August 2015 rads

I think it would be worth asking if you're concerned about breathing and how they're avoiding your heart and lungs.I'm sure they'd rather that you ask than worry.

Hi, I started on Aug 17th also. Today was #4 of 33. I was told to use Aquaphor Ointment (horrible sticky stuff that I cannot use due to sensitivity to lanolin), Dove or Ivory soap, aluminum-free deodorant such as Crystal (goes on wet and takes forever to dry) or Toms of Maine, and use an electric razor for the underarm. After reading some other posts, I decided to go with Jeans Cream, which I love. Days 1 and 4 were 1/2 hr in which my fingers went to sleep! The other two were about 15 mins. They had to do x-rays which took longer. As they're doing the entire left breast, it's due to getting the best position with the least collateral damage to the heart and lungs. They initially tried me in the prone position during the sim but being on my back worked better.

So far, everything is OK. The light fixtures above me are clouds and blue sky so I focus on that and try to relax. Yes, it is like an ET staring at me, moving away, and popping up again!

I was also told to wear a wireless cotton bra. Some other posts mentioned the Genie bra but it's not cotton. Anyone have any suggestions?

4 of 28 done. I get rads on my way home from work. When I get home, I lotion up, put on a soft, comfy TShirt and throw a Polar Pad over my rad area. It's very cooling and I just chill on the couch and watch the news. Someone on this site recommended it. Whoever you are, Thanks. It's perfect. I got it off Amazon.

Physically I'm doing fine. No noticeable changes. A little bit of sensitivity after rads, but that calms down after chilling with my cooling pad.

Emotionally...I had a little private meltdown at work today. I just had a dark cloud hanging overhead. It followed me to rads too.

I'm having a bone density test and blood work tomorrow in preparation of meeting with my MO next week to discuss AIs. The fun never ends.

I don't remember if it was in this thread or the Summer 15 rads thread that someone talked about the machine actually touching her. This happened with my boost today and I asked about it. The techs thanked me for asking and assured me that this doesn't matter--that they're calibrating based on the beam distance to your skin, so if I was a little less swollen today, the millimeter's difference might mean the edge of the plate would touch me, but it was not a problem.

I have my sim today. I am hoping I can see the RO briefly to get all of the questions answered that the PA could not answer last time. We'll see. I'm a bit nervous about that. I worked last night though, so other than that, I am hoping I can take a nap on the table for the hour or so I'll be there, Hoping I get a convenient time slot, and that I can start on time, which would be on Tuesday.

I had my sim today. The RO was in there for a while and answered all of my questions. He told the dosimetrist that he has spent a lot of time working out the details of my case and working out the details; much longer than most. I do know there are some complicating factors; I told him I appreciated his time. I also found out that I will be getting the bolus every day...and they will be using the bolus on the entire area. The tech's eyes got really big when he said that. My friend just finished rads a couple weeks ago and had the bolus every day on a small area. I know what that area looked like. Yikes! I need to think long term though, and I am glad he is being aggressive. My dry run is Wednesday, and I start on Thursday.

After I'm all done with treatment, I will have a big box of medical/skin care products to donate to the local women's shelter and low-income clinic!

No exfoliant on the Aveeno. I am using Aloe now..2nd treatment today and it hurts! Zapping pain on side of breast and already burning..god what's it going to be like next week when I have a full week of this and four more? UGH..

Just started my first rad yesterday today I had my second one. I am a little different than most of you as they are targeting two vertebrae C3 and T4 which they found tumors that are breast cancer. Hope I don't scare too many of you as I see you are probably all early stagers but I read your posts and those in the summer 2015 thread and I've already learned a lot of what to expect which I had forgotten from when I had initial diagnosis and rad tx.

Woods I read you live in Cancun or somewhere near. I lived in the area for 7 years in the 90's including Cozumel and my parents lived there for 30 some years until my dad passed this past February. I'm a little worried about the treatment you are receiving because here in the States you don't start seeing changes in the skin in the first two treatments and I'm wondering if they are using the right dosage. Like others have said don't hesitate to ask questions and raise concerns. Doctors in general don't like to be questioned and in the side of the world where you are they may be even more reluctant to answer questions but try nevertheless.

When I lived in Cancun I had my hysterectomy and I pretty much ordered my surgeon to do the surgery telling him I would not do hormone replacement therapy and he had to go along my wishes even if he wasn't happy. So be your own advocate is what I'm saying.

I wish everyone to have a relaxing evening and no side effects or pain.

my appointment is at 2:30 and I go back to work after, only on 2nd week out of 6 so it has not been hard so far

Thanks! I hope things continue to work out for you!

I've had 14 treatments so far. I'm fine after daily treatments and not particularly tired yet, although I fall asleep earlier and sleep better overall, but that could be due to the fact that chemo is finally out of my system and is no longer messing with my sleep.

I go after work and then go home. I debated on going before or after work. I think I made the right choice. But I like coming home, putting on my lotion, a soft shirt and then kicking back with my Polar Pad laying over my shirt.

I talked to my RO today about breathing. She said my heart and lungs are not in danger. My radiation is breast tissue only. She said it gets tricky if they have to radiate interior lymph node sites. That doesn't apply to me.

ErenTo, going to bed early and sleeping better sounds good. I've been having insomnia and not sleeping well mostly because I am still getting some pain for the lx. My seroma is shrinking but I think I am getting some discomfort from the marker device.

Meezers...Sounds like after work would be better for you too. If they're running late, at least you won't be missing work. I just have to watch my time at work and not allow them to suck me into something that will run past 3:00. And if they do, like they did to me last Friday, I just told them."I gotta go" and left. If you're an overtime worker, it might not work. I sometimes work over, but without pay. So it really works well for me. I come in an hour early to makeup for leaving at 3:00.