Starting Radiation Treatment: Worried about side effects. Tips welcome

I also had 3 weeks of radiation, I came to my first consultation with tons of questions and the doctor was extremely patient with answering all my questions and eliminating my fears. The treatments were quick and painless just some tiredness in the shoulders from keeping my arms above my head on the table - after having a bilateral - so there was tightness in the shoulders - no pain.

Best of luck to you in your treatments.

Welcome to connect @dlpeters7 , I am so glad you found us. There is a nice collection of breast cancer patients , survivors, and caregivers here like @bpknitter53 . I also had radiation but radiation today barely resembles radiation from 20 years ago. I do know most people have some level of fatigue from radiation. Anything you can do to relieve that will probably be helpful.
There are also multiple pages about radiation where people talk about all different kinds of radiation.
What side effects are you most worried about?

Please share your experience along the way as I will be starting radiation after my chemo in a few weeks.
Tips and tricks on making this all work is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I had my second treatment today and it was short. I do notice my arms get a little sore from having them over my head but still not bad. I'm concern about the fatigue. I have been reading up and watching some of the Mayo videos on fatigue and those have been very helpful. I'm concerned about how my skin will react as I go along with the radiation treatments. I have very sensitive skin and very prone to sunburn. I was told before I even started radiation to start using some non scented moisturizing lotion on the area to be treated. I started that about week before my first treatment and put it on after my treatment yesterday and today. I was told to use Eucerin.

I'd be happy to share any tips and tricks along the way with my radiation experience. Today was my second day and so far very easy, painless, and quick. I will keep you posted.

When I got into the second half of my radiation I needed a little bit of cooling power for that sunburn. I kept some 100% aloe Vera in the fridge. When it felt like it was hot (like a sunburn) I put that on it multiple times per day.

This is what my radiation oncologist suggested that I use to help my skin, applying it 3 times a day. I was pleasantly surprised how well I tolerated the radiation treatments. Good luck.

If your radiation is on the underside of your breast, the ComfortSlings products will be your best friend. They are soft cushions which do an awesome job protecting your skin. I, too, was so concerned about the havoc radiation burns could inflict on my skin. I tucked the Comfort Sling under my breast 24 hours a day from the beginning of my radiation. By the treatment’s end my skin had darkened slightly but it was not at all sore and painful The sling was definitely the hero.

I had DCIS stage 0 also. Lumpectomy on 12-12-22. Three weeks radiation; no chemo. My oncologist also recommended Calendula for daytime and petroleum jelly at night on the radiated breast. She emphasised slathering both on. I wore an old tee at night under my nightgown to avoid ruining that. I didn’t have burn and only slight pinkness during the last week of treatment. I had no problems with shoulder pain or any other issues. However, after 5 months I began to feel strong tightness in my arm and it was difficult to raise it. Also hardness at the lumpectomy site as well as some swelling under the arm. . Iwas referred to occupational therapy to address these. There are OTs certified in lymphedema treatment. Mine is not strictly lymphedema, but after about 6 sessions arm movement is good and hardness broken up. Still working on the slight swelling. It’s a matter of stretching exercises and massage and trying to move the fluid out. Breast surgeon told me this is all in the normal range of after effects. Good luck with your treatment. I really did fine altogether and I’m just trying to keep on top of things.

Me again—I should add that I am wearing a compression type bra and that my therapist, who had the same bc 5 years ago, calls radiation “the gift that keeps giving “. So, my issue is an ongoing one that can be addressed but sometimes needs to be repeated a bit.