Summer/Fall 2024 Radiation Support thread

I was doing great until about two days ago. Now I’m completely fatigued. It’s awful. I’ve had eleven of twenty sessions so far, but I started over two weeks ago (they were closed one day and I only had three sessions the first week). I was told there is a two week latency period until you start to feel the effects of the first treatment. Therefore, each additional treatment will compound, and by the end, we’ll probably feel like shit for another couple weeks until it peaks.

My friend mailed me a 1500mg CBD cream from a company in Michigan called Farm Sudz. The cancer crew from University of Michigan hospital actually visited the store because the cream was so beneficial to one of their patients who brought it to their attention. I use it twice a day and I don’t have any redness yet. My radiation oncologist was surprised my skin still looked so good at this point in treatment. And it smells heavenly!

@baygrass it is going okay except the machine has broke down twice in 2 weeks. Both Mondays so far. I had my 9th treatment today. 21 to go. Starting to feel a little tired and my skin is beginning to get red and feel a little burnt. I keep putting on all the creams at least 3 times a day.

@ttatahealth I cried several times that day and my husband made an innocent joke about radiation that first day, not having a clue about what it was like, and I just fell apart. He felt so bad. I then told him about the machine and how I felt and he totally got it. He thought it was going to be like getting an x-ray. In fairness, that is what I had in my head too. It has gotten better, but I still pretty much hate it. Thank you for protein information. I have been tracking the protein I eat, I have been trying to get it up over 60 grams a day. That is not easy.

Yes, this is a crazy ride to be on! We will all get through it. We can do it!

@ginger_stevens Congratulations!!! What a joyful milestone.

Hey all. Anyone on this thread that has had chemo? Reading your signatures it seems like most of you had surgery, then radiation but no chemo. I'm a HER2+ gal who had chemo first, then surgery and getting ready to meet the radiologist. I met with my chemo ONC today (3 weeks post surgery) to discuss the targeted therapy that I will get every three weeks until next April. I can get this during radiation. But she mentioned that in recent oncology meetings (chemo and radiology) there is discussion that radiation may not be necessary when complete response to chemo is received. But this will be a discussion with the radiologist and will be his call of course. Just curious if anyone is having a similar discussion with their health team. Thanks folks!

Hope everyone is having a good day today!

@grammie2 I also received chemo. T/C x4. I just finished last week! YAY. I had surgery, then chemo and will be starting rads next month. After that, Tamoxifen. Hoping that goes well.

@baygrass I don’t paint my nails, but I would assume you can do it whenever you want 🤷‍♀️

@teri_a I am so sorry to hear you've been feeling nauseous. As if you needed to add another side effect to the list. That stinks.

My RO had recommended that I take 30 grams/day of L-Glutamine powder. It is supposed to help reduce some of the side effects of radiation. I don't know if it would help with nausea but you might ask your nurse if that could be helpful at all.

I hope it resolves quickly.

Thanks! I am not sure why I keep saying "radiologist" LOL.

Hi all,

I am two weeks out from finishing 3 weeks of radiation (lumpectomy with oncoplastic reduction in July) and am feeling more fatigue than I did even a week ago. Really hoping it will dissipate!

I don't have any drugs for nausea yet. If it continues, I will ask for some at this weeks appointment. Thank you!

Hi Everyone,

I just finished my first week of whole breast radiation in the prone (face down) position. Apparently face down is a new position ROs have started doing. I started using Miaderm cream 4 times a day a few days before starting treatment. My doctor prescribed mometasome cream and I am applying it 2 times a day as prescribed. I also have 3 tattoos and they still put on 3 stickers and marked me with ink pen at the dry run X-ray session. So far I don’t have any redness or irritation, just the stickers that itch sometimes.

I have two more weeks of current treatment, then the final week of a boost treatment at the lumpectomy location.

I hope everyone currently in treatment is doing well and pain free. Prayers to all 🙏. Big hug 🤗. You got this!!!!!

I finished my 5 accelerated radiation treatments 2 weeks ago. I have had breast pain since the first treatment. The cancer centre says this can happen but is far less common than skin reactions (of which I have had very minimal). Very depressed about this as it is really interfering with my sleep and desire to move forward. Going to call them again today. I feel like a cancer patient now. Never did before and it bugs the hell out of me

Hi ladies! I have just met with my RO and have a game plan. I go Monday for the pre-radiation scan and marking. I will have 16 treatments to breast only. He said a change in protocol happened recently and that lessened the number of treatments and excludes the lymph node area. Being HER2+ it makes me a little nervous about the changes, but the studies show there is no difference in reoccurrence between the two. Reading all of the previous posts for tips and pointers :) Thanks ladies and have a great weekend!