JUNE 2018 starting RADIATION

Just off the phone with the RO who was all "hey, you missed your appointment yesterday!" The appointment no one told me about? That one? I'm really beginning to wonder about her office—this is not the first time I've had a problem canceling/scheduling this set-up appointment. So she has me reorganizing my entire afternoon to get in there today. Doesn't exactly feel like patient first!

On the upside, this is the new, no-tattoo machine that she didn't mention when I first met her. My surgeon mentioned it last week when I went in regarding the axillary web cording I have. So that was a worthwhile visit in two ways, I guess! (I object to the tattoos purely on a 'why add insult to injury' standard—if there is a less permanent solution, why not do that?)

hmmm....perhaps I should have put this in Rants!

16??? I would suck it up and take that one. I headed in for one more "practice" and start tomorrow. Asking to day if there is an option to speed it up/reduce sessions.

Well...I do not qualify for 16, thats for sure. Sticking to 33, but they were able to start me today instead of waiting till tomorrow. And then over the next few weeks I will go in twice in one day so I can shave off 2 or 3 more sessions. I can't move to the house we bought out of state until I finish. lol Plan on hitting rads in the morning and driving out of town.

I had my set-up session yesterday afternoon and was given the card for the Music Therapist so they can make me a playlist. But apparently I can't just listen to a podcast? Nonomimi, how are you listening to your audiobook? Maybe I can use that as a starting point to discuss with them. (Although I just looked this up and it turns out this is a big thing at my facility—"Music therapy addresses the psychological well being of patients with cancer by directly influencing the perception of RT as being less intrusive leading to a sense of ease throughout the entire treatment trajectory. The resulting improved patient treatment compliance indicates that patients experience lower anxiety and distress during the initial simulation for radiation therapy imaging when music psychotherapy beforehand." So...no podcast?)

I've been scheduled for 8am daily starting next Wednesday—keep your fingers crossed that the news out of ASCO this weekend is favorable for me to do that so I can finally get this done with!

Hi all, I am joining you in the June group, even though I am still waiting for my oncotype score to come back. It's due sometime during the next 12 days. I am proceeding as if the score is back and low, my simulation can be scheduled as soon as I know and then starting hopefully soon after that. Due for 20 rad sessions on breast and lymph node area.

My RO said just don't wear deodorant on my left side when I come in and they had no other criteria about it, they did say that the hair wouldn't grow under that arm any longer...so saving on razors in the future😁

Big family trip coming up, have to be good for August 4th! So much waiting...

Met with the RO today for my consult. I qualify for the 16 accelerated treatments thank goodness!! Actually really liked him and his office staff. He took the time to actually get to know me, not just discuss my treatment which was nice. I had some hard dates for things like my daughters orientation and a big family trip at the end of July. Knowing that he took me back and did my initial setup for me right away instead making me schedule it next week. I should get a call to come back in for the second simulation next week and start treatments right away so I can be done in plenty of time! He said the two days in the middle of treatment I can come in and do two a day to make up. I could be done potentially by 4th of July! I am so hopeful it holds true!

Medical Oncologist said he has no real treatments for me outside of the radiation. So no hormones or any other drugs which is a relief I think!

Since they squeezed me in to get started a day earlier yesterday, I just got to meet with the nurse and get all the lotions today. I used it right after in the dressing room and I have no burning like yesterday. Mine was mild..but they gave me extra stuff just to be on top of it rather than waiting and needing it later which was nice.

Also found out....that those with a mx can have the "burning" sooner...even day one. The skin is different and we have much larger scar lines. That being the case, mine is even longer. I had the mx in August and a 2nd surgery for another tumor May 2. So I'm up to about a 10 inch line cross my chest. The last one they just made it longer..not a "new" incision.

31 to go!

GreenEyes81,

I did feel the burn during my first treatment, I'm getting use to it. They gave me steroid cream to put on right after the treatment which has helped a lot. I also bought some super soft sheets for sleeping. Today will be treatment 6 of 33. getting closer.

Hi, All,I

And especially Greeneyes and MissMelissa. I didn't get tatoos but rather a marker X and something over it that supposedly allows you to shower, etc. But the one under my right breast (had DMX but R axillary nodes) has already wrinkled up. I figure it's their problem . . .

I can't recommend PT enough. I was eager to work on myself but didn't want to do the wrong thing. In Atlanta, there's an amazing place called TurningPoint that does PT and Rehab only for breast cancer. I got an anatomy lesson in lymph nodes and circulation, a wonderful massage with instructions about how to help myself, and some basic stretching exercises. My rib just under my right breast has been killing me, and now I know how the surgery caused that and what to do. I don't get my practice radiation until Tuesday and begin my 28 sessions on Wednesday, June 6.

I'm grateful for all the information here. I was TNBC so I'm not taking any hormone blockers. I am scheduled to begin Xeloda after radiation. Emu oil, which they use at TurningPoint, really helps my skin and allows me to work my cords in my right arm.

Ctula - soft sheets have been an indulgence of mine as I've grown older (now 64). I think they are so worth it! For chemo, DMX, radiation, and more chemo, I got a new bed that allows me to raise and lower my head and feet. Priceless those first three weeks after my DMX.

Be well!

Paula

I finished my 16th treatment yesterday and have 6 boosts left. Make sure to use your lotion and aloe, Ladies. And if the girls are bigger (like mine) get the lotion up underneath the breast.. I didn't so much and now paying for it with a nasty burn... good luck! It will be over before you know it!!

mwaucker Would it be possible to switch your schedule around? Go durning lunch in the begining then afternoons and home on the last half? You shouldn't much symtoms in the begining...but you are going to be trying to work when they may be kicking in.

Also the lotions my MQ gave me are "lighter" right now...I have back up stuff for when my skin changes which she said are the "greasy" one that I may want to were old shirts with.

As for being in the South...good luck.

Kelligirl

I didn't feel much fatigue during my first 3 rads this week. But last night, I was really tired and I slept for 9 hours today. I know your rads are coming up and I wish you the best of luck. I have a small bag for rads that I keep in my car with creams and a small speaker to listen to an audio book during the process. The whole process takes only about 20 minutes but laying down with my arms up makes me want to itch (it's psychological) so I have to zone out with a book. My skin looks fine so far.

Good luck. You're going to be fine and your life won't be interrupted. The men at your office won't even notice what's going on...except for your new button down shirts!

LOL. You're right - the actual radiation part must be about 3-5 minutes but it feels longer and I put the audiobook on before I get on the table. Maybe they spend 5-10 minutes setting me up, but it just seems longer when I am holding my hands up and told to not move. I feel like somewhere on my head, face, body is always itchy, even tho I know it's in my imagination. So the book really takes my mind off it and I look forward to listening to it. Maybe I get thru 1 chapter in the 10 minutes I am on the table.

Puzzlewoman,

Good luck next week. The actual process is actually very easy when you create a system. You're going to do great. I started 4 days ago and everything was fine. I got really tired last night and slept 9 hours and took a nap today. So I think I can suck it up during the week and sleep more on the weekend. I hope everything goes well for you, too.

Mimi