Spring 2014 Rads

AnnFM: I will be staying within walking distance to go for radiation. My sister lives in the city. My daily routine will consist of rads, a nap and going for a walk with my sister. Also going to the library. Ann, that was good you went for mock rad. Yeah for me I had to take  for 18 cycles starting March 15/14

TB90: north of PA. I will be going toontown for my rads. I know and I plan on touring it lol

Pam358 - thanks for opening this site

Not yet as I have only reported it to you so far   See the nurse or dr on Tuesday after treatment and will mention it.  Not itchy today, but I am certain it will return.  I too have a bit of a dry cough but it does seem more to do with my throat and I have bad allergies right now.  May have nothing to do with rads, but of course I attribute everything to treatment right now.  Actually, side effects of radiation could in fact be grossly exaggerated due to the fact that a lot of us would attribute everything to radiation. Just a thought. 

One more Chemo of TC on March 20th and then 16 - 25 days of radiation afterwards. What is the general wait time from last Chemo to the first Radiation. I know I have asked my NP - but I keep forgetting! LOL Also, anyone else told they will get a C Scan by the ROncologist? Something about mapping out a plan? Also, do they still do permanent tattoos on breast for the radiation or use a permanent marker. If a marker, can you still shower? Is it best to put on an Aloe Vera lotion after each radiation treatment? So many questions eh! 

Hi Keep:  The CT scan is required at the outset for your RO to carefully design your treatment through the angle the rays strike your body.  They do not even like you to lose much weight over the course of treatment as that can change how your body receives the radiation.  A chest x-ray is given most days at the beginning of the treatment to ensure alignment (sounding like car tires now) and the tattoos are used to ensure that you are laying on the table exactly where you are supposed to be.  It is very precise and sorry for the layman's terms. I asked about the daily chest x-ray and expressed some concern about all the radiation and they told me that the chest x-ray is minimal compared to the radiation treatment, at which point I decided to not even ask any more as I did not want to know  

TB90, thanks for the info. I am with you on the x-rays...gheez. Enough already! How is your skin holding up so far?

pam, good luck today on your first day of rads. I hope everything goes well for you.

smrlvr, I'm sorry your sim. got postponed. It's so disappointing when our minds are finally ready, and then it doesn't happen. Good luck on Wednesday.

Good wishes to anyone starting rads this week!

Hello ladies! I just stared my Rads today. One down ; 32 to go!!!  My RO gave me some Aquaphor samples to try, and recommended "Udderly Smooth" cream from the dollar store. He said to go ahead and use it right away after treatment and at night before bed.

My tech had said to wait until I had any problems... But I think I will start the cream right away.

Joining the club for first radiation tx today. They placed a gel pad over my skin prior to radiation, they said it heps the radiation hit the more superficial tissue.  They also placed some kind of device on my chest during radiation that measures the amount of radiation that is administered. It is supposed to check if it is the correct dosage was given. The whole thing was very surreal, still hard to believer this is really happening. Picked up eucerin cream for post radiation application and "Crystal" deodorant by suggestion of my sister who also had breast cancer three yrs ago. Hope it all helps. 

Pam358- did you start today?

flagirl, I posted a list one page back that LizzieK posted on the winter rads thread. I printed it out and brought it with me to my consultation. It was a big help.

AndreaJ50, Girlstrong and AnnFM, Wow, you all started on the same day. How nice to be able to compare your progress. Good luck to all of you.

TB, I finished 10/31 today and saw the PA. My skin is still holding up with no SE's so far. I do have a dry cough, and it hurts just a tad when I take a deep breath. I was told by the PA that is has nothing to do with rads!? I find that hard to believe, but what do I know - I'm no doctor. He told me to mention it to my MO at my next appointment.

He said because I'm not getting radiated in that area, it wouldn't be a SE. I'm only radiated in the breast and nodes. No clavicle. Are they doing your clavicle?

Yeah, I felt that way when I started too. For some reason starting rads bothered me more than starting chemo - not sure why. I think it was more of a psychological thing for me. I'll just be glad when it's done.

Pam, sorry about the motion sickness. I hope you get to start today!

TB, Yes, that is a picture of my rescue dog. We've had him going on three years now. He is so dopey and just the most gentle dog you will ever meet. We also have another rescue dog who turns 15 this year, and a rescue cat that is about 12. We try to stay away from shelters now lol.

Pam:  So sorry about your motion sickness.  I do not move.  The machine moves around me.  I hate feeling nauseous!  Hope today goes better.

Anne:  There is nothing you can do wrong.  We just try to help each other out.  I just finished #13/25 today and so far, no issues.  I have a bit of a tan over the area being radiated and that is all.  Lots of women have very little if any troubles.  Hopefully you will be one of them. 

Nice to meet you Anneb! You're doing great