Radiation

[naturaleigh]

I am Her2+++ with no nodes involved, stage IIB. I was feeling great until after radiation. Has anyone else here felt bad afterwards? My lungs burn, and I just do not have any energy. I also have lymphadema, in my hand mostly. I was told since I had no node involment, I would not get lymphadema. I am wondering if this could be from the radiation, and if will eventually go away. I am 2 months out of radiation.

For the brave woman how have had mets to the lungs, did your lungs burn? I have a pet scan tomorrow and very nervous and anxious to find out results.

[Bev]

IIB too. No lung burning from rads. Did get a cough though that went away. I know they do expect fatigue but I didn't have that either. Regarding lymphodemia, I think I was told SNB greatly reduced the chances of it occurring but did not eliminate the chances.

Hope everything works out OK. BB

[Mary Anne in TX]

Hi!

I start radiation on Thursday and was told to expect trouble with my lungs, possibly for some time or even permanently. She told me that because of where they will be "shooting me" that there may be some permanent lung scarring and that it would show up on scans as a problem if I didn't tell them what it was - from radiation!
I was also told that radiation can increase the chances for Lymphadema problems. She gave me exercises to do each day as well as massaging the surgery areas.
Also some sore throats and swallowing problems - that will soon go away! They will "hit" my osephagus at times.
She was real upfront about the problems, but also thoroughly explained why it was essential that I do it as she walked me through my post surgery lab report!
She also told me to walk every day to counter balance the fatigue!
Good luck of the scan and God bless,
ma

[naturaleigh]

Hey Bev,

Thank you so much for your reply. I am new with all the abbreviated terms, so still in the learning phase of this new language. Can you tell me what SNB is?

How long has it been for you since radiation?

[naturaleigh]

Thanks for your reply Mary Ann,

You are so lucky that they are so upfront with you. I was not told until I was almost done with my radiation that it could nick my lungs.

Good luck with your radiation treatments. I am hoping that all these things we are going through will keep the cancer from returning.

Anita

[Andi]

I was also told that radiation could cause lymphedema because the lymph vessels can't penetrate the scar tissue that may be caused from the radiation. I have just been diagnosed with lung mets, mine didn't burn, I just had the "dry cough". I think Mary Anne's suggestion about walking is a good one. Good luck to you.