SandraD17

I had 31 radiation treatements of which the last five were boosts ending on July 19, 2007.  I don't know if I am the norm or not but I really went through the ordeal totally uneventful.  I had a busy schedule at that time and did not experience any fatigue to stop me from...every morning going to see my mom in rehab at 7 AM, then going to work, an hour after arriving at work walking 5 blocks to radiation, walking five blocks back to my job, staying until 5 PM, going back to see my mom until 7:30 PM...going home, making dinner, sometimes doing some laundry.  I was told by the Radiation Dr. to use Aquafor 3 times per day to avoid skin problems.   I hate to admit this but I did not like the greasiness so only used it faithfully once a day (right after treatment) and sometimes twice a day.  I had no skin reactions so I was lucky. I also wore camisoles (as recommended by the Radiation Dr.) and she was right.  Do get yourself some if you don't have any.  Forget your bra for the month plus that you will be going to treatment.  I can honestly say I didn't have any problems and I wish the same for you.    I hope this helps you...Good Luck and May God Bless.

Ladies...As you all begin or are beginning radiation....I am sure you are all worried or concerned.  I had 31 radiation treatements of which the last five were boosts ending on July 19, 2007.  I don't know if I am the norm or not but I really went through the ordeal totally uneventful.  I had a busy schedule at that time and did not experience any fatigue to stop me from...every morning going to see my mom in rehab at 7 AM, then going to work, an hour after arriving at work walking 5 blocks to radiation, walking five blocks back to my job, staying until 5 PM, going back to see my mom until 7:30 PM...going home, making dinner, sometimes doing some laundry.  I was told by the Radiation Dr. to use Aquafor 3 times per day to avoid skin problems.   I hate to admit this but I did not like the greasiness so only used it faithfully once a day (right after treatment) and sometimes twice a day.  I had no skin reactions so I was lucky. I also wore camisoles (as recommended by the Radiation Dr.) and she was right.  Do get yourself some if you don't have any.  Forget your bra for the month plus that you will be going to treatment.  I hope this helps all of you...Good Luck and May God Bless

Sandy

Here is a site that may be of some benefit to you.

http://www.y-me.org/publications/generalpubs/read_pathology_report.pdf

another site you can asked questions and get MD responses is

http://www.oncolink.org/experts/index.cfm

Hope this helps.

God Bless....

Sandy

Sandy....I am sure you will do fine.  I was fortunate that I work at a medical institution so all I had to do was walk five blocks to and from the radiation tx area.  I chose the morning simply for two reasons; one I could arrive to work at my normal time and two because I had a friend who used to work in that department.  She had said that at times, the area gets backed up and the later in the day your appointment is, the more of a possibility of being backed up.  So you will need to look at your daily schedule and determine what is best for you.  Mary D hits it right on the head.....worry and stress is the culprit...however how do we avoid it given what we are going through?  Take care and May God Bless.....Sandy

Regarding radiation.....I believe that age is not a factor.  Most doctors surgeons and oncologists will advise you that if you are having a lumpectomy, follow up with radiation.  When I went through radiation, there were all age groups, 20, 30, 40, 50, and even late 60's and although not all had DCIS, the one who was 34, the one who was 51 (me) and the two who were 62 and 66 did have DCIS.  The radiation recommendation was based on clinical research findings that a lumpectomy followed by radiation as opposed to lumpectomy alone was the best outcome route to take.

I had 31 radiation treatements of which the last five were boosts ending on July 19, 2007.  I don't know if I am the norm or not but I really went through the ordeal totally uneventful.  I had a busy schedule at that time and did not experience any fatigue to stop me from...every morning going to see my mom in rehab at 7 AM, then going to work, an hour after arriving at work walking 5 blocks to radiation, walking five blocks back to my job, staying until 5 PM, going back to see my mom until 7:30 PM...going home, making dinner, sometimes doing some laundry.  I was told by the Radiation Dr. to use Aquafor 3 times per day to avoid skin problems.   I hate to admit this but I did not like the greasiness so only used it faithfully once a day (right after treatment) and sometimes twice a day.  I had no skin reactions so I was lucky. I also wore camisoles (as recommended by the Radiation Dr.) and she was right.  Do get yourself some if you don't have any.  Forget your bra for the month plus that you will be going to treatment.  I hope this helps all of you...Good Luck and May God Bless.

5 weeks