Starting Radiation

AaronBronte

My Mom is starting Radiation tomorrow, i don't knw what to expect, many are saying it isn't as bad as chemo, she is getting 25 cycles of radiation. It's on her left breast i am praying the radiation doesn't affect anything else like any organs but just that which it was intended to do. I trust in God all will go well, i'm hoping for maximum effect with little side effects. I trust the team will do their best as well so all should be ok and the process will go smoothly and do that which it was intended.

Anyone has any experience on Radiation ? I'd love to know what i should expect, how should our diet, lifestyle be. Thank you very much and God bless.

MinusTwo

Aaron - looking back I see your Mother has had quite a bit of treatment already. Can you fill in the My Profile info? It makes it easier for people to answer. Your RO is your best reference. Different docs want you to use different creams. Some docs want none. Some of us burn, some don't. Did your Mother have LX or MX? Sounds like they'll be addressing the left side only? There are ways to shield the heart but I know it's scary. Most of us are very tired. Changing into the gown takes more time than the actual zap. Check out the radiation threads. There's usually one for people going through this at the same time, just like the chemo or surgery threads. I found them very informative. Good luck.

stephincanada

My one tip would be to tell your mom not to do much exercise during treatment, even at the beginning when she is feeling relatively well. I jogged during my first three weeks of radiation, and am now experiencing burns in the places that my bra made contact with my skin (under arm, above shoulder, under breast). It may have happened to me anyway, but the burn on top of my shoulder makes me think it is from the friction caused by exercise (skin doesn't normally get irritated up there). Wish I had sat on my hands and waited to get back to fitness.

MinusTwo

Here's the thread for February. Look for the January thread to see how all those ladies are doing.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topics...