Starting Radiation in May 2017

I'm starting in May as well but no date yet.

I have been reading the April boards to get an idea of what to expect.

Thanks for starting the May thread. ☺️

I'm starting May 1. My last one is scheduled for June 14. Lexicoe, what is the Mepitel film for

I thought I would share my story for those of you starting rads. I have 4 more treatments left. My skin is not red or rashed. I have occasional "pinprick" sensations in the treated breast that comes and goes. I have exercised throughout treatment doing yoga and walking. I haven't been hit by debilitating fatigue. I was really tired yesterday and skipped exercise. Listen to what your body is telling you. Choose a treatment time that works best for you if possible. When I'm tired I try to get to bed early. I'm sharing this with you because we often fear the unknown. Whatever your experience you will get through this one day at a time. We all have different SEs but know that radiation is not horrible and doable for many. Blessings.

Mepitel is a film --kind of like a Saran Wrap applied to the area being treated--that has become standard protocol for women receiving breast cancer radiation in New Zealand because research has shown that protects the skin from more than 90% of the reactions to the radiation.

If you search the forum, AmusingSoprano and WildPlaces have posted links to the research studies. And you'll also see some women in the US talking about having used it too with great success. They seem to have very few skin problems and talk about how comforting it is to have something over the area to protect the skin from clothes, etc.

The research has shown it can be kept on throughout the treatments because it has no "bolus" effect. But it must be applied by your radiation techs to make sure it doesn't change your measurements and that the edges of the pieces match up exactly without any overlap. And you're supposed to keep it on for two weeks after radiation ends, because your skin is still processing the treatment during that time.

Some of the American women whose ROs were not open to it seem to have gotten similar results by applying it themselves and removing it before the treatments, then putting it back on immediately after. This is a bit of a pain and more expensive though, because you usually need several pieces to cover the area and can only stick the pieces backon a couple times before they lose adherence. (If you've ever used a product called Tegaderm for scrapes or burns or to adhere some kind of port to your skin, it seems to work in a similar way.)

Had similar diagnosis/Lumpectomy a year ago(also right side). It was followed up by 3 weeks of radiations vs 6 weeks (was told I was a 'candidate' for that more concentrated treatment type by my RO, after the 'Simulation' was done)

Right side generally uses a 'hold your breath technique( recommend speaking to your RO about having it done in two "hold your breaths"...wasn't told initially that was an option)

My MO was(still is) in charge of follow up, following radiation. The MO also determines if Chemo is necessary.. determined not necessary with my diagnosis. Am currently on HI.

Albeit it is time consuming to attend daily RADS ...my recommendation would also be, to do whatever You can, to keep the interruption to Your daily activities to a minimum. (I wore a tank top/ shirt over. . shirt off after entering RAD room .. jumped up on the table and slid my tank top down.. got r done and got the heck out of there and back to my life. Good luck and God Bless.

My sim and tats were done on different days. The actual treatments don't take long. I try to exercise in the morning before my afternoon treatment. Then if I need to rest afterwards I feel like I accomplished something. Now having said that I'm a retired teacher so I can make my own schedule. Do what works best for your lifestyle. Now is the time to take care of yourself first. Love to all.

P.S.the permanent tats can't wash off so no worries. If any other markings wash off in shower it's ok.

Rose, I suspect they covered my tattoos because only a little freckle (supposedly--it's hard to yell at this point) is permanent--the rest is done with a paint marker.

I'm doing left side too but they sent me to a place that has the inspired breath hold tech--you watch a video screen as you hold your breath, and the radiation stops if your breath volume goes below a certain point, to protect the heart. I looking at it as a video game with a real purpose. LO

yes, they had to make sure my heart didn't fall foward, as they told me, when doing the sim, or I would have to have rads while on my back. I like the idea of a video game Lexico

GetBusy - I'm lucky that I've had few SEs from rads. I've had 14/16 treatments with last two tomorrow and Tuesday.

I'm using Shea Moisture coconut oil for hydration (Walgreens or CVS). My RO nurse gave me hydrocortisone cream for itching and because I have a little redness I'm using 98% aloe spray. RO said not to use it directly from aloe plant. I bought 98% Aloe Vera Soothing Mist from Bio Miracle. Found it in Kroger/Frys. These SEs along with a little stinging/achiness come and go, All very manageable. I know others are not as fortunate and I'm very sensitive to their situations and feel so badly that anyone has to endure pain and discomfit.

I'm sharing my postive experience because I'm also aware that so many of you are afraid. Please don't be. Don't assume the worst. You all can do this! I'm here to help in any way I can. The unknown is scary for all of us.

My RO team is great and very responsive to my questions and concerns. Don't hesitate to advocate for yourselves. Ask questions. Share any SEs should you have them and get relief.

Miaderm is supposed to be very good. I can't find it locally and I'm going to see if my RO has any samples. They've been really cautious about what I can use.

Love the mantra Butterfly. Will be using it!

Hello,

I start this afternoon. I will have 19 total treatments. I think the last 3 are boosts but I can't remember for sure. I had three appointments beforehand: a consultation to talk to the RO and ask questions, a simulation which included the tattoos, and a dry run which was to make sure everything lined up the same on the actual machine as it did during the simulation, and to go through procedures for checking in every day.

I'm in the April group but since my treatments will go til May 29th I thought I would post here too. This morning, I had #10 of 29 (25 + 4 boosts). So far, no redness to the area! I have been applying Glaxal Base 3-4 times a day. I do have a bit more fatigue but nothing that requires a nap every day. I have been able to get back to a bit more exercise, biking, walking and dog agility. My part time job requires me to work at different times depending on the day. The clinic has been great at scheduling my appointments around my work. I let them know by Wednesday for the following week.

Tappersmom - check with your RO about dentist. Mine did not want me to have any cleanings or dental work prior to, during, and told me to wait a month after I was done with rads. He explained that during a cleaning some bacteria can get into the bloodstream. Normally that's not a problem but during rads our immune system is a little lower and there could be a possible breast infection. I was really surprised. I would just double check how far in advance you can go to dentist before beginning treatments

Hmmm I went to the dentist for a cleaning a week before starting. (It was originally scheduled for the day of surgery) oh well.

Anyway my first treatment went okay today. Very similar to the dry run really - I can't tell the difference between getting x-rays and radiation while laying there. I was a little dizzy after but probably from all the deep breaths that I had to redo because they were either too deep or not deep enough (to keep my heart out of the way - my radiation is on the left). Maybe I will get it right by the end. They can see where my heart is the whole time so they can shut off the beam if I accidentally unhold my breath while I'm supposed to be holding it. The margin is apparently only 3 mm so I am glad to know they are watching