First radiation treatment today
Other than that, things are going great. It's funny how quickly one returns to "normal" life, even if that normal is a little different now. I joined a great new gym and started working out with a personal trainer on Saturday. His sister is a BC survivor, so he's familiar with many of the issues we face. I'm starting to get out again and see plays and concerts and movies. In short, it feels as though I am waking up from a long slumber. Thanks for all your wonderful support.
Mimi
Comments
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You are sooo "rad"!!!!
Good Morning, Mimi!
Nah...no advice today~ you can pretty much relax! Nothing is invasive~ you will once more be showing your boobs to strangers ( sigh) and maybe even get your picture taken a few times! My rads clinic even took a picture of our FACES to put on our charts. I guess we all look pretty much the same from the neck down to the radiologists! OMG, just when we thought we were special. NOT!
Today will be the longest procedure; from here on out it will take you longer to get undressed than the rads take. More advice to follow, but you don't need it today!
Hooray on getting back to normal~ isn't that amazing in and of itself? If you step back a bit in your minds eye, you weren't too sure this day would arrive. Those of us who preceeded you knew of course, but when we are in the proverbial eye of the storm it doesn't seem possible. And yet here you are!!!
You will come through this with the grace , humor and dignity we have come to expect from you.
Hugs,
Claudia0 -
Hi Mimi
Have you had your tattoos yet? If not, they will probably do them today. Mainly, your first visit takes longer because they are setting you up for the treatment. Have you been in the "room" before? You lay on the hard metal thingie and put your arm up overhead in a metal thingie (lol) and just lay perfectly still. The actual radiation only takes minutes. And, you feel nothing. Your skin probably won't start to burn or change or anything for a little while. I was in my 4th week before I saw any changes. And, the room for me was cold, so, I asked for a blanket. So, they put a blanket on me and still do for every treatment. Even if you don't have or see changes in your skin right away, be careful with it. And, you might even want to start using some creme on it. Ask your radiation oncologist about that. Do NOT use anything on your skin without checking with them. Drink lots of water. Get lots of rest as the radiation will exhaust you. Maybe not at first, but, it will later. Good luck! I hope I helped some Mimi!
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Definitely helpful, JeanneJeanne D said:Hi Mimi
Have you had your tattoos yet? If not, they will probably do them today. Mainly, your first visit takes longer because they are setting you up for the treatment. Have you been in the "room" before? You lay on the hard metal thingie and put your arm up overhead in a metal thingie (lol) and just lay perfectly still. The actual radiation only takes minutes. And, you feel nothing. Your skin probably won't start to burn or change or anything for a little while. I was in my 4th week before I saw any changes. And, the room for me was cold, so, I asked for a blanket. So, they put a blanket on me and still do for every treatment. Even if you don't have or see changes in your skin right away, be careful with it. And, you might even want to start using some creme on it. Ask your radiation oncologist about that. Do NOT use anything on your skin without checking with them. Drink lots of water. Get lots of rest as the radiation will exhaust you. Maybe not at first, but, it will later. Good luck! I hope I helped some Mimi!
I had the tatoos already and also went through the whole simulation thing (twice -- once while holding my breath). So I am wondering why it will take an hour today. Do they do some kind of a mold of my body? I was so up on everything with chemo, but I've slacked off a bit on my reserach for rads. Just tired of all cancer all the time, I guess. Thanks for your response!
Mimi0 -
Thinking of you Mimichenheart said:You are sooo "rad"!!!!
Good Morning, Mimi!
Nah...no advice today~ you can pretty much relax! Nothing is invasive~ you will once more be showing your boobs to strangers ( sigh) and maybe even get your picture taken a few times! My rads clinic even took a picture of our FACES to put on our charts. I guess we all look pretty much the same from the neck down to the radiologists! OMG, just when we thought we were special. NOT!
Today will be the longest procedure; from here on out it will take you longer to get undressed than the rads take. More advice to follow, but you don't need it today!
Hooray on getting back to normal~ isn't that amazing in and of itself? If you step back a bit in your minds eye, you weren't too sure this day would arrive. Those of us who preceeded you knew of course, but when we are in the proverbial eye of the storm it doesn't seem possible. And yet here you are!!!
You will come through this with the grace , humor and dignity we have come to expect from you.
Hugs,
Claudia
Hi Mimi ... I'm glad to hear you feel as though you are "waking up." I can't wait for that feeling. I am so frustrated by my fatigue and lack of concentration ... I can't wait for my final 4 weekly chemo appointments to be over with. Maybe then the brain will start working again ... at least a little. I'll have radiation after the chemo ... so by then you'll have all sorts of words of wisdom for me .. :-)
hugs.
teena0 -
It didn't seem possiblechenheart said:You are sooo "rad"!!!!
Good Morning, Mimi!
Nah...no advice today~ you can pretty much relax! Nothing is invasive~ you will once more be showing your boobs to strangers ( sigh) and maybe even get your picture taken a few times! My rads clinic even took a picture of our FACES to put on our charts. I guess we all look pretty much the same from the neck down to the radiologists! OMG, just when we thought we were special. NOT!
Today will be the longest procedure; from here on out it will take you longer to get undressed than the rads take. More advice to follow, but you don't need it today!
Hooray on getting back to normal~ isn't that amazing in and of itself? If you step back a bit in your minds eye, you weren't too sure this day would arrive. Those of us who preceeded you knew of course, but when we are in the proverbial eye of the storm it doesn't seem possible. And yet here you are!!!
You will come through this with the grace , humor and dignity we have come to expect from you.
Hugs,
Claudia
You're right, Claudia. Being happy and normal did not seem like an option in the beginning. It seemed that life was over and my slow decline was beginning. In fact, the opposite turned out to be true!0 -
You'll get there, Teena!tgf said:Thinking of you Mimi
Hi Mimi ... I'm glad to hear you feel as though you are "waking up." I can't wait for that feeling. I am so frustrated by my fatigue and lack of concentration ... I can't wait for my final 4 weekly chemo appointments to be over with. Maybe then the brain will start working again ... at least a little. I'll have radiation after the chemo ... so by then you'll have all sorts of words of wisdom for me .. :-)
hugs.
teena
By the summer, you will be done with chemo and ready for a new phase in your life. I hope to be able to tell you by then that rads was a breeze! Take care.0 -
Waking Up to Happy and Normal!mimivac said:It didn't seem possible
You're right, Claudia. Being happy and normal did not seem like an option in the beginning. It seemed that life was over and my slow decline was beginning. In fact, the opposite turned out to be true!
You go, girl. I am so happy for you and look forward to hearing about that personal trainer! (oh, I guess the rads will be interesting, too!)0 -
Hi Mimimimivac said:Definitely helpful, Jeanne
I had the tatoos already and also went through the whole simulation thing (twice -- once while holding my breath). So I am wondering why it will take an hour today. Do they do some kind of a mold of my body? I was so up on everything with chemo, but I've slacked off a bit on my reserach for rads. Just tired of all cancer all the time, I guess. Thanks for your response!
Mimi
I am glad you are posting your questions. I will learn also. I have an apt. in Billings on the 14th. I don't know quite to expect..but guess i will learn this also. I hear you when you say you are tired of cancer all the time and all the research..we are anxious to get past this also and step back into our lives, even if it is a NEW normal. I know we will get through this part also..it should be mush easier than all the chemo. I am glad I have had you through all of this being just one step ahead of me you have provided many valuable lessons and answers. Thanks Mimi! I am wishing you all the best today and always
love jackie0 -
Personal trainerMoopy23 said:Waking Up to Happy and Normal!
You go, girl. I am so happy for you and look forward to hearing about that personal trainer! (oh, I guess the rads will be interesting, too!)
Ha ha! I highly recommend one. They really kick your butt. My muscles still havn't recovered from Saturday. No more excuses.0 -
Spoken like a true 'old hand'....lol!chenheart said:You are sooo "rad"!!!!
Good Morning, Mimi!
Nah...no advice today~ you can pretty much relax! Nothing is invasive~ you will once more be showing your boobs to strangers ( sigh) and maybe even get your picture taken a few times! My rads clinic even took a picture of our FACES to put on our charts. I guess we all look pretty much the same from the neck down to the radiologists! OMG, just when we thought we were special. NOT!
Today will be the longest procedure; from here on out it will take you longer to get undressed than the rads take. More advice to follow, but you don't need it today!
Hooray on getting back to normal~ isn't that amazing in and of itself? If you step back a bit in your minds eye, you weren't too sure this day would arrive. Those of us who preceeded you knew of course, but when we are in the proverbial eye of the storm it doesn't seem possible. And yet here you are!!!
You will come through this with the grace , humor and dignity we have come to expect from you.
Hugs,
Claudia
I agree with Claudia. The memory of the trauma fades, and you get to proceed with life!!!!
Aquaphor. In a tube. I took it to rads with me, smeared it on after, before I went back to work. Kept VERY hydrated as well.
A well-guarded secret...I kept my eyes closed during treatment...I just didn't want to see the equipment doing it's job. It was easy the first time (with my rectal cancer), because I was face down!
The room WAS cool...don't be afraid to ask for a blanket! But, it's over in a blink...
Hugs, Kathi0 -
Hi Mimimimivac said:Personal trainer
Ha ha! I highly recommend one. They really kick your butt. My muscles still havn't recovered from Saturday. No more excuses.
I had a personal trainer and was in such good shape before this all started. Now i have gained 30 lbs. Now my trainer has moved and i will have to look into finding a gym etc. I also am going to try the no white flour/sugar diet, it sounds kinda tough, but this is what my onc. recommended. I am so happy you are bouncing back so rapidly. I am finally starting to feel like me again, and anxious to get on with life. You are an inspiration to me
love jackie0 -
I kept my eyes open as there
I kept my eyes open as there are these laser beams around the room and I found it interesting...lol And, by watching them and the machine moving around me, it kept my mind busy and the time went even faster than a few minutes. Wait till you see the concrete/steel door that they shut when the techs leave. It is HUGE! I bet it is a foot thick. I kept joking with them saying they might want to hang around in the room and see what it is like..they laughed and RAN out...lol You will be fine. But, ask your radiation oncologist what you should put on your skin. I used Biafine, hydrocortisone and triamcinolone. It will take awhile the first time because it is your first time and they have to get you aligned with the machine. They have monitors that they look at with calculations on it and they have to line you up with the numbers. Once it is done the first time...it won't take long. You will be fine!
p.s. don't put anything on your treated area 4 hours prior to your treatment, no cremes or stuff. and, no deodorant unless it is aluminum free.0 -
I had them put a picture of my cat on the machine!Jeanne D said:I kept my eyes open as there
I kept my eyes open as there are these laser beams around the room and I found it interesting...lol And, by watching them and the machine moving around me, it kept my mind busy and the time went even faster than a few minutes. Wait till you see the concrete/steel door that they shut when the techs leave. It is HUGE! I bet it is a foot thick. I kept joking with them saying they might want to hang around in the room and see what it is like..they laughed and RAN out...lol You will be fine. But, ask your radiation oncologist what you should put on your skin. I used Biafine, hydrocortisone and triamcinolone. It will take awhile the first time because it is your first time and they have to get you aligned with the machine. They have monitors that they look at with calculations on it and they have to line you up with the numbers. Once it is done the first time...it won't take long. You will be fine!
p.s. don't put anything on your treated area 4 hours prior to your treatment, no cremes or stuff. and, no deodorant unless it is aluminum free.
When I started the radiation, they had a doctored picture of a smiling cat, so when it is hovering over you, he is smiling down on you. I brought one in of my cat where he looks like he was laughing hysterically, (he was actually yawning) they replaced the pic, and it is still there today almost two years later. The radiation is easy for you, especially to begin with, it takes longer for them to set you up than the acutal zapping. And Jeanne is right about the aluminum free deoderant! Good luck to all who will be starting rads soon!
Cat0 -
I'm such a loving husbandrjjj said:Hi Mimi
I had a personal trainer and was in such good shape before this all started. Now i have gained 30 lbs. Now my trainer has moved and i will have to look into finding a gym etc. I also am going to try the no white flour/sugar diet, it sounds kinda tough, but this is what my onc. recommended. I am so happy you are bouncing back so rapidly. I am finally starting to feel like me again, and anxious to get on with life. You are an inspiration to me
love jackie
Yeah, I'm such a wonderful husband that I have very supportively eaten like a hog the last five months - to encourage Moopy to keep her weight up. Between April 2006 and June 2008 I lost 50 lbs. But now they're all back. And Moopy looks as svelte as ever.
That said, Mimi, I wish you the very best with the radiation. As Jackie says, you have been an inspiration to us all, and you are once more blazing the way for the Spring 2009 class, this time with rads.
Joe0 -
Hi Mimicats_toy said:I had them put a picture of my cat on the machine!
When I started the radiation, they had a doctored picture of a smiling cat, so when it is hovering over you, he is smiling down on you. I brought one in of my cat where he looks like he was laughing hysterically, (he was actually yawning) they replaced the pic, and it is still there today almost two years later. The radiation is easy for you, especially to begin with, it takes longer for them to set you up than the acutal zapping. And Jeanne is right about the aluminum free deoderant! Good luck to all who will be starting rads soon!
Cat
I am one step behind you. I go for a dry run on Friday and start my rads next Monday. Other than to wish you the best of luck the only thing I can add is something they recomended to me was Aloe vera gel By Fruit of the Earth. It is fregrance free and dye free. They want me to start using it after the first treatment. I will be thinking of you as always, Nancy0 -
Did your doctor tell you anything about wireless bras?
mimi,
Has your doctor or anyone told you about wearing only wireless bras while you're going through rads? Mine did because the less irritation on what's going to be sensitive skin,the better. Hey,I saw it as justification for going lingerie shopping!!
Rads will be a walk in the park compared to chemo,but will make you tired.
Love,Patty0 -
Just relax Mimi~~ I was so nervous my first treatment, was all tense and it turned out to be a breeze. My tech team had funky fun music playing and christmas lights around the room for when they turn the main lights off. I was so sore from being tense, how silly of me. It was a breeze for sure.RE said::-)
Hi Mimi,
It is so nice to hear you say that you are getting out more for those concerts and plays and of course the gym. By now you have finished your first radiation treatment which I am sure was a breeze. Here's wishing you a wonderful rest of the day!
RE
Mel0 -
Mimi, this part of theGreeneyedGirl said:Just relax Mimi~~ I was so nervous my first treatment, was all tense and it turned out to be a breeze. My tech team had funky fun music playing and christmas lights around the room for when they turn the main lights off. I was so sore from being tense, how silly of me. It was a breeze for sure.
Mel
Mimi, this part of the journey is going to be quite easy compared to chemo. The hardest part is getting to the clinic, and the time it takes to dress and undress. Rads are really easy, and the tiredness didn't play a factor with me until the last week. Even then, it was hardly noticeable, except that I did nap during the day. Having weekends off really helps also. Glad this is started, and soon you will be finished...continue to smile, and have that great sense of humor you have had through chemo. I will have you in my thoughts.
Hugs,
Judy0 -
Mimi
I hope your first treatment went well for you. Right now, you will find it is just an imposition. How many do you have to take? My radiation oncologist said don't even try to wear a bra, even though, I am a lil big. So, I didn't and I am not. If you need something, you can find some cute lil camisole's to buy to wear under your clothes if you want to. Or, just go without a bra like I am. After awhile you won't want anything touching that area. So, at home, I wear my husband's big tshirts. And, make sure it isn't something nice because some of the creme's you put on along with any marking they do on you will ruin it. And, before you put anything on that area...ask your radiation oncologist. He sees me once a week to check my skin and to see if I have any questions. I love him! So good luck!
0
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