Winter 2013-2014 Rads

Oncearunner, Congratulations on your path report. That is excellent news!

SallyS70, Good luck today - I hope it goes well for you.

So I am a little ahead of you ladies - had 16/35 treatment today - almost half way there.  I am red and a little sore up by my collar bone and back of shoulder.  Don't forget to put aquaphor all over shoulder/underarm.  The skin on my arms is very dry.  My energy levelis still good but some have said when you further along that can change. 

Hi lesliecusana

Because I went through radiation treatment for another cancer and am also a person who likes to research everything I put together a whole list of questions for each member of my treatment team.  Do you have an Iphone?  You can get an app that allows you to record what the doctor is saying so you can concentrate on what he/she is saying and review the recording later on.  I did this for all my second opinions and it is amazing how much stuff you don't remember or don't get straight.  The app is called AudioMemos and costs ~$10 for the full version (well worth it).  I did ask one doctor if I could record the session but it is easy to just tap record as if you are checking your email if you don't want to ask.

I bring my list and let them go through their recommendations and check off the questions they answer that I brought and then ask any questions that remain.

Here's some of my questions for the radiologist:

• What will be frequency and
  duration of treatment? (days per week for how many weeks)
• How long does each treatment take?
• Will you do the radiation with me lying on my back or my stomach?
• Is partial breast irradiation an option for me?  If not, why?
• Is an accelerated schedule an option for me?  If not, why?(On both of these if it is because they don't offer it you may wish to seek care elsewhere if you are a candidate - Stage 1 no nodes)
• How much radiation in total will I receive?
• What type of equipment will you be using? (IMRT, 3D)
• What will you do to minimize the amount of radiation to my heart (more
  of a concern if your cancer is on the left side, like mine)
• Do you utilize breath hold to minimize heart
  exposure?
• What is the risk of second primary tumor from the radiation?

• What are the possible side effects of
  each treatment option, both in the short term and the long term?
• What can be done to relieve the possible
  side effects? (burning, fatigue mostly)
• How will this treatment affect my daily
  life? Will I be able to work, exercise, and perform my usual activities?
• How long after treatment will I return
  to normal activities?
• What is the risk of recurrence if I don't get radiation versus if I do?
• What is the survival rate if I don't get radiation versus if I do?
• If
  I get radiation and then get another cancer in that breast I will have
  to have an mastectomy because you can't usually get radiated twice in the same area.  There is a study showing that older woman may not need radiation (if early stage, no nodes).  If I don't have radiation and it reoccurs I could then have a lumpectomy and radiation.  Explain your rationale for doing radiation now?
• Will you be able to accommodate my schedule (work, travel time, etc.)

Imac101, thank you for the information. Congratulations on being almost half way done.

SallyS70, I'm really glad your simulation went well. I was thinking about you today.

TeamKim, Good luck tomorrow. I hope your rash gets better soon.

LizzyK, Thank you so much for that list. I have my consult tomorrow and I must admit, I'm feeling more overwhelmed about rads than I did about chemo. I have over an hours drive to get to my facility. Knowing that rads would go with a lumpectomy, I still deluded myself into thinking I wouldn't need to do it. Silly me.

My husband and I went for a nice walk this afternoon. It was pretty windy here and I gotta tell ya, it's difficult to keep that wig on. I'm considering duct tape on our next windy day. Hope you all have a great evening.

TeamKim - good luck tomorrow.  I'm also considering ditching the final A/C treatment in 2 weeks due to peripheral neuropathy.  I see a neurologist Friday.

Lizzie - great list of questions.  

Anyone had experience w/rads & neuropathy?  It is a listed SE.  As much as I hate it, I have to start researching again.  I don't think I can take any more things that aggravate the neuropathy.

MinusTwo, I don't blame you. When going through chemo I almost made it all the way through without it. On my last treatment it really affected my hands. I couldn't even button my shirt. Luckily, it was only really bad like that for a few days. I can't imagine what you must be dealing with having it all the time. I haven't done rads yet and didn't realize that was another SE.

Holeinone, I detest the wig. I wear it when walking in the neighborhood so I don't scare the kids. My daughter hates when I hang it on the stair post. She always thinks it's a person standing there and it freaks her out.

Phillygirl - looks like you and Dawn and I are all at the same point - we all started rads Monday.  Today will be #4 for me too. I haven't noticed any redness really, but have noticed (unless its in my head) a little discomfort near the "dog ear" as I call it. I sleep on my right side and my mastectomy/rads are on the right so it's already a little bothersome sleeping. For some reason my hip hurts a little sleeping on my left side. I see the RO after rads today. My center is closed Xmas day and New Year's Day so no treatments those days - same for you guys? Lana

TeamKim, I'll be thinking of you today as to talk to your MO regarding your last treatment and hope all goes well for you.  Had a question, did you have the Onco DX type test done?

Hi gals.  I just saw this forum and thought I would join in.  I will be starting rads in Jan but don't have a set date yet because I need to be able to get my arms above my head.  Doing lots of exercises and seeing a PT.  met with my RO and he wants me to do the simulation sometime week of Dec 30 but my PT doesn't think I will be ready yet.  I am pushing hard to get this done ASAP even though I dread this almost as much as my BMX.  

I noticed most of you on this forum have had lumpectomies.  Anyone here have a BMX with TEs?  The reason I ask is because my RO wants me to delay filling non radiated breast so he can get a better angle on the radiated breast.  Note...my radiated breast will be completely filled prior to rads.  My PS says it can cause problems later with scar tissue on the expander that is delayed.  The ROs reasoning seems a bit odd to me because obviously they radiate 1breast all the time with another one present but perhaps TEs are different since they don't sag to the side like real breasts.  Any thoughts?  I have posted in the reconstruction forum as well.  

Minus two....I think my question was a bit confusing.  My radiated breast will be fully expanded before rads and my ps also believes this is the best chance for implants.  My RO is fine with the radiated breast being fully expanded as well.  

The breast my RO doesn't want inflated is the NON radiated breast.  Since this breast won't be radiated the concern isn't from the implant standpoint.  My RO just doesn't want it in the way so to speak so he can zap me from all sides.  My PS is only concerned from the standpoint of scar tissue buildup from being 1/2 inflated, then stopping for 6 weeks, then returning to fills so my right breast will catch back up with the left.    The left one is the only one being radiated.  Currently my left is at 400 cc and right at 350 cc.  When I go in for rads my left will be 450-500cc (haven't decided how big yet) and my right will still be at 350 cc since the RO told the PS to stop.

Maybe not as big of a concern since my right won't be getting the rads but I don't want scar tissue to buildup so much that the PS has to go into surgery to release the scar tissue so expansion can continue after a long delay. 

TeamKim and CruiserMay - whoo hoo on being done chemo, one last round of those nasty side effects and it's done. It's great to see the side effects ease up and know that you won't experience these again.

I finally had my appointment with the RO yesterday. We finally have a plan in place for rads. I have my simulation on the 27th, an education session on January 7th and I start on January 13 for 6 weeks including the week of boosts. Looks like I'll be laying on my back with my arm up. I have a referral for physiotherapy to get the best range of motion in my arm before we start. I had surgery at the beginning of the month, and that's part of the reason why I'm starting in the 13th, give more time to get my arm back to normal.

Safe travels for those of you traveling over the holidays, especially this weekend if you are in Eastern Ontario and surrounding areas. Nasty storms forecasted for the entire weekend.