Number of radiation treatments for whole breast cancer radiation

Well, I know nothing about any of those treatments except radiation, which I did. I also did take chemo every 3 weeks for what seemed like forever at the time. I had a few surgeries. I have had to repeat some of that a few times and a few more treatments along the way as well. Including endocrine therapy. I am 17 years out from original diagnosis. All things considered I am grateful and holding, not great, not bad. Breast cancer does not seem to care who it attacks, even those who are already at a disadvantage physically. I am sorry it found you but I am glad you are doing good. How far are you into radiation? Are you having any side effects?

Two weeks,starting to feel the fatigue

I finished radiation for HER2 breast cancer about a week ago. I had it 5 days a week for 6 weeks. I expected to feel fatigue but I never did. The worst complaint I had was a sore that developed over the line where my port reaches my throat. I also had a painful nipple. I used cortisone ointment. I had a lumpectomy and chemo before that. The chemo made me horribly ill until the dose of Taxol was reduced by 20 percent. Now I go every three weeks for Herceptin only. I'm finally heading off for 3 weeks to see my kids and my worst problem goes back to my failing teeth. I'll take it!

PS. I'm raebaby writing at the bottom about my radiation experience. I am going to be 80 years old in October. As, I say, i came through in shining colors. I kept asking the radiologist when I was going to feel the fatigue. I never did .I do have peripheral neuropathy I got from the chemo. I'm hoping it will improve so I can drive again. Everyone from my family, all the chemo RN.'s, the radiologists and the bus drivers that took me to every appointment as I live way out in the country, were kind. Except for being so sick with the chemo and losing my hair (which has come back a really pretty gray and I'm getting chemo curls) has been a learning experience. I learned how great people can be. My daughter came and stayed with me from 800 miles away for two months. When I was so sick with the chemo, she said she would look in frequently to see if I was still alive. I was finally hydrated, the Taxol cut back, and I have felt mostly fine every since. That's not to say I didn't feel anxious, irritated and sad through out the whole ordeal. But, now, I am sparkly eyed and busy tailed! My husband of 58 years died right before I got sick. So, that was horribly sad.. But, now I am going to see my daughters and Grandkids after two years!
If anyone wants to check in and learn the nitty gritty of my experiences in comparison to yours, do so.

I am so happy you are done with chemo! Congratulations on getting through it. Enjoy your kids and eat anything that looks good, because you can. I remember the exhilaration that started to come after I finished all of that first business. I might just have a burst of energy today thinking about you. 😁 are you planning some more fun things?

Please allow yourself to rest, this will be a thing for the short term. I promise it will end. I had to ask for help with some things during radiation because everything just required too much energy. Are you having any other side effects from this?

Yes, a little itchy rash

Be sure to mention it to your tech, if you haven’t already. @raebaby mentioned cortisone, maybe some other folks have more suggestions. I didn’t have a rash just a giant burn, which I used aloe Vera gel, I kept in my fridge.

I'm done needing it now. I didn't have a giant burn. I had a couple of sore spots and sunburned looking skin.

I'm heading off to Portland tomorrow to see two daughters and my grandchildren. The day i finished radiation I came home and started screaming in happiness so loudly that it scared my cats and they wouldn't come out to eat! I was told something very interesting by my chemo nurse today. She said that lab tests showed i was very low in Vit. D3. She said cancer patients tend to be. She herself had breast cancer and was told to take it. Her rateBlood D3 went way up. She said it's also supposed to help prevent cancer.