RADIATION

Radiation
Tee,
You likely will find that the radiation oncologist and their nurse will prepare you well with information. They tell you all the potential side effects of both external and internal (brachytherapy). When they tell you about the side effects ask the doctor about the percentage of people who experience each side effect and then you will know what is most likely to be a side effect based on your protocol. Radiation will likely make you more fatigued than chemo. The nurses are good at letting you know that for side effects they have remedies that will help. Just make sure to verbalize your concerns and fears and then the healthcare professionals should tell you what to expect and what they can do to ensure your comfort. I brought my own bath towel to my treatments rather than cover my pelvis with their little white towel. The techs allowed me to store my bath towel in a cupboard. I also wore tennis socks so my feet weren't on the cold and germy floor when walking from the dressing area to the Radiation machine. You can listen to music during the treatment. To pass the time I counted how many times the machine 'zapped' me with radiation per session. I thinkk it was 96 times. I also said the "hail mary" (even though I am not Catholic...but I graduated from two Catholic universities as a Lutheran!) After time you will get into the swing of the routine. Just know that if you have to have brachytherapy you can ask for something for anxiety as you need to lay flat on your back for 2 to 3 hours during the first session with the cylindar in your vagina and it is quite tight and uncomfortable. Taking some pain meds before brachytherapy isn't a bad idea either.
Also there is special cream to deal with reddening of the skin should this occur. Over the counter Aquaphor is a good cream for external skin dryness if you experience that. I am lenghthy in my response. But hope you find comfort in knowledge and empowerement.
Lori