Summer Rads 2016

Hello summer rads friends!

Just had my first treatment today! Easy! Took 20 minutes and most was setup time. I'm sure it will get more challenging but at least it is short and sweet!

I will have 16 whole breast and 5 boosts which is the Canadian protocol. I can handle 21 days after all that chemo time. Looking forward to seeing more summer rad people join the thread

Hello. I got my sim done last week along with my tattoos. Did my dry run today and starting the real thing tomorrow on entire right breast and axilla. My first cancer was DCIS and I had a BMX. 8 years later (now), I was initially diagnosed with DCIS again, but later changed to IDC stage 1, grade 1, ER+ by 2nd opinion from Mayo. Nodes are difficult to determine because due to the BMX, my nodal pathways were destroyed, (so I don't think I have an a or b designation). Surgeon did not do a SNB upon the lumpectomy. After a re-excision due to unclear margins, DCIS was found multi-focally and the IDC is just in the main tumor (1cm). I have had an ultrasound to look at my nodes (twice) and they appear normal. My MO indicates due to the size and stage of my tumor that node involvement is likely less than 1%. None of my doctors suggest a biopsy or PET. So... they are going to rad the nodes (just in case).

I am nervous to start, but am also anxious. The sooner I start, the sooner I can be done. But I am most nervous about my nodes. Scared that something undetected is there and has or will metastasize... Trying not to dwell on that, but will likely always be hypersensitive to any aches and pains now.

Looking at 36 treatments starting tomorrow. Wow, my shoulders already ache just from my sim and dry run. Mine has me holding some handlebars high above my head. Also, I must be a really itchy person, because I think I must have had about 30 itches that I couldn't scratch during my dry run today... LOL!

I am also a summer girl! I started last Monday so 6 out of 30 done. So far no big deal, just a little bit pink and maybe a little sore. The appointments themselves are super fast and the girls at my place are SO nice and fun to see in the morning!

Kechia, I would also be worried but the chemo would have caught any stragglers. If it helps you can always get a second opinion.

I know for me my biggest worry is this coming back. I am doing everything I can so that doesn't happen...radiation and years of tamoxifen! Not looking forward to the side effects, but I will deal with it!

BTW, lots of good info on the spring rads board so go check it out

Hello ladies! Just popping in from the Spring Rads group! I started radiation on June 13th. I had 12/25 today! Just about halfway. I'm starting to turn a little pink, but no discomfort yet.

KarenC - You might want to check out page 31 and 32 of Spring Rads. Several ladies were discussing painful nipples and posting some ways they have found relief!

Good luck to those of you currently undergoing rads and to those of you who will be starting soon!

Tomorrow I have my simulation and tattoos. I'm actually nervous about it. I start 33 rads in a couple weeks. I know it should be not as bad as chemo but 6 1/2 weeks seems like such a long time.

Hello summer crew

I'm on number 5 of 33. will finish up august 8, due to 4th of july weekend. So far my skin is ok. Having aches and pains from lying on that hard table and having my arms in a awkward position.

I use aloe gel, and aquaphor at night. so far so good. I also have miaderm.

7 of 30 done. It really seems to be going fast, next thing I know I will be all done! Skin still a lovely shade of pink, but that's it so far. Maybe a tiny sore and itchy around the incision but nothing to complain about! The only thing I noticed today is around 11:00 am, I felt like I hit the wall hard. Still beyond tired but hitting the sack early. Not sure if radiation related or a virus??!! Good luck to all the newbes, it honestly just becomes routine

Hi Everyone

7/33 done. No pink yet, but I am sensitive under my arm, and my back itches. Saw RO today and he says my skin is doing well but to expect the redness soon. I use aloe right after treatment and aquaphor at night. It really calms down the warm feeling I get at night.

Today is the first day I got tired, but had to take my 86 year old mom to the Dr., she is a handful.

Hi Truffles,

My girls are 10 and 11. We homeschool year round but haven't done much this past month. My husband works from home so he stays with the girls while I run over to do radiation. We live in a community across the street from a big medical building so it is literally a 5 min drive. I am very lucky. My MO is also in the same building.

I finished number 2 today. I know it will be a while before I see any issues. I do feel tired but that might be the arimedex I started. I have to nap during the day to make it through.

Today at radiation a lady suggested drinking Propel water to replace electrolytes.

Day 6 of rads done plus my doctors visit. Was not aware that for the next year I will burn across the radiated area for a full year after, and then always tan quicker there later. Mexico is my resting place for 2 weeks in January!I just went on Amazon and ordered some uv swim/tshirt tops with a 50 SPF since I can't use sunscreen yet either and will be out in the sun. She actually said she would worry about the shirt I have on as it has a v neck. Never ending lol!

I noticed a very slight pink today, am hoping after 5 more it does not get too much worse or itch. My friend booked a room with a saltwater pool that I can enjoy next weekend as long as none of that is happening. Maybe the 3 day weekend will help. Our holiday here is tomorrow.

I am definitely getting sleepy and worn out. I am looking forward to no rads tomorrow and sleeping in if I can.

15 more to go, 10 whole and 5 boosts!

Taking my mom back there for her first consult with radiation oncologist today, she was just dx with a different kind of cancer (not breast), but will find out more later.

Day 3. A little warm but not pink. I do feel like some stabbing discomfort, though. More annoying than anything. I will say I am tired but it could be the Arimedex.

My RO is recommending only coconut oil on my skin. Anyone else have this same opinion from their RO? She thinks very highly of it, antimicrobial, antibacterial, moisturizing. I'm just using the stuff made for cooking from the organic foods section (her suggestion). It's actually really nice. It doesn't stay greasy and absorbs really well. I also have thrown in a couple applications of real aloe from my aloe plant so far. Anything else I should consider? I'm only on #4, but have 32 more to go including 8 boosts, so I'm trying to stay ahead of the curve. How often are the rest of you applying oils/lotions on your skin?

I have implants from reconstruction (8 years ago), so am worried about contracture. I can feel a tightness/tenderness in the muscles just to either side of my sternum. Anyone else have this? Maybe it is from my positioning and not the rads... Strange that it is on both sides.

Anyone else have implants (saline) while doing radiation? Any suggestions on what I can do to help prevent/reduce contracture? Already doing stretches and self massage... I met with a PS prior to starting and he indicated contracture was almost 100% likely. The degree of contracture (3 or 4) will dictate whether it needs to come out...

Thanks ej. I was applying twice, so will kick that up to 4x!

I hope your animals stay calm this weekend! Enjoy!

Finished #6 of my 21 rads yeaterday and had my weekly check in with my nurse. Was unaware that the whole area that gets the rads will burn up to a year after rads and then always tan first after that. I had a v neck tshirt on which she said would cause me to burn if I was out in the sun. I ended up going on Amazon and ordering a 50 spf tshirt and one t/swim shirt as I usually go to Mexico in January and want to be protected, plus they will help now until I can use sunscreen.

The only cream we are recommended to put on is Glaxol base creams 3 X a day. I just have to let them know if there are any issues. Was also recommended to me not to put it on too thick as the skin can only absorb so much. I can't believe I have only 15 more - 3 weeks- and I'll be done. No redness yet. I have a festival weekend next weekend so I hope all stays okay. I have been really tired and sleep a lot though.

Hope everyone who is celebrating long weekends (Canada day here today) have great weekends despit this interruption in our life!!!?