Spring 2016 Rads

Lovinggrouches, I went in on a Thursday to get my ct and mappings done (my breast looks like a road map with all of the marker and stickers; I have about 5 lines around the borders of the treatment area and then one x marks the spot where the tumor was). I started my radiation the next Monday. I didn't have a "simulation". They just walked me through what would happen and away we went.

had SIM AND first radiation today! Feels a little warm and oncologist says they rarely have anyone developments problems, so well see. Congrats to all who have just started!!!! I did buy a cotton undershirt JUST in case and put 99 percent, alcohol free aloe Vera on the breast when I got home. Just ain't looking forward to 2 hours and 45 minutes a day of driving between work and radiation!

Hi everyone, I started my radiation Monday. They marked my skin with a marker and put clear tape over it. No tattoo's. I go after work daily at 4. I'm tired but don't know if from the chemo. My last one was 3 weeks ago. It's good to share our experiences.

you ain't kidding mags!!! I won't complain though, I am blessed! I have to drive 45 minutes to work, leave after 3 hours and drive 45 minutes to hospital for rads, drive 45 minutes back to work, then 45 minutes back home. Sigh!!!!!!! Then they are about to start construction on the bridge going into the city and will be down to one lane. It's going to be a nightmare!!!! Oh well, at the end of the day, I will do what I have to do!

Hi

Really interested to hear about your first treatment.

I start next week in Melbourne Australuaand don't know what to expect.

Hi Ozpoppet

The treatment doesn't take long, maybe 10 - 15 minutes. Over before you know it. You won 't feel anything. Today is my 4th treatment. So far so good, although I do have a weird metal taste in my mouth. Make sure you use the creams/aloe whatever your RO gave you AFTER the treatment. It feels good and helps keep your skin in good shape.

Hope that helps.

LifeofBabbs I'm scared of the Effexor too. Artista928 posted that getting off of it feels like having the flu! She said it also loses it's effectiveness and you have to increase the dose after a while. I'd love to know why they prescribe Effexor to everyone? Aren't there other ones that aren't so strong?

Stopped taking 40mg of Prozac and got back to my usual 20mg. Does NOTHING for hot flashes.

Woke up soaked this morning. Just soaked. A friend of mine brought me something called ARTIC TOWEL. It's a blue mesh towel that you wet, wring out and snap. It cools down to 30 degrees, lasts 2 hours. I wear it around my neck and tuck it in under my bra. It feels really nice. Wearing it around the house - helps get me through.

I find it all to be so tiring, in general. Lovinggrouches (LG, for short your commute sounds like a nightmare! I know that I asked my MO if there were any alternatives to rads and it was a big NO. Seriously a bummer. He told me that if I don't do rads it'll be like a 30% chance of recurrence for me. The RO said more like 20% but still that's high.

I"m having hot flashes at night, too, and they suck. No sweat but I just get incredibly hot and uncomfortable. Aww, the joys of middle age.

Happy Birthday LG!Don't hesitate to take meds for anxiety or depression if you need them. It is amazing what they can do for you every once in awhile. That pillow was a nice BD gift! Was it the heart shaped ones? I have one of those and I love it. People are so kind, right? Have a great evening. Spoil yourself and RELAX! A glass of wine may help, too.

Dear Lovinggrouches and others just starting rads-- this is my first post, however ..I've been reading everyone's insightful posts....I am on my 12th rad of 16 treatments and I totally get what you are saying. Day three of rad treatment I totally bombed. I said to myself: hey, this is supposed to happen in week 3 not day 3!....came home and felt like a zombie. I thought, OK so by treatment 3 this is what I will be like....so fortunately for me, I just retired (days before my dx!) I called on family for help. I'm 63, good health other than small BC but could NOT deal with the deadly fatigue. I do not know how ppl still work (employed outside of home) through the rads...I'm totally sympathetic that for some there is no choice; I have major blessings in that dept., again because I just retired (and it was planned). However, had this come a year or two earlier, I would have to continue to work, no doubt. I hope this helps you: I found that there are just good days and bad days with rads. I don't get it. When I'm having a good day of energy, both mental and a little physical I take advantage of it. However, sometimes right after a treatment I feel, wasted; I give in, go home and stare into space or journal. I'm also blessed with a 1 hour r/t drive too, including treatment, unlike so many others I meet that travel from counties away...Blessings and strength to all of you/us that are journeying this thankfully together.

BC Left Breast <1cm lumpectomy; E++ P+ HER2- sentinel node 1/0

Radiation 16 days

Undecided on endocrine therapy

flower girl, glad you are retired throughout this!! Trying to work the same hours while driving so much and dealing with the stress of cancer, it is not something that anyone can understand unless you've been through it. Add the stress of working less, bills coming in the mail, constant appointments and it's no wonder I'm considering meds! Lol!!!!! My RO didn't give me any creams or anything, but I'm using 99 percent aloe to be on the safe side. All I got was a packet with written info, no suggestions and he stated he will meet with me every Thursday, otherwise, I will just see the techs daily. Never got tattoo, just blue marker with clear tape. I guess if that works for a few weeks, I don't understand why some places use permanent tattoos. Anyway, that's enough for now lol! I just realized that I'm typing random thoughts lol! Everyone have a great weekend!!!!!!

Hi Tami

Wondering if you went to Rads? How do you feel today?

they do all your markings and the Sim with CT to help protect and prevent damage to heart and lungs as much as possible from the rads

I'm on celexa but have been before cancer. I've always been on ADs for 25 years and have tried practically all the known ones out there. The one I would never do again is effexor and after that zoloft wasn't my friend either but not as bad as effexor. Everyone reacts differently to different meds but across the AD board I've heard of less issues with celexa. And you can take it with Tamox.

Guess I'll pipe in here, too. I'm taking Gapabentin as an anti-anxiety and I was taking Wellbutrin until just a couple of days ago. It doesn't interact well with Tamoxifen.

LG, there is no shame is asking for med help when you are anxious and/or depressed. It is a REAL problem. The stress and anxiety that you feel is real and it can take a serious toll on your body. Please consider accepting help. Plus, you don't have to be on the meds forever. Of course you will decide what's best for you. For me, I am feeling much better after beginning meds.

Good luck! We are all here to help!