Summer Rads 2014

Sunshine, Thanks for the info. Mine is already so, so sensitive. I can't even have the seat belt going over it. Looks like it was going to be hit with either set up, but the new one is going to be a little more invasive on that area. Working on courage.

Missing, yes I use aloe, aloe, and more aloe. And I use emu oil that also has aloe and calendula in it. My RO told me my last visit that whatever I was doing to keep it up. I just have a little sunburn under my arm and a little tanning but it really looks good. And only 1 whole breast tomorrow. Yeah!

Anyone have any stomach issues. For about the last week I have been feeling like I'm bloated, and a little upset.  No change in diet. Fatigue it me hard yesterday, why is it always on Sunday  . . . . LOL .. ... slept an hour in the afternoon. And stomach being a little upset went to lay down about 8:00 woke up about 11:30 turned off all the light that everyone leaves on, went back to bed and pretty much slept until my alarm went off.

dfroberts, I have worked while having rads. I'm more than half way through. I have had some tiredness, but generally not awful. My work has been very understanding. I scheduled my rads for late in the afternoon (3:30pm), so I could go home afterward and nap if needed. So far, so good!

Good idea, I will try it.  My hair is white and very thin but it might work.

Dee

I am seven week post surgery and reconstruction. I was supposed to get my set up done this afternoon followed by my first treatment. I waited over 90 minutes beyond my appointment time before I was taken to the room. My RO wants me to do the breath hold because they are radiating my left breast. The breath hold entails breathing through a tube in my mouth, a nose plug on my nose, and goggles to be able to view a computer screen. The set up x-rays took one whole hour during which time I was not supposed to move whatsoever. After an hour of agony, the techs claimed that I had moved, and therefore, the set-up had failed, and I will need to do the x-rays tomorrow again. Looking through the Discussion Boards, most folks find very little trouble with the RADs, but I feel that I am set up in a torture chamber, and I have not even begun treatment. It was such a dreadful experience today that I almost do not want to return tomorrow.

M_Mah, you are not alone.  My rads have not been pleasant.  It takes a very long time for the techs to set me up.  Simulations lasted more than an hour.  I was spending countless hours waiting in the waiting room for my turn on the table.  I was miserable.  The ladies on here encouraged me to speak to a manager.  I did, but after a week and half of torture.  I don't have to do the breathing thing, but I have to have a bolus applied which is wet towels placed over most of my chest and wrapped around my side.  It starts off nice and toasty warm, but quickly gets cold and by the time it is done, I'm wet, cold and shiverring.  I spoke to a manager, had my appointment time switched ot the first one of the day.  That eliminated the waiting around bit, but my set up still takes a great deal of time.  It is painful for me to keep in the position for so long, but I keep thinking I would rather they get the machine lined up correctly than deal with dire consequences.  I just wanted you to know you are not alone.  Wishing you the best and hope it gets better!

curlyq and M_mah......wishing I could share my techs with you, my treatment only lasts about 10 minutes from when I walk into the room and then walking out.  They use the rubber bolus and I hold my breath but nothing like you describe.  Hoping this gets much better for you both.

Just finished #10 out of 30, the skin is starting to turn pink/darker, especially under my arm.  I've only been using the aquaphor and aloe, what does emu oil do?

M-mah - that sounds awful! My breathing consists of taking a deep breath and holding it.  No tube needed. My sim was much shorter, and I didn't have to lay still the entire time like you did. Who is able to be absolutely still for an hour? Probably no one!  Can you maybe find another rads place? Yours does not sound very professional or caring.  

WOW!!!!  I can't believe the rads experience that some of you have gone through!  Compared to yours, mine was quite easy.  The first sim was about an hour (didn't think to time it) without moving and holding my breath at certain times.  They did the boost sim a day before scheduled do to someone cancelling their appointment and having the time then.  No breath holding and it only took about 15 minutes. The RO was there, but I could only hear his voice.  Mondays were x-ray days to check for positioning and Tuesdays were RO days.  "How are you?"  "I think I'm doing well."  "Your skin looks fine.  Keep doing what your are doing.  See you next week."  and that was it.  The techs were personable yet professional.  All in all, a good experience.  Not what I had anticipated. Better.  Wish others could have been treated at my facility.

Wishing everyone a good week and a great weekend.  No Friday rads!  (Why are treatments every day, but not weekends or holidays??)

Ohiofan I wish they could come to my facility too! 

I'm very happy to say that my team at rads is spectacular.  I have burned and it's something they could not avoid.  I do think that perhaps my treatment there may institute change in wound care for all of their patients.  We have an amazing wound care center in our town, I have taken my father there several times for wound care.  I told my RO a couple of weeks ago that cancer treatment was just barbaric and that anything and everything should be done to minimize physical discomfort caused by radiation burns.  I sometimes don't think they realize the physical pain we suffer. Today, was,"see the doctor day," and I was VERY happy to hear that they had consulted with the wound care doc about what else they could do for me.  I have refused pain meds (which they use quite frequently to control pain) and told them we would need to heal the issue and not just mask my pain. I left there today, pain free.  They used something called mepilex dressing over my burns.  It literally stopped hurting immediately.  So today, I'm thankful and I just hope it holds thought the night! 

I only have 5 more boost.  So yes, I'm getting excited!

Iglodie, and all those just starting or about to start- rads starts out very easy. I got sudden fatigue at about the 20 th treatment. I suspect the new computer upgrade at my office and the mass confusion the 2 days that was started added to the sudden onset of fatigue.  Really looking forward to a 3 day weekend. Just plan on extra rest by the halfway point.  

Sunshine, count down those days. I have 10 left, 5 reg and 5 boosts (no compression).  I a getting some mild redness (more then the pink before) on my clavicle area, but no pain.  I will remember about the mepilex dressing if I get in any trouble. 

JB fabulous look for your wedding. Bumble and Brown ( or something like that) makes colored powders that you can put on your scalp to cover thin areas. They have white also. 

Had my followup mamm today and all was good!!! Whew! One less stressor out of the way. I got my CT planning session scheduled for 7/8 and anxious to get it srarted and rads completed!

Sunshine- awesome they found something that worked for the wound pain. I'm noting that in my book of good treatments to remember!

lgoldie and crazywabbit-keeping my hopes up my sim goes well and rads as well!

Subshine, glad to hear that your nearly done with rads and that they found something that works for your burns.

Crazywabbit, There is nothing like a computer "upgrade" to increase confusion and fatigue, the absolute last thing you need right now!! I am dreading the 2 weeks of computer on call that is scheduled for around weeks 3 and 5. My mind feels like mud, even with no chemo. Its like my brain and body have decided to slow down, and tasks that should take a day or 2 are taking a week or more. All I want to do is edit my photos for relaxation  When I was diagnosed  I did a piece of "artwork". Now I think its too pink and sugary and cancery (if thats a word) but I am taking it to the rads people as they are so nice. I secretly hope somebody will like it but of course I will tell them they can just put it in the closet or throw it out if they dont! 

The photography is a great escape and distraction . I just ordered a home studio - lights and a backdrop. Goodness knows where I will put it all as our house is very small!

Iyzz I so understand what you mean.  I've always been a high stress type too.  "Anal" as my husband calls me! I never left the house without my hair and makeup done and the house had to be spotless. Today I went to rads without a bra and makeup. I also went to the store... and the bank lol nobody seemed to notice! The things that used to be so important just aren't anymore.  it's like I'm just trying to muddle my way through. I agree, it's not all bad! 

Rett, what is an IO??  Enjoy your artsy side.  It is nice to have a relaxing outlet.

I received a "Certificate" at the end of rads......just like kindergarten!  Kind of silly, but I liked it.

Wishing everyone a great weekend!   I get to see my 16 month old grandson!!!

That was scary . I just got banned. The system threw out my post until a human checked it. I guess the thing to do is just to describe where to go, not to include an actual thing. Not mentioning the L word again for a bit LOL.