Winter 2015-16 RADS

I had my 12th of 16 today. I super fair too. I can just barely see a blush to the upper area of my treatment. My RO prescribed Mometisone cream to start using from the first day. It's a corticosteroid. My nipple is starting to become a little tender as well. I'm small breasted, like a n A/B cup, I'm wondering if small breasted women might have it easier. Tomorrow the doc and techs will do a planning session for my boost which will be 5 more treatments after the whole breast is done. My center is closed on New Year's Day so I will end up having two three day weekends off in a row. I hope this doesn't make my treatments less effective. My RO couldn't give me an answer for that one.

sos1125, I did not get a mammogram after surgery or before radiation, just a ct scan and x-rays. That would just be cruel!

Thr yet, you need at least a month or more off to heal from surgery before starting radiation. I don't know where you live, but ask your RO if you can stretch the time out until you start rads toMarch or so when the weather starts getting better. 50 miles each way is tough!

I just started radiation therapy this week. The plan is to have 16 treatments. Reading all the posts has been very helpful to me. I will check in as often as possible.

shopgal2, glad to hear we're rads buddies!!!! To everyone out here, I'm so thankful for you all.

Warrior On!

Hi everyone. Got a good night's sleep, so I'm feeling much better. When I got to clinic today, the "table" was broken and they had to delay treatment until they got an engineer. It seemed like computers were down and they had to call IT. Luckily it was OK and I had treatment 6 of 16 and some will be to lumpectomy area only.

I'm working from home today, thank goodness.

Are you guys having any fatigue issues? I'm already tired after work and I seem to be more tired everyday. I may ask RO if I can work from home for the last few days and send that in to my HR for my FMLA leave. My boss has been great to work with on this. I'm very grateful.

My Dream: I would love a vacation someplace warm after treatment. Reality: I hope to get at least a weekend out of town in the Spring.

sos - I had CT scan before rads too.

jerseygirl - welcome to the group. There's lots of support here.

Thr-Yet - Welcome, I'm also fair skinned and am having some pinkness. I'd like to wake up from that dream too. Thinking of it as healing energy working on my body.

Suz-Q - I had redness from Aquaphor that I used before rads. I'm now using an anti-inflammatory cream and RO says I don't need another. My breast is pink and a little tender. I position a pillow under it for sleeping.

ctgal48 - I find a lot of comfort and support here.

StefLove - hope that cream helps you. I had to take 1 week off rads with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory cream.

Sadly, my RO and nurse were not very clear on skin care instructions before and during treatment. It was like a big mystery and nurse would only talk to me after 1st day of rads. I'm like a girl scout and want to be prepared, not rush out to get something. Now, I'm scared to use anything else since I had a reaction to the Aquaphor. I do agree that it's a case by case basis, depending on skin sensitivity.

Mary - thanks so much for being the moderator and for your warm welcomes and kind words.

I do wish everyone a happier and healthier 2016.

Linda

MDoc- Yay for last treatment but boo for the side effects. Think the cumulative effects start to hit hard near the end...but, near the end of chemo you are so rest, rest ad more rest whenever possible. Thinnking of you!

I'm happy to report I finished my 16 session radiation treatment last Monday (12/21). My skin fared much better than I expected and I feel pretty fortunate. I do have a rash that broke out on my chest that is itchy at times, but it could be much worse. I'm wondering if anyone has found lumps just under the nipple post radiation? I have one that I found yesterday that is making me nervous

Had my simulation done for my upcoming boost this morning! A CT scan and one more tattoo. After my radiation treatment the tech said "we will go next-door for the CT scan." I had not even remembered being in that room for my set up the first time around. I could've sworn it all took place in the same room where the radiation was done. I must have been really losing it. Once I got into the room and got under the CT scan I remembered the little sticker that was on the machine. It was little cartoon sticker that was starting to wear off. The first time I had radiation one week after the sim, I thought to myself "where's that little sticker that I saw when I was here before." Well Duh! The sticker was on the CT machine in the other room, and not the linear excellerator! Thank goodness for Celexa my antidepressant. I'm feeling great, thinking clearly, and positive for the first time in months!

My boost area is about a three inch circle over my scar/ tumor bed. They will be using 6 MeV electrons. Electrons only go so deep before they stop. The use of photons or electrons depends on your anatomy and the location of your tumor. It also depends on how deep your tumor bed is.

I'm still barely pink. The only irritation is my nipple. After I take my bra off I can't stand it rubbing on my nightgown. Hoping the effects won't get much more worse before the end.

My RO said I may start experiencing fatigue next week. I've been working out 30-50 minutes a day stretching, using weights, and doing cardio since I've been off of work for the holidays. I usually only workout 3-4 times a week. I hoping exercise will mitigate some of the fatigue problems. I go back to work on Monday and really worried about fatigue hitting me. Both of the RO's I talked with were happy to hear that I exercise. They said it may help. I'm hoping it will!

I'm not a super workout kind of person, however I have been exercising regularly for the past 3 years to stay fit. After I went through menopause I noticed a few extra pounds and I noticed my physical strength had really decreased, so I started working out on a consistent basis.

If you need a laugh, my daughter and I went to see Sisters(Tina Fey, Amy Poehler) at the movies this week. I thought I'd bust a gut I laughed so hard. I started thinking about one of the scenes during treatment and had to stop myself thinking about it. I was afraid that I would move too much from stifling a laugh. Be warned the F word is used frequently throughout

Evening, I have been reading all your posts and hope you will let me join your team. I had my CT today, it was not to bad, I was scared but the tech was so good and explained every step. Got 3 tattoos, I must say that was like a nasty bee sting. I should start my treatments next week. 25 with 8 boosts. I am so glad to finally get started, I now feel like I am doing something to fight back. I feel as if the last 2 1/2 months I have been in limbo.

Happy Healthy New Year to all. 2016 is going to be my year!!!!!

Helen

Thank you, everyone, for your kind words and hugs. I know there are so many more that are going through this process and I am blessed with my pathology results, so I should not complain at all.

Suz-Q, I may ask if radiation can wait just a few more weeks since the roads in March are "usually" more dependable. Iowa is no fun in the winter and many of you from the Midwest already know that.

Blessings on everyone that fights this fight in the new year.

ctgal48 - My RO told me the boosts are because of blood flow as I asked the same thing. He said the surgery area does not have good blood flow because of scaring and the regular dose of radiation does not work as well in that area that is why the boost with a higher power. Made sense but my mind was hearing bacon frying.

I hope to get my first treatment appointment next week, I know it may sound strange but am glad to get started. I can handle anything if I know what it is and how much, guess I need to see the goal line.

When I had my MRI they measured my cancer at .4cm so I was pleased. After surgery the pathology measured it at .9cm so then I was scared. I waited for a month for my Oncotype which came back at 18. Just over the line for chemo and my cancer was .9 cm which was just under the line. My surgeon sent me to the MO and I was so nervous for 2 weeks till that appointment, she said no chemo for you, I just cried. Although I was glad to not have to do chemo I am still nervous and hoping the radiation and hormones will keep me from hearing the "C" word in the future.

So far I can't say enough good about my surgeon and both of the oncologists that I have seen. They are so patient and caring. My husband has been my rock. My faith has kept me calm through all this. I am grateful that I do not carry the gene to pass this on to my 2 girls or my 4 grand daughters.

I can't say enough good about this site and the boards where everyone shares what their treatment is and how it is going. It has been the quiet thing I have done to keep me sane through all the waiting and not knowing. I feel so much better prepared for my treatment from reading everyone's comments, thank you all.

The past 2 months I felt like an airplane circling the runway without direction from the tower. Now I feel as though I have landed and am coming home. My mind has been numb like this is not happening to me. Every time the doctors tell me something I must have the strangest look on my face.

I work full time and plan on my treatments not interfering with my work schedule. I am hoping for early appointments so I can go in a bit late and work a bit late. My boss is the best and will work with me on it. I know I could take the time off if needed but working and keeping thing as normal as I can will help me more.

Boy now this has been a long post, sorry for rambling on. Have a great New Year's day all. I hope you all enjoy family and friends today.

Helen

Welcome to all the newbies here. Although I haven't had surgery yet and so no breast rads scheduled, I did just complete 10 treatments to T11 & ilium. Thought I would need 15, but RO decided 10 would do. He was concerned I'd have some esophagus irritation, but all went well with no SEs at all, and I'm so thankful. I'll be perusing the surgery board more for a while, but will keep up with this board, too, because I'll be back! Thanks to everyone for the awesome support and information you provide.

Mary, great news that you are finally finished with chemo!! Hope you rang that bell loud for the New Year and that you are doing well.

Here's to a happy and much healthier 2016 for us all!!

Mary, I've got my days all mixed up with the holidays not knowing what day it is! hahaha
Hope all goes well for you tomorrow! Ring that bell hard and say goodbye to 2015! I know I'm glad to see it go.

Hugs, Barbara

Helen, I understand your anxiety and I also was anxious to get started with treatment. The sooner we are done with rads, the sooner we can get our lives back.

Suz-Q, your kitty is beautiful. He is a lucky boy. This is who was stealing my blankets today, while I was being a couch potato, and binge watching Peaky Blinders on Netflix

Mary, good luck tomorrow. Ring that bell!!!

Catfurr, I haven't heard of cabbage leaves for rads, but my mom uses them for arthritis in her knees. She keeps the cabbage in the fridge, so the leaves stay cold.

Phoebe58, I love the quote you posted, and the image you painted of us at a ski resort. AND. The Jack Frosts were delicious!

Ladies, a few questions: What are the cooling towels and where can I get them? I feel like I am being cooked from the inside out. I guess we are actually being microwaved. I don't know if it's menopause kicking in or a result of the rads, but my youngest daughter caught me with my head in the freezer the other day! LOL. Also, is anyone experiencing heartburn? I don't know if this is a side effect or a coincidence. Thanks girls! Stay strong! Patty