Radiation Therapy

base61ball
base61ball Member Posts: 125
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Went for my second appointment today - more pictures, more drawings on my chest (I personally think they were playing tic tac toe) and the tattoos for the positioning.

Start my daily rads tomorrow for 33 treatments.

I feel blessed - the techs are kind, I like the PA and the doctor (a first, usually its one or the other) and feel they are being as thorough as they can be. Get this - the PA actually read my chart and medical history!!!! That is a first for any doctor or PA I have ever seen in my life. I was impressed by that.

Just as an update, my severe reaction to the taxotere (16 days with excrutiating pain in my feet) is rare, but it does happen. Medical oncologist released me from the last 3 treatments and we are on to radiation. I finished 4 c/a and the one taxotere. It takes one heck of a lot for me to holler uncle so am grateful she agreed.

Comments

  • zahalene
    zahalene Member Posts: 670
    #2
    That's progress!
    You are making progress hun. For me radiation was a walk in the park after chemo. Hope it is as easy for you. But you will probably have some fatigue that can be cumulative if you do not be really kind to yourself during rads. 'Slim down' your daily routine, eat well, partake of relaxing episodes often and just keep looking for the good things, big and small, that life has to offer.
    Keep us up to date. Hugs.
  • base61ball
    base61ball Member Posts: 125
    #3
    zahalene said:

    That's progress!
    You are making progress hun. For me radiation was a walk in the park after chemo. Hope it is as easy for you. But you will probably have some fatigue that can be cumulative if you do not be really kind to yourself during rads. 'Slim down' your daily routine, eat well, partake of relaxing episodes often and just keep looking for the good things, big and small, that life has to offer.
    Keep us up to date. Hugs.

    That's progress!
    Thanks zahalene - every post I read of yours is so encouraging and positive.

    I will remember about the resting - have a tendency to feel guilty because I am not being productive. Letting go of things takes practice. Have been trying to be "nutritionally correct" as much as possible except for Twinkies (I have one every day). Still having some issues with being able to ascertain texture but no flavor in food. Then again it certainly has helped my weight loss plan.
  • mgm42
    mgm42 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #4
    Taxotere
    I'm so glad your medical providers are great! That can make all the difference in the world considering you will be dealing with them 33 times over the next 6+ weeks. I had 33 treatments also - 25 whole breast and 8 boosts. Zahelene is right. Radiation is easy compared to chemo - I was on Taxotere and Cytoxin for 4 rounds. Horrible stuff that Taxotere. But, be kind to yourself. You've already been through a lot. Rest as much as possible. The fatigue from radiation is different than that from chemo - and it is cumulative. So rest. Don't feel guilty. Accept help from whereever and whenever its offered. Within no time at all, you'll be feeling like your old self and the offers of help will go away. LOL. So enjoy being a little pampered. Hugs, Marilynn
  • base61ball
    base61ball Member Posts: 125
    #5
    mgm42 said:

    Taxotere
    I'm so glad your medical providers are great! That can make all the difference in the world considering you will be dealing with them 33 times over the next 6+ weeks. I had 33 treatments also - 25 whole breast and 8 boosts. Zahelene is right. Radiation is easy compared to chemo - I was on Taxotere and Cytoxin for 4 rounds. Horrible stuff that Taxotere. But, be kind to yourself. You've already been through a lot. Rest as much as possible. The fatigue from radiation is different than that from chemo - and it is cumulative. So rest. Don't feel guilty. Accept help from whereever and whenever its offered. Within no time at all, you'll be feeling like your old self and the offers of help will go away. LOL. So enjoy being a little pampered. Hugs, Marilynn

    Taxotere
    I agree - it was the worst thing in the world. Every time I think about the 16 days it took to get back to somewhat normal I just shudder.

    When you say the fatigue is different - is it because its cumulative? I am nervous about that part - I've been tired since my children were born 40 years ago - so not sure how much more tired I can get. C/a put me on my buttocks for 3-4 days. Even now if I go "out" I have to come home and nap. Will I need to take a pillow and blankie with me everywhere?

    Doing my best to accept help - and not micromanage while they are helping. Control freaks and cancer are not compatible but they are learning to coexist.

    Thanks so much for your encouragement. Had #2 today 31 to go.....
  • Joycelouise
    Joycelouise Member Posts: 482
    #6
    base61ball said:

    Taxotere
    I agree - it was the worst thing in the world. Every time I think about the 16 days it took to get back to somewhat normal I just shudder.

    When you say the fatigue is different - is it because its cumulative? I am nervous about that part - I've been tired since my children were born 40 years ago - so not sure how much more tired I can get. C/a put me on my buttocks for 3-4 days. Even now if I go "out" I have to come home and nap. Will I need to take a pillow and blankie with me everywhere?

    Doing my best to accept help - and not micromanage while they are helping. Control freaks and cancer are not compatible but they are learning to coexist.

    Thanks so much for your encouragement. Had #2 today 31 to go.....

    Please don't be afraid. I
    Please don't be afraid. I do not want to make light of anyone else's difficulties (it all seems to be so individual) but I did not notice much fatigue during my 30 rounds and I got zapped at four different locations each day.
    And as far as the control freak issue, you are talking to another one. I have learned to be less so from my battle with the beast. We gotta take what we can from our experience. Think of yourself as a looter, dashing in at this difficult time to grab all the goodness you can out of it. Lets make sure to come away with some wisdom, or at least goodies! Here's to a healthier life, all around. Love, Joyce
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #7
    RADS
    So glad to hear you are on to the next step. I have had the rads too and as the weeks pass you may become fatigued. I had a hard time letting others do all the things I usually do which eventually wained and I rested! Once I gave in my days were much better! Be kind to yourself (go ahead have that twinkie)and before you know it this will all be behind you! Sending cyber hugs to you!

    RE
  • zahalene
    zahalene Member Posts: 670
    #8
    base61ball said:

    Taxotere
    I agree - it was the worst thing in the world. Every time I think about the 16 days it took to get back to somewhat normal I just shudder.

    When you say the fatigue is different - is it because its cumulative? I am nervous about that part - I've been tired since my children were born 40 years ago - so not sure how much more tired I can get. C/a put me on my buttocks for 3-4 days. Even now if I go "out" I have to come home and nap. Will I need to take a pillow and blankie with me everywhere?

    Doing my best to accept help - and not micromanage while they are helping. Control freaks and cancer are not compatible but they are learning to coexist.

    Thanks so much for your encouragement. Had #2 today 31 to go.....

    F A T I G U E vs fatigue
    I think we tend to stress the fatigue issue because it is, in some degree, universal among everyone in treatment. But it is very individual in its forms and intensities.
    I have been a low-energy person all my life. I remember coming home from high school and taking a nap so I could get the homework done and be in bed by 9 pm. And after becoming a mom...well, that was a new challenge all together. My radiation fatigue was something like that. I could function fairly well through most of the day, but by 3-4 pm I HAD to have a break. But by that point in my life I had learned to structure most of my days to include the 'feet-up' times anyway. Some think-ahead scheduling will help you find the times where you can work in a 30-60 minute rest period as well as get to bed earlier than normal if you feel the need. Just be aware that this is one thing you REALLY need to be in control of. :)
  • mgm42
    mgm42 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #9
    base61ball said:

    Taxotere
    I agree - it was the worst thing in the world. Every time I think about the 16 days it took to get back to somewhat normal I just shudder.

    When you say the fatigue is different - is it because its cumulative? I am nervous about that part - I've been tired since my children were born 40 years ago - so not sure how much more tired I can get. C/a put me on my buttocks for 3-4 days. Even now if I go "out" I have to come home and nap. Will I need to take a pillow and blankie with me everywhere?

    Doing my best to accept help - and not micromanage while they are helping. Control freaks and cancer are not compatible but they are learning to coexist.

    Thanks so much for your encouragement. Had #2 today 31 to go.....

    Differences in "Fatigue"
    The differences I was referring to about fatigue with chemo vs. radiation is that with chemo, it seemed that the tiredness would hit me all of a sudden and I HAD to stop what I was doing immediately and find a couch or a chair. With radiation, I felt pretty good so I pushed myself a little more and the tiredness would sneak up on me slowly and I wouldn't always heed what my body was saying and would continue on with what I was doing. Then, when I did sit down, I wouldn't want to get up for an hour or two. But, it's nothing to be worried about. Some of my radiation buddies at the center didn't have any fatigue at all. You'll do fine. Hang in there. Hugs, Marilynn
  • base61ball
    base61ball Member Posts: 125
    #10
    Joycelouise said:

    Please don't be afraid. I
    Please don't be afraid. I do not want to make light of anyone else's difficulties (it all seems to be so individual) but I did not notice much fatigue during my 30 rounds and I got zapped at four different locations each day.
    And as far as the control freak issue, you are talking to another one. I have learned to be less so from my battle with the beast. We gotta take what we can from our experience. Think of yourself as a looter, dashing in at this difficult time to grab all the goodness you can out of it. Lets make sure to come away with some wisdom, or at least goodies! Here's to a healthier life, all around. Love, Joyce

    Your note
    Thanks Joyce - it makes me a little less apprehensive to know it might be just what I have now and no more. I'm believing it will go like yours. Still struggling some with the help thing but I know I cannot do it alone. My friends and my daughter have been great. During the worst of the taxotere reaction, my daughter or her husband brought me chocolate shakes, books about Angel stories from the grandchildren and chicken soup - doesn't get any better than that.

    Still have luandry to fold & put away from two weeks ago, but figure sooner or later the little green man will come in and take care of it while I am sleeping. (tee hee) At least its clean - right?

    Learning to STOP when I am tired instead of pushing through and that has helped - the difference between a 20 minute nap and a 3 hour nap. We are all able to learn from others, and this website is a wealth of information and support. Thanks again.
  • Joycelouise
    Joycelouise Member Posts: 482
    #11
    Another thing...when I went
    Another thing...when I went through chemo/rads, even IF I could do something, letting someone else do it gave me a dose of love as well as a dose of help. And the dose of love was very needed. Letting people help can serve your emotional needs as well as the laundry. Sometimes power house moms do for others because they love them so much. Let yourself be loved too! (Of course, I have a teenage son and realistically - shouting out, "Okay, who wants to love me now" doesn't really get the laundry done.) Best wishes (and love) for your journey through rads. Joyce
  • NorcalJ
    NorcalJ Member Posts: 187
    #12
    PA
    I'm guessing this is a DIFFERENT PA???;>}
  • base61ball
    base61ball Member Posts: 125
    #13
    NorcalJ said:

    PA
    I'm guessing this is a DIFFERENT PA???;>}

    Absolutely a new one - she's the radiologist's PA and excellent. So HA! it wasn't me - it was her!
  • jannyfran
    jannyfran Member Posts: 33
    #14
    base61ball said:

    Absolutely a new one - she's the radiologist's PA and excellent. So HA! it wasn't me - it was her!

    BASE61BALL-just curious
    hi and how have you been. FOR THAT MATTER, HOW ARE ALL OF MY SISTERS DOING? I HOPE YOU ARE ALL DOING AS WELL AS CAN BE EXPECTED!!!!!!!

    okay base, i was just curious, if i remember correctly, you said you lived in the orlando area, (right)?, well if that's true and i remembered right, i was just wondering where abouts are you getting your treatments and/or with whom.

    okay, i'll be on later and hope to hear from you.

    TAKE CARE EVERYONE AND I HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR EVENING!!!!!!

    janny

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