Radiation Starts Tommorow WED OCT 30th!!!!!!

Hi Jenn,

I thought radiation was a breeze compared to chemo. I got quite a burn under my breast, right by my collar bone, and at the lymph node incision, but that didn't start until about the 5th week. At one point, they went to the boost (which is usually the last few treatments to the tumor site) and let my skin rest a bit. The doctor gave me some great cream - they called it sulfadine- and the burns healed beautifully. Before that I had a prescription steroid type cream. Use whatever they suggest religiously. It will really help. I went braless or just wore a leasure type bra around the house and actually laid with a fan to dry up the areas that were burned. They were a little uncomfortable, but never that bad, and they didn't stop me from doing normal things. It was hard to get used to being done with treatment. I think it's comfortable to know that you're doing something to get well, and when it's done, you feel kind of lost. Of course it's been such a big part of your life. One suggestion I would have is don't push yourself. I'm 2 months out of rads, and I still lay down many afternoons and rest a little. I pace myself and have allowed myself to very gradually move back into a more normal routine. Treat yourself well. You deserve it! Diane

Hi Jenn....for me, radiation wasn't all that bad. At the end, it looked like I had gotten a bad sunburn, but it didn't hurt like a sunburn does. I got a couple very small blisters under my breast, which healed up nicely by using the Aquaphor ointment my radiation onc gave me. I did get some fatigue, but nothing that a half- to one-hour nap didn't take care of...I just took it a little easier when the fatigue hit. I too had the fear of the end of treatment....suddenly, you're not doing anything actively any more to make sure you don't get it back. A book that helped immensely with that is called "Living Beyond Breast Cancer," by Marisa Weiss. It deals with all the emotional baggage we carry with us very well. The tamoxifen hasn't been too bad, either, and it's been almost a year for me. I had nasty hot flashes and night sweats, but my husband read in Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book that taking 800 IU of Vitamin E daily helps some women. Fortunately, I am one it works for. I now have maybe one hot flash a week, if that. I have been dealing with some insomnia, but some generic benadryl when I can't sleep helps a lot, and it's a pretty safe thing to take....it's what's in all the over the counter sleeping aids. I asked my oncologist about it, and she said I could take it, and the nice thing is, it's not habit forming. I will be praying for you. You CAN get through this and come out on the other side in one piece! God bless, Cyndi

Jenn,

I pray that things went well for you today. I always find the unknown to be the worst part of this journey. Once I have been through a new treatment of procedure, I usually feel relieved.

Love, hugs and prayers,

Kat

Hi Jenn,
First of all, I wish you the best for the next 7 weeks. I am in the same boat you are, I am almost done with chemo, 2 more sessions and i MIGHT have radiation and Tamoxifen. I am getting very anxious to have chemo over, I have cried to my doc and she says she sees that alot with the ending of treatment, didn't really say what to do. I am just dealing with it I guess. I am scared but happy at the same time. Very strange. Keep us informed. I am interested to know how your rad goes incase I do have it. God Bles
Angel