Winter rads 2014-2015

I go for radiation at Josephine Ford Cancer Center downriver. My oncologist is in Dearborn my surgeon is in West Bloomfield, and plastic surgeon is in Novi. So far all 4 places have been awesome. LOVE my doctors and staff. I'm 20 minutes from the Ohio border. So a couple hours from Grand Rapids.

CAS4 - You are just hysterical!!!!  You made my night!!  But I don't understand the scotch tape, sharpie artwork portion of your treatment.  I go in lay down and my techs dot my tattoos with a sharpie and 7 minutes later they help me up off the table, wipe off my four little dots and I go back to work. 

Today, when I was waiting, a nice lady who was just coming out with what looked like her daughter, leaned over and gave me a hug and said "God bless you and your journey you have been through".  I was so stunned, after she left I asked the tech standing there what just happened?

Perfectlyimperfect, I do the same thing.  I put on a sleeveless t-shirt, then my bra and then my work clothes.  Sometimes it gets a little hot having on an extra shirt, but at my age my fan is my best friend and the further I get into radiation, the bigger the fan I may need. 

justjean, it depends on where they need to target. You might not need to hold your breath. If you, do the amt of time you hold your breath just makes it go quicker or slower. If you can only hold it for say ten seconds then it will just take a little longer. It will still go quick. I hold my breath for an average 20 seconds which means it takes two times for twenty sec each on the right and two on the left. There have been a couple times where I couldn't last 20 and it took 3 times. I've never been in there for more than five or six mins except for the first treatment.

Hope50 you and I are even on the number of rads and today it feels like I have a slight sunburn, and there's a bit of itchiness. I do have a lot of tenderness on the outside of my breast and man is my nipple getting sensitive.

So far I've not had them use markers on me or a wet towel. It definitely varies depending on where your being treated.

Hi Poppyk welcome to the winter group! The ct is the tool they use to make sure they know exactly where they need to target your radiation. They should do it during your simulation . As for the holidays in oregon we won't do treatment on turkey day but we will do it the day before and the day after. I might not be getting my yearly 50% off socks, sheets, and towels on Black Friday. Lol not sure I would have the energy to shop anyway.

This is an awesome group and you will fit right in

This is our list of Winter Warriors as of November 25 - I'll do my best to keep it current. Let me know if it needs a change.

ILCMom - December 15

HockeyCat - December

Minnielee - December

SandyLovesLucy - December 1

Nomatterwhat - November 17

Hope50 - November 5

Linzer – December 16

Mmtagirl - November 3

CoyoteNV - November 10

Shuf - unknown

surrrrana99 - December

MarisaG - December

Beachbaby65 - November 11

Perfectlyimperfect39 - November 23

Pita119 - December 1

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 - December 22

bjeaneg - ?

Windgirl - January ?

Birdgirl11 - November 23

Rosa54 - November 13

dennyvol - November 5

PoppyK - December ?

Lorrilynne - November 18

Poppy, Welcome to your new home.  When you go for your sim and tattoos, a tip -- take a Xanax.  I didn't and laid there, not being able to move, with my arms above my head in a criss-cross position on a hard as cement table for about an hour.  By the time I was done, the tech had to help me move my arms and get help to get me up off that table.  Also, wear an old shirt and bra, so the sharpie roadmaps don't ruin your clothes.  With the holidays coming up, I would have been free this weekend, but the machine broke down last Friday, so I get to go in this Friday to make up for that day.  As far as Xmas, we haven't discussed that yet. 

CoyoteNV, interesting that the skin doesn't have to be exposed for the radiation to be effective.  I am laying there totally exposed from the waist up.  it really doesn't bother me anymore, I have nothing left to see.  Thanks for keeping the list updated. 

Thanks, Birdgirl. I sure hope it's that way for me too because between all the side effects and the impact on my life and everything else about this crappy stuff, the thought of having to hold my breath makes me want to hyperventilate. I cannot hold my breath long - they'll be cancelling the next appointment because I'll take up so much time!

My MO called last night, late. My PET scan shows scattered lesions on my bones. One more thing to worry about - is it the arthritis or is it bone mets? And I am really close to trying for a disability pension if I qualify.

Hi all,

Went for my port film appt today & it's official, I start my treatments on 12/1 and will finish 12/29. I was really surprised...when I had the SIM appt, they gave me 3 tattoos. Today, I got 7 more tattoos and these hurt. But, when RO checked the films and checked the markings the girl did, I guess he felt it was necessary for more tattoos. Anyway, I just can't wait to get this over with. The timing of this stinks with the holidays coming up. My daughter & her family will be coming home for Christmas and I can't wait to see them especially my 2 year old granddaughter. They moved to Illinois 15 months ago and I miss them terribly.

Well had third treatment today and I'm already getting red. I look at my tissue expander breast and just hope it's going to look and feel some what normal when this is all done. Right now it feels like a rock and is red so I guess I have a lava rock boob. Lol I don't think I can wear a bra if it keeps getting red. I'm thinking about getting this breast lift tape just to lift my other side so I don't need a bra. Has anyone heard of this or used it.

Just found out that I'm officially starting on 12/16. 20 hypofractionated treatments, whole breast only. Let the games begin

Perfectly...  I hate to raise the possibility, but... is there any chance of expander infection?  Are you running a fever?  Is your breast area hot, tender or swollen?  Stay on top of this.

I finished #13 today, and there is no skin discoloration at all yet.  I have implants at this point; the expanders are gone.

Perfectly, I have had expanders since January. I was not red underneath before starting rads. However, I finished #19 today and I am bright red underneath and have some red dots to complement the pink above and up to my collarbone. The nurse and doctor are both saying it is due to treatment. It was first noticed during my treatment on Sunday and has gotten progressively worse. Some itching and minor discomfort. I was told to make sure I am using the cream they gave me when I started and the hydrocortisone cream I was given last week. I didn't. Optics anything but a bit of pink after #4.

Just jean, I am not seeing a PT but have not had range of motion issues. I am back to doing regular exercise, albeit, not quite at the strength before BC just yet.

Perfectly, I'm sorry you are having a tough time and hope things will resolve soon.

Just jean, sending prayers and good thoughts your way. Hope you get good news soon.

I'm glad to see so many getting through rads pretty well. I'm still scheduled to start next Monday, 12/1 but have to see the RO first to get the okay if the problem with my breast hasn't resolved by then. It is still swollen and painful with cellulitis/seroma and I'm continuing on antibiotic medication. I'm hoping for no delay because I'm so ready to get this part of the program going! I had a good visit with. MO this week and found out my echo was okay so I'll be good to continue Herceptin. Lots to be grateful for.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving surrounded by friends, family and fun.

Hugs, Sandy

I hit the halfway point yesterday, and so far, the only side effect is some fatigue. I've got mostly morning appointments the rest of the way, and go into work afterwards. I think there might be a point next week where I just come home. Yesterday I considered leaving an hour early but talked myself out of it. I find the most irritating thing is being shifted around in the set up. When they try to shift my body a little to the left or right, I think their method shifts the bones but leaves the skin where it was because they use the sheet to roll me. My skin doesn't move on it although the rest of my body might. Does that make sense?

Hi Lorrilynne, welcome to the winter rads thread. You started rads the same day that I did.

I did have shooting pains for the first few weeks after the lumpectomy, but can't say I've had them since. I do have a little tenderness in the muscle under the arm that's new, and I did have severe tenderness at the top inside of my arm after the surgery, but thankfully it's pretty much gone now. My sleep is a bit restless and I'm thinking of bringing up the vaporizer into the bedroom. I hope you can get some rest.