Rads side effects?

Jules824

I just met my one radiation doctor (a woman)...I get my tats next week and then start rads. I dont know she irritates me already. First she had to ask the nurse the order of protical for radiation, then she insulted my breasts said eh theyre average you shouldnt burn. Im a 38 C but whatever. So I asked her about creams (I like to be prepared) told her I bought that Aqua stuff already. She yelled about that... Then she said in a loud tone, IM TELLING YOU NOW.  if you get sick during radiation, I didnt do it see your PCP. Im reading these boards and it seems to me there are lots of side effects. Im really worried about my lungs, because I get seasonal asthma and broncitis. Have any of you had bad side effects? Thanks.

janey47

Quit her right now and get a new radiation oncologist whom you like and trust. 

None of this is easy, even for those of us who have the easiest time.  I loved my radiation oncologist and kind of miss him now that it's over.

The radiation should not affect your lungs because they make every attempt (and they're experts at this stuff) to only radiate your breast.  Sometimes if the cancer was really close to the chest wall, they might get a little overlap beyond the breast tissue, but let me put it like this:  my affected breast became somewhat swollen & tender after about 4 treatments (a little early but otherwise not unusual), and they had to reset the boundaries of the radiation to make sure they were getting all of it.  Now, think about how small that incremental move must have been.  This isn't a chest x-ray, it's a focused area.  Oh, here's another example.  At my simulation, they drew on me in marker to show me what area of my skin would be affected and I looked at it and thought, okay, well that's the *general* area but it's not going to be an exact square.  It was in fact an exact square LOL

I had minor side effects:  swelling & tenderness, itching, redness, and fatigue at the end.  That's it.   I finished radiation on September 29 and my side effects are gone and have been gone for several weeks.

Take care of yourself because you're going through a lot.  That means physically -- avoid people who are sneezing in your direction -- and emotionally -- avoid people who aren't surrounding you with love and care.  There's no reason you have to start radiation TODAY.  Just call her offices and say you've decided to find another provider, thank you, goodbye.  It's your right, and caring for yourself is your privilege AND your duty. 

Sparrow

Jules, I agree with Janey, that kind of attitude is unprofessional and unnecessary and just plain mean!  I haven't started rads yet but I like my rad onc.  She is kind and cares about her patients and their feelings.

You don't need this on top of everything else...  as my mom told me once, "The doctors are working for YOU.  You're the boss!"

Hugs!!!  -Tamara 

liztaylor1

Well said, Janey.  Jules, can you try to find another rad oncologist?  You deserve being treated with respect at all times.  FYI: I "fired" my medical oncologist.  Figured there are always other docs out there.

HUGS to you, Jules/.

Liz

desdemona222b

My gosh, nothing like having your oncologist yell at you!  My oncologists were all really compassionate and kind - hard enough to go through treatment even with wonderful docs.

I have had asthma and other respiratory problems all my life and my left lung is the "bad one" because I always seem to get infections in it.  Needless to say, I was less than enthused about radiation to the same side, but I'm doing okay and it has been 8 years now. 

Anonymous

Agreed, change rad onc if you can.

However, if there's reasons that you don't or can't change, when/if she does it again, remember as someone said above, you are the boss.  Look at her straight in the eye and say "why are you taking that tone with me"?  If that doesn't make her take a look at herself, then you say sweetly, "maybe you would rather have me see someone else?"

My guess is she will thereafter always treat you with respect.

kawee

Jules824 - I finished rads on October 2.  Honestly, although everyone is different, I had hardly any except the one I imposed on myself -- anxiety.  I was so anxious, I practically made myself sick.  If I would have known what I do know, I wouldn't have worried. 

 When she said your breasts were average, she may have meant your skin.  I am very fair and was ready to really burn.  Barely turned red.  I did experience some fatigue, and still have a little.

Everyone at my rad place was so nice.  If you have an option, definitely switch.

Good luck!!!!!

Jules824

Thank You Ladies. The support on these boards is tremendous. I really appreciate it. I guess I will find out what happens this week. I really cant switch docs cause I live in timbuck two..lol. and my hubby is taking me and rushing to work then. But on a good note, there are 2 other docs who will be there also..hopefully nicer. I will just have to tell her about what shes doing if she does it again. I cant keep quiet, its not in my nature. lol.

((hugs)) to all for a continued improved journey thru this.

kawee

Jules - Let us know how you do.

Irishred

There were some things I wasn't happy about when I started rads, and believe me I let it be known  Everthing was straightened out immediately.  So don't be afraid to speak up, all decisions are yours.

sel_spin_1959

I have had 18 treatments so far. I was told I would get a little pink, tan, then peel.  I was definitely unprepared for what has actually happened. I am very very red,sore, itchy and exhausted.  Yesterday, I walked in and said I am finished, this is not what I was prepared for. I started out liking my onogolist radiologist very much. However now I find out it is the thearapist that have been watching out for me, he just kept saying everything was fine.  Prehaps it has something to do with my size. Before lumpectomy I was a 34B, now a 34A.  I reachered my Doc, before signing up and he has a great reputation.  Can any other small breasted women commit on their experience.  I started out just wanting to be a good patient, with a possitive attitude. I have found that a great bedside manner isn't all there is to consider.

Anonymous

Find another Radiologist - if she is asking the nurse questions she isn't qualified.

KAK

Jules, there is such a thing as radiation pneumonitis that does affect people who tend to have asthma or other respiratory problems.  Definitely find another radiologist.  It can take a few weeks to several months before the pneumonitis manifests & you do NOT need a rad onc who  shirks responsibility for any related health problems that arise that may have to do with rads.  A number of women in my rads group developed horrible respiratory infections during rads, including myself.  It went away with antibiotics, but I got the same kind of brush-off from my rad on & I was NOT pleased.  I had to go to my pcp to treat that.  Now, months later, I've got a persistent cough & shortness of breath (albeit mild) that I've never had before.  I'm seeing my pcp.  I've had allergic asthma in years past & this is like chronic asthma. 

Radiation pneumonitis is treatable, but you certainly want to be get radiation from a practice that keeps an eye on someone like yourself who has a history of asthma & who doesn't kick you to the curb if you get sick during or after radiation.  I also developed cancer related fatigue that lingered for months after rads, which is starting to get better now finally, but again, I was the one who had to do the research & scramble around for someone to treat it properly because my rad onc was pretty useless.

Otherwise, I had 16 fractions only & my skin did okay, not bad really, but I had some redness & swelling in my armpit that was pretty bad for a week or so after.  And I've now developed cording or axillary web syndrome.  Getting PT for it & I'm feeling better.  But again, I never got a warning about this before hand.

Forewarned is forearmed.  PM if you want.  Sel spin, I am small breasted myself, and I'm not sure that size has much to do with how you react to rads.  But there just does seem like there is a lot of denial or negligence with radiation treatment among some docs & practices.  On the other end of the spectrum, I just recently heard of a radiation practice around here that has an internist on their staff who does nothing but see all their radiation patients to coordinate their care to prevent side effects, watch out & treat side effects that arise, and treat them over the short & long term if they get sick or develop any other problems that might be related to radiation.  So, there ARE places who acknowledge that they need to keep an eye on us.  Wish I'd known of that practice when I got rads!!!!