☺RADIATION TREATMENT ☼☼☼ QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS☻

MAJW said:

ASKING QUESTIONS......
I think it's a given we know to ask our professionals, but I, personally, want imput from those who have travelled the road I am about to take.........because......my MALE ocologist has NOT travelled this road and most who are involved in our treatment have not either......That's why I find this site so incredibly wonderful! Everyone is different, treatments are different, depending on the type of bc, etc. But there is no greater thing than EXPERIENCE! And experience is what all the wonderful women here have. I know for myself at the beginning of this journey, for me, back in April, this site was incredibly helpful....I had a zillion questions about upcoming "things" such as the wire needle localization.....I was terrified of that......listening to those who had it done eased my mind greatly.....as only someone who had it done could......anyway, that is my soap box for the day!
Love and prayers to all you wonderful women
Nancy

With Jeanne, Lex, and Jackie on Soapbox
I never followed any advice given here as far as meds and lotions without running it by my doctors first. Not because I do not value my friends' advice and experience--they will tell you I do, greatly. But, a male oncologist is still an oncologist, however limited by biology he may be.

Akiss4me said:

My experience
I am almost done with rads and I personally would not have been able to work. Even if my work was not physically demanding (I work in an Auto body shop) I would have still had a difficult time working. I am incredably physically drained and need to recoup my strength to make it through my next surgery.
I became drained from the moment I was diagnosed, more so after all the appointments and testing, increasing through my surgery and recovery, and totally hit the brick wall during rads. I would have never been able to hold up. My rad Onc said that what I was going through was perfectly normal and he had very few patients that could work all the way through it. Most did out of fear of losing their jobs.
♥ Pammy

Bed early
I didn't work and am happy that I didn't have to. But, almost everyone else, men and women worked their jobs while taking rads that I talked to. I really admired them. Some of them said their secret was that they took really good care of themselves. They ate right, did some exercising if possible, and went to bed very early so that they would get lots of rest. I think the main key is get to bed early. I know I found myself staying up late and that was the wrong thing to do. When I did go to bed early, I felt so much better the next day.

And, survivors that took chemo first, like someone said, are in a whole different ballgame. They are already wore down from chemo, so rads, for them, is 100 times worse.

If you have to work, try to schedule your treatment at the end of the day. So you can get zapped after work, go home, and if necessary, go to bed.

Hugs, Diane ♥

rjjj said:

Jeanne
climb back on the soap box! Your advice was perfect! As you know I was probably the 1% that burned terribly. I wish my Rad Oncologist would have stopped to give my skin a break, like yours did to those couple of women you were treated with. If I would have insisted maybe they would have gave me a few days off toward the end.

I don't ever want to scare anyone, but if you do see yourself getting very burned. Talk to your oncologist and see if they can give you a break to heal a little. Also gauze pads soaked in bottles of saline then applied to the skin until dry feels so soothing, and if you need pain pills take them. I did. My skin did heal extremely fast and is like Jeanne says "smooth as a baby's butt" now.

Take time to rest, and drink LOTS AND LOTS of H20 and fluids.
hugs, Jackie

My rads oncologist told me
My rads oncologist told me to expect to be tired. But, he said it will help me if I just try and get more sleep than I did before, which I am. lol I am not tired yet, but, I am napping now during the day. I kind of like that.

Sue

jnl said:

Someone mention naps?
I love my naps! lol

Leeza

When?
Is there a number of treatments before you start really feeling it? Or, getting pink or something? My rads oncologist told me that usually, sometimes, it is around the 3rd or 4th week of rads. But, he said it does vary from patient to patient since we are all different and our treatments vary too.

Sue

Ritzy said:

When?
Is there a number of treatments before you start really feeling it? Or, getting pink or something? My rads oncologist told me that usually, sometimes, it is around the 3rd or 4th week of rads. But, he said it does vary from patient to patient since we are all different and our treatments vary too.

Sue

That sounds about right
I really noticed the fatigue hit me just as I was starting into my third week (about day 11) and then I started to really tan about the fourth week (about day 20) but really reddened by the fifth week (about day 26). I think one of the reasons I turned so red was because I was allergic to the Aquafore (very unusual) and could only use 100% Pure Aloe. But the stinging only lasted until I put the Aloe on after my shower. It is important to stay moisturized and I was unable to do that. So I look really good for not using anything! And my skin doesn't hurt, just itches. It looks way worse than it feels! ♥ Pammy

Ritzy said:

I am already using the
I am already using the Biafine and Aquaphor per my radiation oncologist's instructions. He wanted me to start right away. He said most people don't even get the tan anymore with the newer machines. I might just get a little pink, maybe a burn, like a sunburn. But, that it would go away pretty quick after I am done. Still feeling good. Still have my energy!

And, hubby is either taking me out to eat and/or he is giving me a gift everyday. He is so sweet and so supportive. Today, I got a bouquet of daisies, my favorite flower!

Sue

anyone no
went for day 4 yesterday and have celulotis dont know if spelled right breast infection oncologist says common i went through major surgery 6 weeks monday never had antibiotic only right before surgery now i after 4 days have to take antibiotic i dont understand i had all my care at hershey medical center but havings rads closer because hershey to far away but drivig there tuesday o see how this could happen anyone famillar with rhis god bless luv peggy

peggypeggy said:

anyone no
went for day 4 yesterday and have celulotis dont know if spelled right breast infection oncologist says common i went through major surgery 6 weeks monday never had antibiotic only right before surgery now i after 4 days have to take antibiotic i dont understand i had all my care at hershey medical center but havings rads closer because hershey to far away but drivig there tuesday o see how this could happen anyone famillar with rhis god bless luv peggy

Peggy, I am so sorry about
Peggy, I am so sorry about this. You are on antibiotics now, so, you will be fine. Please don't be upset.

Sue

Moopy23 said:

With Jeanne, Lex, and Jackie on Soapbox
I never followed any advice given here as far as meds and lotions without running it by my doctors first. Not because I do not value my friends' advice and experience--they will tell you I do, greatly. But, a male oncologist is still an oncologist, however limited by biology he may be.

Sorry
Sorry, that i seem to have upset some........

Noel said:

Noone was upset
Noone was upset here. The others were just stressing the point to check with your own oncologist, rads oncologist or plastic surgeon before you would take, use, or do anything that is written on this board or that you are just told about. Advice and experience is great, but, you need to always check with your doctor to see if it is good for YOU! They, your doctors, are the experts, whether male or female and you have to trust in them.

♥ Noel

Sorry again.......
I think my post needs to be reread........I started with saying WE ALL KNOW WE NEED TO CHECK WITH OUR PROFESSIONALS which I always do........But I still believe that no one can understand completely unless they have walked in your shoes......No one who has not gone through this can understand what it's like.....And, that's where their experience comes into play.....