Rads - Panic?

Sometimes I can' work other nurses out! There are ways &ways of giving information out, and that doesn't sound like one of them!!
As with chemo, we all react differently to radiotherapy. As far as I'm aware, there is only significant pain IF you have a severe skin reaction. The fatigue is worse. Maybe I was lucky...
Easy for me to say, but try not to worry too much. 
Take care, 

Ohhh goodness! Hmmm I think some people get confused with being completely forthcoming of possible side effects and lose all sense of compassion and diplomacy. Uuuugh!!! So I had rads 5yrs ago at 1st diagnosis and I can honestly say this...it was quick and painless like a scan. As it accumulated my breast turned pink like a little sunburn, it was only towards the end of the entire treatment I was unlucky, I did blister and burn and peel. It was quickly healed I must say though with a burn gel they gave me. Not everyone burns this way, just something to be aware of. I dont recall being in pain to be honest. Not the way I am post chemo. 
Hugs step at a time, I think you'll find its actually OK!
Melinda xo

Is she new?  Seriously, you get on their machine, they position you, they run out of the room and press a button, the machine moves and does its thing.  They come back into the room and you get dressed and leave.  I had a little bit of redness after 4 weeks but I honestly didn't feel a thing!  It was easy peasy, someone needs to give that nurse a talking to!

Oh, and I checked .... we don't get superpowers from the radiation.  Dammit :)

I guess 'the spiel' is about covering all possible scenarios & side effects. What she perhaps didn't communicate effectively was that everyone reacts differently to Radiation so you may or may not experience these side effects & they are cumulative rather than instant.  

I had surgery & Radiation 13mths ago (about to have it again for other breast) & didn't experience any side affects until the end of week 3 (severe itch & a bit of fatigue). I have a friend who has had a double mastectomy, chemo & is currently undergoing Radiation & she started experiencing side effects at the start of week 2 (burning, fatigue). 

Hope your subsequent sessions are less stressful!

Mel xxx

OH Waving not Drowning ....  my first reaction ... IS SLAP THAT NURSE hard in the face... then relax.... 
I had 6 weeks of Rads on my affected side Near the end I had a bit of blistering but I am very fair skinned and I had had problems with my scars right from one day just part of my general skin condition.... I was tired and it got worse as the weeks went on.... BUT the Pain was just uncomfortable pain not something that I needed pain killers for .... 

Honestly she needs a good slap.... 
Please know we are all different and if you are noticing things like redness and pain mention it to another staff member.
They gave me a great Burn cream and it started to sooth it instantly.  Do ask the other members of the team.  During this time we normally regularly see both the BC Nurse and the RAD Oncologist... always ask questions if you are concerned.... 
Hugs and energy to deal with the Rads journey 
soldier Crab

Hope it went ok today WavingNotDrowing!

I had rads 2 years ago soon after bi lateral mastectomy, didn't hurt a bit. More of a nuisance than anything having to front up day after day! I was a bit tired towards the end but really overall absolutely no problems. Good luck xo

I've just finished 5 weeks of radiation.  Unfortunately I did get a bad reaction after about week 4. The good news is that it can be self managed once you know what supplies to get a what to do and also it doesn't happen to everyone thank goodness

Sorry I did post a lot more but it seems to have got lost when I posted via my mobile.
 
I did get some skin breakdown in areas over my breast and under my arm with open wet sores after about week 4 of treatment. I just want to reassure anyone that it isn't nice but in my opinion it is nothing compared to the bone aches, sickness, hairless and other nasties involved with chemo...... as long as you know how to manage and cope with the problem areas and yes medication does help in this scenario :)
During treatment I was advised to apply Dermeze ointment and bath the area in salt water (to prevent infection) twice a day.
Post treatment, I have self managed the areas affected after completing radiotherapy on 21/09. I was told it takes about a week after treatment for symptoms to settle (itching, further skin breakdown, redness) and about a further two weeks for the skin to heal. I am happy to say that in my case, my skin is behaving exactly as predicted and is well  into the healing process now.
I am more than happy to provide some personal tips and advice on how to keep comfortable and pain free for anyone unfortunate enough to go through the same symptoms. I  discovered a lot from trial and error whilst managing the dressings myself, going back occasionally for skin checks with the radiation oncology nurses and buying the correct supplies. 

Anne
xoxox