Spring 2015 Radiation Sisters

Daisy - You sound an awful lot like me and we have the same cancer! I see the radiation oncologist again on Friday and expect that I will have simulation next week if I decide to do radiation. I am on the fence as my pathology after surgery came back no evidence of cancer. Can you tell me what convinced you to do the radiation? I am really having a hard time deciding this!

Denise, I agree with Daisy. From what I understand, rads decrease the possibility of local reoccurance by half. Even when tests show no cancer, there is a possibility of one or two cells not showing up and that's all it takes. Your decision. Ask questions, insist on clear answers that you can understand. That one of the doctors jobs. Love, Jean

I had a bolus every other day. It draws the radiation closer to the skin's surface, from what I understood. I'm sorry they surprised you. I hate surprises when it comes to medical things.

hi everyone. I had my first radiation today it went very well took a total of about 35 minutes including xrays first and then the radiation. They are putting a bolus on me and everything so far is so good. My doctor will meet with me every Tuesday to check on my status which i think is wonderful. Best to all.

I saw my RO today. One of my wounds that keeps ripping and bleeding before treatment is getting pretty damaged. They are worried about scarring. She measured and found that this particular spot is no longer in the treatment field. So I am aloud to have cream on it even during treatment so that things don't stick to it and tear it anymore.

I found out why my boosts are different. It was mostly for the reasons I was thinking. My tumor bed is very deep and close to my heart. They had to use photon radiation instead of the standard electron. The photon method can reach it better. They had to do two side angles because of the tumor's proximity to my heart. I never felt in danger but I feel better now that I understand why they chose a different approach. The RO said that only around 25-30% are treated like mine. That explains why I haven't met anyone to compare to yet.

I felt so loved today. One of my friends at my clinic, who finished last week, scheduled her one week follow-up so that she would be able to see me and she wants to take me to lunch next week. Then later, another gal came to find me where I was having my Herceptin infusion today after rads. She was concerned for me and came to give me a hug.

I hope everyone is doing well and feeling loved and supported. Have a great night. (two more days!) Love, Sara

mhenz--Yay for one week down! I'm sorry you are already hurting. I hurt right from the start. It didn't escalate too drastically until my last week. My RO told me the discomfort I was having in the first week was the capillaries dilating or something like that. She said it would subside or go away. She was wrong in my case, but it must be true for some or most women or she wouldn't have told me that. Maybe it will get better for you? I hope so. Hang in there deary.

Jean, that brought a smile to my face.

Last boost for me today!

Ok just the old gal braggin' here. My chemo docs nurse called and said that my last echocardiogram had to be repeated since my heart function had dropped slightly. I haven't been exercising at all since Thanksgiving except for Taichi. So I dug out my dusty Zumba tapes and did 1/2 hour of Zumba and then my Taichi. No more JeanSlug! Hoping to build up my heart strength before the repeat cardio on April 21st. The last thing I want is to be taken off herceptin / perjeta. Hope you gals keep smiling. According to scripture, "A merry heart does good like medicine." Love, Jean

Hello! I start radiation tomorrow, had my dry run this morning. I will be using a bolus which I actually quite enjoyed while they made it a couple of weeks ago because the material was warm and the room was so cold. I have my Miaderm cream as recommended by my RO, my alcohol-free aloe gel (we live in the South and outdoors a lot so we always have some, my husband used to use it to style his hair too when it was short) and will run out today and buy some natural deoderant.

I was planning on going tomorrow to get fitted for a prosthesis (I had a right MX), this is something that got put off last week because of work. I am expecting my skin to get irritated at some point. However, in case it does and it lasts after my final treatment, I think this is my opportunity to do this since there is just a little time between when I finish rads and when I have to leave for 3 months to work out of state. If the skin is still healing after rads, I'm not going to want to try anything on, but I'll need something to get me through the summer and fall until we try reconstruction again. (Tried at the initial surgery but got infected and TE came out.)

Thanks for all your helpful hints and sharing your experiences. I'm actually looking forward to starting so I can be done!

Congratulations on your final treatment Cassie. Had my 13th treatment today. A little over a third of the way through! No skin changes yet.

Done, done, done!

Mombie, good luck to you as you finish up tomorrow. I will continue checking in on this thread.

Hi everyone. Hope you are all moving forward with your treatments. As i walked in today i had a big smile on my face. I said 24 more hours (it was 8:30 am). One of the nurses looked at me and said yes, tomorrow is your last day. YAY I felt so happy just to know she understood what i meant. Really made me feel treated as an individual- They have so many patients i didn't think any of them would know what i meant without looking at my chart or having me in the room.. Now that all my treatments are done with. I can actually say i have what looks like a bad sunburn. Once i started my boost, the rest of my breast started to feel better. My treated breast has gotten a bit smaller and since i am very fair skin my nipple has gone from pink to dark and a bit wrinkle. I am hoping all this gets better as i heal. The ugly monster that tried to invade my breast is gone so nothing else really matters. I can feel that finish line. Ladies we are all different and some will have more side effects then others but one thing for you -----you can do it.

Kathy and Cassie -- Congratulations ty for all your good tips to all those of who follow.

Mombie - You really had a hard time but you got there, Thank for your beautiful verse. We are all truly sisters in this disease. Tomorrow is our day.

Jean- I did the same thing like you. Took off the bra. One you get to the boost you will probably start to feel better. Thank you so much for being here with us and your encouragements.

All those behind us remember there is a Finish line and you too will make it there. Ask all the questions you need to because here, you will always get an answer. This is family.

Daisy ty so much for making this thread for us to vent and venting with us. Hugs and love to all

This is a great week! Congratulations to everyone that is finishing up rads this week!

I'm DONE!!! WHEEE!!!!