JUNE 2018 starting RADIATION

Hi June group- I am struggling with where to have my radiation treatments (20) as my cancer center is an hour away from home ( plus Chicago rush hour) and even farther from work. I know that’s the best place as it seems at all the local hospitals the RO treat multiple diagnoses and are not breast specialists. Unfortunately I have not been successful in getting a recommendation for a RO closer to home from my current team. My current job situation is a huge concern even though I have a current Accommodation-

Has anyone else Been in this situation? How far are you all traveling? How did you make your decision on treatment location? Any decision making help is appreciated. I am overwhelmed with the thought of 4 weeks of radiation . Thanky

Hi ladies! Had my second scan/setup visit on Wednesday. I was hoping to start on Thursday but my daughter has orientation Mon&Tues so I'm out of town. They didn't want to start and then take that break so it was pushed back to next Wed. Now I'm sort of sliding off into the deep end of panic again while I wait rather than just marching on through. Meantime I have to make sure these stickers and marks don't come off before then!! HA! I have one right between the girls so it folds. I already know I'll be using my own sharpie to keep that one going 😉

I am curious, I have 21 treatments? It seems so odd that its 21? Why not 20? Why that one extra? I have 16 regular and then 5 boosts. Those getting 20 are you getting the boosts to? i'm assuming those with just 16 are not?

I'm trying to get myself prepared with supplies. Any recommendations on a support bra for larger women? All I have really are underwire including my sports bras. I bought two right after surgery from Soma that are wireless but honestly they aren't holding anything up. I also need the compression to help a large somewhat painful seroma that formed in the opposite breast where the biopsy and papilloma removal was done. Trying to figure out how to deal with that and the idea that I'll need soft and loose for radiation. I'm not allowed to even sleep without lots of support for now.

Last question.. how are you all dealing with the "sticker" markings and lotions/aloe? I have several and will continue to have them throughout. No tattoos at all so how are you all making sure those areas are getting covered without losing the sticker or marks? I'm feeling like I missing something easy here but for the life of me can't figure it out LOL! I wanted to start using something moisturizing ahead of time but am so afraid of losing a mark!

Oh one more.. sorry! How long are you all actually on the table for treatment? My Dr said I would be in there 15 minutes from the time I get out of my car until the time I'm back in? Never mentioned holding my breath and said the actual treatment is 1-2 minutes max? I'm seeing how uncomfortable some of you are holding your hands above your head. During setup yes, my arms were actually going to sleep from it but they keep reassuring me it won't be like that at all during the actual treatment? Things like a podcast or music almost seem pointless if I'm not laying there for more than a minute or two?

They said the nurses/techs will talk with me on Wednesday about the do's and don't but I wish they did that up front!

I was told to avoid the stickers because the Aquaphor could make them loosen up. I am being really cautious with them since I had to fight for stickers instead of tattoos and I don't want them to cause trouble. They did also say to only put cotton next to the skin, so I've been using a cotton washcloth under a running top with a shelf bra. I figure that matches the spirit of the idea!

My appointment is 8am--thanks to that, I'm out of there by 8:15. I do plug in my music, but literally, less than 5' on the table so far. Apparently my appointment on Monday will include a blood draw and Tuesday the RO. 2 down, 18 to go.

Wow, you guys have been told a lot that I haven't. One of my stickers came off in a towel (I was probably careless and rubbed), and my folks didn't think much of it. I do have four ink marks, each with a sticker over it, surrounding my port because they originally put a mark and sticker ON my port! I only have to have it flushed once during radiation, but still. So now if I wear a V neck, the marks show. Compared to other things, that just does not bother me. I wasn't told about cotton. And my hospital does not have any cremes available to try. They suggest calendula, so I've got that, Aquafor, the emu oil I'm using in PT, and Utter Balm. I'm only on #3 of 28, so I'm just rotating what I use. Just to say that, as with so much of our treatment, physicians and providers are different. I got pink with my first treatment, but that went away. I know; it's early.

Kelligirl - I also wfh 2days a week, but work is farther away. My manager is giving me the flexibility I need right now, thankfully. I never thought of asking for extra stickers, that's a good idea!

I am rather large but have never liked underwire bras. I usually buy the playtex 18-hour and just find the most comfortable. Probably droopy but oh well! 😄

Thanks for the hugs and support! Very helpful. I've had three radiation sessions. They have been quick and painless. So far no significant side effects.

Ladies of June.... I thought my 22 treatments would never end but it goes by quick. Six of which were boosts! Tomorrow is my last and yes I lost stickers along the way and panicked but don’t! They know exactly where to replace it. I have had lines drawn and tattoos placed and they always know where to treat you. Treatment itself is quick.. and yes you will get tired (about week 3) your nipples will hurt and they will get dark. If the girls are big be sure to lather up underneath as that is where I have an open sore. Use your aloe and your lotion. I spray aloe juice and use cethaphil lotion.. keep it moist!! Wear any wireless bra that you feel comfortable in and just take a breath.... it will be over before you know it... the unknown is scary but reading these blogs along the way makes you feel not alone... and yes you can feel nauseous even if they say no... and yes you can feel the burn after the first treatment even if they tell you that’s impossible!!! You know your body, trust it.. we wouldn’t be doing all this if we didn’t... xoxo 😘 now on to tamoxifen (I’m more worried about this pill) good luck!!!

Congrats Pumpkin! See you in the hormonal therapy thread! I am right behind you with 8 more sessions.

YEA Pumpkin,

You made it! And with a very good summary of thoughts and experience to share-thank you for all of your contributions.

A couple more weeks of treatments for me, including the boosts, but looking forward to joining you ladies in the hormone therapy group. Let’s keep a good resource going

CELEBRATE this milestone-happy for you!

last week I had simulation.. 3 stickers , mold made, learned the breathing with the snorkel device and today I go for a dry run they said to make sure I’m marked and all is good to start the real thing tomorrow

TrailDweller,

Welcome to the thread. We will be praying for a good Oncotype DX score. Keep us posted! Good luck!

Hi Loki, I decided to go to a location that is about 40 minutes away. They do a lot of breast cancer patients, but do other radiation as well. There was a different center 15 minutes closer, but I chose the radiation oncologist that made me the most comfortable even though it was further. Good luck

I have a question. I've read that during radiation not to use scented soaps and non-alum deoderant but I haven't heard about shampoo. Would the shampoo running down over you be a problem?

What are all these stickers I keep reading about ? I went today and had CT scan and got 5 tattoos. I was told not to worry about them when showering. Nothing was mentioned about stickers. Is that instead of the tattoos?

I start actual Rads next week June 18th. I'm not too worried about it YET, but that'll probably change come Sunday.

Motherofall6...looks like we are on similar schedule. Good luck! Hope we sail right through it .🤗Cyn

I had 4 tattoos and 1 sticker. They drew a black X on my chest and put the sticker over it so it doesn’t fade. The tattoos are so small I think they needed to make marks on the chest. Good luck ladies. It really is easy if you don’t mind not moving