Deep inspiration manuever

Hi Margaret,

Are you asking about the new Image Guided Radiation Therapy? If so, I'm curious about it too and would like more information from anyone who knows anything about it. I will be starting rads in about 3 weeks. Also, is there anyone who has information about the newer Proton radiation therapy? Are these newer forms of radiation easier on the skin, and do they decrease the fatigue that can be a SE of radiotherapy?

Margaret,

I was placed "superman style" on the table to avoid radiation hitting my heart and lungs. The last week was a booster dose in which I was placed on my back but the lasers were at angles, nit directly in the chest. Maybe that's an option once you voice your concern. You are literally radiated for 30-60 seconds. My hospital is 5 min away and somedays I'd be there and back within 30 min. Other days where they took longer to adjust me or had to X-ray me, it was unto an hour with parking and getting dressed. My point is, if you are driving far, it'll be exhausting for such short treatment. But by all means, do what feels RIGHT and healthiest for you. It's only 5-6 weeks.

Hi Margaret22. I am getting rads on my left breast, and was told it does help to protect your heart. They tape a sensor to my stomach so they can see on the monitor that I took and held a deep enough breath to keep my heart safe. If my lungs aren't filled enough, the machine won't emit the radiation. If I let too much air out during the treatment, the radiation stops and I have to take and hold another breath. Both of the bigger, competing hospitals in my area do this for all paitients receiving rads to the left breast. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center NYC also does this, I think it really does make a diffence.

It does give me peace of mind. Ther is so much about this that I can't control, but at least I know I am giving extra protection to my heart. Whatever you decide, I wish you well through your treatments

I did the breath hold at scca in Seattle, and it didn't work very well, dearly wish it did. I started having heart issues about a year after rads. I never had any issues before that, not even after CMF chemo. It is mostly arrhythmias that come on occasionally and not having enough cardiac reserve when I exercise. I have exercised my entire life and this only started after they fried me with rads.

Thanks Margaret. It is important to ask the rads people for their personal statistics related to their patients. I think the rads doctor was not good at her job, did several other things wrong as well.