Winter rads 2014-2015

My first rad treatment is scheduled for 12/1...not sure yet whether it will be 20 treatments or 33 treatments. SIM wasn't bad at all. I have 3 tattoos. I go back on 11/25 where they will do xrays, check the measurements, take more pictures and do a dry run before I actually start treatment on the 1st.

Hey! I just joined and have already found some of the posts very helpful! I just finished 6 rounds of chemo  -FEC-D plus Herceptin.  I start radiation on November 19th, 2014.   So far it's been a 'gong show, thus my username!  I managed the side effects ok - it's since my last one that it has been the worst.  I had it on October 29th and promptly caught some sort of head cold/sinus thing and my eyes have been leaking ever since - it's driving me crazy.  I really hope it stops before I start the next phase of this 'adventure'.  I'm wondering if anyone heard of anything to do to prepare for RAD? 

Hi Gongshow - I'm 5 treatments into rads, and the only thing I did to prepare for my treatments was to try to find out what to expect.  I prepared questions for my RO by reading everything I could find on this website as well as others.   I looked over the entire radiation experience topics for the worst and best experiences to ask him if that would be my experience too.  I also studied information about the particular radiation equipment they use in their clinic.  I read the Fall 2014 posts from the beginning to the end.  I don't think there will be any surprises during my treatments. Every situation seems to be different depending on the individual - just like chemo - similar, but with our own special twist. 

What that did for me, was put my mind at ease and open the door to have conversations with my doctor.  

Hi everyone. I've been reading these discussions for awhile and have just joined. I have treatment #3 of 20 tomorrow. I've learned so much from all of you so far and it's good to know that there are others out there going through the same (or at least very similar) experiences. All of you who have also had chemo to go through are certainly survivors. You are an inspiration to me!

CAS4,

That's a very good idea about wearing the camis to protect your clothes from sharpie staining. One of my good bras is permanently stained when I wore it after having my SIM last week. Never even gave it a thought to wear something old. And you're right about getting mega sharpie marks at MD Anderson. I go to the one here in NJ. I felt like I was in a space lab when I had my SIM last week...all the high tech equipment.

Just wanted to say hi to anyone new since I posted last.☺

Coyote: Thank you for taking the time to make a list. I officially start November 23. I'm ready to get this done. It stinks that our radiation is through the Holidays and winter months. I'm dreading having to drive in the snow five days a week. I usually hibernate in the winter. Grrr

Hi all, #11 today. Started to notice more fatigue end of last week but nothing too bad. Making myself get decent workouts which is helping. Getting pinker by the day and this afternoon I felt like I had a mild sunburn which was a bit irritated by my clothes. Otherwise, pretty much a non-event.

WOW, what a day!!!!  Had the first treatment today, after having the SIM.  It took about an hour to get all lined up, all the pictures taken and all the sharpie drawings done.  My shoulders still hurt from laying with them over my head for an hour, not to mention the headache it gave me.  Now I have a brand new bra that is ruined, thanks to the sharpie markings. Tomorrow, I will wear a sleeveless t-shirt under my bra.  

Nomatterwhat And Beachlady I'm glad you've got #1 behind you!

Mmtagirl- I did #8 today this morning and at 430 face planted into bed for 90 minutes out like a light- I mean I slept hard- much to the delight of "the girls"- our Italian pointer and standard poodle. That was unexpected!

my question is what do you do for your workouts? Bc I moved our 4 dogs here with me I walk 4 dogs 4 times a day- each walk is about a quarter of a mile- but today my I asked my RO if I can add light weights and she said yes. She says no cardio bc my lines will sweat off- I can't believe this sharpie business- got great, soft camis at target btw. My legs are so damm weak from chemo- I wear heels as much as possible as it helps strengthen my legs, aids with my posture which is suddenly crap and offsets my neuropathy for some reason- I discovered heels were more comfortable during my AC. Go figure.

KatieC so you start tomorrow? I hope your muscle spasms go away soon. I'm going to see chiro tmrw- have such bad upper spine pain its been humbling- heels help I swear, or lying down- hope he can fix it. I hear you on back/stress/pain.

Sandy.....hope you are feeling better!! Goodness!! What a scary thing!

Perfectly.....I think radiation in winter is good- just think if it was hot and sunny when you were itchy, uncomfortable and sunburned? Now that would be worse! Bald in summer worked well for me too- hats are suddenly my friends- thank a God I brought a bunch from home in Wyoming when I moved down here. You get to start R and then celebrate with turkey the same week!

I requested and was granted a meeting with the lady that runs all the R tech teams. I explained to her that I was there to advocate for the women too scared to use their own voices. My tech team stinks- they are cold, rude, just inappropriate overall as far as I'm concerned. Several other women have voiced the same dissatisfaction about their teams. I was polite of course but concise. We will see if Miss Pissy as I have named one of my techs can generate a damn smile tomorrow- I'm not giving up yet on her!

Hugs to all!!!

thanks for all of the info. It's really very reassuring to read all of the posts and know I'm not alone! CAS4: sorry to hear you've come in contact with 'pissy' people. I've been so lucky and have only had 1 bad experience. Overall, my nurses, doctors and techs have been wonderful!

Just jean: you've certainly been through a lot! Think of all you have overcome as you enter this next phase- you can do it! We are tough chicks!!

I go for my first session on Wednesday as well as herceptin in the morning! I just want to get 'er done!!

Just had my first treatment. Everything went fine. Worst part was laying with hands up over head which makes my shoulders hurt. Also got more tattoos. They say that was the worst of it as far as the treatments go. All the others will be quicker than this one. The staff was so nice which is very helpful. They really try to make it as nice an experience as possible. I feel better knowing now what the treatments will be like. Fear of the unknown is always hard for me. Hopefully, I will be finishing up between Christmas and New Year's depending on the exact number of treatments.

cas4: I guess you are right but I could sit in the air if it was summer. Lol I just don't do well with cold weather. I have had too many years of luxury deciding if I go out or not lol I agree with the bald part. I sort of enjoyed being bald. I hated wearing a wig. Today I was also thankful for not having to worry about my hair blowing in that wind. Brrrr freezing in lower Michigan today.

Hi KatieC12,

Wow, that really is a crazy schedule. They couldn't work it out to at least give you all mornings or afternoons that you wouldn't have to do all this back & forth. I should have my schedule by next week & I sure hope the times aren't all over the place although right now, I am on a leave of absence from work so it won't be that difficult for me to manage.

I've updated the Winter Warrior List. I chatted with the monitors and there is no way to pin it to the top. I will try this - I'll keep it current, periodically post it to the bottom and delete the old one.

ILCMom - December 15

HockeyCat - December

Minnielee - December

SandyLovesLucy - December 1

Nomatterwhat - November 17

Hope50 - November 5

Linzer – December 9

Mmtagirl - November 3

CoyoteNV - November 10

Shuf - unknown

surrrrana99 - December

MarisaG - December

Beachbaby65 - November 11

Perfectlyimperfect39 - November 23

Pita119 - November 13

Coloradocancermom - December

CAS4 - November 6

InGodshands - unknown

MagicalBean - October 28 ish

LMVerma - November 18

Yikes1 - November 17?

katieC12 – November 18

MeneK – October 24

Beachlady28 – November 17

Gongshow18 - November 20

eileenpg - December 1

JustJean - December 5

Lush61 - November 13

Purrrrana99 - January 5

Bippy625 - January ?

bjeaneg - ?

Windgirl - January ?

Birdgirl11 - November 23

Rosa54 - ?

dennyvol - November 5

Hi Pita119,

I just came off a 4 month leave of absence for something else this past September, in fact, I had just gone back on September 2nd, and on the 3rd I got the call from my doctor saying it's not great, but not bad, it's something called DCIS. So I don't think they'd be thrilled with me taking another few months, although I did have 4 1/2 weeks of sick time saved up. The employer is trying to take our sick days away, so I might as well use them before I lose them.

Thanks for the update CoyoteNV.