Starting Radiation in May 2017

Connie 1230: I will be supine. At least treatments will be in the right side, away from the heart. I asked if the esophagus is ever irritated, and yes, sometimes that happens with 35 treatments. The tattoos are so tiny and they didn't hurt at all.

I live in Florida, so it's all about beaches, pools and fun. I hope your grandchildren have fun visiting you.

Hi MexicoHeather. Thanks for the response. I have come to part of a decision and that is to have the underarm radiated. I do not want my chest radiated at all. My surgeon told me today that my margins were clean and I'm good there. He does think because of having cancer in 2 of my lymph nodes that I should have the underarm radiated. That was where I was considering agreeing to before I talked to him to find out what all was on the final pathology report after my surgery. I just want to make sure I'm doing what's best for me. That's all any of us can do. My RO needs to understand that. I just pray that I don't have other problems with radiation to have to deal with other than the obvious. I want to be comfortable with my decision and pray for the best.

Hello all,

I recognize a few names from other threads. I will be starting radiation at the end of this month. I went for the mapping last Friday. I will admit that I was definitely dreading it because of having to have my hands over head for however long after a double mastectomy. I am also dreading this radiation and so wished that I didn't need to do it. I can't believe that I was in tears after realizing I had to start (after the meeting with the RO). I think I was holding out hope that I wouldn't need it. I had a great response to chemo but the percentage advantage decrease was too great to ignore. So I grudgingly agreed to do it...30 treatments for me.

The mapping was surprisingly easy. I didn't even have to have the left arm, affected side, totally up. I did the mold, measurements and tattoos in about 45 min. The worst part was right before I went into the room I had to use the bathroom. So after I get in there the nurse was like..."Oh no, I have to give you a pregnancy test!" Lol...not, then spent the next 10 mins. trying...well you get the picture. I am in menopause but she said they had to be sure. Funniest thing was when another nurse comes in and proclaims, "Well, your not pregnant!" As if...lol 😂😁🤗

As far as creams and stuff, my RO had her nurse do a radiation training session with me and gave me a large booklet. Eucerine and Alaphor (forgive my spelling) were mostly recommended along with aloe. I think they said the most important thing was to put some type of lotion on right after the radiation session. I was advised to do the back side also.

So, starting soon and now kinda can't wait to get this part of the journey finished.

Healing thoughts to all

Still waiting on the call from RO to start treatment. Ordered aquaphor from Amazon, bought Aloe Vera Gel hopefully those 2 items will help the skin. Will prob get a few cheap cotton t shirts for when I get home.

I wish Butterfly but I am large breasted and had a left side mastectomy, so I have the issue of either going lopsided to tx or use my genie bra with the knitted knocker to look even

I dont want to wear the bra's from the Boutique with my prosthesis if I am going to be having lotion or anything on breast after treatment. I guess I will figure it out once I start.

Tappersmom - glad you're going to get started. Once you complete your first treatment it will become routine and less anxious for you. That's how it was for me. Gentle hugs.

Good luck Tappermom

Congrats All5 and good luck next week. Let us know how it goes

ILSunrise, Ruby3813, sq211, Lexicoe - Thank you so much for your suggestions. I bought the Calendula cream, as well as Radiation cream on Amazon. They are really helping with the pink itchy skin.

Good to know Tapper, as I go on Monday for Sim. Mexico, I am hoping for early morning also so my day can started and I am not waiting all day for my Rads appointment. If I want to do lunch or whatever then my day would be free.

lohoff - this didn't happen to me but it did for some ladies. If you look through Starting rads in April or March., I can't remember which thread, they discuss some things they did to help with the odor. You are not alone. It may be coming from under the breast

Hi Elastogelgirl,

I hope you got the right Mepitel--as it turns out, I had the wrong one the first week and completely freaked out when I realized it! Doc was great tho and she told me it would be okay and we just switched to the right one the second week.

Mepitel One and Mepitel are the wrong ones, it has to be the one exactly called Mepitel Film and says that on the outside of the package if you want to use it during radiation. (Why the company would have 3 very different products with such similar names baffles me!) I ended up finding the right stuff at CVS and CVS Online, in 4x4 and 3x2 squares.

If you're going to have it on during the radiation, the techs need to apply it while you're laying in the treatment position because it may move the markings and they'll need to rejigger them. Plus. The film edges must abut and not overlap. You should be able to do it at first treatment though, instead of simulation. (Otherwise, you're wearing it for a week or two before treatments actually start!)

I just took a copy of the study with me when I proposed using Mepitel to my RO, then when the techs called before the first treatment to ask how to apply it, I told them about the video on the Molynke website, which they watched.

If the center won't cooperate, you can still apply the Mepitel yourself after each treatment and remove it before the next one--the very first study was apparently done that way. One woman on here found that she could get the film to re-apply for about 3 days before it wouldn't adhere anymore. The downside is replacing the film squares every 3 days is a lot more expensive.

If I were to do it all over again though, I would seriously consider going this route. I just got so stressed about trying to keep the film on exactly as applied given the hot humid weather here and trying to continue my workouts! And every time I came in for treatment, they'd have to replace a piece under my arm plus trim and fill in little gaps from curling at the edges or whatnot.

Unfortunately, It turns out that I am allergic to Mepitel Film (I got a bad rash) and we had to remove it before the end of the second week. So I wish you better luck with it!

Had mapping done today, first treatment tomorrow at 11:15. Scattered appointments this week, but someone is finishing up in the 8:30 slot, which is their first appointment. So I will take that appoinment, and then get onw ith my day