Starting Rads in March 2017

Just finished my simulation. Was a bit uncomfortable because I am ready to start my cycle and after the reduction, the girls are really sore at that time of the month. I am on my stomach so the "good" one is smashed. Was very quick though. Met some ladies in the waiting room and although I was definitely the youngest there, they made me feel welcome. There were volunteers there handing out water and chcolates. I can do this

ILSunrise, I got the Lindi cooler roll and soothing balm from their website:

http://www.lindiskin.com/shop/by-concern/radiation...

I bought 2 cooler rolls but 1 should be enough. The cooler roll can be cut to size and can also be re-used. The soothing balm is not greasy at all! The radiated has been warmer than the other side since day 1, although the radiation therapist said it's way too early to have any side effects from rads, applying this cooler roll soothes a lot.

I already had 7 out of 25 rads, and today start feeling tightness around the chest + develop some coughs. It doesn't bother me but will definitely bring it to my RO on my next review.

Morning everyone!!

I had a bilateral mastectomy with TE on 1/18. Pathology results showed one of the lymph nodes removed had cancer. Long story short, I have received 2 opinions and both doctors are recommending radiation. That's fine. However, I am struggling because one doctor thinks I should do the whole chest wall, while the other believes I should localize the radiation under my arm. I just don't know what to do! The physician that recommended the whole chest wall, has indicated this is a proactive approach to reduce recurrence. Which I like. But I am also aware that there are some risks involved with doing more radiation. I guess I am primarily concerned about reconstruction issues. My plastic surgeon has already started filling my TE's in preparation for radiation. I am leaning towards the whole chest wall, even though there are more risks. That being said, when I met with both doctors, I still like the personality of the one that recommended the more localized treatment. Anyone else in a similar boat? How did you decide what to do? Has anyone ever spoken to a doctor about their 2nd opinions and wanting to still treat with their doctor, but do something based on another doctors recommendation?

Thanks!!

LynnieRich, I had my second day yesterday and I too was itching a little bit. Had a tiny bit of pink too. Thank goodness for the weekend to have a couple of days off.

I was told I could keep shaving until it started burning. If it wasn't red, I could keep shaving.

Hi, everyone. Thought I would share my experiences thus far. Yesterday was 13/16 whole breast zaps & setup for 4 boost zaps concentrated at tumor bed, for a total 20 zaps. Got 4 more marks for the boosts. Skin effects were a big concern due to very fair skin that sunburns easily. Started using the Dr/Nurse recommended Miaderm (not greasy, spreads easily) one week before rads and use it 4x daily. Could not use Aquaphor as petrolatum bothers my skin. Skin a little pink, especially nipple. Like Emily2008, some nerve pain under armpit and breast tenderness. Prescribed Lidocaine ointment working well to relieve nipple & armpit effects. Also using prescribed Mometasone Furoate cream on sensitive areas. My advice: Use creams! Do not wait until "effects" start. Also, make sure you let a Rad Nurse/Dr know when you need more "help" with your skin. Cancer Center I go to always has a Rad Nurse/Dr on duty & you can speak to them even if it's not your "scheduled" day to be seen by them. My rads are after work - helps to be distracted during the day & Center to home is a 6 min trip. Managing to wear normal business casual at work by wearing a cotton tank with a "stretched out" bra over it so rad area is not irritated. Saw this "tank tip" somewhere on the internet. (shopping hint: at Target, currently 3/$24) Hope some of this info is helpful to fellow rad ladies.

Cowboy-Up, I was told I could shave but only with an electric razor. I'll have to use the electric razor for the rest of my life due to having 13 lymph nodes removed. Nicking myself with a blade razor could cause lymphodemia to develop and that terrifies me!

Not-happening, does your radiation team do x-rays with every treatment? Mine does and so far no signs of lung or heart damage (15 of 33). My cancer is on the left side so I'm very nervous about them zapping my heart even with the breath hold. I'm having the chest wall and arm pit treated as there is no breast tissue left to treat (I hope!).

Coupon, thank you for the cooler roll information. I wonder if I can use it? I was told no cold or heat in the treatment areas. I'll ask my RO if he thinks the cooler rolls would be safe for me to use when I see him tomorrow. I've developed a cough too and I was given a prescription for ?!. They are little tiny balls and I take one 3xs a day. It's works wonders. The tightness in my chest started at about treatment #8. My RO is able to treat under my TEs so I won't have to have my TE emptied and then start expansion all over again.

Emily, congratulations on finishing your radiation treatments! Yay!

Celia C, thank you for sharing your experiences and all the tips on tank tops etc. I can use A&D ointment at night only so I have old night gowns that handles the greasy sticky stuff. I have to shower to get the A&D off in the mornings or it'd still be there for my treatments. I even use it on my horses for all the scrapes and cuts they show up with at the barn. It even gets the hair to grow back on their scars. Pretty potent stuff. Hopefully I won't have any hair show up on my chest. That would be horrible!

Until next time

Good Morning!

My initial appt with the MO is tomorrow morning. I guess I'll find out then what my course of treatment will be. I don't see the RO until next Thursday (23rd), so it's looking like rads won't start until April. Looks like I'll be moving to the April Rads Group. We're supposed to leave for Vegas the evening of April 21st. I sure hope I can get a reprieve from rads for 2 days!

Good luck and prayers for everyone!

It's looking like I will be starting partial breast radiation treatments on the 27th, after they did measurements or whatever it was today and I go back next week for a revisit and their rehearsal.

Still up in the air what plan of attack -- could be 3 weeks twice daily, or the more conventional 30 sessions once daily.

Leslie2016 - Agree it is confusing how number of treatments is determined. Believe it is case by case, depending on type, stage, grade, node involvement, etc. RO scheduled me for 16 whole breast + 4 boosts to tumor bed, total 20. Have heard mostly 25 or 30 treatments, so I was happy when it was only 20. Came across something about "typical" dosage: 100-200 rads or centiGrays each, 4000-5000 centiGrays over 5 weeks (5 treatments per week) plus an additional 1000-2000 centiGrays for 1 week (5 treatments) as a boost. Saw my dosage info @ latest RO visit on 3/15: 4256 centiGrays total for the 16 treatments + 1000 centiGrays for 4 boosts, total 5256.

Only have 2 boosts and then done! Now that whole breast is done, only minor pinkness in underarm & near sentinel node scar - nipple no longer irritated & I have very fair skin. Hope things go as well for everyone else. Hugs all around.

Celia, I'm getting 33 treatments of 180 centiGrays every day. No mention of boosts at this time so I'm sure it's not on my treatment plan. Maybe it's due to the type of surgery we chose? I had a DBMX and those that have mentioned getting boosts had lumpectomies? Do you know how they determine boosts?Things that make me go hhmmm.

Celia, I'll have to remember to ask my RO on Tuesday... IF Ican remember, my chemo brain still runs my life 🙁

Coupon, thank you, now I don't have to remember to ask my RO tomorrow. Chemobrain at its worst for me

Ruby, great news on no Chemo! I'm doing the happy dance for you!

My RO original told me 33 days of rads but the techs just told me only 28 were ordered. I'm waiting to see him now so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the 28 instead of 33!