Summer 2015 Rads

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  • Darumama
    Darumama Member Posts: 135
    edited July 2015

    LiveD - I asked my RO about recurrence and he told me the same as the MO, 10%. To be honest, I don't think any number will give me peace. Life may return to normal, but I'm always going to be looking over my shoulder-even if they told me 1%. If anything, the percentage is an incentive for me to keep up on good nutrition, exercise, making the most out of life.

    I was expecting to get a Lupron shot and start arimidex tomorrow, but lucky me, they arranged it for today instead. Hope it doesn't make me feel too wacky.

    White count down a little more today. RO says dentist should do something temporary because drilling would not be good. He said it could still be an effect of chemo (which makes me think again, maybe more time between would have been better).

    Anyway, halfway through!

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  • InStitches
    InStitches Member Posts: 80
    edited July 2015

    so I went this morning for my appt with my RO. I also had the CT scan and now have lots of markings and stickers on my chest. I don't have a start date yet but they said 7to 10 days. I know I will have to have the sim before the first treatment. Oh...and I get to have 36 treatments, not the 35 I reported before. The issue is that one of my margins is close at 1.3mm.

    I am so ready to begin this next phase of treatment.

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  • PatRN10
    PatRN10 Member Posts: 332
    edited July 2015

    I am puzzled by all the stickers and markings people have. Had my CT today and have 2 tiny pen marks and 3 pinpoint tattoos. Are all the stickers instead of tattoos. Mt tech took off all the stickers.

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

    Pat, my stickers are in lieu of the tattoos, which I refused. (I also told them I wanted female techs, which they have complied with).

    In stitches, I sympathize with you about the extension of your treatment. I was expecting 33, then it was changed to 35 - same reason as you; 1mm margin literally on the chest wall. It's so disappointing to wrap your mind around one thing and then have it changed, isn't it?

    Darumama, congrats on being half way through!

    I just got a call that the software on my treatment machine is out, so no treatment today unless they can get it fixed by this afternoon. It's one thing to have a machine malfunction but the ideal that the software can do so also is very unsettling to me. I'm also really annoyed that my finish date is yet another day later than planned. I hate this.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited July 2015

    BBC did a season of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. It's engaging but light.

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

    I'd not heard of the Gilmore Girls - will have to look that up. And the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency is a great suggestion!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited July 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 Spring 2015 Radiation Sisters thread, for more tips and tricks from others who've been there!

    Hope this helps!

    --Your Mods

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  • AndreaC
    AndreaC Member Posts: 220
    edited July 2015

    Hi all...

    I have a friend who loaned me all 7 seasons of The Gilmore Girls on DVD and it's great...light, fun, distracting. I am only halfway through season 2 though.

    Re male/female techs...believe me, they have seen everything. I am an RN so work in the health care biz - nothing fazes me anymore. But if a person feels more comfortable with one gender over another, that is their choice.

    Still waiting for my CT - July 15 - then I start rads on the 28th. It will be so great to start the next phase of treatment.

    Andrea

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  • wpmoon
    wpmoon Member Posts: 270
    edited July 2015

    Hi all, just curious - are we not supposed to swim in chlorine or salt water during radiation? I know we should slather in sunscreen and avoid the sun, but i just read this bit of news yesterday. My RO and the nurse's never mentioned this. I just want to be sure as it's summer, and I usually like to swim for exercise.

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  • molly1976
    molly1976 Member Posts: 403
    edited July 2015

    I was just reading about that on this website, Whitney. They say the chlorine is too drying. Mine hasn't said anything about it either, though.

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  • wpmoon
    wpmoon Member Posts: 270
    edited July 2015

    Hmm. I'll have to make sure to ask at my appointment tomorrow. I want to try to lose the chemo weight, and trying to avoid sweating and swimming is going to make that hard!

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited July 2015

    Mt PT told me not to swim in pools during radiation because it's too drying.

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  • pboi
    pboi Member Posts: 663
    edited July 2015

    I was told not to swim. They said chlorine was too drying on the skin. I was told to try to avoid sweating too, but not sure how to do that and still exercise? Slow walking? Now that chemo is over, was gonna try to run a little, but how without sweating?

    Had rads 2/25 today. It didn't take more than 15 minutes. Don't feel much yet, maybe a little tired, underarm feels a tiny bit tight, but so far so good. Using my aloe vera 3x/day.

    Whitney...Good luck on your 1st rads tomorrow.

    PB

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  • Frefluterb
    Frefluterb Member Posts: 18
    edited July 2015

    welcome newbies!!! Sorry your here😝

    Congratulations to the finishers!!

    I'm 25/33 done. Took 2 extra days off for the fourth, not to go anywhere but to give my skin a break😁. I think my nipple is the worst, sores under the breast and on nipple. Feels like it's going to fall of ( now I know it won't but...) I finish full breast rads on Friday then lumpectomy site next week. There is a light at the end of the tunnel! Which is all I can see to keep showing up. This has been a great place to get gratitude for myself and all of you warriors!!! Thank you

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  • molly1976
    molly1976 Member Posts: 403
    edited July 2015

    I'm still sweating but trying to wear softer clothing than I normally would to exercise. I have a couple of really old sports bras that are nice and soft and I wear them inside out because there are fewer seams on the outside.

    I have 2 whole breast treatments to go and I am a bit pink but otherwise OK. I am on the shorter hypofractionated course, though, so only have to do 15 whole breast + 5 boosts.

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  • Darumama
    Darumama Member Posts: 135
    edited July 2015

    The swimming question came up a few weeks ago too. It seems to depend on your doc. When I went to my sim they made a point of telling me that I could swim.

    My dentist is my hero today. Fixed my tooth without disturbing my gums. When I got home I swished some miracle mouthwash I had leftover from chemo, just for good measure.

    Hopeful- did the fix your machine in time for tx today?

    In the funny movies department, my family has recently enjoyed Mr. Bean's Holiday and Johnny English Reborn, both starring Rowan Atkinson. Both on Netflix.



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  • sailorbev
    sailorbev Member Posts: 75
    edited July 2015

    I need to vent----I had my 2nd sim/dry run today and learned that I will have to go for 36 treatments instead of the shortened version of 24 treatments. On top of that, my non-surgical shoulder is in excruciating pain when I have it up over my head on the table. I told the tech about it and he told me to relax my grip on the bar. That helped only a tiny bit. Now the top of my arm is numb. I think it is probably a rotator cuff problem. I am worried about it getting worse and worse through the course of treatments. Not a good day.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited July 2015

    Glad you got that tooth taken care of!

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  • Darumama
    Darumama Member Posts: 135
    edited July 2015

    Thanks ksusan!

    Sailorbev, maybe you could ask you RO for a script for some physical therapy? Also ask if taking ibuprofen before your tx might help. I'm a huge believer in PT. I've had shoulder problems in the past and PT was the only thing that really helped. Hope it gets better for you!

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  • Midgiemoon
    Midgiemoon Member Posts: 174
    edited July 2015

    I had my dry run appointment and everything went fine. I have more marks and stickers, no tattoos yet. Tomorrow is the real deal.


    The techs had reggae music on, which suited the hot steamy weather here in Maryland today.


    sailorBev, , I have been down the rotator cuff injury road. If you have an orthopedist, you may want to consider a cortisone shot, along with PT. I had to do it once before I had my surgery to fix it in 2008. It's painful when you get it, but it does help you move without pain for a few months and could help you get through rads more comfortably.

    ~Midgie


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  • movingsoccermom
    movingsoccermom Member Posts: 225
    edited July 2015

    Just 2 boosts left for me. Did well until the last couple whole breast tx when skin underneath started to peel and tear. Would recommend my fellow larger bosomed participants consider asking for Mepilex about half way through. The last few days were really painful until I got the Mepilex in place. What an incredible relief! Hang in there everyone!

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  • live_deliciously
    live_deliciously Member Posts: 346
    edited July 2015

    darumama I like your risk numbers way better than mine. I don't understand how we have such similar diagnosis and yet different risk numbers. I know we shouldn't compare but i wonder how much they really know about breast cancer. I hear of so many people having reoccurrences. On another note my appt went much better today. No tape! Was done in 20 min only because I had them show and explain to me what changed in the treatment plan

    I asked if I could swim and they told me yes as long as it didn't bother me.

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  • Darumama
    Darumama Member Posts: 135
    edited July 2015

    LiveD- I don't get the different numbers either. Your situation matches mine pretty closely. Even though doc told me 10%, your 20% is there in the back of my mind. Let's choose to believe the 10%! Plus Metta said that the radiation cuts the 20% recurrence rate for node + in half.

    Glad your tx went off better today!

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  • april25
    april25 Member Posts: 772
    edited July 2015

    The very sweet, upbeat, young female tech was off today. There was a young male instead. He was quiet and didn't come near me... the older male tech who is usually there did the shifting and checking. But it really made a difference in the atmosphere! I missed the cheery comments! And I'm only in there for around 15 minutes... With her gone, it all seemed a lot more clinical.


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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited July 2015

    I'm up in the night with itchy skin under the 24 stickers. Heading into Day 7 of sitting around all marked up and irritable, waiting for my appointment.

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  • sailorbev
    sailorbev Member Posts: 75
    edited July 2015

    Darumama and Midgiemoon---thank you for the suggestions. I think I will call and ask for a referral for PT and maybe even a cortisone shot if it doesn't get better.  

    April 25--I know what you mean about the attitude of the techs. I have been surprised by how unfriendly and non-compassionate they all seem to be. One kept telling me not to breathe and wouldn't tell me I could breathe again. 

    ksusan--sorry about the itching. How many treatments have you had?  This whole thing really sucks.  I didn't expect radiation to be a problem other than ruining my summer plans. It has already been much worse than I expected and I am only beginning. 


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  • dragonista17
    dragonista17 Member Posts: 50
    edited July 2015

    I saw that. It's a great distraction, highly recommend.

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  • Valentine99
    Valentine99 Member Posts: 75
    edited July 2015

    Congratulations Metta! Great job!

    LD, I hope they got you a new plan and get you going.

    Good luck everyone who is getting started.

    I had my 2 week checkup with the RO yesterday. She is happy with how my skin is healing so I go back in 3 months.

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  • Metta
    Metta Member Posts: 84
    edited July 2015

    Thanks, Valentine! So are you happy with how your skin is healing? I'm just wondering how long it will take to feel "normal" again. I know the scar tissue will continue to feel wonky, but when will the pain and itching subside? I guess everyone is different, but it'll take two weeks at the most. This too shall pass.

    Ksusan, so sorry you had a rough night. I am sensitive to tape, too, and I usually break out in a rash with that tagaderm stuff. Your nurse should find another kind of tape because you can't go on like this. Be a squeaky wheel.

    Wishing the best for everyone. It does help to read the Spring Rads thread. I can relate to the anticlimactic feeling that some people reported after finishing up. Next summer will be better for all of us, that's for sure!

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited July 2015

    I've had no treatments yet--these are the sim stickers that I have to have on for the 9 days between the sim and my first treatment. They are the most hypoallergenic option. They offered to putt the tattoos on in the wrong place, then recalibrate from them for every treatment, which I declined both because it would make me very anxious about whether they were recalibrating every time, and because if there's a problem later on, the radiation field won't be properlt marked. For now, Benadryl.

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