Spring 2016 Rads

PaxtonHere is my very stylish gown! Anyone else reminded of boxer shorts?

PlanB, yep, that's pretty much identical to what I wore too, and I'd wear a second one turned the other way as a "robe" (I was swathed in "boxer shorts fabric").

Paxton, at least your paper gown looks a little stylish - you have a waist

Congrats on being half way through, LTF!

Yes, we'll make it to the front cover of Vogue before you know it.

Congratulations, Sheri! Enjoy your weekend & celebration!

Paxton, love the look!

Another word on the breathing--I didn't use any mask or goggles or anything. Just me and my two strong lungs. :-)

I am loving all of the pictures. Maybe we should put together a calendar?

Paxton- I am doing #16/33 today.  My breast does not feel heavier but yesterday under my arm felt very sore. My back also was hurting so much last night I took motrin.  I haven't been to the gym this week so I can only think it has something to do with the radiation.  I see the doctor today but so far any of my concerns " have nothing to do with the radiation" so I would rather come here and ask. 

My skin is still holding up well with just the itchy bumps driving me nuts.  Using cortisone cream and looking forward to a two day rest from driving to treatment. 

I am going for my CT Sim next Thursday. I have to make the decision between 4 weeks of radiation or 6 weeks. It's the same overall dose, just spread differently. Anyone have any input or does it not really matter which one.

Radon Lady, I went for my sim yesterday. Because I am having my left breast radiated, I had to be sure by inhaling deeply that my heart would move out of the way. I was able to pass the test, so I am having the hypofractionated (Canadian protocol) shorter course for 16 WBI and 4 boosts. I begin next Thursday, the 16th. Hypofractionated is double the strength of the usual protocol, so can be completed in half the time. There is an article here on BCO that mentions patients have fewer SEs with the shorter course. I am sure hoping so!

Love the gowns! Jill you and Paxton have pretty blue ones!

Our calendar could be called RAD WOMEN!

I have only 1 more WB! YAY!

Ingerp I was told same thing about my boosts today! I also will not need all the breathing equipment! So excited about that! I was also talking with my techs about the gowns but really emphasized that they need a lot of work on their accessories(breathing stuff)! Good to have people who will engage and play a bit.

Have a wonderful weekend all

For those that had MX first, how soon after did they start the actual radiation? I'm scheduled for my sim etc, exactly 3 weeks from mx on Tuesday the 14th.

Sorry if I've already asked, getting nervous and appreciate all the help.

LG- So sorry to hear this! The diet alone sounds awful! Sending you positive thoughts for healing. I hope it gets better very soon.

Just finished 28/33!

LTF- My upper back is achy too. Hmm?

Only 1 more WB to go! I'm ready to lie on my back for my boosts. I'm so uncomfortable lying on my stomach. So happy it's almost over. Hope you all have a restful weekend.

I'm so scared out about left-side radiation. Hi All, this is my first post and I am thankful to have found this forum to get some real stories and not just read studies on the internet! I am American, but living in Europe and I really wish I had been in the US when I got my diagnosis, at least that is my current feeling. I am trying to find the best way through this and any support or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

When I was first diagnosed I asked about mastectomy, even a double, no reconstruction, but was told "We don't do that. It's not necessary and it doesn't minimize risk unless you have a genetic mutation". So I went with it. I later learned that my "basic" insurance doesn't even cover a mastectomy unless I have a genetic mutation, which I don't (thankfully, I will add), but was told that my treatment has nothing to do with my coverage, that this is the standard proposed treatment for everyone with my cancer constellation. I understand there is a small chance that even with mastectomy I might have needed radiation because though my cancer is small it is really close to the chest wall. (I am trying to believe all of this is happening for this reason...) I really wanted to avoid radiation, in particular because the cancer is on the left and I read a recent study that for every Gray of radiation the heart receives the risk of heart disease goes up 7.4% starting 5 years after treatment and increasing thereafter (I'm now 49), not to mention increased risk of lung or other cancers from radiation (I am doing 25 whole breast photon (X-Ray) radiations over 5 weeks, 2 Gy per session, with another 5 boost treatments to the tumor area (2 Gy each of electron radiation). I'm doing the breath-hold technique, but on my back. My breasts are small and my chest is bony, and due to tumor location, no way to avoid a bit of the lung.

The radiologist at the hospital is less than sympathetic. When I mentioned my concerns and wondered if mastectomy wasn't safer her response was only "I can stop the treatment if you want. There are risks. I can't take that away" I said I would continue because my choices were radiation and tamoxifen or only tamoxifen and I want to minimize risk of recurrence. Never a discussion of "maybe mastectomy is better for you". I really wish I had been in the US.

To make matters more complicated, or possibly worse, after such negative experiences and then beginning the treatment and learning my insurance did not pay for mastectomy, I asked my gynecologist if she had ever heard of such a thing. She said if I wanted to have a mastectomy she is sure the insurance would pay, the insurance company just needs a letter with justification, it will not be a problem, etc.

Unfortunately I have now completed 2 weeks of radiation and it makes that answer hard to hear. I am so sad and wish I had known sooner I had an option (part of being a foreigner I think). My skin is starting to burn and swell (the radiologist said whether one is sensitive to the sun has nothing to do with how bad a reaction one has....I think otherwise!) I will speak with my gynecologist again on Monday, but at this point I think my skin would need to heal before I could even have a surgery and maybe a break in treatment is not the best thing to do. I mean who knows what might happen during the weeks before having the surgery.

If anyone has any feedback, left-side radiation info, etc, I would appreciate it. Thank you for "listening" and thank you for the forum!

(((LG))) Hoping you begin to feel better quickly.

radonlady--I am so happy my ordeal will be over soon. I think a lot of us started rads thinking "This isn't so bad! The people are great and the appointments are easy and I am doing it!" Two more weeks wouldn't have been the end of the world but I am SO SO SO happy I'll be finished after 20 sessions.

muh--I am really really sorry. I think the worst thing would be second-guessing your treatment plan. That said, I'm sure your doctors are giving you their best advice. You don't say what your dx was but I have a feeling that a year from now you might be happy it was only a lumpectomy. FWIW, I'm not terribly concerned about any heart involvement. The breathing thing gave me some added comfort but at the initial meeting with my RO she said, "I will not irradiate your heart. I just will not." She also told me I could get scared to death reading things about radiation impacts on the internet. I think the equipment/targeting is so much better these days.

deaconlady--funny--I was on my back for whole-breast and on my side for boosts. It is kinda nice to change it up. :-)

Grazy--you continue to be my heroine. I do think you've come through rads without about as minimal SEs as anybody I've read about. I woke up this morning thinking, "Hmmm--I wonder if my non-boost skin has turned a corner," although it seems like it always feels/looks better in the morning. Four days since my last whole-breast. I always just grab a few of my five different things (aloe gel, lanolin cream, cortisone cream, Miaderm, and calendula cream) and slather them on, but maybe I'll concentrate on the Miaderm based on your recommendation. (I think it was cortisone cream and aloe gel this morning, but I'm getting pretty itchy already.)