I was so overwhelmed that I was in tears. The nurse said, “Take a day off, do something you like, and don’t read about breast cancer or think about it for one day.” I used to lift the breast to allow the site to aerate. It takes time and you cannot do much, but I would do this as I watched TV. I had a sort of shooting pain as the cells were trying to heal; I was glad to know it was not my heart, as one could be worried. Meditation relaxes you and helps you sleep and therefore promotes healing. Rest when you are tired. Cat naps are great. Walking is good. My dentist said to drink lots of fluids as radiation close to the mouth can cause dryness.

When I was diagnosed a friend gave me the book Love, Medicine and Miracles by Bernie Siegel. I found this book to be most helpful in keeping a positive attitude. I was able to do visualization during my radiation treatments and view them as a white light cleaning my body rather than a killing mechanism. I became claustrophobic during the actual treatment and found it increasingly difficult to lie there absolutely still. My solution was to sing out loud. The
technician thought I was a bit loony but I didn’t care, it helped and soon he was singing with me!
(Sherry Gaffney, diagnosed in 1989 at age 47)

My radiation chamber had a picture of an ocean scene on the ceiling that was backlit to simulate a window looking out over the ocean. I stared at it and imagined pleasant, relaxing thoughts. Sometimes I closed my eyes and imagined other things, like the mountains that I enjoy so much. I have a very graphical mind, so I am able to really put myself there and actually hear the sounds associated with such
imagery.

I felt very scared, lonely and sorry for myself during my first two radiation treatments. I felt “creepy” being in a dark room on a table with this huge piece of equipment with everyone totally out of the room. But, the technicians were wonderful. They were kind and gentle and each had a great sense of humor. I brought them all a big box of special chocolates.

I had no trouble except a small burn, about the size of a nickel, like a bit of a sunburn, a bit itchy, and it did disappear shortly.
(Kristina, diagnosed in 1995 at age 39)

The worse thing about radiation is the fatigue. The only way I could deal with it was to sleep for 20 to 30 minutes in the afternoon. Later, I’d sit down and drink water or lie down wherever I could. Fatigue lasted for more than two years with no solution. Eventually, you’ll feel your strength return. I swam regularly and went for walks.

I felt my mother’s presence with me during my treatments and I found it a comfort to think she was there guiding me. Ironically, my last treatments were on the anniversary of my mother’s death from breast cancer 11 years earlier.

This was the easiest part of my “cut, poison and burn” treatment. I developed a moderate skin burn toward the end of treatments, but it was a piece of cake compared to the chemo.

Watch out for the exit burn! I was told I may have a burn on my chest, but there was no mention of the burn I would get on my back. So, I was taking excellent care of my breast, moisturizing it twice a day, but I was doing nothing for my back. I ended up with a very itchy shoulder!
(Jennifer, diagnosed in 2001 at age 27)

Radiation was a piece of cake. During my chemo and a year later I did not sleep more than 2-3 hours a night, but during the radiation I got so tired that I could sleep. I had no major complications. I could not run during the radiation but did bodybuilding instead.
(Karen Lisa Hilsted, Denmark)

The most difficult thing was to go to the hospital every single day. That reminds you about your disease. It takes enormous amount of time if you do not live close to your hospital. Major complication for me was skin burns. It helped a lot to put cream on the radiation site every day.
(Katariina Rautalahti, Järvenpää, Finland, diagnosed
in 1999 at age 41, recurrence in 2003 at age 45)

It was tolerable. I did get burned, experienced fatigue and found it uncomfortable, but that is what I expected. I had to have radiation on the base of my skull and that was horrible. The cancer spread to the bones in my face, and they were scared it would spread to my ears and eyes so they wanted to do radiation to prevent this. The technicians were wonderful but the treatment was hell! I just had to struggle through and wait for things to get better. They finally did. Through all my treatment I always said I had more good days than bad.
(Kathy Reeve, North Vancouver BC, diagnosed in 2000 at age 32)

My skin did not break but it was red, itchy, and painful. My radiation clinic suggested I apply chamomile tea compresses for instant relief. I seeped the tea in a bowl of boiling water, let it cool a bit, dipped a sheet of gauze in it, squeezed dry and applied over the radiated area several times every night. Then I coated the area with non-perfumed cream. It calmed me and I was able to sleep well. At the last radiation checkup, I got compliments for excellent self-care. Perspiration was my biggest problem. I was desperate until a nurse suggested an all-natural crystal rock; thereafter, everything else was easy. The timer rang to end each treatment the minute I got into a good start in my daydreams.

Radiation is very lonely. When the time comes and it’s you lying on that metal bed with a sheet over it, a cement room, no windows and everyone leaves you, I found it upsetting. I tried to play games in my mind. I burned and it hurt to have even my T-shirt touch me.
(Carole, Victoria, BC, diagnosed at age 57)

I wish someone would have told me that the redness should not go outside the radiated area. At the end of my treatment I developed an
allergic reaction to the cream that I was using on the burn. The redness kept spreading and I kept putting on the lotion. I ended up with a case of severe dermatitis on both breasts. Why didn’t I have it checked earlier? I made the mistake many gals do—I planned a vacation to
celebrate the end of my treatment. Big mistake. I was away from my doctors when complications set in, and the fatigue was overwhelming.
(Rita, Palos Verdes, CA)

Each week they’d ask if I was tired but I actually felt like the Energizer Bunny, and I had more energy than I had had in months.
(Linda Bryngelson, New Brighton, MN)

Fatigue really got me down. No one adequately explained how taxing it would be. With chemo, you knew you felt bad but it was only a matter of days until you felt better. With radiation the effects were cumulative, and you knew it was going to get worse before it got better. The only time I got depressed during the whole cancer process was the last two weeks of radiation. My skin held up fine, but my psyche didn’t.
(Julie Austin, Little Rock, AR, diagnosed in 2000 at age 30)

I wasn’t prepared for how I felt getting marked for my treatments. It is quite an experience when you walk out of the office looking like a dry erase board that someone went nuts on with markers.
(Peggy Scott, Waldorf MD, diagnosed in 2002 at age 46)

Going for the first planning session was difficult. Having to hold your arm above your head for an hour and then being poked with tiny blue tattoos all over the place was not my idea of a good time. The radiologist was wonderful and the people at the facility warm and loving. In all truth, it took me 45 minutes to get there, 45 minutes to get home and, I used to joke, 3 minutes on the rack. I handled the radiation with no discomfort or tiredness, but I did burn badly during the “boost.” Nothing that gel packs, gauze, and a gallon of aloe didn’t help!
(Dawn, North Hollywood, CA, diagnosed in 2001 at age 47)

I went through radiation on my head for the cancer cells found in several locations. I was fitted with a helmet-type device and zapped twice a week for 2 weeks. It was painless. I was told there was a chance that my hair would not return. And, as it worked out, it didn’t and the side effect was permanent loss of my hair. After four years, I have a little strip of hair down the back. It seems to be coming in very slowly but it is fine and very thin. However, hats, wigs, and hooded sweatshirts work just fine.
(Roberta R. Nordby, Redmond, WA, diagnosed in 1984 at age 29)

I experienced breast tenderness, feeling of tightness, blistering where the seat belt rubbed, and tiredness that lasted on and off for months.
(Bev Parker, Naperville, IL, diagnosed in 1985 at age 40, recurrence in 2001)

I had no blistering possibly because I took an oral aloe vera solution during the radiation. I was very nervous to begin with, but the technicians soon put me at ease. They were very professional so I relaxed.
(Amy Murphy, diagnosed in 2002 at age 32)