Question on Radiation Post Surgery

I had no burning, redness, or rash. I had hypofractionalized partial breast radiation, lower outer quadrant. One thing to compare is the total rads you’ll receive. I had 600 cGy each day, 5 consecutive days, total 3000 cGy.

@triciaot , thank you. Did you feel okay or very tried during radiation?

I did have fatigue in the weeks after the radiation. I don’t remember feeling very tired the week of radiation - I think I was just coping with everything that had been happening. My weight stayed fairly low without trying, perhaps from the energy being used to heal. It’s hard to say how long the fatigue lasted because I started 20 mg tamoxifen 3 weeks after radiation. About 6 weeks into tamoxifen I was dealing with brain fog that stole my motivation to engage in activities. That got better with a lower dose.

The whole experience felt like being swept along a path, and I had some control making choices as needed, but all along being propelled along the path. I look back now, and think wow, that was a lot - but at the time it was just taking care of what needed to be done next.

I had no burning, redness, or any topical side effects with the 5 day treatment course which was spread over 10 days. I did apply a heavy lotion (name??) which was formulated by a nurse to my breast each day after treatment and at night before bed. I felt some weird deep bone pain in my spine for a few days which made me a little fatigued but nothing bad. I’m on tamoxifen now and no side effects so far at 6 weeks.
Best of luck. Everyone responds a little differently so if you do have side effects be sure to tell your radiation team.

ComfortSlings products are game changers in protecting your skin. The company sells both slings, with cushions on adjustable straps, and cushions without the straps to tuck inside your bra cup. .The goal is to keep the area dry and to prevent skin-to-skin rubbing and abrasion. I began wearing a single sling as soon as the radiotherapy began; by my treatment’s end, my skin had darkened slightly at the radiation site, but was otherwise unchanged. I had no pain, no broken skin. I can’t recommend these products enough! Good luck!

I had radiation for 15 days, I did feel a little tired in the afternoon during the end of the treatment. After each treatment I used a lotion that was recommended by radiologist. I did end up getting an infection and also needed a prescription cream to help the skin heal. I do have sensitive skin. My treatment was during summer( I live in Texas) and my skin DID NOT like the heat. I did end up being fatigued. acupuncture and healthy yoga greatly helped!
Everyone is different. Good luck!

Had lumpectomy and was oncotype positive so ended up with chemo in between which lowered the radiation to 20 treatments (15 whole breast and 5 “boost” directly to the tumor site). Started about 1 month after chemo finished. They gave me Aquaphor to apply every night through the treatment and for a month after (which was extended by the surgeon to possibly lifetime because “radiation - the gift that keeps on giving”). I was tired but that could also have been residual from chemo. I was lucky in that while the tissue was a little pink and breast a bit swollen, I had no pain or burns from the radiation. There was lung damage in 2 spots - most likely the boost treatments - but last pet scan showed that is clearing (2 1/2 years). I no longer have to do the moisturizing on a regular basis so just what I normally do and tissue is for the most part fine. Every so often it gets a little thick feeling and I’ll use something extra for a couple weeks.