☺RADIATION TREATMENT ☼☼☼ QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS☻

KayNYC

Kristin N said:

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 ♥

Surgery next week, questions about rads
I am scheduled for a lumpectomy next week. My doctor recommends radiation after I am healed. At this point, she also feels hormonal medication x5 years is also indicated. Has anyone continued to work their full work schedule while also undergoing rad treatment. One of our administrators was sceptical about my continuing full time during rads. She suggested I consider deceasing my usual work hours and decrease my caseload. I'd like to play this by ear and see how I do, taking off if I need to. My mother had rads many years ago after her mastectomy. She only missed work for about a week. My work does not include any lifting, standing on my feet for long periods or strenous physical labor however, I must be attentive, alert and able to attend to my clients. What are your experiences?

Goddessred

KayNYC said:

Surgery next week, questions about rads
I am scheduled for a lumpectomy next week. My doctor recommends radiation after I am healed. At this point, she also feels hormonal medication x5 years is also indicated. Has anyone continued to work their full work schedule while also undergoing rad treatment. One of our administrators was sceptical about my continuing full time during rads. She suggested I consider deceasing my usual work hours and decrease my caseload. I'd like to play this by ear and see how I do, taking off if I need to. My mother had rads many years ago after her mastectomy. She only missed work for about a week. My work does not include any lifting, standing on my feet for long periods or strenous physical labor however, I must be attentive, alert and able to attend to my clients. What are your experiences?

Working during radiation
Hey Kay NYC,

I'm a psychotherapist half way through radiation treatment. I feel fortunate that I'm able to take 3 months off work as some days I'm almost OK but most days feel mentally foggy and extremely tired. I'm a natural born redhead so am paying close attention to my radiation "sunburn." Currently using Xclair and cortisone cream. Only began wearing a cotton bra that snaps in the front about a week ago which is making my clothing choices a little classier

My time off work is forcing me to re-evaluate my daily life and take care of myself more than others. A good wake-up call for the driven, overachievers for sure.

Wishing you the best of luck & remember to take just one day at a time.

Deb

(PS: I lost the first post to you but you make get it eventually

mimivac

JillyB said:

Rads question
Hi Diane,
Thank you for offering your experiences. First of all can I just say, that I think it is funny that most of us have some sort of cat as picture? I used to have my kitten.
Anyway, my treatment, which isn't over for 5 weeks more of chemo, I have to admit, has been hell. Just about everything that could hapen, did. Taxotere, which I am doing now, once a week, makes me extremely tired and weak to the bone, so much so, that Wed. will be my first time back in 2 weeks. Dr. said my body needed a recoup. And I just want to get this over with! I started in August of last year...
My rads question is, and to all, if you experienced extreme fatigue thru chemo, does it seem to happen with the radiation too? I am not looking forward to this, need to get on with my life, as we all want to, and am actually considering not doing it if my Dr. syas I have a good chance of being extremely fatigued. He is very honest, and knows each of his patietns so well!
Any advice? Plus, there is the month off betwen chemo and rads that is annoying me too...
Sorry to complain, I never do it outloud, and need to get some frustration out..
Thanks for listening...
Jilly

Rads fatigue
Jilly,

I am coming late to the game here, but rads did not fatigue me. I also started 4 weeks after the end of chemo and I was told that I would start to feel better from the chemo for about 2 weeks into the rads and then start to feel rads fatigue. It never happened. I just kept recovering from chemo. So maybe rads won't hit you as hard as you think. But whatever happens, just remember that rads will end as well and you will recover. Hugs and good luck.

Mimi

KayNYC

Goddessred said:

Working during radiation
Hey Kay NYC,

I'm a psychotherapist half way through radiation treatment. I feel fortunate that I'm able to take 3 months off work as some days I'm almost OK but most days feel mentally foggy and extremely tired. I'm a natural born redhead so am paying close attention to my radiation "sunburn." Currently using Xclair and cortisone cream. Only began wearing a cotton bra that snaps in the front about a week ago which is making my clothing choices a little classier

My time off work is forcing me to re-evaluate my daily life and take care of myself more than others. A good wake-up call for the driven, overachievers for sure.

Wishing you the best of luck & remember to take just one day at a time.

Deb

(PS: I lost the first post to you but you make get it eventually

more in common
Dear Goddessred,
I am also a psychotherapist. Do you work with chlldren or adults? I work with both and I also supervise psych interns/ externs.I have a large caseload and may consider decreasing my caseload somewhat if necesary. I do have enough hours in my "bank" if I need to take more time.I have told administration that I will take the two weeks for the lumpectomy and removal of sentinel node. I will play it by ear when it comes to rad tx. I am hoping to stay at work since I know how miserable I get when I have had to remain at home (kidney stones) in the past. I am using using my distress tolerance skills with good results so far.Trying to keep mindful of my needs for sleep,healthy eating and activity.
So glad that you are half-way through your radiation treatment and caring for your sensitive fair skin.I can imagine how good finally being able to wear a bra again must be. I have worn a bra daily since I have been 13 yrs old. I know this will be a challenge when I begin rad tx. It was suggested that I bring a sports bra to return home on the day of surgery. Did you use a post-surgical camisole? I will have to go out and find blouses that button down the front. I have a single button down top. I have always preferred turtlenecks and sweater tops since I am generally endowed and don't feel button down shirts offer me a good fit.
Please keep in touch and keep me posted on your progress.
K

Ritzy

Goddessred said:

Working during radiation
Hey Kay NYC,

I'm a psychotherapist half way through radiation treatment. I feel fortunate that I'm able to take 3 months off work as some days I'm almost OK but most days feel mentally foggy and extremely tired. I'm a natural born redhead so am paying close attention to my radiation "sunburn." Currently using Xclair and cortisone cream. Only began wearing a cotton bra that snaps in the front about a week ago which is making my clothing choices a little classier

My time off work is forcing me to re-evaluate my daily life and take care of myself more than others. A good wake-up call for the driven, overachievers for sure.

Wishing you the best of luck & remember to take just one day at a time.

Deb

(PS: I lost the first post to you but you make get it eventually

It seems that everyone
It seems that everyone reacts differently to rads, some burn, some don't, some can work, some just can't. Try to get as much rest as you can at night and if you can, take naps during the day. Keep your creams on! That is key to keeping your skin good. Make sure your rads oncologist or his nurse sees your skin at the least, once a week. Good luck to you!

Sue

jnl

KayNYC said:

Surgery next week, questions about rads
I am scheduled for a lumpectomy next week. My doctor recommends radiation after I am healed. At this point, she also feels hormonal medication x5 years is also indicated. Has anyone continued to work their full work schedule while also undergoing rad treatment. One of our administrators was sceptical about my continuing full time during rads. She suggested I consider deceasing my usual work hours and decrease my caseload. I'd like to play this by ear and see how I do, taking off if I need to. My mother had rads many years ago after her mastectomy. She only missed work for about a week. My work does not include any lifting, standing on my feet for long periods or strenous physical labor however, I must be attentive, alert and able to attend to my clients. What are your experiences?

You will probably have to
You will probably have to wait to see how you feel once you start rads. Everyone is different inre to if they can work or not. And, it depends on the job. If you get tired, maybe you could just decrease your hours. I, personally, found that exercising gave me some extra strength and energy. I didn't realize this and thought my rads oncologist was nuts for suggesting it, but, it worked. Good luck to you!

Leeza

helenmae

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

moisturize
I have just finished my rad treatments and sorry to say my skin did not do well.
I ended with some blistering so I talked to my oncologist and he subscriped a cream
for me, it's called Silvadene 1%, it seems to work alot better than the aloe or the
aquafor gel. I takes alot of the hot feeling way. Hope you do well.

helenmae

CPT said:

Blistered after 41/2weeks
I too had problems with a rash/ blister's forming, mine covered pretty much the entire brest area. I was started on silver sulfadiazine burn cream,I also continued my hydro soaks and started on prescribed pain meds. I also pretty much went topless to air out when at home and of course only wore cotton tanks. Thank God I was close to the end of the full breast rad. and they started to concentrate on the incission area to radiate that last week, it was amazing how fast things cleared up, with in 2 wks the over all breast had healed a lot and once tx was done the incission area cleared up also within 2 weeks. Amazing how the body heals when not getting zapped everyday! I know there were other women that had ozzing area's, blistered and had to stop full radition to concentrate on the incission (letting the other area rest and heal some) b/4 going back to finish the full breat radiation. One person had a lumpectomy done in both breast and was having radiation in both also at the same time of course, she had blistered also and developed infection. I'm also not trying to scare anyone, but wish I had taken the time to find this blog and realized some of the more severe side effects that can come along during radiation. I know many people don't experience anything more than a slight sunburn and some fatique, but also be aware that the fatique can last up to a year or more, it does improve but as I was told you may not get your full strenght back completly.

Blistering
I so know what you went through, I to had terrible blistering and Dr. gave me the Sivadene cream as well, healing so much beter than the other creams, calendula,aloe,aquafor, I seem to have turned the corner now just want to get my energy back. I'm suppose to start HRT on Tuesday the 16th, Femara, will wait and see how that effects the body. Thank goodnes for soft cotton shirts!!

CPT

CPT said:

Pain after rads
I finished my 33 tx of rads the 1st wk of Aug. 2009, I still have pain in my breast, mainly if pressure applied, like the cat stepping over it ,if I bump my breast,etc. I don't know how long the tenderness will last, to have my 1st mammo in April, kind of wondering how painful that might be... I've also developed problem's with my esphogus, to have a upper scope to be done this week, Dr. wonders if there could be scaring from the radiation, anyone have trouble like that B/4?

No radiation sacring to Esophagus
Recieved result's from my testing, no scaring from rad's. Did have a hiatus hernia,a narrowing/ angulation at the lower esophagus, dialation done, on med's. Glad there was no scaring, these are managable.

jnl

CPT said:

No radiation sacring to Esophagus
Recieved result's from my testing, no scaring from rad's. Did have a hiatus hernia,a narrowing/ angulation at the lower esophagus, dialation done, on med's. Glad there was no scaring, these are managable.

Glad there was no scaring.
Glad there was no scaring. Take care!

Hugs, Leeza

survivorbc09

mimivac said:

Rads fatigue
Jilly,

I am coming late to the game here, but rads did not fatigue me. I also started 4 weeks after the end of chemo and I was told that I would start to feel better from the chemo for about 2 weeks into the rads and then start to feel rads fatigue. It never happened. I just kept recovering from chemo. So maybe rads won't hit you as hard as you think. But whatever happens, just remember that rads will end as well and you will recover. Hugs and good luck.

Mimi

Rads made me tired. It took
Rads made me tired. It took about the 3rd week before it started to hit me. I tried to nap and get lots of rest at night. Hope you are doing well.

HUGS

Wasabe2

helenmae said:

Blistering
I so know what you went through, I to had terrible blistering and Dr. gave me the Sivadene cream as well, healing so much beter than the other creams, calendula,aloe,aquafor, I seem to have turned the corner now just want to get my energy back. I'm suppose to start HRT on Tuesday the 16th, Femara, will wait and see how that effects the body. Thank goodnes for soft cotton shirts!!

Balloon Cath Radiation Treatment
Has anyone heard of this or experienced this relatively new treatment? I had a lumpectomy and 2 nodes removed on March 23, 2010 and I may be a candidate for the balloon...they place the balloon where at the tumor site, pump it up to fill the cavity and then introduce the radiation directly there. My onc told me it would reduce my treatment time from 35 treatments to 7...has anyone had this done?

BlownAway60

How many days was your treatment?
I have a couple of questions.
How many days was your treatment?
What type of radiation equipement was used? IMRT, Rapid Arc etc.
Was it your left breast and what precations were taken to protect your heart and lungs?

Thanks

Donna

Megan M

Wasabe2 said:

Balloon Cath Radiation Treatment
Has anyone heard of this or experienced this relatively new treatment? I had a lumpectomy and 2 nodes removed on March 23, 2010 and I may be a candidate for the balloon...they place the balloon where at the tumor site, pump it up to fill the cavity and then introduce the radiation directly there. My onc told me it would reduce my treatment time from 35 treatments to 7...has anyone had this done?

My rads oncologist explained
My rads oncologist explained the balloon rads to me, but, we both felt that "regular" rads was what I wanted and the best, even though it took longer. You have breast tissue clear up to your collar bone and I wanted to make sure that rads killed any stray cells that might be in the breast tissue, and, not just at my tumor site. Beside the "regular" rads to my right side, I also had the boosters at the end just to where the tumor was. Good luck to you!

jbug

BlownAway60 said:

How many days was your treatment?
I have a couple of questions.
How many days was your treatment?
What type of radiation equipement was used? IMRT, Rapid Arc etc.
Was it your left breast and what precations were taken to protect your heart and lungs?

Thanks

Donna

Bumping this up for our new
Bumping this up for our new sisters w/questions...gotta find part 2!

jnl

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!

Bumping up for new rads!
Bumping up for new rads!

Megan M

survivorbc09 said:

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!

Looks like a lot of
Looks like a lot of questions on here about rads. This thread was a huge help to a lot of us! I hope it helps some of the other newbies! Thanks Noel for starting this.

Sher43009

jbug said:

Bumping this up for our new
Bumping this up for our new sisters w/questions...gotta find part 2!

Also bumping this up for the
Also bumping this up for the newbies.

DianeBC

BlownAway60 said:

How many days was your treatment?
I have a couple of questions.
How many days was your treatment?
What type of radiation equipement was used? IMRT, Rapid Arc etc.
Was it your left breast and what precations were taken to protect your heart and lungs?

Thanks

Donna

Great postings for the
Great postings for the newbies!

Angie2U

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!

Just thought with the new bc
Just thought with the new bc survivors starting rads, this might be helpful! It was for so many of us!