🌟 March 2026 Radiation Roll Call - Support is here! 🌟
If radiation is part of your plan this March, this is your cue to step in and introduce yourself. ☀️ You’ve found your people.
Whether you’re waiting on your start date, driving to daily sessions, or already ringing the bell, this thread is your check-in spot. A place for honesty. For “Is this normal?” questions. For encouragement from people who truly understand what these weeks can feel like.
Don’t just scroll—post.
Share whatever feels right:
• 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 at midnight
• The small victories and the tougher days
Even a quick “I start March 10” lets this community rally around you.
If radiation is already behind you—or you’re a few weeks ahead—please jump in. Your experience is powerful here. What surprised you. What helped your skin. What helped your spirit. What you wish someone had told you sooner. Those insights can make this road feel far less overwhelming for someone just stepping onto it.
As you prepare, be sure to check out our List of What to Do / Get / Pack to Prep for Radiation Therapy
And, see our 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
If you’re looking for deeper connection, our Virtual Support Groups are open during treatment and beyond.
Most of all, know this: your voice matters here. Your story matters. Your questions matter.
We’re truly 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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I’m starting radiation treatment on March 3, 2026. I’ve already had the simulation appointment, have been marked up and gotten the two tattoos. On March 2, I was told they will do a trial run with the actual treatment starting the next day. The RO is recommending 19 treatments, 15 and the last four will be a “boost” radiation treatment. Since it’s my left breast that will be treated, I was told to hold my breath for 20 seconds which I can do.
I was reading the information on this site about radiation therapy and it said to avoid taking vitamin supplements like D and E while being treated. At my appointment last week with the MO, she told me to start taking 2000 IU of vitamin D right away and my surgeon, at the post op appointment, advised me to use Vitamin E oil on my surgical scar. The Vitamin D recommendation was to help with bone loss which can occur when taking Anastrozole. I haven’t started taking the D yet and will ask the RO about it tomorrow.1 -
I will start in April. I have the appointments for the simulation and markings. I am a little anxious. My son has taken me to all my appointments. He has 3 school age girls that leave for school quite early. My daughter-in Love works from home. So I am looking in to obtaining transportation to the appointments.
The information I have received from this website has been eye opening and appreciated.
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Hello. Hate to label myself by my diagnosis, but it is relevant. 56 year old woman. Eat well, work out, drink lots of water and a few cocktails. But in general healthy. Annual mammogram and they found it. Invasive, hormone+, HER2-. Not a huge tumor, but enough for a lumpectomy, radiation and antihomone treatment. Lumpectomy done in January and now onto radiation. Had the simulation and my first treatment on 3/10. Next one is tomorrow. Not too bad so far, but i know it will get worse. As i am fair, i am concerned about the skin irritation and of course the fatigue. I am slathering on lotion and trying to rest when i can. How is everyone else doing?
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Welcome to the community, @jackaroe! We're so sorry you find yourself here, but you are in the right place for support. We hope your treatment continues to go well, we're here with you every step of the way.
The Mods
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just had my second treatment of my accelerated plan. Feeling nauseous tonight. Normal?
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I just had my 10th radiation treatment with 9 more to go. So far, it hasn’t been too bad but I have experienced one odd side effect. At random times, I have an intense burning sensation on my upper back- the area just behind the left breast which is getting the radiation. It feels like someone put a hot iron on the skin there and removed it quickly. I’ve been putting lotion on my breast and back area and today tried using aloe lotion. The skin looks just slightly pink. Has anyone else experienced this? It has happened just a few times a day and doesn’t last long- maybe just a second or two. I will ask my RO about it when I see him tomorrow.
Other than that Im doing well.
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Just got cleared today to start radiation. I feel like everything is rush rush rush and then wait. I got diagnosed in October, surgery in January, and I just want this whole ordeal to be over as soon as possible. My oncologist wanted genetic testing done before radiation because I am 48, perimenopausal, very low risk, no family history. Runner for 25 years. Healthy eater. I did everything right, still got cancer. They caught it early, but it is still terrifying, because I am a single mom and it's just my son and me. Son is still elementary age. So while I am very grateful it was caught early, I am curable, not just treatable, and I don't date so I don't care about aesthetics, but the whole process is terrifying.
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Hi @professormom , welcome to the community. You've found an amazing group and we're happy to have you.
It’s completely natural to feel scared, even with an early diagnosis and a clear plan. You’re not alone in this. Others here understand that mix of urgency, fear, and wanting it all to just be over. We hope they’ll share and connect with you soon.
We’re here with you, sending you support as you begin radiation.
The Mods0 -
just finished radiation session 7 today of 15 - ive been getting quite a few hot flashes /day - I am 68 - so menopause is not the reason. Lumpectomy, now radiation -no hormone anything. My doctor says this is not a radiation side effect?!? - but it only started after i started radiation - does anyone else have this problem?
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I am to start radiation 3/30/26. With the cost of treatment and medications (anti hormone and AI) am not sure if the meds are in my future.
Im wondering if anyone else skipped the meds.
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Welcome to our community, @itsalwaysomething and @afinns! We're glad you've found us here.
@itsalwaysomething, hot flashes are usually caused by hormonal fluctuations, and it is indeed quite possible that these hormonal fluctuations were triggered by your radiation therapy. Here is an article which you might find helpful:
@afinns, if financial concern is a large worry impacting your decision to go on hormone-blocking therapy, please check out the following tips and resources:
You may also find the following discussion forums to be helpful if looking for input from others about personal experiences on hormone blocking therapies, including discussions from those who've chosen to decline them:
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you are strong! I felt the same way. I am older than you, but similar situation. Work out, eat well. No family history. Just found it during screening. Just finished radiation- rang the bell today! You will do the same and all will be well. You’ve got this!
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