Summer/Fall 2024 Radiation Support thread

hello, I’m new here, diagnosed in April with DCIS, ER+, Grade II, 58 years old. Had lumpectomy in the end of June and will start radiation soon (first visit at the Radiology will be Aug 23rd) Also got a prescription for Tamoxifen but didn’t start taking it yet. A bit worried about side effects of both things. The public hospital where I’m being treated is great, but they are overburdened, and I’m not getting a lot of information about my process, test results, instructions, what to expect from the treatments, etc, so I’m feeling a little lost. Best of luck and love to everyone!

thank you @ann5631 for the advice, and I will check out the radiation threads! 🙏🌹

thank you @ttatahealth for all the information, that’s really helpful! I had my first consultation at the radiology today, talked to a wonderful doctor and did the preparations, practicing breath holding, got the small tattooes etc. Since the surgery, I’ve been using a great post op bra, Carefix Tytex, model Mary, but my nurse told me that during radiation it’s best to not use any bra to not irritate the skin- makes sense, but it’s hard to imagine going from the nice support of the bra to not wearing any! 😬 Also wanted to ask- did you start taking Tamoxifen (or similar) already? I would like to wait until after the radiation treatments are finished , but have received contradicting opinions whether it’s OK to wait or not.

@ttatahealth yes exactly, that’s what I was thinking, to be able to tell what side effects is from what. The radiology dr I saw today told me that I should start taking the Tamoxifen now, but I’m thinking I will wait. And your reply reassured me. Not looking forward to the Tamoxifen either….i already have most of the typical menopausal stuff, hot flashes, insomnia, dryness, joint pain, anxiety/depression etc etc and worrying that it will get even worse 😬

@mariahelena65 I've had those same worries about side effects. I'm trying to take this all one day at a time and pull back from worrying about the treatment steps that lie ahead, but that can be hard to do. I had an initial meeting with my medical oncologist and I found it reassuring. He reminded me that I'm in the driver's seat there and that there are different options, both in drugs and in dosage, so I shouldn't feel totally locked in and afraid that I'm signing on for a miserable ride for the next 5 years. I've also heard people recommend finding a naturopath who specializes in menopause and cancer (I found one here in my city that I haven't been to yet) who might be able to help me manage some of the side effects.

This is all a lot, isn't it? Glad we can be here for each other.

Hi ladies. Radiation is in my near future and I'm glad I found this group. Other groups have been so helpful in this journey!

I had my last TCHP chemo Aug 8th and surgery (lumpectomy and axillary node removal) is scheduled for Sept 4th with radiation to follow. This may sound weird, but I was a little sad when chemo ended. This had become familiar and I settled in to that routine ok. But once it was over, I had new stresses to think about with surgery and radiation. I've never been put to sleep, only the twilight during chemo port placement and previous upper GI. I'm 58 and have all my body parts LOL.

Going to spend the next few days skimming through these posts and soaking up as much information about radiation as I can. Thank you to all who are sharing your journey and information you've learned. Hugs to all!

I just completed Day 5 of Radiation Therapy and have 16 more treatments. I am beginning to get super scared - very afraid of the burn since I am very fair skinned. I have been using CeraVu and Aquaphor (sp??). I can already feel the spots that I have missed moisturizing - they are already sore. I have to get through the next 16 treatments and I am scared.

Hello everyone, I am posting here in hopes someone may have had a similar situation and had to make this decision. I saw my RO last week and was given the option to include my lymph node area that was removed during surgery, within the radiation beam they will map out, and they will just move the beam up to that area. (3 lymph nodes removed, chemo took care of the cancer) Now I don't have to have it done, because the lymph nodes removed did not have any cancer in them and my surgeon suggested not to have them radiated because of the increased risk of lymphedema. The research only goes out to 5 years of recurrence data not being treated with radiation.

I had hoped to be starting a week of internal radiation next week, but my cavity has healed so well the SAVI catheter could not be placed by my breast surgeon. I am going back to radiation oncologist next week for all the preparations to start external radiation.

I also met with my medical oncologist and was surprised to learn that I could take a low dose of Tamoxifen for 3 years instead of an aromatase inhibitor for 5 years. She shared with me the TAM-01 study results showing it is effective treatment for post-menopausal women. I have a few months to think about hormonal therapy options, but leaning towards Tamoxifen.

I also bought Miaderm cream and the Miaderm soap. Thanks @ttatahealth for recommending. I will start using 3-4 times a day a week before starting radiation per package insert recommendation. I’ll need to buy another cream since it appears to only last 2-3 weeks. It is expensive but not being in pain will be worth the costs.

I am officially CT scanned and tattooed ready to start full left breast radiation in two weeks. I never thought I would have a tattoo and never dreamed it would be for breast radiation ☢️ I am going to be face down to hopefully have less risk of Rad to my heart ❤️ and lungs 🫁

I asked my RO about using creams, since he never mentioned either! and it is fine BUT not to apply 4 hours before radiation treatment. So glad I asked. He also sent in a script for a steroid cream just in case I need it for Rad dermatitis. Prayers to all of us in our upcoming treatments.

Hi everyone, I started my second week of 5 and decided to go with the extra area of lymph nodes, I think for my sanity in the long run.

What I am surprised about is that no one is talking about Mepitel. I opted for it and although it peels a bit it doesn't bother me. I am not feeling any burns or skin irritation. I will keep everyone posted here on the progress.

Hey! I haven't met with my radiologist yet so what is Mepitel?

I’ve never heard of Mepitel either. My RO told me today I probably won’t have much burning on my skin from the radiation because of the new machines they now use. She said it used to be really bad for patients, but now they have technology that limits skin damage from the radiation. I guess I’ll find out soon enough if this is true! I’m three treatments in out of a total of twenty.

I also am getting four days of a boost treatment. My entire breast is radiated at each session and they have me lie on my back. I don’t have to hold my breath. It takes about thirty seconds for the machine to zap me on each side (it rotates while I’m laying on the table, so I don’t have to move at all). They put tattoos on me before my first treatment, but they are also using the markers and stickers on me, so I guess the tattoos weren’t in the correct places 🤦‍♀️. Whatever. I just wanna get this over with!!

ebfktzy I looked at my report. It didn't say anything about what they saw. Just the tx plan. I am doing 6 weeks/30 tx. I started last Wednesday. I was not prepared for how stressed out I would be about it. Each day is getting better, but yesterday, the machine was down, so no treatment. 4 down, 26 to go.