thought i was starting radiation today

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heidijez
heidijez Member Posts: 441
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
well. . .it's like this. my radiation oncologist was in san diego last week for a medical conference so we had to reschedule my second rads simulation. it was scheduled for today. she also planned to do the first radiation session if all went well.

i started my morning with physical therapy at 7 a.m. for lymphedema. then read my book for 1-1/2 hours before my appointment in radiation oncology. at 9:30 i met my three technicians - lovely, charming people. however, the anxiety of the unknown hit as i entered the room and unwarranted tears began to flow (for all of about 30 seconds)

i got myself situated on the table and let the simulation begin! it seemed to last forever, despite constant chatter of you're doing fine heidi, we are almost done heidi, just a little bit longer heidi. and then i hear my radiation oncologist's voice intermingled with the tech trio. i really like her and have a lot of confidence in her - she is the best rad onc at this facility (i wonder if everyone is told that about their doctor - although she does have the credentials to back this up)

anyway, multiple minuscule arm and table adjustments, along with purple markings all over my throat and chest, i was finally told i was done. dr. w told me that mine was the most intricate radiation plan she has had to do in many years. they are very concerned about damage to my heart, so will be monitoring my breathing and only sending radiation at certain times in my breathing. yikes! so instead of having to spend approximately 30 minutes with them each day, i will be spending 60 minutes with them.

long story short is that not only did we not start rads this morning, i am going back for another simulation tomorrow!!!

the plan now is to start "real" rads on monday - meaning that i won't be done with this until after christmas!

sorry for the long post, but i needed to share . . .

Comments

  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #2
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    I am sorry Heidi that this
    I am sorry Heidi that this is turning into more than you thought. The simulation took the longest for me, maybe 30 minutes or 40. Then, I got the tattoos and I was off for the day. My sessions of rads after that only took maybe a couple of minutes. It took me longer to undress than for the actual treatment. LOL

    I hope that everything goes well for you and that you do start your rads on Monday.

    Good luck,

    ♥ Tinker Lex
  • aisling8
    aisling8 Member Posts: 1,627 Member
    #3
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    Alexis F said:

    I am sorry Heidi that this
    I am sorry Heidi that this is turning into more than you thought. The simulation took the longest for me, maybe 30 minutes or 40. Then, I got the tattoos and I was off for the day. My sessions of rads after that only took maybe a couple of minutes. It took me longer to undress than for the actual treatment. LOL

    I hope that everything goes well for you and that you do start your rads on Monday.

    Good luck,

    ♥ Tinker Lex

    Wow
    you've got some fancy radiation going there!! I hear your fear and frustration, but it does sound like they're going the extra mile to take care of you. Hopefully they'll zap all the bad stuff right out of you:)

    xoxo

    Victoria
  • seof
    seof Member Posts: 819 Member
    #4
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    Suggestion
    Practice holding your arms above your head to get the muscles ready. You may be in better shape, and maybe you did not have surgery first, but every time I went for radiation the muscles under my arms were sore afterward from keeping my arms over my head (mostly on the side they took lymph nodes from), and I was only on the table 20 minutes or so each time.
    I agree that it sounds like they are trying to be very thourough to be sure they get it right. Just keep reminding yourself that it is temporary, and it is zapping the cancer out of there.

    seof
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #5
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    Heidi
    so sorry that the rads situation is stressful. It is frustrating but you want them to do what's best for you. Since you won't be done til after Christmas think of it as a way to start the New Year!
    {{hugs}} Char
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #6
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    cahjah75 said:

    Heidi
    so sorry that the rads situation is stressful. It is frustrating but you want them to do what's best for you. Since you won't be done til after Christmas think of it as a way to start the New Year!
    {{hugs}} Char

    Better to be safe, Heidi
    The good news is that they are being so very cautious with your precious heart. Sorry it will take a bit longer than you thought, but it sounds as if you have a very good, professional team and that's so important for a great outcome.

    We'll all be right here to cheer you along all the way to the finish line.

    Hugs,
    Renee
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #7
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    missrenee said:

    Better to be safe, Heidi
    The good news is that they are being so very cautious with your precious heart. Sorry it will take a bit longer than you thought, but it sounds as if you have a very good, professional team and that's so important for a great outcome.

    We'll all be right here to cheer you along all the way to the finish line.

    Hugs,
    Renee

    think of it as you are
    think of it as you are getting the care you deserve! glad they are being careful with you . HUGs !
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    #8
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    aisling8 said:

    Wow
    you've got some fancy radiation going there!! I hear your fear and frustration, but it does sound like they're going the extra mile to take care of you. Hopefully they'll zap all the bad stuff right out of you:)

    xoxo

    Victoria

    You want them to be perfect
    You want them to be perfect with rads, and, it sounds like they are doing a really good job. Good luck when you start next week.

    Hugs, Megan
  • ladyg
    ladyg Member Posts: 1,577
    #9
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    Have patience
    I know it is hard when you just want to get started. Once you do it will pass quickly and you will be done before you know it.

    Hugs,
    Georgia
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #10
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    missrenee said:

    Better to be safe, Heidi
    The good news is that they are being so very cautious with your precious heart. Sorry it will take a bit longer than you thought, but it sounds as if you have a very good, professional team and that's so important for a great outcome.

    We'll all be right here to cheer you along all the way to the finish line.

    Hugs,
    Renee

    Sorry about your frustrating
    Sorry about your frustrating day, but, enjoy your days now without going to rads everyday. Everything will be fine.

    Hugs, Kylez
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    #11
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    ladyg said:

    Have patience
    I know it is hard when you just want to get started. Once you do it will pass quickly and you will be done before you know it.

    Hugs,
    Georgia

    I know that delays are such
    I know that delays are such a pain but it seems that they are really on top of this and that they will be watching everything closely. It's like everything is hurry up and wait. Prayers that you do well and don't have burning issues and the time passes quickly.
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #12
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    fauxma said:

    I know that delays are such
    I know that delays are such a pain but it seems that they are really on top of this and that they will be watching everything closely. It's like everything is hurry up and wait. Prayers that you do well and don't have burning issues and the time passes quickly.

    Heidi .. All I can say .. Hugs to you and all
    that you've endured.. Don't give up or give in to Fear of the unknown.

    Stength and Courage


    Vicki Sam
  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    #13
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    I so get wanting to be done,
    I so get wanting to be done, and looking toward that date. It did get pushed back for the "right" reasons. When I get to rads, I hope my team is as careful as yours is being. Good luck Monday, and let us know how it goes.

    Hugs,

    Linda
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #14
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    Alexis F said:

    I am sorry Heidi that this
    I am sorry Heidi that this is turning into more than you thought. The simulation took the longest for me, maybe 30 minutes or 40. Then, I got the tattoos and I was off for the day. My sessions of rads after that only took maybe a couple of minutes. It took me longer to undress than for the actual treatment. LOL

    I hope that everything goes well for you and that you do start your rads on Monday.

    Good luck,

    ♥ Tinker Lex

    my daily treatments were
    I did my treatments on my lunch...10 min drive each way (20 mins round trip) changing clothes etc..i was back to work within an hour...I HOPE all goes smoothly...

    I did the dry run/ tattos etc and shaped the form i laid it & started day or two later..
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #15
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    seof said:

    Suggestion
    Practice holding your arms above your head to get the muscles ready. You may be in better shape, and maybe you did not have surgery first, but every time I went for radiation the muscles under my arms were sore afterward from keeping my arms over my head (mostly on the side they took lymph nodes from), and I was only on the table 20 minutes or so each time.
    I agree that it sounds like they are trying to be very thourough to be sure they get it right. Just keep reminding yourself that it is temporary, and it is zapping the cancer out of there.

    seof

    form fitted pad
    I had a form fitted pad (not sure of real name)like foam beads in plastic and sucked air out so each time I went in ..i would just lay the same exact way each time. Is this a common item used for treatment?

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