I had my radiation treatment 3 weeks after I finished my chemo.
Compared to the chemo, the radiation treatment was a walk in the park.
I was 1200 kms away from home so working was not an option. I walked to a bus stop. Took a bus. Changed buses, then caught a train to get to treatment each day. Some days I had double doses.
One bit of advice I was given was to drink lots of water. Later on I discovered that anymore than 3 litres of water a day is not good for you as it can reduce minerals like sodium and potassium which then have an affect on your mental capabilities and increase the risk of fatigue.
I used paw paw ointment every night and day on the affected area. I had a noticeably red area but was not sore at all....not even like a bad sunburn.
I wore breast feeding singlet tops which were really comfortable and not too restrictive. On top of those I wore loose tops.
The one side effect that I got (which was potentially a flow on from the chemo as well), was that I suffered terribly from fluid retention. I had to wear pressure bandages at night for my lower legs. I also had pressure bandages on my torso from my waist up incuding my shoulders (2 layers). In addition I had my arm in a sleeve 24/7.
I got physio for the lymphodema 4 times the second week of radiation and then 3 times the next week and down to 2 times for the remaining weeks.
I slept well.
I was on my own for treatment so I didn't have to extend myself to take in other people which was a blessing really. I didn't feel selfish but I was allowed to be selfish.
My chemo brain got significantly worse after I finished all the treatments. It seems there was a residual effect happening so I am not sure if it was attributed to the radiation but the oncologist explained to me that I would experience a lot of fatigue now that the treatment was completed.
My GP has been wonderful. Constantly he has assured me that I am in recovery and that I should not have high expectations of what I should be doing. He has been totally supportive of my not returning to work until I am feeling a lot better.