Summer/Fall 2024 Radiation Support thread

I had the 5 fractions over a week. The radiation oncologist did not give me an option nor did she tell me that it was the equivalent to the old 15 treatments. I am glad I got it over with so I wouldn’t change that. I do feel that she glossed over the potential side effects-they are all very concerned about the skin side effects-of which I had almost none. I did however experience significant fatigue and very significant breast pain, which 3 weeks post, has still not resolved. That being said it appears that everyone’s reaction is different. Just don’t minimize it because it is “only 5”. Best wishes.

@terilh Welcome and sorry you’re dealing with this crap! I was not a candidate for the fractionated radiation, so I had the 20 treatments (five days a week for four weeks). It’s up to your radiation oncologist to determine the best treatment plan for each individual patient. If you trust one doctor more than the other, then go with your gut and do what that one suggests.

You’re going to get the same amount of total radiation with fractionated plan as you would have with the twenty rounds, just in a shorter amount of time. I was given around 50 grays (short for gamma rays) to my entire breast, divided into 16 treatments. Then, four days of a targeted zap directly to the small area where they found the cancer. I didn’t have any lymph node involvement, so they didn’t radiate that area.

I didn’t have much redness until the last week of treatment and it was very mild (I’ve had worse sunburns!). Since everyone gets different amounts of total radiation based on their individual circumstances, it’s hard to compare our reactions to the radiation. I definitely have aches two weeks post treatment, but not unbearable. My shoulder aches and the ribs under by breast hurt, but like I said, not too bad. Annoying mostly.

Ask the technicians to show you where on your skin the radiation will be hitting. That way you can put lotion on those areas. Don’t bother getting the tattoos, either. I did, but they end up using markers and stickers anyway, so it was a waste. The appointments are super fast. They run a tight schedule, so I was in and out in five minutes every time. Totally doable! You got this!!

I am now 4 weeks post radiation rx. And continue to have significant breast pain. It is not red or inflamed (well maybe the nipple when you touch it) but hurts a lot. I have called the radiation oncologist twice, she prescribed some Tylenol 3s as I could not sleep at night. They seem more concerned about my skin -which is not the issue-than my pain. I just want to move on with my life and that does NOT include ongoing pain. Suggestions?

Thanks for the information about the Miaderm with lydocaine. My RO had recommended Miaderm and when I looked for it online I saw there also was the one with lidocaine, so I ended up buying both. I wasn't sure which one to get but thought I'd start with the regular and then once the sunburning starts I could use the other one. Thanks for the input!

@foggydew I read there is validity to holding your breath during radiation because it pushes the rib cage away from the heart and lungs, therefore reducing the amount of radiation hitting those organs. When they do your mapping after the CT scan, I’m assuming they will put those extra millimeters into your calculated radiation plan. The rays are very specifically targeting certain areas (I had a perfect line of “sunburn” across my chest after radiation). By inhaling, you’re pushing the targeted breast tissue away from the heart and lungs, and that’s a good thing!

@ebfitzy ouch! That looks painful! I feel like you’re not supposed to put Vaseline or Aquafor on burns because it traps the heat. Aloe is best for burns I’m pretty sure. I would ask your doctor for something else to put on that, maybe silver sulfadiazine?

@ebfitzy I highly recommend Buiron Calendula cream.

@ebfitzy I got a similar burn under my arm. My RO prescribed silver sulfadiazene cream to apply 3x daily and it cleared it up over about a week. She said to be extra careful to keep it clean to avoid infection. She also said I could apply Aquafor on top of the cream.

One small thing to note — Silver Sulfadiazene cream can stain your clothes (sort-of a silvery grey) so I was careful to wear things I didn't mind getting dirty. I was able to wash it out using stain remover.

Today was my last day of radiation. I was so happy to ring the end of treatment bell in the clinic and cried in my car. Everyone clapped and a gave such support for me as I walked out of office. For those just starting or in treatment, you got this!!! 🙏

as I turns out it appears that I am developing lymphedema of my breast. Really pissed off over this as I did EVERYTHING I was supposed to do post lumpectomy/balancing reduction and lift. Fortunately I had an appointment with my surgeon who was royally pissed that all that had been done was to prescribe me T3 without even looking at my breast. Why does this have to happen? I was told this would be a “blip”, but if you have to have chronic issues and discomfort \pain AND take medication that makes you feel like crap, it is no FrKN “blip”!

sorry, but where is the link?

@dmataraz1 I had my consultation with the radiation oncologist today. He is recommending 18 sessions in the prone position. I go for mapping on Tuesday and will start radiation within a couple weeks. I read that you had your treatment in the prone position. I’m a little leery about lying on my stomach. How did it go for you? Any tips would be appreciated. Also, if anyone else has had radiation in the prone position I would be interested in hearing from you. Thank you!

@cbee53 I was glad to be in the prone position. It was similar to having my breast biopsy. I held onto two hand supports above my head, breast in an open cavity in the support board, and a pillow supporting my feet. You can just breathe naturally as your face pillow is like a massage pillow. I still held my breath to keep my heart and lungs pulled up in my chest. I had two zaps ⚡️ of radiation that lasted about 20 seconds each and I was done.