Fall 2015 Rads

Here's 8/30 (5 days post-radiation). Getting redder in some spots, as predicted, and starting to lighten up in others. The one spot under my armpit is peeling but the skin underneath is intact. Some pain on the scar and in the armpit, which is part of the area targeted by the boost. Skin's a bit itchy. Doing well.

Hi Maryellen, do you know how many treatments you will have?

KSusan, That photo cracks me up!!!!!

Yesterday was #3. I think they are doing 30. I will confirm that with RO today since Tuesdays are my day to see him. That means I'm 10% done... 13% in a few hours. Too bad the last 10-30% will be the worst! These early ones are easy! Hoping to not hear songs like "this girl is on fire" today!

Hello Ladies! I am ready to go, I start tomorrow at 11:45 on my lunch hour from work

I had a whirlwind appointment with the RO on Friday... They called and asked if I could come in that afternoon or wait until Monday, of course I said I am on my way. Then he went over everything with me. I asked about the Canadian schedule, he said he didn't want to do that because I am only 41? So I am in for the full 30 treatments. Its only 6 weeks right? We can do this! So, I went right in for my CAT scan and my jailhouse style tattoos! Holy hell did the one between the boobs hurt!!!!! I don't know what I expected, I have tattoos so I guess I thought a gun? Not getting shanked with a needle dipped in ink by some bitch. I am praying that this is my LAST needle to the boob!

The nurse gave me a tube of Aquaphor and told me to apply after treatment and before bed. And they will give me more when I run out. I thought that was nice, free lotion lol. I am still trying to read up and see what everyone else is using. Is it a definite that I am going to have skin burns? I was a little shocked at how big of an area he taped off. In my head it was just the breast.

ksusan: That pic is hilarious! Making jokes out of this is my favorite way to cope! You are beautiful!

I found the first 1/3 to go really slowly and the prospect of 30 sessions in the beginning seemed daunting. But once half was over it started to feel like the end is very close. I'm 2/3 way through and today will be 21/30, 5 more whole breast and 5 boosts left. Skin, all the way to lower neck, is pink but thankfully no itching or pain yet. I know the worst couple of weeks are yet to come, but I'm keeping fingers crossed that it won't be too bad.

I'm getting IMRT, but I'm not sure what the difference is between different radiation methods.

Kbeee, I got the same as ErenTo and you (except I have no intramammary anything anymore). So a big irregular rhombus, more or less. My field extends farther back on my side that you'd think (beyond the armpit), so be sure you moisturize as far toward your back as you can reach on the radiation side.

1 down, 29 to go! They said they were doing a couple xrays first, then they came back and said they had to tweak things and do a couple more xrays. Then a few minutes later, I was done! I just layed there with my eyes closed and I couldn't tell when they did the actual radiation.

I think the worst part of breast cancer for me is the fact that its my breast that is being exposed, touched, poked. Will I get desensitized eventually to laying in a cold room with it all hanging out? Haha, what if by the end of this I don't feel the need to wear a shirt at all? I might have to move to Canada!

ts the holding my breath part that freaks me out. What if I forget. What f I accidentally exhale?

At both of the practices that I visited for rads, the machine actually automatically turns off if your breath isn't in the right position. The only time I've messed up so far (13/30) is one time when the techs were making me laugh. I laughed, the machine turned off, and I just had to inhale again after the giggles subsided.

The laughing appointment was last week. This week I'm definitely more in touch with being angry and cranky. Unfortunately.

Thank you Queenmomcat for this thread !!

i get my tattoos on sept 10, but have last chemo on the 14th so first real radiation will be early october.

ksusan you are added to my hero list

i didnt like my rad onc, isnt that pathetic, like it matters what my opinion is of her, she seemed knowledgeable but she rubbed me the wrong way several times. must have been my cranky day , i like that one jellyshoes.

Howdy, may I join you ladies? I started rads last week, doing 33 including boosts, so done maybe first week of october? Or second?