☺RADIATION TREATMENT ☼☼☼ QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS☻

Noel
Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
This thread has been started to help anyone who has questions about radiation treatments and would like a bc survivor who has been thru it to give you some of their experiences and and advice. But please, always do what your own radiation oncologist tells you to do. As I have found out, they do vary in their advice, and, you want to follow their treatment plan. The rad machines vary as do the creams you will be told to use. So, just ask your questions here and some of us will reply back. I hope this thread helps someone. If not, I am shutting it down! LOL Ok, I am just kidding. And for the record, NO, my lil kitty NEVER stops dancing!

♥Noel
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Comments

  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    Still warm
    I like this post. My breast is still hot or warm to the touch even though I have been done with rads for a couple of weeks. My rads oncologist says it is the radiation still working in my system. Did anyone else have this after they were done with rads? thanks

    Hugs!
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188

    Still warm
    I like this post. My breast is still hot or warm to the touch even though I have been done with rads for a couple of weeks. My rads oncologist says it is the radiation still working in my system. Did anyone else have this after they were done with rads? thanks

    Hugs!

    Hi Survivor....
    I have not completed my rads yet (getting close) but I was told that it is possible to experience what you are going through. They wanted me to be prepared. I was also told that I would continue to get tired as the acumulative effect from rads lingers for several weeks once treatment ends. Continue to moisturize!! I can't wait till rads is over so I can use a moisturizer I know will not make me itch. All I can use right now is Aloe which also is suppose to help with the hot feeling. They also sell Aloe with Lidocain in it at Walmart or most any drugstore. Pammy
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    Akiss4me said:

    Hi Survivor....
    I have not completed my rads yet (getting close) but I was told that it is possible to experience what you are going through. They wanted me to be prepared. I was also told that I would continue to get tired as the acumulative effect from rads lingers for several weeks once treatment ends. Continue to moisturize!! I can't wait till rads is over so I can use a moisturizer I know will not make me itch. All I can use right now is Aloe which also is suppose to help with the hot feeling. They also sell Aloe with Lidocain in it at Walmart or most any drugstore. Pammy

    Warm is normal ☻
    Your breast will stay warm for awhile after you finish radiation treatments. That is perfectly normal. You are still "cooking" so to speak. Be sure and keep using any of the creams that your radiation oncologist said you could use on your breast for a few weeks yet. It will help with any healing and keep your skin moist and soft. Your skin will be like a baby's behind in a few weeks. Be sure and get plenty of rest, get to bed early and take naps if possible. Once rads are done, and you don't have to go everyday, you will find your energy coming back quickly.

    Kristin ♥
  • peggypeggy
    peggypeggy Member Posts: 111
    thank you
    i am starting monday for first time im so nerveous ty for all your help im sure ill be here alot and ask questions if you dont mind god bless love peggy and ty
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member

    thank you
    i am starting monday for first time im so nerveous ty for all your help im sure ill be here alot and ask questions if you dont mind god bless love peggy and ty

    Hi Peggy
    I am glad that it has helped so far. Don't be nervous about Monday Peggy. You will be fine. And, the treatments go so fast. It will take you longer to undress than to get zapped. You don't feel anything when the machine is working. Once you get the first one out of the way and you see what happens, you will feel a lot better. I had several wonderful techs everyday that were so nice and helpful. And, I loved my rads oncologist. I saw him about 3 times a week. I hope you have the same experience.

    ♥Noel
  • peggypeggy
    peggypeggy Member Posts: 111
    Noel said:

    Hi Peggy
    I am glad that it has helped so far. Don't be nervous about Monday Peggy. You will be fine. And, the treatments go so fast. It will take you longer to undress than to get zapped. You don't feel anything when the machine is working. Once you get the first one out of the way and you see what happens, you will feel a lot better. I had several wonderful techs everyday that were so nice and helpful. And, I loved my rads oncologist. I saw him about 3 times a week. I hope you have the same experience.

    ♥Noel

    thankyou
    thank you very much will let you know how im doing god bless you luv peggy
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member

    thankyou
    thank you very much will let you know how im doing god bless you luv peggy

    Hi Peggy! Good luck on
    Hi Peggy! Good luck on Monday! I can answer questions too for anyone about rads!

    Hugs, Diane ♥
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    Kristin N said:

    Warm is normal ☻
    Your breast will stay warm for awhile after you finish radiation treatments. That is perfectly normal. You are still "cooking" so to speak. Be sure and keep using any of the creams that your radiation oncologist said you could use on your breast for a few weeks yet. It will help with any healing and keep your skin moist and soft. Your skin will be like a baby's behind in a few weeks. Be sure and get plenty of rest, get to bed early and take naps if possible. Once rads are done, and you don't have to go everyday, you will find your energy coming back quickly.

    Kristin ♥

    Ok, thank you, both of you.
    Ok, thank you, both of you. That makes me feel a lot better. I admit that I stay up too late. Hubby goes to bed early and I do with him, but, then I get up and come on here. lol I will try to get to bed early and stay there and get more rest too.

    Hugs!
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    DianeBC said:

    Hi Peggy! Good luck on
    Hi Peggy! Good luck on Monday! I can answer questions too for anyone about rads!

    Hugs, Diane ♥

    I just finished rads too,
    I just finished rads too, so, I can help anyone with questions. And, good luck Peggy!
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    Kylez said:

    I just finished rads too,
    I just finished rads too, so, I can help anyone with questions. And, good luck Peggy!

    If any of you are looking
    If any of you are looking for help with rads, please post them here. You will get answers!
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    Noel said:

    If any of you are looking
    If any of you are looking for help with rads, please post them here. You will get answers!

    I start radiation treatments
    I start radiation treatments tomorrow, so, I will probably be posting on here some. Thanks for whatever I have already read on here. I know it will help.

    Sue
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    Ritzy said:

    I start radiation treatments
    I start radiation treatments tomorrow, so, I will probably be posting on here some. Thanks for whatever I have already read on here. I know it will help.

    Sue

    Sue and Noel ☻
    I posted a welcome to you on another thread. Good luck tomorrow on your first rad treatment. Noel, this is a great idea. I hope it gets used. It seems so many are fearful of radiation treatments, and, there is nothing to be afraid of. Hopefully, this will help ease their minds.

    Kristin ♥
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    Ritzy said:

    I start radiation treatments
    I start radiation treatments tomorrow, so, I will probably be posting on here some. Thanks for whatever I have already read on here. I know it will help.

    Sue

    Hello Sue and welcome! Post
    Hello Sue and welcome! Post and let us know how your rads are going. We are all here to help you!

    ♥ Noel
  • peggypeggy
    peggypeggy Member Posts: 111
    Noel said:

    Hello Sue and welcome! Post
    Hello Sue and welcome! Post and let us know how your rads are going. We are all here to help you!

    ♥ Noel

    radiation
    well today is day one im so scared its starts a long 6 weeks i will post everyday and god bless you girls i know i have a place to come to to help me after radiation what happens is that it do you still feel affects i am only five weeks out of surgery how do they know your healed wont radiation stop you from healing if they kill your good cells to ty luv peggy god bless
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member

    radiation
    well today is day one im so scared its starts a long 6 weeks i will post everyday and god bless you girls i know i have a place to come to to help me after radiation what happens is that it do you still feel affects i am only five weeks out of surgery how do they know your healed wont radiation stop you from healing if they kill your good cells to ty luv peggy god bless

    Peggy
    Hi Peggy. Please don't be scared of rads. There is nothing at all to be afraid of. I think the normal for rads after surgery is between 4 to 6 weeks, unless you have to have chemo first. If you weren't healed, your doctor's wouldn't be starting you in radiation. You have to have faith in your doctor's, that they are doing what is best for you and keeping an eye on you Peggy. You will see today how there is nothing to be afraid of. Good luck!

    ♠♥ Noel ♠♥
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member

    radiation
    well today is day one im so scared its starts a long 6 weeks i will post everyday and god bless you girls i know i have a place to come to to help me after radiation what happens is that it do you still feel affects i am only five weeks out of surgery how do they know your healed wont radiation stop you from healing if they kill your good cells to ty luv peggy god bless

    Day One
    Peggy, I was scared, too, and for quite awhile. I changed hospitals for the radiation, so everything was new and different. Plus, with radiation, you are undressed with technicians you don't know. You are not exactly in a comfortable position.

    But, after a few treatments, it felt normal to me, and I was at ease with the techs and treatment. The routine was reassuring. You will come to feel that way, too, though you may doubt me now.

    No way would you be starting radiation treatment if your surgeon and radiation oncologist did not believe it is safe for you now. The surgeon has to release you for the treatment, and the rad onc. has to accept you for the treatment. Neither will do that if there is any question about your readiness. So, please don't worry about any delay in healing from the surgery. You're already healed enough to get the radiation. Otherwise, you would not be there.

    Hang on, Peggy. The days will pass more quickly than you expect.
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    Moopy23 said:

    Day One
    Peggy, I was scared, too, and for quite awhile. I changed hospitals for the radiation, so everything was new and different. Plus, with radiation, you are undressed with technicians you don't know. You are not exactly in a comfortable position.

    But, after a few treatments, it felt normal to me, and I was at ease with the techs and treatment. The routine was reassuring. You will come to feel that way, too, though you may doubt me now.

    No way would you be starting radiation treatment if your surgeon and radiation oncologist did not believe it is safe for you now. The surgeon has to release you for the treatment, and the rad onc. has to accept you for the treatment. Neither will do that if there is any question about your readiness. So, please don't worry about any delay in healing from the surgery. You're already healed enough to get the radiation. Otherwise, you would not be there.

    Hang on, Peggy. The days will pass more quickly than you expect.

    Your first day Peggy?
    How did your first day go Peggy?

    Kylez ♥
  • peggypeggy
    peggypeggy Member Posts: 111
    Kylez said:

    Your first day Peggy?
    How did your first day go Peggy?

    Kylez ♥

    hi kylez
    to day went well start of the long haull i started a post for day 1 radiation god bless and ty for your help god bless luv peggy
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    Table postition for rads
    I may have dreamed this but I think my radiation oncologist said that in addition to the breast markings they would make a "cast" of my back and arms to postion me on the table....Anyone have this done? Did I dream this or is this just chemo brain? tee-hee.....I see him on September 9 and hope to start sometime in September.....finished chemo two weeks ago.......YEAH....surgery and chemo behind me.....Also, do they put protective lead blankets on the rest of your body and your other breast? My rads will be on the right breast......I have heard that sometimes radiation can cause heart damage, so I am most concerned about them covering my left breast......I guess I'll find out, but would appreciate any tips from all you WONDERFUL WOMEN!
    Thank you,
    Nancy
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    MAJW said:

    Table postition for rads
    I may have dreamed this but I think my radiation oncologist said that in addition to the breast markings they would make a "cast" of my back and arms to postion me on the table....Anyone have this done? Did I dream this or is this just chemo brain? tee-hee.....I see him on September 9 and hope to start sometime in September.....finished chemo two weeks ago.......YEAH....surgery and chemo behind me.....Also, do they put protective lead blankets on the rest of your body and your other breast? My rads will be on the right breast......I have heard that sometimes radiation can cause heart damage, so I am most concerned about them covering my left breast......I guess I'll find out, but would appreciate any tips from all you WONDERFUL WOMEN!
    Thank you,
    Nancy

    Mold for Radiation Positioning
    Nancy, I had the mold as well. It looks at first like a giant Hefty bag inflated with water. Then it becomes a cast that you are fit into precisely for every treatment. As for lead blankets, no, special lead plates are cut to fit the area of your body to be radiated. Each plate is snapped onto the radiation machine. Only the part of the machine not covered by the lead plate emits radiation.

    It is my left side that was treated, so like Pammy, my own heart was at more risk than yours. However, also like Pammy, I am 100% confident in my doctors and my treatments. I have no concern with heart or other organ damage.