Hi Judi,
I did not have problems with my radiation treatment.

I’m still taking Letrozole (to block the estrogen) and will be taking for 5 years or longer. I have some stiffness in my joints , insomnia and mild hot flashes. Exercise, walking, riding my stationary bike every day seems to help. I tried to eat healthy (plenty of fruit s and vegetables ), avoid processed foods and sweets. And I keep myself hydrated because it helps with my hot flashes.

Good luck and I hope I helped you.

Radiation wasn’t too bad, i had the mild skin texture and color change , but i never actually burned . I used lotions and creams 6-7 times a day. I completed treatment (20 rounds) Jan 10,2025 so i do still have some redness over the breast but I’ve also got lymphedema in that breast post radiation that I’m trying to massage out, i also developed more cording i can feel in my arm but as long as i keep up with my PT i can keep the cords broken down and the swelling is improving. I unfortunately have chest wall pain which causes pain on the side of my rib cage up to my arm pit and to my shoulder (i had this during treatment and it went away, it just returned a couple weeks ago). I’ll have to ask my dr about this, hoping it goes away soon. During radiation fatigue was the side effect, but i didn’t feel it until i got home from work everyday, i just couldn’t stay up past 8 and i was ok with that.

I’m in an estrogen blocker (anastrozole), and having intermittent joint and bone pain (been taking it for ~3months) . It changes locations and severity 🤷‍♀️. I feel i can continue with it as long as it doesn't stay to long .

All i can say is everyone reacts differently to the meds, if 1 doesn’t work for you there are other to try. Everyone reacts differently to radiation as well, you’ll see your dr every week, if you start to get red or itchy they can prescribe you a great steroid cream or other creams to help, keep good communication with your dr .and you’ll get thur❤️. I just kept thinking that at least I was killing any cells that weren’t removed during surgery, so i did feel it was important as i don’t want this to come back.

Radiation was no big deal during. My radiologist prescribed a steroid cream and I used a homeopathic ointment that the local cancer center promotes. My lumpectomy scars did tighten a bit, so I've been massaging them, and my nipples were tender. The hardness/fullness of breasts went away (I'm 5 weeks post radiation for 5 days). What's kicking my butt at 5 weeks is FATIGUE... This is the end of my journey (also started the Letrozole 4 weeks ago) so maybe it's the let down of chemo, surgery, radiation, starting Letrozole, survivor's worry, but somedays I can barely walk to the bedroom and back without being weak. I do have/had CFS/ME/PEM and had long haul covid so I know what fatigue is but I'm sad as I had all that under control.

Judi, everyone has a different experience with radiation. I felt tired. I did experience a sunburn like rash during the last week of radiation, Dr gave me a cream and it got better. I remember side affects with hormone blockers, I'm afraid my experience was joint pain, hot flashes were worse then usual, vaginal dryness with bleeding. I had trouble with my vision too. I took those for 3 years, then my oncologist thought I had been thru enough. It doesn't mean that the same things will happen to you. Your experience may be very different than mine. Just remember to let your doctor know when you do have side affects, they may have to change your medication.