My Truth About Radiation

Thanks.  Ours stats are similar.  I am trying not to be anxious about this.  Are you fair skinned or darker skinned?  I am very fair and wondering how my skin will hold up.  I am praying I start rads next week.  Were you highly hormone receptive?

I had minimal, and tolerable SE's.  I had skin issues starting at about treatment 15 or so, and they were uncomfortable ... red rash with some "oozing".  Lotions did not really help ... however, these went away within about 10 days after finishing radiation.  You could see the radiation field - it was pink/red - but I am 3 weeks out and now you can barely see it at all.

I don't think that skin coloring has anything to do with the possible SEs from radiation -- since radiation SEs are from the "inside-out" versus the sun which is from the "outside-in".  I am medium complexion - I burn moderately easily in the sun.  I have "heard" that breast size has a lot more to do with SEs ... smaller faring easier than larger; that said, many women in our "May group" who had mastectomies had a more difficult time as well -- that could have been because their dose was greater (as they, in general, had more advanced disease).  

I hope you continue feeling well!  Thank you for starting this thread, it is good to let women know that not all side effects are horrific. 

Hi Ladies,

 I am exactly 1 year out from 33 Rads and boosts. The worst part about it was the getting there everyday!  I had the first appt of the day and walked across Central Park to get there and sometimes I just wanted to sleep in! My RO said fair skin tends to bounce back a bit better than darker skin even though we are more proned to more redness. That's exactly what happend. Now, a year out, My breast gets red pretty easily after a hot shower or a work out and occasionally I'l have some minor itching but other than that, all is good.  I now use only an organic lotion on my breast as I am freaked out by all the chemicals in so called natural lotions. (aloe vera though is excellent!).  

 I remember the first day crying like a baby and by the last appt we were cracking jokes and gossiping about the other techs. It's amazing how time really does heal. I have been on Tamoxifen for 10 months and other than some hot flashes and leg cramps here and there, all is well.

Good luck Isabelle.  It will be fine.   Have you joined up with a radiation group (July or August)?  I found that daily contact with others going through the same thing to be immensely helpful.  I got tired near the end, but I worked full-time through radiation (and even ran 50 miles/week!), in retrospect, it was very tolerable. 

Hello ladies

new to this thread, just found out today i have appt with RO aug 15, so dont know yet if i will have rads or not. Was supposed to find out today whether im going to have chemo but her2 test results arent back :-( so more waiting...but glad to be reading these and hoping it continues to go well for all of you

Ro-berta, I had some arm problems.  I did these exercises for a while, and I think they helped "loosen up" the area: http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/BreastCancer/MoreInformation/exercises-after-breast-surgery

I also have pretty severe rash issues - but I was lucky and healed pretty well from the surgery.   

Radiation is SO over for me ... it is like it never even happened, seriously, my skin barely shows the radiation field (it was quite red by the end of my treatment -- but that was 3 weeks ago now), I have NO residual problems at all.  The fatigue is gone, and I feel better than I have for months.  I do have to say that although I did some exercises, my arm was the last thing to "get better" and I went to see my running "fixit guy" he does ART (www.activereleasetechniques) and it hurt like the dickens, but I have full range of motion now and everything feels GREAT.  This is a little bump ro -- you will get through it!!

BLinthedesert. Interested to hear about your running. Makes melte hopeful.



Had UMX and immediate reconstruction in Jan.

Cleared by PS to run 6 weeks post-op.

Chemo began in Feb and completed last week.

Ran throughout chemotherapy.

Rads to begin in August.

My runs are so important to my health: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.



I welcome info on what type bras and other wear you wore while going through rads. And anything else you did to combat friction, etc.



Thanks in advance!

Hi Isabelle2.......just thought I would jump in and wish you luck tomorrow.

Thanks BLinthedesert. I will keep that all in mind and your 'name' handy - just in case :0)

Yeah!  I have six more Radiation treatments left and five of them being "Boosts" .  My skin did not become red and itcy and painfull until last week .... OUCH.  My Dr gave me cream (Aquaphor), it's very greasy and also a script for the pain.  I found that Cornstarch powder works wonders and it's the only thing you can have on when you go for treatments. Oh, and the pain pills are a Huge help for relief!  Happy it's almost over!