Hi Im having radiotherapy in a couple of weeks

Amandalynne, radiation was really easy for me. Because I had a shorter protocol (19 rounds) I didn't have any skin problems. Loved my radiologist and all the people at radiation.

What type of radiation are you scheduled for?

The boost is aimed at the surgical cavity (lumpectomy) or the scar line or chest wall, depending on what surgery you had and where your tumor was. That is because more often than not, that's where recurrences are, so they really blast the area, or as my oncologist put it "sanitize the area." I didn't find my boosts to be more particularly difficult than the regular radiation--I think I had 7 boosts. I had troubles with radiation, but only because I had a bad allergic reaction to the lotion they had me using. If that hadn't happened it would have been physically fine, though draining from having to go so often. I had a bit of nausea throughout (not enough to be medicated for), and a bit of a sore throat at the beginning. I had 6 weeks of radiation to the breast, as well as axillary and subclavicular lymph nodes.

They will take steps to protect your heart as much as they can. There are ways they can do that.

Hi amadalynne, I start rads on April 18th, I'm nervous too, if that helps. I'm having 20 sessions. Had my CT scan and tattoos done yesterday, so I'm ready to start 👍

Im having it on left breast, have been told the heart is protected, but my lung will catch it at the top, but it shouldn't affect me unless I'm climbing mountains!! 😆 so I've stopped smoking, to help matters, that's another challenge in itself.

Shaz

Amandalynne

Don't be fooled, I'm not brave!! I'm a mess 😆😆. Get so anxious over every little thing, am planning on returning to work next week, for 3 weeks till my radiotherapy starts, and I'm terrified 😩😩. Would rather stay hidden away at home, painting my nails every day to keep me busy, and my hands out of a fag packet, of course! But I can't, I am a manager in a supermarket and Easter is our 2nd busiest time of the year, so they want me back, and physically, there's no reason why I can't be there, but mentally....oh god, and my job is very high pressure, everyone brings their problems to me, I struggle with anxiety when things are going ok, let alone dealing with cancer at the same time 😩😩😩. And, really, they expect me to care how much we are spending on wages, they want me to care if we overspend by £100??? Derr, I don't think I have the necessary brain matter to deal with the cr*p that goes on every day in there 😔😔😔.

So, no, I'm not brave, I'm 46 yrs old and feel more like a scared 10 yr old 😰😰

radiotherapy is easy to get

I did have very painful redness but you get that with radiotherapy as it's like sunburn

If it gets unmanageable the dept will give you cream

But doing radiotherapy is honestly so easy as all you have to do is lie on the hard table

They do all the work and after they have you lined up it takes seconds to fire the beams

All you have to remember is don't move at all.

The table you lie on can be a little uncomfortable but it's over before you know it

Good luck

I'd never done anything like before...I am a walker but no flexibility whatsoever.

Source: Columbia University physiatrist Dr. Loren M. Fisher

This was posted on one of the Stage 4 threads a few times and the wise ladies of that thread had super positive comments - I am doing the top row standing and the middle row flat on the floor and unless those magnificent men and their "zapping" machines are shooting at my head too - I think it works for me, feel great after - it might just be that I am forced to lie down deep breathing for 10 minutes but it might be worth a shot.