Radiation Primer

Near the end of your radiation sessions, your specialist might suggest a radiation boost (sort of an extra special high-dose zap to those cancer cells). The boost is handled in one of two ways: you can receive an electron beam. You handle this the same way you went through the standard radiation sessions. The second method is the radiactive implant, also known as brachytherapy. This sounds gross, but friends who have undergone this treatment tell me it is not so bad. Under anesthesia, small tubes are threaded through the breast and iridium seeds (radioactive pellets) are inserted into the tubes. This boost usually lasts for up to 48 hours. Since this radiation could affect pregnant women or those at risk for radiation exposure, you could be a problem. Usually, they keep you in the hospital so that you don't irradiate anyone else.

Radiation therapy is intense in that it is daily for 4-6 weeks. The greatest side effect is fatigure. Don't worry - you will get your energy back. The burn will ease, and any soreness and thickening of the skin will lessen. Radiation researchers continue to look for new ways to lessen the dosage, the time involved and to pinpoint the exact area that needs to receive the radiation.

Think of radiation as one more step in the trip on the road to your recovery!

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