August 2019 Radiation Starts

Hi Farfalla. Thanks for checking in. I'm glad the rads are going fine so far.

Also, no hair here. Any day now, I'm sure!

There are some links that might be helpful, including this on what to have on hand to make radiation more tolerable and comfortable. Mostly if refers to different types of moisturizers, including pure aloe (no alcohol,) Aquaphor, Miaderm, and a few other recommended brands. Also there is some discussion about how to dress both for comfort and to keep greasy salves from ruining clothing and sheets. Suggestions include using men's ribbed sleeveless tank undershirts, and wearing cotton front-hook bras in a size too big. Make sure you get plenty of hydration. Some people comment about getting a headache or slightly queasy after a treatment. That could be dehydration, or stress, or an effect of having to be still in an uncomfortable position.

Other radiation links can be found here.

loiswb, I hope you learn a lot with your RO appt. It's good to hear you have your energy back post-chemo. And hair!

Checking in so far:

MountainMia treatment starting around 8/19

Farfalla6 started 7/31

stayingpositive2019 starting on 8/13

loiswb starting around 8/15

Paloma1211 starting 8/6

Hey Paloma1211, I hope your first one goes easily today. Let us know what you think of the process when you're ready.

Hi Yndorian! Welcome to the group.

uckfknights, the process is something like what you've listed. Those of us in this group haven't necessarily gone through it yet, since this is August starts. (My RO appt is tomorrow, with CT, and rads beginning later in the month.) But also I suspect that each hospital/clinic will have a slightly different procedure. Your best bet is to call and ask to speak with the RO's nurse. She/he will be able to describe what process your mom's clinic follows.

Thanks, DorothyB. That helps a lot. I hope my treatment appts can be as regular as yours!

Hi all. This morning I met with the RO and had my CT and set-up appointment. For those of you who haven't done it, I'll describe the process I went through.

First up was basic check-in with weight, blood pressure and temp, review of medications, etc. Then a resident (new in radiation therapy) came in and went over the basics of what will happen (gamma radiation directed from multiple directions for whole breast treatment x16, plus differently directed treatment for the final 4 boosts.) He went over the possible side effects. My husband and I asked a few questions, and then I read and signed the consent form.

Then my regular doctor came in to see if I had other questions. Then the nurse (Nicole) came in and went over some basic care information, including how to take care of my skin, not to wear underwire bras, how the valet parking works, etc. She left a packet of information for me so I have those things in writing. I can give more info about that another time.

After that a radiation tech (Barb) came in and gave me an appointment for my simulation. Today was for the set-up, but before my first "real" treatment I'll have a practice or simulation treatment. That will be on 8/19. And the day after that 8/20 I'll have my first real rads.

The tech Barb took me back to the CT scanner room. I had my jeans and sandals on but had changed on top. No bra or shirt, but with a gown on. I climbed on a platform table for the scanner. It had a support for my knees so they could be bent. It also had arm rests, so both arms would be over my head. Besides the tech who brought me back, there was another tech in the room already, and another one who came in right away. Once I was basically in position they had me sit up. Barb opened a package with a cushion in it, called an Accucushion. They told me it would smell sort of like Elmers glue. She got the cushion wet, and that made it pliable. They put it under me and had me lie back again, and then they pushed it around to create a mold or form, which will hold me in the same position each time I'm there for treatment. Once it dries (which it does quickly) it sets to a shape.

The other tech had me practice holding my breath to make sure I could do that for 20 seconds. Easy peasy. [EDITED to note, I am doing breath holding because my tumor was on my left. The heart also is positioned slightly left of center. To avoid radiating the heart, breath-holding is done to hold the chest up a bit higher, away from the heart. It helps the angle of radiation to miss the heart and avoid damaging it. If your tumor was on the right, you most likely won't do this.]

A doctor came in and applied wire stickers around my chest and ribs and upper arm that were going to show in the CT scans. All this time as they're getting me set up, they were covering and uncovering my chest with blankets. It was coolish in there, and have the blankets on helped keep me a comfortable temperature.

I might be missing some detail in here... After the wire stickers were on, I was moved into the CT for one image with normal breathing. Then moved out. Then moved in again for an image holding my breath. This was all very very fast. But the CT machine is very close to your face. I recommend reminding yourself that it is quick, you don't go all the way in it, and they can bring you out again very fast if needed. Close your eyes and focus on breathing evenly, or on holding your breath when told. I don't have claustrophobia but it still was odd.

After that a physicist checked the images to make sure they were good, and they were. Then the techs took the wire stickers off and marked lines with a Sharpie marker, and covered the markings with a clear tape. They gave me a Sharpie and more tapes so I can refresh them in needed. [EDITED to note, some clinics tattoo very small dots on rather than using a Sharpie to mark for alignment.]

Then I was done.

I've seen elsewhere on the forum some comments from a sexual assault survivor. She recommended making sure your care team knows if you have an assault in your history, because you are lying there with your legs immobilized and your arms over your head. You could feel very helpless, and your care team should know if this will cause problems. ALSO if it will be a problem to have any men working with you when you're in that position, again, your care team needs to know. They want to accommodate you as well as possible so you can get your treatment without more trauma. You have to tell them if you need help in doing that.

My simulation will be on 8/19, with so long of a gap because I'm going out of town for a few days. Once I start treatment, I'll also see the RO once a week. I asked if there will be any blood tests done and was told no.

Hope this was helpful to some of you. I'd love to hear if your experiences are similar or different from this.