Spring 2016 Rads

Jill- I think that rads are underwhelming. I drive 45 minutes to get to the cancer center, change my clothes, get on the table, have a 5 minute treatment, then drive 45 minutes back.The techs adjust my position on the table to exactly the same measurements every time. While the treatment is happening I don't feel a thing. The machine just kind of rotates around me. Then I get up and get dressed. On Tuesdays I see my RO who ask how I'm doing then checks my skin. Taaa daaaa....that's it.

I do have a few SE's. My skin is red and hot and I'm super tender all over my breast, clavicle, and down through my rib cage. Sometimes I joke that if it weren't for those SE's I would think that this radiation business is all a scam. That is why I think that it's underwhelming. I don't know what I thought would happen.

You were strong enough to make it through chemo (although I seem to remember some pretty bad SE's for you?) and you will, for sure, be able to do this.

#cancersucks #happymonday

I'm with you, Iammags! "Underwhelming" is exactly the word I used to describe my first treatment. The machine is so quiet, I didn't even realize treatment had started under the thing swung overhead two and a half minutes into the five minute treatment - I kept waiting for it begin. I thought there would be noise, flashing lights, zapping sounds, "something".

Good luck, Autumn! Let us know how you made out.

Just took a 30 minute nap because I thought I should do that each day (?). Off to garden now.

LTF, I completed 26 of 36 treatments today. The outer quadrant and under my breast are getting red but I don't have a rash or itchiness. The biggest problem I have had so far is that they use markers and stickers to help them line me up in the correct position and they keep getting rubbed off or moved. The machine does make some buzzing noise but they always have the radio on so that helps. I did buy some men's undershirts and I wear those between my skin and bra on days that my skin feels irritated. It does seem to help reduce the rubbing. Good luck!

thanks all. I do have some loose cami type bras from after surgery. I think they probably don't look as awful as I think they do!! I usually wear hardcore underwire.

Hi All!

I started my rads today as well Autum! One down 29 to go!

I use the breathing apparatus and was nervous about that but it went fine. Have had terrible dreams about not holding my breath and zapping my heart!🙀 Good luck to everyone these posts really help me

I finished 3 of 33 today. So far so good. I'm being really vigilant with the lotions because I don't want to have to wait a single second longer than I have to to get these &$@!! tissue expanders exchanged for implants. (They tell me it will be six months' wait as it is.) I use emu oil after treatment 2 x a day then Aquaphor at bedtime. The emu oil cream absorbs quickly and hasn't stained any of my shirts. I hate having to wear separates all the time as I'm a dress girl, but I have no choice. I don't wear bras since the TEs are basically rocks. Zero movement.

Does anyone else have the bolus used on them? They do it every other day. I'm wondering if it's mostly for BMX patients since we don't have breast tissue left?

Tinker, the same thing happened to me, but wasn't severe enough to worry too much. I figured it was normal. My breast felt hot the first day, and as time goes on, I can feel the rays now, but it isn't horrible. I guess because my cancer was so close to my nipple, it is taking the brunt of everything and makes me want to scream if it rubs on anything. It will all be ok. The feverish feeling comes and goes, but is never severe enough to worry about!

I have 15 more treatments left, with 36 all together (over half done). My armpit is really hurting. I see the doc on Mondays and she gave me Aquifer mixed with lidocaine. I have been using Aloe and Aloe mixed with Aquifer. It feels like someone peeled off the first few layers of skin and the nerves are exposed. It's waking me up at night when I move my arm. Something that does help is taking a piece of cotton cloth and placing it in my armpit so things don't rub on it. My RO is very helpful and compassionate. I get my RADS in Albany, NY. It's a 50 minute drive one way. My breast really is fine so far! It's just the armpit that's bad.

LifeofBabbs - that reminds me of how my armpit felt after surgery -- I pinned a soft square of polar fleece inside my shirt so that it covered the seam of the shirt's armpit (if you know what I mean) and it protected my armpit from rubbing on the fabric.

I just got back from treatment #4 and feel as though I have a little lump in my throat when I swallow -- I've read that the esophagus can be affected around the two week mark with breast radiation but I'm obviously not at that stage of treatment quite yet.. Hoping it's coincidental, however, I have an appointment with my RO every Wednesday after treatment so I'll ask if this is a reasonable side effect at this early stage. My daughter has had a terrible virus that really affected her throat, and it could well be that I'm just coming down with her bug. Time will tell, I guess.

Did anyone's RO tell you anything about weight? My mom's neighbor said they told her don't lose or gain weight during radiation. I don't remember anyone telling me that and we have the same RO.

Paxton - my rad therapist said they x-ray once a week to make sure we're still in the right position because things can shift if we lose or gain weight during treatment - they have to do some recalculating I would guess if there were changes. It would be interesting to know if that has happened to anybody who is further along in the treatment.

mags, you crack me up! I do get a "picture" every week, but no more, I'm done Thursday!!!!!

Wow, LG! Almost done? That's great! 2 more weeks for me.

Hi....I have a few questions.....I had my mapping today and will start Monday......why do they mark my back?? And only one mark on the area near my incision? I'll be in a prone position. Anybody else lying face down?? And has your armpit been affected?? Thanks in advance,

Ruthie

Sawyer, you might be able to get some earlier appointments in time as others finish their treatment schedules and spots open up - just ask regularly. I asked to move my early Monday morning appointments later this month to around 11 and it was absolutely no problem to reschedule. Doesn't hurt to ask. Good luck with your treatments!

I have just completed #5 of 21 today - yesterday, immediately after treatment, I thought my throat felt funny and my voice was hoarse all day, but as I suspected, it was just a coincidence - my esophagus is not in the line of fire with my particular treatment and it turns out I'm just coming down with my daughter's virus. I have zero skin issues or fatigue so far - my RO is still adamant that nothing be applied to my skin at any point so I'm following her orders We shall see what happens.