Anyone Else Doing 4 weeks of radiation

I'm 43 and finished a 5 day course of radiation just over a week ago. The amount was equal to the 6 week course and I received it 2x day. I'm a bit burned, and although I'm not really fatigued, I am definitely ready for bed when the time comes! My Dr said I should start healing after 2 weeks...it takes that long for the body to react to the radiation.

This might not be exactly the info you were looking for, but I just wanted to let you know that I have had good results thus far. Good Luck!

Hi Donnatom.

I live in B.C. Canada, and have been told I will need 16 whole breast radiation treatments, followed by 4 "boost" treatments to the tumour bed.  I am 55 and have IDC Stage l , grade l, negative nodes, ER+, and had my lumpectomy on Dec 20 2007.  Several other women I know with either early stage invasive ductal  breast cancer or DCIS, also have had 3 to 4 week treatments ( 5 days a week, Monday to Friday), so this practise appears to be an acceptable one in Canada.

My dr. has offered me this option or 6 week option.  I live in the US where 6 weeks is the norm.  Do you know if it is as effective as 6 week cycle?  I found a couple of articles on it but they were both from Canadian sources.  I would love 4 weeks instead of 6

I had intra-operative radiation for a 5mm invasive cancer but as I had associated DCIS it was decided to also give 3 weeks (15sessions) external radiation.  I did not require a boost and the heat and swelling was minimal -  I applied Aqueous cream twice a day massaged into the scar area.  Felt well after treatment but the fatigue set in about a month later.  Four months down the road I am beginning to feel back to normal.  My daughter tells me I use the 'cancer card' now to avoid doing housework etc!!  Hope you all feel well soon.

Hi

I qam finally going in to get my CT simulation on Friday, Feb15th, after a very long waiting period(well, it sure FELT lengthy!)and will most likely be staring my rads the following Friday, Feb 22.  I volunteered for the Canadian R.A.P.I.D. trial, which will be analyzing accelerated  partial breast radiation versus whole breast radiaon by comparing two groups of women with early stage BC.  I was hoping to get the shorter program, 2 sessions a day for five days, but it looks as though I was randomized into the group with the longer treatment period....oh well..

I still feel an huge sense of relief, even exhilaration, to be back at the battleground again.  One gal I met said when she went through radiation, she treated the commute (it takes about 1 1/2 -2 hours,each way, including a ferry ride, back and forth to the cancer agency) just the same as if she was going to work, to prepare herself mentally and physically.

So, here's to 4 weeks of rads!

I am starting my 4 weeks of radiation tomorrow and have to admit I am a little anxious about it. I was also offered the option of 6 weeks, but 20 days of this sounded a whole lot better than 30.