April 2018- Starting Radiation

Agatha, I read your step by step procedural and thought, robes? I walk into the rads room and strip from the waist up in front of four people prepping the table with my mold. Ha!

I'm 12/21 in, with 4 more whole breast treatments and 5 boosts left. A little pinkness and nipple soreness, but that's all. My tape is getting skeevy from Aquaphor, but still lined up where it needs to be. No tattoos.

Radiation has been much less of a monster than I'd imagined and it is an absolute relief to have begun, to feel as though you're finally walking on the path, rather than just looking down it

Thanks LiMa. Good luck to you too! Does anyone have male radiation techs or are they female? I’m not sure how I will feel about having a male tech! It is kinda stressing me out just thinking about it

I have one male and two female. All are great. I do put on a hospital type robe in a dressing room. And as for shaving, I asked the nurse because I too thought that sounded unpleasant and there is enough unpleasantness in this entire process so she said I could use my husbands electric razor lightly once a week if I really wanted to and she said early on probably no issue and she thought later, if I did have any skin issues I would change my mind. I am 2 weeks in and have used it and just feel better about things so until I can't I will keep doing so. I also use the Tom's natural deodorant which isn't very nice but it is ok. I use regular deodorant on my non-treatment side.

I will have 10/30 this afternoon - a slight itch has started but very minor. All in all, this has been easier than I expected so far just a nuisance and it is better once you finally know what to expect so for those of you who have not started - it does get a bit easier just knowing what the routine is and getting to know your technicians.

Have a good week everyone - especially those just getting their first treatments this week!

Hey ladies. I see some familiar March rads ladies here so I figure, I guess I can join in with your bunch. I had 9/20 today, so nearly halfway there! It was nice to have the two day break over the weekend. I sleep like a baby becaue otherwise, I'm up at 4:30 am to get stuff done and be at my daily morning appointment. I am a morning person so I don't mind, but sleeping in until 6 seems like a real luxury!

I have the rads thing down pat these days. Get in my robe, sit in the waiting area maybe 5 minutes and they nearly always call me on time since i'm the second appointment. Then I get on the table, find my spot, relax every muscle in my body (the tech said to sort of melt into the table. Weird but the imagery helps me loosen it all up) and then a minute later, I get up and leave. No real SE to speak off. Slight pinkish-ness, very slight rash, nipple tenderness. That's about it. Totally doable. The worst part is the drive, which takes about 30 minutes since I get going so early and on the way home, I'm driving in the opposite direction of most of the downtown-headed traffic.

Happy Monday everybody!

My radiation techs are female and my RO is male. Treatment 6/33 this morning, saw my RO after...slight redness and warm feeling, RO mentioned increasing Aquaphor from twice a day to three times a day due to my fair completion and sensitivity. He also reminded me to apply sunscreen to chest, neck when going outside for an extended period of time.

Paco, I like the early morning appts also, get rads done and continue with rest of my day.

Okkate, happy to see your on a schedule for rads...it feels nice to have a consistent schedule instead of waiting all the time.

I forgot to mention that I have had exposure (literally and figuratively!) to both male and female techs. There always seems to be someone new who appears in the LINAC room. The RO is a male, his PA is a male, and the residents have been women. A mixed bag for sure and multiple folks have had the dubious honor of seeing and at times, touching, my breast. lol. I figure, after having birthed three babies vaginally, there isn't much left in terms of my modesty. Leaving it at the door of the hospital!

Hello everyone! I started my radiation today. I have the Savi Cath. It was painless. But I wanna know has anyone here had the Savi Cath

Thanks for the tips everyone. I guess my modesty may get the best of me. I can’t wait for all of this to be over

Well put me too! Oh the indignities this disease has caused. Now I just need to learn to deal with them! Good luck to all today

Hospital called.  Machine is down.  

ctmbsikia - I think that's Strike 4!!! Sorry to hear you have another hurdle. I hope the machine is good to go tomorrow and you have smooth sailing for the rest of your radiation experience. Sending positive thoughts your way.

Hello! Starting radiation on Tuesday April 17th, 20 sessions. I have calendula soap and cream, Aquaphor (large bottle and travel size, as I have a bit of a daily commute to the hospital) and clear Aloe Vera Gel. In many ways, this has been a whirlwind ad. In many ways this has been a whirlwind adventure with a whole lot of hurry up and wait thrown in. So looking forward to getting started and moving ahead

Jumping in here to join the group. I just had my CT scan yesterday as the set-up for radiation which will begin on 4/24. I have asthma, so holding my breath for as long and as deeply as they want me to was difficult, but I did it. The mold that fits around my head and shoulders is uncomfortable, but I'm going to ask if I can wear a soft hat for the appointments. So ready for this all to be over. But chemo is done, and I'm happy for that!

I haven't started rads yet, appt w/RO April 18 for CT scan. I get so anxious and emotional...ugh! Worried about the lymph node involvement (especially since my surgery was Jan 26 and there's been no treatment started yet). Thankful for FAITH, FRIENDS, and FAMILY.

FROG