Radiation

Birdsgirl · March 2004

Hi, everyone I have 2 more chemo treatments to go and I am counting the days. I will probably start readiation sometime in June. I am still working full time and plan to do so through treatment. I am a little concerned about my energy level while taking radiation and working. Is the exhaustion such that I will have a hard time keeping up at work/driving and all?

inkblot · March 2004

Hi Birdsgirl:

For me, radiation was quite easy. I think that overall, the majority of the ladies here will tell you that chemo was the more difficult part of their treatment regarding energy levels. Chemo is typically the bigger drain. However, we're all different and for some, the treatment effects seem to be cumulative and by the time one begins radiation, following chemo, the energy levels are already becoming low and the demands of getting to treatment every day can seem very tiring. For myself this wasn't the case at all.
That you're continuing to work full time is
wonerful and I'm just guessing that the rads will be a breeze for you too.

Best wishes!

Love, light and laughter,
Ink

billandpatty · March 2004

Like Inkblot, I found radiation easy after chemo. I worked throughout all my chemo and radiation and drove myself to all my radiation sessions. Unlike chemo when you wake up tired everyday; with radiation I found that I had lots of energy in the morning and by evening I was ready to crash. The only thing I remember missing out on were the new TV shows that Fall (I had readiation treatment late summer and early fall). Everyone reacts differently, don't beat up on yourself if your experience isn't what we're describing. But I think, on the whole, most of us get through it pretty well. Take care of yourself, give in to yourself -- some days you just need it. Good Luck.

sunnyskye · March 2004

Hi. I had 6 weeks rad ... I worked full time thru it all but I'm not going to say it was easy and, I did not have chemo to deal with first. Halfway thru rad I didn't think I could finish it I was so tired (but, it affects each person differently). If I had it to do all over again, I would take the 60% disability pay rather than work and kill myself with the rad treatments. Although the reason I did so was to keep my mind healthy. It just was very hard, at least that's what I found. If you have a disability plan at work and can afford to do so, I'd take advantage of it and give yourself a well-deserved break. Or, do part-time half days or something. I killed myself working full time for a boss who did not appreciate it when I could have taken the disability. I regret having done so. Good luck to you and feel free to write to me sunny_skye@hotmail.com

Future · March 2004

I worked through chemo and radiation treatments and radiation was easier. My radiation appt was early in the morning (6 am) so I was tired by early evening. Most tiring thing was the drive, an hour each way. Everyone responds differently but if you've been able to work so far, you will probably do fine.

Best wishes

meshell · March 2004

Hi this is Michele I have just started my rads 2 so far. I am working fulltime am thinking the same way as you are ? will I cope . but hopefully we both will keep posiitve thats what i do . I had 4 e.c. chemos and I have 7 weeks of rads . I am hoping that i wont burn. email me if you like .xxx Michele

Birdsgirl · March 2004

Future said:
I worked through chemo and radiation treatments and radiation was easier. My radiation appt was early in the morning (6 am) so I was tired by early evening. Most tiring thing was the drive, an hour each way. Everyone responds differently but if you've been able to work so far, you will probably do fine.

Best wishes

Wow 6 am! I'll have to check w/my dr's office to see if they take appts. that early. That would be wonderful as I keep an early sched. also. Usually at work by 6:00. Thanks for the heads up on that.

Birdsgirl · March 2004

meshell said:
Hi this is Michele I have just started my rads 2 so far. I am working fulltime am thinking the same way as you are ? will I cope . but hopefully we both will keep posiitve thats what i do . I had 4 e.c. chemos and I have 7 weeks of rads . I am hoping that i wont burn. email me if you like .xxx Michele

Hi Michele, nice to hear from you. It's nice to talk to someone that's kind of in the same place as myself. I was diagnosed in Oct. of 03 w/invasive ductal carcinoma, stage II. I have come through chemo pretty well. I have had 4 rounds of chemo, 2 to go. Next one is this Friday the 26th. You are very right about the positive attitude. It has worked well for me and my family. I just hope that I can keep it up. There is still so much to get through. By the way I have a 15 year old daughter by the name of Michelle. Small world

ramapou · March 2004

Hi, there
I haven't started radiation yet; I have 2 more chemo treatments to go. I'll probably start the beginning of May. I had a consultation with the radiology oncologist and asked about the tiredness. Like others who have replied, she said everyone responds differently. She said that from what she's read and see with her own patients, a lot of the tiredness seems to be stress related. Having to go for treatments 5 days a week for several weeks becomes very wearing. She had the usual suggestions of eating healthfully, trying to get at least some exercise, letting up on chores that don't absolutely have to be done, and using stress-relieving techniques (yoga, meditation, etc.). Hope everything works out for you.

judycude · March 2004

Hi Birdsgirl: I'm several days late, but this is my first visit to this website. I have had four weeks of radiation therapy, with 2 1/2 to go, and it is tiring, but I did not have to have chemo as I had Stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma. I, however, did opt for short term disability, and it has been a godsend. My job is traveling in 3 states so taking radiation and traveling was out of the question. I don't know how I ever had time to work! Take it easy and take care of yourself first. Work will wait.

Radiation

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