Summer 2015 Rads

So today was my 9th treatment! The guy who came to get me from the waiting room was like, "you are the only person who jumps up, smiles and comes straight back like you just got called onto the Price is Right". LOL!! I figure it doesn't make it any better if I mope about it and these techs are doing their job day in and day out. The least I could do is give them a smile! It is funny to me to watch how different techs align me on the platform. Some are super quick at it and are like boom, bam, here we go. Others are slower and have to fidget a little to get me "just right". But I trust them all to do their jobs. I can see on the monitor when they have me lined up because all of the lines are green not red. It's kind of like a video game. I'm getting used to it all. I find that I am not at all bothered by anything cancer related anymore. I have (when do I get to say had?) cancer. It sucks but I'm finally getting close to the end of treatment. It has been a LONG time coming. 5 months of chemo, 6ish weeks for surgery/recovery, and now radiation. I can see the light and am thankful for my treatment team! I have started exercising again and that has made a big difference too. It's exciting . . . almost like waiting for Christmas as a kid. Just a little bit longer! I'm speaking at a conference this weekend. We have a panel of breast cancer survivors discussing body image related issues. I'm excited about that too. I'm just all excited today for some reason!

Oh wow, Frefluterb, I am not a fan of your aunt. She is mean, and Sweethope is right--and she's misinformed about radiation after lumpectomy ... it is mandatory because it reduces recurrence risk. I'm so distressed for you and wish there were someone else who could give you a gentle, helpful ride every day instead of berating you. Really, I am so sorry you are being mistreated, and I hope she will start behaving like an adult.

Sweethope, I had a change of heart, too. The day after I cried during radiation, the doctor asked to see me (she had just seen me two days prior), said everyone told her I had been upset, wanted to know how to help, etc. I had about 15 questions written down, and she answered them all. I'm like you; I could not relax without more information. I didn't like being told by a technician that I'd have to have a bolus--I wanted the doctor to explain and describe it. My RO has had cancer, too, and she has lymphedema. She said, "You're right. It's scary," and we talked about how the worry doesn't really go away, even years later. Somehow I felt much better.

The cancer support center's social worker this morning was awesome. I told him what a coward I had been, sobbing like that, not able to control my fear. He said there's no shame in being scared. And being vulnerable is brave. I don't really buy it ... I don't feel brave at all; I feel terrified. But after the conversation with my RO, I do feel better, and even a little cared about. Even if these technicians don't truly care about us--and they don't, really--at least they care about doing their job well.

And KnittingPT, the Price is Right comment is hilarious. I am going to smile from now on. Thank you for posting that story!

even tho we all were diagnosed with BC. We are all different. Different diagnosis and different treatments.how many people just assume all cancers and treatments are a one type fits all because they just don't know? for your aunt to say a treatment isnt necessary may have been right for her individual case but isn't necessary an educated statement for anyone else. You Don't deserve to be bullied. listen to your body and be kind to yourself .

I will be joining this group within the next couple of weeks, too. I know I'm one of the luckier ones, in that I don't need chemo. Lucky especially since I have another significant (and rare) illness, so not sure I'd be able to tolerate it anyway. Imagine my relief at "only" needing radiation - something that has always scared the crap out of me anyway.

Reading this thread is helpful, as well as alarming. I'm learning really important information and coping skills, so I'm grateful for that. Not so thrilled about some of this, but trying not to let fear overwhelm me. I didn't know about all the markings, and rads affecting areas other than my breast, but I need to know these things! For example - do I discontinue Forteo, since it can cause osteosarcoma (although that's only happened in rats)? Will be contacting my endocrinologist this week.

Trying to maintain a sense of humor here. Dh doesn't like tattoos. I'd been threatening to get one for a while and now, apparently, this will actually happen. As I told dh - Winning! lol Ok, I have a weird sense of humor, but it helps.

My first appt. with the RO is on Friday, I guess I'll learn a whole lot more then. I do know that she recommends a white cotton bra, no underwire, and using aloe from the actual plant. And that they provide creams, etc.

I'm really, really not looking forward to a hot, humid summer, with hot flashes, and no deodorant. Ugh. (Sometimes it's easier to look at things like this, rather than obsess about cancer/treatment/side effects). I'm extremely worried about fatigue, since that is already a huge problem for me. Guess it's time to batten down the hatches... I'm glad this website and this thread are here, but I do feel like I've just boarded the crazy train:(

I know nothing is normal, but after 4 treatments the fatigue kicked in hard this week-end. Radiation has been fine, but fatigue omg!

Molly, how long did your sim take? I go in in about 3 weeks.

Thanks, Molly.

The room I'm in is pretty comfortable temperature. My treatments are pretty quick too so it's not too bad. They have nice gowns for us to wear and I just slip my one arm out right before they zap me.

Molly1976, that was about how mine went too. The treatments don't take much longer than that either. I get on the table, they line me up (some are quicker to get me in position than others) and then they do a treatment from the right side, a treatment from the left side, and a treatment from right above me. Then I'm out!

I'm on 11/33 treatments today. It is going by pretty quickly. I haven't had too much fatigue yet just some reddening/itching of my skin. I have been able to exercise every day so I'm finally losing some of the weight I gained when I ate nothing but sweets during chemo :-) I am starting to feel like myself again. I'm hoping I can keep up the exercise.

Great job knitting! Hope you keep feeling better

Hi Ladies,

I am 17 days post op from my LX and SNB And just started back to work yesterday. I am feeling pretty run down as I have a long commute, and my breast is much more achy than it was last week. I am hoping it is just the switch from resting to working that is bringing me to a standstill.

I am meeting my MO tomorrow, but my breast surgeon told me she would be shocked if i Need chemo, so I am hoping that she will and me over to the RO tomorrow so I can get on with the radiation in the next couple of weeks. I appreciate all of the information being shared.

Thanks!

-Midgie

I made my own little formula. I steeped some lavender in a bit of water. Added some fresh aloe then mixed it with the coconut oil. I know water and oil don't mix but if you shake it up the essence of the lavender and aloe gets in the oil. Lavender is calming and has a natural antiseptic quality. Aloe is healing. Coconut oil is moisturizing. It has been working well. 7/33 done.

had my sim appt yesterday. Three hours! With X-rays, CT scan, and they made a mold for me with foam. I think one of my tattoos wasn't deep enough. I cant even see it today. The center of my chest too! They'll prob have to do it again. Go back next Tues for first appt. 25 and supraclavicular too. That was a bit of a surprise during the consent process