Chemo and radiation simultanelously....anyone do this?

sarcasticchik

I was diagnosed March 2013 with an over 6cm tumor in my right breast.  I had 4 chemo infusions (once every 3 weeks) prior to surgery to try and shrink the tumor...which it did tremendously.  I opted to have a double mastectomy since I have Triple Negative Breast cancer and tested positive for the BRAC 2 gene.  I had surgery to remove both breasts on July 16, 2013.  I had absolutely no problems with this surgery other than the intense pain of having my 3 drain tubes removed.  That was the worst pain I have ever felt in my life!  No pain from the surgery and I was back to work in 4 weeks.  I worked through the neoadjuvent chemo as well...as best I could.  My path report showed that the tumor had shrunk to less than 1 mm at surgery and of the 44 lymph nodes removed ALL were clear!  I was beyond happy to hear this.  But I found out during my 1st post op office visit with my oncologist that I would still have to have 12 weekly Taxol infusions along with 6 weeks of radiation.  Of course, I was not happy to hear this since my path report sounded so good. But, I understood with my Triple Negative status and tumor size that it was needed.  Then I find out that they are doing the chemo and radiation AT THE SAME TIME!  The radiation oncologist said they do it all the time, no big deal.  I have had 23 of 33 radiation treatments and 3 of 12 weekly Taxol treatments and my armpit is bad.  And by bad, I mean horrible.  I have been prescribed Silvadene cream but they keep blasting away at the thing!  Chemo has been put on hold because my oncologist was very concerned with how burned my armpit is.  I didn't want to delay the chemo because I already had an end date in sight!  But now he has me worried, so I don't want the chemo until rads are done.  Has anyone else had chemo and radiation together, and if so, what has your experience been?  Sorry to ramble, but I wanted to make sure I explained my situation as good as I can.

graceforme

Hi sarcasticchick, I had surgery before chemo and looking back wish I had chemo first to know if it worked. I started rads a month after my last chemo and don't have any experience with doing both simultaneously but I just wanted to tell you that I too have had issues with my underarm area. I also had my RO prescribe silvadene. I have had 29/33 with last 5 being boosts. Using a lindiskin cooling pad and lotion has also helped soothe the skin. I hope your skin heals quickly so you can continue with chemo.