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Who's starting Radiation in November 2025? Let's gather here to share!

moderators
moderators Posts: 9,647
edited November 1 in Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After

Are you scheduled to start radiation soon? Let's make a space where we can encourage each other who are traveling radiation road together — share experiences, get tips, ask questions and get answers from those who've "been there."

We encourage you to share your diagnosis, any previous treatment you've had, and your scheduled start date along with your radiation schedule.

To help you get started in preparation for your treatment, check out the List of What to Do/Get/Pack to Prep for Radiation Therapy. And, there's lots of great information on our site's Radiation Therapy section, including types of radiation, what to expect, questions to ask, and how to manage (or prevent) any side effects.

If you need more support, consider joining our Virtual Support Groups for those going through treatment — and beyond!

We're all here for you and look forward to supporting you!

—The Mods

Comments

  • mamagurl3
    mamagurl3 Posts: 1

    Hi everyone, I am going to be started full breast radiation everyday for 4 weeks and I have some questions. I am hearing difference stories about being able to be around kids during my radiation or having to take time out of work and I didn't know if anyone has gone through the same and knew if any of that is true and maybe help guide me on what to expect.

    I do plan on asking my doctor when I see her for my Stem visit on 11/20 but I didn't know if anyone here could help me on what to expect.

    Thank you!

  • unklederb
    unklederb Posts: 1

    Hi All,
    Just began radiation treatments last week , Have 32 more rounds to go - 7 weeks total .
    I am a 65 year old 2nd time survivor after 12 years of remission and single mastectomy,BCcame back in same side

    Lumpectomy and now radiation……….

    I did not have radiation 12 years ago so I don’t know what to expect so far I have a little redness and I understand that fatigue is common fatigue anyway since I clean houses every day to I hope I have the energy to do this for the next Seven weeks

  • moderators
    moderators Posts: 9,647
    edited November 12

    Hi @mamagurl3 and @unklederb! Welcome to the community. We’re so glad you’ve joined the November Radiation group. @unklederb, it’s completely understandable to feel unsure, especially since this is your first time having radiation, but you’re in the right place to share your experiences, ask questions, and get support from others who’ve been through similar journeys.

    @mamagurl3 , we know it can be confusing hearing different things about what to expect. You’ll find lots of helpful advice here from members who’ve been there. We hope you’ll keep us posted as you get started.

    Sincerely,

    The Mods

  • redwinelover
    redwinelover Posts: 17

    Hello to all you brave women

    I am Stage 0 high grade DCIS HR+
    inhave had a lumpectomy left side

    Clear margins and am to start 9 rounds of radiation. I am still waiting for the team to put my plan together but I am hoping to start the week of Nov 17.

    5 rounds for the whole breast and an additional 4 rounds to one specific spot where the margin has a 1mm clearance.

    I started applying Lubriderm lotion after having the markers done.. as I was told to by my RO.
    I was also told that fatigue is the most common side effect. But also rash and dry skin are common as well.

    Has anyone experienced nausea?

    I am fortunate that I am and have been off work since my surgery (Sept 17)

    I was told by my RO that peak effects are usually 2 weeks after the last session.

    I think the biggest takeaway is REST!! And to give all our bodies the time it needs to recover.

    I will send an update on how it is going for me!

    Right now.. I don’t feel nervous, but I am very anxious. I just want a start date and get the process going.. but I guess it already has.

    Meditation has helped me get through the anxiousness!!

  • ezragirl
    ezragirl Posts: 2

    Hi there. I'm 53, had a lumpectomy for DCIS-grade 2 on October 10th (clear margins and no upgrade, thank God!) and will be starting 5 days of Whole Breast Radiation on November 20th and will finish on November 26th. I'm not really nervous just hoping the fatigue isn't too bad. I have struggled with fatigue since I had Mono about 25 years ago. My energy levels have never been the same. I also was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis last year around this time and have had to be off of those medications since mid- September and will start those back up again after radiation therapy is complete. Then I will also add Tamoxifen to my long list of medications I already take. I'm not doing an Aromatase Inhibitor even though I could because of my Rheumatoid Arthritis and the potential for an AI to cause more joint pain as a side effect. I'm really hoping I don't have any more big medical issues anytime soon.

  • moderators
    moderators Posts: 9,647

    @ezragirl we welcome you warmly to our community and thank you for sharing all this. We too hope that you don't have more to have to manage after all this, and that the AI's are kind to you and your joints.

    To Everyone here, you've got it!! Sending you all strength! Kepp sharing how it's going! 🤗

  • ezragirl
    ezragirl Posts: 2

    Thank you so much!

  • lisahoganson
    lisahoganson Posts: 1

    Will start 5x radiation after Thanksgiving Tatoo on the 25th

  • moderators
    moderators Posts: 9,647
    edited November 19

    Hi @lisahoganson, and welcome to the group! We’re glad you joined us, though we’re sorry you’re facing radiation. Feel free to share how things go with your first treatment on the 25th.

    For your safety and privacy, please consider changing your username to something more anonymous if that's your real name. Let us know if you need help with that. We're here for you!

    The Mods

  • redwinelover
    redwinelover Posts: 17

    Hi to all !!

    I finally received a phone call and am set to begin Nov 21. Can anyone tell me how they are feeling?

    Hi@ezragirl

    How was your first treatment on Nov 20?

    I am a couple years older.. 55 yrs

  • redwinelover
    redwinelover Posts: 17

    Hi

    Ok, this is a venting rant for me. I began the first of 9 rounds on Fri Nov 21. When I went in on Mon to continue, I could not hold my breath to reach my baseline. So, no treatment on Mon. I met with the RO on Tuesday, and she said we will replan you using your current measurements to continue without holding your breath. So I said “great”!! They were so kind, even giving me a parking pass and some gift cards to the coffee shop.

    So, back home I came, again without treatment.

    So great!! Wed, I’m all set to restart with free breath. My goodness!! Once again, they could not do it. She said my alignment changed as my sternum was more aligned!! The only thing that changed was that I had gone for a massage (which I asked about and was told by my team that I could go)

    RO said a massage normally doesn’t change anything but when she massaged my collar bone.. it somehow changed my alignment.

    I came home and cried my eyes out to a friend on the phone. And drank wine. I just was so upset that I keep going to the hospital and nothing gets accomplished

    I’m not one day closer to being done

    So, I had to go in again on Thursday for another CT Sim, and this time I did it take as deep a breath to create my baseline.

    But I still have the option to do treatment either way. That the planning has been done for holding breath or free breathing

    Hoping now to restart the week of Dec 1, as I was told they rush the process when it’s a second CT Sim

    My mind hurts and I just need a mental break from being so positive

  • nope123
    nope123 Posts: 20

    oh no @redwinelover I'm so sorry, and that sucks. And it is 1000% ok for you to be upset, disappointed, mad, allllll the things. And you don’t have to stay positive about any of it! It’s ok to call it what it is….its a setback and it sucks. And you’re tired of doing all of it. We all get it. Truly.
    So, cry, vent, be pissed, whatever you need. And then….breathe. And move forward.

    Sometimes you just have to embrace the suck for what it is.
    And then, drink wine 😊 Treat yourself to some really good wine.
    Sending good vibes your way. ❤️

  • redwinelover
    redwinelover Posts: 17

    hi@nope123

    Thank you soooo much!!

    Yes, have to embrace the crappy part of this journey as well. But from that, comes greater inner strength!

    I had an appointment with my MO on Fri. He sent me for bloodwork for genetic testing. Also, asked me what my decision was on whether I want to take Tamoxifen or not.. which I declined.

    But I commented on that on the thread I started on DCIS Stage 0…

    Anyways.. I feel better now, because when I registered for the blood work, the clerk saw my rad schedule, and said I should receive a call early next week (Dec1), and that they rush the process when doing a replan

    I spent the weekend relaxing and went for a walk in the forest and yup, I had some GREAT wine.

    I’m trying hard to embrace the now and let things “go”. It will all work out in the end, and I WILL continue with rad treatment.

    But I definitely needed that break from all the positive thinking. It’s not that easy when things don’t move along, amd even when they do , it is sooooo exhausting


    I’ll send an update, here even though we are almost in the month of Dec

    And please share.. how are you feeling now. Are you able to still work after your treatments? How were the side effects for you?

    I am also in the health care field but have been off work since my surgery which was Sept 17th

    Embracing with strength

    Redwinelover

  • nope123
    nope123 Posts: 20

    Hi @redwinelover !

    I’m sooo glad you got some walking and wine time, and a positive direction! That’s awesome! Someone told me this cancer journey is a marathon not a sprint, and I used to run so I got the analogy. 😉. But it really truly is.

    Thanks for asking about me, that’s sweet of you. I’m 4 weeks post partial breast radiation. The 2 weeks after treatment ended were brutal for me, and I’m unsure if it was all the fatigue from radiation or combined effects from tamoxifen as well, as I had started that 3 weeks before radiation began. But hot flashes, brain fog, fatigue, joint pain, insomnia all hit me with a vengeance those 2 weeks. I felt worse then than I did after surgery. So I wish I would have taken those 2 weeks off after radiation. I was a zombie.

    But 4 weeks post, I’m finally starting to feel human again 😊. My hubby and I are headed home from a weekend getaway to the lake where we enjoyed long walks by the water, sun and cool breezes, good food and just enjoyed each other’s company.

    Please update how you’re doing, and take care of YOU. ❤️

  • redwinelover
    redwinelover Posts: 17

    Hello@nope123

    Thank you for your message!! 😊

    First off, it is great that you and your husband were able to have a getaway. So great for the mind, body and soul to be in a different environment and enjoy beauty!

    I absolutely LOVE walking the trials we have close by, and being in the forest. But winter is upon us and I live in Ontario, Canada, so that may be a bit difficult walk, although not impossible. As long as it’s not icy ! haha

    Thank you for sharing on how you are feeling. Happy to hear that you are feeling better. Like you said, it’s a marathon and we will finally make it to that finish line in terms of treatment. And I was told by my team that the side effects are gradual and build up over the course of treatment and the “worst” is about 2 weeks after the last radiation treatment, which sounds in line with what you described.

    I am most worried about the fatigue. I am off work til the new year so me being home and resting is on the books for me.

    Good news!!

    I heard from the Cancer Centre yesterday. I am restarting on Thur Dec 4th. Isn’t is crazy that I’m “excited” and a bit anxious to restart and then just want to be done with it!!

    Just the whole process.. checking in, getting a hospital bracelet, changing into the scrub top (which here, volunteers make them and BC pts all get one to wear through radiation, as they open and close with a velcro strip at the sides and down the front) and we get to keep them. A note came with it saying , do whatever you want with it once you are HEALED!! Keep it, Burn it, Bury it) and I so understand the meaning of that now), then I grab a warming blanket, then I wait my turn.

    Just the process, but I will have a positive attitude and WILL get through it just like all of us here!!

    So I have 8 more rounds.. as I had the one on Nov 21. 4 more whole left breast, and then 4 boosters to the anterior (so partial)

    I feel good and hoping I can reach my new baseline this time and hold my breath. But if not, I’ll have to do it free breath.

    I’ll send an update!! 💗

  • nope123
    nope123 Posts: 20

    @redwinelover awww I really like that you get to keep your gown! That’s so sweet and I love the idea of burning it when you’re done! LOL

    Beat of luck and you got this! I’m so glad you’re off work for the rest of the year. Take good care of YOU! ❤️

  • redwinelover
    redwinelover Posts: 17

    hi@nope123

    Okay!! I had my restart today and I DID IT!!

    Yay!! I felt such a sense of relief when she said.. all done

    Tiny hiccup, tech had to restart the computer and I had to stay in the same position and completely still. Which I managed to do.. I just cleared my mind and kept repeating a mantra and imagined being in the forest amongst trees (I have a great hiking trail close by)

    I was able to reach my baseline and hold my breath. It was still “work” but I managed. And I’m sure once I get more comfortable with the process I’ll be a pro.. just in time for me NOT having to hold breath for my last 4 boosters.

    So I am hoping that all goes smoothly until my last day which will be Dec 15!!

    But wanted to ask.. I know to expect fatigue.. did you just want to sleep?? And did you have any arm pain/discomfort.. that made it difficult to lift things using that arm?

    Oh yes.. I now know what the volunteers meant when they said.. do what you wish with scrub top

    I will be so over it!! And will never want to see it again!!

    Thanks again 😊

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