🌟 April 2026 Radiation Roll Call — Step In, Check In, You’re Not Alone 🌟
If radiation is part of your plan this April, this is your invitation to step in and introduce yourself. ☀️
You’ve found a space where people truly get it—and we’re ready to meet you.
Whether you’re waiting for your first session, in the rhythm of daily treatments, or already ringing the bell, this is your place to check in, share honestly, and feel supported every step of the way.
✨ Don’t just scroll—say hello.
Even a few words can open the door to connection.
💬 Share whatever feels right for you:
• Your diagnosis and treatments so far
• Your radiation start date and schedule (if you’d like)
• How your body and emotions are responding
• The questions you keep Googling late at night
• The small wins—and the harder days
Even something as simple as “I start April 10” gives this community the chance to show up for you.
💛 Already been through radiation—or a few weeks ahead? We need you here, too.
Your experience can make a real difference. What surprised you? What helped your skin? What helped your mindset? What do you wish you’d known earlier? Those insights can ease someone else’s uncertainty in a powerful way.
✨ We move through this together—one day, one session at a time.
We’ll share tips, ask questions, celebrate milestones, and support each other through the ups and downs.
📌 As you prepare, explore:
• Our List of What to Do / Get / Pack to Prep for Radiation Therapy
• The Radiation Therapy section of our site for clear guidance on:
– Types of radiation
– What to expect week by week
– Questions to ask your care team
– Ways to manage—or even prevent—side effects
🤝 Want deeper connection? Our Virtual Support Groups are here for you—during treatment and beyond.
🌟 Most important: don’t stay on the sidelines.
Your voice matters. Your story matters. Your questions matter.
We’re really glad you’re here. 💛
You don’t have to walk this road alone—you’ve got this, and we’ve got you.
—The Mods
Comments
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Hi. I’m new to this forum. 5 weeks post surgery (Lumpectomy). Have had two radiation consults, one where my care team is located (45-60 minute drive) and one closer to home (12 minute drive). The radiation oncologists have different approaches and now I don’t know what to think.
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Hi @ilovesinging 🤗
Welcome, and thank you for posting and introducing yourself. It makes total sense that you’d feel unsure right now as hearing different recommendations can be really confusing.
You’re in a good place to talk this through. If you feel up to it, you can share a bit more about what each radiation oncologist recommended. Members here often have experience with different approaches and may be able to offer a perspective on what helped them decide.
We’re really glad you’re here, and we’re here to support you as you sort through this.
Sincerely,
The Mods
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HI I just started my radiation therapy. Had three. Need to do 16 more.
I have early morning appointments because my son takes me and has 3 girls that need to get to their buses starting at 7:45.
My appointments are for 7;40 . He has arranged to take me each day. I am so grateful.
I am feeling a little anxious but each day is better. No pain. But due to the early time I come home and sleep for 3to 4 hours.
Also i feel very cold for an hour or so. Taking one day at a time >
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I start radiation tomorrow. I have 20 rounds. I am having problems with my PHESGO shot though. Sever join pain, like it’s hard to walk when getting up from a seated position. My Oncologist really doesn’t have answers for me. I’m very frustrated. I have immunotherapy until August if I allow it to continue that long.
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@stephleach01 - Welcome, and thank you for sharing what’s going on. We're super glad you've found us.
We have a detailed article about that explains possible side effects and strategies to manage them. It might give you some helpful ideas to discuss with your oncologist.
Also, some of our members have found it useful to check out tips and resources for coping with joint pain during treatment, see here:
Hope this helps. Let us know how you're doing!
The Mods
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Hi, I’m new to the forum. I just had my mapping appointment yesterday, next Monday I go back for the verification appointment, then the radiation treatments start the next day. I was originally going to have 5 treatments, but after the lumpectomy surgery pathology report came back with LVI, they are doing whole breast radiation including the lymph nodes. Very worried about the side effects from that!
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Hi everyone - I started my radiation yesterday (whole breast plus boost to tumor bed) - 2 down, 18 to go. So far no side effects except itching, but I know it is cumulative. I am doing aquafor, cerave, and aloe 3 times a day and wearing soft t shirts! I am also doing early morning, hcharn, it is great to get it done with early (it is empty and no wait!). One day at a time…
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Welcome, @crunneroh and @cac1974, we're glad that you've found us, and we're here to help get you through these next few days and weeks of treatment. We also encourage you to come attend our weekly In-Treatment Zoom meetups if you would like to get some firsthand input and coping strategies from others who're also going through radiation, or have recently completed it - there are many who can relate with you!
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I had a lumpectomy five weeks ago. ER+/HER2-, no lymph involvement.l, stage 1a. Start radiation in a week or so, went for the initial set up/ tattoo part a few days ago. Glad to find this organization to be able to see what to expect. Thank you
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Hi @grandma2015 , welcome to the radiation group. We’re really glad you’ve joined us here, though we’re sorry for what brings you in.
You’re in the right place to hear what others have experienced and to ask anything that comes up along the way. Starting radiation can feel like a big step, especially right after surgery, and it’s completely normal to have a mix of emotions at this point.
We’re all here for you and walking this path with you. Please feel free to share how you’re getting on or ask anything at all as you move forward.
Warmly,
The Mods
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first radiation treatment done, 14 more to go. It was quick, I am the first one at 8am! I slathered lots of calendula cream on afterwards, and came to work. It feels kind of warm now. Trying to drink a lot of water too.
I hope all the April ladies are doing well1 -
I had a lumpectomy 5 weeks ago. No lymph node, Stage 1a . Started radiation Monday. 2 days done 13 to go.
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Welcome to our group, @bluebonnet1! We hope your radiation treatments go smoothly. You're not alone, we have many here at a similar phase in their journeys.
Please keep us posted as you go along, and let us know if any questions come up. ❤️
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Today is day 1 of 5 whole breast radiation. I had 30 rounds of radiation 6 years ago on my right breast. This cancer is a whole new cancer on the left. It is ER/PR+ HER2-. My tumor was tiny but the DCIS was 3.5 inches. Due to the size of that my oncologist wanted to do full breast. I honestly was pretty shocked to have breast cancer again. I had a low recurrence score (12) and did the 5 years of anastrazole. I realize this is not a recurrence but it scares me to have a whole new cancer again. I am constantly trying to find ways to prevent it from coming back. I don't know what the stronger radiation will mean side effect wise.
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hi, 5 radiation treatments done, 10 to go. So far, definitely more tired, but it’s not terrible. Just lower energy. My skin was itchy over the weekend, but I just put lots of calendula lotion on, and that helped. I know all the side effects will be cumulative, so wondering how I will feel by Friday. I meet with the doctor every Monday after treatment, there wasn’t that much to say this time. But it’s great in case I have more questions.
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@acucindy, I am sorry you are going through this again. The great news is that you are already 20% done with radiation! I hope it is a quick and easy week for you.
I am 11 down, 9 to go. So far just some skin irritation, today is the first day I can really feel it, and I expect it will get worse, but hopefully not too bad. Hope everyone is hanging in there.
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