Feburary rads group 2021

I'll have my first Radiology appointment on February 1st. Thanks for starting this group, Purple.

Purple, I hope your staging goes well tomorrow and the weather isn't too bad there. We have a winter storm warning here tomorrow with a forecast of up to 10" of heavy snow and winds up to 35 mph. Do you have much of a drive to get to your appointments? Mine is about a 35 min. drive from work or 20 min. from home.

thanks for starting this thread. I have my first appointment tomorrow, Feb 1. Not sure what to expect. I guess this is just another adventure...

I was supposed to have started in January, but my radiation got a little postponement due to my port removal being scheduled for next week. I think that is the thing I have been most excited about so far. I can't wait to get rid of my little friend! Anyway, is anyone here doing radiation in the prone position? I've read that it reduces risk to healthy tissues, but the RO I have had my consultations with said they do not offer it. However, it is available elsewhere in town, so I'm wondering if I should explore that option even if it means going outside of my "team" of doctors.

hi Susiemommy! My therapy is in the prone position. I had the choice, and decided that it would be better. Kinda weird laying on a table with my boob hanging out of it.. but that is how my biopsy was done as well.. so kinda getting used to it

I start radiation next Friday. 5 or 6 weeks depending on whether they can locate the tumor bed. I have to hold my breath for 30 seconds at a time, which is a little annoying, but luckily doable. The drive is only about 25 minutes each way, but I’m pretty sure it’s going to drive me crazy, especially on days I will have to make it twice for other appointments.

Purple I see that you are in MD. I’m going to Anne Arundel Medical Center for my treatment — what about yiu

First radiation treatment tomorrow - have 20 scheduled. Since cancer was on the left side, I have to use a snorkeling type of device to hold my breath and then press a button for the radiation to start. Did a dry run on Friday and feel pretty confident I'll be able to do it without any problems. Was told to stop taking additional Vitamin A, C, and E while undergoing treatment but can still take a daily multivitamin. Regarding lotion, I was told to do it in the morning... after my treatment (which will be at 2:30)... and before I go to bed. Suggested I used eucerin, aquaphor, or udder cream. Been feeling so great since my surgery that I almost don't want to start this next part of the journey.

Day 3 done, 17 to go. Getting the hang of the breathing apparatus and so far so good. Met with the RO who I'll be seeing every Wednesday as I continue the treatments. So weird having the techs say "see you tomorrow!" when I'm thinking I'll see you next week! Fingers crossed everything continues going smoothly.

This seems pretty standard. It is what I am currently having. I have found radiation much easier than chemo. The side effects are not nearly as harsh.

HI, been off here for awhile but started radiation this week. I have to say, it has bothered me more than I anticipated. One of the machines is down so I've had little choice on my appointment times. The first two were 8:15 at night. I had my third today, 2 p.m. I am exhausted after only 3 days. I feel like the whole thing is very impersonal and like I am just a slab of meat on the table. They had loud music playing which I found disconcerting. Like, this isn't much of a party for me. Each time, two of the techs are male and there is an expectation that I just drop my robe to get on the table. I haven't done that; I told them that this may be normal for them but not for me. I feel like there is a better way to preserve some semblance of dignity in this process but so far haven't experienced it. I do see the radiation oncologist tomorrow and will mention this though I doubt it will change. thanks for reading.

Hoping it gets better for you, Bennette. I would be very bothered by having two males,too. I guess they're so matter of fact about it because they see it every day, but I'm still getting used to the way I now look. In fact, my husband has only had a quick glimpse or two, and I've been married over 40 years, lol!

I had my final prep session yesterday. I feel lucky that the two radiation techs are middle-aged women who are very kind. They marked my skin all up with blue marker — does anyone know if that needs to stay in place until my first real session Monday? I scrubbed a little at it during my shower and it didn’t really come off anyway, but I wasn’t sure if I should scrub at it some more or leave it be.

I have the blue x's drawn on me. They sent a marker home with me and told me I need to keep them on until they do the tattoos before my first session. It will be two weeks on Monday and I haven't heard anything from them. The chemo pushed me into menopause, so I'm having hot flashes which make me sweat and the struggle is real to keep these x's on. They gave me Miaderm Radiation Relief lotion that I'm to use even before I begin treatments.

Hello ladies, I finished my radiation two years ago. I understand that most treatment centers seem to be kind and considerate BUT there are those that aren't. I would encourage everyone to refuse to be treated like a slab of meat. You have a right to personal privacy and dignity. I have read some horror stories including where other men were allowed to walk through the treatment room during setup while the lady was laying there half naked. My treatment center only had one female therapist. I was told that I would be sent into the room, be stripped naked to the waist and lay there ... don't move! ... while two or three men would be marking, touching (one mark was almost on top of my nipple) and moving me without another female in the room. I had a melt down, blindsided by PTSD. I told the RO that although he didn't have a gun in his hand, that's what it felt like and I know what it feels like. I am a sexual assault survivor. I am appalled that they don't acknowledge, according to statistics, that almost half the women they treat are sexual assault victims. I was never rude or hateful but I stood firm. I refused to lay on that table half naked. I made myself a "modesty band" out of a t-shirt allowing them to see the markings. My treated breast was uncovered for setup then recovered. My untreated breast was never uncovered. I told the RO that if I showed up for my appointment and the female tech was not there, I would turn around and walk out. I refused tattoos. They used sharpie pens and a clear sticker to cover them. I've had enough of getting through bad memories. I did not want to look in the mirror for the rest of my life and be reminded of the second hardest struggle of my life. It still haunts me that I didn't refuse pictures. Through it all, the techs and my RO worked with me. They actually arranged it so that the female tech (who got overtime) was the only one ever in the room with me, she set me up each treatment by herself. Again, I was never rude or hateful to anyone, just firm in my refusal to follow their protocols which seemed to be in place to make their job easier. Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself. Just last week I had my last visit with the plastic surgeon. I managed the "before" pictures and they wanted to take "after" pictures, standing against a wall naked to the waist. This time I said, "No thank you. I don't want to do that". They seemed a little surprised but did not insist. Good luck to all of you. You can do this.

Hi Susiemommy - I have wondered the same thing about the breath holding and hoping I am doing enough to eliminate any damage to the heart/lung. I'm two weeks in with ten treatments, and it seems like some days I can get a really good deep breath, but some days not so much. I never saw the mapping scans and was surprised when they took additional films last Friday. I'll see the RO on Wednesday and will ask about that. I'm scheduled for another 10 rounds. The RO said I wouldn't feel fatigued until week four, but I'll tell you, radiation is kicking my butt. Some days I am dog tired, and the RO said I just need to push through it.