Starting Rads in January 2017

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I have just finished my Chemo and will be starting my Rads in January, 4 weeks after my last treatment. I have an appointment for the 15th of December to get alll set up. I hope I will have other people that will join me in this journey.

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  • ArtyMom
    ArtyMom Member Posts: 71
    edited December 2016

    I have had two surgeries to get rid of the cancer and am ready for radiation too. Also will be starting some sort of hormone therapy, not sure which kind yet. Just glad to be doing something, even though I worry about the side effects of everything

  • ElizabethAM
    ElizabethAM Member Posts: 245
    edited December 2016

    I have my hormone pills already, but don't start them until Dec. 30.

  • Emily2008
    Emily2008 Member Posts: 605
    edited December 2016

    I may be joining you ladies!

    I had an excision last week of breast cancer recurrence, and once we get the final pathology report and I have my consultations with my MO and RO, I will start. My MO said they usually recommend waiting 3-6 weeks after surgery so the skin heals completely. That would put me in mid-January, I believe.

    I've been mentally preparing myself for rads, as last time I was diagnosed I didn't need them. Chemo was scary, but I feel like rads is scary, too, and a lot of people don't talk about that part.

  • ElizabethAM
    ElizabethAM Member Posts: 245
    edited December 2016

    Welcome Emily. I guess we will learn together as I have not done Rads before either.

    Welcome ArtyMom...

  • Stg4thrivor
    Stg4thrivor Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2016

    I'm scheduled to begin accelerated external beam radiation therapy on 1/3/17. I originally had SAVI brachytherapy radiation to the left breast following a lumpectomy in December 2011. In July 2016, I was diagnosed with regionally metastatic breast cancer in 5 subpectoral/axillary/hilar lymph nodes. Finished Adriamycin/Cytoxan (4 rounds) chemotherapy on November 2, 2016. Since I've not had external beam radiation before, I am looking forward to reading posts, and gathering information about the process. Best of luck to you!

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2016

    Stg4thrivor, welcome to our community, and glad you found us. We're all here for you, and please share your updates!

  • Caligirl55
    Caligirl55 Member Posts: 486
    edited December 2016

    I have my appointment Thursday with radiation department to go over everything & schedule. Not sure if they will start this month or January but figured I would check in with y'all. I had lumpectomy & 2 lymph noids removed November 10th. They all came back clear. Went through chemo already with some of you. No hormone therapy since I am Triple Negative BC.

  • Caligirl55
    Caligirl55 Member Posts: 486
    edited December 2016

    I have my appointment Thursday with radiation department to go over everything & schedule. Not sure if they will start this month or January but figured I would check in with y'all. I had lumpectomy & 2 lymph noids removed November 10th. They all came back clear. Went through chemo already with some of you. No hormone therapy since I am Triple Negative BC.

  • Lorri70
    Lorri70 Member Posts: 191
    edited December 2016

    Hi can I also join you girls? I am going to see the radiologist tomorrow and I assume I'll be starting radiation in January 17.

  • ElizabethAM
    ElizabethAM Member Posts: 245
    edited December 2016

    I was told that Rads would start 2weeks after the setup.

    Welcome Stg4thrivor , Caligirl and Lorri70.

  • Karey59
    Karey59 Member Posts: 68
    edited December 2016

    Hi elizabeth caligirl and everyone. I was told i will be starting radiation Jan 3rd and will be getting 30 treatments. I had th ct scan and tatoos only took about 15 minutes. I would like to join this group with you all , so glad to be done with chemo!


  • Caligirl55
    Caligirl55 Member Posts: 486
    edited December 2016

    Karey...I will have 6 weeks 5 days a week of radiation. Last Monday had my CT & tattoos visit.

    Lorri... Welcome ...we were in this together. I don't know if I will start rads this month or next??

    Stg4 ...you may have some tips for us.

  • Lorri70
    Lorri70 Member Posts: 191
    edited December 2016

    I had my consultation with the radiology DR today I'll be having 20 sessions of radiation 15 then 5 boosts. I'll be having a scan to see positions he said they might need a different technique to avipoid my heart as it's my left side, he's hoping to get that done by Christmas then start the radiation in January.

    I feel back to normal since the operations I forget about the cancer a lot, but it brought it home to me today in the clinic again people waiting to see the radiologist little bit scary feeling lucky also and I felt like crying but I pulled myself together,

    I'm seeing the oncologist on Friday as well

  • ArtyMom
    ArtyMom Member Posts: 71
    edited December 2016

    Radiation starts December 27th, counted 33 sessions, will last through the first week of February.they have both reiki and massage available. I mentioned I had some slight cording and swelling and they immediately referred me to therapy for it. Everyone was so nice!!!! Also starting tamoxifen this weekend

  • Caligirl55
    Caligirl55 Member Posts: 486
    edited December 2016

    Lorri...I think it feels so good to have a little break from it all. Today after being off from work so long I had to go to the district office and the receptionist I've known for years but we aren't like Facebook buddies.. She saw me and said ...what is going on with you...staring at my scarf...I was explaining how it's not something you announce in an all district email ... I have BC everyone...then I teared up. I haven't done that for awhile. When I was first diagnosed I could not stop the flood of tears at some of the most awkward times.

    ArtyMom...your cancer enter does massage? I like that

  • Lorri70
    Lorri70 Member Posts: 191
    edited December 2016

    caligirl yes it does alright it feels like your same as before. I've avoided going into work altogether I sneaked in to give them DRS notes etc didn't want to see my colleagues, 2 close friends know,i was invited to my Christmas party but I declined at the last minute didn't want to be talking about cancer all night, I too would be afraid of tears, my employer has been fantastic paying me fully etc very lucky.

    The leaflet I got yesterday said to not use deodorant shave use hair remover etc is that if you had your lymph nodes removed or for everyone do you know?.

    Artymom massage sounds great I'd love that.

  • Caligirl55
    Caligirl55 Member Posts: 486
    edited December 2016

    I have read on the other radiation site for Fall of 2016 that some are told not to wear deodorant & some say now you can. I better write that down to ask today at my appointment.

  • Lorri70
    Lorri70 Member Posts: 191
    edited December 2016

    yes I will too, I'm seeing the oncologist tomorrow and I got a call for scan in radiology department on Monday so it's all happening now

  • ElizabethAM
    ElizabethAM Member Posts: 245
    edited December 2016

    I had my setup appointment today. I found out I will have 16 sessions.

    What you need to do is ask you RO what you should do. Each one has different ways to do things

  • SuMarie
    SuMarie Member Posts: 37
    edited December 2016

    Hello Ladies,

    I'm going to start radiation Dec 26th, for 5 weeks, 25 sessions. I'm happy to join this group. I had 4 rounds of A/C and Tuesday I'll have my 12th and final Taxol. This is the first time I've posted. Now that I see the 'end' of treatment in sight, I feel like I want to get proactive about my health and get more informed and involved with the radiation treatment. Up to now I've been relying on my oncologists, my MD (a close friend) and all the info I've learned by reading posts on this forum. So I sign off: no longer a shy lurker.

  • ejeffery
    ejeffery Member Posts: 1
    edited December 2016

    Good morning. I just joined. I found this blog by accident when I was researching why I hear a sloshing sound in my breast after lumpectomy LOL. This morning was the first time I had heard it and of course was anxious about it. This past month has sped by me like a whirlwind. I was diagnosed after a routine screening mammogram and have had several things going on, ending with surgery on Dec 7th for lumpectomy. I had two tumors. They were both removed and had clean margins. I had four lymph nodes removed and they were clear. I am waiting to hear about the radiation concult. I am anxious. Did having radiation affect your working life?


  • Caligirl55
    Caligirl55 Member Posts: 486
    edited December 2016

    I had my dry-run for radiation yesterday! I was laying on the table as the young fella is marking my breast area and telling me why when the emotions hit. Couldn't stop the tears if I tried since I couldn't let go of the handles over my head they have you grab onto. I just felt kinda violated but I know he didn't mean that. I'm sure he thinks I'm a nut case he has to put up with for six weeks. I will begin radiation next Monday for 6 weeks ..33 sessions.

    Welcome SuMarie and ejeffery...hope we can all help each other through this part of our battle.

    Hugs

  • kellychameleon
    kellychameleon Member Posts: 100
    edited December 2016

    Caligirl55, I had my markings today too, and I also started crying on the table! Totally took me by surprise, and it was frustrating and embarrassing to not be able to wipe the tears. It's been a year since my diagnosis, and I don't usually get that emotional anymore. It was weird.

    I'll be starting in the very beginning of January. I don't know my exact plans yet but most likely 33 sessions. I'm supposed to hear back from the doctor in a week or so. I'm not looking forward to going up to the hospital every day, but after all of the chemo I've had this year, it seems like it will be pretty manageable.

    Re: deodorant, they said I'm fine to use it (I use Tom's) but to put it on right after the session. Since I'm going in the morning, that doesn't seem like a big deal. Although it sounds like every office has differing recommendations.

  • Caligirl55
    Caligirl55 Member Posts: 486
    edited December 2016

    kellychameleon....Welcome...that makes me feel much better. I'm not the Lone Ranger....I was surprised by my emotions. I did that a lot after my diagnosis in June and when chemo first started so I thought I was beyond the crazy emotions. Maybe it was the kid drawing on by breast area..lol

  • SuMarie
    SuMarie Member Posts: 37
    edited December 2016


    Thank you for the welcome. I feel like chemo really messed with my emotions so it's no wonder starting radiation is going to be stressful. For me the stress includes meeting and getting to know a new doctor, (the radio oncologist) new technicians & support team, finding my way around a new section of the hospital. Sometimes I feel that after 6 months of chemo I should have this 'being sick and having cancer' thing down. But I don't! I'm thinking about getting organized, making some lists and having a routine for the 5 weeks, that way when my bouts of chemo brain come iwon't feel so disoriented

  • Caligirl55
    Caligirl55 Member Posts: 486
    edited December 2016

    SuMarie...your right ..being in a whole new department of the cancer center and all new people is emotional with cancer. As I left down the hall I saw my chemo nurse working away in my infusion room #4 and wanted to run and say hi!! I may make some lists too.

    ejeffery...I never heard any sloshing around in my breast ...yikes I guess that will happen too! I will be back to work in January after Christmas break too.

  • ElizabethAM
    ElizabethAM Member Posts: 245
    edited December 2016

    Hello to all the new ladies...

    I had my prep session on Thursday. Have all my Tats now and an appointment to go back on Dec 19th. Not sure what this appointment is for since we (my RO and I) had decided I would start my rads after all the holidays.

    ejeffey -- it could be a senoma ( I think that is what it is called) Have you doc check it out. Sometimes they drain them. It would be nice if you would go into your profile and fill in the info on your self... then you need to go into setting and make them public so we can see them.

    I can understand why you would get emotional at your prep session. I didn't but I do at the oddest of moments, at the grocery, in the shower. driving... it just pops up at unusual times. But we are going to get through this.

  • SuMarie
    SuMarie Member Posts: 37
    edited December 2016

    ElizabethAM it will be interesting to find out what the RO has to say to you on Monday. And thank you for saying we are going to get through this, I needed to hear that today.

    Feeling positive....

  • RitaR551
    RitaR551 Member Posts: 42
    edited December 2016

    I will begin rads early Jan. Have a tattoo appointment for Dec. 27. Before that, though, they will do a mammogram. I'm dreading it. Lumpectomy was Nov.18 and I still have some swelling. Anyone know if this pre rads mammogram is full compression like a regular mammogram

  • TrishCat
    TrishCat Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2016

    I am just about to start week 6 of rads. I'd be so happy to answer any and all questions and share my experience.

    I had stage 1 IDC with one positive node, er/pr+, HER2-. No chemo. I'm on month 3 of arimidex.


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