Done with RADS, not that bad.

That's great that you have finished your fads with little to no problems. Unfortunately, that's not true for all so not all will have your experiences with rads. We are each so unique.

Unfortunately it is true that some of us do burn badly - there is no exact way to predict who will and who will not burn. I felt good throughout the 25 rads with just getting very slightly pinkish after no. 24 & 25. Unfortunately though the morning after the 25th/last rad, the entire irradiated area was blistered. Long story shorter - that was early March and it was June 29 when the last scab finally ame off. (Have the scars to prove it. . The only sort of regret I have is that it took so long to find what finally healed it. The Dr's RN did not come up with it for close to 2 months - Domeboro soaks to dry it. With what I went through with the huge burn (some areas very deep) - I'd do it again in a heartbeat if rads were needed but I'd start with Domeboro soaks at first sign of an open burn.

This is not meant to scare anyone but to show that while there are those who do have little to no problems with rads just as there are some of us who do have 'issues' - and 'everywhere' in between.

Bethany, I should add that the effect is cumulative and you are no where near "done" with side effects. I just developed the pneumonitis and I finished rads in April.

Yes - she hasn't put any info in her Profile.

Bethany, it's good that you posted about a good experience, but some of us felt we had to "balance" the thread. Just as if there was a thread saying how horrid rads was, people like you would post to say it's not so bad.

My skin started to break in the fourth week. But the RO had warned me. I tan nicely and go bronze so I didn't expect to burn but I did. And then bled.

I developed radiation pneumonitis 6 months after finishing and am on steroids right now. I finished rads in April. The RO warned me it's cumulative. Until recently my left side was warmer than my right!! Still cooking...

Very interesting, AmusingSoprano. Thanks for the thesis link.

just chiming in, did not have any sign of skin breakdown until my 28th rad, then by a week afterward had open wounds all over. the fatigue is still with me, in the afternoons despite them saying it should be better. I didnt really have any until after it was over. My afternoon fatigue is better but still wiped out. Could be from all the treatments and surgery, but it's still with me. Other side effects as well are taking a while to 'disappear' if ever. Just adding my 2 cents.

I'm with you, bethany. Rads were relatively easy for me, too. And chemo wasn't that bad. And my AI has relatively few side effects.... But, because women who struggle with treatment post more, we do hear more about the challenges of treatment. It can be scary for others, trying to make treatment decisions.

I sailed through rads—I had the Canadian protocol of 16 hypofractionated treatments targeted to the tumor bed. (That way, if a recurrence or new primary pops up elsewhere in the same breast, lumpectomy + rads might still be an option instead of MX). No skin breakdown, irritation, or itching. I did get a bit red, my tumor-cavity seroma grew so large that I had to go up a cup size, and I had some fibrosis over the seroma. (The fibrosis was broken up by my LE PT, as well as a triamcinolone ointment prescribed by my dermatologist. My RO offered me a ‘script for it but I didn’t think I needed it at the time). A bit over a year later, the redness is gone, the fibrosis softened and the seroma shrunken by almost 1/3—that might be where it remains, but it’s keeping me symmetrical and I don’t have to go out and buy a “shell” partial prosthesis or any new bras. (I built up quite a collection of European underwires in various colors & patterns over the past 3 years, and they’re in great shape). I did develop cording & stage 0 arm LE, but it’s very mild and probably due more to obesity and having had 4 nodes removed than to the rads—which did not include the axillary nodes in the “field."

I do think it is helpful to see people post who did well through treatment. I did quite well through chemo; some people's bodies respond differently to things. I also had an MO who was very on top of the latest anti aides stuff, and was aggressive about preventing heartburn and constipation. I know that helped immensely.

One thing that is important to remember with rads is that there are different protocols. Some people who do well brag to just slather X or Y on, and you too will do well. That is short sighted. I slathered all sorts of things on and burned horribly. BUT I had mastectomy, I am thin, I get rashes from the sun, I had an aggressive protocol, and I had the bolus used every day. All of those things set up the perfect storm. Most importantly, I am currently cancer-free, and hopefully will stay that way. When people ask how rads was, I tell the truth, but am quick to add that most people do NOT have that experience. I think it is very important to hear from people who sailed through