Spring 2014 Rads

Flagirl- I also have 28 full and 5 boosts. Not sure what strength Rads they are. How do you find that out? Did your RO tell you?

I am on my last full breast today! Yay! I am very pink, and a little tender all over but thankfully no sores or blisters.

RO told me to use Udderly Smooth cream right from the start (Dollar Store). It was used for cow udders originally. I find it easier to apply than Aquafor (which I use on my nipple and crease under breast).

I ruined my favorite bra with Aquafor, grrr.

So glad to be nearly done!!! Although I shouldn't complain since I haven't suffered like many if you and my commute is short.

Gentle hugs to all of you!!

Pam, thanks for the chuckle! Good luck on your rads on Thursday and to whoever else is starting soon.

I am going in for #13 today. 1/3 done. So far, no noticeable fatigue. Pink sometimes, but hasn't stayed.

Hair is slowly starting to fill in on top....getting impatient with it. 2 months PFC.

((HUGS))  

Hi Gram & Vintage

You were both lucky- I waited a full six weeks from my initial visit and scan till my sim. And all I got was that they were "still working on it". I should be pretty much done, but it go for #5 out of 33 today. Was supposed to see Dr yesterday and wanted to get some explanation for delay, but they had some problems and were running behind, so hopefully I will see her today.

I finished my rads on 4/3.  I have been experiencing a dull ache under my scar the last two days.  It is new.  I am not scheduled to see my RO for a follow up until 5/5.  I am wondering if I should call him or if I am just being a worry wort . . .  

Thank you Big D.  Sometimes it helps knowing you are not the only one.

Well, I saw a doctor today- not my doctor, but a very nice older gentleman. Had no idea why it took so long (6 weeks) from initial visit to sim & start.  I also asked about the number of treatments and if any of them were boosts. He said "normal" is 28 rads and 5 boosts along the scar line, but he has no idea if that is what is happening with me. He didn't even know how many treatments I have had (5). He said I will see my RO on Mon. So why did I have to see him today?? Just wondering...

That is interesting about the onions.  I will remember that.

Anneb, I also saw two different "fill in" doctors right at the beginning of my treatments.  My RO was out for a week, so maybe your RO needed to be away for some reason?  Do not know why the doc would not know your tx plan. I would think it would be in your chart, but your tech(s) know I am sure so don't worry but ask your nurse or someone else there if you have questions.  They should be able to give you answers.

smrlvr how did your boost mapping go? Curious what is entailed. Used plastic wrap after I put creams on felt good, no oily mess on my clothes but when I took it off to bathe breast was bright red.not sure it was  good thing to do, so didn't put it back on after shower. Itchy, itchy only two more days and then a break.we can do it! Typing from cell

I finished full Rads today and have five boosts left. I tried to count how many rotations the xray machine did....but I fell asleep around 38, lol.  I wish I could tape that lulling sound and play it back when I can't fall asleep at night!!

I am going to miss going somewhere everyday, and having people to talk to. I know they are just doing their job, but it has been so nice seeing their friendly faces everyday.  I just moved here last fall from out of state, not long before my DX and I just have one friend that I have made so far. So I will be back to quiet days again soon. At least there are always friendly people here to chat with!!

Congrats, Andrea!!  You are almost done!  Be sure and treat yourself to a special meal or movie or something fun to celebrate.  I am not sure what you mean about a schedule or update.  Do you mean at the beginning of your treatments?  That was the only schedule I received.  I also saw my RO once per week and his nurse once per week and they both checked my skin and asked how I was feeling and if I had any questions.  When you complete your treatment, they should have you come back for a follow-up in 4 to 6 weeks and then after that not sure.  I assume I am going to have several follow ups for a period of time.

I know what you mean about missing the people.  I had a great time getting to know the staff where I am going and today I had an appt elsewhere at the hospital and stopped and got a big box of cookies from a bakery and took it over to them.  I think I will try to do that for my follow-up visits as well. 

I hope you have not had too many SE's and that your boosts will go smoothly as well.

my boost planning was no big deal and took no time at all. After my treatment the RO came in and wrote a dotted line with a sharpie along my MX scar all the way under my arm out.  The techs then outlined it.  Then they put a glass plate in the boost machine and drew the area in that.  The machine they use for boosts is different and mine attach it to the regular machine.  It is supposed to keep the radiation closer to the skin, not as deep as the other radiation.  It is specifically meant for the scar tissue. It didn't take that long, but it am all marked up,with sharpie which they want me to try not to disturb.  That will be hard to,do,with the aquaphor and showers.

Hi BigD-I am sure my RO had a valid reason for not being there, and I heard them talking about problems with the chart records, so I am not really upset- just confused. If the Dr I saw yesterday had no access to my chart and I am going to see my own Dr Mon, why did I have to see him at all? He did tell me that one of the weeks I was waiting for their call, my Dr was on vacation. That really bothers me. I totally understand that everyone needs time off and I know I am not any more important than any other patient she has, if she waited for the "perfect" time to take vacation, based on patient need she would never go. So I have no problem with her being gone- I have a problem with the office not telling me that for two reasons : first, I thought my rads were pretty normal and more an insurance policy than anything else- each day and week that went by upped my stress level- what was wrong that it was taking 6x longer than expected? And if they had told me from the start it was going to be several weeks, I would have gone to visit the grandchildren that have been part of my daily life until my Dx. I was so desperate to see them that I went home for a week between the end of chemo and the surgery but I was so weak, all I could do was sit on the couch. I needed wheelchair assistance at the airports. I just wish the office had recognized that I am a reasonable person and they could have trusted me with the truth instead of vague "there still working on it" 

And they gave me an Rx for a cream yesterday. The pharmacy called about 2hrs after I dropped it off- it is not covered by insurance- even with a letter from  Dr saying it is medically necessary. Out of pocket, it will cost $91, but I find it strange that the insurance is so adamant about it. Wonder why? And because I already gave it to the pharmacy, I don't know the name of it and can't research it on my own until at least tmrw...

And so my life continues

Anneb, I totally understand your frustration.  My MO once said to me, "The spoken word is very powerful."  I had told him that I had "read" something into what the tech said to me when I was getting my bone scan and I was terrified that she herself had seen something on the scan.  And it took me two weeks before I went in to talk to my MO about it.  I was a nervous wreck and so upset, but it was all for nothing.  The scan was fine.  You are right, they should have just explained to you.  I just hope that your tx goes ahead smoothly and you do not have any more issues like that.  As for the cream, what did they prescribe for you?  From what I have read on the threads here, I cannot remember anyone saying they were prescribed something.  That is expensive.  And I do not understand why insurance would not pay for it.  I have had issues from time to time as well with other matters not being paid for.  Maybe you ask if there is something else you could have?  I used RadiaGel which I found on Amazon, although they stock it in the pharmacy at the hospital for the rads patients.  I also used Aquaphor and that is very affordable and I know CVS has it. 

Pam, congrats on being almost done!!

Thanks for discussing the boost process. My tecs put clear stickers over marks to preserve. It works pretty well. I get them put on every Fri.  Aquafore works well you don't need expensive creams. The RO will issue prescription creams if necessary.

good morning everyone

The cream I was prescribed is MPM Radiaplex Rx Gel. I am going to call insurance now to see why they don't cover it.