Winter 2015-16 RADS

Thanks! Glad it's not me being crazy or something bad going on. They're not often but I was hoping I'd have a little more time before side effects kicked in! So far the breast itself looks normal though.

Tshire...you're not crazy! Glad your skins is doing well.

Had my set-up appointment yesterday. They got me into the CT machine to do the initial imaging and set up my 'mold'. Based on the initial scans they said they will be doing the 'hold your breath' version during rads. The nurse used paint markers to draw various reference points on my ribs, chest, and breasts while they took the scans, then covered some of them with clear tape/stickers. She explained that they will be using these as reference markers and so I will not need tattoos. Next Tuesday (the 12th) I go back for 1/2 hour 'patient education' session with the nurses followed by a dry-run to make sure everything is set up correctly. Treatments are scheduled to start the following morning on Wednesday, Jan 13th.

I will be going M-F at 7:40 am for 5-6 weeks, and will see the RO every Monday after my treatment. That's gonna suck a little, because I am NOT a morning person by any stretch of the imagination, but I chose an early time because it will be less disruptive to simply be able to show up to work at 8:30 every day rather than call attention to myself by leaving at 3:30 for 6 weeks. (None of my coworkers know, and I don't plan on telling them.) Also, I figured I could wait to apply deodorant and lotion in the morning until after my treatment, which will be easier than having to wipe it off before treatment at the end of the day.

They gave me a prescription for RadiaPlex lotion that they want me to apply 3 x day. Based upon the recommendations in the message boards I've also already purchased a couple of tank tops, Dove Body Soap, and Tom's of Maine deodorant. I'll probably also get some Aloe Vera and other stuff next week.

Treatment 12 of 20 completed today; generally doing well with some colour changes, inflammation, minor itch & tenderness. Biggest item of late has been some rib and tissue tenderness (feels like 'bruising') all along the treated side from mid breast downwards. Had check appt with RO yesterday and discussed above with reply of 'some women do get rib pain' and recommendation to find a super compression type support bra (found 5 stops later at a big sports store) to wear 24/7. My new exercise is taking that off and on 3x/day - it's a straight jacket, and I am Harry Houdini! Fingers crossed my skin holds out with that!

Look at all theprogress in our group - cheers!! Deb

PS - mdoc24 - thanks for your encouragement re Friday's MO consult - you are a gem and I loved your pics; big congrats!

I had #1 today -- pretty quick and easy. Nice autumn trees in full leaf pic on the ceiling lights. Felt nothing. Not sure if it's my imagination but I can kind of sense the boob's dimensions after, only on the rad side...... Quiddler -- I was told if doing aloe make sure not to get the green stuff [extra chemicals in it]. Jerseygirl I have one precious tube of Miaderm brought up in the summer from a friend so plan on using that carefully to make it last.

Good healing wishes to those of you dealing with skin and bone issues.

Quiddler, I have the first appointment of the day at 7:25 and although it stinks having to go so early, I get it done before work. Also, I was told that the later in the day your appointment is, the greater the chance of delay, and I'm in and out in fifteen minutes. Good luck with everything.

Ladies, tomorrow's Thursday already. Only two more days of rads this week and then we get a two day reprieve. I, myself plan to lie on the couch with a cooling towel, or maybe I'll run around my backyard topless to cool off. Haha. I bet the neighbors would love that!

Cardinal, I feel your pain. Literally! I had a reduction done with my lumpectomy (although with the swelling, you would hardly know it), so I have to wear a sports bra 24/7, which is not so fun with rads. Hope you feel better.

Patty

From Mayoclinic. Really?

• Radiation therapy for cancer. Exposure to large doses of radiation, such as those given during radiation therapy for cancer, increases the risk of bone cancer in the future.

JustMaxismom- Love the nickname- "Linny". Funny! Great about almost having first week down!

Yes, one more day and then a reprieve. Doc gave me Silvadene yesterday as well...8 more to go- hoping I don't have to use it. Currently, using a mixture of Cortisone, Lotromin (for jock itch, haha?) and antibiotic ointment 3 times a day plus the Aquaphor. Looking firward to the weekend off

Hope everyone has a good day!

I'm using Miaderm as well. So far so good, but I can't stand the smell! I don't know why but it bugs me so much. So I trade that off with Aloe Moisturizing Gel from Trader Joe's, which I love.

Marijen, I hadn't heard of bone cancer, but I did know about the small risk of a sarcoma. Bone cancer was never mentioned, probably because in my case they're only radiating soft breast tissue. My RO explained that the <1% risk of a sarcoma was very worth it weighed against the much higher risk of a BC recurrence. Everything in this "journey" is a risk-benefit balance.

Glad someone else was recommended to use cabbage leaves. I bought a head, but haven't really felt that I needed it...yet. #11 today and just a little pink. The back of my shoulder is itchy, so maybe I'm not hitting it well enough with the cream.

It a Herceptin day and I'm really nervous about it. I've only had one other that was just Herceptin and was hospitalized that night with neutropenia. MO says Herceptin doesn't effect WBC, but mine are still pretty low at 2.4. And now I have a cold too. She says radiation can affect WBC but RO says it doesn't. Guess I just have to keep my fingers crossed since I don't know what to believe anymore.

Natejordlee, that makes sense to me. I'm 36. I think I need to just schedule the sim and get it over with--I'd rather have heart problems in my 70s than a recurrence long before then!

Octogirl...what did you find out about the area under your breast? I have same issue- they gave me silvadene in case it opens/peels over the weekend. Just wondered. Also, "cool cloth"- where do you get them? That makes more sense to me than putting the ceiling fan on high and lying under it....yep- that's what I've done last 3 days at Ro tech suggestion.

Hi ladies, this quilt hangs in the rads waiting room and I thought I would share it with you. Also there are baskets of Get Well cards in the room made by kids from a local elementary school, so I'm posting one for all of you. Patty

1st rad down, 28 to go.

HappyHammer, I live in Orange County, New York, which is about 50 miles north of NYC. I live in the town of Monroe, but get rads in Middletown at The Orange Regional Medical Center Pavillion. I have been very impressed with the treatment I've gotten there. The staff are all warm and wonderful and everyone loves my RO. He gives his cell number to all of his patients. Ifthey have any questions or problems, they don't have to go through his service. Also, the waiting rooms have coffee and tea, those baskets of cards, and there are blankets, crocheted by different people, with inspirational notes attached, that you can use while you wait. I will not miss going to rads every morning, but I will definitely miss the people I've met. ( Two weeks to go, Whoop, whoop!)