does it hurt?

beacher4209

I just went to my oncoligist today and he said he was gettin me a referal to a radiologist for radiayion therapy "maybe" he said cause the cancer was so close to my chest wall. never expected this and praying the radioligist says its not nesessary. so stressed,what is it like ???do you get sick? lose your hair? ect.....

dlb823

Hi, beacher ~ I thought radiation was a piece of cake.  You basically lay on something similar to an exam table, and a huge machine delivers a bit of radiation to the area of concern.  No pain, no sickness.  I think the worst possible side effects for the vast majority of women is a little fatigue and a bit of sunburn-like redness, both of which usually don't occur until near the end of treatment and resolve very quickly.

People can lose their hair, but only when radiation is delivered to the head, such as with a brain tumor.  But, honestly, breast radiation when done at a competent facility is nothing to fear.    Deanna

changes

Hi Beacher,

Like Deanna said, no pain, no sickness usually. You don't usually really even feel it, although your breast will likely become sensitive and red near the end. Fatigue is the worst side effect (in my opinion!)

Wishing you well,

Karen

beacher4209

thank-you Karenlen and Deanna, i feel a bit relieved now.After viewing some others experiences on this subject i was so terrified!! So we shall see what the rad doc says hope its not needed. I do  not get if i had non invasive cancer why this is even an issue?? So i will put up a good fight again thanks Beacher

flopsy

Beacher,  I would definitely get the facts from the Rad Onc on why you would need rads and how beneficial it would be.  Sometimes they are throwing things out there that have a very low benefit as in 2-3%.  You might not want rads if he says that it would prevent you from being able to have rads again on that breast if you have a recurrence??  These are some of the questions that I would want answered!!!!

Good luck with whatever you do and if rads is in the cards it was not a terrible experience for me.   It did get pretty sore and sensitive after the third week but I made it through.   Ginny

badexperience987

In August 2010, I was diagnosed with early breast cancer and had a lumpectomy and radiation utilizing the Savi breast catheter for radiation. My surgeon gave me all my options; mastectomy, lumpectomy with external radiation, or lumpectomy with Brach therapy. I consulted with the radiation oncologist and she said I was a good candidate for the Brach therapy. I asked her if there were any side affects from that method and she said "no". After speaking with the radiation oncologist I opted for the Brach therapy as I have small breasts and I could avoid the radiation damage to my lungs and heart.

Both my surgeon and the radiation oncologist said that there is minimal pain associated with the Savi device. I found that to be untrue. The Savi device inside a small breast does hurt. After a couple of days of having the Savi device inside my breast I was told that my flesh had grown away from the wire whisk type device inside my breast, and since they were unable to readjust it, they told me I would have the old one removed and a new one inserted or the radiation would not be effective. Had they told me it wouldn't be 10-30% effective I would have opted to just leave in the one I already had, but the doctor made it sound as though it would not be 100% effective. I feel I was mislead as I found out later it still would have been partially effective. Let me mention that they charged my insurance company $14,000 for a 10 minute procedure to replace the device. The new device was a size larger and it was extremely painful. And not only when it was inserted, it was constantly painful. I could barely move and sleeping was almost impossible. The pressure on my chest was unbearable and I told them that but they insisted I stay with the treatment. They prescribed strong painkillers and put me on antibiotics.

Let me mention that I have a very high tolerance for pain. I get cavities filled without Novocain and have had other surgeries with no pain and heal up really quickly. Not this time. While the radiation itself never hurt, the Savi device inside my breast hurt constantly and it pressed near my chest wall which is extremely painful.

No sooner had they finally removed the device that my side near my abdomen started hurting really bad! I got the worst case of painful shingles as a result of the Savi device and radiation. I was literally sick in bed for three months, sick with the nerve pain and skin pain that was excruciating! I was unable to move my body comfortably and even lost my appetite. I thought I might even die. Then, after the fact, the radiation oncologist tells me that, yeah sometimes shingles can result as a side effect from the radiation. It would have been nice to know this upfront. At least then I could have gotten the vaccination beforehand or have made a better decision. Knowing what I know now I would have opted for the mastectomy with reconstruction. Be forewarned that sometime doctors are not fully forthcoming and they only see things from their perspective.

TammyLou

Generally, people with breast cancer receive a limited dose.  (divided by 30 or so days...given in fractions /doses.)

 [I was very angry when I received my rads...people used the word, "breeze."]

 IF the cancer is advanced....those patients (like me) will recieve a significantly higher dose...divided in fractions.  (And I would not use the word "breeze.")

This would be the difference between having one shot of tequila versus drinking the entire bottle in one sitting. 

That being said, the majority (80%?)  of breast cancer patients have Stage 1/2 cancers and they normally do not experience "terrible" side effects.

tl

sespebadger

Hi,

I agree that all cases must be different. I am Stage 3 with an agressive cancer. So maybe I got stronger doses. Also I have not had reconstruction after my MX. My onc nurse said radiation was harder on anyone without a breast because there was less tissue to absorb rays. Anyway, I got burns that needed bandages and were quite painful for 3 weeks. No breeze for me. I'm happy that many people only get mild side effects and it sounds like beacher could be one of those.

Best to you, beacher! 

jenn3

I did blow through radiation without any problems.  However, 4 days after the last radiation my skin started to blister, get sore, ooz and became extrememely painful.  There weren't enough pain pills.....  However, it only lasted for 2 weeks and then I was and am fine. I was also told that because I had no breast is the reason it was much worse for me.  Most people have very little trouble. 

Good luck, take care of your skin and (((hugs)))

jo1955

beacher2409 - Radiation does not hurt at all.  My tumor was close to my chest wall and I had no problems with treatments.  Skin issues are another concern.  Some ladies breeze through with no problems at all while others with get the whole gambit from pinkness to red to blisters and itchy skin.  There are numerous approved creams that can be used before,during and after treatment to minimize the problems.  You will need to talk to your rad onc on are regular basis and let him/her own if you are seeing a difference in your skin.

I finished rads two weeks ago - 25 rads + 5 boosts and had several problems.  My skin is now healed and but still dealing with fatigue.  Everyone deals with the fatigue issue.  It is a matter of pacing yourself and taking naps.  

There are two other threads on rads - November 2010 and December 2010.  I would suggest you read through these - better yet, join the wonderful group of ladies on the December 2010 thread and ask lots and lots of questions.  These ladies are not only really supportive, but are full of information to help you get through rads.  They are all currently taking treatments and share their experiences with you.  

No you do not get sick nor do you lose your hair - other than the hair in the armpit - hey! one less to shave! LOL 

Even though I am done with rads - you will see me on there.

carol1949

35 tx for me also were a breeze.  I must say that complexion sometimes has much to do with it, just as it does in the sun.  I am dark complected w/ mediterannean background, where as a blone fair skinned person has thinner skin.

I used alra, a product especially for radiation which was more soothing than the aquaphor that the radiologists tend to offer.  I was able to buy the alra at a boutique right in the hospital for about $12.  Well worth it.

Much of this is positive attitude and affirmations in life.  Do your reserach and trust your heart.

Titan

Beacher..everyone has different experiences..to me..rads were easy compared to chemo!  Some people have fatigue, some people burn...I had no se's at all..you will NOT lose your hair...except possibly in your arm pit and who cares about that??

But..your rad onc will explain ALL the possible side effects and your nurse will tell you how to take care of the radiated area.

I just read on Oncology Stat that radiation really does help with the percentage of reoccurence..

Please don't freak..it's not that bad

Oh..and someone mentioned that you cannot get rads again to the same breast..yes..this is true.

bher

The SEs really vary from person to person.  My mother had rads for breast cancer when she was 75 years old with hardly any SEs. She did not have very much fatigue or major skin reactions.  I am doing rads now and my skin is very red with blisters and I have been uncomfortable since the 10th day of treatment.  I have not experience much fatigue yet but maybe it is too soon.