Difficult Radiations after Brachytherapy

prachigupta

My mother was diagnosed with Bilateral breast cancer in october 2009. The doctors performed a mastectomy on her left breast which had a lump of about 3 cms size and a lumpectomy on her right breast which had two malignant nodules of 6mm size. She underwent 6 cycles of chemotherapy, 3 with Docetaxel and 3 with Farmorubicin. Later she underwent brachytherapy (internal radiation) on her right breast in May. The doctors recommended external radiation, (IGRT), 25 cycles. External radiation was started 10 days after her brachytherapy. Nearing her 20^th cycle of external radiation, a wound on her breast where needles were inserted during brachytherapy opened a bit, exposing the tender pinkish skin beneath. The wound which re-opened was especially in the folds of her breast, leading to unbearable pain. The wound is now almost 3 inches long and 1 inch wide. The remaining skin on her her chest, i.e. right from her neck to below both her breasts is almost black in colour and peeling from certain spots. We are cleaning her wounds with saline water twice a day and applying antiseptic ointment and a body cream containing key ingredients of aloevera and Vitamin E. The radiation oncologists strongly told her not to apply any ointment, cream during radiation, which i think worsened her skin's conditions..  her skin feels like tissue paper when touched and looks like wood...she cant even sit on her own because the skin around her wound stretches so much.....i would be really glad if anyone could recommend any ointment, cream which can be applied to her chest to help the skin recover and become normal..

Compared to her rads, surgery and chemo were a cakewalk for her...Hope she gets better soon...thanks to all you ladies who can guide me more..