Spring 2014 Rads

hi , just started reading these posts as I am finishing chemo phase soon and starting rads. I am sorry to hear about some of you having problems ...even about where you get marked, but thanks for sharing as it gives me an idea what to expect. 

I have a question to ask , I finish chemo April 11, and I am booked for my consultation for rads. On April 22... Is that too soon , should I have more time to recover or just go in wanting to get her done ???

Thanks for any info , and sending hugs to all !

keepthefaith, thanks for the info, every bit helps...will ask more next time I see my oncologist. Just know researching rads  more now, since I decided I will do it ...throw everything I can at bc. 

Thanks, I appreciate the info !

Hi everyone: going to go for my MRI and CT scan tomorrow. I had my first infusion on March 18/14. 1/18 seventeen to go. I go every three weeks. I start my radiation on April 1st, staying till Friday. I'm coming back on weekends. I stay at Cancer Lodge Monday to Friday for five weeks

done the markings around my breast area. Everything is ready to go, thanks for all the tips. I hate needles but they explain everything as they go along which is good

Went for my first treatment today. They remarked with black marker and said it was no problem they will just touch up as needed.  Not doing tats like I thought. Glad to hear stillrunnn... that you are doin well in the 25 out of 33 tx, good to hear.  Sounds like we are all just trudging along smoothly. Hugs to all- 

one week in - looking for anyone doing rads post reconstruction! i'm finding it painful already - everything is tightening up...

Hi everyone!  So my "fitting and tattoo" session did not include the body mold!

I laid down on the CT table and my radiation onc came in and drew all over me, then I was scanned (was a little hard for me to keep my left arm above my head, I am still sore).  After going thru the machine, they then taped this electronic box on my chest and gave me these glasses to wear and asked me to take a breath deep enough so that the red bar lined up and then I had to hold my breath for 30 seconds.  HA!  Doesn't seem like a long time until someone tells you to do it, don't move and run you thru the machine again!!!!!  Looks like I am going to be required to hold my breath while getting treatment......

Then I got the three tattoos!  So the one on my left breast smarted, the one on my right was fine but the one in the middle of my chest - owie!!!!  I have to admit.....the day before I went and the day after I was a wreck.  So teary.  I don't like feeling this way at all - helpless and having to do this.  And such a pain - every day for thirty treatments..........I selected first thing in the morning because I have a 30 minute drive to the center, then it will be a 45 minute drive from there back to work so I'm looking at losing about 3 hours/day............

I was also a little surprised at the size of the treatment area.  I asked the tech why the three tattoos and he said they have to treat my entire breast area and then the nurse I met with said when the burns appear it will go up to almost my collar bone.  I did not expect that..........

Also.....man....my back muscle kept tightening up on the table!  How embarrassing.

So my dry run is Friday afternoon and then my first treatment is Monday March 31 at 9:15am.  Then on my tenth treatment they were able to get me in the 8:15am time slot.

OK, I'm going to go read some threads and reply to people now that I am done my cry baby note! 

Donna

Dogsneverlie..

Don't fret things will get better. The zap time is like fifteen seconds twice.  It takes longer to put the gown on than getting treatment.  Take a deep breath everything will be fine.  Moisturize, moisturize.  Had my second treatment today on the left breast.  feels warm afterward and stays that way for a while.  I put aquafore on it right away when I get home and the use again before bed.  Use an old tshirt so it won't ruin clothes. My breathing seems short and harder to take a deep breath for a few hours afterwards. Should I be concerned about this or it's normal?

maybe my zap time is different.  Typing from cell phone. Breathing is definitely affected for a couple of hours. Dr said to pick up ocean potion aloe lotion to calm down skin contains lidacane to relieve pain. Walmart carries it picking it up this morning. Looks like I am going to get the spider veins already starting. It seems like I am going to be sensitive 31 more tx and I will be getting five boosts the last week. Good luck BC sisters.

Oh - and the staff recommended Alra non-metalic deodorant, which contains aloe vera. It is sold in the pharmacy of the cancer wing so I picked up a stick - not bad smelling . . . but expensive.

Hi Ladies,

I've mostly been hanging out in the winter rads thread, as I began in February, but as I'm almost done, I thought it would be good to hear from someone who's made it almost all the way with little to no SE's. I had a MX with no recon, so the rads are to my chest, and nodes, including supraclavicular. I've done 25/28 as of today, and the supraclavs are now done. Collar bone is a little pink, but doesn't hurt. My chest and armpit are a weird tannish, pinkish, purpleish color, but the skin is still intact. The area below my collar bone, at the upper part of the IM nodes is pink and itchy, but not painful. The only pain I've really had is under my arm, about 3 inches below the SNB scar. It occasionally hurts a bit (4 out of 10) and feels like the skin is being pulled too tight, but it's inconsistent and hasn't been a big issue so far. Last night was the first time I took anything more than Advil or Aspirin. (took half a percoset). The RO said she didn't think my skin would blister (fingers crossed).

I've been working the whole time, although telecommuting mostly. I've had a few meetings I've had to go to, but other than the hole put in my day by the appointments, it's been doable.

My recommendations are to keep light exercise as long as possible as I think it helps counter the fatigue, and to eat well.

You'll get there soon

Good to read all these posts.  I finished No. 8 today out of 21 (16 whole breast, 5 boosts) and so far I am good.  Have been working the whole time, coming into the office at 9:30 and working straight through to 5:30 p.m.  I have not felt any fatigue yet and my skin is holding up well with the RadiaGel I am using.  I also purchased some Aquaphor on my own but have not used it yet.  It is good to hear that some people get through this with minimal SE's.  I agree, get a little walk in every day if you can, even just 15 mins is good.  Eat well, lots of protein.  I drink a lot of water and I get to bed at 9:00 every night.  I will keep you all posted as I continue.  I have a wonderful team of people and we laugh every day. 

When I woke up this morning and turned on my radio, first song I head was an old 80's number that Eddie Murphy sang in 1985 "Party All the Time."  I think "my girl likes to party all the time" as well.  Made me laugh.  Been singing that tune in my head all day and smiling.

Oh those were the days!  Have a good one everyone and find something to smile about today and everyday!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDbpzjbXUZI

hi all, thank you all for the support. My zap time is more like Pam's - the 3  - 4 times. It is strange. I guess I've been in denial the whole time but the rads is the first time that I've felt like cancer has affected me. I've downplayed it, that's for sure. But that is mainly because I am a weenie. If I can do this, all of you can! It's really getting easier on day 3.

hi Renee, It is when they customize your radiation treatment to your specific needs - where your tumor and margins are,etc. For mine they took a ct scan of my breast and my radiation onc mapped out the lasers (for lack of a better word to describe it) that were going to focus in on the site of the tumor. That is also when I got my tattoos - more guides for the treatment. That is the basic simulation experience. There seem to be variations - like some women are placed into a form like thing that molds them. I didn't have anything like that. It wasn't horrible for me, but you do need to be still for some time. I hope this helps. My simulation was done almost 2 weeks after surgery.

Lojo:  Our experiences are very similar.  I finished 24/25 today and my underarm area is the only tender and tight area.  Am very red  though and itchy, itchy, itchy!  Glad to be almost done.  Skin can worsen for a week to ten days, so hope that nothing breaks down.  I worked out each day and definitely could have worked throughout except for my huge daily commute that took up 5 hours daily.  I got used to the trip and started to actually enjoy my music, shopping trips, lunches with friends, etc.  But back to work on Friday. 

Good luck everyone.