Re: Left Breast Radiation/diane

[Guest guest]

Hi

I just started my Radiation to my left breast. I will be taking my

second one today. I lay face up and asked many questions regarding

the things I have read too about damage to the heart and lungs. My

doctor explained that with the high tech procedures they use today,

that it is very uncommon to cause damage. So VERY small percentage.

They spend a great deal of time prepareing the machine for your

exact measurements and shape of your body/chest wall. The beams come

at an angle and skim across the breast area. At least thats how I

understood what they were talking about. I wasnt given the option of

face down, dont remember why though. For me, I have a bad neck,

veryyyyy bad neck and to be face down would have caused me a

considerable amount of discomfort. But again, I wasnt given the

option anyway. I think I will ask again today about it though

hugs

char

>

> Hi.. I have left breast DCIS.. had 2 lumpectomies and will start

> radiation maybe today. The Dr. originally wanted to do it face

down

> (which I found really uncomfortable during the set up process) and

the

> Dr. and techs were not able to get it exactly right. So, he said

we'll

> do it face up which is the more conventional way. I know the

reason to

> do it face down is to keep the radiation away from the heart and

lungs.

> Last night I read an article on the American Cancer Soc. site

about

> women with more left breast radiation having a much higher rate of

> coronary artery disease later on. I have asked my Dr. to try again

to

> set up for face down. Have any of you had this?? Was it very

difficult.

> My Dr. said it's worth it.

> Diane

>

[Guest guest]

yes i have a bad back ,neck, and fibro ect a guess a lot of health problems, and

i have nerve damage(right arm) due to having my r/kidney removed a yr ago due to

a cancer tunour below the kidney ,hmm r/breast also. found i developed very cold

hands in rads so i was allowed to wear gloves and they had to help me get up

from the rads bed and put my r/.arm in position.I took painkillers b 4 my apt

but still found doing this every day did make the pain worse, i dont think any

positon would have made things any easier, plus they do have to measure u each

time to get the beams to the correct postion so i dont think that could be done

laying face down,phew just one day at a time to get through it.

starshinespedestal wrote: Hi

I just started my Radiation to my left breast. I will be taking my

second one today. I lay face up and asked many questions regarding

the things I have read too about damage to the heart and lungs. My

doctor explained that with the high tech procedures they use today,

that it is very uncommon to cause damage. So VERY small percentage.

They spend a great deal of time prepareing the machine for your

exact measurements and shape of your body/chest wall. The beams come

at an angle and skim across the breast area. At least thats how I

understood what they were talking about. I wasnt given the option of

face down, dont remember why though. For me, I have a bad neck,

veryyyyy bad neck and to be face down would have caused me a

considerable amount of discomfort. But again, I wasnt given the

option anyway. I think I will ask again today about it though

hugs

char

>

> Hi.. I have left breast DCIS.. had 2 lumpectomies and will start

> radiation maybe today. The Dr. originally wanted to do it face

down

> (which I found really uncomfortable during the set up process) and

the

> Dr. and techs were not able to get it exactly right. So, he said

we'll

> do it face up which is the more conventional way. I know the

reason to

> do it face down is to keep the radiation away from the heart and

lungs.

> Last night I read an article on the American Cancer Soc. site

about

> women with more left breast radiation having a much higher rate of

> coronary artery disease later on. I have asked my Dr. to try again

to

> set up for face down. Have any of you had this?? Was it very

difficult.

> My Dr. said it's worth it.

> Diane

>

[Guest guest]

Sandy,

I have a bad back also, 2 fusions lumbar and fibro and permanent damage to my

sciatic nerve. I work full time and hope to continue through the radiation. I

worry about the fatigue because I am already fatigued for some reason.

Elle

sandy lawson wrote:

yes i have a bad back ,neck, and fibro ect a guess a lot of health

problems, and i have nerve damage(right arm) due to having my r/kidney removed a

yr ago due to a cancer tunour below the kidney ,hmm r/breast also. found i

developed very cold hands in rads so i was allowed to wear gloves and they had

to help me get up from the rads bed and put my r/.arm in position.I took

painkillers b 4 my apt but still found doing this every day did make the pain

worse, i dont think any positon would have made things any easier, plus they do

have to measure u each time to get the beams to the correct postion so i dont

think that could be done laying face down,phew just one day at a time to get

through it.

starshinespedestal wrote: Hi

I just started my Radiation to my left breast. I will be taking my

second one today. I lay face up and asked many questions regarding

the things I have read too about damage to the heart and lungs. My

doctor explained that with the high tech procedures they use today,

that it is very uncommon to cause damage. So VERY small percentage.

They spend a great deal of time prepareing the machine for your

exact measurements and shape of your body/chest wall. The beams come

at an angle and skim across the breast area. At least thats how I

understood what they were talking about. I wasnt given the option of

face down, dont remember why though. For me, I have a bad neck,

veryyyyy bad neck and to be face down would have caused me a

considerable amount of discomfort. But again, I wasnt given the

option anyway. I think I will ask again today about it though

hugs

char

>

> Hi.. I have left breast DCIS.. had 2 lumpectomies and will start

> radiation maybe today. The Dr. originally wanted to do it face

down

> (which I found really uncomfortable during the set up process) and

the

> Dr. and techs were not able to get it exactly right. So, he said

we'll

> do it face up which is the more conventional way. I know the

reason to

> do it face down is to keep the radiation away from the heart and

lungs.

> Last night I read an article on the American Cancer Soc. site

about

> women with more left breast radiation having a much higher rate of

> coronary artery disease later on. I have asked my Dr. to try again

to

> set up for face down. Have any of you had this?? Was it very

difficult.

> My Dr. said it's worth it.

> Diane

>

[Guest guest]

Sandy,

I have a bad back also, 2 fusions lumbar and fibro and permanent damage to my

sciatic nerve. I work full time and hope to continue through the radiation. I

worry about the fatigue because I am already fatigued for some reason.

Elle

sandy lawson wrote:

yes i have a bad back ,neck, and fibro ect a guess a lot of health

problems, and i have nerve damage(right arm) due to having my r/kidney removed a

yr ago due to a cancer tunour below the kidney ,hmm r/breast also. found i

developed very cold hands in rads so i was allowed to wear gloves and they had

to help me get up from the rads bed and put my r/.arm in position.I took

painkillers b 4 my apt but still found doing this every day did make the pain

worse, i dont think any positon would have made things any easier, plus they do

have to measure u each time to get the beams to the correct postion so i dont

think that could be done laying face down,phew just one day at a time to get

through it.

starshinespedestal wrote: Hi

I just started my Radiation to my left breast. I will be taking my

second one today. I lay face up and asked many questions regarding

the things I have read too about damage to the heart and lungs. My

doctor explained that with the high tech procedures they use today,

that it is very uncommon to cause damage. So VERY small percentage.

They spend a great deal of time prepareing the machine for your

exact measurements and shape of your body/chest wall. The beams come

at an angle and skim across the breast area. At least thats how I

understood what they were talking about. I wasnt given the option of

face down, dont remember why though. For me, I have a bad neck,

veryyyyy bad neck and to be face down would have caused me a

considerable amount of discomfort. But again, I wasnt given the

option anyway. I think I will ask again today about it though

hugs

char

>

> Hi.. I have left breast DCIS.. had 2 lumpectomies and will start

> radiation maybe today. The Dr. originally wanted to do it face

down

> (which I found really uncomfortable during the set up process) and

the

> Dr. and techs were not able to get it exactly right. So, he said

we'll

> do it face up which is the more conventional way. I know the

reason to

> do it face down is to keep the radiation away from the heart and

lungs.

> Last night I read an article on the American Cancer Soc. site

about

> women with more left breast radiation having a much higher rate of

> coronary artery disease later on. I have asked my Dr. to try again

to

> set up for face down. Have any of you had this?? Was it very

difficult.

> My Dr. said it's worth it.

> Diane

>

[Guest guest]

Sandy,

I have a bad back also, 2 fusions lumbar and fibro and permanent damage to my

sciatic nerve. I work full time and hope to continue through the radiation. I

worry about the fatigue because I am already fatigued for some reason.

Elle

sandy lawson wrote:

yes i have a bad back ,neck, and fibro ect a guess a lot of health

problems, and i have nerve damage(right arm) due to having my r/kidney removed a

yr ago due to a cancer tunour below the kidney ,hmm r/breast also. found i

developed very cold hands in rads so i was allowed to wear gloves and they had

to help me get up from the rads bed and put my r/.arm in position.I took

painkillers b 4 my apt but still found doing this every day did make the pain

worse, i dont think any positon would have made things any easier, plus they do

have to measure u each time to get the beams to the correct postion so i dont

think that could be done laying face down,phew just one day at a time to get

through it.

starshinespedestal wrote: Hi

I just started my Radiation to my left breast. I will be taking my

second one today. I lay face up and asked many questions regarding

the things I have read too about damage to the heart and lungs. My

doctor explained that with the high tech procedures they use today,

that it is very uncommon to cause damage. So VERY small percentage.

They spend a great deal of time prepareing the machine for your

exact measurements and shape of your body/chest wall. The beams come

at an angle and skim across the breast area. At least thats how I

understood what they were talking about. I wasnt given the option of

face down, dont remember why though. For me, I have a bad neck,

veryyyyy bad neck and to be face down would have caused me a

considerable amount of discomfort. But again, I wasnt given the

option anyway. I think I will ask again today about it though

hugs

char

>

> Hi.. I have left breast DCIS.. had 2 lumpectomies and will start

> radiation maybe today. The Dr. originally wanted to do it face

down

> (which I found really uncomfortable during the set up process) and

the

> Dr. and techs were not able to get it exactly right. So, he said

we'll

> do it face up which is the more conventional way. I know the

reason to

> do it face down is to keep the radiation away from the heart and

lungs.

> Last night I read an article on the American Cancer Soc. site

about

> women with more left breast radiation having a much higher rate of

> coronary artery disease later on. I have asked my Dr. to try again

to

> set up for face down. Have any of you had this?? Was it very

difficult.

> My Dr. said it's worth it.

> Diane

>

[Guest guest]

hiya elle,

yeps well chronic fatigue goes hand in hand with the fibro, i am not sure if

it was the stress but i did have a major flare up , just pushing myself each

day, plus i had a heart attack back in th eyr 200 so that also adds to me being

very tired, hmmm dunno if you able to work through it all., one lady i met she

had 3weeks off work maybe if you start to find it a bit much can you have some

leave from work? hugs sandy

Elle Pea wrote:

Sandy,

I have a bad back also, 2 fusions lumbar and fibro and permanent damage to my

sciatic nerve. I work full time and hope to continue through the radiation. I

worry about the fatigue because I am already fatigued for some reason.

Elle

sandy lawson wrote:

yes i have a bad back ,neck, and fibro ect a guess a lot of health problems, and

i have nerve damage(right arm) due to having my r/kidney removed a yr ago due to

a cancer tunour below the kidney ,hmm r/breast also. found i developed very cold

hands in rads so i was allowed to wear gloves and they had to help me get up

from the rads bed and put my r/.arm in position.I took painkillers b 4 my apt

but still found doing this every day did make the pain worse, i dont think any

positon would have made things any easier, plus they do have to measure u each

time to get the beams to the correct postion so i dont think that could be done

laying face down,phew just one day at a time to get through it.

starshinespedestal wrote: Hi

I just started my Radiation to my left breast. I will be taking my

second one today. I lay face up and asked many questions regarding

the things I have read too about damage to the heart and lungs. My

doctor explained that with the high tech procedures they use today,

that it is very uncommon to cause damage. So VERY small percentage.

They spend a great deal of time prepareing the machine for your

exact measurements and shape of your body/chest wall. The beams come

at an angle and skim across the breast area. At least thats how I

understood what they were talking about. I wasnt given the option of

face down, dont remember why though. For me, I have a bad neck,

veryyyyy bad neck and to be face down would have caused me a

considerable amount of discomfort. But again, I wasnt given the

option anyway. I think I will ask again today about it though

hugs

char

>

> Hi.. I have left breast DCIS.. had 2 lumpectomies and will start

> radiation maybe today. The Dr. originally wanted to do it face

down

> (which I found really uncomfortable during the set up process) and

the

> Dr. and techs were not able to get it exactly right. So, he said

we'll

> do it face up which is the more conventional way. I know the

reason to

> do it face down is to keep the radiation away from the heart and

lungs.

> Last night I read an article on the American Cancer Soc. site

about

> women with more left breast radiation having a much higher rate of

> coronary artery disease later on. I have asked my Dr. to try again

to

> set up for face down. Have any of you had this?? Was it very

difficult.

> My Dr. said it's worth it.

> Diane

>

[Guest guest]

hiya elle,

yeps well chronic fatigue goes hand in hand with the fibro, i am not sure if

it was the stress but i did have a major flare up , just pushing myself each

day, plus i had a heart attack back in th eyr 200 so that also adds to me being

very tired, hmmm dunno if you able to work through it all., one lady i met she

had 3weeks off work maybe if you start to find it a bit much can you have some

leave from work? hugs sandy

Elle Pea wrote:

Sandy,

I have a bad back also, 2 fusions lumbar and fibro and permanent damage to my

sciatic nerve. I work full time and hope to continue through the radiation. I

worry about the fatigue because I am already fatigued for some reason.

Elle

sandy lawson wrote:

yes i have a bad back ,neck, and fibro ect a guess a lot of health problems, and

i have nerve damage(right arm) due to having my r/kidney removed a yr ago due to

a cancer tunour below the kidney ,hmm r/breast also. found i developed very cold

hands in rads so i was allowed to wear gloves and they had to help me get up

from the rads bed and put my r/.arm in position.I took painkillers b 4 my apt

but still found doing this every day did make the pain worse, i dont think any

positon would have made things any easier, plus they do have to measure u each

time to get the beams to the correct postion so i dont think that could be done

laying face down,phew just one day at a time to get through it.

starshinespedestal wrote: Hi

I just started my Radiation to my left breast. I will be taking my

second one today. I lay face up and asked many questions regarding

the things I have read too about damage to the heart and lungs. My

doctor explained that with the high tech procedures they use today,

that it is very uncommon to cause damage. So VERY small percentage.

They spend a great deal of time prepareing the machine for your

exact measurements and shape of your body/chest wall. The beams come

at an angle and skim across the breast area. At least thats how I

understood what they were talking about. I wasnt given the option of

face down, dont remember why though. For me, I have a bad neck,

veryyyyy bad neck and to be face down would have caused me a

considerable amount of discomfort. But again, I wasnt given the

option anyway. I think I will ask again today about it though

hugs

char

>

> Hi.. I have left breast DCIS.. had 2 lumpectomies and will start

> radiation maybe today. The Dr. originally wanted to do it face

down

> (which I found really uncomfortable during the set up process) and

the

> Dr. and techs were not able to get it exactly right. So, he said

we'll

> do it face up which is the more conventional way. I know the

reason to

> do it face down is to keep the radiation away from the heart and

lungs.

> Last night I read an article on the American Cancer Soc. site

about

> women with more left breast radiation having a much higher rate of

> coronary artery disease later on. I have asked my Dr. to try again

to

> set up for face down. Have any of you had this?? Was it very

difficult.

> My Dr. said it's worth it.

> Diane

>

[Guest guest]

hiya elle,

yeps well chronic fatigue goes hand in hand with the fibro, i am not sure if

it was the stress but i did have a major flare up , just pushing myself each

day, plus i had a heart attack back in th eyr 200 so that also adds to me being

very tired, hmmm dunno if you able to work through it all., one lady i met she

had 3weeks off work maybe if you start to find it a bit much can you have some

leave from work? hugs sandy

Elle Pea wrote:

Sandy,

I have a bad back also, 2 fusions lumbar and fibro and permanent damage to my

sciatic nerve. I work full time and hope to continue through the radiation. I

worry about the fatigue because I am already fatigued for some reason.

Elle

sandy lawson wrote:

yes i have a bad back ,neck, and fibro ect a guess a lot of health problems, and

i have nerve damage(right arm) due to having my r/kidney removed a yr ago due to

a cancer tunour below the kidney ,hmm r/breast also. found i developed very cold

hands in rads so i was allowed to wear gloves and they had to help me get up

from the rads bed and put my r/.arm in position.I took painkillers b 4 my apt

but still found doing this every day did make the pain worse, i dont think any

positon would have made things any easier, plus they do have to measure u each

time to get the beams to the correct postion so i dont think that could be done

laying face down,phew just one day at a time to get through it.

starshinespedestal wrote: Hi

I just started my Radiation to my left breast. I will be taking my

second one today. I lay face up and asked many questions regarding

the things I have read too about damage to the heart and lungs. My

doctor explained that with the high tech procedures they use today,

that it is very uncommon to cause damage. So VERY small percentage.

They spend a great deal of time prepareing the machine for your

exact measurements and shape of your body/chest wall. The beams come

at an angle and skim across the breast area. At least thats how I

understood what they were talking about. I wasnt given the option of

face down, dont remember why though. For me, I have a bad neck,

veryyyyy bad neck and to be face down would have caused me a

considerable amount of discomfort. But again, I wasnt given the

option anyway. I think I will ask again today about it though

hugs

char

>

> Hi.. I have left breast DCIS.. had 2 lumpectomies and will start

> radiation maybe today. The Dr. originally wanted to do it face

down

> (which I found really uncomfortable during the set up process) and

the

> Dr. and techs were not able to get it exactly right. So, he said

we'll

> do it face up which is the more conventional way. I know the

reason to

> do it face down is to keep the radiation away from the heart and

lungs.

> Last night I read an article on the American Cancer Soc. site

about

> women with more left breast radiation having a much higher rate of

> coronary artery disease later on. I have asked my Dr. to try again

to

> set up for face down. Have any of you had this?? Was it very

difficult.

> My Dr. said it's worth it.

> Diane

>

[Guest guest]

Well, sounds as if we have a lot in common Sandy. The anesthesiologist on all my

procedures always point out to me that my EKGs and records indicate that I had a

mild heart attack sometime in the past. I didn't know it I suppose when it

happened. I can name a few times I thought I was having one, including right

after my lumpectomy, but am never sure when it was.

I can take off work, as I am the boss, but it might hurt me in the future. I

wondered since I am not doing chemo if I could just make it through the

radiation without it. I hope anyway.

sandy lawson wrote:

hiya elle,

yeps well chronic fatigue goes hand in hand with the fibro, i am not sure if it

was the stress but i did have a major flare up , just pushing myself each day,

plus i had a heart attack back in th eyr 200 so that also adds to me being very

tired, hmmm dunno if you able to work through it all., one lady i met she had

3weeks off work maybe if you start to find it a bit much can you have some leave

from work? hugs sandy

Elle Pea wrote:

Sandy,

I have a bad back also, 2 fusions lumbar and fibro and permanent damage to my

sciatic nerve. I work full time and hope to continue through the radiation. I

worry about the fatigue because I am already fatigued for some reason.

Elle

sandy lawson wrote:

yes i have a bad back ,neck, and fibro ect a guess a lot of health problems, and

i have nerve damage(right arm) due to having my r/kidney removed a yr ago due to

a cancer tunour below the kidney ,hmm r/breast also. found i developed very cold

hands in rads so i was allowed to wear gloves and they had to help me get up

from the rads bed and put my r/.arm in position.I took painkillers b 4 my apt

but still found doing this every day did make the pain worse, i dont think any

positon would have made things any easier, plus they do have to measure u each

time to get the beams to the correct postion so i dont think that could be done

laying face down,phew just one day at a time to get through it.

starshinespedestal wrote: Hi

I just started my Radiation to my left breast. I will be taking my

second one today. I lay face up and asked many questions regarding

the things I have read too about damage to the heart and lungs. My

doctor explained that with the high tech procedures they use today,

that it is very uncommon to cause damage. So VERY small percentage.

They spend a great deal of time prepareing the machine for your

exact measurements and shape of your body/chest wall. The beams come

at an angle and skim across the breast area. At least thats how I

understood what they were talking about. I wasnt given the option of

face down, dont remember why though. For me, I have a bad neck,

veryyyyy bad neck and to be face down would have caused me a

considerable amount of discomfort. But again, I wasnt given the

option anyway. I think I will ask again today about it though

hugs

char

>

> Hi.. I have left breast DCIS.. had 2 lumpectomies and will start

> radiation maybe today. The Dr. originally wanted to do it face

down

> (which I found really uncomfortable during the set up process) and

the

> Dr. and techs were not able to get it exactly right. So, he said

we'll

> do it face up which is the more conventional way. I know the

reason to

> do it face down is to keep the radiation away from the heart and

lungs.

> Last night I read an article on the American Cancer Soc. site

about

> women with more left breast radiation having a much higher rate of

> coronary artery disease later on. I have asked my Dr. to try again

to

> set up for face down. Have any of you had this?? Was it very

difficult.

> My Dr. said it's worth it.

> Diane

>