As with any cancer treatment, radiation therapy has pros and cons. While some women say it is the easiest part of the journey, others say the opposite. Personally speaking, radiation therapy was the most tolerable of all my treatments, but I would not call it easy by any stretch.
I look at my cancer experience as a journey with stops along the way. The journey is life-long because being a survivor is difficult in its own rite, regardless of the type of treatment you have. My radiation treatment began after I completed chemotherapy and surgery. See the photo below for a mini timeline. It is common to wait until after breast reconstruction is complete to start radiation.
Prior to starting radiation therapy a process called simulation must occur. This process ensures the radiation beams are going to the correct area on your body. During simulation your skin is measured and marked (with pin size tattoos) in order to direct the beams to the intended location during radiation treatments.
My doctor’s office was an hour away from my home in the heat of summer. The drive was a welcome reprieve and helped clear my head. It was the part of my journey where I didn’t need anyone’s help. I could drive there, do treatments, and drive home without needing another human to help me. During other parts of the cancer journey, help is always needed in one form or another, so my time alone was heaven.
My radiation therapy consisted of thirty-five treatments: Monday through Friday for seven weeks, with each treatment lasting less than ten minutes. Radiation therapy builds on each treatment. About half-way through my therapy I noticed my skin starting to do what I can only describe as ‘melting’. The worst was in my left armpit. Because radiation also goes through the body, my upper back and shoulder on the left side was sensitive and red. Over time my armpit skin went from melting to rotting. It was stinky and disgusting. I was convinced my armpit was infected, but my radiation oncologist was not surprised and responded ‘par for the course’. I did use cooling pads and prescribed lotions to ease the side effects and pain.
One bright side of my radiation treatments was a free chair massage prior to my therapy several days a week. I had a very good team taking excellent care of me ensuring that my care was the best.
After my treatments most days, I’d come home and sneak off for a twenty minute bike ride to help combat the fatigue from radiation, which is definitely a thing! Talk to your doctor/team. There is always someone to talk to. I ended up speaking with a social worker in my doctor’s office. She was a wonderful listener and helped validate the emotions I was feeling.
Someone will undoubtedly say, “at least this isn’t chemo.” True, but radiation has its own unique set of challenges. Don’t decline to have radiation if your oncologist suggests it. It is very effective and proven to kill cancer cells. I’ve just recently read about women who decline radiation treatment. Although I find their reasoning interesting and sometimes compelling, I would do it all over again. Please discuss your treatment options with your oncologist. Informed decisions are best. We have the choice to educate ourselves, so be your own advocate!
My take-away’s from radiation therapy are:
- Reduce expectations of yourself. Treat yourself kindly and with grace. Give yourself the time you need to heal and reflect.
- Get ten to twenty minutes of daily exercise, it helps!
- If you’re able to, get a massage.
- Follow all of your doctor’s instructions.
- If you feel like you’re on an emotional roller coaster, ask for help. I did and it was worth it.
- Your skin WILL heal!
As always I encourage you to drop me an email or leave a comment about your experience. Thank you so much!