Jan 12, 2022 07:36PM txlorelei wrote:

Mermaid, I totally agree about the tattoos

Jan 13, 2022 11:50PM jen2957 wrote:

Hi, All! Thanks so much for the kind wishes for my dad. He is continuing to improve. He is a tough, very determined guy who doesn’t like to be kept down long, so he has that on his side during recovery. I am counting down the last few days before my rads start- the first actual treatment is on my husband’s birthday- Wednesday- lucky him! Did anyone else here receive a prescription for Mometasone Cream to use during treatment and for a few weeks afterward in order to minimize reactions? I also ordered some Calendula cream that was on the recommended list and will go ahead and begin using it as soon as it arrives tomorrow. Just curious as to what other ROs are suggesting.

TXLorelei- I don't have my official treatment plan yet bc my RO was on vacation this week. I had the mapping, but didn't get to meet with him directly at that time (another RO checked my positioning and all that jazz). I have my "dress rehearsal" on Tuesday, get my new/confirmed markings (right now, I have a bunch of red x marks under tegaderm), and do a double-check of everything. I am really interested in what I find out. I know from the nurse that I will be getting supraclavicular and lymph node treatment with the whole breast treatment. I have a tissue expander, so I'm really hoping my skin behaves and doesn't cause any issues with it.

Mermaid- I am really hoping they can safely ditch a boost or two at the end. However, if they don't, I plan to leave immediately from radiation that last Tuesday morning and fly out for the rest of the week (through Saturday at least). I won't know the decision until the week before time for the boosts, though. The bummer is that one of the special events - board dinner- is on Monday and it is at a private wildlife preserve with a giraffe, rhino, and several other animals. I was there for the planning trip, but would love to not have to miss that experience! It's not one of those hokey, super public places- it is a preserve and is very animal-care oriented. Fingers crossed. How is your trip planning looking? Any better idea yet? And those tattoos do NOT sound like fun. I was so happy to learn that my facility no longer does the tattoos- they use permanent marker under tegaderm. The tech said my RO hated them bc he felt like they provided a permanent reminder of breast cancer; I think it could be viewed either way- as a negative or as a positive reminder of what has been overcome at the other side of this part of our experience.

Dicon - Nooo! Geez! I am so sorry for the postponed port removal, but even more so for the pain you have been having. How are you now?

MFK- Woo-hoo! Start marking those sessions off the calendar! I’m so glad your breath holds turned out to be a breeze. I hope everything else goes just as well. Loving the “smidge” term- we Kentuckians use that term pretty regularly, but I cracked up at your medical term classification.

Dres - The daily grind of rads will def be a bit tricker with the little one. Let’s hope your wife doesn’t experience fatigue and has minimal side effects throughout. I don’t have any insight on the bump, but I feel like from here on out, every lump, bump, ache, and pain will become much more of a potential alarm than before BC. I hope she speaks to her RO and finds out it is nothing to be too concerned about. Keep us updated.

I hope everyone has a great Friday and enjoys the weekend radiation vacation

Jan 14, 2022 06:24PM dres123 wrote:

Hi everyone,

just wanted to update. The “bump” for my wife is nothing. Doctor said that it’s a rib but feels protruding bc of the surgery. Long story short, don’t minimize your concerns, always reach out, but things may turn out to be benign.

Related to radiation, has anyone had their rad onc provide a hydration film? My wife is going to have one placed over her breast starting next week and apparently it avoids the need to lotion the area for the 25 session duration.

Jan 15, 2022 03:51PM txlorelei wrote:

On Thursday, I asked my RO about my treatment plan, so she had their computer guy show me my mapping session 3D photos with the treatment areas highlighted. They pointed out how they avoid the lungs and the esophagus. Very informative!

Luckily I have not had any more shoulder pain. Still no skin issues, either.

Jen, you mentioned that your supraclaviclar lymph nodes will be targeted? Do you have to wear a head restraint? To keep my neck still, I have a horrible plastic mesh thing I call my supervillain mask. It's so tight that even moving my lips to talk is difficult. The rads tech apologizes every time she straps me in.

I just tell myself that I'm nearly a third of the way through - 9/30.

Good luck to everyone!

Jan 16, 2022 08:08AM star2017 wrote:

Hi all,

I had mapping Friday and will be starting my third round of radiation next week. Let's hope this is it!