🌟 May 2026 Radiation Roll Call — Come As You Are, We’re Right Here With You 🌟
If radiation is part of your plan this May, we’d love for you to join in here. ☀️
This isn’t just a check-in—it’s a place to connect with others who understand the routine, the build-up, the questions, and the quiet strength it takes to show up day after day.
Whether you’re counting down to your first session, in the middle of daily treatments, or wrapping things up, you’re welcome here.
✨ Jump in—no need to overthink it.
Say hello. Share your start date. Or just let us know you’re here.
That first comment can turn this from a thread into a support system.
💬 This is a space for the real experience:
• The “what should I expect?” thoughts
• The day-to-day rhythm of appointments
• Skin changes, fatigue, and how you’re managing
• The questions that keep popping up
• The small victories—and the tougher moments
Whatever you’re going through, there’s room for it here.
💛 A few steps ahead—or already finished? Your voice matters here, too.
If you’ve learned something along the way—about skin care, energy levels, mindset, or just getting through the routine—sharing it could make someone else’s path a little easier.
✨ Easy ways to be part of this:
• Share your radiation start date or where you are in treatment
• Ask a question (big or small)
• Respond to someone else—you might be exactly who they needed today
• Come back and update us as you go
The more people who participate, the more this space becomes something we can all lean on.
✨ We’ll take this one session at a time—together.
One appointment. One week. One step closer to the finish line.
📌 Getting ready or looking for guidance?
• Our List of What to Do / Get / Pack to Prep for Radiation Therapy
• The Radiation Therapy section of our site for what to expect, questions to ask, and ways to manage side effects
🤝 Want more connection? Our Virtual Support Groups are here during treatment and beyond.
🌟 Don’t hang back.
You don’t need the perfect words—you just need to show up.
We’re here to walk this with you, every step of the way.
And we’re really glad you’re here. 💛
—The Mods
Comments
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Hi! Recently Dx in February 2026 with ILC. I've had a lumpectomy with clear margins and no lymph node involvement. I will not require chemo. My radiologist has given me the option of 5 sessions of radiation over a two week period with a day off between treatments. Would like to hear if anyone else has done this accelerated radiation treatment.
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Hi @catmagnet , welcome to the May radiation thread and thank you for being the very first to jump in here.
It’s really encouraging that you’ve had clear margins and no lymph node involvement, even though I know it’s still a lot to process getting to this stage. Hopefully others who’ve done the same 5-session approach will share their experiences with you soon.
You’re in the right place to ask these questions and hear real, personal perspectives. We’re here with you, so please keep checking in as things move forward.
Warmly,
The Mods
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Finished simulation this week and received my schedule, 5 weeks starting May 19th. I will be treated at Moffitt in Tampa. It's 75 mile each way, but I feel confident in my doctors and the facility.
Two foci of invasive lobular carcinoma. Lumpectomy on 3/4/26. Micro Met in sentinel node. No chemo.
Start AI 3 weeks post radiation.
DEXA indicated osteoporosis, I expect follow up with doctor as I just received the results in my portal Friday after.
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Welcome to our May radiation group, @mspiper! Wishing you the best with your upcoming treatment. Please keep us posted if any questions or concerns pop up. 💛
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Hello all! Was diagnosed triple positive grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma September 2025. 5.5cm tumor left breast and 5 lymph nodes. It’s been a wild ride for my husband and I with 3 little boys (ages 2, 5 & 7) but we’ve made it through. Finished neoadjuvant TCHP, double mastectomy with full axillary lymph node dissection and now about to start radiation. Had spacers placed in surgery and now I get to walk around with one inflated to a C cup and another deflated to concave, I keep asking my husband if my boob looks good LOL. 30 rounds of radiation and waiting on insurance so get to be the one boobed chick the next two months….so much for hot girl summer!! My biggest fear in radiation is developing lymphedema, any tips?! Also was going to try an extremely nutrient dense diet to try to avoid boys. I plan on going full anti-social outside of my burns so we can get through this part of treatment! Currently have T-DM1 infusions every 3 weeks as well. February 2027 is last infusions AND chest reconstruction, will finally get those Barbie boobs!!
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Hi @kierston and welcome to the community! We're so glad you've found us and joined the May Radiation thread. We're all here to cheer you on as you navigate your care. You've certainly come a long way through the bulk of your treatment, so just a few more steps to go! You've got this!
Fears of lymphedema are real with radiation; here's some good info on steps you can take to help mitigate the risk:
Let us know what else we can help with, and welcome again!
—The Mods
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History: My first surgery in February of this year found DCIS grade 3, 1.8 cm. I had a second surgery in April to get wider margins on half of the margins and no DCIS was found in these wider margins! Yea!
In the first week of May, I’ve had my radiation consultation appointment and I have my simulation appointment scheduled for the third week of May. At the end of that appointment, they will tell me when treatments start. As of May 7, I’m supposed to have 20 treatments Monday through Friday for four weeks.
Question: anyone else on here with high grade DCIS?
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Hi @acorn19, and welcome to the May radio group. We hate the reason you had to find us, but we're glad you did. You'll be in good company here. 💛
You may also want to visit our DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ) forum, where you can connect with other members who have had high-grade DCIS and compare experiences. If you scroll down through the discussions and pages there, you’ll find more posts from members with high-grade DCIS.
We’re glad you’re here and hope the group helps you feel supported through treatment.
Best,
The Mods
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I had a dmx on 3/10 and started radiation therapy on 4/27 on the left side. I started to get the radiation "sunburn" about a week ago but I've been applying the recommended lotions 2x a day. While the radiation itself is quick and painless, I can't seem to shake what after effects I will have. I'm hoping for the best.
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Welcome @suzannek75, and thanks for posting. You're sure to get great support here. Hopefully others will be by with tips they've found to help with mitigating the skin side effects of radiation.
In the meantime, here's some info you might find helpful: Managing Skin Side Effects of Radiation Therapy
We hope you find relief soon - what's your radiation schedule and anticipated end date? We're here to cheer you on!
—The Mods
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Hi. Thanks for welcoming me. I started my 33 does of radiation on 4/27 and my last date is scheduled for 6/11. I go every day and thankfully it really just takes a few minutes. Since I am retired now, I've called it my new job as my appointment time is 9:00 a.m.
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Hi, I was diagnosed with left sided DCIS grade II, ER/PR positive, in March 2026 with no lymph node involvement, I had surgery April 29th to remove the DCIS. Margins were clear but there were a few areas where the DCIS was too close for comfort. So now, I am finding myself down the radiation path. I had my initial consult with radiation oncology on May 18. June 1st is my next appointment to prepare for treatments. I am looking at Mon-Fri for 4 weeks likely starting middle/end of June. I know radiation burn is possible so I have the recommended lotion on the way and plan to start that regime immediately. The radiation oncologist and his staff were great in explaining everything and I know everyone is different but I am curious to the amount of fatigue to expect and when I might notice a measurable difference beyond "normal" fatigue.
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Welcome @lemonsorlemonade and we’re glad you found us, though sorry for the reason. It sounds like you’ve had a lot to process in a short time, and it’s good to hear your radiation team has been supportive and thorough. Many members say the fatigue from radiation can be very manageable at first and tends to build gradually over the course of treatment, often becoming more noticeable in the second half or toward the end. Others feel very little fatigue at all. Everyone’s experience is a bit different, so try to give yourself grace and rest when you need it. Wishing you smooth treatments ahead. Please keep us posted on how you’re doing. 💗
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Thank you, it's the processing part that I am struggling with. While grateful there has been no lag in treatment it has all happened so fast that I haven't sat with this chapter like I need to. Thank you for the feedback regarding what potentially to expect with regards to fatigue I appreciate it.
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