Topic: May 2012 radiation

May 25, 2012 03:53 PM Lagata1276 wrote:

New to this thread and have a couple of questions from this experienced group! I already had an appointment with a rad onc next week, but after my initial meeting with my oncologist yesterday, she recommended that I get a second opinion from another provider in her chain, as she felt the other may be more "traditional" with their treatments. Has anyone else visited with 2 different docs before getting rads? My concern is for my saline implants that I have had for 13 years. She too was concerned about side effects from the rads. Anyone else with this type of issue? Thanks!

May 26, 2012 01:30 PM etherize wrote:

Hi all,

Wow, lots of activity on this thread since I last posted. I have trouble keeping up with who said what ...

Mckenna, we are on the same schedule; my last tx is on June 18.  

Beachbum22, radiation has been more emotionally challenging than chemo for me, too.  Part of it is just because I'm already tired from 3 1/2 months of chemo, so it's harder to be upbeat.  But there's also something about radiation that makes the cancer so "in my face" -- having my shirt off and looking at my boob constantly (along with everybody else it seems).  

Like somebody else said, I'm also getting to the point where I want to pull up my shirt and ask everybody, "you wanna look at this?" Since everybody and his brother is looking at it.  And yes, this is more action than my boob has seen in a long time.

I keep my eyes closed during treatments because of all the little lights and I have this silly, irrational fear that radiation will go in my eyes if I open them!  LOL  So I've seen the manhole cover but not the teeth. ;-)  I haven't counted how long the "zaps" are, but I think I get 5 areas zapped.  I know it's at least 4, because it's the collarbone lymph nodes as well as armpit, breast, etc.

Started getting more tired this week (halfway finished) and my skin's getting a lot redder and now it's starting to ITCH!  So far I've just been using aloe vera gel but I may need something else.

Oh, and Joanne2012, I'm 55.  So, not very young. ;-) 

May 26, 2012 11:52 PM jnbg88 wrote:

Hi everyone. I'm just starting Radiation...on May 24th. I have to have 35 of them. I'm like a few others who is having a rough time.... very emotional and anxious.....about the radiation. I had my surgery, lumpectomy and complete axillary dissection (all my lymph nodes were cancerous), and just completed chemo. I am afraid that not having the chemo working in me makes me feel less safe and while it was rough, I felt secure in knowing the chemo was killing the cancer throughout my body. With my advanced stage and in numerous lymph nodes, my main concern is metastisis. Right now the the Radiation is just so impersonal. I know it's a very technical field, but the technicians are nothing like the warm and loving nurses I grew close to in chemo. Being exposed, having a male tech try to make jokes while I lie partially naked, then alone in the room with this big machine hovering over me just makes me feel terrible. I really hate it. There. I said it. I really do hate it. Somehow it feels better just to say it. I get tired sometimes of trying to put a positive bent on the treatment. Hope this is not too discouraging. I feel like I've needed to share it with someone, because I'm trying to be strong and positive for myself and my loved ones. Thanks for listening....

May 27, 2012 08:40 AM schatzi14 wrote:

jnb....there now you've said it! Ya gotta feel better for that. Just imagine how much greater you will feel once it's done. Look down the road to the light at the end of the tunnel...it's there. I wish you no SEs and stay with us. I know what you mean about the techs tho...especially the males...it's so day in day out for them. I found the older females the most caring but the ordeal takes such a short time I guess they don't have time for small talk, even tho it might make us feel more comfortable. Good Luck!

May 27, 2012 05:43 PM jnbg88 wrote:

Wow. I can't tell you how much it means to hear from those of you who had a chance to write. I am so grateful that you are helping me feel not so alone. Thank you, all of you. God bless you as you go through your treatments. And thank you so much for the encouragement. It really helps to know you are all there, and truly understand. I agree with you lemondrop19 that the chemo was harder physically, but that having to go every day just keeps it in the forefront of my thoughts. I am also very glad to have this Monday off. Hope you are all enjoying quality time.

May 28, 2012 09:43 AM, edited May 28, 2012 09:50 AM by Mopsy

jnbg88:  I also found the first week of radiation to be emotional and the machinery intimidating.  It was much better the second week.  With the third week coming up I feel like it is just a quick thing, and my attention is turning more to how the skin feels.

The technicians have always been women, very nice, always have a concerned manner (but do the job without deviation).  I asked if they deal with all cancers, like prostate, or if there are men technicians.  They said they deal with all, and that there are very few men in the radition treatment field. 

May 28, 2012 02:45 PM Joanne_53 wrote:

Jan24 -- no time now to be private-- that is WAY gone .... we can now talk about anything!!!  Please be generous with the lotion --- I had a burnt boob and nipple and that was SOOOOO painful - almost 2 weeks before I could comfortably wear a bra. 

May 28, 2012 06:29 PM mckenna wrote:

The cat scan was nothing to me. It was like a Donut shape they send you through. There was a lot of drawing and I think maybe I was sent through twice. I did not get the tats. You r laying on your back not on your stomach like an mri. Also much quicker than an mri.

Hope everyone had a nice weekend. Welcome to all who joined. Back to the rads again tomorrow :( skin still looking good and I have done a lot of resting this weekend.

If I have missed anyones end dates let me know. Lets hope the 4 this week go quickly :)

May 28, 2012 07:39 PM Joanne_53 wrote:

I have 4 tattoos -- 2 in the middle of my chest and 2 at the side of my breast -- they were little pin pricks -- look like black heads (yuk)  -- would rather have this then have the techs mark me up all the time.

May 28, 2012 09:37 PM, edited May 28, 2012 09:40 PM by BLinthedesert

I have 4 tattoos as well, 3 in the middle and 1 on the side (under my arm).  Even with the tattoos they still put blue ink on me every morning (it has ruined one of my new 'non-underwire' bras)!  Although, last Friday one of the male techs made the ink really light -- he said for the weekend (I thought that was so sweet of him - especially since for the most part the techs are not that friendly).  One of the women in the waiting area said that she uses hand sanitizer to take hers off - I am going to try that tomorrow on the one that is most noticeable.

My skin is doing well, but I am already tired, and my breast is really sore (on the inside) sometimes.  All that after only 5 days ... I can't wait to see what this week brings (not) 

It was a tough weekend, we had to put one of our dogs to sleep.  It has not been a good year for me, my Mom died in August (it was exactly a year ago this weekend that she told me that she was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer), I have been sick since about January, and now my dog Keiko is gone.  Whew.  What a ride.  Getting old is not for sissies.  

I did not miss getting up and going to rads this morning ...

Enjoy the rest of your evening ladies -- good luck this week!  Stay strong!! 

May 28, 2012 10:23 PM mckenna wrote:

Bl. So sorry about tor mom and now your dog. It stinks. I am very much hoping that 2013 is going to be much better than 2012. Only 7 more months of this year left right ')

May 29, 2012 08:07 AM Neeners815 wrote:

BL you've really been put through the wringer, and I'm so sorry for that.  Sending big hugs your way.

May 29, 2012 09:49 AM jittersmom wrote:

BLinthedesert: Hang in there sorry for the tough year and everything seems worse when you don;t feel well. I will add you to my prayer list

hope everyone has a good week( only 4 days!) at radiation

May 29, 2012 10:50 AM sbelizabeth wrote:

BLinthedesert, if I could make molasses cookies for anyone in Arizona, I'd make them for you and your family.  What a miserable time for you, dear sister.  Like jittersmom, I'll add you to my prayer list. 

Don't you wish the application of aloe and aquaphor would soothe all the rawness in our lives? 

OK...time to make fresh coffee, park my hat on its hook in my office, and get down to work!  Happy Tuesday, everyone, and may our cancer cells all just get in line for the bug zapper today. 

P.S.  When I'd just finished chemo, a friend at work said, "The chemo killed all the fleas.  Now the radiation just has to finish off all the nits."  Now that's a visual!

May 29, 2012 12:09 PM jittersmom wrote:

sbelizabeth......good way to explain it to people who keep asking why do you have to have both??

Hope you don't mind if i use it!