Starting radiation September 2017

Options
13468914

Comments

  • Kaso
    Kaso Member Posts: 61
    edited September 2017

    My hypo fractionated radiotherapy plan is 267/day for a total of 5,005. Each week includes a slide and a visit with the RO. Eucerin cream and dove soap are provided.

  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited September 2017

    I have completed a week of proton radiation which is 267 cGy a day for a total of 1335 cGy. I will have 15 doses to equal 4005 total. So far my skin is itchy. It has a very slight pink color, but I think the mepitel is helping.


  • lovepugs77
    lovepugs77 Member Posts: 296
    edited September 2017

    No worries, Legomaster! Thanks for the well-wishes.

  • MommyErin
    MommyErin Member Posts: 187
    edited September 2017

    Happy Monday! Hope your skin got a nice rest over the weekend!I just learned from my RO that aloe plants can contain bacteria, so before use, stalk should be washed in hot soapy water, peeled, cut into small cubes, and frozen.

  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited September 2017

    mommyerin, that is interesting. Thanks for the info.

  • lily2
    lily2 Member Posts: 44
    edited September 2017

    Hello, I was wondering if anyone is doing the RapidArc radiation therapy?

  • deedledee
    deedledee Member Posts: 63
    edited September 2017

    Today was my last visit. Finished with Rads. Now to monitor during this baking state. Wishing all well and minimal side effects.

  • Anna-33
    Anna-33 Member Posts: 192
    edited September 2017

    Started yeasterday..

  • carmstr835
    carmstr835 Member Posts: 388
    edited September 2017

    Finished my 9th of 30 tomotherapy sessions. No issues yet. I sure hope this keep up. No pain, no itchiness, no redness. Good luck everyone!

  • Ladylumpo
    Ladylumpo Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2017

    Just started proton therapy today. I wondered if your breast felt hot for a few hours after treatment and what to do? Thank yo

  • bmm11071
    bmm11071 Member Posts: 13
    edited September 2017

    I am 7/23 and I have noticed a real change. I am really tired and my skin is so sensitive. Not really red; a little pink, but so sensitive and uncomfortable. So hard to wear a bra. I am worried what it is going to be by 23. Seems most everyone doing pretty well this early. RO said yesterday my skin would get pink this week. Using everything I can think of. Sensitive around my neck which I thought was away from the radiation field. All in all, nothing I can't deal with but getting a bit frustrated.

  • Radmonkey
    Radmonkey Member Posts: 83
    edited September 2017

    I had 7/30 and I'm starting to feel tired in the afternoons. My armpit is sensitive and I feel some tightness in my chest, sometimes with breathing. No pink. No burns. I thought I was showing symptoms a little early but I'm glad you wrote something, bmm. I haven't worn a bra since radiation started. I wear tank tops and t shirts.

  • MamaOz
    MamaOz Member Posts: 432
    edited September 2017

    hi carmstr and girls,

    I originally started in August but have been postponed due to Irma the last 3 weeks I live in fl keys my ( house still standing!! ) treatment is done in miami

    I had completed 20 of my 28, would have restarted last week but somone threw out my body mold and had to be resimulated

    So I start up tomorrow, so as most of the gals in the august group are wrapping up Ihope you dont mind if I join you as I finish

    After my last rad before evacuating #20 my chest started to turn color and get itchy, i had BMX with no recon so its a flat chest they use a bolice on me

    Ive been using aloe gel and jeans cream


    I remember when I first started sometimes it took more than 1st try to line up but then they got it right most of time after that

    Of course after 3 weeks Im not thrilled but need to get it done, my skin is brownish colored and leathery as it is

    carmstr... have you already started arimidex?? Your profile says march? I will be starting and was wondering how its going for you

    Mamaoz



  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited September 2017

    7 of 15 done and my skin is very itchy, I am not sure if it is from the proton radiation or the mepitel they put on me. I can see some pink through the mepitel film so I think it may be from the radiation.

    Ladylumpo, I do not notice any hot feeling.

    Mamaoz, welcome! Glad to hear your house it ok! Must of been scary.

    My neck area is very sensitive also.

    does anyone throat get really dry after radiation? Mine is horrible dry for hours after. wonder if that is normal?

  • MamaOz
    MamaOz Member Posts: 432
    edited September 2017

    shelabella the throats dryness is if they are radiateing the lymph nodes near your neck my Dr told me

    Radiation causes internal inflammation...

    Well got my 21 of28 in finally after 3 weeks! 7 more to g

  • Tanya_Djamila
    Tanya_Djamila Member Posts: 1,378
    edited September 2017

    I had radiation in 2004 coupled with chemo. Diagnosed with Stage III BC. I also drank wheat grass juice, carrot juice, Chinese medicine acupuncture. I don't know what worked but I was cancer free up until this year 2017.

    Now at Stage IV I took radiation for 14 sessions. It was tiring as anything and did leave burns on my skin by the end. I was also nauseous and tired. I am taking Ibrance currently and scheduled to have PET scans next week. I will know what the results were for the radiation. I was told that the radiation has an 80% chance of working. God knows best.

    Take care

  • MommyErin
    MommyErin Member Posts: 187
    edited September 2017

    Tanya- So sorry you had a recurrence :-( From your signature it looks like you're her2+. Any talk from your MO about getting herceptin and perjeta?

  • MamaOz
    MamaOz Member Posts: 432
    edited September 2017

    oh Tanya 🙏🏻Your tests show good news

  • lovepugs77
    lovepugs77 Member Posts: 296
    edited September 2017

    #1 is finally done! All went well, but my arms ache from having to hold them in position for so long.

  • VLH
    VLH Member Posts: 1,258
    edited September 2017

    CONGRATS, DeedleDee!

    All, today was the last time I'll see my RO (last treatment is Friday). I forgot to ask about how long I should wait before swimming in the city pool. Luckily, I don't have any open wounds at this point despite having reduction surgery mid-July. I thought she might say to wait a month to ensure the skin was well healed. One of the nurses asked for me and she said no swimming in public pools since the chlorine could be irritating, but a private pool would be alright. I said with alarm, "You mean FOREVER"?!? The nurse responded, "Yes," but I hope she misunderstood so may write a letter for clarification.

    I used to swim as much as 1/2 mile 2 to 3 times per week plus do another 10 or 15 minutes of water exercise. I have severe Fibromyalgia, painful bony growths over the insteps of both feet. During hip replacement, my highly regarded orthopedic surgeon inserted a shaft that is too long leaving one leg longer than the other. That results in inflammation of my sacroiliac joint plus add in a herniated disc. With arthritis in my shoulders, spine, knees, feet and one hand, getting back to swimming is important to me. Has anyone else asked about this?

    Lyn

  • Castigame
    Castigame Member Posts: 752
    edited September 2017

    lily2. I did rapidarc post 2 wks.

    I responded to the separate rapidarc topic. One thing is to practice holding breath. I practiced beforehand it came in handy.


  • Blipkitty
    Blipkitty Member Posts: 15
    edited September 2017

    Hi Everyone,

    I’m joining the September Rads Club - had 2/30 today. My RO initially thought it would be 15 rounds but too many hot spots possible. No time to focus on that, I’m all in for the long haul - thank you all for your wisdom sharing as we journey together.

    All the best to you.

  • MommyErin
    MommyErin Member Posts: 187
    edited September 2017

    Lovepugs77- Holding arms in position is the worst! My shoulders ache and my fingers are going numb by the end of most treatments. I'm trying to do more stretching before hand to see if it helps. Anyone else have any tips?

    VLH- Congrats on this being your last week! I'm so jealous ;-P I haven't discussed swimming after treatment with my RO, but he did say that salt water was ok during treatment (as long as I was good about redrawing my marks). I would definitely ask again about long term pool use.

    Blipkitty- Sorry you're here, but welcome! Hope your first week is going well.

  • deedledee
    deedledee Member Posts: 63
    edited September 2017

    Thanks VLH.

    I hope there is a misunderstanding and it's ok to use a public pool again. Sounds like like swimming is as joy and passion for you. We need those in our life.

    Blipkitty. Sorry for your disappointing news.You have a positive warrior spirit to carry you through.

    Lovepugs. Sorry I don't have any advice about the arms. I just grabbed the handles above my head and let my elbows and arms relax out. I didn't stiffen therm and tr order to tasker my mind somewhere else..sinking into the table.





  • JennD
    JennD Member Posts: 29
    edited September 2017

    Congrats, deedledee!

    I'm 10 of 16 then 4 boosts. In Canada they seem to do the treatments over a shorter time period so I think that's why I have been pink on and off since the second treatment. After 10 treatments I'm super itchy and my skin is quite dark and pink.

    Lovepugs- I know what you mean about the arms above the head. I've just given up trying to get comfortable and look forward to the end.

    VLH- that would be awful if pools were off limits indefinitely. I have 3 kids and they would be heartbroken if I couldn't go swimming with them again. But congrats on your last week!

    Best wishes to all of you! Jenn

  • MamaOz
    MamaOz Member Posts: 432
    edited September 2017

    mommyerin, as for tips on the arms ...stretch .. fortunately my techs set me up with rolled towels under each arm for support in my simulation so they use them each time for me.. dont think they can do that after ..

    Had my 21 st yesterday after the 3 week interuption...

    7 more to go

  • GlasgowGirl99
    GlasgowGirl99 Member Posts: 47
    edited September 2017

    hi everyone. I am almost at the end of my radiation treatment. Have had 15 so far and booster number 1 today. 4 boosters to go and I’m done ☺️☺️. Thankfully I’ve had no problems with my skin but the nurse told me today I could be more red underneath my boob next week and they may need to dress it? I can’t see anything going on but am assuming she means the indent left where I had surgery. I am hoping all goes well with the last 4 and hopefully will be able to plan my return to work in November!! Good luck to everyone o here.

    Tanya, I am so sorry to read of your reoccurrence. I am hoping and praying you receive good news after your pet scan 🙏🏻🙏🏻

  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited September 2017

    Blipkitty Welcome! Sorry you find yourself added to our group.

    Mommyerin, I take tylenol before each treatment. Helps to ease the discomfort.

    Castigame, Why are you holding your breath?

    Deedledee. Congrats!

    lets see who else did I miss..... Can't keep track of everyone.

    Hope everyone is doing good! The weekend is officially here!


  • Bromeliad
    Bromeliad Member Posts: 10
    edited September 2017

    I finished my radiation treatments this morning, rang the bell, and hugged my techs for being so wonderful. My skin, knock on wood, is doing OK. Slight darkening/pinkness, but otherwise feels fine. I'm experiencing a little fatigue as well, but mostly relieved to be done with treatments. I start on Tamoxifen this week, so may see some of you on the hormonal treatment forums soon. Good luck, everyone!

  • MamaOz
    MamaOz Member Posts: 432
    edited September 2017

    woo hoo!! Bromelaid! Congrats!

    Ill be taking arimidex soon my last day hopefully next friday

Categories