Radiation update

Approximately 4 weeks after surgery, I met with my radiation oncologist, and she explained the process, the side effects, etc. Afterward, Two nurses took me back to a rad room and had me lie on the table. They moved and adjusted the table to align me perfectly with the laser. Once they had me aligned perfectly, they marked the angles and degrees, etc, in my file, then placed 4 dot tattoos on me. These dots, along with the notes they make, help them align you perfectly when you go for your first radiation.

I started radiation 2 weeks later, and my oncologist recommended 16 sessions (everyone is different depending on your unique situation). The appts themselves were a breeze. You change, then they bring you in and have you lay on the table. They move and adjust you to align perfectly with the tattoos and info they gathered in the first appt. They leave the room and speak through a speaker in another room. They tell you to take a deep breath in and hold it for 20-30 seconds while the radiation machine kicks on. Once complete, you can release and breathe while the machine rotates around you to the next angle. That process repeats again. If you accidentally breathe or move, the machine auto kicks off, and they will try again. I practiced holding my breath for 30 seconds before my appts. When the second radiation was done, the nurses would come back in and lower the table etc and I was free to go. I did this from Monday to Friday.

My radiation oncologist told me to go home everyday and place a cold towel over my breast for 20 minutes. It will help release the heat and add moisture (you can’t use creams or deodorants). I did this everyday and had no skin issues. I didn’t feel any other side effects until the second week…. Then the fatigue set in. Next level fatigue for me. I slept so much. It was hard to wrap my head around a 2 min appt causing so much fatigue.

After the 16 sessions, I had a follow up a few weeks later to check on the skin but all was well. I was then sent back to to regular care with my main oncologist for monitoring. Radiation was the easiest and least scary of all the steps. Hope this helps! Xo