February 2018 Starting RADIATION

Anonymous · January 2018

Just thought I'd start this thread..hope one hasn't already been started. ;-) If you are starting radiation in February, go ahead and chime in. Let's support each other as we continue on the breast cancer journey.

Joyseeker · January 2018

I’m betting I’ll start in late Feb. early March. Thanks for starting the thread.

Txgatata · January 2018

Joining in. Waiting on treatment plan. Doctors told me to come off Ibrance during radiation. I wanted to stay on but they said both would be too much for my system. If anyone else is staying on Ibrance of any other chemo treatment while on radiation,would love to know.

This is my second time on radiation. First time to right breast clavical and axillary. This time to lung lymph nodes. The Ibrance worked very well and shrunk most of the Mets down so now we she what Mr. Rad can do.

Anonymous · January 2018

Welcome soon-to-be-fellow-radiation-sisters! I have my appointment with my RO in 2 1/2 weeks, so I'll find out then "when" in February that I'll start rads and how many rounds. My last chemo will be this upcoming Wednesday, so I'm ready to move on to the next step!

Tx G~I have no experience with Imbalance but I do know that radiation will run us down so it makes sense to come off other treatments during that time. How did your first radiation experience go? I have heard good, bad, and ugly stories from others who have had radiation. So, I'm not sure what to expect.

JoyS~We'll trek this radiation path together next month!

Joyseeker · January 2018

I got my consult/mapping/simulation date. February 6th. They said Rads would start theee week’s after my last infusion which is February 8th. I have to go to Calgary (three hours from home) so I will be staying in a hostel. Yuck. Oh well. Hopefully is only 16+5 treatments

DanceSmartly · January 2018

Hello All! Looks like I will be joining the Feb rads club! Starting rads Feb 5 in Edmonton (5 hours from home so I hear you on the commute, Joyseeker! I will be staying at the Compassion House, which is absolutely beautiful but still not home!). I will have 16 regular treatments and 4 boosts at the end.

Had my CT scans / simulation yesterday. Realized I must be more anxious than I thought as my hand was shaking so badly I had trouble signing the paperwork! No problem with the scans, though I am now the proud owner of 3 tattoos I never wanted!

Good luck to all starting or continuing this experience!

Dance

Joyseeker · January 2018

Welcome DanceSnartly. A fellow Canadian!! Wooo wooop! What was your CT/simulation like? Would it be a whole morning appointment?

DanceSmartly · January 2018

Hey Joyseeker! Honestly, the CT scan / simulation took all of 20 min! 10 hours of driving for that! Argh!

It was painless (except for the brief pricks for the tattoos). They did one scan with me breathing normal and one with me holding my breath since I will be receiving radiation to my left breast. The techs were extremely professional.

Actually, I have been amazed with all of the doctors / clinics I have encountered so far during my cancer experience. Every single appt has been on time; I have not waited for more than 5 minutes for any of them.

Dance

sweetp6217 · January 2018

I had my consult with RO on 1/19/18 and today I'll have mapping/tattoos/simulation. I still go in for Herceptin infussion every three weeks (my next one is on Feb. 8th. Also an Echo on Feb 1. A couple of days ago, my breast surgeon saw swelling in my lymph node area, got out a syringe and drew out about 20ccs. (Says, "you don't want fluid in there once rads start". May find out later today when my six weeks begins.

Footnote: I got myself into a tizzy thinking that I might be eligible for prone radiation treatment; don't think that can happen with (armpit) lymph nodes being the focus. Can't see them using prone and supine.

On an unrelated note, the toes and feet are having occasional pain of varying degrees due to neuropathy and toenails making their way out.

Joyseeker · January 2018

sweet. I have one more round of docetaxal.So far just tender toenails and fingernails. How will I know if they are going to fall off? Also. Hair. When???😢😢🤪

Joyseeker · January 2018

I just got the best news. I’m going to Lethbridge for radiation not Calgary. They called out of the blue to say I was approved. Grateful

DanceSmartly · January 2018

Wahoo! Good for you, Joyseeker! Glad they are able to make the experience a little easier for you!

Dance

Txgatata · January 2018

Soooo...still waiting. Did first simulation on Jan 2. That Friday they called me to say they didn’t get my breathing right. I went in that day and because of a cold, I coughed causing the simulation to go for an hour! I felt so bad! They scheduled me to start on the 24th but called on Monday and said treatment plan failed. I think because I have had the area next to this area radiated before, they are trying as hard as they can to avoid it and it’s difficult. A little disheartening but I am so impressed they were honest and told me that the physicist failed the plan. Transparency Is important to me and i am so glad they’ve tested the plan.

Think I’m going to write a book called hurry up and wait

randrgirl · January 2018

hi there, I believe this is my group. Got my mapping/simulation/tats today. I go back for another appnt to go over the treatment plan and to schedule my radiation time on Feb 16.Every day, 5 Days, for 6 weeks. Like someone mentioned here it is to start 3-4 weeks after my chemo ended (which was four days ago) so we are looking at Feb 19th as a possible start date. Until then I recover from chemo and my RO and team create a treatment plan for me .... the tats hurt but once they are done they’re done. Lots of laying and picture taking but otherwise an okay day. I had a couple of emotional moments, not certain why.... but everyone was very sweet and thoughtful. Wishing you all the best as we prepare for the next leg of our journey.

G

sweetp6217 · January 2018

Joyseeker: my main chemo was totally different from yours but my last two rounds were the worst. The toenails probably began their decline at about the last round (which was 1 week before Thanksgiving...and it continues. Fingernails are very thin, multi-layered and love to split and crack at will. Hair? Don't get me started. Mine is currently looking like peach fuzz with an assortment of mutant, longer (1"?) random hairs here and there. Those beanies aren't coming off any time soon.

P.S. I'm considering tattoo eyebrows.

Lisa1230 · January 2018

Joining this thread. I too am starting Radiation in February daily for 6 1/2 weeks.

I did A/C dose dense for 4 cycles, no side effects, lost my hair 3rd A/C.

Started Taxol, just completed my 9th Taxol this past Friday. Side effects diarrhea, runny and bloody nose. Stocked up on Immodium.

Radiation starts in 4 weeks, I am scared I have to do the ABC Breathe Hold Method to protect my heart. My cancers were left breast. I would love to hear from other ladies who have done or will do the ABC Breathe Hold Method.

My Radiologist said my hance for reoccurence is 40 percent, with Radiation it will be only 10 percent.

Getting a right mastectomy, as my Surgeon said it can reduce my risk by 95 percent.

I am 57 years young, married with a beautiful 17 year old daughter.

The wide range of emotions, the feelings of overwhelmed are unreal.

rdeesides · January 2018

Hi all,

I will be joining your group. I found a lump in my right breast in June, started chemo im August, ended chemo in December, and had a UMX in January. I had clear margins and no nodes affected (although that is a whole other story because there was some mixups and now I feel uncertain that they really know that for sure). However at surgery it was revealed that I had NO response to chemo which puts me at a high level of reoccurrence since I am Triple Negative. So, now I will need rads and probably more chemo. The fun continues! Looking forward to going through radiation with a supportive group!

Rebekah

VL22 · January 2018

Hi all! I’m in the January rads group but figure I’ll get in here - so many women over there are done and I’m going until the end of February. 6 weeks for me - starting week three tomorrow.

I have had absolutely zero side effects up to this point. I’m probably jinxing myself and I know things pop up usually starting week three, but I’m happy. This whole experience has been one bad turn after another, so I’m hoping to end with radiation being kind to me.

Good luck to all

randrgirl · January 2018

VL22 - are you having your RADS at Fox Chase? I will be but don’t start until the end of February. I’m anxious to begin. I hope it will be uneventful. Hope things are going well for you.

VL22 · January 2018

Hi 8! Yes I am there. Process is smooth - on time, machines working.

I thought I was going to be able to do the “Canadian “ radiation which is rads and boosts combined over 4 weeks, but then the Dr changed her mind so I’m back to doing 6.

The scariest part for me were the mapping scans because I was like “what if they see something”? But it went fine. The tint tattoos only hurt for a second.

Good luck!!!

Dianecam55 · January 2018

hi group, just joined. I am awaiting my first radiation treatment this Wednesday, Jan 31. I am very familiar with the environment as I volunteer at my local oncology centre in Mississauga, Ontario.

So, I know the room, people, etc but I've never been on the receiving side of this process before. My surgery went well and my recovery from Dec surgery was a little longer than I expected but otherwise, easy.

So, what should I be expecting these first few sessions (of16)?

Diane

Moderators · January 2018

Dear Dianecam55,

Welcome to the BCO community. We hope that you get support and information here from our members who share your experiences. We look forward to seeing you around. Here is a link to other resources for those starting Radiation. Keep us posted.. The Mods

Kyates · January 2018

Hello Everyone,

Count me in, I had my first radiology appointment today. Im going to be starting the third week of February. I had surgery Jan 11th. Radiologist wants me to heal from surgery. I'm getting treatment in Memphis Tn.

randrgirl · January 2018

VL22- thanks for the response. Yeah the tattoos did hurt, especially to be so small. The mapping scans were nerve wracking. Everything went fine though.It's all so overwhelming. My radiation starts in a couple weeks. Mybtreatment is 6 weeks as well.I go back to hear my plan and will then start soon after. I'm a little nervous about it but happy to get it started. I'm in my second week since chemo ended so I'm guessing it will be good to have the chemo side effects subside. I can't wait to a start sleeping normal. I haven't had good sleep since this started. Anyway, hope your treatment goes well. I do like my team at Fox Chase.

Anonymous · January 2018

Hey Ladies,

I have my RO appointment tomorrow and I am now wondering, based upon your experiences, if I will get the mapping and tattoos tomorrow? How long did this procedure of mapping and tattoos last?

Thanks Girls!

MommaS · January 2018

hi all. Today was my 7th of 25 rad treatments. So far my skin is a little sensitive and I'm definitely more tired but not sure if that is because of rad or because I'm having to change antidepressants. Hopefully will be done with rad feb 23 and then on to tamoxifen

Joyseeker · January 2018

Liz. When they called to make my consult appointment they said it could be between 2-4 hours. I think left side Rads is more complicated with the breath hold etc. but I’m only speculating. They will do my consult, mapping and simulation all in one appointment. Anyone else want to chime in?

BellWAMissy · January 2018

Hello All-

I was originally scheduled to start rads on 1/23 but ended up developing an infection where they pulled the lymph node. Postponed 2 weeks. Now starting 2/5. I hope. 20 sessions. Txgatata- I've been saying I'd write the same book!! Seems everything since dx had been like this...hurry up and get this test and now wait.

My simulation/mapping only took an hour, even doing the left side. They said plan for up to 2 just in case they didn't get good results from the scans. I'm getting rads on my left side so had to do the breathing, no breathing contrast scan. They had me lie down on a mat on the table and then they bolstered it all around so it was formed to me, sucked all the air out with a hose and I guess that will be with me all sessions to help keep in position. Then the tattoos- luckily only 2. About the size of a fine tip marker. There's a prick when they did it but bearable. I was on the Jan. Rads group and is seemed there are lots of similarities and differences, depending where you are. Hope this helped a bit.

Good luck!!

danderRN · January 2018

Hi all. My first meeting with RO was an initial assessment on 1/9. I had my simulation and tattoos yesterday. It was 1/2 hour and no problem. The tattoos were pinpricks. I begin on 2/12. I will be prone(face down) to protect my chest wall and heart. And will have 20 treatments. 16 whole breast and 4 to tumor bed which are marked with clips. I can’t wait to get this part of the journey done. I hsve my cotton t shirts, aloe vera and mia derm. I will be taking the journey with all of you. Good luck to us

VL22 · January 2018

I had treatment 12/31 yesterday. Came home, walked the dog, made dinner etc. went to bed after 10, got up 6am - after kids left for school and husband went to work I completely crashed! I mean total exhaustion out of nowhere! I work on Wednesday but I had to contact my boss and switch to tomorrow. I guess the fatigue is real. Hopefully this isn’t going to hang around

littlebee72 · January 2018

Hi everyone! I just finished chemo on January 18th and will start Rads in February. I can't remember how many they told me (18 sticks in my head, but I met with the radiologist before chemo, so I can't really remember what he said). I hear everyone talking about the tiredness....what kind of tired is it, like "I need to sleep for a day" tired, or is it more of an out of breath tired?

February 2018 Starting RADIATION

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