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DonnaD · 10-23-2007, 09:02 PM

Hi Terri
Next step coming up. Go Ruth!

I did not have many issues with radiatian. I traveled 55 miles one way for radiation to be at the same teaching hospital where my chemo was.

My rad onc gave me the cream, first an aloe then once into the boost a heavier cream. I did not burn during treatment but did have a delayed reaction after the boost. Had a imprint of the boost area, which was very sensitive. Her nurse was a wound specialist and gave me a wound dressing called Vigilon. It was like a moist gel pack. It felt great and worked like a charm. It healed in two days.

I had only one blood test a week into treatment. Counts were fine and I did not have another blood test.

The mapping does take a while and I did not know that is when you get the tatoos. They are so small it is not a big deal now but that experience was a little unsettling for me. Wasn't that painful just felt like I was marked forever by cancer.

My machine was down twice in 6 weeks. Once I had to go home, 110 miles, without treatment. The second time it was down I waited 6 hours and had a second treatment in the same day. I did not want to go again without a treatment.

I never felt tired and was able to exercise and do all normal activities. But remember everyone is different. Remind Ruth to listen to her body.

Good luck you'll do fine.
Donna

10-23-2007, 09:02 PM	#6
DonnaD Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Marengo, IL Posts: 518	Hi Terri Next step coming up. Go Ruth! I did not have many issues with radiatian. I traveled 55 miles one way for radiation to be at the same teaching hospital where my chemo was. My rad onc gave me the cream, first an aloe then once into the boost a heavier cream. I did not burn during treatment but did have a delayed reaction after the boost. Had a imprint of the boost area, which was very sensitive. Her nurse was a wound specialist and gave me a wound dressing called Vigilon. It was like a moist gel pack. It felt great and worked like a charm. It healed in two days. I had only one blood test a week into treatment. Counts were fine and I did not have another blood test. The mapping does take a while and I did not know that is when you get the tatoos. They are so small it is not a big deal now but that experience was a little unsettling for me. Wasn't that painful just felt like I was marked forever by cancer. My machine was down twice in 6 weeks. Once I had to go home, 110 miles, without treatment. The second time it was down I waited 6 hours and had a second treatment in the same day. I did not want to go again without a treatment. I never felt tired and was able to exercise and do all normal activities. But remember everyone is different. Remind Ruth to listen to her body. Good luck you'll do fine. Donna __________________ Donna Crystal Lake, IL Diagnosed 8/4/06 at age 54 Lumpectomy 8/30/06 Stage llA, grade 3, ER/PR-, Her2++ 1.7 cm tumor, 1+ lymph node out of 9 Completed 4 A/C, & 4 Taxol with Herceptin 36 rads completed 5/16/07 Mammograms, 7/07 clear fractured ribs in radiated area 10/07 Finished Herceptin 12/27/07 Mammogram,CT,tumor markers 1/08 - small lung nodules in radiated area, repeated tests 3/08 stable Mammogram,CT ,tumor markers 6/08 stable NED 2 years!! 3 years !!! 4years!!!! 4 years, 10 months and 8 day NED, calling it 5 years!!! Official 5 years 8/30/2011 8/31/ 2012 - 6 years!!!!!!