Radiation scheduling and exercise advice?

JLim5 · May 2018

Quick background - I’ve had, in this order: bilateral mastectomy, an infection, surgery to remove expander, chemo, surgery to replace expander and now am waiting for my plastic surgeon to clear me to start radiation (should start in 3 weeks or so). Also, I have two small boys (5 and 7), have been mostly off work (working a few hours from home here and there) and am currently hoping to resume a part time work schedule before radiation and hopefully maintain throughout.

I have two big questions:

(1) Should I schedule my radiation treatments in the morning before work or after work? I’ve been told many like to do it after their work day so they can go home and rest. But I have kids who do not make evenings restful! If I do mornings, will I be wiped out at work? Or should I do end of day and expect to need help?

(2) I know this would vary a lot from person to person, but I’m wondering how likely it is that I can run and/or bike during radiation? Pre diagnosis, I was a bike commuter. I’m guessing that will not work, even though the ride is only 3 miles ordinarily, since it will be summer and I’ll be going to the hospital either before or after work. Adding the hospital to the bike mileage would double the total distance from 6 daily to 12 daily - which still isn’t a ton but maybe too ambitious. Also, is it super miserable sweating a lot during radiation? I normally wear minimal clothing since summers are hot and humid where I am (northern Virginia/ DC area).

I felt like I had all of the chemo side effects except nausea. I hope I get it easy during radiation 😬🤞

Thanks for any advice

CindyNY · May 2018

JLim5- first I have to say the normal statement that everyone is different. I worked out hard all through rads (16). I did not get fatigued, until a month after completing rads. And even then it was a need to nap for up to an hour then I was fine.

From reading others posts, I think the more active you are the less you notice the fatigue. Do your rads at whatever time fits in best for you. If it doesn't work you can always ask to change the time.

Best of luck to you! Keep biking.

Moderators · May 2018

Hi JLim and welcome to Breastcancer.org,

As you can already see, our Community is full of super helpful and supportive members, always willing to lend advice and their experience. You're sure to get more responses soon, but in the meantime, you may be interested in checking out the main Breastcancer.org site's page on Exercise During and After Radiation Treatment for some good information.

We hope this helps, and we hope to hear more from you soon!

--The Mods

gb2115 · May 2018

I had morning radiation (around 11 am), 32 treatments) I went to work for a bit, left to go to radiation ((right across the street), then went back to work. It was ok except fatigue towards the end of the week. I had a super flexible work schedule and a very relaxed and supportive boss, which really helped.

Don't know if you will be able to ride your bike. I wasn't able to exercise like I did pre diagnosis, but I had some serious skin issues going on. I couldn't wear a bra and the feeling of a shirt rubbing while exercising (and as you mentioned the feeling of sweat) would have driven me batty. I did manage to get some walking in though.

stephincanada · May 2018

Hi JLim5,

I would caution against vigorous exercise that creates much friction between bra and skin. I jogged during my first three weeks of radiation, and subsequently experienced burns and open wounds in the places that my bra made contact with my skin (under arm, above shoulder, under breast). It may have happened to me anyway, but the burn on top of my shoulder suggests that the friction caused by exercise contributed to the open wounds (skin doesn't normally get irritated up there). It was definitely not worth it.

I hope that your radiation therapy treats you gently.

Stephanie

Okkate75 · May 2018

Hi! Everyone is different, but I liked radiation first thing in the morning so I could go on with my day. By the end of the day I often forgot I'd even done it! I was able to resume bike commuting and rode regularly to my rads appointments. I haven't experienced overwhelming fatigue, and my docs said staying active likely helped that be true. Good luck on this next step!

JosieO · May 2018

Hi JLim,

Agree that everyone may have a different experience, but I actually increased my exercise once I started radiation and I feel good.

All of my doctors are big proponents of exercise. I was exercising 3 times weekly, then as I was preparing to start radiation I increased it to 5 times weekly.

My radiation is very early (7 am hour), so afterwards I stop off at the gym before I head home or on to errands, other things. At the gym I use the weight machines then finish with 30 minutes on the treadmill. I’ve not yet felt fatigued, so I go home and do laundry, household chores, shopping, gardening-pretty much a full day. (I’m retired)

Biking is a different issue, especially since you have to factor in being fresh and clean at your job. I’m generally a strong sweater during the summer, but currently I bring wipes and deodorant with me, and clean up a bit after my radiation. Once I get home and finish my day, I get a shower. So that is manageable.

I would say to not be afraid of exercise-just figure out what form it should be and where in your day you can do it.

Best wishes as you move forward

Runrcrb · May 2018

each of us is different and you’ve been through a lot. I walked 4 miles or swam most days during chemo. For radiation doctor said no pool so i walked and slowly added running. I worked full time through both treatments. I did not feel fatigue during radiation. My skin began to redden after three weeks but never broke down. I was in low level pain (3-5 on scale to 10) from day three until a month after radiation ended.

I scheduled mine for end of day because my dr was one mile from home and my office 15.

Georgia1 · May 2018

Good morning. Just chimIng in to note that the effects of radiation are cumulative over time. So my guess is that you could bike the first three weeks and then reassess. After that point you are more likely to have a "sunburned" feeling, and feel fatigued at the end of the day.

Personally I worked until four, went to radiation, then went home. It felt great to take my bra off and put calendula cream on, even if I still worked, cooked, etc til bedtime.

Wishing you an easy time.

Tess1962 · June 2018

I've found that for me, doing my rad at lunch time works best for my schedule and then I am able to go to the gym after work. I get off at 3 PM for the summer so that schedule works great.

JLim5 · July 2018

Hi all! I thought I’d post an update since I’m 8 treatments in, with 17 to go. I live in Arlington, Virginia and the first day of super humid 90+ weather, I decided I was overly ambitious and I’d forgotten how miserable I am in that weather. I abandoned all cycling ambitions for now. But I’ve been meeting up with my usual running buddies for easy run/walks 2 or 3 times per week. I may dial that back though and switch to walking indoors or other indoor exercise because I’m already pink and tired (I think I started radiation already somewhat fatigued). The fact that my skin is already tender has me worrying about friction. 😢

I decided on a morning treatment schedule and that is working well. I can drop off my kids at summer camp at 8:30/8:45, get to the hospital easily for my 9:15 appointment, and then arrive at work by 10am. I work until about 3, go home and nap and pick the boys up by 5pm. The plan was to try working that schedule Monday- Thursday every week but so far I’ve ended up only doing 3 days per week. And that’s been okay because otherwise I can’t seem to keep up with sleep, parenting and adulting 😁

Thanks for the input everyone.

Radiation scheduling and exercise advice?

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