Winter 2015-16 RADS

Kate! I'm giggling over here... My techs always say, "OK, here we go!" and I think of the "Here we go/Peter Pan" voice from the opening of every Disney movie... I expect to see Tinkerbell perched on the machine somewhere waving at me... You're right, it's the little things

Kate and Jerseygirl22 - love the visuals of what I will receive when I get the bolus.  I will let you know.  All they said was they put something on the area every other day.  Should be interesting.

Mdoc524 we will need to compare notes as we go along.  You have done a great job of keeping everything on this thread up to date and has helped with all the great tips.

@steflove, great pic! Congrats on finishing, and I'm glad to hear how quickly your skin is bouncing back.

@kate do you have sharks with freakin' lasers on their heads?

TallnTerrific & Mdoc: I had my first boost today and because my tumor was in the "tail" of my breast it is very close to my lymph nodes involved so the good news is that they are getting the boost like I wanted. My first 25 visits were whole Breast and also included the other node areas (tired now so can't think of their names)- under my arm, along my collarbone and between my breasts. I will be getting 8 boosts

Twnklotz: YES. Sharks with freakin' lasers on their heads! You just gave me the mental image I'm taking with me into rads--thank you!

Hi, I've been following this thread for a while and had my first radiation treatment today. Thank you to everyone that has shared their experiences!

I'm not getting a good feeling about my doctor so far, but I wonder if I am being overly sensitive. I saw him right after surgery in July and really liked him at that time. I had my CT scan a few weeks ago and sim last week. The doctor stepped into the room for a moment each time and looked under the cloth with a brief comment about checking to see if everything was lined up. I don't believe he said hello or goodbye either time. He wasn't unpleasant, but not friendly either. But I didn't expect anything since I knew it wasn't an official doctor visit.

I was told that Wednesdays will be the day I see the doctor weekly and since today was my first treatment, I was taken to an exam room and had vitals taken, then given a gown to change into and told the doctor would be right in. The doctor didn't come, but a tech came and told me to gather my belongings and then she took me to the treatment room. They started by taking X-rays and said they would do the radiation after that. While I was on the table the doctor came in and said he was going to check my position. Then he lifted the cloth and checked. He said, "How are you?" I replied, "Fine." He then said, "Your X-rays look fine. We'll get started." And then left the room. No hello or goodbye. At this point I assumed I would be seeing him after the treatment.

I was given the treatment and it went fine. Then a male tech came in and said I was done and moved the table down. I got up and the tech left the room. I didn't know whether to get dressed or not, so I followed him out and asked if I would still be seeing the doctor. He said, "Sorry, no, he already saw you. You can get dressed" I replied, "Oh." He then followed with, "If you have questions, I can take you to a room and have the nurse come talk to you." I was feeling kinda pissy at that point and just said, "No thanks. I'll just check online." So I got dressed. When I walked out the doctor was in the hallway and told me they needed to get my vitals. I replied that they already had. He then asked how it went and I said, "Fine, fine." and kept walking. I was upset and just wanted out of there at that point. Also, I was pretty sure the only reason he was talking to me is because he either overheard the conversation with the tech, or the tech told him I seemed upset.

Is this normal for RO's? Did you get any kind of "education" like for chemo? When I saw him back in July he was informative. But since then, he hasn't gone over my treatment plan with me or explained how he arrived at it. I was told over the phone that I would have 30 regular treatments and 6 boosts. Nor have I been told what to expect or if there is anything I should be doing differently from normal. Maybe since he had a consult with me 6 months ago, he doesn't think I need any additional info.

Thanks for any feedback.

Thanks, Marijen. Yes, I did help the situation along by not asking questions when he came in. I was given to expect I would be seeing him in the exam room, so I thought it got switched to after the treatment. I never imagined that a simple "how are you?" qualified as a normal appt. But I'm glad to hear that is more the normal doc visit. So I guess I just need to be more prepared for my weekly doctor visits to take place while I am actually being given treatments.

The techs are all polite, but not informative. I ask questions, but it doesn't prompt them to be more forthcoming with what to expect. I think having to draw every bit of information out of them has made me more sensitive during the appointments. I think I need to just simmer down. I got used to friendly staff at the chemo place that always let me know what they were doing and why.

Congratulations to everyone on your progress, starting or finishing. Had 12 of 33 today. All is doing well for me, just starting to pink up a bit. Chest above the breast is starting to get a little itchy. Trying very hard not to scratch. Breast and rib area seem a little tender.

My husband says when I am done he won't need a nightlight, I should be glowing. Would love to find some kind of glow in the dark cream to really scare him. He is such a joker and tries so hard to keep my spirits up. Would love to see his face if I did glow in the dark.....

I think my techs take a cue from the patients if I go in quiet they don't say much. If I go in and comment then they seem to feel at ease and carry on a conversation. I think it has to be a tough job I am sure many of their patients are really sick. It could be a depressing job for them at times.

Thankful for the good weather and roads we have had. Praying that winter holds off.

Helen

Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad to hear your rads went so well, Octogirl and glad things are going well for you, Helen. I have a list of questions, so I'll try to get them answered or leave them with the techs for him to answer. I was just so rattled by things today. I'm sure it will be fine.

Marijen, that is interesting and a good point.

Tam-iam, Your weekly visit with the RO should have taken place in one of the exam rooms. This is a very tough time and you have every right to feel the way you do. Some of us are more sensitive and feel more vulnerable from time to time. I happen to be one of them. Marijen made some good points about speaking up. I always had a list of questions for my RO, but you weren't really given that chance. I have found,from time to time, that doctors, no matter how good they are, forget to relay important information to patients and you feel like you just slipped through the cracks. I learned this the hard way two years ago when I had a revision surgery. It has made me tougher and I speak up more for myself. Before your next RO visit Let the nurse know what happened and how this made you feel. Make sure she also knows that you didn't get any pre treatment education. I'm sure she will relay your concerns to the doctor. Good luck!

yay for finishing Cubbie! Happy Dance....

Octogirl

yippity yay Cubbie ! congrats on finishing a milestone

Tam-iam I initially found the rad side way less personable, and had to wait til tx started to get info, and felt that I was just one of many on a treadmill, unlike chemo. New RO seems uber busy and stood in doorway clutching doorjamb asking if I have any questions or side effects yet... my other RO went off on maternity leave, so he is now doing extra..... sigh. But he did answer questions when I said I had some. Rad techs are great though.

my RO is great--he replies to my emails and takes time with me in the exam room. That said, I've still learned more on this board about practical ways to manage RT than I have from him/his office. This is a long-winded way of me saying that I'm very grateful for all if you, your stories, and your tips. Thank you.