Radiation - 5 day/twice a day - STUDY

I had this treatment, as I got a severe infection trying for Mammosite.

I believe that women who meet certain criteria - I had a tumor under 2 cm, with wide clear margins, and no other signs of issues elsewhere in the breast, should seriously consider this treatment.

I went early in the day, and then at the end. It is a longer treatment than most people describe, with several position changes. You may want to ask for a blanket or some other covering, as I got COLD. It's okay to ask for warmth - I don't know if shivering can affect the field. I know that it wasn't what my techs were used to doing, and they weren't real good at moving me, but we worked it out.

I barely got a sunburn - tan faded in a few months, and I get rave reviews on the quality of my skin - many docs are like, are you sure you had rads - tattoos convince 'em.
My main side effect was fatigue. I've written about it before. The first few days, I exercised and met friends between treatments, and led a normal life, by the middle, I cut out exercise, and after the last treatment I went home and slept for 2 days. I made it to work on Monday, but if I had any sense, I would have taken a few more days off. Within  a few months, I was totally back to normal.

Hope this helps.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask

Sue

I didn't get markers, because the area to be irradiated was right on top the the breast,and no one could miss it.

Made biopsy, surgery, everything much easier.

I wasn't in the clinical trial, but rad onc gave me the whole proposal to read.

I am so glad you enrolled, this is definitely a pretty easy treatment.