Summer Rads 2014

coastal-'welcome to this board. I like the comic. When I heard I had to have tattoos I about freaked! But now that I had them x4 and they are mole/freckle size, no big deal! One stung a bit, but otherwise, went easy. Hope rad goes as well. 

Thanks all that shared pics. It helps to see how everyone is different. I will have to get my pre-pic now! lol Have a good day!

ps I'm going camping come hell or high water next week Wed night to Sunday to horse camp. Rad starts Tuesday, so I'll just drive in daily and return to camp.

Mari

Amelia & Mari - Thanks!

Amelia - I got chemo because of the HER2+ status. I really didn't want to but when I looked at the statistics it seemed like the best decision. Recurrence rates are so much higher for HER2+, even 20 years out, but chemo+Herceptin change that. I'm in my 40's and I don't want this thing getting me too soon.

Mari - I think part of the reason I like that cartoon is because it acknowledges just how bad*ss we all are!  good luck w/camp.

I won't be starting radiation til later in August, but I've been reading here on this summer site. Has anyone been able to find any sites that sell cute radiation hospital gowns? For a decent price? Most of them are $60 and up! My hospital has the old flimsy gowns that you have to wear two, one forwards and one backwards.

my place has these short Velcro in the front hospital tops. Not really a gown but like a big shirt. Mine is green with ladybugs on it. Very cute and stylish lol. I'll take a pic tomorrow. On the table I just have to take my L arm out,  just the L upper quadrant needs to be exposed. My R side stays covered. If someone you know sews they could probably make one 

Definitely bad a--!!

Well I did a silly thing. The RO asked me this week if I needed any more Elta Lite. I had ordered some from Amazon and looked in the package when it arrived  so said no. I was down to the end of the tube so went to open my new one and it was the wrong cream and I had not noticed.  It was Elta sunscreen. Probably a good product that I will use in the future but totally the wrong thing. Fortunately there was enough left for tonight and i can pick up some tomorrow.  Won't make that mistake again. 

They gave me a Reiki session after rads. I had never had one before but it was free. It was a little strange but very calming. It was deep breathing, relaxation techniques and visualization.A very nice experience so I have booked another for 2 weeks time. 

I do seem to crash badly a couple of hours after rads though. I just have to go lie down but I promised the dog i would take her for a nice walk this weekend if its not too hot so I have to now LOL!

Anyway, officially past half way now  17/33 and its nearly the weekend!!

Oh I missed the comments on the hospital gowns. Don't know if I already mentioned this but a lady who I had seen a number of times asked me one morning how come I go into the changing room with no johnny and come out wearing one. I explained that there was a roll out drawer for them  in the cubicles. She said that one day she ended up in a really huge one. She had been getting them out of the main cabinet in the ladies waiting room. We solved the mystery. The big cabinet contained some that we THINK were mens. They were white with a blue spot/flower pattern! They are all  pretty ugly and open at the back but as long as I wear pants rather than a dress its OK. I just put it on with the tie at the back but don't tie it as everything is so quick and I have to take my arm out during the treatment anyway..

I don't wear a gown. I peel off my shirt in the treatment room!  

In my facility I just go to the little room put a gown on long enough to walk across the hall to the treatment room get on the table take both arms out for the treatment. I might have it on for a total of 2 min. except on Monday when I see the doctor. I do like the fact even when I am waiting on the doctor I do not have to go back into the waiting room. There is a little area we can sit in if need be but last week I went straight from treatment room to see the doctor.

Jbok you are such a rebel lol!! 

I also wore a cotton cami a few times and totally skipped the gown.  We had lockers for our stuff.  

Palo I'm in Ky too.  I had my treatment at Markey which is about an hour north of me. Who is your plastic surgeon? I'm thinking I'll have a reduction down the road and I've been looking for a good one.   Of course I'll need one that's worked with radiated skin. 

Wish we had warm blankets.....lol

omg help! They cancelled my rad today as part won't be in until weekend for repair. So adds an extra day and now next Monday is my last instead of next fri. THIS SUCKS BIG TIME! I was so ready in my head for Friday, was planning dinner out with friends etc. Friday to finish was perfect. Who can I yell at?! I cried on the phone when I called them back to say I would come at any time if it was done today...please please please. But won't be fixed until weekend. Ahhhhhh

Omg I have to settle down. It's no body's  fault but how can they do this to a patient. Have to wait the weekend and then just 1 on Monday. My daughter doesn't work on fri so she and my husband were going to come to rad and we were going to do brunch after. Now Monday sucks! This whole thing sucks!

Per suggestion (or question)of one of the girls on the lumpectomy forum asking how many machines there are at my center...there are 2), I decided to call, again and ask if I could use the other machine. I am set up on the one that needs repair. my treatment plan is all set up on that one and they said I would always be using that one. the machines are a little different and she said they usually don't do this... but they could re calibrate it for me (I'm on boosts now) but it wouldn't be ready for me until 4:00. I said OF COURSE as long as it's correct etc!! So thank god I can go back to my original mind set of next Friday! (god forbid if there is any other delay or breakdown), but at least I know I can ask, implore, demand (lol) to use the other machine no matter how long it takes to set it up. Us BC patients can't wait and watch out when we are determined. (Why didn't they give me that option initially...probably because it means more work and that someone probably has to stay later BUT I DON'T CARE!)

I wouldn't have called again, but when mripp put the bug in my head I said, hell, why not ask.

Thank god for you girls. When we are not thinking its good that someone else is, even if just a little prodding and nudge

Lisaj514_sooo glad you got this figured out and they got you switched. persistence pays off!

peterandwendy-congrats on completing summer classes! Your goal for graduating in December with a Masters is awesome!

Have a good Friday all!

Woohooo Lisa you are stylin! I'm glad you got to go!!

So glad you are back on schedule Lisa. I love the shirt!!

PeterandWendy, Congrats on completing your Summer Course from me too!!  Its good that you can have some time off now during rads. I am still trying to work but have needed a nap this week a couple of hours after finishing rads.

I want to see the Fault in Our Stars but will wait until it comes to on demand on cable which is usually pretty quick. Sounds like I will need  the Kleenex but want to see it anyway!

They have a ladies only waiting room and  lockers where I go but they don't lock so they let me leave my purse, and laptop if I am on my way to office,  on a chair in the rads room itself.  I was taking my shoes off and putting them in the locker at first but I guess they thought it was funny so now I just wear my shoes while on the table.