Summer 2015 Rads

Valentine and Midgie:  I'm going to check out the Playtex bra, too.  Even though the Fruit of the Loom is really comfortable, it could be more supportive.  The Playtex bra looks like it might fit that need.

Midgie, I'm sorry to hear you didn't get the call you were expecting.  That's so frustrating when a doctor/nurse/doctor's office/someone else needed for your medical treatment doesn't call when expected. 

Three stickers off in one day.

I've felt some of my stickers lift at the edges... but so far they have totally stayed on for weeks. Right now I only have ONE sticker. The techs seem to need fewer as time goes on!

No shaving needed here, since I had chemo and have no hair. Some is growing in, but elsewhere... and slowly.

No bloodwork. I do get bloodwork when I go for my infusion of Herceptin every 3 weeks, but nothing to do with rads -- and white counts seem OK with me so far, anyway. Once a week they take a picture (x-ray, I think), and the RO sees me for a few minutes to check to see if I'm getting any irritations or limited motion or skin tightening (nothing bad so far--not even fatigue, although I've napped a bit on a few evenings).

Just did my 16th of 35 txs today. Tomorrow things are closed for the holidays! I hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend, holiday or not.

Congratulations on that bell-ringing! Way to go. I echo others' sentiment in thanking you for starting this thread. It's been super helpful to me as I sit here with anxiety. My start date is Monday, and everyone here has helped me to see this more positively.

I start radiation summer camp on Wednesday, July 8. Thank you all for your tips!

Pboi, don't let that scare you any more than you can help. Some women DO have that reaction but it is not the usual. Your 1st session will involve lots of precise adjustments to your positioning, x-rays, etc as well as one treatment but it shouldn't be too hard. Ask them to out on music if you like; I find that helps.

Wpmoon, good luck on Wednesday and throughout.

Good luck to everyone starting tomorrow! Just remember everyone is different and everyone reacts differently so don't anticipate what will happen based on anyone else.

Here to smooth sailing for everyone!

Hello sisters!

I have an appointment with my RO on Tuesday and expect to start my radiation treatment the following Monday. All the tips have been very helpful and I have stocked up on Aloe Vera gel, Aquaphor and I have a delivery scheduled for Miaderm. Last week I went to two WalMarts and stocked up on the $1.68 camisoles. They are surprisingly nice and soft. I have them in a multitude of colors and they are washed and folded and ready to go. I wanted to have plenty on hand once treatment begins.

It looks like I will be about a week behind those starting on July 8th.

Al the tips have been so helpful. I hope we all get through with little to no skin issues. I will have 35 treatments so I am in it for the long haul.

Ok Ladies, I am off to radiation summer camp tomorrow! Bring on the s'mores!

what a first day in rads. I had a dbl mastectomy and have t.e. Evidently my left te was in the radiation field when they came at my right breast from the left. So they taped my left boob down as far as it would go and it didn't work so they took out the heavy duty tape. They had to do two trial runs and finally worked. Got a call later from the office to delay my appt tomorrow because they are changing my treatment plan and needed approval from physics Dept for the new plan. I feel so much better about this as last thing I want is to be taped down ea day with a different rad tech doing it. It was actually very uncomfortable besides. I told them it didn't seem very scientific to use tape to prevent my keft breast from getting radiation too. I also asked about my risk for reoccurrence and I'm at 20% for potential reoccurrence. Don't like it that high especially after going thru all the surgeries, chemo, rads and then tamoxifen

jeez Live deliciously, what a day. Yes, I agree tape doesn't seem so kosher. They asked if I wanted my jaw taped or just hold it up, but "don't put head your head down since we may get your jawbone when we do the supraclavicular rads". Uh, yes, please tape it up then! Glad you're getting a new plan.

I'm halfway today. 13 /25. Skin holding up okay, but fatigue kicking in pretty hard. Stayed in bed most of the weekend, did walk to rads today, but only made it about halfway back before I rewared myself with a wood fired pizza.

LD, very glad on the new plan. Good luck Midgie. I have my sim tomorrow and start tx on 7/20. Went looking for those Walmart cheap cammies and the woman looked at me like I was from outer space. They must be a regional thing in the stores. I found them on line but just 1 or 2 colors. I splurged and got $3.00 tank tops. ;0)

thanks everyone for the comments. I forgot to mention that the room was really cold yesterday. They gave me a blanket one of those fleece ones with the tied edges. Said the girl scouts made it for cancer patients. They will keep it there for me to use every day and then give it to me at the end of rads. Also I have a male tech. Kinda surprised me but his name is Ryan which is same as my sons name. I really like him so I won't say anything about changing to a female. At this point I'm still not fully reconstructed so my modesty left several months ago.

Live-del - Sorry your first day was complicated. As if the whole thing isn't traumatic enough. Hope everything is sorted quickly.

Metta- Congrats on finishing! This whole thing is scary, but your words give me courage.

I had my sim yesterday. I thought I'd get nuked as well, but they saved that for today, so I guess this is it. The whole thing is so intimidating, but a tad less scary now that I've seen the equipment, etc. The techs are super efficient and extremely nice, which helps. But omg, I can't believe I'll actually be going through this. Day after day after day. I spent the weekend carb-loading and having a couple of drinks (I'm not a drinker!), I guess whatever helps get through that anxiety, huh. I also see how much everyone here has gone through, so much more than I've had to deal with, so I really need to quit whining and find strength in everyone's words. It feels like I have the cancer channel on here, all cancer, all the time. Trying to watch entertaining movies and such. Anyone have a recommendation for that?

Thanks. I've never seen that one, so it's on my list:)