Starting Radiation November 2017

Had my mapping session the other day and I will be on my stomach on a bench type thing. There is no lady-like way to get onto the bench, especially while topless haha!!! I had to turn my head sideways and when I was finally finished, it took a good 5 minutes for my neck to feel normal again. They said it may be like that again at the simulation but after that it will be much quicker. I got 2 tatoos and 4 X's w/marker and covered with some sort of tape. I'm able to bathe, just not rub those areas. I'm glad someone above mentioned about eating protein and whole foods. I was not told anything about that and I agree that while our bodies are healing, and even after, we should take care of ourselves. They pretty much played down any side effects, only saying that once I'm about half way thru I may start to get some redness. I'm getting 4 weeks and the last 2 times will be boosts. Not happy this will be around the holidays, especially because we host Christmas day. But for some reason I have taken on this "whatever" attitude and am attempting not to stress. I asked my family if they'd be OK this year with only a tree in the house and a wreath on the front door outside. They are thrilled they don't have to take my 25 plastic tubs of decorations out of the attic haha!!! I love decorating for the holiday, but this year I'm taking a pass. I think I'll feel a bit sad about it when everyone comes over, but I'm sure I'll get over it the day after Have a great weekend everyone.

Ellyn27...Don't totally nix the idea of doing your usual Christmas decorating just yet (well, you might want to cut the 25 tubs in half!) I know everyone is different but I found if I kept busy doing the things I liked it sort of kept the fatigue at bay. That has worked for me. And the whatever attitude... it really is the best!😁

TLFrank... glad things are going well...and what a bonus to finish one day ahead of schedule! I hope the double-dose day goes smoothly.

For all of us going to rads on Sunday... we've got this!

Thank you, Linwentz. It's just another glitch in the road, so to speak. It will eventually come to an end.

it is interesting how much we are forgotten to be told...or in all fairness, don't remember! That is why i am so thankful for this site. Not only is there a wealth of information in the plethora of articles found here, there is you...all the women on the same journey as me... sharing your stores,experiences and encouragement. Through you I have learned about green tea and cabbage leaves, the importance of eating protein, and the names of successful creams. I know that if there is a something i am not sure about, someone on these boards will help me out. Thank you

AngelaJL, that's funny... I have actually felt the opposite. I kept thinking how long this process was going to be until day 7, just a few days ago. My anxiety was with how long each session was taking. I felt that my technicians just couldn't get my positioning right and dreaded coming in every day for this. But the last couple of days my set-up has been quicker and I'm just in and out.

I'm sure I'll have a different mindset again, once the skin irritation starts... 😉

Linwentz, I'm like 53Nancy...not really dreading the first session, just nervous I guess. It's like each session I anticipate a SE..or in my mind it's like ok day 1 ok...day 5 ok... like instead of counting down 20sessions I'm counting how many rads before the SEs show.... But I'm staying positive. I'm on my road to restoration, healing and my new path so I will endure. I'm so thankful for this site. We get to share, SCREAM, cry...and uplift all in a paragraph.

HI Georgia, your diagnosis matches mine pretty much.. im trying to get an idea about how its going to go. Ive been told 4-6 weeks of treatment then hormone pills. I made it through the biopsy and surgery pretty well, so i am hoping to get through the next part good as well.

paulettek-- ask what lotions your RO recommends. Does your RO recommend stopping antioxidants during treatments?

Of course, you will want to know the plan of attack. How many treatments? Whole breast radiation?? Will there be boosts??

Do you know if you are having your mapping session along with the RO consult??

I think you will find rads very do-able and will be over before you know it.

Lifechoices2017-- several women write about their ROs telling them to avoid anti-oxidant supplements during rads -- like vitamins C, A, D, and E

Reason being rads are creating free radicals designed to damage cancer cells. If you take vitamin supplements, they can prevent or stop these free radicals so killing cancer cells could be lessened.

Having said this, my RO said the amounts I was taking of C and D were not enough to be an issue. Said it's the super dosing that's an issue... so I would follow what your RO recommends when it comes to anti-oxidents.

lifechouces2017, there is a theory that antioxidants will kill cancer cells, but the medical profession takes the viewpoint that antioxidants will protect the cancer cells from radiation. I took all my supplements to a pharmacist and she told me to stop taking multivitamin, turmeric and Vit C because they are antioxidants. I also use essential oils that are antioxidant to support my immune system. I was told by my RO not to use them during radiation therapy and for a month afterwards. I have mixed feelings because I love my oils.

Paulettek-- don't be surprised if your 1 hr appointment includes mapping.

If you do have mapping, they will take measurements and send your information to the experts who the come up with your plan. This can take a week. Once there is a plan, they will give you a start date. Some people will have a simulation run before real run. I had a simulation then my first treatment on the same day

PauletteK I had my mapping done and my schedule given the same day. That took about an hour. I'll have my first session next Wed. They daid that too would be about an hour because they want to make sure everything is lined up. Said maybe the first 2 sessions would be like that. But all thereafter should be in and out. We'll see about that. Lol

lifechoices2017-- I would ask about OJ and Tamoxifen.. but would think OK isn't grapefruit so it could be ok. As far as rads, I would follow the advice of your RO.

Thank you so much ladies, I report back tomorrow.

Ellyn27--I just use a green tea purchased at the grocery store. It is very soothing. Does anyone else know if there is a specific brand to use.

Here is one link about cabbage leaves.https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics/774451?page=1 I also find them soothing. I just completed 22/34...I'm just a bit pink and tingley...and my chest area above the breast is a tad itchy...but so far so good. I think it has been helpful to me to have many tools in my toolbelt..so to speak. I hope this is helpful.