How to deal with my emotions during radiation treatments

arabians, your horses are beautiful, thanks for posting! I had to give up riding years ago due to back problems and after my last horse passed I haven't had another one on the place. Boy do I miss them, so I live my horse life vicariously through others!

Activewoman, only one more! I'll be thinking of you tomorrow, I remember well how relieved I was to be done! I burned pretty badly and it got worse that first week after. You know when your roasting a marshmallow over a fire and it catches fire? That's pretty much what I looked like lol. Not fun. But it's all healed now. I still have recurring, roving soreness and occasional intense itching which my surgeon says is normal and may or may not go away. Great. Wishing you well and a speedy recovery!

Arabians , sending you a pm so I don't hijack Activewomans thread lol.

Nor Cal: It really does help a lot to come here and talk with others who are going through the exact same thing. I think many times medical professionals get so caught up in their day to day job of MEDICALLY treating us that they sometimes forget there is a huge EMOTIONAL component involved. And you just never know what emotions you are going to have in any given situation until you are there. Best wishes to you in your treatment journey!

@Activewoman

You asked what you can do to help get you through the four weeks of radiation. Based on my experience - see my profile below - radiation was the most difficult treatment emotionally. One advice that I have, is be nice to yourself during this difficult time. Make sure you reward yourself after each session: it can be any small thing you enjoy, like walk in the park, good dinner / coffee at a place you like if there’s any such place that is still open, a good movie that will make you smile, etc. Something you enjoy that will move your attention away from treatment and make you feel better.

Best of luck!

I have surgery on 1/6/21. I have a fobia of radiation. This has not helped. I see I need to ask a lot of questions. I wish you the best with your cancer journey.

Luv2walk, I’m so sorry that you are here, but you have found a great place for information and support. The tattoos are small dots. They are no bigger than a small freckle. They are used to help guide the therapist to get you properly set each day and ensure your radiation is is set to the right area. Honestly, they are small. Mine are on my back, but depending on how you are situated on the table for radiation, you may have them on either the front of the back. I was prone, or face down, so that’s why my tattoo markers where on my back. The tattoo is quick and really didn’t hurt. It felt like a pinprick and was quick.

Everyone is different, but for me the hardest part of radiation was the fatigue. But, it was also the last of my treatments. I already had chemo and surgery, so was worn down going in. Your RO will work with you to get the right creams that work for you to keep your skin well. If you don’t like what they recommend, keep asking. It took me a few tries to find the right cream for me.

It’s hard not to be sacred. We all know how you are feeling. You will get into a routine very quickly and there is no pain during the treatments. Mine were very quick...in and back to my car in less than 20 minutes.

I don’t know where you are in your diagnosis and treatment, but I’m happy to help with any questions. There are so many good people on this board, so keep reaching out. It sounds like you may be recently diagnosed. That is a very scary time, but you can get through this. If you can, also add your details to your signature. It will help the right people answer your questions best. I just wanted to jump as someone who just finished rads last week tosay you can do this.

Re tatoos, mine were very tiny. Now, over two years later I cannot find them. They have basically worn off or washed away! They are only remotely related to the tatoo body art that is so popular.

I am sorry. I deleted things because I do not understand how this works. Where to start a post, make favorites, etc. I have much more reading to do.

Activewoman, I'm so sorry you had such difficulty with radiation. You are not the only one; I hated radiation. Chemo was bad but somehow felt more manageable than radiation. I am claustrophobic so my heart jumped every time the machine moved over my head. I also have vertigo that became active mid-treatment. Techs had to help me lay down and put me in position which I would then have to struggle to stop dizziness before it took me over. Exhausting! But, I got through it. I kept telling myself it was only for a short time and when I was really freaked, I would do deep breathing (which I had to do anyway for the treatment.) It helped me have a better grasp on managing scary situations. Best of luck to you.