Starting Radiation soon and scared!!

Hi,

Please don't be scared.  I did 33 radiation treatments 2 years ago.  I did it 5 days a week for 6 weeks, so you are right in line with the norm.  This board will give you great information.  My experience was very doable.  Since I work in a job that doesn't require interaction with others, I arranged to get a laptop from my company and worked from home for the time.  My hospital where I did the treatments was about a half hour from my home and my job is an hour the other way.  It would have been very hard on me to go to the office every day as well.  I did go in on a couple of days, but I had to rearrange my treatments to earlier in order to do it.

As far as what I experienced from side effects, I got very red.  Some women don't fare as well as I did.  I am very fair skinned and the doctor was concerned, but I went through it without a great problem.  I even went to a wedding two weeks after finishing treatments and wore a spagetti strap dress and no one could tell.

 I used aloe vera on my skin every day after treatments.  I used Tom's of Maine deodorant because it has no aluminum chloride in it.  I  showered with a soap that was mostly olive oil.  They will tell you what you can use and ask questions if you want to know something - that is what they are there for.

I wish you the best - you can do it.

Hi sister!  I am almost 10 years post treatment and I had rads, 5 days a week for 7 weeks.  I do have a semi-sore rib, but I am still here!

I was lucky, I did not burn, I was 63, but did not miss a day at work.  I just left around 4, got zapped, only takes 5 minutes, takes longer to get your clothes off, then went home and did nothing, the one time I tried to go out for dinner, I was very tired the next day.

Other women have burns, some bad, some just bright pink.  Nothing is free.  But when you are dealing with a life-threatening disease, somehow side effects take a back seat.

Gentle hugs, Shirlann

I finished 33 rads 3 weeks ago. Nancy is right that side effects are possible, not probable. They have to tell you about everything that could possibly happen. My treatment was not free from side effects--I had some burns and had to take a break for them to heal. That part was distressing, but I got through it and everything healed up really fast. I didn't have much fatigue. I felt pretty energetic and kept up my normal activities- maybe a tad bit slower than usual. I did feel tired AFTER it was all done, which I think is within the normal range of things. Still, I was able to keep up with stuff, but did sleep and rest a little extra, maybe an hour a day.

.If you have any side effects, or are worried about something,  talk to your radiation oncologist or nurse right away. I had vomiting and fever and thought it was a side effect, but my onc said it was either a virus or food poisoning, which was reassuringTake care of yourself. You'll get through it just fine

Hi sexyirish-I had radiation 5 days a week for just over 6 weeks. The only side effect I got was a burn similar to a sunburn at the radiation sites. And I used Aquaphor when I got the burn, before that I used Aloe vera gel. And I used non-scented Dove body wash and unscented shampoo. I had no fatigue, nothing. Compared to chemo, it's a walk in the park.

Hi...Don't be scared!  Most people do not have all the nasty side effects your doctor went over with you.  I had 28 treatments...and as someone else said....the worst part was just going every day!  My team was great, and got me in and out in ten to fifteen  minutes..from start to finish.

I had no real burning....Just turned pink (and tan), had some itchiness...went without a bra whenever possible....and as for fatigue,  I did go to bed earlier than usual, and would fall asleep easily in my chair, but if I were busy it would be OK.....I am now almost two weeks out, and doing fine.  The discoloration is still there, but that is OK....

Come here as often as  you like during your treatments and talk to us...We have all experienced the same fears and worries about our treatments....And we all survived them!  The weeks will fly by, and it will be all over before you know it!

God Bless,

Sandy 

Oh, yes, I did 20 radiation treatments (including 2 boosts, I think).  Like Shirlann, I went to radiation, then to work.  I am a runner, and continued to run while doing radiation and working.  I did get sore ribs about 7 mos. out, but the soreness eventually went away.  Then I got radiation fibrosis on my shoulder, the side that got radiation; went to physical therapy for a couple of weeks.  Now I am OK, almost like nothing ever happened.

One positive thing about doing radiation -- I came to really like the radiation staff.  They were so positive and always encouraged me.  I still think of them and told them that after treatment, I would miss them.  I said I would prefer to meet them again, but outside the hospital--like at Costco or somewhere and I would buy them a hot dog lunch and chat.

Best wishes to you.