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question about rads

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Posted 5/25/2005 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Those of you who have had rads, did you get a break between the regular treatments and the final booster week?  My rad tech said that's normal and I certainly hope so, because I will be going on vacation (family reunion of sorts) the week after the 5 week treatment period.  I was worried that I wouldn't be able to go after all this planning.  Now it's perfect. 

 

Also, do any of you that wear a prothesis have any traveling tips?  I don't want to take the box it came in to store it when I'm not wearing it.  It would take up too much room in my luggage.  I usually only take a carry-on.  Having worked in the airline business for 23 years, I know all too well what can happen to luggage.

 

L & H,

Posted 5/26/2005 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
Kathy, I went straight through my rad treatments without an interruption. But, if your tech said it is all right to take a break, I would trust her/his judgement. I cannot help with the prothesis questions, but I would suspect a Zip-loc bag would make a good alternative to the box. Put a lable on the bag if you are worried what inspectors might wonder what the prothesis is. Just my 2 cents. Have a great vacation. Hugs, Lauri
Posted 5/26/2005 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
I had no break either. Just went right from one to the other. I don't remember exactly how many I had but it was about the same as everyone else.

Lori
Posted 5/26/2005 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
I did not have to have booster rads! Thank goodness! But had I had to have them I was told that I would have a break between.
Posted 5/26/2005 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
I had no breaks in my rads either. I also wouldn't know much about traveling but if Mikki reads this, I think she is the one that can tell you an interesting story about air flight.

Jo-Ann
Posted 5/26/2005 5:10 AM (GMT 0)

Sorry, no break in rads for me either.  All 7 weeks in one shot.  But if they say it's ok to have a break that's great.  Enjoy your reunion and then finish them later, just finish them.  I wanted SO badly to stop after the 5th week.  DH wouldn't dream of it.  Now that I'm done I'm glad I went the extra mile.  You will be too.

Hugs,

 

Posted 5/26/2005 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kathy,
I am two days away from finishing my 33 treatments, with six of those "boosts". Unfortunately, I had to take last week off because my skin was too burned, according to my radiation oncologist. In fact, she started the boost early since it is a concentrated dose on the tumor site, and would allow my outter chest to heal some. But, with three boosts done, ALL of me was now too red. She said it "should be" OK to have the week off, and then finish this week. What bothers me is the "should" part. I know she stressed at the beginning of this whole experience that it was important to complete the series without break if at all possible. When I did have to have the time off, she said, get this, "If IT comes back, then we would just have to do a mastectomy". Now, that did not make me feel too good...go through all this and THEN have a mastectomy. So I guess my advice to you, based on my experience, would be to complete the series without break if at all possible. You said the "rad tech" said it would be OK...but did your oncologist say OK?
Take care, Jean In WA
Posted 5/27/2005 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
I was really surprised that I didn't miss any rads due to burns. I am very fair skinned and totally expected to be burned really badly - but I was surprised to be burned on my back. Something about what goes in must go out. My back was much redder than the front.

Now, about traveling and that prosthesis - We bought a weekend place about a year ago. We travel every weekend (by car) and I certainly do not want to pack that box with me either. Here is what I do - I leave "it" in my bra and hang my bra from the doorknob when I go to sleep. It's right there when I wake up - if I need a shower and a clean bra - I just switch right after the shower. The trick is to hang it so that it doesn't fall out. Tee hee! I've heard a lot of stories about it falling out. The good news is that you can get a new prosthesis every year - ask about one for swimming.

We can do this. It's hard, but we will get through it!

L & H,
Cathy
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