I had a good radiation experience!

Options
2»

Comments

  • akinto
    akinto Member Posts: 97
    edited July 2012

    No side effects here. Laughing

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tina_jason
    tina_jason Member Posts: 147
    edited July 2012

    I have my consultation for radiation on July 17.  It is good to read about all of the positive experiences with radiation.  I am hoping that at the end I will be able to post the same thing.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pamelahope
    pamelahope Member Posts: 534
    edited July 2012

    Yorkiemom,

    I am so thankful I found this thread. I have been terrified of rads, this lessens it. Pam

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited July 2012

    No problems during or after left side radiation five years ago. I did bring a tube of aquafor into the changing room with me and oiled up as soon as I was done and again right before bed. Don't put anything on in the morning before you get 'zapped' because that intensifies the burn. I would encourage anybody doing radiation to keep up with some sort of exercise program, as that should lessen any fatigue (plus help you bounce back faster once you are done). I was not tired at all, but that may partially be because I did chemo first and after that everything was all uphill. I was so thrilled to be done that I actually cried tears of joy when I 'got to' go to the radiation side of the treatment center. Best of luck to all. It is only a few weeks out of the rest of your life!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Andrea623
    Andrea623 Member Posts: 959
    edited October 2012

    I am so glad to have found this thread! I'm finishing my TE fills, and then it's on to radiation. I've been very nervous about it, especially after reading so many stories of complications, but you all have really eased my mind. Thank you for posting!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fhny2012
    fhny2012 Member Posts: 41
    edited October 2012

    Thank you all for posting!  Have been terrified in rads (I start the end of November) but this thread made me feel more hopeful. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 733
    edited October 2012
    OMG I am so glad I found this post and joined this group. I have been scared to death of Rads and start tomorrow. I do have one question about the lotions etc. Do you go to the treatment after you shower? They say do not put any creme on before treatment but if you do not shower won't you have it on from the night before? I shower every day usually in the am but my treatment is in the afternoon. So do I just leave on the ointment till just before I go, shower and then put it back on after treatment. The more i write this the worst it looks.Sealed
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 733
    edited October 2012

    Infobabe,

    If you are still out there I was wondering how you came out with Rads. I am going to Sparrow Hospital and have Dr Herman. Was wondering who you had.

    I have an autoimmune lung disease and was worried about the lung and heart but the mapping was done to protect them. Just curious. Thanks.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BLinthedesert
    BLinthedesert Member Posts: 678
    edited October 2012

    Hi Bunkie,  you might need to message Infobabe, as she doesn't post much in the radiation threads.  She decided, after a 2nd opinion consult, to forgo radiation.  Though she did meet with a radiation oncologist.

    Best wishes to you!!  I am sure you will do great!! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited October 2012
    BUNKIE, this is a question I also had. I showered in the a.m. with Ivory soap. You want to use a soap that is fragrance free. You cannot use deodorant before treatment, but can use a fragrance free powder, it is even recommended, to soak up perspiration. You absolutely cannot use any lotion for two hours before treatment. It's amazing how quickly we forget, but I think I used lotion 3 times a day, once in the morning when I woke up, another at about 12, and a finally at night before bed. My treatments were usually around 4 p.m.  Hope this helps and best wishes for your radiation!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BLinthedesert
    BLinthedesert Member Posts: 678
    edited October 2012

    Bunkie, I was one of those unfortunate few for whom the lotions/potions made things worse.  I used a bunch of them faithfully, and then sometime during the 3rd week I couldn't use any ... and I did just fine (well, after a couple of very uncomfortable weeks).    

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pamelahope
    pamelahope Member Posts: 534
    edited October 2012

    Bunkie,

    I just rediscovered this thread and wanted to say I am terrified of rads too. I hope you do okay.

    Pam

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BLinthedesert
    BLinthedesert Member Posts: 678
    edited October 2012

    You guys will be fine -- it is all mainly emotionally difficult, not as physically difficut (especially compared to chemo).  Emotionally it is hard because it is every day ... so you are reminded of it every day ... and it feels somewhat impersonal (compared to the experience that you might have had with your infusion nurses).  Physically, it is sometimes unpleasent, but tolerable for most people.  Like I have said, I ran, and worked, every day during radiation.  I was pretty tired the last week, but recovered within about 2 weeks after completing.

    You will be fine!!  Good  luck ladies, kick cancer's behind! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 733
    edited October 2012

    Well ladies I had my first treatment and am on my way to my second. I have to say getting on and off the table was tuff for me but I am disabled. The treatment was not so bad other than that slight smell of burnt flesh. After the treatment the nurse came in and took me back to a room. She showed me my file. It contained the photos of where my tumor was and the treatment area. My heart is not in the way but a very tiny end of my lung is. That area is already mostly scar tissue from my disease so lets hope it just does no more damage. She gave me samples of the creme to use and a booklet they thought I already was given. Very helpful. I had to go home and test both the Aloe Vera and the aquaphor on my arm for several hours before I could apply to that area because of my allergies. They did not want my breast to rash up. So far so good. I go this am for my second treatment.

    They told me I could only wear cotton close to my skin so my cami and stretch bras are out because they are cotton polly or mixed with nylon. My sweat shirts and  t shirts are all cotton poly also and I was planning on them for around the house. Darn it. I grabbed 2 t shirts of my boyfriends that are cotton and I will hunt for others.

    I do have a question. Did your skin on the underside of your breast look pink the next morning or am I just a lucky one. Also did you have a ache in that breast after treatment? I will ask them today when I go in but just wondered if you had it also.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited October 2012

    Bunkie, I'm surprised you had any sensations or visible effects after one treatment. And I never smelled anything like burnt flesh during my entire radiation therapy. I wasn't told I could only wear cotton. Hope things go ok with you. Are you extremely fair? Just remember to keep those creams on as much as possible.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 733
    edited October 2012

    I have hypersensitive skin and who knows. The Dr came in and looked at my pink area under the nipple. Then he looked at my mapping and it was already the. Just not as pink. Must be from the surgery. They will watch it. I see the Dr again on Monday. They take blood next week also. I did ok till about 4 today and get a wave of nausea with fatigue that put me to bed. That surprised me also but after reading on here I see several others get it after treatments. Then it goes away.

    They told me Aloe Vera after treatment and at bedtime and also the aquaphor on the scar and nipple. I went out and got a couple big men's long sleeve t shirts from Sam's today to wear around here. They said the heat from the poly/cotton makes your breast hot? I am about a DDD cup and it is not comfortable to just hang. Not really that fair...more olive.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Andrea623
    Andrea623 Member Posts: 959
    edited November 2012

    Bumping this up for any other positive experiences!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited November 2012

    my rads was fine too, fair skinned, TE. Used Miaderm exclusively. got some tiredness, had some mild mild sunburn to arm pit, nothing bad. I didn't use any lotion 4 hrs before my appt.

    that first session was a doozy though. Mine took the whole hr. had to have my arm up in that position for whole time. wish I had taken  xanax.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Andrea623
    Andrea623 Member Posts: 959
    edited November 2012

    That's great, fredntan! Your arm was up for almost a hour the first time? Ouch! My first treatment is tomorrow. Doing the simulation, followed by the real deal. If I have to have my arms up that long, I'll be pretty sore later! How has your skin held up post rads? Did you have any problems with contracture with the TE? I hope to have as good an experience as you did!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TAB55
    TAB55 Member Posts: 198
    edited November 2012

    You can add me to the list of radiation success stories.  I'm one of the lucky ones who had no problems with rads.  My skin turned red and felt warm to the touch, but it never felt painful like a sun burn.  Then it faded to a blotchy tan, and it's mostly back to normal now.  I did have a bit of cracking around the nipple (my apologies if that's too much info), but it didn't hurt and healed quickly.  I didn't have fatigue, and kept up with my 5x a week workout schedule.  I think these things helped me: 

    1. I appled aloe generously twice a day.
    2. I ate huge amounts of protein (~90 gm) daily to help my cells heal.
    3. I'm half Mexican, so I tan easily.
    4. I did upper body stretches every day.

    I knew I had to have radiation with a lumpectomy, and I accepted that to keep my breast.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BUNKIE10
    BUNKIE10 Member Posts: 733
    edited November 2012

    Have been posting on another thread. Just wanted to come back and say that overall my rads experience was not awful. A lot of the issues I had and still have are from my autoimmune disease that is ongoing. I am 5 treatments away from being done. Laughing Yes I had some bad days. Still get some mild nausea and dizziness. Being dehydrated is something I get easy with or without rads and another poster here helped me with that issue also. Everyone is different and I hope you all have a good experience.

    My skin is red and sunburned but no breaks etc so far. That burning smell is just what you smell if you go to the tanning salon. I remember from my younger years. The Aloe Vera worked wonders and so did the cotton men's t shirts. MY RO is very impressed with my skin overall.

    Hope to see you all on the after rads discussions.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BLinthedesert
    BLinthedesert Member Posts: 678
    edited November 2012

    Bunkie!!  I am so glad you are almost finished!!  You are a trooper!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • internutz1
    internutz1 Member Posts: 33
    edited November 2012

    yorkiemom: thanks for the post. I had no SEs from chemo and wasn't sure I should post about it, but decided to for the ladies starting in December. It CAN happen and so your post gives me encouragement and a mindset to have your results. Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rlwh
    rlwh Member Posts: 44
    edited January 2013

    They angle the rays so they don't hit the heart and barely clip the lung. It will be fine. I am so glad to find this topic because I have been worried about shrinkage. After lumpectomy, they look about the same size. If they do look different after rads, I plan on some p surgery to even them out because insurance will pay for it. I am hoping though that I am as fortunate as some of you guys who  have had no shrinkage. Maybe I am too vain, but how they look is very important to me.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RosesToeses
    RosesToeses Member Posts: 721
    edited January 2013

    Finished my rads yesterday, and you can add me to the number who had a good experience! Smile

    After 28 treatments and every other day bolus, I'm definitely red over my breast, upper chest, underarm, but not painfully so and no breaks in my skin.  And I never felt the fatigue some people get.

    I wish I knew something about why it went so well that I could pass on, but I guess you can't really know for sure.  I'm very fair but more sallow than pink, so maybe the sallowness helped? 

    My RO told me to start using Jean's Cream in the days before the first treatment and I did that and kept it up at least twice a day throughout (and didn't use anything else), so maybe that helped?  They say it can't prevent burns but does help your skin heal them faster.  But on the other hand, I'm sure my RO recommends it to lots of people and some don't do as well.

    I drink lots of water and eat lots of fruits and veggies, maybe that helped?  Or maybe it had nothing to do with it, who knows?

    My nurse and techs say the radiation will stay with me for the next two weeks before things really start to heal, so fingers crossed for nothing to crop up in that time.

    Also part of the experience, even though the daily rads-before-work routine was a grind, the techs, the receptionists in the department, my RO, my Radiation Nurse all were so kind, caring, really lovely people who explained things carefully and compassionately (the medical ones, not the receptionists, of course!) and talked with me each day about normal things (skiing, Christmas shopping, our kids)--never treated me like one more job to get through--and that helped make it a much better experience.

    So, I guess that's really just a long winded way of saying radiation therapy doesn't always suck completely!  And I really hope all of you have a good experience with it, too.

    (edited because my typing isn't as good as I think it is!)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PollyKate
    PollyKate Member Posts: 2
    edited February 2013

    Thank your for the great news, I have found something positive. Just starting rad on Tue and feel better now, thanks.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ballet12
    ballet12 Member Posts: 981
    edited February 2013

    I had a pretty good experience with rads.  It was the Canadian protocol (16 treatments), which seems shorter, but they "up" the dosage, so it's really a five week protocol shortened to 3 1/2 weeks.  I had only whole breast rads, no axilla or other sites, which I'm sure makes a difference.  I sailed through most of it, and began to feel tired on the evening before the last day.  I have felt fatigue post rads (I'm one week post) as well as redness and peeling in the area below the breast (but no pain).  During the actual rads, I had a lot of energy and kept up my dance classes.  I had to walk a lot from the subway to the hospital and back, and this was exhilarating in the brisk winter air.  As others have posted about their treatment sites, the staff at my facility were just so warm and caring.  I felt like I was in a little bubble. While it's not completely free of discomfort, I think the rads experience can be better than the anxiety built up about it beforehand.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories