Winter 2015-16 RADS

Marijen, I had higher dose per treatment doing the Canadian style fractionation. I had 16 whole breast at 266cG or 4,256 cG total, I had a boost for five days at 200 cG per dose using electrons for an additional of 1000 cG to the tumor bed. I had three different RO's prescribed the shorter Canadian fractionation and boost. I feel quite confidant that my treatment was appropriate for my body and my cancer characteristics. I hope you are feeling confidant as well.

I saw my MO today and my BC nurse navigator. I was given a treatment summary and a suvivorship care plan. So far I haven't had any SE's from Arimidex and hoping I won't get any in the future! I'm settling in to my new normal and it feels good not to be focused on BC. My MO said she would see me every 3-4 months for the next two years, then 6 months for 3 years, then annually. I'm really starting to look forward to spring!

I hope you ladies enjoy some rest this weekend!

@moondust I don't know! My fiance ordered it for me. I didn't know that was an option.

I have a big patch of dying skin under my arm, and part of it is raw. It's miserable. Just one more whole breast treatment, thank God, then on to boosts. No more bolus.

Had a little break down tonight. I started thinking about how unfair this disease is, and all I lost/missed out on the past eight months. I know others have lost so much more, but I'm feeling very sad.

I am a bit late to the party but most of my rads will be in Winter. I started Wednesday so am 3 of 33 rads done. My breast has been red and warm from the first treatment--asked my RO about it and she said it's from the surgery. Whatever--like I haven't been intimately aware of my breast and every nuiance over the last 10 weeks. I have loved my cancer team up until now. Honestly have no confidence in my RO, but my MO and BS both recommended her, so I am hoping she knows her stuff enough for me to survive the next 6 weeks and move on. I do like the techs I see daily and that's what matters.

I did have a breakdown Wednesday--had my first treatment and then came home and cried. Realized there is an exposure element and vulnerability to radiation that there isn't with chemo and surgery. With chemo I am snuggled up in my recliner, possibly with pillow and blanket, and with surgery I am unconscious. But with radiation I am laying on a small, flat, hard surface, floating in mid air in a large, cool room, completely topless. (I am covered with a small towel, but that first day the techs were in and out a lot making adjustments and playing connect the dots in Sharpie on my chest.) And just have to endure it. Processed that and the next two days went much smoother. I understand why the tech team is one female and one male (can you even imagine prostate radiation?!), but I had to come to terms with the male tech. Don't know why--my OBGYN, Primary Dr., MO, and PS are all male. And they have all thoroughly felt my breasts! This tech never touches me, except by Sharpie. But again, I think it was the overall exposure feel of the room. He is very task oriented while the ladies are very sweet and comforting--that could also be a factor, but I think I prefer his professionalism over him being "friendly." Anyway, Thursday was better, and today felt like just another treatment on my way to being done. So I think I found my radiation groove.

My RO was adament I not use Aquafor. She recommended Cetaphil--tried that the first two days and the heat was just too much. I am just using alcohol-free Aloe Vera gel from CVS now. At least my PS cleared me for ibuprofen this week! Hopefully that helps.

@mdoc - Welcometo the stripper club!

TwinklToz, I'm so sorry to hear that you've been feeling sad. This cancer stuff is awful. I try not to think about it at night, because that's when I'm tired and most vulnerable to negative thoughts. Pain and discomfort never helps, either. Do something nice for yourself! I hope you are feeling more positive now. Every day without the disease is a day to celebrate. Once you are healed up from all this, you'll be able to enjoy your days more.

SeekingSerenity, welcome. I did not have Mx or chemo either. At least not yet. I like your idea of bringing your smoothie with you. What do you put it in so it doesn't leak? If I bring one, I'll have to keep it in a cooler because I have a 1 hour drive to rads. I eat high protein also. I wonder if it helps with skin. You have a super busy schedule! I get 15,000 steps a day but not all at once.

Quiddler, hooray for finishing rads! And hooray for sleep.

Musogirl, welcome. I hope it gets easier to tolerate all the nakedness and feeling of exposure as you continue. I'm not bothered by it, probably because I'm older and don't really give a crap what anyone thinks of me. It is uncomfortable to have my arm up because I have an arthritic elbow, but it's not terrible.

So... I'm sick. Body aches, chills, a cough, and a low-grade fever (101.5). I spent yesterday sleeping and didn't take my temp, but today started feeling worse. Here's my question: my RO doesn't really have a line to call like my MO does (and the chemo people were adamant that I call if my temp went above 100.5), so is it safe to just wait it out and talk to my RO at tomorrow's appointment?

Ugh. I knew I was getting the ick. Sad face.

KarenR0618 I'm glad that what I said helps. If you read my post from my first day of radiation you would see how quickly fear set in for me and if I could prevent that from happening to everyone else my prayers would be answered. On weeknights I read novels by authors such as Marie Boswick, Nancy Thayer and Mary Alice Monroe. Their stories are about places I've been or hope to visit and they take me away. Overnight I sometimes dream of the characters and I usually think about them when I am having rads. I do not come to this site during the week. I give cancer 1 hour each weekday morning and then catch up with all that is going on here for a limited time on the weekends. I am offering cancer a minor and temporary role in my life. The mind is a very powerful weapon and we should use it to our advantage!

Moondust Thanks for the welcome! I see that our diagnosis are the same, I will be starting on Tamoxifen when I am finished with rads. I also see that you exercise which to me is like a drug because I am addicted, makes me feel strong and healthy, I imagine you feel the same. Every morning I pack three drinks for the day including a 25 oz bottle of ice water in a Hydracentials bottle from Amazon, a Thermos Container with a hot drink and my Nutri Ninja Smoothie. I place all three side by side in a Sachi insulated lunch tote I bought a while ago on QVC and they keep each other upright. I zip up the top as far as it goes, have never has a spill. It's cold here so at 6:30-7:30 in the morning everything stays cold in the car. I haven't needed to add an ice pack; but, I could if necessary.

KateB79 Sorry to hear you are sick. My RO gave me his home phone # and told me to call with any and all concerns. I suggest you call the Radiation Clinic and give your information to the answering service; otherwise, call your MO or PCP. That way if any treatment, such as an antibiotic is in order you can get started. I would call immediately, do not wait it out. Pamper yourself today and drink drink drink!

Kate- feel better soon- rest and fluids as much as possible!

KateB79, I asked the techs if I got sick what should I do - and they said come anyways.

KateB79- If you go for your treatment and they see how sick you are they might provide you with some medical help unlike what you would have at home. You might require a IV to increase fluids in your system which might help. If you are vomiting then they can give you further medications.

My thoughts last week were as I was on the table what if I sneeze or what happens if one is sick. I have a fear of moving when I am on the table. I have counted in my head 20 seconds blast then a break then another 20 4 times.

This Wednesday my machine is down for cleaning so I get a day added at the end.

Sisterfriends....am still on this board after finishing rads in mid Jan just in case I can be of help/ Prayed for all of every time I had rads and continue to do so now- Crispy? Goodness...had that and the itching and very emotional the entire time of rads as it is such a vulnerable position to be in and the whole half naked thing to boot!

Cabbage leaves- wash individual leaves and pat dry- store in fridge....put one on affected breast- you will prob feel the "heat" transfer from breast to cabbage leaf- keep in place until no longer cool...it really DOES help- apparently there is a chemical reason for this- never researched it because I was desperately looking for help and found great relief with this very cost effective treatment :0)

Hugs to you all!!

MisV123 - I so agree on the burn and pains. I started feeling the same thing this weekend along with wanting to itch everywhere. I have been applying hydrocortisone cream but it only lasts so long. I will be trying the cabbage leaves this week. I have 10 more regular treatments with 5 of them being with the bolus (ouch) and then 5 boosts. I hope my skin holds out.

Twinkltoz - I can so relate to what you are feeling and sending you virtual hugs. I have a survivorship meeting this week that I did not realize was scheduled. Not quite sure how I feel about that or exactly what they will cover.

Hope everyone is rested and geared up for another week. We all got this and I will be thinking of each and everyone of you every day.

Connie

Congrats to Shopgal and Quiddler on finishing!!!

JerseyGirl, is today your last one??

I had my port removed last Thursday and I did take the day off work. Woke up early the next morning after the numbness wore off and it was pretty sore so I took Friday off as well. Unfortunately for me, that was the day my co-workers planned my end of rads party ?? lol Oh well, I hear they enjoyed it.

My last day of rads was 2/16 and I can officially say that my skin is almost completely back to normal. Not sure if I mentioned that my RO suggested I use Domeboro but I must say that really helped these last couple of weeks. Tip though, get the name brand because I don't think the storebrand dissolved as well.

congrats to those who have finished!

I'm still catching up on this board. Kate I hope you feel better soon.

Justmaximom I can't wait to have my port removed. It'll be awhile for me but I bet it feels great not to have that foreign object in your chest.

6 more for me, no boosts, skin holding up well. I have discoloration where my nipple used to be but my RO says that is normal and will go back after treatment. I had some armpit chafing or irritation but I stuck to loose fitting clothes and that subsided.

I find this step emotional because it's the last step in this process and afterwards we wait. I can see how the radiation treatment room could be isolated and cold compared to the chemo set up but I find this step as warm and friendly as chemo. The girl at check in knows my name and I meet and compare experiences with other women in the back changing room/ waiting room unlike In chemo when others were depressed or sick or just wanted to sleep. The RN's pay music I like and always worry about their cold hands on me, lol. They pimp the warm blankets daily and ask if we would like anything to drink as well as offer free lotion.

I saw today my office has a Dr. Hung lol

This will be my last week. 5 boosts left, if my tissue expander doesn't pop off first. It is so tight right now. If I could go back in time, no tissue expander! Reconstruction later, yes, but why did the doctors sell me on the tissue expander? Sorry, back to RADs.

I have found RADs much more emotional than chemo too. I'm wondering where to heal. RAD recovery nudist colony with cabbage leaf bikini tops.

We can do it!