Almost done with Chemo...Radiation is next, what can I expect?

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dlhkmd517
dlhkmd517 Member Posts: 4
edited June 2014 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi there!

Im in my 30's , diagnosed 3 months ago with IDC, ER+/PR-, HER2+. Im 4 Chemo treatments down 2 more to go then radiation begins. I had a double mastectomy prior to starting the Carbo/Taxotere/Herceptin. I was told even having a mastectomy, because of my age at diagnosis I was to expect to have Radiation therapy as well. Im tolerating the treatments well and have few symtoms and the ones I do have only last for a few days. I am curious as to if anyone is in the same situation as myself and what side effects others have experienced along with the Radiation.

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  • katylynn
    katylynn Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2012

    Hi there!!! I'm also in my 30's, 31 to be exact and I was diagnosed with IDC in March of this year. I'm ER/PR-, but HER2 positive. I also had a double mastectomy in September after I finished with chemo.  Glad to hear that you are tolerating chemo well, as I did too. Although I was very thankful that it wasn't difficult, I must admit I felt sort of guilty because I know there are plenty that don't tolerate it at all. I'm still getting Herceptin treatments every 3 weeks, and I'm about half-way done with rads. Going okay so far. Skin seems to be fine, and I'm only a little more tired than usual. (Like I should probably just go to bed when we put our kids to bed instead of staying up for an hour or two). I just started having some symptoms that I'm not sure are related to rads or maybe even from chemo.  My blood pressure has been high and I'm having some problems with acid reflux (to the point that I was having trouble swallowing). My rad onc says that neither of these are from rads so who knows. I'm on a great med for the reflux now, so hopefully I will feel much better for Christmas.  Big, big hugs to you....it's hard going through this at such a young age. :)

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  • dlhkmd517
    dlhkmd517 Member Posts: 4
    edited December 2012

    Thanks for the reply Katylynn...

    I also developed the reflux / heartburn issues recently and I have been taking Prilosec every 12 hours. It seems to be helping alot..( I can tell if I miss a dose) along with not eating a few hours before bed and drinking only water in the evening. I stay away from caffeine like soda & spicy stuff.

    You are correct it is very difficult to go through this, some days or worse than others thats for sure. I recently have started retaining fluid, this happens for a week or so then Im in the bathroom for the next week going every 10-20 minutes pee'ing it all off:)  Its not to the point where I have had to take a diuretic or anything, but this last time I actually gained 11lbs in 2 weeks.

    Did you have any lingering symptoms after your last dose of Chemo? How long was it before you started radiation?

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