Let's Talk About Radiation Therapy - Help me to understand

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Help me to understand

Printed From: TNBC Foundation
Category: TNBC Forums
Forum Name: Let's Talk About Radiation Therapy
Forum Description: A place to discuss Radiation Therapy
URL: http://forum.tnbcfoundation.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=11111
Printed Date: Mar 26 2026 at 5:04pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Help me to understand

Posted By: mojel
Subject: Help me to understand
Date Posted: Apr 16 2013 at 10:09am

Hello. My 82 year old mother is currently receiving radiation therapy for TNBC. This is her first occurrence and the first in my immediate family. She is in her second week of therapy and seems to be quite tired. She has developed shingles and also a cough (although her lungs are clear.) Her appetite is very diminished and she is tired.

She had her left breast removed, and also all the lymph nodes in her left armpit and in the middle of her chest (along the breast bone.) Those were the only areas that lit up in her PET scan. The oncologist said that it had not yet metasticized. (But it was in her lymph nodes?)

I try to go to her doctor appointments, but still feel helpless. I feel as if all I can do is make home-made soup for her.

If anyone could help me to understand what I can expect and what I can do to help her, I would be very grateful.

Thank you.

Replies:

Posted By: Charlene
Date Posted: Apr 16 2013 at 2:16pm

Hi, MJ,

I don't know if I can be of much help or not, but I know it is perfectly normal to feel fatigued during radiation treatment. I can only guess that the fatigue would likely be worse in an 82-year-old. I think making soup for her and offering companionship sounds great! I imagine the oncologist said it had not metastasized because there was no evidence in other organs, such as lungs, liver, etc. Even if it was in some lymph nodes, I think that is still considered "local." I can't comment on her surgery recovery because I only had a lumpectomy. Is she getting treatment for her shingles? I know those can be very painful. Her fatigue is likely to continue and even get worse while radiation continues and then gradually she may return to how she was before this journey began. I hope this is the case!

Charlene

-------------
DX 3/10 @59 ILC/TNBC
Stage 1, Grade 2, Multifocal; Lumpectomy/re-excision
SNB 0/4 nodes, BRCA-; Taxotere/Cytoxan X4, 30 rads
3/14:NED

Posted By: mojel
Date Posted: Apr 17 2013 at 9:35am

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I did not know radiation would cause such fatigue. I should have.

Does anybody else know of any "tricks" that might help her feel better?

Are there any other issues that I should watch for?

Posted By: jody
Date Posted: Apr 17 2013 at 1:31pm

Hi, Everyones reaction to radiation is different, she may breeze thru with some fatigue being her only real side effect. I was a little different then most, I had a much easier time with Chemo then I did with radiation, my skin did not do well at all with radiation and became VERY raw, VERY soon into the treatments. The best thing u can do is try to keep that area as comfortable as possible if it becomes a problem. My doctor gave me some cream for it, but mainly I just didnt wear bras and when I did my sister bought me one at Walmart that was on the big side and were just totally soft cloth, no wires or restrictiveness. I spent a lot of time protecting the area so no one got to near it unless it was the doctor, (I had a huge conern that someone might bump into me there)! As soon as the radiation was over I imediately started healing. Hopefully your mom wont have this happen to her as I believe most people don't have that severe of a reaction. Fatigue is normal, and I believe it will take her longer then younger folks to feel back to normal. (my father was just really sick, he is 80 and the doctors told us his recovery would take much longer due to his ag, which it has).

Good luck and God bless you and your mom!

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diagnosed 4/16/08 stage 1, node neg TN grade 3,lumpectomy 4/30/08 chemo a/c 6 rnds, finished 9/08. Radiation begins 11/6/08 La Verne, California

Posted By: MLindaG
Date Posted: Apr 22 2013 at 7:54pm

Just to let you know........I've completed 21 of 30 treatments (4 weeks down and 2 to go) and over the weekend I started not having much of an appetite. This kind of surprised me since I haven't heard that before. All weekend I really didn't feel like eating. I did force myself but really a bowl of soup would clearly have been enough for me!! LOL One thing I do know is a good amount of protein is needed to keep your skin good so I did force myself to eat meat. I also started getting more tired. Up until this weekend I had good energy but my skin around my neck really got inflamed and looks like a very bad burn. Well, everything is hurting quite a bit........under my arm I carry a pillow everywhere........it is red and sore and hurts.......breast hurts as well.........took advil which helped. I can imagine at 82 everything is worse! (I just turned 60). So nice to have a daughter that is a help!! I have all boys and they live out-of-town! My dh is my rock right now! I made dinner tonight and just don't feel like eating it.........

Posted By: mojel
Date Posted: Apr 23 2013 at 9:15am

MLindaG,

You're almost there! Just 2 more weeks! Thank you for sharing your experience with me. My mom was recently told that eating more protein would help with her energy levels. She's trying. I recommended she add a boiled egg to a tossed salad, or just eat one as a snack. She has toast with peanut butter for breakfast, but could also have a cracker with PB as a snack too. There are ways to sneak in extra protein. I might try making her a small batch of peanut soup. Edamame would be another easy addition to dishes or roasted as a snack. It doesn't have to be meat all time.

Posted By: mindy555
Date Posted: Apr 23 2013 at 2:44pm

MLindaG-

Congrats for nearing the end of radiotherapy!!! I'm sure you'll be delighted to close this chapter.

mojel-

Eating more protein is a good suggestion. White foods will give a temporary burst of energy an then the body craters. I would have her rest as much as possible right now. I'm wondering if her doctor would allow Vit. B12 during treatment? I have no idea about supplement restrictions during radiation. You might discuss the issue with her oncology radiologist. Perhaps you can get their input on how to better manage fatigue from both her MO and RO. Wishing the best for your dear mother. It's always good to see daughters come to this site for support. She's blessed to have you-- and I know you feel the same about her.

xxx Mindy

-------------
Dx July 2011 56 yo
Stage I IDC,TN,Grade 3
Grew to Stage IIa- No ev of node involve- BRCA1+ chondroid metaplasia
Daughter also BRCA1+
Mass grew on Taxol
FEC 6x better
BMX 3/19/12 pCR NED
BSO 6/2012