Bloodwork 'Off'' Post-Radiation

MM19

Hi everyone,

I finished 15 rounds + 5 boosts of radaition two weeks ago. Three days ago I had a CBC and metabolic panel drawn before I start Tamoxifen this week. My non-fasting glucose has dropped 30 points in 2 months, from 96 to 65. My calcium and albium are just at the upper limits. It's frustrating because all of these were 'normal' prior to surgery in late April.

Has anyone else had some fluctuations in their bloodwork after surgery and radiation? I honestly have to say I felt better before the lumpectomy then lymph removal and radiation. Like everyone else, I'm worrying that something may be wrong, but hoping it's just my body trying to adjust.

I've been trying to lose weight since my irregular mammo in late Jan, and definitely eating less carbs. I'm down 17 lbs with another 20 to go. I have been eating cleaner, and lower carb as well, so maybe my body is just trying to adjust to so much stress.

When did you start feeling 'normal' again after surgeries and radiation? And onto Tamoxifen.

Veeder14

Hi MM19,

I didn't have any blood work until a few weeks ago which was better than my usual. Radiation ended for me on 4/6/18 so it had been awhile. I wouldn't be surprised if surgery and radiation can alter blood work, it's a lot of stress on the body.

I started to feel like me again with more energy about 2 months after radiation, so sometime in June. It seemed like each week I got stronger, could work out longer at the gym, and just felt better all around, and didn't need so many afternoon naps.

Give yourself sometime since you just finished 2 weeks ago. The radiation continues to work for several weeks after your done with the treatments but the effects will eventually drop off. I didn't start Tamoxifen until 3 months after finishing radiation just so I could get my strength back and feel normal. Congratulations on your weight loss.

MM19

Thank you so much for sharing your feedback. It seems things are done ever so slightly differently, depending on your doctor, hospital, country, etc, so this board is extremely helpful in sorting things out. I tried to work FT through the radiation as many do, but I have to say it was a bit overwhelming. It's good to hear you are feeling like yourself and growing stronger all the time! Time for me to get back tot he gym too!