About to start Radiation ... Need advice on what to expect

Cherry02031978
Cherry02031978 Member Posts: 20
edited January 2017 in Stage II Breast Cancer

Going for my consult in the morning with the radiation oncologist. Kinda nervous.. Getting entire breast radiated 30sessions, left breast. What can I expect?

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited December 2016

    Cherry - there are threads for "radiation Dec 2016" or radiation Winter 2016. That's probably a good place to head. Each of us had different experiences, but there are many things in common.

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  • TarheelMichelle
    TarheelMichelle Member Posts: 871
    edited December 2016

    Hey Cherry,

    1. The positioning appointments take awhile, but the actual radiation treatments take only a few minutes. I was surprised by that.

    2. Nursing students sometimes are helping during set up. Make sure you know who's in charge, in case you have a question while everything is going on. For instance, you may not HAVE to get tattoos for positioning markers. You may want to ask if you can be marked with a Sharpie. You will get marked up with markers the first day.

    3. It feels a little weird to be in the radiation room by yourself, even though the radiation team is in the next room. Plan to give yourself a pep talk if you are feeling sad or lonely. It gets easier.

    4. I'm sure you can read through pages and pages of other people's posts. I just wanted to say, good luck. I've done radiation twice, and wanted to show my support. Most of the time, everything goes well. You get into a routine of going, which is nice after th trauma of surgery. You may miss radiation when it's over.

    Gentle hugs ...

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  • AnotherMichelle
    AnotherMichelle Member Posts: 39
    edited December 2016

    I had chemo first, so radiation seemed relatively easy for me. My biggest complaint was the daily ninety-minute commute (round trip). I did get tired about four weeks or so in, but I turned the corner on the bone-crushing fatigue about ten days after my last zap. (I'm still tired but more from ten straight months of treatment, not from the rads.) I can confidently predict that the radiation techs/nurses will be wonderful and will take very good care of you. You may have some skin discomfort (I didn't really--a little itchy from a minor rash), but they will be looking at you every single day and will help you with whatever might come up. Take care of yourself.

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  • Shadow123
    Shadow123 Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2017

    hi cherry well I've just finished my radiation. I'm 34 and had 33 sessions. Had chemo first then surgery . It's way easier then the rest. It takes more time to position you then anything else you hear a buzzing sound that can last up to 30 seconds mine was done in 3 steps. A few days of tiredness more annoying with having to go in everyday. My skin broke down 25 sessions in but the nurses see you everyday to keep it clean and bandage it up. I healed very quickly when it stopped within a week. Best of luck

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