome Bondsy & Holeinone -- Glad to have you aboard.
Bondsy, hoping your SEs from that last chemo are minimal -- congrats on being D-O-N-E with chemo!!! Happy dance for that milestone!
Holeinone -- You too -- Hope the SEs from chemo all gone and you can enjoy the break before diving into rads.
Our Winter Randiants group is growing! Wishing a peaceful weekend to all! -
Hi all! Start my Rads tomorrow. I will be getting 16. Not sure if I will be able to help anyone as my RO basically told me nothing. I only have one scheduled apt with him during the whole process. I wasn't even told that I would be having a CT scan, found that out in Rad class. Apparently they did one during Rad simulation!! I do know that the machines being used do not require you to hold your breath nor do you have to wear goggles like some have had to do on the fall threads. I was worried about that. I also know my zaps are 2 mins. So I should be in & out in 15mins, I have a couple of days where my next apt is just after my Rad. Those are 15 mins after my tx. We are NOT allowed to use any lotions, creams or powders. They want dry skin, according to some study nothing is best. I guess time will tell. -
Hi all! Glad to see this group! I did TC chemo 4 rounds finishing mid-Oct, had a sim before my mx which was 12/3 and go in for another sim on 12/20. I get 2 sims due to not having had a clear margin on the chest wall side when I had my lumpectomy, and the RO is concerned that the site would move after surgery (implant removal R side).
She said I might start rads the next week (Merry Christmas! right?) 28 rounds. I will see her once a week. No discussion yet re: creams, etc.
Glad to meet you all! -
Does anyone know if the CT/sim machine is confining like an MRI? I'm extremely claustrophobic and am a little worried about that. -
Hello all! I'll be joining the group as well - have my simulation Wednesday (11th) and will start rads the 16th. I will be having 28 rads and 5 boosts so will finish end of January. Seems like a long time,especially with going 5 days/week. Anyone else having rads after mastectomy? -
does anyone have any idea how they determine how many treatments you need? -
Bondsy, I think there are different types of machines, but from what I know, you don't go in a tube like MRI -- you are on a table and the machine moves around to varied angles as programmed. I found some photos by doing a Google image search.
Welcome Lana -- good luck on Wed. Do they do the tats at the simulation too?
Lovewins -- no idea how they decide the number of times you need to be zapped, or whether or not to do boosts at the end. I assume that is something we will learn as we go along here. -
thanks teamkim...I was just trying to think about work. I have been off almost 4 months. my fmla has run out and I think it would be hard to get time off everyday for radiation. -
Lovewins - from what I've seen/heard/read the simulator machine is not confining. You're laying on the table and the simulator machine is over you and moves over you or back and forth. I'm sure the length of rads or # is somewhat dependent on your RO and cancer center, but I understand that it is customarily between 25-35 usually followed by boosts to the tumor site. I've read recently some centers are trying higher doses over shorter periods of time - 16 instead of 25-35.
Teamkim - I had an apptmt fri at which they made my mold, did an X-ray, marked me up with markers, and I got 2 tattoos. My sim is next wed. and they said I'll probably get mother tattoo then. You can barely see the tattoos - my first two are actually on my sides. She said I'd feel a little "prick" or "sting" - honestly barely felt it.
If you haven't read it, I highly recommend Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book - it is very informative. As I said I will start rads on the 16th. I'm finally feeling almost "normal" now. I finished chemo 10/25 and had my MX back in June. My hair is starting to come back and I'm finally getting my taste buds back. I had my 2nd annual Christmas baking day & "girls night" yesterday - we had so much fun (my 2 sisters, two nieces, sister in law, nephews wife and best friend). I'm a beer drinker and had beer (OK several) for the first time since June!
Here's hoping we all fly through rads with ease and help each other through this phase of our "C" journey! Shine on radiant ladies!
Lana
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Lovewins - I have been pretty fortunate and have worked through most of my treatment, but doesn't your FMLA time start over come the new year (1/1)? I'm planning on working thru rads - having treatment early morning and going to work. I've been following the fall rad group thread and although everyone is different, many are able to work through it. Of course it also depends how far you have to drive, etc. I've also found that working helps me keep my mind off everything. Hope it all works out for you! Lana -
Lana, thx for posting your celebration photos with your " support group". I am one month behind you on finishing chemo ( Nov. 29 ). I am so excited that my hair will start to grow, & taste buds...how wonderful will it be to have food taste the way it is supposed too. I am not worried about rads, figured it will be a piece of cake compared to A/C...I do own the Susan Love book, I will read the rads section...keep us informed... -
I'm supposed to be starting rads on Dec 30, but I'm not for sure yet as my ps wants my tissue expander fully "inflated" before starting rads and I can't get my arm above head yet either.
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Lana -- Thanks for the pix -- you look great!! I had so hoped to have taste buds back by Christmas (Thanksgiving was a complete dud) but, alas, it is not to be. I am cooking Christmas Eve, and DS will be home from college for the first time since August. I will just have to enjoy the smells, since the food will probably not taste like anything. Sigh....
Allebasi -- welcome.... It seems from what I have read, that TEs complicate rads for some -- hope you are able to stay on track and start your new year with rads underway. It always feels so frustrating when things are delayed.... I know I always feel like I just want to get on with it already! -
Love - From what I've heard, you can guesstimate 6 weeks, 5 days a week. I know being HER2+ that we can't skip out on rads. But i agree that most people I've talked to have worked right through rads and done OK except for the exhaustion towards the end. Guess we'll have to give up on the dancing & partying for awhile. (ha ha) Once you're marked up it's only short time each day. Can't remember where you live but hopefully your tx center is on the way to or from work. -
thank you ladies....I am checking into it at work because my concern is I have used up my fmla and will have to work more to get more. right now I am still in chemo one more to go and off on disability which runs out end of the year. I have to have permission to take off early to go to rads because the clinic closes at 4:30 and I work until 5:30. by law can an employer deny you time off if you do not have fmla? I am making phone calls but this is so much to deal with. thanks for listening. -
lovewins, I have no knowledge how all this works, legally. But common sense wise what employer would deny you time, for necessary, life saving treatment. I am sure if you talk to HR or whomever is in charge they could ease your mind. If you work for a big Co. Someone in the past has surely been where you are right now.
Let us know what you find out... -
my final chemo is dec 20th..have my re eval with rads on dec 30..with rads beginning after jan. 13. Thank you for starting this group! I'm ready to move on to the next chapter of this treatment process! -Nichole -
Had my 1st Rad this morning. Had to go through drifting snow with limited visibility at times, but made it. Took only 15mins. I like my tech's, so a bonus there. Lined me up real good, zap zap done. -
I'm glad I found this group to share our radiation experiences. Thank you for having me. Will start rads this coming Wed. Dec. 11th. I did not have chemo, so this my biig treatment. I am continuing to read the Fall 2013 threads and they are very helpful. My simulation went well last Thurs. Had the x-rays, 6 tattoos, and a CT scan, so ready to start. Tech told me too I should be in and out in 15 minutes and my drive to the hospital is only 5-10 minutes from my home or work. I plan on going on my lunch break at first to see how that works out. I had my lumpectomy exactly 12 weeks ago today and am anxious and ready to start this part of my cancer journey. Just wondering about the fatigue and how soon it will come on and the burning to the breast. I know everyone has a different experience; we are unique individuals. I am the nervous and anxious type and this entire breast cancer diagnosis back in August of this year has been quite a shock to me. I am just beginning to settle down, I tell myself, but have my up and downs emotionally, including a few crying spells now and then. It will be definitely a different holiday season this year going back and forth to the hospital, but I know I will get through this and soon this part will be done. I am very conflicted on taking Tamoxifen, but that is another discussion group and thread. I look forward to hearing from you and I'll be sharing my radiation experiences as it goes along. Thank you for listening.
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