Radiation therapy for Breast Cancer Week 1

[@amya9597]

Thank you for your videos!💕 I have been a radiation therapist treating cancer patients for over 17 years. I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in February and now instead of giving the treatment, I will be a patient. The bolus you mentioned tricks the machine into thinking there’s another layer of skin and actually brings the dose up closer to the skin surface. The breathing technique is what they call a deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) This is mainly done for breast cancer on the left side of the breast. When you hold your breath during treatment, it reduces the amount of radiation that reaches the heart. If you breathe when your supposed to hold your breath, the beam shuts off to protect your heart. This has been a really useful tool in limiting heart dose. I have watched a lot of your videos and you are truly inspiring! Many prayers and blessings to you! 🙏

[@MarinaBlackford]

Hi Amy! Thank you for clarifying and informing us! I appreciated all the radiation team in this process. I pray you heal as well! ❤️

[@amya9597]

@@MarinaBlackford You’re so welcome! 😊 Thank you for your sweet sentiments as well. 💕🙏

[@margie9026]

Amy - Thank you for explaining! I was wondering what would happen if I accidentally breathe during a breath hold! That is a relief!!

[@amya9597]

@@margie9026 You’re welcome! I’m glad the information helped.💕 Good luck to you during treatment.

[@CallMeBossLady]

Thanks for the video. My first radiation session is in 3 hours.

[@MarinaBlackford]

You got this! ❤️

[@lyndazakrzewski1247]

Thanks for sharing . Your hair is coming in so nicely!

[@aishakemalify]

You are so positive you make me so comfortable, I was so nervous. thank you. 🙏

[@MarinaBlackford]

You are so welcome! ❤️

[@KSLPN]

Thank you once again. I start radiation on Tuesday April 26th. Worried my ginger pale skin might not do to well, but I have a cream made by an oncologist, all natural that I will use, plus what you recommended in this video. I meet with my radiation oncologist on Tuesday too so I will show them my cream. Stay well and happy 🙂

[@sarahjane9512]

Very informative. Thanks.

[@MarinaBlackford]

Glad it was helpful!

[@KSLPN]

Thank you Marina :-) I finished chemo Jan. 19th, had surgery March 11th and received my You are Cancer Free on March 17th St. Patrick's Day :-) I meet with my radiologist March 22nd to discuss my next steps. I appreciate your video.

[@MarinaBlackford]

Great news Kim! Thanks for update! I hope you're healing well!

[@samanthajane6481]

Thank you for sharing. This video was very helpful. You are doing so well. I am recovering from a lumpectomy and not sure if I am having chemo yet but I will definitely be having radiation.

[@lorij6796]

Hi Marina, So nice to see you! So after I had the MRI of the breasts my liver showed some hemangiomas and a cyst. I have had those for many years. Not to say that there could be a change. So a CT w/w/o contrast on the liver was advised by the Radiologist who read the mri. It wasn't done at the radiology center I always go to. On Tuesday I had a PET SCAN, nothing lit up! But....my surgeon is still making me have the CT of the liver before he will do surgery! So much radiation!! The tumor in my breast didn't show on the PET! Again nothing reacted to the sugar. All the waste of time seems to add up. Frustrating!! You as always so strong and positive 💛 I truly admire you. Thank you for listening when this is about your journey 🙏 ✨ ❤ God bless you Marina and your family!

[@rhondawhatley1591]

Your such a strong young woman and wishing you the best. Glad you are doing well and praying for you and the family. God bless

[@FHaSmaL]

Loving all your videos! Thank you for sharing, it's been a huge comfort for my cancer journey. Is there a video where you cover breast reconstruction?

[@MarinaBlackford]

Thank you! I have a surgery tips video you can check out. I can make a video that breaks down breast reconstruction. I’ll add it to my list! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZniWnoChlKqkfbc

[@itsmelorna7421]

You rock!

[@agds91078]

Thank you the updates love!! My cancer center is a 3hrs drive for me.

[@MarinaBlackford]

That is far! Wow! It will be great when you’re done with treatment! 🙏🏼

[@emilyo2985]

Thank you for your positive informative and honest blog.

[@MarinaBlackford]

You’re welcome Emily!

[@karenknight9565]

Hi Marina! You shared the radiation journey perfectly. You look beautiful! Can u do a video on hair regrowth? Mine is coming in and I’m not sure what to do with it . I feel like a chia pet 😂 Your babies are beautiful!! 💪🏻💕

[@MarinaBlackford]

Thank you! I’ve been trying to film my hair regrow to put a video together. Why would help you? Products to use for growth or styling? I’ll see what I can come up with!

[@karenknight9565]

@@MarinaBlackford How to style and when to get it cut/ shaped for the first time. Wearing a wig now but it’s miserable in the heat. Yours seems to be growing out so evenly! Any suggestions would be great!

[@KS-op5hb]

were you able to workout during rads? I feel like it might make everything too itchy w/ the extra sweating? just curious

[@MarinaBlackford]

I know I walked daily and did yoga. I don’t remember doing much more than that at the time.

[@annk3372]

I start radiation Friday and I’m pretty nervous 😬

[@MarinaBlackford]

It will go good! The appointments are usually very fast.

[@KS-op5hb]

were you able to drive yourself the entire 6 weeks? or did it get difficult after like week 3 when you said you had a bit of pain

[@MarinaBlackford]

I was able to drive. I liked having someone take me and pick me up from chemo though. Personal preference.

[@KS-op5hb]

Thank you. Oh thank goodness because I'll have to drive myself. I did have rides to chemo though...I was so sleepy after each infusion @@MarinaBlackford

[@iamautumnfoxx]

Hi!! And thank you for your video, very inspiring and informative. I have a question about breast reconstruction and mastectomy. I am scheduled to have a bilateral mastectomy on this Monday , and just found out my plastic surgeon wants to wait 4-6 months to place expanders JUST in case I need radiation. I did 16 rounds of chemo , no skips and my lymph node biopsy was negative before chemo started . My question is, did u have expanders placed during your mastectomy or direct to implant ? Or did u wait 4-6 months after mastectomy for all reconstruction If so We’re you expanders filled weekly during radiation? I also have TNBC , Thank you for any info you can provide 💕

[@MarinaBlackford]

I would ask your surgeon to place the expanders during your mastectomy if everything looks fine during your surgery. That’s what my surgeon did. I had a breast surgeon remove everything then my plastic surgeon placed expanders during that surgery. I did not have radiation the first time since I did chemo and double mastectomy. I wouldn’t think you would have to if your lymph nodes and tissue all came back clear or “no evidence of disease”. I hope that helps! Speak up and be your advocate. ❤️

[@nesthi]

💪❤️

[@gloriagoodman3659]

I can not hold by breath for long . is that going to be an issue?

[@MarinaBlackford]

I should not be an issue. The nurses will help you.

[@tonyawhitten5199]

I am still shavin. They did not tell me not to.

[@MarinaBlackford]

If your skin does not hurt that should be fine. My radiologist asked me not to shave that armpit/radiated side due to sensitive skin.