Rads beginning June 2...........

florist
florist Member Posts: 45
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I will begin Rads on June 2. I would like information on what to expect, etc.

Thanks for all your help, this website is informative and just what I have been looking for during this entire experience.

Comments

  • zahalene
    zahalene Member Posts: 670
    #2
    Basically....
    you don a hospital gown, lie on a table for 10 minutes while a machine whirs over you, get up, get dressed and go home.
    Expect some cumulative fatigue. Be sure to eat well.
    Some people experience burning of the skin and some do not. If you do, your medical staff will have a variety of things for you to try for relief. I used Aquaphor, but that was years ago...there are better things available now I hear. Wear loose clothing, don't abrade the skin, the usual care you would give to a sunburn.
    Plan some little rewards for each milestone you reach....first week DONE! Time for a spa day...or whatever...you get the idea. Keeping your spirits up helps your whole self cope better.
    I don't know what treatment you have already gone through, but for me rads was the least of it.
    Keep us in the loop and God bless.
  • florist
    florist Member Posts: 45
    #3
    zahalene said:

    Basically....
    you don a hospital gown, lie on a table for 10 minutes while a machine whirs over you, get up, get dressed and go home.
    Expect some cumulative fatigue. Be sure to eat well.
    Some people experience burning of the skin and some do not. If you do, your medical staff will have a variety of things for you to try for relief. I used Aquaphor, but that was years ago...there are better things available now I hear. Wear loose clothing, don't abrade the skin, the usual care you would give to a sunburn.
    Plan some little rewards for each milestone you reach....first week DONE! Time for a spa day...or whatever...you get the idea. Keeping your spirits up helps your whole self cope better.
    I don't know what treatment you have already gone through, but for me rads was the least of it.
    Keep us in the loop and God bless.

    thanks zagalene
    I have just recently completed 6 rounds of chemo. Glad that is over. sounds as if rads will not be anything to compare.
  • florist
    florist Member Posts: 45
    #4
    zahalene said:

    Basically....
    you don a hospital gown, lie on a table for 10 minutes while a machine whirs over you, get up, get dressed and go home.
    Expect some cumulative fatigue. Be sure to eat well.
    Some people experience burning of the skin and some do not. If you do, your medical staff will have a variety of things for you to try for relief. I used Aquaphor, but that was years ago...there are better things available now I hear. Wear loose clothing, don't abrade the skin, the usual care you would give to a sunburn.
    Plan some little rewards for each milestone you reach....first week DONE! Time for a spa day...or whatever...you get the idea. Keeping your spirits up helps your whole self cope better.
    I don't know what treatment you have already gone through, but for me rads was the least of it.
    Keep us in the loop and God bless.

    thanks zagalene
    I have just recently completed 6 rounds of chemo. Glad that is over. sounds as if rads will not be anything to compare.
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #5
    florist said:

    thanks zagalene
    I have just recently completed 6 rounds of chemo. Glad that is over. sounds as if rads will not be anything to compare.

    I think everyone reacts
    I think everyone reacts differently to rads. Some burn, some don't. Some get the itchy bumps, some don't. Some get tired, some don't. Just do what your radiation oncologist tells you to do, use only the cremes he tells you to use and take it easy. Get plenty of rest and take care of your skin. They are easier than chemo but still a force to be reckoned with.
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #6
    Hoping you'll do well with rads...
    The treatment itself takes just a few minutes. It's the travel to/from, registration, waiting in reception, changing in & out of clothes, etc. that takes up time.

    Fatigue, which can accumulate, is the most common side effect. How your skin will react no one can predict. Just follow your rad onc's directions, and that of the techs. As already cautioned - before applying anything to your skin, be sure that your rad onc approves.

    Best wishes to you, for successful treatment.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #7
    Florist
    Rads are pretty easy, but you always need to make sure you don't burn too badly. Keep moisturized as much as possible. The worst part will be wearing a bra. I found that the soft cami type tops work if you need to be in public and don't want the girls running off wherever they please.
    I had 35 regular sessions, and 5 boosters across the tumor site. Much easier than chemo, and quicker too. The only real pain about it was going every day. But the people there are usually very nice, and you get to meet a whole new group of friends.
    Let us know how you do!
    Cat
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #8
    Florist, your oncologist
    Florist, your oncologist should discuss all of this with you and give you literature too. I also researched it on the internet so that I could ask questions that might concern me or that I was just curious about. Everyone reacts differently to rads. Just keep an eye on your skin. My radiation oncologist checked it every week just to make sure it was ok. I only got a lil pink at the end, so, I was lucky. And, rest, rest, rest! Rads take your energy.
  • florist
    florist Member Posts: 45
    #9
    Kristin N said:

    Florist, your oncologist
    Florist, your oncologist should discuss all of this with you and give you literature too. I also researched it on the internet so that I could ask questions that might concern me or that I was just curious about. Everyone reacts differently to rads. Just keep an eye on your skin. My radiation oncologist checked it every week just to make sure it was ok. I only got a lil pink at the end, so, I was lucky. And, rest, rest, rest! Rads take your energy.

    Thanks for all your support
    Thanks for all your support. It's is so strange to me that you can feel so close to friends you haven't even met. This is a great site and helped ease all the tension and and ill feelings we have all faced. You all are a great support and comfort knowing we're in the same boat together. Love and prayers.
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #10
    One more thing....
    Stay hydrated. I know, I know, it's my favorite saying...but true!

    I used Aquaphor, applied right AFTER my rads each day...worked wonders...

    I agree with everyone, we all react differently. The key is to notice when things (like red skin, etc) start, and ask your rad/onc for advice. Don't wait. Reactions are 1-2 days behind what they are going to be...sort of like getting a sunburn at the beach, and not noticing till the night when you are miserable...

    Hugs, Kathi
  • florist
    florist Member Posts: 45
    #11
    KathiM said:

    One more thing....
    Stay hydrated. I know, I know, it's my favorite saying...but true!

    I used Aquaphor, applied right AFTER my rads each day...worked wonders...

    I agree with everyone, we all react differently. The key is to notice when things (like red skin, etc) start, and ask your rad/onc for advice. Don't wait. Reactions are 1-2 days behind what they are going to be...sort of like getting a sunburn at the beach, and not noticing till the night when you are miserable...

    Hugs, Kathi

    thanks kathi
    that was the first I had heard about being hydrated..will remember.
    Thanks.
  • Jan_M
    Jan_M Member Posts: 116
    #12
    florist said:

    thanks kathi
    that was the first I had heard about being hydrated..will remember.
    Thanks.

    Use lots and lots of of the
    Use lots and lots of of the cream the dr. gives you. Also DO NOT use deoderant. I did get 2nd degree burns. I had 33 treatments. 5 boosters. Just finished last Thursday. I did not really feel it until after the 3rd week.
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #13
    I just started rads recently
    I just started rads recently and so far, so good, no side effects yet. But, I am sure they will come. The main thing my radiation oncologist and the tech's told me were to keep the cremes on me, even if I didn't see any burning or dryness. And, to drink lots of water, get plenty of rest and to take care of myself.
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #14
    I just started rads recently
    I just started rads recently and so far, so good, no side effects yet. But, I am sure they will come. The main thing my radiation oncologist and the tech's told me were to keep the cremes on me, even if I didn't see any burning or dryness. And, to drink lots of water, get plenty of rest and to take care of myself.

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