Starting Radiation October 2017

Hi DodgersGirl!

Yes, I started rads this week. Just finished #3 today. So far, so good!

I'm using Miaderm right after the treatment and then a couple more times a day.

I also finished chemo a couple weeks ago and am now in radiation. The good news is, each day feels better because I'm still coming out of the chemo haze!

The mapping wasn't too bad, just a long time with my arms over my head. The tattoos they gave me are so small, they look like freckles. I barely see them! The techs have all been amazing. I find the machine and the science of it all quite fascinating.

I hope your set-up is easy. Thank you for setting up a group for those of us starting in October!

-LoJo

Hi Teach70!

I don't know why they won't tattoo until the 3rd treatment for you. Interesting. Maybe it's just the way they do it. I've found out one thing on these boards... everybody's team is a bit different! :-)

DodgersGirl - I have 28 treatments scheduled at this time, no boosts. They may add boosts at the end, but as of now, the consensus is I don't need them due to the wide margins I got from the BMX.

Now, that being said, even though it did not spread to the lymph nodes, we are doing a full lymph node treatment, up to the clavicle. I had a larger tumor, so they want to make sure that if a cell decided to have a party in a lymph node, they get it. I'm all for it, and due to my chest shape, the increased odds of lung dose stay very low, so there really is no reason not to do it this way. Oh, and it's on the right side, so heart dose is not expected to be a factor.

Do you know how many treatments you will receive (both DodgersGirl and Teach70)?

Hi ladies, I won't be starting till Nov but will be following your thread to learn what it's all about. I have my first RO appointment 10/19.

Theresa

Dodgersgirl, the lotion thing is my biggest question and seems so variable. I wonder what my RO will suggest. I know one gal who just finished up recently posted shewas strongly advised not to use anything because it's the creams that cause the issues. She had no skin issues at all. Makes me wonder....

Dodgersgirl- the mapping is when they use the ct scan and make all kinds of drawings on you. I still have little x’s covered with sticky tape. It will be sent away for calculation and should be back soon. They will then do a test run or simulation to make sure all my markings are correct. On day two they will actually use radiation and if everything is correct, they will make the tattoo marks on day three. That’s is how the tech explained it to me. However, after having the stickies on my skin for over a week, two of the five washed off. She told me I could shower as normal. She said they will remark me anyhow when I go for my simulation. It is funny how everyone’s treatment is slightly different in how it is dibe

I tried total of 5 non aloe gel. One or two was cool green tea and two or three was acquaphor. Cool green tea was good but I liked Aloe better. Also doing just one was simpler for me to remember.

I am thinking even keeping your choice of creams in fridge may not be a bad idea. Your entire upper body will get sooo hottttt. So almost anything to lower body temp helps.

I start the 23rd...28 zaps. Will get the clavicle, too...I'm really dreading rads! I had 4/6 nodes positive after chemo which has been really hard to deal with emotionally, I also have full-blown osteoporosis...due to early menopause they say. I'm 56. MO wants to start me on Arimidex asap, have appt to see dentist tomorrow.

I was given the ok to use the green tea...RO said he'd heard of it, but, yet to have a patient who tried it. Said he wants to see red skin as he then knows it's working!? I'll use aloe, too...idk what else?

Dodger... I wonder if the 'fear' is simply due to being very tired of it all? We both have husbands who are dealing with serious health issues, too, that likely plays a big part in our reluctance to take another step? lol...I hope yours is healing! Mine has had complications, but, is sloooowly getting better. He was dx'd with a movement disorder 4 years ago....come to find out it was all from his neck! Alas, he lost a lot of muscle, balance & strength along with permanent nerve damage that we won't know the extent of for some time yet.

My steri strips like me, too! PS did remove and replace them twice now...I had my first fill on Monday, not bad at all...a little tender down my armpit, he said if the strips come off to not worry about it. My next appt with the RO is the 17th for mapping. He told me that he'd rather I was not on AI's until after radiation, however, he said it's really just the old tradition and to go ahead with it if my MO recommended it. MO does still...

I'm looking at December as being my fresh start to freedom...for awhile!

God Bless all...

I'm new to the group and so glad I found this thread...im sitting in treatment now getting my herceptin infusion. I see the RO on October 16th so I assume ill be starting before month end. My mastectomy was September 11th and has healed nicely, I had staples not steri strips

My doctor said that woman that exercised not only had less fatigue, but less skin reaction as well. They didn't know why, but studies showed that to be true. The fatigue I knew, but the skin part came as a surprise to me.