What to Expect During Radiation Treatment?

My radiation was ok. About a few days after I felt really tired for a week. Still get pain but surgeon said that is normal.

@Donna B Have you completed your treatments?

I completed 3 weeks of radiation the end of the second week I started feeling really fatigued. During the 3rd week I developed radiation dermatitis which had gotten worse by week 5. Finally healing. I was not expecting my skin to still cook after radiation was over. The best thing to do is stay hydrated and moisturize 3-4 times a day.

Carla, yes I finished my radiation. It was fine. Some tenderness but no burn. Just really tired for about a week.

Please perhaps a key concept is to. Moisturize -aquaphor or Avenno - apply liberally to prevent radiation burn / dry skin. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

My radiation didn't bother me.Just be sure to use a lot of cream after each treatment. Especially the last few treatments. I had a slight burn with the last few treatments.

What creams did everyone use. Can you use ice packs to help with the burn

@Donna B. Pain from the radiation or the burn???

I used Aveeno ( non greasy ) and Aquaphor ( Vaseline like ). Good luck ladies

All was fine during, some fatigue, and tired 3 weeks post. That was it.

Thanks for the info…did anyone have nausea? I had nausea after my first full week on Friday.

Carla, I got sick every day after treatment. My doctor told me radiation doesn’t make you sick. I was scheduled 16 high doses, but I quit at 12. I was cancer free and the treatments were “preventative.” It’s almost been a year, and I’m fine.

Tina, same here. I had nausea my radiation oncologist said that it wasn’t from the radiation.

Everyone is different. Laying flat might contribute to nausea. Eating or not eating. Dont eat a big meal before . Try getting there early and just relaxing in your car for a few minutes before you go in. Ginger candy or mints can settle your stomach sometimes. Get up slowly after your treatment and don't rush getting dressed. Put some aloe or cream on,let it dry then put your shirt on. I'm 6 months past my diagnosis and still find I can't tolerate spicy foods,I used to love that.

I’m going for radiation evaluation this Tuesday… when my mother had this tx for 6 weeks it seemed harder on her than chemo.. she had colon cancer and did survive 10 years … I so miss her but spiritually, she’s with me 🙏❤️

Radiation is so fine tuned now. I was amazed at the care I received at The University of Virginia. I only did my radiation there. I did whole breast radiation .

Cat, Because of the initial aggressiveness of my BRCA tumor, as recommended, I opted for the double mastectomies with implants and skin/nipple sparing reconstruction at the same time, as recommended. Nodes and surrounding tissue clean in surgery but nodal metastasis found within a few months post op by Oncologist. I went thru 6 to nearly 7 months of very aggressively dosed and weekly chemo, followed by surgery to the nodal area, clean post tx, post op. I was placed on aggressive doses of Xeloda oral chemo last 3 months, and am starting a PARP med Lynparza tomorrow, and now being sent to radiation for an assessment. As an RN, and family member, caring for the ones with ovarian, colon, and lung cancers, all BRCA aggressive, I am doing everything recommended including aggressive exercises, walking 10 miles daily, bundled up well, thru this sub zero weather. Drs told me that those with exercises, seem to fight the best and I am grateful I can. Thank you for your response and best wishes and prayers on your continuing journey. 🙏

Completed 20 treatments. By the 3rd week I was feeling very tired. My skin was pink but I had sunburn that were worse. After treatments were over then developed more severe skin issues. Very red, sore and the skin cracking. Getting better. Using Aquaphor 3-4 times a day and silvadene at night. Good luck to you

@Rose B….did you use the Aquaphor cream or gel and did yr radiologist prescribe your Silvadine

Hello All..I completed 28 days of radiation and didn't feel fatigue until the last week of radiation. I stayed active, like going to the store just to be going. Walking for 15 to 20 minutes and it seemed to help me with being fatigued. As far as my skin, I used Aquaphor and Sunburn spray on my skin to keep it moist. What I found unusual was my skin looked sunburned a week after I completed my radiation. I continued with the Aquaphor and sunburn spray until my skin cleared up, which took another two weeks.

Agnes M. What sunburn spray did you use

I used Solarcain with Aloe. It was cool and soothing after radiation. I'd wait until it dry, then put on the Aquaphor. You can find it on Amazon.

I did 33 days of radiation therapy. My skin didn't start breaking down until the last couple of days and about three days after that when the radiation burns appeared. I was nauseous during radiation and not during chemo.

Theresa. The pain was from the surgery ( takes 2 years to heal) and tenderness from radiation. I never burned.

Dermaplast first aid spray is amazing. Only use blue cap can,not red cap. Red cap can burns.