Winter 2013-2014 Rads
Comments
-
I go for my simulation tomorrow. While I'm pretty anxious about beginning radiation, I am very lucky that my test results came back and my oncologist did not recommend chemotherapy. My husband and I have gone back and forth with what we should do regarding the 45 minute drive to and from the site where I will have the radiation. We have decided to drive back and forth unless the weather report indicates that we should stay overnight. I envy those that live close to their radiation site. Add the stress of not getting to an appointment due to weather to all of the stress that I have been under since my October diagnosis, and it has not been fun.
Hopefully everything will be ok and I can look back after my treatment is over and think of it as one of those experiences in life that you have to go through.
-
Hello everyone
. Today I completed 13/20 (and the last 4 are boosts). I am pretty red but not necessarily sore. I have some itchiness but tolerable. I am still only using pure aloe vera gel and have had no issues, thank goodness !! I am, however, quite sore from the radiation bed itself. Sore neck, upper and lower back and last night my hips drove me insane! I already have problems in the lower back area after a motorcycle accident a few years ago so I am not surprised
The techs wiggle me around to place me and although I am "aligned" for them, I think my spine is telling me differently
. I just took some Tylenol and feel better. Keeping fingers and toes crossed for a good nights sleep . 7 days left to go .. so nice to see a light at the end of the tunnel !!!
-
Hello all!
Getting really red! However not painful! I am starting to worry about this Seroma( from LX) I have! That I did not know I had until rads! Seems like it's getting worse further into rads! Hoping it goes away and doesn't have to be drained! Anyone have advise!
-
Congrats to those who are D-O-N-E!!!!!!! How I envy you ladies! And so glad to hear some of you are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.... Here's to smooth sailing the rest of the way.
Leslie, I wish I had some insights for you -- hopefully some others on this board will. The Lumpectomy Lounge thread has many comments on seroma, so you might get some advice there. I think it would be worth a call to your BS, if only to ease your mind.
Wanted to give you all an update on the questions I asked my MO today and take through rads and beyond. He wrote me a prescription for Tamoxifen, which I am to start now. He says that Tamoxifen SEs, if I have them, are completely different from rads SEs so there is no way that I could be confused about what is causing any SEs. He also believes that if I get any SEs from Tamoxifen, rads will not make them worse, or vice versa. If I am miserable on Tamoxifen, he said to come back in and he will switch me to something else.
He also plans to put me on Zometa (I have osteopenia) for bone strength, and he said that recent research has shown that Zometa also helps to prevent cancer recurrence. I was on Actonel before chemo, and that was a once per week pill. Zometa is a brief IV infusion, once every 6 months (I like not having to remember to take a once per week pill). It can have some jaw necrosis SEs, so I need to check with my dentist and get teeth cleaned before I start.
Finally, I asked about the neuropathy, which still bothers my three middle toes on both feet. He said to give it another couple of weeks, and if it is not improving, call him and he will give me a shot of B-12. He said B-12 is the first line of attack to try to make the nerves more happy happy.
So, for what it's worth, that's the info from my questions today -- maybe it will help any of you with similar concerns.
-
Is anyone doing rads with tissue expanders? I want to know if you feel tightness? Thank you in advance
-
First one done....let the countdown begin, finally! It wasn't bad, just uncomfortable since at first I thought the cradle would make laying on the hard table a little more comfortable. Having my arms above my head, my neck turned to the side (as far as it would go!) and the time it takes for the techs to position me, all I can say is...they play really good music! So, I tried my best to relax and enjoy the ride! I was so glad when they told me I was all done and could sit up. Lol, I could hardly get my arms back down to my body let alone sit up!
Joan - thanks for the info. I guess it's easier to accept the fact that a little discomfort will be with me till the transfer. But I have to honestly admit, it doesn't make it better. Think I will have to work on my attitude!
HyDavis42 - One day at a time, yes, we can!
Tomorrow is #2 and I have to ask the techs how much the machine cost... Y'all have peaked my interest!
Beth
-
alfranco - Yes. I had a bi-lateral mastectomy and have expanders and today was my first rad with no problem. I have 24 more to go and I don't anticipate any problems (fingers crossed)!!
-
I had an unbelievable experience at
radiation today - I almost got locked in the radiation department
overnight! I was supposed to see the doctor after my treatment, and was
put in an exam room. I was so tired I fell asleep while waiting in the exam
room, but the doctor never came. I woke up an hour later and the whole
place was closed! Lights out and everything. I panicked because I was still
in my hospital gown without my glasses or cell phone since I left them in
the locker room with my clothes. I was walking around the hallways
calling out for someone, but no one was there! Finally I heard a voice
way down the hall, and it was a nurse who was so apologetic. She said
the doctor thought he was done with patients for the day and left. She
called for a different doctor to see me, then they let me into the
dressing room to change clothes and then let me out to go home. The
reception area was totally pitch black and the doors were locked. If
that nurse hadn't been there, I'd still be there. I cried all the way home in the car. It really freaked me out! -
Oh wow Bondsy. What a horrific experience. Thanks heavens for the one nurse who worked late. Hope you treated yourself to a glass of wine when you got home. Or chocolate if that's your personal reward.
-
That's terrible! I had something similar happen when I was at a mediation a couple of years ago. The mediator put 3 of us in the back room and said he'd be back. When I looked out a couple hours later, all of the lights were off and the place was locked up. Fortunately I had my cell phone and was able to call him. He couldn't believe he'd forgotten us. I'm so sorry that happened to you - must have been so frightening! Thank goodness that nurse was there.
-
OMG, Bondsy -- what a scary experience! Thank goodness you found someone to help. And you must be so fatigued to fall asleep in your hospital gown in the exam room. (((Hugs))) to you!!!
-
Bondsy, I am happy you made it out of radiation center. I doubt if anyone will be able to top your story, of frightening rads.
I was waiting yesterday, also for RO, my eyes were getting heavy. But he popped in..
-
That is scary bondsy, happy you found someone.
-
Bondsy what a scary experience!
My experience yesterday wasn't as scary but very demoralizing. I am having my rads at a different facility than where I had my lumpectomy and chemo because it is closer to home. So far, everyone is pleasant. However, when I had my dry run yesterday and I was lying on the table while RO was making adjustments, I heard a man's voice! My RO started talking to him, called him by name and I realized he was the tech who scheduled my treatments. Without so much as a 'how do you do' he started making marks and templates on my breast and all of the sudden there was another person who I didn't know leaning over me making marks. I was in shock!! When I finally found my voice, I asked them to explain to me what was going on. He did, but never introduced himself or the other tech. After it was all over he asked me if I had any questions or concerns. I told him I was upset that people came into the room that I expect or know. He apologized and said I would meet the team today when I have my first treatment. We talked a bit more and I calmed down. Today I am going to tell my RO how upset I was and that everyone involved should have been introduced to me before I was lying exposed on the table!
-
Thank you everyone for your comments about my scary experience yesterday at my radiation appointment. I plan to talk to the head of the radiation department today about it. It really threw me off and made me leery of this whole radiation experience. And yes, MinusTwo, I did have chocolates when I got home, but no wine even though I would have loved that (still have a weak stomach after chemo, and alcohol just doesn't agree with me.)
Checkers, I completely understand how you must have felt yesterday. We are all so vulnerable in this crazy cancer world, and our service providers all need to be trained in how to help make us feel better about the situation. There's no excuse for how they made you feel. And I hate that we are put in the position of having to complain to higher ups about our experiences, as it just makes us feel even more vulnerable.
-
I had my simulation on Tuesday this week, everything looked fine so they turned the "zap" on. I have a 840am standing appointment for the next 6ish weeks. If I get there at 830 they take me early as they open at 8am and it's pretty hard to get backed up in the schedule that early in the day. Today was session #3. Really it's nothing so far. Two 15 or 20 second zaps on each side of the table and I am out of there. The staff is very nice. I have one male and one female on my machine. They have 2 machines at my center. They have a massage therapist in the back patient waiting area every Wednesday, she was very sweet yesterday. They gave me 100% aloe trial size bottle to use 2-3x daily. So far everything is fine. I found a larger bottle at the local health and beauty aid place today. "fruit of the earth" 100% clear aloe. I will see my RO every Monday after treatment to check my skin. if I stay healthy and nothing gets in the way of the schedule I will be done with active treatment on February 27th. Wahooo. If my skin holds up really this is NOTHING compared to chemo. The 22 mile one way drive is the thing that is already bugging me. The nurse said I might get fatigue and that it will worsen. Gees bring it on, chemo messed with my ability to sleep so bad I really welcome a daily long nap I tell ya! ~Nichole
-
alfranco I am having rads with my tissue expander. It has only been a week but I am not having any issues with it such as tightness at least nothing out of the ordinary. They were tight already before rads and actually feel a little better after starting rads. I hope you are doing OK with your rads.
-
beth congrats on having one down. I completed 6 today and I sure wish they would play some music where I go for rads. The facility is very nice about a year old with wonderful staff but I think if had music to listen to instead of trees with blooms on the ceiling to look at it would make the experience more comfortable. And you are right I can barely get my arms down when they fnally say all done. Ladies what is that cold rubbery thing they place on your chest and say it is for boosts every other day? I thought boosts were given towards the end of treatment.
-
Thot I'd mention, about fatigue during rads. I was worried bec. chemo was TOTALLY exhausting. Every bone & muscle in my body was tired, sore, weak as a kitten towards the end. Around 4-6 weeks after the last treatment & right when rads were starting, I was feeling more like myself again & did NOT want to return to that even a tiny bit.
During the weekly checkin w/the dr. during rads, they always asked about pain & fatigue. In the last week, I've felt maybe a tiny bit more tired, but only in that 'late afternoon could use a cup of coffee' way. And it's prob. bec. I'm back at work, & I'd taken so much time off during chemo. So really, not genuine fatigue, just workday grind
-
Hydavis42 - no music? That's too bad! My center's paperwork said they would play CDs you brought in, but I never did that - after all, the actual treatment only takes a few minutes, usually not long enough for a full song. But the techs do play their own music, which is usually mellow pop that I like. One guy loves reggae, which puts me in a happy mood. Another one always seems to play Norah Jones. For a while, one was on a classical guitar kick.
I'd ask if they have a sound system & can at least turn on the radio - you're going to be there for a while, make it comfortable!
-
Hydavis42- I have trees and blooms on the ceiling, too, at a pretty new facility. I kind of like the trees. I don't get that claustrophobic feeling. No music either. I wonder if a lot of rad centers have the trees or if we might be in the same place. I'm in the north Atlanta suburbs.
-
peaches & hydavis42, my cancer hospital was built 2 1/2 years ago..it has the trees and cherry blossoms. Hard table, nice music. I got really cold today for the first time. They do x-rays at least once a week, and I cannot tell you have much they have fussed with that mold for the boosts. Lots of positive nodes, so I am getting the gold star treatment, meaning a little more microwave...
-
That sounds good. I came through my surgery. I see the oncologist on Feb 3, so I guess I'll start rads after that. I have never been a cryer. I find myself crying at the drop of a hat.
-
I went for my simulation today. They will be doing radiation in the prone position. It was not very comfortable, but I would rather have it in the prone position to keep the radiation away from my lungs etc. Anyone else doing radiation in the prone position?
-
"We are all so vulnerable in this crazy cancer world, and our service providers all need to be trained in how to help make us feel better about the situation. There's no excuse for how they made you feel. And I hate that we are put in the position of having to complain to higher ups about our experiences, as it just makes us feel even more vulnerable."
Bondsy - You hit the nail on the head with what you said above.
Also, I am sure that almost getting locked in must have been really unsettling. I hope they learned something from your experience and will check the rooms in the future before closing up.
Checkers - I felt like you did when I went for my initial set up and CT scan. I had two techs and one was a man. I was lying face down for my CT scan and then when I finished, the male tech told me to get up (which I basically had to be on all fours and then sit up). He didn't pull a gown up over me as I got up and then I was had to sit bare - chested on the table while they removed some tape and then didn't even leave the room while I got dressed. I was really upset and humiliated and wondered if my treatments would all be like that. I told my husband that when you go to any other doctor (a gynecologist for example) they keep you covered as much as possible and will open one side of the gown to examine one breast, cover it, and then examine the other breast. We are just not used to being treated so impersonally! These radiation people need to realize that we are people, not body parts to be radiated. It must be how they are schooled. I have found my actual radiation sessions to be much better. I have two very nice girls who I am comfortable with.
Teamkim - I wanted to tell you that my MO told me that often side effects of Tamoxifen often resolve in 2 -3 months. I will be starting it too - I finish rads on Tues and have been procrastinating on making my next appt with MO to get the prescription.
I met with him before rads. I had #22/25 today. I am feeling the fatigue this week. I just feel drained and heavy. It's an odd feeling. I have a rash on my chest which is itchy but not awful. I am a pink/red but it is not too uncomfortable. I turned pink during the first few treatments so I was worried but it has only gotten moderately worse so for those of you who are getting pink early , it doesn't mean you are going to get fried! I have one more regular treatment and two boosts next week and then I'm done. I will be glad to move past this step and on to the next one.
Still using 100% Aloe and Calendula 2 times a day. My center told me to mix them together in my hand and apply.
For those of you just starting, the time passes quickly, Hang in there!
Dawn
-
JPteacher1 - My rads are in the prone position. It's a little uncomfortable on the table but quick. I do think there is a benefit to the heart and lungs and am glad my center does them.
-
simplypoised, I too cried at the drop of a hat for awhile.
-
Alfranco...I am having rads with TEs but only 1breast is getting the rads. My skin is not too tight . I think they saved quite a bit of my skin fom the BMX and I was big chested before ths started. I am getting shooting pains in my armpits and breasts though. I think it is due to having my arms above my head though vs the rads because I have pain on both sides. My RO prescribed me tramadol today to handle the pain from having my arms up. My rads take 25-30 min on a good day like today but yesterday took 45 because thy had trouble lining me up. I have 11 areas they are zapping.
Hydavis42...the cold rubbery thing they put on your chest is a bolus (not sure of spelling). It tricks the machine into thinking it has started to hit your skin and starts ramping up the power. By the time the ray actually hits your skin it's at 100%. Without the bolus my RO said the beam is only about 60%. I get this every day because the cancer was very close to the skin which they saved.
So far so good on my first 4 treatments. It's too bad some of you are having bad experiences at your treatment centers. I was just telling my husband tonight how great my techs are. For my first dry run I had two male techs. They both introduced themselves and also mentioned there were other female techs who I would meet this week. They were very discrete with me and kept my breasts covered as much as possible. They apologized for my pain when they were fitting the bolus even though thy were being as gentle as possible. I have some light music in the background and also have the pretty scene on the ceiling. I feel very fortunate that my drive is only 15 min. I think a long drive would be hard. I feel for all of you that have to drive far.
-
I spoke with the manager of my radiation center today, and she was horrified about my experience yesterday. She said they have a policy to check the rooms every ten minutes, but since I was the last patient that day they messed up. She was very apologetic and plans to have a department meeting to go over procedures so that it won't happen again.
I had treatment #11/25 today. Skin is holding up, but my nipple is very swollen and painful. The RO I finally saw yesterday told me to take Aleve for swelling & pain. That helped a bit today. Last week when I saw my regular RO, I asked to see my radiation field pictures that they created from my simulation CT. He brought them up on the computer and I was able to see where my heart and lungs are located in relation to the rays. My heart is out of the way of the rays, but one little corner of my left lung is being zapped during radiation. He said there would probably be some scarring on that area of the lung, but since I'm not a smoker and have otherwise healthy lungs it shouldn't be a problem. I am glad I asked to see the pictures, but feel that he should have automatically showed them to me and explained about the lung even if before I asked. I think that's something we should be aware of, don't you?!?!
-
Bondsy -- good for you, seeing the manager and asking to see pictures. We all need to be advocates for our own care!
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team