Calling all Rads Girls

Kat11
Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I begin this Wednesday with Rads. Anyone starting with me ? I am a little uptight about the unknow, and I also have to start the Tamoxifen today. I know this is better than Chemo, so moving forward.
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Comments

  • pattimc
    pattimc Member Posts: 431
    #2
    I'm finished, but
    Good luck with rads! I just finished on 12/23. It was nowhere near as bad as chemo (for me). I did get somewhat burnt by the end of the treatment but they gave me some really good antibiotic cream and it cleared it right up.

    I've also been on Tamoxifen for 5 months. I don't have any of the bad side effects that some people report. I do have night sweats, but that's about it.

    I wish you good health in 2010!
  • Sher43009
    Sher43009 Member Posts: 602 Member
    #3
    Today I finished #25 of 35
    Today I finished #25 of 35 treatments the last 7 are to be boosters on the cancer site. Not as bad as I thought and a lot easier than chemo. The hardest part is that it's every day. I'm working every day after the treatments but I'm in bed by 8:30. Have you had your mapping yet? That's where the rad techs and doctor map out the area that's to be treated. I got 4 tatoos the size of freckles that they use to line up the machine. Again not bad. I am a bit red and peeled under my breast. I've given up on bras and wear camosoles now and keep the aloe on it. I'm glad it's winter so it's easier to cover up. I start tamoxifen after I finish with the rads. Good luck with yours and keep us posted.
  • lanie940
    lanie940 Member Posts: 490
    #4
    Sher43009 said:

    Today I finished #25 of 35
    Today I finished #25 of 35 treatments the last 7 are to be boosters on the cancer site. Not as bad as I thought and a lot easier than chemo. The hardest part is that it's every day. I'm working every day after the treatments but I'm in bed by 8:30. Have you had your mapping yet? That's where the rad techs and doctor map out the area that's to be treated. I got 4 tatoos the size of freckles that they use to line up the machine. Again not bad. I am a bit red and peeled under my breast. I've given up on bras and wear camosoles now and keep the aloe on it. I'm glad it's winter so it's easier to cover up. I start tamoxifen after I finish with the rads. Good luck with yours and keep us posted.

    Well, I finished the
    Well, I finished the Thursday before the Saturday before Christmas. The big circle they inked on me for the "boosts" is finally all washed off.LOL It yook longer to wash off then the others.
  • prv
    prv Member Posts: 107
    #5
    lanie940 said:

    Well, I finished the
    Well, I finished the Thursday before the Saturday before Christmas. The big circle they inked on me for the "boosts" is finally all washed off.LOL It yook longer to wash off then the others.

    Practice run
    I go for my final practice run on Wednesday and will start Thursday. I am also very nervous about side effects. I'm still dealing with some left over from chemo! Hopefully everything will be ok for us. I have six weeks to look forward to. Hopefully I won't get all the listed side effects like I did for chemo!
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #6
    Thinking of You Tomorrow
    Kat, I am just thrilled for you that your chemo is done. Be sure to rest a lot. Winter is a good time for rads, I agree. Easier to protect your skin and also sleep.

    The worst is behind you, sister in pink. I will be there in spirit with you tomorrow.

    Best wishes to all of you starting rads this week. You are our Rads Class, Winter 2010. Graduation will come, just in time for you to enjoy Spring.

    Moopy
    Class of Summer '09
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    #7
    Moopy23 said:

    Thinking of You Tomorrow
    Kat, I am just thrilled for you that your chemo is done. Be sure to rest a lot. Winter is a good time for rads, I agree. Easier to protect your skin and also sleep.

    The worst is behind you, sister in pink. I will be there in spirit with you tomorrow.

    Best wishes to all of you starting rads this week. You are our Rads Class, Winter 2010. Graduation will come, just in time for you to enjoy Spring.

    Moopy
    Class of Summer '09

    I like the way Moopy put
    I like the way Moopy put that, Class of Winter 2010. I was tired during rads but still worked the whole time and I had some mild burning and itching. Use the lotions that recommend and use them from the start and alot. Rest when you can and don't overdo. It's mostly just the going very day but even that becomes routine. I found it very doable. Some have had more serious burning issues so watch your skin and report anything unusual right away. Before you know it you will be done.
    Stef
  • GrandmaJ
    GrandmaJ Member Posts: 209
    #8
    Rads Girls
    I start radiation on January 19th....for six weeks. Chemo and surgery done. I work at a hospital, so at least I just have to run downstairs each day to have my treatment. Looking forward to "graduation" and springtime.... Tired of all this SNOW !!

    Judy
    (Pa.)
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #9
    Kat, I'll be thinking about
    Kat, I'll be thinking about you Wednesday too. I just finished my treatments on Christmas Eve. I just had some pinkness from the 25 regular treatments and some areas very red from the 9 boosters. It has only been a week and a half since my last booster and I am almost all cleared up. I have a little peeling on the booster site but I am continuing to use the aloe lotion every day. Rads are very doable and easier on your body than chemo. At least that was the case for me. Good luck and we'll all plan on attending the graduation. I'm a graduate of the Winter Class of 2009.
  • Gloria09
    Gloria09 Member Posts: 190
    #10
    Kat
    I'm just a week behind you. I went for my cat-scan yesterday and have the "x" markings all over. I start rads next week (I'll know the exact day later this week). Surgery is done and no chemo needed so as far as I know this is it, 6-7 weeks and treatment is over.

    Good luck tomorow. I'll be thinking of you!
  • pitt
    pitt Member Posts: 387
    #11
    I started rads last week.
    I started rads last week. I've been using the creams from the beginning and haven't noticed any skin changes yet...but I've heard that can happen in the next week or so. I timed my treatment today. From the moment I started taking off my shirt, sports bra, sat on the table, got zapped, got dressed and walked out it took 6 minutes! Good luck with your treatments. The hardest part for me is trying to keep positive when I'm faced with this every single day. I'm just tired of this nonsense...
  • lndsmom
    lndsmom Member Posts: 20
    #12
    I go for mock up on Friday
    and will probably start rads the week of 1/18. I am done with chemo and surgery (6 tx TAC finished 10/30 and mastectomy on 11/30.)

    Looking forward to graduation!!

    Penny
  • Kathy09
    Kathy09 Member Posts: 99
    #13
    Breeze
    Rads are a breeze compared to chemo.... My last one is 1/6/10. Good luck to you, and all others just beginning.
  • pgrace35
    pgrace35 Member Posts: 122
    #14
    Me too
    I started on the 4th as well,so far so good. Just the drive is a bit of a drag... but no tamoxifen for me. Hope all is well for you!
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #15
    pgrace35 said:

    Me too
    I started on the 4th as well,so far so good. Just the drive is a bit of a drag... but no tamoxifen for me. Hope all is well for you!

    pgrace35
    All is good. I have to take the Tamoxifen. Hope its going well for you.
    Kathy
  • ppurdin
    ppurdin Member Posts: 1,181
    #16
    Radiation
    Its like a piece of cake compared to Chemo.I just finished mine.my main complaint is being tired.But I had to drive 100 miles 5 days a week also.Good luck.(Pat).
  • Gloria09
    Gloria09 Member Posts: 190
    #17
    Kat
    How did your first week of rads go? I had my first rad treatment today. Called my daughter when I was done to tell her that I got a tattoo. She always wanted one when she was younger and I would never allow it. Told her if she wanted one when she would have to wait and get it after she moved out. She's been out for eight years and never has gotten one. Anyway, she knew I wasn't really serious so I explained they are smaller than a pin head and all around my breast. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea that I have to go for treatment EVERY (week) DAY. Ugh!
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #18
    ppurdin said:

    Radiation
    Its like a piece of cake compared to Chemo.I just finished mine.my main complaint is being tired.But I had to drive 100 miles 5 days a week also.Good luck.(Pat).

    ppurdin
    Thats a lot of driving for 10 mins of treatment. I drive 1 hour 5 days a week.I think they said 34 treatments 6 weeks. I am also tired, but I think I am still getting over the Chemo to.
    Kathy
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #19
    Gloria09 said:

    Kat
    How did your first week of rads go? I had my first rad treatment today. Called my daughter when I was done to tell her that I got a tattoo. She always wanted one when she was younger and I would never allow it. Told her if she wanted one when she would have to wait and get it after she moved out. She's been out for eight years and never has gotten one. Anyway, she knew I wasn't really serious so I explained they are smaller than a pin head and all around my breast. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea that I have to go for treatment EVERY (week) DAY. Ugh!

    Gloria
    Rads is going ok. I had a tattoo on my shoulder. I call it my midlife Crisis, But I have to tell ya I really like it. Never ever thought I would do that. Shocked my kids. I also go everyday 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Good luck to you.
  • Gloria09
    Gloria09 Member Posts: 190
    #20
    Kat11 said:

    Gloria
    Rads is going ok. I had a tattoo on my shoulder. I call it my midlife Crisis, But I have to tell ya I really like it. Never ever thought I would do that. Shocked my kids. I also go everyday 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Good luck to you.

    Kat
    I'm not against tattoos ... just wanted my daughter to make sure she really wanted one and it wasn't just a phase. Some are very nice but too permanent of a thing for me to do one myself.

    Good luck with your rads as well.
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #21
    Gloria09 said:

    Kat
    I'm not against tattoos ... just wanted my daughter to make sure she really wanted one and it wasn't just a phase. Some are very nice but too permanent of a thing for me to do one myself.

    Good luck with your rads as well.

    Go Rad Babes! ♥
    I just want to say good luck to all of you. You will do fine! I had 25 regular rads this time and 12 boosters. Just be sure and use whatever creams your rads oncologist gives you from day one and keep using them even a couple of weeks after you finish. Be very gentle with your skin, don't rub it hard and if you can, go braless. Drink lots of water and get as much rest as you can. It will hit you about the 4th week. But, you can get thru it and I will be cheering you all on!

    Love, Jeanne ♥

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