why do some get more rads and what is booster?

[jinny2611]

Yes i asked today it dosent count for those who had masectmoies like myself x

[deelush]

I had my first appointment last night to sign the consent forms for the radiotheraphy treatment and was told I will be having 15 sessions and 8 boosters so 23 visits all together,

(got to wait for my planning appointment now but it looks like its gonna be getting close to christmas by the time I am finised,)

I asked why so many as I was only expecting the 15 going on info provided at my diagnosis by the BC nurse, and the dr said because it was grade three and she said  and we dont want a reacurrance do we so 8 boosters I said no I dont so I'll take that thank you very much,

not what I was expecting at all but I am not going to refuse any treatment if its in my best interests to have it and reduce my risks.    HTH

deelush x

p.s the difference between the normal rads and booster rads was explained to me last night as 15 normal sessions to the whole breast area and 8 booster sessions targeted to the direct spot where the tumour had been if that makes sense, 

[deelush]

I had my first appointment last night to sign the consent forms for the radiotheraphy treatment and was told I will be having 15 sessions and 8 boosters so 23 visits all together,

(got to wait for my planning appointment now but it looks like its gonna be getting close to christmas by the time I am finised,)

I asked why so many as I was only expecting the 15 going on info provided at my diagnosis by the BC nurse, and the dr said because it was grade three and she said  and we dont want a reacurrance do we so 8 boosters I said no I dont so I'll take that thank you very much,

not what I was expecting at all but I am not going to refuse any treatment if its in my best interests to have it and reduce my risks.    HTH

deelush x

[elma55]

Hi jinny, from memory I think you only get boosters if you've had a lumpectomy. When you say you're having treatment to your neck, do you mean collarbone? I had a mastectomy with RT to chest, armpit and collarbone which is standard practice depending on the amount of node involvement. Your rads team will tailor your treatment to suit your individual needs, but don't be afraid to ask any questions at the planning meeting. Good luck! xx

[Seabreeze]

Hi Jinny,
I understand you saying it seems a struggle...you've just got through chemo so no wonder!
I didn't have chemo but from what I can gather it is much harder on the body than radio....you've come so far that I'm sure you can get through radio much more easily - just be kind to yourself if you get fatigue.
The planning session is a good opportunity to ask any other q's you may have.
Hope the planning session goes well - and post again if you have any other q's re radio.
Seabreeze

[jinny2611]

Yes just finished FEC T on 24 sept. I go for planning tue had to wait beacause oncoligist wants to do it then go back to check it 28th then start 29th its been a sruggle x

[Seabreeze]

Can understand your concerns if neck is part of area but re radio I'm sure if my experience is anything to go by the radiographers will be good and listen to you, referring you to the specialist radio nurse if and when...
Don't mean to ask too many q's but did you have chemo - the consultants seem to be very good at working out combination of treatment/s that are best and extent. Just make sure you tell the radiotherapists each day if there is any change re side effects etc. When do you start?
Seabreeze

[jinny2611]

Yes had masectomy i think its the neck im worried about and im tn and mabey scared because i know theres nothing afterwards x

[Seabreeze]

Jinny,
Just to add - the area I had zapped went from underarm, up to about 10 or 12 com below base of neck, and across under boob on one side. Thankfully I didn't need armpit zap but due to how they had to align the beams for me I got moderately zapped in lower armpit.
Really hope that helps - if you have made it so far through surgery you can do this easy in comparison. If anyone has offered to help re the odd meal accept it...or think of a store on your way back for radio that's easy to pick simple healthy food up from (thats what I did) or alternatively consider somewhere like Ocado where you can get food deliveries. Be kind to yourself - radio really is do-able, just go with any fatigue rollers!
Hope that helps
And if you are concerned about the sessions themselves - try not to be - its like playing statues or doing yoga...just try to keep still - each session doesn't last for long and half of that time is spent by the skilled radiographer a trying to get you in exactly the right position (which they do - you just pretend to to a piece of potty putty!)
Does that help?
Seabreeze

[Seabreeze]

Hey Jinny, are you worried about about having the radiotherapy or some other aspect? If its the radiotherapy it's okay, I had 4 weeks, one week of that being booster to nipple area. Where I had it done everyone was very respectful, and helpful. I have very sensitive skin (allergies, sun burn you name it)....I did find my skin went a bit itchy, the occasional shooting pain (very short and temporary and apparently they are your nerves healing so whenever I felt it I thought that's my body healing), and my nipple are got burnt but even at was okay with the creams given. I'm not sure if you had a masectomy or lumpectomy so this may or may not be of use but I wore a bravado seem less silk bra throughout with a loose/separate piece of cotton t-shirt fabric on the inside / skin side and was fine under the breast and the flamazine cream they gave me (at the end of the radiotherapy was fantastic and enabled new skin to form under the burnt skin near the nipple before it flaked off without any real pain, just a bit of angst about anyone coming anywhere near my boob during that time (my keep away scarf/throw helped!). And I did get radio fatigue - still getting over that but I do a walk each day, can look after myself...just building up before going back to work.
I was a bit anxious pre radio but really it's no too bad - I really hope that reassures you a tad Jinny....or was your concern from another aspect?
Seabreeze

[jinny2611]

Im having breast chest and neck bit worried to be honest x

[Atat]

I had 3 booster sessions after the 15 ord sessions. They were given as IMRT. I did not have clear margins and had to have my sup. and medial margins re-excised. I also had to wait 8 weeks for radiotherapy and therefore at increased risk of getting local re-occurrence. Booster sessions are given to reduce risk of this happening. I expect there are other reasons too, eg oncologist's preference to add these sessions, size of tumour removed, grade etc
Atat

[Seabreeze]

Hi Jinny,
A partial answer only! As I'm sure you are aware the radiotherapy team decide which areas need to be treated (eg whether armpit as well as breast or just breast etc) - as part of that they consider how much grey matter (how strong a zap) to use overall, how much during each session, and how many beams/what angles etc.
I had a booster which is a slightly different form of delivery of radio (I've forgotten the details - I did ask them at the time but in one ear...) delivered at a slightly higher daily amount than the rest of the radiotherapy but just to a localised area - an area 10cm across centred on where my invasive c lump had been prior to removal.
While my margins were clear (apart from a small patch near the skin) I think they thought there was still a risk in the locality. I narrowly escaped chemo but am due to take tamoxifen since highly oestrogen positive - not sure whether the last 2 factors have any baring?
I'm sure if you ask the radiographer they'll expand - they got quite excited when I asked them about it and told me not many people want to know the details!
Hope that helps - or in conjunction with a few responses from others!
Seabreeze

[jinny2611]

Hi im going for plannning tue just wandering why some get 15 and some get more and who gets boosters nobody mentioned boosters if anyone can shed any light thks x