Kathy,
Hi dear...The different answers you're getting are probably based on the
patients they themselves have seen. Some have absolutely no problems at
all, some are just plain worn out, and still others have abit of drag
and nothing more to it.
So basically they're all right....

Me? I had rads back in 5/99-7/99. I had 25 to the whole breast and 8
more directly at the tumor bed {lumpectomy}
I was tired all the time from day one till they were over..
BUT! I was not a very active person before this came visiting [still
aren't lol!], so this probably had alot to do with it in my case.

As far as skin problems? I was told to use 100% Aloe Vera Gel...I found
mine at GNC the vitamin place, they have am online site now, I think.
I found mine for .99¢ for a 2 oz tube>
But make sure it has NO alcohol in it. Yikes! that will send you through
the roof in a heartbeat, so make sure you read that tube carefully.
I also had Rx for open skin and it was called "Silvadene 1%" That's the
generic version of "Silver Sulfadiaz 1% cream"
It's a cream that comes in a very small jar, but it's a miracle to me.
I had open spots, almost like blisters that had come open. My skin got
very tender and opened/weeped. It was only a few spots, and it cleared
right up once I got this cream for it.

I hope this helps abit. But everybody is truly different in their
reactions to these different treatments...
I hope you do well with the rest of it and if you need anything, else
just post again.
These people are truly fantastic.
Take care there dear/God bless
annie

p/s feel free to email if you need anything else...okay?


Ultimately.....we know deeply that the other side of every fear is a
freedom.

"Courage"...is *fear* that has said it's prayers.

Many of us have been through it. We're all different. I didn't feel tired at
all.

You'll find out!

I cried! I was given various preparations, nothing worked. But it went,
eventually. Not everyone has a problem.

Look, I understand that but all our Life's plans are subject to others ...
Take it a day at a time. It might be inconvenient but at least you won't be
disappointed!

I was assured (by a friend with some experience) that whatever else happened
I'd be exhausted so I made a list of Things To Do While Sitting Down. Those
things have never been done.

Mary

The radiation ionizes atoms in its path.  The ions react with tissue,
altering the molecules and killing cells.  As with chemo, the
fastest-growing cells are the most vulnerable.  The death of cells will lead
to an inflammatory reaction, and a general achiness and sick feeling might
result, depending on the degree of inflammation.  This is the same mechanism
as a sunburn.

Best wishes,
Sandy L

I had no fatigue at all - worked full time, attended baseball games at night,
did several weekend trips, a couple business trips, even trekked on a glacier
with an ice axe and crampons during my treatment.  Other than leaving work
early & spending 10 minutes waiting for & receiving the treatment each weekday
the radiation therapy didn't change my life at all.

I was only 43 years old at the time - the rads doctor told me he didn't expect
it to bother me at all, but that if I was elderly & severely out of shape
(obese or couch potato) then he'd expect it to tire me.  He was right.  I
wasn't particularly active, but I was in good overall health (except for the
pesky breast cancer thing) and sailed through the treatments.

Also, radiation seems tougher on people who'd just finished chemo - I assume
because the chemo took alot out of them and they're struggling to recover from
that.  However, I saw several elderly ladies who had obviously had chemo (hair
just coming back in), and none of them looked like the radiation treatments
were giving them them problems in terms of energy level.  Good luck - hopefully
you'll be one of the many who don't have any problems at all!

Sue - DivaofDVC   aka WDW1972
DVC '97   OKW, Beach Club, Vero Beach, & Hilton Head

. . . .

I was tired, but my radiation (5 fields) followed 6 months of chemo, so
I was a little wrung out going into it, and I was shortly later
diagnosed as hypothyroid, so that may have contributed also.

Nonetheless, I worked throughout, at a desk job, missing only a day here
or there -- other than the daily trek to the cancer center, which was
during the work day for me.

I can't suggest much about the burning - mine didn't start until the
last week or two, and never was very bad.

Your idea of regular exercise will help with your energy level, in my
opinion.

Good luck with it,

Ann T.
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Sounds like you are getting through ok.  I worked all the way through my
radiation.