Radiation September 2018

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  • duffyzmom
    duffyzmom Member Posts: 261
    edited September 2018

    Congrats kmajor!

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  • egregious
    egregious Member Posts: 240
    edited September 2018

    Hi, just learned yesterday that I will be needing several weeks of radiation after my surgery. Scary stuff, but trying to stay calm and learn more. Family is supportive.

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  • duffyzmom
    duffyzmom Member Posts: 261
    edited September 2018

    egregious - sorry to hear you're going to have to add radiation. Try and focus on the fact that addition of radiation is being done to reduce your risk of recurrence.

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  • Elldeb23
    Elldeb23 Member Posts: 1
    edited September 2018

    Hi new to this website/forums. I just finished my 3rd day of treatment. The radiation tx. itself is only 2 minutes, but the prep time takes about 10 minutes to get you properly aligned. I was supposed to have 20 txs. but my RO informed me the other day that she is changing it to lower dosage for 30 txs. due to having dense breasts, and my tiny tumor was deeper in the breast. This is the only tx. I'm having post-lumpectomy. I won't use Tamoxifen due to side effects(my choice), nor will I use the AI's due to my having arthritis for the past 30 years. My MO agrees with me, especially since my tumor was only 6mm, clean margins and no lymph nodes involved(had sentinel node done during lumpectomy). My biggest concern is the fatigue issue, since due to my arthritis I have this issue anyway. The radiation nurse told me if it develops, I should take a couple of small naps a day. I told her that would be a little difficult since I work 45 hours a week running a dental practice. Can the fatigue really get bad?

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  • HoldingOn52
    HoldingOn52 Member Posts: 13
    edited September 2018

    I've had 18 of 21 treatments and have continued to work. I've been getting up an hour earlier than usual and I've not experienced any fatigue.

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  • egregious
    egregious Member Posts: 240
    edited September 2018

    Thank you, duffyzmom, just diagnosed and feeling overwhelmed. Need to learn about radiation and this forum has been very helpful. Appreciate the encouragement.

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  • NJmom2boys
    NJmom2boys Member Posts: 31
    edited September 2018

    Hi Elldeb23,


    I was so worried I would be tired, but almost done and did great. I did not need to nap at all, as a matter of fact my husband napped...lol. I have to leave super early for treatment, travel 2 hours each way. That was hard. But I still ran (I am a runner) and did all the things I normally do. I was more wiped out when I learned I had breast cancer. I was so stressed over it that I needed to nap every day. Radiation went well. (Knocking on wood). 2 more days to go
    Egregious,
    I too had DCIS left side, stage 0, but grade 3. I was given 3 weeks whole breast radiation and 1 week boost to just the cancer zone. I was in the prone position. Nothing hit my heart at all, and just the tiniest part of the lung...so tiny it was not even worth mentioning. They will be able to show you a scan of your body that shows you exactly where the radiation will hit.
    Best of luck to everyone!
    NJ
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  • egregious
    egregious Member Posts: 240
    edited September 2018

    Hi NJmom,

    Glad to hear it's still possible to exercise. I have to walk 1.5 miles a day for bone health and hate the idea that radiation could interfere with that for several weeks. Hope I can do both. Good luck on the rest of your treatment.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2018

    Elldeb23, Though fatigue is a side effect of radiation, everyone reacts differently. I have friends who never were fatigued enough to keep them from work and other daily activities. I'm very fatigued every day since I began radiation, particularly in the mid to late afternoon. Keep in mind that age (74) may play a part.

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  • Whome08
    Whome08 Member Posts: 30
    edited October 2018

    Congratulations. You did it.

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  • Whome08
    Whome08 Member Posts: 30
    edited October 2018

    My last day was like that. It took a while to get lined up, I was like really?

    The schooching up and down made me feel like I was at my ob/gyn appt. : /

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  • Whome08
    Whome08 Member Posts: 30
    edited October 2018

    I got tired in the beginning, like the first 8 treatments. I felt better towards the end. I try not to overdo things.


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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2018

    Today the rash from radiation started breaking up. It's not bleeding but some areas of the skin are broken like tiny open sores. It's a bit itchy. I had my 12th treatment today, and my last is this Friday. I can't wait until this is over.

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  • odat4me
    odat4me Member Posts: 66
    edited October 2018

    I have 2 more whole breast radiation treatments and 6 more targeted treatments which I will be on my back for after having to be on my stomach. I do wonder how that will go. I kind of like the privacy being on your stomach provides. I have been home with my children for the last 10 years. Hoping I can get back out soon and look for a job!

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  • StaMoo
    StaMoo Member Posts: 2
    edited October 2018

    Mine too viewfinder - not bleeding but oozy. In fact I got an antibiotic cream today to help with the rash. Using cortisone for the itch and that is really helping. Elldeb23 I have not found the fatigue to be horrible, but some days are better than others. I am a full time CPA but thankfully this has happened outside of tax season! I have 4 more to go - started the boosts today!

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  • duffyzmom
    duffyzmom Member Posts: 261
    edited October 2018

    odat4me- the boosts are so much faster than the whole breast. I feel like I lay down and then bam its over. So really not to "exposed"

    Only one boost left. I'm so glad to have this part finished. The cortisone with aloe is helping with my itch.

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  • egregious
    egregious Member Posts: 240
    edited October 2018

    Just got my first appointment with the radiology team. Need to learn what the treatment plan is and what happens if my mother, who is in hospice, dies in the middle of treatment. Can you skip a day?

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  • flag6818
    flag6818 Member Posts: 52
    edited October 2018

    Today was #21/21; I am done (like a cake- a burnt cake!!!!!!!! 😉)

    My breast is RED and around the scars, it’s starting to peel. Hopefully, it’ll be back to normal before too long. I’m supposed to continue moisturizing for the next couple of months.

    Well wishes to everyone!!! 😊


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  • odat4me
    odat4me Member Posts: 66
    edited October 2018

    good wishes for you flag! So happy for you! Sorry for the side effects! Soon you will get back to your normal color! ❤️ I guess I better get some more Aquaphor!

    Looking forward to the end of my treatment! Thank you Duffy for the info on the boosts. There is a guy radiation therapist and I do feel a little awkward lol! I should just be proud lol

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  • NoteRed
    NoteRed Member Posts: 86
    edited October 2018

    hello to all, I'm now at treatment 18/25 and I feel mostly my armpit kind of weird. I 'm using aloe 99% but maybe my case is a little different because I'm after a mastectomy and chemo and most of you are after lumpectomy...

    I'm feeling a little fatigue but I think is mostly psychological.

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited October 2018

    egregious--at my treatment center they wouldn't care too much about skipping a day or two but it is best to keep on schedule if possible (remember you already get the weekends off). They also occasionally open up on a Saturday in special situations.

    Re: exposing your hooter, remember these guys do this literally all day long. I've always been on my back for rads, although I am on my side for this last set of boosts. It's pretty easy to get over showing your breasts, as well as having them moved around by any gender of tech.

    <duffyzmom I was going to give you a fist bump on the other thread but thought I'd wait until tomorrow, when I'll be finished. All good wishes on this day you've been looking forward to for sooooooo long!! Are you doing anything to celebrate? I'll be treating myself to a junk food lunch tomorrow after I'm done, and then will go out for dinner with a good friend who is starting rads next week.>

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  • odat4me
    odat4me Member Posts: 66
    edited October 2018

    Yes especially after giving birth I should be a bit more comfortable with showing my breasts. LOL

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  • duffyzmom
    duffyzmom Member Posts: 261
    edited October 2018

    Ingerp- luckily this is our long weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving). Hubby and I are headed to Chicago to visit son so that is my celebration. Junk food sounds good. Glad you will be able to offer support to your friend starting rads.

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  • egregious
    egregious Member Posts: 240
    edited October 2018

    Thanks for your reply about skipping. I worry about missing my mother's funeral back east.

    Good luck to all on your treatments!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2018

    I had my last radiation treatment today. I'd celebrate but right now I'm physically and mentally exhausted from all the running. They gave me instructions as to how and when to properly remove those plastic thingies, what to expect with the rash, etc.

    Right after that I went to my other oncologist. She prescribed Anastrozole 1 mg but said I could wait a week before starting it. She knows how resistant I am to taking any hormone treatment. I'll give it a try for a month.

    I wish you all the very best. God bless!

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  • odat4me
    odat4me Member Posts: 66
    edited October 2018

    Good luck Viewfinder. I have been on the hormone treatment and so far no side effects!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2018

    Thank you odat4m! How long have you been on hormones? Which one are you taking?

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  • LIFE1963
    LIFE1963 Member Posts: 375
    edited October 2018

    Veiwfinder I have been on anastrozole since July. I am having SE but they seem to not be as strong as when I started. At first I had headachs but they went away. Joint pain was pretty bad in my wrists but that has seemed to settle down as well. I hadve read on chat boards from women who are on these pills longer then myself say that the side effects do lessen as time goes on.

    Just thought I would pass this info along to you. Best of luck to you on your finally decision.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2018

    Thank you, LIFE1963. This is good information. If the side effects take a few months to subside, I probably should consider giving it more time than a month. I go back to the oncologist next month, and want her to explain my oncotype score (11) more fully.

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  • LIFE1963
    LIFE1963 Member Posts: 375
    edited October 2018

    Viewfinder - My score was 44. My OC explain to me that anything under 20 they find you don't need to do chemo and that you will benefit going straight to the estrogen blocking pill. Anything above 20 you would want to consider chemo. You'll have to let me know what your doctor says and compare notes. I'm really curious. :)

    Yes if you do get put on the pill do give it some tim. I too was ready to throw in the towel very quickly and was told by the nurse where I am going to give it at least 3 to 4 months and then see if I can handle the side effects. She also told me there are five other pills out there that I can take before giving up if the side effects are too much with anastrozole.

    Have as wonderful weekend!

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