Starting Radiation November 2017

Dodgersgirl, thanks for that explanation regarding the rad's effect on skin. That makes so much sense! I'm also getting bolus and the only effects I've seen after 12 sessions is my skin peeling at the outer edges of where I'm radiated.

Lifechoices, I am also not fair-skinned and my RO said my skin will most likely have a dark tan. But I haven't seen any darkening or irritation after 12 sessions. I was told that the SEs would happen closer to the end of my treatments.

Ellyn27, hope all goes well with your rads tomorrow. Once you are past the first one, you know what to expect. Good luck with all those lottery tickets

I’m going for my mapping today, will join the rads soon. I’m getting kind of nervous, so glad to hear everyone are doing well.

Went today for my first RADS treatment. The first session takes longer because they line you up, take more xrays and then you get the RAD treatment. They put a few more markings on me. I didn't feel a thing. I'm in the prone position so my neck hurt having to look sideways for so long. That should get better with ongoing sessions since they'll be shorter. I also met with a nurse and the RO afterward. They say I'll be meeting with them every Monday. I asked about lotion and they only said Aquaphor. I asked about diet and they only said cut back on sugar and unhealthy carbs. I asked about how much of breast gets treated and they showed me. They said I probably won't notice anything until next week. I do feel a little warm in my breast area right now. I have a few errands to run now and then I'm coming home to take a short nap. Good luck everyone. I know there were several of us starting today.

Linwentz - You are getting sooooo close to finishing ... woohoo!!! Glad to hear all is going well. I believe a positive attitude helps ALOT. 

Paulette - Don't worry about the mapping, or anything else for that matter!!! Make your list of questions and be ready to ask away

NikJ - I was also told the SAs could last a few weeks after treatment.

Hello everyone. I went in for my first "real" treatment today after both a mapping session and a "dry run." Ellyn, it really was a lot shorter! I would guess it was six or seven minutes once they got me positioned. Everyone was really nice. Since I'm driving from work I packed a bag to keep in my car with two cotton shirts, some towelettes to remove deodorant, calendula cream, and a couple of protein bars. I also brought a protein drink to have on the way. Let's hope the rest go as well!

Linwentz, NikJ and all, congrats on being so close to the finish line! You are an inspiration.

Linwentz, you will be done by the end of next week! That is great news. Hope you don't get any more serious side effects.

NikJ and you are both taking a great approach and I am trying to follow that. I reached my 90 proteins today; I feel like I am eating too much, so am trying to make one 12 oz smoothie which gives me about 25 proteins. So far, I am maintaining my weight and that's all I care about. I will go back to my former diet when I get the go ahead. No skin issues yet, but today I am wiped; I hope it is due more to a lack of sleep last night than the radiation. I met a lady today who is doing chemo and rads together, and she is having 28 treatments; she has 24 to go, and is probably in her 70s.

PauletteK, Ellyn27, good luck with your rads. How wonderful it is that we can get a picture of how to handle it, when we see what others are doing so successfully.

tlfrank, I hope your side effects don't get any worse. I have been doing a lot of reading about the proteins, and they make so much sense. I had always heard that too high a protein diet can cause cancer, but having them higher during rads for skin rejuvenation does make sense.

I am also wondering how many times people put their cream on. I had quite a bit of pain over the weenkend and today, and the rads therapist told me that is caused by swelling. So when I got home, I checked and - yes, there is swelling. My breast has always been larger than the other one, but now it seems about twice the size. Now I am going to apply more cream and settle down with a good book until I fall asleep. Six treatments down, and ten to go. I am told I will not see the radiation oncologist until the last week (two days) of treatment, and am hoping my skin issues remain minimal. Good sleeps to all of you.

I start tomorrow. Ready to get the first one done. learned that my treatment is being done with IMRT - intensity modulated radiation therapy which helps to better protect your heart.

I found this online: Because the ratio of normal tissue dose to tumor dose is reduced to a minimum with the IMRT approach, higher and more effective radiation doses can safely be delivered to tumors with fewer side effects compared with conventional radiotherapy techniques. IMRT also has the potential to reduce treatment toxicity.

Is anyone else being treated with IMRT?

OCDAmy, all the best during your rads course. Hope all goes smoothly

Thanks, Georgia1. I know they said no oils but they approved the ointment when I brought it in to them

Linwentz and Amy, I’m also treated on left breast and they told me I don’t have to do the special breathing also. But my rads won’t start in week and a half or two weeks. Will ask when I start treatment.

I bought the calendula oil and the cream. I didn't know we shouldn't use the oil. I'm glad I haven't used it yet - was kind of saving it as a last resort. I've been putting the cream on 3 times a day, but maybe that's not enough....I'm pretty red and itchy and have a bumpy rash under the radiated breast and also between them. I'll try to up the protein intake - but I consume a fair amount daily.

2nd session today. Had 10:30 appt and was back to my car at 10:48. I'm in the prone position and they have me laying on these sheets. When they need to adjust me, they just tug on the sheet. It really is less stressful when you know what's going on. Today was a breeze.

Question for those using Aquaphor - this stuff doesn't wash off easily. I put it on last night before bed and showered this morning and it still felt like there was some on my skin. I've read that we shouldn't take too warm of a shower (so not to aggravate the skin) but I can't imagine now with the cold weather coming, using anything but warm water ... the Aquaphor will never come off then!!! Do you find it difficult to get off?

Ellen27, I am sure you will find things easier now that you know the procedure. They use a sheet to move me today, but the machine itself automarically adjusts my body according to how the daily x-rays line up.

Linwentz, do you find the sponge or washcloth hard on the skin? I use Aveeno shower gel; it is unscented. You have eight more sessions.

First session today, will have 25 +5 boosts. Of course it was uneventful and I don't expect to see any skin changes for a while