MARCH 2018 starting RADIATION

I started my treatment on Monday and only had four since I took Friday off to go visit my son at college. ( A heartwarming break!). So far I have slight redness on my skin and a feeling of fullness with a slight ache that comes and goes in the breast. That sensation is similar to breast discomfort right before starting a period. If anything I had stinging in the armpit area and I'm now sure to apply my calendula creme right over my Tom's deodorant there as well. I am no more fatigued than usual and have been trying to walk a mile or two every day to build energy and release some endorphins! I'm also following the doctor's orders to stay very hydrated and consume a lot of protein. I feel very fortunate as my hospital's Cancer center gave me a radiant wrap. They were either sewn or donated by a local group of women. They also regularly leave knitted caps on the tables in the waiting area for anyone to take.

My treatments are easy though there is a lot of breath holding. On the third day, the radiation machine broke halfway through my treatment. Despite rebooting and calling the company reps it could not be fixed until four hours later. Luckily I was able to go back and still had my treatment that day. That techs told me that the machine remembers where it stopped off so it could pick up again without giving me any undue exposure.

MeToo: My RO warned me of fatigue but says it's not as bad as the fatigue that comes with chemo. She said it would probably come toward the end of the week and make me want to take a nap in the afternoon. She said the fatigue could last up to two months after treatment ends. Your diagnosis and treatment aren't listed as public so I don't know if you had chemo side effects to compare this to. I'm sure it's a hard call on taking your trip. Is there anyway that Dr can expedite your plan so you can start treatment sooner? I have heard of that happening. Will your trip allow you to stop and take breaks or are you committed to a firm schedule?

Lelesmom: good luck as you start!

I am so grateful for each of you ladies and am thankful for the perspectives I gain from your posts.

Thanks FelineMum - I was thinking about the sleeve as a precaution flying. I've read on some of the other forums that people didn't have an issue with lymphodema until flying. I certainly wouldn't want to find out once I get there that I have a problem.

You have already been through so much more than I will so I hope your treatments go smoothly. Seems like we may be on a similar schedule for those. I do hope there is some middle ground - seems like it is a standard dose regardless of how many treatments from what I read - seems like you could just divide by any number between 20 and 35 and come up with a plan. I know that is over simplifying it. And of course, whatever I need to do I will do.

DoubleBloom- hope you have a great weekend with your son and another good week of treatment next week. You are slightly ahead of me so I'll be interested in hearing if and when the fatigue shows up. I have no doubt that if we are able to travel we will likely need to take it a little slower than we may have thought.....

Good luck to everyone as their treatment progresses!

Morning, ladies,

I had my simulation this morning, CT scan and tattoos done. The process was pretty easy. I have good mobility in my shoulders which is good because if not, it would have been somewhat uncomfortable. The techs were very warm and friendly. All in all, pretty smooth.

I am scheduled for a dry run on March 27 and will begin treatment on March 28. It will be a full 6 weeks post lumpectomy but the oncologist seemed perfectly okay with that, so I'm happy. I have the first appointment in the morning at 8 am. Looking forward to getting in, out and done.

FINALLY - SOME CLARITY. Genetics testing was negative for BRCA 2 and 8 other potential mutations. The path is clear(er) now: radiation therapy it is. I have my simulation on Friday morning. There is no part of this I am looking forward to, but I am relieved to know what the next step is.

Paco - good for you! I should be right behind you. Are you going to work while undergoing radiation? (assuming you work)

Veeder., I will ask for the scans. I didn't think they had any relevance but you're right, why not ask? If I paid for them, even indirectly through my insurance company, I should request a copy.

Kay: I agree: I'm not okay with any of this either. I flat out told my RO and the radiation PA that I was a less than willing volunteer in this treatment and the PA said, no worries, you can opt out at any time. Tear up the contract. And that somehow made me feel more in control.

Hello, everyone,

I had my first RO appointment on March 1, CT scan on the 6th, "dry-run" with tattoos on the 8th, and will begin my sessions tomorrow. I'll have a shorter course, 20 sessions, due to a small tumor with negative nodes.

I decided to have radiation because my RO noted my arthritis history. I have spinal stenosis + degenerative disc disease in my lumbar spine, and one of my hips is bone-on-bone. [I would have been having a hip replacement but was diagnosed with BC around the same time that the orthopedic surgeon recommended the replacement. So cancer treatment comes first.] The RO said that, with my history, I may be unable to tolerate anastrozole side effects; I'm noticing greater joint pain after only two weeks. So radiation may prevent BC recurrence if I cannot take aromatase inhibitors.

But I'm very nervous about radiation. I'm a natural redhead and my skin is extremely sensitive. The RO nurse and co. recommended Miaderm creme for skin, sold only in the clinic's pharmacy. And my plan is for whole breast radiation, on the left side, but they say I should have few lung or heart impacts.

Hoping to learn from everyone's experiences here about managing side effects from the radiation.

Marigold8: You can buy Miaderm on Amazon, both regular and with lidocaine versions. There's also a soap.

https://www.amazon.com/Miaderm-Radiation-Relief-4-...=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1520987640&sr=8-2&keywords=miaderm+radiation+relief+cream&dpID=51VdVIAn-oL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Hi everyone! Heading in for my set up appointment in a bit, so I might be back later with questions. I was wondering, for those using pure aloe, what brand/form do you use? Gel or liquid, etc.? Thanks!

Veeder, I haven't used Miaderm. I use the Calendula creme and so far so good. I've only had 7/28 treatments. Sorry to hear about all the pain you're having. Is anything helping to alleviate it?

PinkNinja, I just hate to hear about your lesions and impending rads. Wishing you great success with treatment. What are you being told about rads to the brain and its side effects?

Paco. Since you still have a couple of weeks before starting, you may want to apply moisturizer to your breasts to keep the skin healthy and as supple as possible. This was recommended to me by my friend who is a RO. I used Palmers Cocoa Butter oil while my skin was moist right after showering. I believe it helped.

I've had 7/28 treatments and so far so good. My skin is just a tad pink and I can't say I'm fatigued yet. I'm getting boluses every other day. This is just a wet towel placed on my skin. Apparently it drives the radiation closer to the skin. I have the breath holding throughout my treatments and the longest hold is about 30 seconds. Overall my rads routine has been easy and I get excited about the idea of destroying any stray cancer cells!

metoo2018, you and I are on similar tracks. I have my "dress rehearsal" on March 27 and sessions start on March 28. I will also have 20 sessions. I got my tattoos and markings on Monday but the ink keeps washing off after a day so I try to keep the lines drawn with a Sharpie.

I hear you about the RO. He's a real peach but the PA is kind of a weird guy too. The techs seem really nice so for scheduling my sessions, I chose the same time as my CT appointment so hopefully i will get those two ladies again.