Did anyone make it through radiation with their skin okay?

sciencegal

Hi to the wonderful ladies on this board. I am awake in the middle of the night stressing about starting rads next week. I have been pretty brave through chemo and three surgeries but radiation has me so stressed.



My plastic surgeon is very negative about it, and I have seen so many scary stories about how bad the skin gets. But I haven't seen success stories.



Did anyone make it through relatively okay? If so, what did you do please?



I just need to know there is a chance of keeping the skin.......sorry to be such a big baby.

BrooksideVT

Not to worry. Most of us do just fine.  Those who post otherwise are in the great minority.  I have very sensitive, very fair skin and had only reddening and the normal itchy stuff.  I used emu oil for a week before rads started, then about twice/day, with an ointment the RO gave me immediately after rads (hard to transport a bottle of oil in my purse).  I made sure to set my alarm so I could have my shower and my emu oil four hours (as recommended) before treatment.  Like you, I overstressed.  To put it mildly, I was terrified and horrified.   It wasn't until I started boosts at the very end that I realized I was getting through just fine.  I did ask my RO to put me on short term disability stating with treatment #1 and for a month afterward.  I really did need this, but, really, my issues were all related to the trauma I caused myself through fear and anxiety. Probably the best thing you can do for yourself is ask, ask, ask your techs, your rads nurse, your RO, daily if that's what gives you peace.  They'll all tell you exactly how your skin is doing and what you can expect as time goes on.

mumito

Everyone I talked who had extensive external rads all had serious skin issues.I was so badly burned the outline is still there 4 years later.But I chose not to reconstruct.

Moderators

Hi Sciencegal,

In addition to the helpful advice from the other members here, you may be interested in checking out the main Breastcancer.org site's page in the Radiation section on Managing Skin Side Effects, for what to expect and tips to help manage this effect.

We hope this helps!

--The Mods

GoWithTheFlow

sciencegal, can't help much since I just started monday.  But from what I read, use the lotions and creams and oils you've discussed with your RO (and I've heard mentioned more lotion than needed isn't a bad thing), and drink a lot of water.  I've got 4 down, barely any pink, although my skin feels a little stiff and it's sore to lay on but I can do it once I'm asleep (just not to start the night).  

doxie

I had 33 rads with a boost.  Only started to have discomfort in the last half of the treatment.  Very tender axilla area which healed quickly when we switched to the boosts.    A week after finishing  my areola blistered, but didn't pop.  The skin all healed very well and I've had no internal problems.  

My RO only allowed the use of corn starch until after treatment was over. I agree with Brookside that most do not have problems with rads, or only minor ones.  My team was very attentive to any issues during treatment, which as you can see we rather minor.  I'm sure they will work with you also.  

Hope this helps.

AnnieBear

I am very fair skinned and I was scared to death - I'd heard horror stories - the technicians were wonderful and put me at ease.  I used a ton of lotion and I did really well.  It's been a few years but I had 27 radiations and 5 boosts (I think - close enough).  The last week my boob was very red but it's the only time during it that I couldn't wear a bra.  The oncologist told me that people who use the lotion religiously do well.  Please - do not worry - it is not bad at all.  Good luck on your journey.  You will be fine and it will be over in a month or two.

pupmom

I had the same experience as Annie. My bc breast skin looks and feels the same as it did before rads.  Just keep slathering on that lotion and you'll do great. 

fredntan

yes, I did fine. I am blonde and fair skinned. just got tiny sunburn. not bad at all. I used Miaderm. making sure not to apply within 4 hours of my rad.

what I wish I had known is during that first planning session. on the very first day. my arm had to be up above head in exact same position for the planning. I had TE and it took the full hour to do my planning. I was pretty good on my range of motion. but still had some tightness. I wish like hell I had gotten myself dopped up and had ddriver to bring me home.

ask your doc about this. if its hard to hold your arm up in same position ...I'm just saying. I knew if I moved we would have to start over. it was painful for me. the other rad session where usual 10 min but that very first one where they put the markers on is what I am talking about..

my skin was fine.

proudtospin

I did fine and I am pretty fair skinned or at least never did any topless sunbathing before.

a pal had warned me to watch and yell if it got pink so as soon as I saw a tiny bit of pink I yelled.  Rad doc gave me some free samples of creams, I started to itch~~apparantly that is not uncommon.

I gave up bras and wore a soft old t shirt for the duration and till all was not tender.  For a while, it just looked like I had a sun tanned boobie but that faded like any tan!

Annette47

I did fine, and while a brunette, I am one that burns in the sun.   I never even turned pink through the regular 28, and then did get a very mild redness just in the boost area (5 tx).   No itching, either.

I did have some trouble with soreness from swelling which has mostly resolved, but skin-wise, you would never know (even at the time) that anything had happened.   I used aloe all through.

ruthbru

I made it through with my skin okay. I would bring a little tube of Aquafor (which is what they told me to use) with me and slatter it on right when I was done in the dressing room and again before I went to bed. (Don't do it again in the morning before the 'zap' as it will intensify the burn). The last week or two my skin got hot and red, like a sunburn from the inside out, but no peeling or anything like that. I got some fans; a big one that blew on me when I was in bed, a little one I could train on the area when I was watching TV etc. I continued to feel 'hot' for about two weeks after my final session. Yes, drink lots of water, rest, but also try to get a little exercise too. Exercise actually helps combat fatigue. I see you did chemo (as did I); radiation was a walk in the park compared to chemo for me. I was thrilled to get to turn right to the radiation section of the cancer center, instead of left to the (shudder) chemo side.

sciencegal

Thank you all SO much for sharing your stories. It is great to hear from some people who didn't have terrible problems, that gives me hope.



I have stockpiled all the creams and lotions, frogg toggs chilling towels, emu oil, and will get a fan. Thanks for the tips!



I do have to work through this but have been on a mission to find cheapie dresses to wear, that I wont have to wear a bra with, just my soft shirt underneath. And since they were inexpensive I wont be devastated if the aquafor or oil after rads stains them (my appointments are at 3 PM).


I have my BPA-free water bottle for hydration. That list is all I can think of to get in place before radiation starts next week.



Jo-5 thanks for the tip about new clothing. wow. I always use a hypoallergenic soap to wash my clothes, due to rashes from tide, etc, but it did nto occur to me that freshly minted new clothes could have things that hurt us. VERY enlightening. Thank you. I will wash those new dresses tonight!

Thank you all!!!!!

proudtospin

You will be fine!  I worked during rads but since it was fall, I wore big sweaters so no one could see my fee swinging DD boobies in my cotton T

course, I did get spoiled into the no bra thing~~~it is not bad~

yeah, I was tired at the end, but I told folks I worked with to be nice to me, to do everything in writing so I could respond when available and not try to answer phone  stuff

sciencegal

Good tip! I am already exhausted at the end of the day, from chemo and surgeries I guess.

I will ask for more emails that I can answer after a nap, rather than afternoon meetings where i need to be sharp.

Thank you.

crazyride43

I have fair skin and did 30 rads treatments with the last 5 as boosts to the tumor site.  My skin got pink and my nipple was very tender (the boost site was adjacent) so my RO gave me some numbing lotion to use during the day.  I also used the aquaphor and also calendula oil and lotion which is very soothing.  I found a great bra called "Friday's bra" by Warners that is really soft and no underwire, and I still wear them 9 months later!  For about 6 months I could still see the tan area under my arm, and now it's finally faded to almost nothing.  My breast skin is normal and you could never even tell I had rads, the only difference is that it's a little more perky and firm than the other one!

I was also really nervous about rads, but really the hardest part about it was getting there every day for 6 weeks.

fd1

I had 25 rads and 4 boosts to my tissue expander and my skin was red with about a week to go.  It continued for a couple of weeks and now, three months later, it is tanned but in great condition.  I used two creams, Glaxal Base which was recommended by my RO and Emu Oil which I read about on these boards. 

proudtospin

Yeah, I did get tired about the 3rd week, so at times I just left early and went home to nap! I was lucky to have a great boss and they were very supportive to me.  Even picked me up after rads one day when my car was in for service!

the other thing I did (I live alone) was to make big pots of soup so when I came home I would have something healthy and filling to eat.  I fell in love with my Kale soup!

YOu will  make it, start planning the vacation at the end!

ruthbru

I felt pretty beat up after chemo, and was pleasantly suprised to actually feel my energy RETURNING during rads.

NancyHB

I had 30 rads with 7 boosts.  The only change in my skin was a slight "tan" during the last week.  The "boost" area tanned a little darker.  A couple weeks after my final radiation my nipple turned dark brown and peeled, but that was the extent of it.  I fully expected to have difficulty because I burn at the slightest sign of the sun, but I had a very good experience.  I used nothing but Aloe Vera gel, and honestly I didn't even use it every day. 

sciencegal

Thank you all!! In the light of day and with your encouragement I am feeling a lot better. Hugs of appreciation to you all!!!

RMlulu

Sciencegal - you will rock rads. You kept your hair during chemo...you got this.

Rads does not hurt. It is more the daily mental grind of climbing up on that table each day. Discuss your concerns & fears with your RO and ask ask ask! And show your skin if you have any questions.

I'm fair skin and burn easily...my skin did very well. A 28 full breast with 5 boosts protocol. I used aloe then added 1% hydrocortisone ...around 15/33 RO gave RX for 2.5% hydrocortisone and emu oil...and came through with no problems. My Drs were all amazed and I was pleasantly pleased:)

Hydration is key...hydrate, mositurize, eat well, rest, walk, and free boobing. I had kept the girl free to the air...clothing did itch or stick.

Find a way to make the time pass...countdown calendar, fun stickers on body for techs...does radiation make my butt look bigger...just relax...rads does what rads needs to do. Just help your body:)

You will be fine laser tag warrior!

sciencegal

Thank you- Just the inspiration I needed!



Hopefully I will sleep a little bit better tonight.

Hugs!!!!

wenweb

Breezed through.  The area looked sunburned after I got out of the shower.

Good-luck!!

GoWithTheFlow

RMlulu,

I hope you don't mind.  I'm SO stealing that line.  "Does ratiation make my butt look bigger" to put on buttons to leave at the nurses station.  

ETA:  I promise to spell radiation correctly on the buttons!

stride

Looks like you had a mastectomy. I did, too. I suspect the skin issues are harder for women who have lumpectomies. You'll see posts on here where they talk about "airing out the underboob." Not an issue for us! Just use lotion, you will probably be fine.

Cowgirl13

I had no problems at all.  I was able to do a shorter course of 19 days of rads.

sciencegal

Thanks Wenweb, Stride and Cowgirl - I really appreciate the success stories!

I am feeling calmer with each new post that comes in.

You girls are awesome!

sciencegal

Bumping up for study411- she also needs some success stories!!



Thank you everyone, you don't know how much I appreciate it.

flannelette

I can honestly say I never had a single problem with rads. Please don't get carried away with fear before anything happens! So, it looked tanned, I stayed out of the sun the next summer, and all that's left are the weensy tatoo dots. I did the Canadian version which i think was 15 or 16 and used no special ointments, lotions, or anything else.

flannelette

I just noticed a thread called "a rad onc weighs in on radiation burns". Incredibly helpful post, please read, for anyone who has concerns about radiation.