Spring 2016 Rads

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  • Grazy
    Grazy Member Posts: 373
    edited June 2016

    Valstim - I think you'll find people's mapping experiences will be quite different, just like everything else seems to be! Some people have marker all over themselves, and stickers that have been applied, and some seem to leave their mapping appointments with those things still on their skin; I know I was marked up and had stickers applied during my mapping appointment, but the techs removed everything and I went home with only three pinprick size tattoos. I couldn't believe how tiny they were when I got home and checked them out, and was pretty pleased that I could barely see them, but then they spread a wee bit and now look like navy blue freckles. You can see the one on my chest when I'm wearing a bra and if I have a V-neck t-shirt on, so it kind of bothers me that it's visible, front and center. I wore a V-neck dress the day of my daughter's prom and had to dab a little concealer on the tattoo, but I bet - realistically - nobody else in the world will ever notice it though. I mean, seriously, nobody is staring at my chest, hahaa! My mapping appointment included a "teaching session" for ten minutes beforehand, a CT scan, and then the actual mapping process took place - all in all a half hour tops.

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  • Sawyer
    Sawyer Member Posts: 43
    edited June 2016

    Paxton 29 thank you for the reply. Well if they are asking it must be known.... I asked today again about it and they said I am describing to a T inflammation of the esophagus caused by radiation with difficulty swallowing and increase heart burn like pain. I will the RO tomorrow to discuss further.

    I have the full on foliculitis on the chest area (they told me the radiation kills the hair folicles and the rash like appearance comes that is itchy) as well as pink color to the radiation field now. using a cream they gave me for day time and vit E oil at night.

    Hope everyone is doing well ~ i have 17 down as of today!

    Sawyer

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited June 2016

    Grazy--I kinda wish they did the blue ones where I go. They seem like delicate little badges of courage to me. Mine are all brown and honestly my techs often have a hard time finding them among all the other freckles/moles/what-not. :-(

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  • Sheri64
    Sheri64 Member Posts: 113
    edited June 2016

    Anyone else get a lot of swelling during radiation I feel like the BC side is so most bigger and I had a semora when I started treatment. But on a good note I go for my last TX tomorrow at 8:00 can't wait to walk out of there and be done. My place is quick, one machine one person at time and I am the first patient of the day no waiting. Bad thing is twice the machine was down and I had to come back later in the day and I had students there.

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  • Grazy
    Grazy Member Posts: 373
    edited June 2016

    Congratulations on finishing up tomorrow, Sheri! Another "graduate" of Spring Rads 2016 joins the list!

    I had students at my appointments now and then during the month of May and only because we're affiliated with a large teaching hospital about half an hour from here. There are 30 radiation techs on staff at our cancer center and I'd say about ten of them rotated through my appointments, but there were two techs in particular who were with me most often. They were all so pleasant that I almost looked forward to our short visit each day and I loved being part of the teaching process, but I won't go so far to say that I've missed going there this week, like not at all!! haha! I also loved how they invited my husband and daughters into the room before my final appointment began to show them the linear accelerator, how the lasers worked, the monitors with the various numbers, etc. I'm glad my family got to see where I spent my four weeks.

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  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited June 2016

    Thanks so much everyone with helping me with what to expect. I am worried it's on my left side, with harm to my lungs or heart. Will they show me how to breathe?

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  • JuniperCat
    JuniperCat Member Posts: 658
    edited June 2016

    Valstim52, do they offer "prone" position at your radiation center? It's for those whose BC is on the left side. You have to lie down on your tummy while your left breast is positioned in a space in the table; they do this so that the scatter from the beams doesnt affect your lungs or heart.

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  • Carlsoda
    Carlsoda Member Posts: 249
    edited June 2016

    Valstim52, mine will also be on the left side. I asked about heart and lung damage, he told me heart will be fine but will damage a very small section of my lung which I will never notice. I gotta trust this guy, he treats some very advanced cancers with radiation so he much know something...and he works for the University of Minnesota too! So no breathing techniques for me but will ask when I go in for my first session.

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  • Katzpjays
    Katzpjays Member Posts: 237
    edited June 2016

    Valstim - the simulation isn't anything to stress about. It started with a cat scan. Afterward, I laid on a table as them made a mold of my back to lay on during treatments. There was a little drawing with a magic marker on my chest (washed off easily) and as a final step the nurse did the tattoos. Think of it as quick pin prick that they rub some ink over. Not painful...and very small. Took 25-30 minutes total.

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  • Katzpjays
    Katzpjays Member Posts: 237
    edited June 2016

    LG - in your pocket tomorrow as you have your surgery. Everyone has their own experience, but thought I would share mine since I had the bikini cut too. I was in the hospital one night and had a morphine pump. I was catherterized as well...my doctor wanted me to be able to relax and didn't want me to have to get up to pee. (I thanked him for that later). Next morning they took out the catheter and had me up walking. I was very slightly nauseous from the morphine, but I don't remember any significant pain. Seriously, the ride home in my husband's new car was bumpy (shocks weren't very smooth), but once I got home I scrambled some eggs for dinner and watched a little TV. You get a weird feeling when you stand up that an RN friend warned me would feel like my ""innerds"" were falling out between my legs (not pain, just odd sensation).

    Other than that I took it relatively easy, and felt quite good in about 48 hours after coming home. Gained my energy back over the next couple of weeks.Wishing you a similar experience without complications!

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  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited June 2016

    good luck tomorrow LG!

    My mapping appointment started with a 10 minute radiation lesson with a tech, then they drew on me,did a CAT scan, then they drew more on me, and then they did the tattoos. The whole thing was about 40 minutes I have six tattoos, one of them hurt the other five didn't. Even the one that heard wasn't a big deal, I just noticed it more than the others. They look like charcoal coloured freckles now. I think when I'm done I am going to get one of them turned into a ; for mental health awareness.

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  • JoJo_1964
    JoJo_1964 Member Posts: 58
    edited June 2016

    Valstim52, thank you for bringing the topic of the simulation appointment. The answers are helping me be prepared.

    Ingerp, that is so funny about the dots just adding to your other freckles/moles/what-nots. I too have all those as well. Wonder if I can request a colour to go with these existing ones! Blue would definitely introduce a new hue. Oh forgot the breast is still all blue from the sentinel lymph node dye. Yea I'm still looking like Mystique from Xmen.

    Juniper, I didn't know some places offer you a different position if BC on left side!! Lucky you! My BC is left side and I am super worried about rad affecting lung and heart which is main reason I want to know more about brachytherapy. Has anyone had brachytherapy vs external rad?

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  • gardengypsy
    gardengypsy Member Posts: 769
    edited June 2016

    Valstim52

    I just had my first appointment. Mine, also, is over my heart. We practiced the breathing quite a bit. They need it to be the same every time.

    My specialists in Boston were clear that the deep-breath technique protects the heart. If your RO does not use it, ask them why - perhaps your heart does not sit close to your chest.

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  • Jacklin
    Jacklin Member Posts: 162
    edited June 2016

    Valstim, when I went to see my RO 3 weeks post-surgery, she told me I was still too swollen to do the measurements. She then re-booked for 2 weeks later and at that time I learned about the breathing technique to use (they first measure my lung volume a few times, then take 80% of that to use for treatment. When I inhale, I can do so to 80% maximum volume and then the machine doesn't allow me to take a deeper breath. Since my nose is plugged, I can't breathe in through my nose either. This process pushes the heart farther away from the radiation beam). Like Ingerp, I was on my back the whole time, the CT scanner was in the same room as where the measurements were taken. The measuring process took about 30 minutes. I also went to 'radiation school' where they make sure I know what to expect, who to call if there are issues, what to use/ not use, etc. I received 4 pinprick tattoos, only the last one, closest to the breastbone hurt the most, but it was only momentary. My kids had fun learning that Mom had 4 tattoos before they had any. The whole appointment took less than 90 minutes.

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  • Hootowl
    Hootowl Member Posts: 26
    edited June 2016

    Sheri64- I am on my 13th of 33 total treatments. I have breast swelling and I noticed yesterday a little under my arm too. I also had a small seroma. I'm wondering if it will stabilize or keep swelling. I see the RO on Friday. I will pass on any information that can help. Congratulations on almost being done with your treatments. Last week the RO did tell me to take 30gms of Glutamine per day for swelling, but I'm not sure if it's helping or not since I'm swollen. Thanks to all for your helpful posts.

    Valstim52--the simulation is not bad so don't sweat it. My treatment is on the left and I still worry about the side effects even though I'm assured by them all is lined up for missing the heart.

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  • tbalding
    tbalding Member Posts: 449
    edited June 2016

    I went for my mapping and CT scan today. Everyone is very helpful and friendly at the cancer center I go to. This morning I walked in, scanned my badge and went to waiting area. Waiting area has comfy couches, tv and coffee. There is a puzzle on a table that people can work on while they wait. The Chaplain came to talk to me, called me by name & told me she would be praying for me and then visited with my DH & I for a few minutes.

    My treatment will be on right side. 16 regular and 5 boosts. So I guess I get Canadian protocol even though I'm in the states. RO said it's because I'm small, 34B. Tech took me to scan room, drew a curtain & told me to strip from waist up. She gave me a towel to cover my chest and once I laid on table, covered me with a warm blanket which I appreciated! She had music playing and the room had panels on the ceiling that looked like windows and what looked like dogwood trees so you had something other than the ceiling to look at. There was a pillow around my head. She had me raise both arms over my head and lightly grab handles to help keep my arms up. I had to turn my head slightly to the left away from radiation area. She explained what she was doing every step of the way and answered my questions. She drew marks and applied tape then I was in and out of CT scan, as she marked some more. RO came in and made some marks too. I can't remember how many times they scanned. She left me with 6 marks covered with about an inch circle of clear tape. She told me I could shower, just be careful to not use wash cloth over tape ares. Luckily marks are hidden by my shirt. took pictures of me with a camera. (Showing up on Facebook flashed through my mind too) I may get tattoos later. Overall, not a bad experience. I had slight discomfort in my armpit area. I feel a pull from the SLN site. Nothing unbearable. RO said that is normal and to keep doing my stretches. Took about 30-45 minutes total. I start Monday 6-13 to 7-12. Ready to get this done. Will see how actually treatments go.

    Congratulations Sheri!

    In your pocket LG.

    Thanks everyone for sharing! I felt very prepared and not anxious today :)

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited June 2016

    Just some general comments.

    Re: finding those small brown tattoos, they also have measurements of where they were put so occasionally they'll take out a ruler and measure, and every day they circled them so they'd be easier to find the next day.

    Re: breathing for left side ladies, I was mostly concerned leading up to it that I wouldn't be able to hold my breath long enough. Someone on the Winter Rads thread said it took ~30 seconds. I actually practiced the week between sim and my first tx. Well--first of all, the *longest* of my three zaps was about 18 seconds. The others were ~12 and ~5 seconds. And they told me after I expressed my concerns that if for some reason I wasn't in the right position, the machine would automatically stop. They can't zap you in the wrong place. If they'd ever had to stop because I was out of position (which didn't happen once), they would have just re-started for the remaining amount of time. It's not like each zap has to happen all at once. I've done a fair amount of yoga and breathing calmly is definitely in my tool belt. When the instruction to "take a deep breath and hold it" comes in, just complete whatever normal breath you're in the middle of and slowly inhale and hold. The techs the first day told me a lot of people do a big swoop in and that doesn't work so well. One day I actually went up too much and the tech told me to let a little air out and I was fine. You get lots of practice--you need to take a deep breath and hold for all of the images/X-rays/markings too. It'll become second nature after you've done it once or twice. I also counted the seconds in my head (my mother's Swedish so instead of "Mississippis" I count "pilsners" :-) ) and that really helped because after the first day I knew about how long each zap was going to take. In fact yesterday (my first boost) felt kind of weird just lying on the table and not doing anything!

    At one of the meetings with a nurse before starting rads, she mentioned something (started with an "n", or, in hindsight, maybe a "pn"?) that might crop up about six weeks after finishing treatment that would have to do with a little lung damage. Just a cough and ???. She said to watch for it and it's easily treated with steroids. Anybody else familiar with this?

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  • kbutler
    kbutler Member Posts: 66
    edited June 2016

    Val do you definetly have to do the breath hold technique? Mine was left side at 9:00 position and I did not have to do the hold breath. I was on my back and breathed normal. I was also worried about heart and lung damage. RO told me they are so precise now they can calculate the angle of the beams to avoid those organs. You can read some of the other ladies response in some of the earlier post a few weeks ago. Good luck on whichever treatment you have to have. You will do fine. You will always have support from this group.

    LG prayers with you today !!!

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  • Wenrisa
    Wenrisa Member Posts: 94
    edited June 2016

    mine was also left side. I was in the prone position. I guess everything was blocked as I didn't have to do the breathing thing myself..

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  • Grazy
    Grazy Member Posts: 373
    edited June 2016

    Ingerp - I think the word you're looking for is pneumonitis. My RO also mentioned before my treatment started that the edge of my lung COULD be affected, although treatment is so targeted that it would be unlikely, however, she had to mention it. I think it's safe to say that pneumonitis in breast irradiation is very, very rare and not something most people need to worry about, but it's good to be aware. I copied a link for you below, fyi. I'm glad you're finding your boosts to be a piece of cake! You must really be counting down the days now :))

    http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/diagnos...


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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited June 2016

    Thanks, Grazy. I had never heard the word before so it didn't stick in my head. And yes! Totally counting the days. After this morning, I'll be down to three.

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  • Grazy
    Grazy Member Posts: 373
    edited June 2016

    So excited for you, Ingerp! I have a friend coming into town today to take me out for a celebratory lunch for the end of my treatment - this has been a nice week to just relax, putter around the house and continue to quietly "celebrate" the end of rads with my friends. Best to you for your final days of treatment.

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  • Sheri64
    Sheri64 Member Posts: 113
    edited June 2016

    Well I did it, last one today 28 whole breast and 8 boost. I thanked my Techs before I when in. I have 3 ladies and one student, I thanked them for being so kind making this bad thing a little easier everyday. I cried a little when I drove out of the parking lot as I am calling myself a survivor today now that I am done with active treatment. Then I come to work to balloons and flowers and my team is ordering me lunch. I am treating myself to a week off next week to relax and go wig and braless if I want. I go back to see the RO in a month for a check up.

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  • Grazy
    Grazy Member Posts: 373
    edited June 2016

    Bravo, Sheri!! How thoughtful is your work team?! So sweet. Enjoy your end-of-rads celebration!

    P.S. I teared up on my last day, too. It's emotional!!

    Putting my laptop away now, but I sure have enjoyed cheering everyone on this week!

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  • Katzpjays
    Katzpjays Member Posts: 237
    edited June 2016

    Sheri- Congratulations! It has to be such a great feeling to be done. May your weekend be filled with relaxation and celebration!

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited June 2016

    Sheri!! Hooray!!!!!! I love the celebrations, the tears, all of it. Here's to a lazy week off and a wonderful new normal for you.

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  • Paxton29
    Paxton29 Member Posts: 221
    edited June 2016

    Congratulations, Sheri! Enjoy your lazy, wigless, bra-less week!

    Here is my perfectly fitted couture paper gown:

    image

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  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 1,324
    edited June 2016

    thanks so much everyone, so much help. I had no idea what to expect. And especially being on the left side, all you see on the internet are the horror stories, so thank you and keep it coming.

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  • DisneyGirl16
    DisneyGirl16 Member Posts: 121
    edited June 2016

    Congratulations, Sherri!

    Paxton, thanks for the photo of your couture paper gown. I was having trouble picturing it. Very chic. Lol.

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  • PlanB58
    PlanB58 Member Posts: 157
    edited June 2016

    Congratulations Sheri! Glad you are treating yourself next week!

    Paxton- I think you rock the paper gown! My Cloth one is huge and reminds me of a boxer short pattern! You look great in blue!

    Valsti- I was very scared of the left side treatment. I use the breathing apparatus and goggles and it scared me at first but it really has been fine! They will watch you and provide support if needed. Good luck!

    Ingerp- yay for the countdown! What wonderful things you have to look forward to after rads are done!

    Grazy- thanks for hanging in with us! Today will be 23/30 getting there

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