Radiation Treatments

my cancer center
Very caring-timely etc..We each got a swipe card with our picture...when we walked in...JUST swiped our card so they knew we arrived..went in and changed...just waited a bit and they came to get me! My job said at the start don't worry, just go as needed...3 days into they changed there mind...so Cancer Ctr was so so nice...made arrangments for me to go on my lunch hours so not to miss work daily! with My treatments i was in and out with-in 20 mins (changing, treatment redressing) then 15 mins ride each way from work!


good luck...

My experience
It's interesting to read how different this can be for different people. For me, the first appt took the longest because they were mapping and checking the 3D images (ask to see the screen if you're interested...I found it fascinating). And the first few days definitely took longer than the others--but trust me, you'll get the hang of it!

The mold (cast) doesn't happen with everyone--in my case, I had treatments face down, with the b**b hanging in the table gap for exposure; it depends on where your tumor was, so don't be 'disappointed' if you don't get molded!

Once I started treatments, it really was true that it took longer to get in/changed/out than it does to actually be on the table. I had fantastic techs who really made it more bearable, and they said I helped b/c I'd get on the table and say "wait...I have to move over a little" and I was usually right. Once you're in the right spot, you just have to hold still, but it's only a couple of minutes. For the boost treatment, it's a different machine, and your rad onc and/or the techs should explain it to you and show it to you. Boost treatments take longer (10-15 mins ea) and they were done in the week immediately following the end of the 'regular' treatments. Each boost was a countdown for me!

I will say this--I didn't know anything about radiation going in other than it would likely affect my skin, and people mentioned the fatigue. I'm extremely high energy in general, and it kicked my arse by the middle of the cycle (I went July/Aug this past summer). I really only had the energy to go to work, go to RT, and then go home. I cut my f/t work hours to 8:30-2:30 for the duration--lost $ but I'm still glad I did it. THE thing I learned is that you just have to go with the fatigue if it hits you. I was in bed before 9 for all of August, and I'm still in bed by 10 most nights. My rad onc said it takes a while for your body to heal, and sleeping is part of that! The other piece that was hard for me is that I did get somewhat down (again, for me--my techs said that my lowest days were still 10x higher than most people's best). When I mentioned it to my rad onc, he said "Hey--we're 'abusing' you EVERY day...it's bound to get to you, but it's almost over." (Have I mentioned that I love these people?? He and I really clicked and he knew me well by then--I loved that he was so honest with me.) He was absolutely right. Going every day wore me down, but I also went solo. I didn't think that was a big deal at the time, but if I had to do it over (AND I DON'T PLAN TO!), I'd try to get a friend or family member to come along once in a while; that might have helped my brain. Oh--and when I asked the tech who did my boosts when I'd start to feel like ME again, she said "3 weeks"--and was spot on right with that! A month later, I was feeling much more like my regular self. Short-term 'pain' for long-term gain!

Skin-wise, my rad RN told me at the outset that the tone of your skin won't predict burning/rashes--she said she's had very fair-skinned patients who barely get red, and African Americans who blister. I definitely got a deep, dark red, and got one blister in my cleavage (right where my girls 'kiss'); ask your doc what s/he recommends if it happens--I learned quickly that they each have a favorite treatment. In my case, hydrocortisone cream for the itching, and peroxide on the blister once it opened (which was gross but totally manageable).

Finally, get used to lots of people coming at you with Sharpies! They were always drawing on me...funny stuff, actually. Try, try, TRY to keep your sense of humor whenever you can through all of this! It really will help.

Sending nothing but good vibes for a speedy and easy time!