Breast cancer

I had increased dosage with my radiation, but fewer treatments (16 in all), and my docs told me to be sure and get adequate exercise every day (I bought a treadmill, think with it I do 150 mins a week), and be sure to take in plenty of protein during radiation, and of course stay hydrated, make sure you drink 6-8 8 oz cups of water a day, even more if that is what you need.  Also you need a good radiation cream to use following your treatment.  I used First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream because it contains only natural ingredients that are good for you. My docs told me it was a myth that u could not wear deoderant to treatment, but I developed rash under arms and had to stop deoderant all together.  I wish I had never wore deoderant to my treatment.  Ask your doctor about all of these things and make your own choices, of course.  This was just the advice I was given and my experience.  For me, the combination of daily exercise, protein and plenty of water definitely made the difference throughout my radiation.  I did not have chemo so cannot help there.  I can only say my radiation was better than I thought it would be.  Hugs and best wishes on your treatment.  Take care of yourself!

Cecelia

have you discussed with breast surgeon? please consult with surgeon immediately.

There are many SE that you will read about, but you will not experience all of them.  If you jpurnal your days you will see that the SE will fall into a pattern.  For example, my days 1 and 2 I had a lot of energy, but days 3 and 4 I slept almost around the clock.  Days 4-9 became my least favorite days. . . Metal taste made eating certain foods undesirable ( flavored rice cakes became my favorite, and I absolutely could not put ANYTHING with tomato in my mouth ).  Rounds 2-6 I had the same pattern of SE on the same days.  I will say that fatigue became more intense, and if I had to do it again, I would exercise more from the beginning.

Of course, depending where you live in the summer, you want to be careful to HYDRATE more than you think you should.  Since you began with radiation first, you should be used to this - just be conscious of it in the warmer weather.  Continue to protect yourself with sunscreen and head coverings.  There are some great SPF hats out there!  

Best wishes as you begin, and please visit us and let us know how you are doing.  Once you experience specific SE, folks here can give you some tips.

Kathy

charliebrown61560 said:

Stage 2B Breast Cancer

 I was just recently diagnosed with stage 2B breast cancer also, I've had a lumpectomy but the margins were not clear so they are going back in next friday and I find out on thursday from my Meidcal Oncologist is chemo is needed, otherwise I know I will be getting 6 weeks of radiation!

When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer most of my friends and family was very surprised I choose a lumpectomy over a mastectomy. Has anyone else had this issue? I told them that the doctors were telling me that my odds for survival were exactly the same whether I choose a lumpectomy or mastectomy, so why would I choose the most invasive surgery if I didn't need to? I still think I made the right decision but now that the results came back from the lumpectomy with the margins clear for Invasive Cancer but not for Non-Invasive Cancer, so my surgeon wants to go back in and take out another layer to make sure...everyone in my life double downed on the why aren't you having a mastectomy now! I still feel that I am doing the right thing but am very surprised by everyones attitude, they say why don't you just have them both cut off and get perky new breasts but it's not quite that simple, is it?