April 2018- Starting Radiation

yeah, Kate! I felt the same way - what a roller coaster. I counted every day, wondering how any medical personnel could make me wait one day longer than necessary! In hindsight I realize it was all normal (for cancer...) I'm three days away from the end of radiation now. It will fly by. I know your happy to be doing something, moving forward. Hormone therapy is next for me - anxious about side effects, but completely in with both feet for the long haul. Happy I have all of you, too

Yea okkkate!   Hope it goes smoothly for you now.

#4 done.  I arrived on time yesterday and had high hopes of not waiting too long since I was the only person in the waiting area, but it was 45 minutes.  No one even stuck their head in to at least say when they would be ready.  Waiting is a real stressor for me.  I mean I get it, people need treatment, it is beyond my control, yet it still stresses me.  The therapist and tech asked how I was so I told them, "Stressed!"  They apologized for the wait.  On my way out -I was practically sprinting lol- the nurse stopped me to say I'm seeing the Dr.  OK,  so I let her and the RO know I am stressed (BP was 149/80). They are all very nice and understanding.  I think part of my state is also the whole cancer thing is kicking in too-as I've read where a few of you have also broken down at this point.  RO went over a few things and asked if I had questions, and if I do I don't have to wait until Mondays, and if issues arise with treatment I can ask to see a nurse.  

So, here's to a good day for all!

I have nothing  significant to report concerning treatment.  I have just a slight irritation/itchiness between my breasts.  Since I am prone this is from the table.  Right side of face may take a beating as my mold is pretty uncomfortable too, but I will gladly take this.

The waiting is the absolute WORST. It's so stressful! I had to wait to see the doc today, and all she had to tell me was what she'll ask me next week. Ask me then! I'm so short right now--I think seeing a possible end to active treatment makes it all the more frustrating that I'm not just there. But 2 down, 18 to go! That's pretty great.

Paco - I hear you about the snow. This spring is ridiculous.

I start radiation today.... a bit later today than I was expecting. They called to tell me the machine was down so I’m heading in 2 hours later than I thought. I’m so glad they called though because it saved my DD from taking the bus and subway home from high school. I like to pick her up when I can. Also nice to not have to sit and wait at the hospital.

Hoping for no machine problems for everyone for the rest of the week. That’s probably too optimistic but we can hope.

Once again I feel fortunate - my experience has been very simple (for the most part). My treatments are 12:20, I arrive around 12:10, they frequently call me right away and I am on my way back out the door sometimes as early as 12:25. Round trip from my house with a 20 minute drive each way is never more than an hour. It is a free standing cancer center in a less populated area so I think that helps. So far, knock on wood, no machine issues. I finish treatments on May 7 and leave on a long ago planned vacation on May 10th -so cutting it way too close to have anything rescheduled.

Paco - this weather is just miserable. It looks like we are coming to the end and I know we are all ready for Spring to come to Buffalo. I need some garden therapy!

Hang in their ladies - this too shall pass. I hope all of your schedules settle down and treatment progresses uneventfully.

Hi Hopeful - I live in SW FL and have to brag that the weather here is glorious. I will have my first treatment today after the "line everything up" yesterday. I'll have 30 treatments so this will put me done the end of May. This has been going on since the end of June last year when first diagnosed so VERY happy to see some light coming up. I had a 6+ cm tumor but slow growing so hopeful about that. Partial mastectomy, chemo before and now the rads. It really is poison, slash and burn! Perhaps some day this will all look barbarous and new treatments will evolve.

Thanks to everyone for the tips on skin care. My RO didn't recommend much of anything so will start with moisturizers and aloe vera when things start to heat up.

Best wishes to all who are in radiation.

ctmbsikia, I think the disorganization and miscommunication in the appointments would have me on the ledge as well. Step back off it, girl, it will all get straightened out soon enough (I hope!)

I had my first boost today. I watch the head of the machine (I think it's called a multileaf collimator) as it's doing its thing and its narrow metal teeth opened and closed in a different shaped opening today so I know for sure that at least that changed. I will be so relieved when this is all over. My waiting room companion is done on Friday but I won't be done til next Tuesday. I'll miss her in the room with me - we've hit it off!

ctmbiskia - yikes! Won't they give you a schedule? The bouncy appointments are ridiculous!

ctmbsikia - Thank God you have a great sense of humor or you'd really be going nuts from what they're putting you through!

Yesterday I had my first treatment. It was what they called "set up". I kinda thought that's what they did at the simulation, but I guess not. They took more x-rays and did another 20 mins worth of stuff before I got the actual treatment. I'm hoping that from here on in the sessions are shorter because it's hard for me to hold the position for a long time. It's anywhere from uncomfortable to painful where the edge of the table hits my ribs under the table.

Something is going on around my ribs under the breast that had the lumpectomy. It's very tender. I had thought it was Mondor's Cords that would eventual resolve but I'm not sure now. The cords are less prominent but it's more sore. I'm seeing my RO before my treatment tonight - I'll ask her again. I should probably call my surgeon.

Anyone else had any tenderness around the ribs on your lumpectomy side?

Day 1 done 27 to go:) my appointments are all supposed to be at 3:15 and was impressed when at 3:17 they called me and got in position. I had imaging done and radiation and In total I was in there for a little less than 25 minutes. Now I've put on aquaphor and Aloe which is what my breast surgeon told me to do.

A couple of observations:

1) the music was terrible and glad Im not going through relationship issues because all the songs were about heartbreak.ie imagine Leann Rimes- how do I live without you

2) the ceiling in the rad room changes color and I feel like I'm in a club (except for the music)

3)my techs were super nice and impressed with my breath holding abilities:)

Now that I've started wanted to thank everyone bc the tips have been so helpful (Kaywrite I loved the suggestion of soft bra and breast pad cover) Gussy -the weather has been gorgeous And I'm super grateful about that. Kate- thank you yes getting started is a hurdle and just want this part over too. ctmbsikia- you have a great attitude with all the time changes— I wouldn't do so well with that! #2 I'm ready for you

I’m so grateful to see all the helpful hints from those of you who have started radiation, thank you all for sharing this information, I finally had my CT scan, “measured up” for a form, and tattoostoday! (Ouch! I didn’t realize tattooing was going to feel like a shot!). My next appointment is April 24 for a trial run, then the next day we start the real thing.

F.R.O.G.

#4 done, and finally no pictures! I was in and out in minutes, and that was awesome. It's starting to feel like my normal routine now, which is a relief. Looking forward to the weekend!

hopeful, I did not. Front only, but I did not get chest wall. My margin was anterior

Hi 98hgmom,

Glad you made it through your first day. It was definitely the longest time on the table of all the sessions. Are you on your back or on your stomach? I didn't feel much of any sensations after getting zapped but my back, neck, rib cage, and shoulders hurt from laying face down on the table daily. At first I was real nervous about how long I would be on the table, but then it got easier everyday.