Starting Radiation November 2017

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  • Linwentz
    Linwentz Member Posts: 133
    edited November 2017

    Congratulations Dodgergirl! I๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽˆam so glad Rads is behind you... let the healing begin!

    I finished 28/28 whole breast treatments today. I still have 6 boosts to get through but I feel like today I reached a mini- milestone. Tomorrow I get new mapping for the boosts.

    As much as I dreaded the long drive (40 minutes each way) it has gone quickly. Everyone at the Cancer Center has been lovely...do I dare day I will miss them?! My skin has held up through all of this... I am pink and a bit tingley, but all in all... not too bad. I hope I can still say this in a couple of weeks.

    Hugs and well wishes to all

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited November 2017

    AngelsGal57-- thanks. I will post how the recovery/healing from rads is going.

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  • lifechoices2017
    lifechoices2017 Member Posts: 242
    edited November 2017

    AngelsGal57; yeah Im sure that with it being my 'menopausal week'; starting this week didn't help much. After my 'cry' Im better. I think I just had to get that out of my system and put my BIG GIRL PANTIES ON!

    I just got back from my 2nd session; and met w/the RO. My appt was at 11:40; they had someone in there that Im guessing didn't line up well because I didn't start rads until 12:15; but I was in/out and met w/the RO and back at work by 1:15. Im hoping that 3s a charm and tomorrow I'll be in/out in an hour instead of 2hours (to include travel time). But in spite of it all; Im able to work - go to my rads - and go back to work. Next week I get to come to work; rads and home! Thats gonna be wonderful!

    I did ask my nurse tech and RO how soon will I see SE's he said 'most' of the time the early twinges will start on like day 3-5 and that i'll feel them before I see anything other than maybe my skin darkening. I have 3weeks of whole breast so he's hoping that IF i get any they'll come later in week 2 so that the after that I'll only have 1 week of full; since the last week is boost only.

    I was like NO...I dont want to see any. He said well you know what "he calls me Princess"...lol. He said I dont want to see any either but whatever happens we'll take care of you.

    I did feel some tightness at the bra strap near my nodes area when I left; but Ive since 'Miadermed" and its better. Again, glad that as my sessions continue I can go home 'braless' and I wont have to worry about my bra or fabrics rubbing any irritated areas. I'll probably start taking my cotton tshirts w/me to work so that I can lather down and wear that home so that I dont have to change again.

    All in all its a process; but a healing process and its all good!

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  • Ellyn27
    Ellyn27 Member Posts: 147
    edited November 2017

    Linwentz - Congrats on your "mini-milestone," next your boosts and then .... THE FINISH LINE!!!ย  I didn't realize that we would get re-mapped for the boosts. I'll have to ask about that. I keep asking questions and they're probably wondering where I get all this info.

    I had day 4 of RADS today, pretty uneventful. Question - Do we stay in this November post or do we move onto a December post (not created yet)? I don't know what the norm is for that. AND I DON'T WANT TO LOOSE YOUย 

    As you may know by now, I'm not a very serious person hahaย  Have an amazing day everyone.

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  • PauletteK
    PauletteK Member Posts: 2,205
    edited November 2017

    DodgersGirl ๐ŸŽŠ๐ŸŽŠ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿพ congratulates!!!

    We still need you here.

    I havenโ€™t started my radiation am I supposed to leave and go to a December thread?


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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited November 2017

    Ellyn27-- I assume those who started rads in November would keep posting in the November thread even in December

    I read and posted in both October and November rads thread.

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  • 53nancy
    53nancy Member Posts: 497
    edited November 2017

    DodgersGirl, yaay!!! So happy for you that you are done. I hope your healing journey goes well.

    Linwentz, so happy that you are ready for boosts. Counting the days with you until you're done. :)

    To all those who just started rads, wishing you well and maybe the time will go fast for you. It certainly has for me. Nine trearments down and seven to go. Yesterday, I came home so exhausted that I thought the fatigue had set in, but today I feel so much better. So it probably wasn't a side effect

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  • AngelsGal57
    AngelsGal57 Member Posts: 145
    edited November 2017

    Lifechoices2017

    I just found out today that I am having 15 total breast Rads and 5 Boosts. I have done 10 of the 15 RADs but its the first I heard of the boosts being done. They mapped me today for the new machine attachment since the measurements are different. Today I feel a bit of muscle strain which means swelling in the breast area. I am like you I am doing all that I can to avoid the SE that are very traumatic. Lots of preventative measures. I am also taking a Whey Protein Supplement that helps restore tissue damage called Immunocal.

    It helps your cells build cysteine. A natural amino acid that your body makes.

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  • tlfrank
    tlfrank Member Posts: 199
    edited November 2017

    AlgelsGal57 - we're mostly on the same schedule, I'm also getting mapped today for the 5 boosts, but I'm having 16 regular treatments first, for a total of 21. I'm glad you're managing the side effects well.

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  • AngelsGal57
    AngelsGal57 Member Posts: 145
    edited November 2017

    Hi tlFrank,

    We are nearly identical in our treatments too. I had surgery on the 5th of Oct and you on the 3rd. Are you Her2 also? I am triple positive.

    doing infusions of Herceptin for a year. Started Chemo in May ended in August. This is a great place to ask questions and get encouragement.

    Glad you said hello. Keep me posted on how you are doing.

    Angelsgal57

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited November 2017

    ok, I started a new topic where those diagnosed or treated in 2017 can post to keep sharing regardless where your treatment plan has you.

    I started it here: 2017 Diagnosed-- A Place To Share "What's Next" (in forum Share Your Experiences Of Life After A Breast Cancer Diagnosis)

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited November 2017

    I may start a December rads group if no one else does since I won't be finished until January.

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  • AngelaJL
    AngelaJL Member Posts: 94
    edited December 2017

    DodgersGirl, congratulations on finishing your radiation treatments!

    I'd mentioned earlier that my center's radiation machine broke down last Friday, so my last treatment was Wednesday the 22nd. Starting today I was going to be driving to a different city for treatment at the sister facility. Well, today I got to the other city and found out that their machine had broken down, too! (Granted, they called me in time to save me the drive, but I'd driven over early, so that was my fault.) So this means I'm currently 5 full treatments behind schedule.

    Fortunately, my local center's machine is supposed to be working again tomorrow, so I'll go for my 14th treatment (out of 21) tomorrow. They'll be giving me a new schedule with all of the make-up sessions, including the weekends. I am very ready for this to be done! The daily frustration of not knowing whether I'll have my treatment - or where - was really getting to me yesterday.

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  • 53nancy
    53nancy Member Posts: 497
    edited December 2017

    AngelaJL, so sorry to hear about delays. You have already been under so much stress. I hope the rest of your treatments go smoothly

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  • AngelaJL
    AngelaJL Member Posts: 94
    edited December 2017

    Thank you, Nancy!

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  • Linwentz
    Linwentz Member Posts: 133
    edited December 2017

    AngelaJL--so sorry for the delay. It is so frustrating when you start to get into the rhythm & routine of things and then it gets disrupted... but you'll get back into your Rads schedule...it will be over before you know it

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  • Kiwi-in-Thailand
    Kiwi-in-Thailand Member Posts: 26
    edited December 2017

    Congrats to all of you that have finished.. โœŒ๏ธโœŒ๏ธโœŒ๏ธits a great milestone and you should be proud that youโ€™ve made it through.

    This stuff really tests us as well as our relationships and for me these boards have been a major major positive input. So thank you to all of you.

    Iโ€™ve just done 5 of 18 with no real SEs yet or I donโ€™t think so. I keep forgetting that Iโ€™m still only 2 weeks PFC and think that Iโ€™m expecting too much of my body ... patience has never been a virtue of mine :-(

    Iโ€™m a bit envious of a lot of you being able to use all sorts of creams and lotions... Iโ€™ve been expressly told (time and again) to use nothing except the aloe gel that theyโ€™ve given me and am a bit worried that Iโ€™ll suddenly be faced with all sorts of skin problems. Lets see what happens as they seem to know what theyโ€™re doing, it just feels like I should be doing more to look after what I call โ€œthe blast zoneโ€ :-)

    Have a great weekend folks

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  • Ellyn27
    Ellyn27 Member Posts: 147
    edited December 2017

    AngelaJL - I'm so sorry you are dealing with all this. It's stressful enough. You are doing all you can do and soon you will be back on track and on your way to finishing up. Sending positive vibes your way :)

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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited December 2017

    AngelaJL-- hope your rads machine get fixed and stay fixed so you can finish your treatments soon

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  • Teese
    Teese Member Posts: 379
    edited December 2017

    OCDamy, if you start a dec group I'll join that one also. I won't finish till Jan.

    Angela, I'm so sorry for the delays, your handling it with such grace, I'd have blown a gasket I think.

    Kiwi, I also was given instructions to use only a lotion called Alra and nothing else. I've decided to follow what they recommend, but I worry. We'll see, hope I don't regret it.

    Off to 4/30. Have a good one.

    Hugs and prayers.


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  • lifechoices2017
    lifechoices2017 Member Posts: 242
    edited December 2017

    Teese and OCDAmy I'm a mix of end of Nov 29 - Dec 27th rads; so I'll too join the December group if you have one. Just finished my 3rd session; no odd SE's just the same 'twinges' in the breast that Ive had since my lumpectomy surgery (10/19). I guess its the combination of rads; healing and getting everything back to where it needs to be (lol). In any case, I have NO COMPLAINTS! Im not letting anything distract me from my last rad date (Dec 27th)...

    Today went well; got to treatment center at 11am; had an 11:10 appt; got in rads at 11:20; all radded and dressed at 11:38 and back to work at 12noon...WINNING!

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  • Linwentz
    Linwentz Member Posts: 133
    edited December 2017

    So I started my boosts today. They used my original mapping but remapped the targeted area. They drew a biggish circle on me with a smelly green marker and then made a t inside the circle--it sort of resembles a pie cut into 4 slices. it is around my scar. Stickers were also applied. I am not to apply lotion or creams to that area--they want the stickers to stay on but I can lotion up the rest of the breast. I am not sure if this is what they do at other centers, but this is what they did at mine. The actual boost felt no different but the machine was much smaller and closer. And every time I look at my breast, I crack up!

    On another note, yesterday I went to the dentist. I asked if having radiation would have any effect on my teeth. The hygienist said that radiation can cause Dry mouth. I hadn't really thought about it until she said that but oh my goodness my mouth has been really dry! I am constantly thirsty! She also said with not having as much saliva in your mouth cavities could be formed. Luckily I had no cavities but I am pretty obsessive about brushing & flossing my teeth!

    I have completed all of my whole breast treatments and one boost is in the books. Next week at this time I will be done with radiation treatment โ€ฆ Only five more to go! Yea me!

    Happy Friday everyone. Enjoy the weekend. Hugs!

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  • OCDAmy
    OCDAmy Member Posts: 873
    edited December 2017

    I started the December group if anyone wants to join. Each time becomes more familiar and not so scary. I sort of enjoy watching the machine, mine has what the tech calls "leaves" but they look like little bars to me and they look like they become the shape of my breast before the zapping happens. I know now how long it takes for the machine to complete its pass now. It is quite quick, just wish they could figure out a way to zap you once and kill all the cancer so you can be done.

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  • lifechoices2017
    lifechoices2017 Member Posts: 242
    edited December 2017

    Linwentz; I actually have my dental appt on Dec 20th; by then I will have done 13 of my rads. Im not feeling dry mouth as of yet (only 3 done) but I do drink alot of water now so hopefully that'll help..but thanks for the heads up because I can also inform my dentist during my cleaning.

    OCDAmy; I dont get to see exactly what the machine does other than as it looms over my back. My rads are in the prone position to my right breast, but my head is turned to the left so I only get to see it swing over and then swing back. I too have tried to figure when they are 'beaming' me but its only been 3 sessions and I haven't been able to figure out which click is actually giving off rads. Today I counted from sliding in to sliding out and i got to 600; which was about 10 minutes. As I caculated my time that was probably close; as I got in the rads room @ 11:20 and was out and dressed by 11:38.

    I'll crossover to the Dec room as well to see what my "CHRISTMAS" partners are up to.

    You ladies and ALL OF YOU; take care, be blessed and enjoy YOUR RADS FREE WEEKEND!

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  • tlfrank
    tlfrank Member Posts: 199
    edited December 2017

    AngelsGal57 - I don't know what my HER status is. I don't think it's a typical test done on DCIS. It's not mentioned on any of my pathology reports.

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  • Georgia1
    Georgia1 Member Posts: 1,321
    edited December 2017

    Just finished my first week, yay! for all of us making progress day by day. Today took a little longer since they "had to take a picture for my RO as part of their quality control procedures." What? Anyone else had that? Weird.

    Angela, we are thinking of you and hope your treatments are underway again. Best wishes to all for a great weekend!!



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  • DodgersGirl
    DodgersGirl Member Posts: 2,382
    edited December 2017

    Georgia1- I had extra images for the RO every Wednesday.

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  • 53nancy
    53nancy Member Posts: 497
    edited December 2017

    So glad for those who will soon be finishing rads; it seems you are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and it's making you happy. So YES, yaay all of you. Everyone gave a great weekend. Hugs

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  • AngelaJL
    AngelaJL Member Posts: 94
    edited December 2017

    Back in the saddle again! The nearby radiation machine is back online, and I had my 14th treatment this afternoon. Much as I don't enjoy any of this, I'm glad to be back at it.

    I spoke with the radiation oncologist afterward, and he said they aren't going to be adding any extra sessions to make up for the 9 day pause, but I'll be having Saturday treatments this week and next. And - next week Saturday is my last treatment! Can't wait to be done.

    Since I'm face down for my sessions (like on a massage table), I don't get to see the machine moving around me. I kind of wish I could, since I'm very curious about how all of this works.

    Have a great weekend, all!

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  • Linwentz
    Linwentz Member Posts: 133
    edited December 2017

    Angela, glad you are "back in the saddle!" as you put it. You'll be done before you know it.

    And I second what Georgia & Nancy said. Yay to everyone! We are all getting closer to that finish line. Enjoy the week-end


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