Overwhelmed by rad. planning

[Faith in Him]

Today was planning at UCSF for hypthermia radiation. Wow, what a production. I was on the table for a good hour and a half. I now have black lines, crosses and stickers all over my chest wall. But, at least they take the time to map it out properly.

Next was the ct scan. Does anyone know why they do a CT before radiation? Anyhoo, the assistant, who told me she was a bc survivor, noticed I have a birthday soon. I mentioned that I enjoy getting a year older since bc. She said, "well, you have a few more left." What?!!! Did I hear her right? Good Grief.

There, now I feel better sharing that with you all. Off, to a good night's sleep.

Tonya

[Brenda_D]

I was told the ct scan was to see where your heart lays, how close it will be to your radiation field, to further plan the radiation placement.
Mine also showed my positive IM node, and that told them where to place the spot treatment for that.

Follow up question- I see that you had rads last year, and now have a local occurrence. I was told they won't radiate the same area twice? Just curious.

[Faith in Him]

Brenda, your right they typically won't radiate twice. I am having hypthermia radiation. They heat up your skin first and then apply radiation in a lower dosage but I believe it has the same effect. I believe this is the only way that they can give radiation twice.


Thanks, for the clarification on the ct.

Tonya

[Brenda_D]

I hadn't heard of hypthermia radiation. Something new? I'm learning new stuff all the time, and am glad they are coming up with new ways of treating bc. Thanks.

[Mary Anne in TX]

Well, the road map is done and the crew has done their CT scan to make sure just where things are. I remember before my radiation that they told me not to lose weight or it might throw things off! I tried very hard not to laugh, but couldn't believe they would think I would begin marathon training while doing 7 weeks of radiation. I napped 2 times a day and let them pampler the heck out of me each day I went. I lathered up with all my gels and lotions after treatment and then pampered myself with something fun for a bit afterwards. I loved lying there each day thinking about the death of those pesky BC cells. I smiled thru each of the treatments thinking those thoughts!
Tonya, I'll have you in my prayers and thoughts each day as you fight your good fight for tons more birthdays and a multitude of other things! Luv ya, ma

[tricia keegan]

I absolutely hated the rad planning!! I felt violated even though these people are here to help me!!
I wish you a very happy birthday and no side effects!!

[Joan M]

Tonya, You are in my prayers that the hypothermia treatment will result in a good outcome. I'm glad that you're moving along in your treatment after having the surgery. Best, Joan

[Becky]

I agree with Tricia on rad planning. You have to be naked from the waist up for hours with technicians or your rad onc coming in and out of the room to check things and make marks with Sharpie permanent ink pens and then tatoos! Worse off, the technician was my middle daughter's best friend's mother. You never see the other mom's from your kid's friend like she saw me. Of course she was professional but it was weird for me. Plus, I think I mentioned that my mom was diagnosed while I was having chemo. My mom didn't need chemo just a lumpectomy and rads and guess what? We had rads together. She started about 2 weeks before me (because you need the 3-4 week down time between chemo and rads). We did the consultation together and have the same rad onc (which has its good and bad points). So the mapping and nakedness - they did her in the morning and me in the afternoon and joked they did us together. Just thinking about that they had seen her and done her (naked - my mom is a very large woman and I am normal sized) was too much to think about. And that our doc saw us both - ughhh.

Mary Anne - I was also told to not gain or lose weight as it changes the chest (the girls gain and lose first and change shape. This is probably more important with lumpectomy that chest wall rads).

Tonya - you will do just fine. Are you continuing Gemzar or just Herceptin during this time. I am thinking about you and interested in this new therapy you are getting. Keep us posted on how they do it and how you are going through it. Hugs to you.

[ElaineM]

I hear you. I got so stressed out by the planning season and the fact that the radiologist and his technician were on different planets, because they were telling me different stories and were doing different things. They were not communicating with each other and I didn't feel safe. I canceled before I got started with the radiation and called the oncologist and told him what happened. We decided to take a different venue. Later I found out the technician was setting me up for radiation to the wrong area !! Thank goodness I canceled when I did !! I think the cat scan is supposed to help them plan the radiation. If you don't feel safe you may want to talk to your oncologist and find another radiation team.

[juanita]

Rads were pretty easy for me. The staff was all really nice. I did lose some weight during it and they really gave me heck for it so be careful!

[Faith in Him]

You know the first time I had rads, not one person told me not to lose or gain weight. I wished I would have known that. I think I did actually start to gain a little because I was off of chemo.