Spring 2015 Radiation Sisters

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DaisyQ
DaisyQ Member Posts: 123
edited May 2017 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

I thought I'd go ahead and add a new thread for radiation for Spring 2015! I have been following the Winter Rads topic to prepare for my radiation treatment. It has been very helpful.

I had my simulation (quick and uneventful) on Tuesday and will have my first of 30 rounds one week from today--March 12. I am nervous, but ready to get this step of treatment started and finished.

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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited March 2015

    Daisy, thanks . I have been hoping someone would start a spring rads group. I've been following the winter one but spring sounds so much better. Snow begone! I had sims yesterday and due to start March 16th. Love, Jean

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  • amylsp
    amylsp Member Posts: 188
    edited March 2015

    Yay, a Spring Rad Group! I also had my sim on Thursday and am scheduled to start on March 16th. Reading through the Winter Rad thread has been so, so helpful. I recommend it to everyone joining this thread.

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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited March 2015

    Hi amyl. Looks like we are on the same schedule. Love, Jean

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  • DaisyQ
    DaisyQ Member Posts: 123
    edited March 2015

    Hi!

    Are you newly sim'd ladies covered with blue lines? It is seriously impacting what I can wear. I guess I thought the lines would be more subtle. Oh well, they match my goofy TE boobs and baldish head.

    I'm off to take my DD to an out-of-town gymnastics meet. Have a great weekend!

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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited March 2015

    I came home with all kinds of kines, squares, stars etc. Looked like a walking treasure map! The teck then did tattoos and said I could wash off the marks when I got home. Hint..alcohol wipes take off magic marker easier than soap and water. Love, Jean

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  • allicat1214
    allicat1214 Member Posts: 84
    edited March 2015

    Thanks for starting this thread!

    I'll be behind y'all about a month. Met with my RO Thursday, but he and MO want to send tissue out for Oncotype testing. My MO said he would be "STUNNED" if it came back saying I needed chemo. While I'm grateful for the extra study on my tissue, I'm ready to get started with rads so I can be finished before the New Orleans hot & steamy summer really begins! AND my son is graduating from grad school May 15 in a town two hours away.

    Anyway, is there typically just one simulation appointment in between your first RO appointment and when rads actually begin??

    If that's the case, I'll likely start the week after Easter and I'll be getting close to session #30 around his graduation. My RO said he wanted to do the full standard external beam radiation with 33 sessions.

    I'll be following everyone's progress closely!! Good luck everyone!

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  • Sher1760
    Sher1760 Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2015

    Hi Ladies, I've been lurking around this site for months - ever since I started Chemo. Not sure why I haven't joined in until now but here I am!. I start radiation on Monday. I had my sims last Monday and it was pretty uneventful. Lots of blue sharpie marks but they put clear tape circles on top so it didn't stain anything. I had to lay still on the table with my right arm above my head for about 30 minutes total. I love my Rad Tech already. She's warm and bubbly and tells me everything that's going on.

    Monday I'm supposed to get three tattoos and start the radiation. My tech showed me what the tattoo will look like since she had one done on her hand for that purpose. I thought that was pretty cool of her! They told me this will be the longest appointment after sims and then it will go much faster.

    I will admit I'm pretty nervous about the skin issues. I keep telling myself I survived chemo so how hard can radiation be? But I've been reading the winter rad board and I know there's a possibility it could get pretty bad. Right now I'm staying positive. I have stocked up on what I hope are the necessary lotions (and potions) to get me through. I look forward to getting to know you all!

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  • amylsp
    amylsp Member Posts: 188
    edited March 2015
    Hi Daisy, Jean and Alli! They used a red sharpie on me. Talk about hard to hide. I'm not going to have tattoos. Just the sharpie marks covered by penny sized stickers. I have 8 in total. Hard to imagine these are going to stay on the full 7 weeks. I guess we'll see, lol.
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  • amylsp
    amylsp Member Posts: 188
    edited March 2015
    Welcome Sher1760. I feel a little panicky because I haven't stocked up on anything yet even though I've read the winter rad thread. My RO assures me that the first couple of weeks usually have minimal SE's, so I guess I still have time.
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  • CassieCat
    CassieCat Member Posts: 1,257
    edited March 2015

    HI ladies. I'm in the middle of rads and scheduled to finish April 1st, so I sort of straddle the winter/spring seasons. :)

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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited March 2015

    Hi my fellow spring rads group. Had sims starting rads March 16th. I had a bout of Anal cancer 6 yrs ago and had 6 weeks of rads to that area. It was excruciating when I used the toilet and because of the delicate area radiated. Compared to that this should be mild. Since I'm not breastfeeding these days!!!, and no mucous membranes involved I expect it will be a bit uncomfortable but relatively pain free. Surgeries-done. Chemo-done. So 2/3 of the way through. I'm even seeing some peach fuzz on top. Hope springs as we look toward spring. Love, Jean

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  • labbieb
    labbieb Member Posts: 8
    edited March 2015

    Hi all,

    I've been reading the Winter Rads thread, very informative! I started my radiation treatments last Monday, so 1 week down, 5 to go. So far I'm a little red in an area on the back, but not bad in front. I'm alternating between using MyGirls Cream (purchased on Amazon) and Sween24 (which is what the nurse gave me), and I try to put one or the other on a total of 4 times a day. I also used some Aloe Vera on the redness but realized that the bottle we have has alcohol in it plus other stuff, so I need to get a better brand.

    I got 4 tiny tattoos prior to starting and they are very unobtrusive, thankfully.

    Good luck to everyone in this cycle! :-)


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  • Sher1760
    Sher1760 Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2015

    Amylsp I'm sure you'll be fine to wait to get lotions. I'm just naturally over zealous sometimes. I always had to have my school supplies way before school started, lol.

    Jean, wow you are my hero. I can't imagine what anal cancer must have been like! I'm getting peach fuzz too. It's coming in way too gray though

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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited March 2015

    Sher, mine is white. Thinking of becoming a platinum blonde! Plenty of time for those decisions. Love, Jean

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  • cbooklvr
    cbooklvr Member Posts: 66
    edited March 2015

    Hello everyone, joining from the Winter board. I will start rads the week of 3/16, will have 28 treatments. Had my simulation already and got 4 tattoos, so was able to wash off the sharpies.

    Cherice

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  • sybilskelton
    sybilskelton Member Posts: 77
    edited March 2015

    Jean, anal cancer, yikes! I had radiation treatments 11 years ago for cervical cancer, so I am well aware of what radiation in that area does to a body. The good news is that it worked, surgery got all the cancer, I lost 20 pounds and we're both still here fighting this battle again.

    I've seen many recommendations about skin creams which I'm making note of. My RO recommended Miaderm, so that's what I figured I'd go with, we'll see how that goes. It seems that some experience more severe skin reactions than others so I assume skin type is a factor in this. Like stretch marks, some get them, some don't. The human body is a mystery.

    In my previous experience one of the most debilitating SEs was the fatigue. I'm just now starting to feel human again a month out from chemo, so I'm hoping the fatigue will be less severe this time around.

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  • JJOntario
    JJOntario Member Posts: 356
    edited March 2015

    Hi Everyone,

    My set up appointment is booked for 3/16. I'm not looking forward to any of it especially as my hospital is just over an hour away. I am also seeing a PS this week (I have had to wait forever to see him and he is the PS my BS works with). It's all been a fumble. If he can show me some great pics I am thinking about doing a mx instead as I'm getting impatient will this whole process. I also have existing implants and I'm freaked on how radiation will affect them.

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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited March 2015

    Hi ladies, I have 3 more boosts after today! So far not too bad. I lost the armpit skin but it is starting to look better this morning. It is the itch that is driving me batty. Anything that touches it makes it itch more. The Hydrocortisone cream makes it stop itching. At least it is still cold here, I can wear a light jacket over the no bra look. Not too sure how I am going to do that when Spring hits :)

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2015

    Hi all!

    For you, and all who join you throughout the season, here's some helpful info on the main Breastcancer.org site on Radiation Therapy, including info on types of radiation therapy, what to expect during the process, and how to manage side effects.

    Also, the Treatment Side Effects section is a great resource for tips to help manage any side effects you may experience.

    You may also find it helpful to read the Winter Rads 2014-2015 thread, for more tips and tricks from others who've been there!

    Hope this helps!

    --Your Mods

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  • CassieCat
    CassieCat Member Posts: 1,257
    edited March 2015

    I've had 18 treatments so far, and my skin is holding up, but my tech and RO warned me today that pretty soon the skin will probably start breaking down, and that blistering is also a possibility. I appreciate their candor. I'm grateful for each day that is tolerable at this point! I use hydrocortisone for the itchiness, cold compresses, aloe, calendula and aquaphor - not all at once, but in rotation, depending on what sounds most soothing at that time. I have 10 more to go, and then 7 boosts.

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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited March 2015

    I was scripted for 28 and 5 boosts, I have 3 to go. The skin in my armpit has all peeled, it is very dark red and tender. My side is very sore, and my shoulder is as well. My chest is very splotchy, dark red, and is swelling. My mastectomy scar is turning red and puckering. Very tender. I use aloe, hydrocortisone, and aquaphor. The area is covered in a red bumpy itchy rash. Three more......

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  • amylsp
    amylsp Member Posts: 188
    edited March 2015

    Cassie and Beachbum, thanks so much for sharing your experiences further along in treatment. I have my 'Dry Run' tomorrow and start Radiation on Monday. I'm definitely nervous, but I figure if I can get through Chemo, I can get through radiation as well!

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited March 2015

    Have any of you had issues with your seat belts rubbing tender areas? If so, any suggestions for dealing with this?

    Mine is left sided and I WILL be driving quite a ways to/from radiation, so I could see this becoming a concern.

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  • NurseShark
    NurseShark Member Posts: 176
    edited March 2015

    booked for initial RO appointment 3/23. I see plastic surgeon tomorrow hopefully be ready to start radiation early April. I


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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited March 2015

    Hope, I am also left side with a long hour and a half drive. Would really like to hear tips on how to handle this. Love, Jean

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited March 2015

    Jean, maybe your RO's office will have some suggestions?

    I've considered not using the shoulder harness across my front (just placing it across my lap) but I'm pretty sure that's not legal here.

    I hope you're recovering o.k. from your ALND.

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  • mhenz
    mhenz Member Posts: 19
    edited March 2015

    Thanks for spring 2015! Today I go for my markings and scans. I cancelled last week. This radiation thing is hard for me to wrap my head around. Not worried about the pain or inconvenience of it all. Just terrified over the long term consequences. I know I will never be comfortable with this decision, but we fight the fight that a is in front of us..so here I go.. I love gaining perspective from you wonderful ladies.

    My 14 yr old daughter said radiation scared her and I said me too. ( without thought) She immediately says " Don't say that if your scared that really makes me scared. Your never scared." Lol. I forgot mom's were superhuman. What a balancing act . Looking forward to sharing on here at least. Good Luck everyone.

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  • Sher1760
    Sher1760 Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2015

    Hopeful, my Nurse Navigator gave me a little pillow with velcro to attach to my seatbelt strap which helped a lot. I think it might be fairly easy to make if they don't have them at your center. Or just a soft pillow that you can put inbetween you and the seatbelt should help releive the pressure and rubbing.

    mhenz, it is scary to think about the long-term effects but radiation is helping kick the cancer cells so we don't have to go through this again. Good luck to you!

    i just had my 4th radiation treatment. I amazes me how fast the treatment is now. 20 minutes including changing - if I'm quick :-). I'm very fortunate that I work across the street from the Cancer Center so I can get it done on my lunch hour or before work.

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  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited March 2015

    My ALND surgery is healing well. Just a few shooting stings and a sunburn feeling on the inside of my arm. Surgeon said it's nerve damage that will resolve in a few months. I am due to start 6 weeks of rads on Monday. It will involve almost 3 hrs of daily driving. I am grateful spring is here and the snow is melting quickly. The drive is mostly down a country road over some pretty mountains. I'm almost looking forward to getting outdoors every day in this beautiful time of year. Ladies, please try not to fret over the side effects of rads. They have come so far in avoiding damage to nearby organs that the risk is really minimal. That's what sims are for. We are warriors and we will get through these treatments together. Love, Jean

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited March 2015


    Hi all!

    I just started rads on Monday, March 9. It's going OK, though I feel a little sore afterwards. Like many of you, I had ALND with my lumpectomy and my armpit is still a bit sensitive. The rads technicians position me a bit awkwardly, though thankfully I don't have to stay in that position for very long. So far, I've noticed no visible damage to my skin.

    Jean, that's a lot of driving for rads! My "Cancer Management" center is about 10-15 minutes away, though yesterday I got hit with every red light and a train on the way, so I was five minutes late.

    Hopeful, I got a pad for my seatbelt strap from MO, thanks to the manufacturers of Neulasta. It's handy because my port is on the left side and the strap can irritate it. It's also so nice to be reminded of chemo every time I drive! 

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