Hi Ladies!

I just started lurking on your forum...I still have one more chemotherapy infusion, then I'm starting radiation 3-4 weeks later.  I am looking forward to getting the chemo done, but I know I have a ways to go with radiation.  

I have a question for you, if you'd be so kind  Like I said, I have my last chemo next week.  I have a port, which is always uncomfortable for me and sometimes painful.  I want the darn thing removed!  I've heard of gals getting theirs removed a week or two PFC, and I was actually counting the days until I could get mine removed.  I put a call into my MO today, and his nurse said he prefers to keep the port in until radiation is completed.  I'm disappointed and confused.  Why would I need the port for radiation?  Even if I have to do blood work, the lab I go to does not have RN's who access my port, they always draw from my arm.  I will talk to my MO about this on Wednesday, but wondered what the standard is among you ladies.  For those with a port, do you still have yours for radiation?  If so, what is it used for?    

I wish you all well, and hope your treatments are going fast.  Thanks for help!

Swiss, I had mine out 3 wks PFC. They do not need it for radiation and I haven't had any blood work during rads and like you they wouldn't access the port where i get blood work done anyway. Congrats on finishing soon

Mmmmmm Georgia Almond pound cake!!! Those lucky people Barbara! 

Yay Anne just two more days!!!!!

Thank you so much for your input...now I feel empowered to insist my port is removed sooner rather than later.  Unless, of course, my MO knows something I don't about my treatment, I see no reason to keep an unnecessary device in my chest.  

I guess I'll be joining you all in a few weeks!  Best of luck to all of you warriors

Rosie I hope the cream brings you relief. Itching is so frustrating.  I only had only 26 of the 33 total going to the SC area. 

Wow, love those toes!

Congratulations to all who have finished!

I have my proposed radiation schedule, Aug 4th to Sept 15th.  I count 25 treatments.  My first appointment with the RO is July 21st but I called to get an idea of my schedule so Hubby and I can get away for a few days before I start.  Anyone else on the same schedule?

Dee

I had never heard the bell rung, but while waiting to be called to a room today, a lady rang the bell six times for the six weeks of radiation. We all clapped for her. It was quite an emotional moment, but I felt happy for the lady who had completed her treatment.  

Congrats Rhett, Sunshine, and Count and all that have finished! You are all so very helpful with your posts for all of us! Please continue to let us know how your post-rad goes too.

Aff, vettegirl and DeeC and swissmiss- I am starting my rad July 22nd for 6.5 weeks. We can keep track of each other through this next step. I keep forgetting to ask the total #. they said 5.5 weeks whole brest left and a week of targeted area to Lumpectomy site. I will hopefully get my schedule this coming Monday, but I had to ask as they told me they were working on setting the schedule up when I left my sim appmt on 7/9.

My sim was a breeze. Got 4 tatts. 2 on left side, 1 between, 1 on right sude. Stung a bit when they did the between, but only for a few seconds. They look like little blue moles or frecles, so noone will notice! I did regular breathing and breath hold 20 seconds, but dont jnow which method I'll be doing yet. Guess they'll let me know at session #1!

Getting our heatpump w AC installed today. I am sure it will be good to help with keeping the house cool during rads. Looks like summer is here to stay! Mid 80's today and forecast is 90's beginning Saturday through next week! I will be loving the AC!

I also have my PT and LE consult on 7/22 to learn more. Luckily no LE but want to be aware.

Well take care everyone! More later.

Mari

1 of 28 down!!!! I got a bit anxious when I first got on the table but I was okay after a minute. I started counting all the beeps but there were so many I lost count. More than I was expecting. My treatment plan includes whole breast, chest wall and supraclav. They used a bolus which they explained will keep the radiation closer to the skin. The techs were awesome. Friendly, quick and very efficient. My radiation is at the same center as my chemo. The entire cancer center is amazing!

I had PT before radiation which was great. I have some cording so my ROM is not good. Loosening up the arm before laying on the table made all the difference. I walked for about 2.5 miles after radiation. I want to do everything I can to try to keep my energy level up. 

How is everyone else doing that started this week?

one of 33!

had my first of 5 boosts today. Took a while to get the positioning X-rays done. The tech was nice and said she would not do a tattoo since it would be right on the nipple, Ouch. Told her if she did that she would not get any goodies next week.  Instead I have a lot of sharpie lines like a big # sign radiating from my nipple.  Weird the sound the machine made was a different buzz ( lower pitch), tech said because it was a differnt strength of photons. Needed deeper ones to go though the width of the breast from both sides.  Just 2 zaps but much longer ones. 

Dumb question maybe....but for those that have done more than week or so of rads, is there pain involved? I know the skin can burn and hurt, but does it cause achey or muscle/bone problems? Just curious..thanks.

Barbara...I saw the doc today...didn't expect to but as I was leaving from treatment he said he wanted to check on me...I was glad he did!  He cut 3 whole breast rads off my plan!! So now 25 whole breast instead of 28....then 8 boosts..I guess he felt with only 12 rads in, I was pretty red!  I wonder if they can lower the intensity of the treatment?  The cream is radiaplax....he said to only use that..3x a day....it calms the burn down...hope it helps! Rosie

I've heard someone mention they had incisional zingers with rads.  I felt that today.   Anyone know about this?

TangandChris,  I am 12 in and no pain or anything from the rads themselves, just starting to look a little pinker. The only pain was due to the positioning so if you have a sore shoulder or muscles be sure to mention it. They told me to take Aleve if the positioning caused too much discomfort. Apart from the simulation it has been over very quickly so it has been fine.

Rosie. I hope that Rx cream helps with the itching and redness. 25 + 8 sounds plenty enough to deal with! I keep expecting it to get bad any time but very little so far. The pink area is mainly lower 2/3 of breast. The incision is at 10 o'clock so I suspect that will all change dramatically when they eventually do boosts when I will be on my side. 

The sheepskin seat belt cover (pack of 2) arrived from Amazon and I tried it out for the first time today. Still fiddling with it but I think its because the tee was a bit flimsy. It was actually the top of a pair of PJs. With a thicker tee I think it will help with the digging in. They also have synthetic ones for anyone that prefers that. 

They called this evening to say the machine is broken again so tomorrows session will be late. Its nice when its over and done with early in the morning but rather its late than miss a session.

I think one of the nurses must have mentioned that I was having a bit of a meltdown yesterday. I kept bursting into tears all day ( the on call at work effect)  and I mentioned that I was feeling down. Today I felt better and got a little more work done but one of them suggested a Reiki session and changed my appointment for next Thursday so I can try the reiki after. I have never had that but it sounds like it may be good. 

Also I need  to follow the lead of Sunshine, Aff and Debster and get back to exercising again. There are some great nature trails near home and I plan to start walking them again this weekend. Last year I got so lost and wandered into a housing development where I fortunately found a police officer on a motorcycle. He got me a ride back to the parking lot in a cruiser, very embarrasing!!