Summer 2015 Rads

so I had my second sim today? Or planning session, dry run, whatever you call it. I start tomorrow. The tape they put on my chin to keep my head up stunk so badly, I felt sick, I asked them to change it. It was okay at first, but then kept going on so long, and the machine got closer and closer for X-rays, and was actually pushing into my arm at one point. I felt like it was going to crush me. Then they came on and took flash photos. What an awful day. I starting crying on the table, and then I just felt so embarrassed. Haven't I already done the hard stuff? I thought this was the easy stuff. Maybe it's because I had my ovarian supression shot four days ago, and started my Femara last night, but frankly, I've felt fine so far. Then everyone in the waiting room could tell I was crying and was staring. It's like, you guys have Cancer too. Then I was changing and someone in the next changing room says "are you okay?" I weakly said yes. It's kind, but I didn't want to cry to a stranger. Everybody seems like it's no big deal. To me it seems so much more abstract than chemo or surgery. It's this giant mysterious machine, and a giant lead vault door. I wouldn't know if I was getting 100 times or 1/100 of what I'm supposed to be getting. What do ROs do anyway? Plug some measurements into a computer? It's hard for me to get my arms around, and maybe that's why it's so much scarier. I'm also not happy about getting my supraclavicular nodes irradiated. Too close to my head. At least I walked there and back, and had a good cry on the way back. How did you guys do it? Did it just not bother you all?

Everyone reacts differently... and at different times. I'm only just beginning-- doing my 3rd or 4th treatment... so I haven't had much time to think about it. I think it's not as big a deal to me right now because I haven't had any bad effects so early in the treatments, and because so far it's better than chemo! I bet if I started having effects, I'd be very, very unhappy.

I'm also never sitting in a waiting room. I arrive, walk right back where the main tech guy welcomes me and asks the whole birthdate/address questions they need to do every time... and his assistant cheerily greets me. I go into the changing room and lock my purse in a locker. I go into the room where I lie down and they cover me with a blanket and shift me around a bit. My arm is out of the gown, but they mostly leave me covered, only checking the main two stickers on either side of my body. Then maybe five minutes of lying there with music playing and machine noises humming... and they come in and help me sit up. They are both very cheery and friendly. The nurse at the desk says hi and good-by. The other person at the desk validates my parking and wishes me a good day. And that's it.

I think there's only the one radiation machine thing, so only one patient is there at a time... I haven't seen anyone else, anyway, although there was a man in the waiting room talking to the office person when I left this time...

It's kind of eerie, actually, not seeing anyone else!

I never had any tape on my head at any time! That doesn't sound pleasant. The sim was no fun, though... My elbows did feel like they'd hit the sides of the tube-scanner-thing. And they put a ton of marks and stickers on me, plus the tattoos. UGH. One sticker was right at my neck! I was wearing a scarf for weeks because of it. Thank goodness they let me take that one off once they started the regular treatments! That made me happier, too. The first treatment took longer, but they didn't tell me it was a particular kind of thing. Second treatment took less time. Third was less than 10 minutes and they said it will be like that from now on... That made me happy, too.

Anyway... I have plenty of time to think differently (over 30 more times!). Right now this is still new and I'm just relieved not to be having any side-effects yet...!

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I hadn't heard either way about swimming... They didn't tell me NOT to do that, anyway...

I agree with Darumama. Ask lots of questions. You should be meeting with your RO every week, so take that opportunity to ask questions.

I think for me the staff helps a lot. They are all personable and talk to me and we laugh about things. But I'm the kind of person who can roll with this type of thing pretty easily on a day to day basis. Every once in a while it gets to me, but in general I just let it roll. I know that if there were things bothering me about the treatment, they would make changes to make me more comfortable. The nurse and RO ask me regularly about my throat, but they are letting me drive what I need.

Also, like someone said, it's what I need to do to do all I can to make sure this doesn't come back. I was ANGRY when I found out I had to have rads. My MO and I were working on the assumption that chemo and surgery would be it. BUT, I didn't have a complete response to chemo. I promised my kids I would do whatever was needed to beat this, so here I am.

I have assumed I couldn't swim because all of my marks are under stickers. I don't have any tattoos. I can deal with not swimming for a few more days

Someone asked about TEs. I have TEs, but they only have about 300cc in them. I could not get expanded on my cancer side pre-rads because I wasn't healing and was at a high risk of splitting. I am looking forward to having them removed in a few months.

I didn't have a complete response from chemo, either. I also had a grade 3 cancer and HER2+ and a LX, so I was getting rads anyway... and I think I was getting rads even if I had an MX... That was the idea I got from my initial DX and talking with all the doctors, anyway. If the rads help my chances of getting all the cancer, I'm for it... At least, I can say that now, since I'm still at the beginning of the treatment! I might feel differently if I start getting serious SEs!

Frefluterb -- I hope the cream and the break helps.

I've been told that the area being irradiated needs to be covered to completely block sun. Not the whole chest.

I had my first treatment today. A little anticlimactic, I thought! I don't really know what I expected but the experience felt just like getting an x-ray. My treatment ladies were really nice. And I found out I do only have to do 20 total treatments (15 whole breast, 5 boosts), which is a relief.

They told me not to worry about putting anything on it until I start to have skin symptoms. I think I'm going to do coconut oil for now anyway, though.

Hi Everyone... I just joined a few minutes ago since being diagnosed in April. I had my 6th round of radiation today with 27 more to go. I've been feeling very positive and optimistic about things, but for some reason today I feel a little "alone", which is what prompted me to join. It's nice to have a place to go to touch base with people who are also going through this.

Hi Sista!

We echo that sentiment -- here at Breastcancer.org, you're never alone! Our Community is an incredible source of support, advice, knowledge, and strength. We're all here for you!

We're glad you found us. Welcome, and continue to let us know how you're doing with your rads treatment.

-The Mods

Has anyone else had an itchy bumpy red rash develop during radiation? Mine started along the middle of my chest (along edge of where radiation is) last week. It has been getting worse so RO said no radiation tomorrow (yay for three days off!) and prescribed prescription strength corticosteroid cream. The over the counter wasn't helping at all anymore. The pharmacy didn't have the prescription strength in stock so I won't get it until tomorrow. Meanwhile it is 109 (!!!!!!) degrees outside. I am going to stay inside and drink ice water the rest of the day. I hope everyone has a great weekend and that your neck of the works is cooler than mine :-)

had my second tx today. Better techs today. No fumbling around for 20 min beforehand like yesterday. I feel a little tender, and skin peeling a bit already! I am getting 11 zaps, so maybe I'm getting a lot of radiation. It's scary, I hate it, but will get through it anyway. I have intervention overload. Hate being touched and naked, I'm over it. 23 to go. Walked there and back again, four miles. Felt good.

I was supposed to start my dailies on Monday, but the RO's office called yesterday saying that they were ready to start me early if I wanted. I was a little surprised because I thought I was starting soon after chemo as it was (I am 2 weeks pfc tomorrow). Anyway, I took them up on their offer since I have vacation plans for August and want to have a cushion of time in case there are delays /issues. It also took a long time to get my initial diagnosis and get my surgery scheduled. I feel like I finally got an express pass.

I was extremely grateful for 5 months of physical therapy. Without PT I don't know if l could have done it. Yes, I felt stiff, but it was actually my neck, not my arm or shoulder that was really bothering me by the end. I think I over did it when they said look to the left. As it happens, today was my last PT appointment so I got to report to my therapist that all our work paid off. One of my goals was being able to raise my arm for radiation.Today was one of the longer appointments and tomorrow will be too, but after that they tell me we'll fly through it.

Slathered on the aquaphor as my PS and RO advised and realized the wardrobe ramifications of using this stuff. I'm hoping I can "Shout" out the stains. It'sprobably time to go to Old Navy and buy some clothing that can be disposable when this is over.

Hang in there everyone!

Hi, I am late to the party which is unusual for me. I have two weeks to go on my radiation treatment which started May 8. Just the boost is left. I am now on a four day break because my skin is very sore. Rash on top of breast under control with prescription steroid. Very sore under breast, on inside where lumpectomy was and under my arm. I did all I was supposed to do with creams. cornstarch, etc. but still got very red, and sore. My underarm burns all the time and makes it hard to sleep. I was allergic to the first prescribed healing cream but the second, Biafine, is working well...just slowly.

Biafine is actually made in France, sold in the U.S. under prescription for $1.50/gram. i found it on eBay from France or Ireland for $0.10/gram. It is not covered by my insurance. Has anyone bought it directly from overseas?

Next up is a decision on tamoxifen....very uncertain.

Thank you everyone for sharing.

I can hear a buzz when they are giving me the bursts. I think there are 6, maybe 7, from 3 angles.

I'm so glad I only have 2 left. Under my arm is really red and I've had a couple of small blisters there. The good news is I'm still really numb there so it doest bother me much.

Good Morning Ladies,

I'm starting radiation in July and the RO ordered a mammogram and ultrasound done before we start, did anyone else have that?  I guess maybe that is standard procedure to make sure that everything is all clear.   

They just did a CT scan when they did my sim before starting rads. I wonder why they are doing it.