Starting Radiation November 2017

I'm in, I'm 1week PFC. Went for mapping today, but won't have first one till 11/27. For no reason at all was quite anxious about this, however it turned out the radiation therapist went to my church and just a connection with her made me feel more at ease. The whole thing took maybe 45 min and that included a tour. Tats were nothing too.

You two gals will be nearly done before I even start, but I'm going to enjoy the break.

Thank you for starting this thread Angela, of course I'm happy to see you here too Dodgersgirl. How's your DH doing?

Theresa

Dodgersgirl, I'm sure your DH feels like we do when his hgb is low. Hope the put him on some iron to get it up quick.

I'll have 30 treatments. No boosts. They made a mold I lay on so my arms and head are in the same place each time. I was comfortable and my right arm never got tired or cramped. However I read where you were laying in bed with your arm above your head (I think it was you)so I started that this week and will continue, to keep my arm limber. Good tip.

I start 6-7 weeks of treatments on November 13th. Hopefully I'll be done before the new year. This will be for my left chest wall and left & right armpits. I've had 6 treatments to my liver earlier.

My physical therapist told me to start applying Miaderm to my treatment areas daily starting now. I got another tattoo at my form/mold session today. I'll go for my simulation next week. They told me to expect my treatments to take about 40 minutes (just my liver took about 5 minutes, by comparison). Since I'll have over 30 sessions I'm considering asking them to play some guided meditation for me... or even an audio book

I will see RO on the ninth....so unless something crazy happens, will start radiation in November, Had chemo and bilateral mx already.

I start mine on Monday the 6th too!

I just heard from my RO, I have an appointment with him on Nov 13. What are the steps involved in getting radiation set up? I am guessing that with Thanksgiving the following week I am not going to start until after Thanksgiving. How many appointments did you have before radiation started?

DodgersGirl, thanks! I should have asked what was going to happen at this first appointment, I think I will call back and ask. I have my last expander fill this week and then get the port out a few days after my RO appointment. I am anxious to keep moving.

I herniated a disc in my neck several years ago and have some arthritis. How is your head situated during radiation? Is it on a pillow or something? Does your head need to be turned? I am a little worried my neck is going to hurt through this. I had PT so my range of motion with my arm is pretty good.

I have been lurking on the many radiation sites for awhile and have learned a lot from you ladies. I started my rads treatment on October 23. I really wanted a shortened treatment but my RO was steadfast on the 6 weeks plus 4 boosts route. She said that I was not a candidate for the hypo-fractionated treatment due to the size of my tumor so...it looks like I will be around all of November (and into December for a while, too.) Like all of you, I can't wait until this is behind me.

So far, I have had eight treatments and the worst part is the drive (which when you think about it, is not a bad thing!) It takes me 40 minutes each way. It is not a bad drive, it just seems like such a time waster. I should listen to a book on tape or something to make it seem worthwhile! As far as the treatments go, it takes longer to get dressed, undressed, and into position than the actual treatment. One of the technicians said that the actual radiation treatment is under two minutes. Which again, isn't a bad thing! I have been slathering with Miaderm twice a day and Aquaphor at night. I have read that some of you say your RO doesn't recommend Aquaphor--I wonder why?

I have not experienced any real SE yet other than some tingling near my incision. I have followed the advise of many of you and try to walk at least 3 miles each day and eat healthier. I don't know if it has done any good, but it makes me feel like I have a little control over this unwanted detour in my life. I got rid of my underwire bras and bought some of the Genie bras that had been recommended. I think I will ditch them too and just wear a cami when I am home--which is most of the time (except for rads--and I will definitely wear one there!) I retired from teaching in June (diagnosed 2 weeks later!) and I am in constant awe of you ladies that are working full time plus dealing with all this craziness. I wish all of us a rather uneventful and boring November!

QUOTE: tlfrank "Welp, got my genetics back and I don't have any mutations related to breast cancer,"

That's awesome news and a relief I'm sure! I'm glad you got that over with so you can move forward too.

I elected not to do the testing b/c of insurance (I wish I could have). I may do it in the future but that may be putting the cart before the horse at this point~ IDK.

There's quite a few of us getting rads or about to this month. I wish us all luck.

When school was out in June, I planned to have my annual mammogram, a colonoscopy ( I am on the 3 year plan due to polyps) & a skin check (something that looked like a pimple but wasn't a pimple appeared on my thigh.) Well, the mammogram was "suspicious" and thus began my journey with DCIS & sidelined my plans for other "body checks." A reminder about making a colonoscopy appointment prompted me to make one. I first am to meet with the gastroenterologist next week. I am so nervous. Now that I know my cells can go wonky..this has me really freaked. And I should go to the dermatologist too. I was waiting until I was done with radiation... I don't know how I would cope with more doctor appointments not to mention another negative diagnosis. But we do what we have to do right? Does anyone know of anyone who faced multiple cancers at the same time. Mine (I don't think) could have metastasized since it was not invasive

I have appt with RO on 11/14. I wish I could start RADS soon after but I have a feeling it won't start until December. Question - Can you color your hair during the period you are getting radiation treatments? Just wondering what kind of restrictions there are.

Angela, how is your head positioned...like it would be for a massage in a little hole?

tlfrank-- I started rads in Oct. Today was 9 of 28. I have been applying calendula oil 1 hr before treatment and once in the evening every day (per RO).

I have also been using the green tea cotton squares 3 times a day. Today is the first time I could feel the cotton pads were getting warmer after applying green tea. I sure hope it is pulling out the heat from my skin

I am too early in rad treatments to know if anything is working though. Damage should start appearing after this week. Sure hoping to keep the damage to a minimum though. So far no pink skin at all.

I was also told by RO to use aquaphor at night once skin starts to show dryness.