Spring 2015 Radiation Sisters

ElaineTherese

If anything, JJ, the boosts were faster for me. They just pointed the ray at my scar, and turned on the machine for maybe 30 seconds. Then, I was done.

cbaird99

Excited to be starting my last week of rads! Boosts, here I come:)

 

Tobycc

Way to go Cbaird!  I started week 4 today:  lots of redness/ bumps etc on chest area more than breast:  pretty uncomfortable

Tapanga

5 more to go! I was doing really well, the redness and itchiness were completely tolerable, until last Wednesday when my armpit started to get really sore and very very red and when I stretch the skin too much it is painful. Who knew that my entire mood could stem from my armpit? Energy levels still good although I'm probably not doing myself much good by going to bed so late these days and up for my morning rads. Looking forward to getting this done with so my skin can start healing itself, only 5 more...only 5 more...only 5 more...

NurseShark

tobycc: me too (first day week 4) little more pink itchy( right under collar bone) swollen nipple

My emotions were a little more controlled lately...but for some reason cried again today while talking to the techs about plan to go back to work in July...

Janiner

today I finished 25 out of 30 of my rads. I start 5 boost tomorrow. not to sound terrible to all the newbies. but I am so red on my collarbone area and my complete chest wall. I am peeling all under my armpit area. the pain is honestly quite substantial. I am taking Vicodin about every 4 hours and aquaphor, lidocaine, and prescription antibiotic ointment to the burned areas. Only 5 left. Only 5 left. Woot woot. 

Tobycc

Nurse, yep. Today worse - I go at 8 a.m. on way into work. By mid morning bright red chest, small raised areas- up to collar bone. Hurts too

I have not warmed up to my team. Not like I did my chemo team. Maybe cause the majority are males? It doesnt bother me with them, maybe its just because Im used to the really really warm, caring team at Mo office.

Good job those facing the finish line!

Kath

Iowawoman

I finished day 15 of 31. My chest is red with little bumps and itchy. My brain is not responding well to Jean's itch trick, but I'll keep trying.Almost halfway!

BC2015

had treatment 17 of 30 today. I have terrible burning, itching, redness, bumps, and feeling like clothes are burning into my skin. I couldn't wait to get home from work and rip them all off! Now I understand what other posters were writing about. The aquafor/lidocaine mixture did nothing for the itch. I was dreaming of scratching with a fork last night. No sympathy from my RaDs team . Love them, Not! I finally (after going to 6) found a store that carries pure aloe gel with no additional chemicals. It seems to be what is helping most. Tomorrow I might go to work bra less in a cotton t-shirt! Thank you all for posting your experiences, it is so helpful to me

Janiner

Bc2015 & Toby,

Oh yes you will be braless in no time. Cortisone works great for the itching. I use lidocaine first then the antibiotic ointment on open blistering area then aquafor everywhere else. My collarbone area is dark red and brownish. If it starts turning into a gray color.. you are starting to blister and peel. 

BC2015

thanks Janiner - I think I am at that point now. Even my back feels burnt. What doesn't itch feels greasy and painful or all of the above. Not sure how I can do 3 more weeks! Uggggggggh!

Tobycc

Yes, you are right Janiner--- my chest is that mottled color of screaming red, spots of brown. Will get lidocaine tomorrow--- is the antibiotic prescription? See the PA Wednesday. Mine really hurts too: Yours?

Kath

labbieb

Two of my sisters recently came down with shingles so now I'm very interested in getting the shingles vaccine. However, you are not supposed to get it while you are in chemo or radiation. I recently finished my rads, so I was trying to find out how long after radiation you need to wait to receive the vaccine. The CDC website has a lot of good information about it and their recommendation states (see p. 20 at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5705.pdf):

"However, patients … who have not received chemotherapy (e.g., alkylating drugs or antimetabolites) or radiation for at least 3 months can receive zoster vaccine (209)."

And

"Persons with clinical or laboratory evidence of other unspecified cellular immunodeficiency [should not receive zoster vaccine]. However, persons with impaired humoral immunity (e.g., hypogammaglobulinemia or dysgammaglobulinemia) can receive zoster vaccine. "

Check with your doctor, but it looks like the recommendation is to wait 3 months after radiation to get the vaccine.

DJCRI

Last day today!  Can't wait to let my skin heal for more than 2 days without getting zapped again.  Everything went pretty well  until Sunday night -- dark red collarbone and armpit -- armpit sore/painful, sticking to everything.  Have been trying to ignore the itching as best I can, instead of scratching sometimes I will gently rub over itchy area and it subsides a bit, might have to get something (although scratching with a fork is pretty tempting at this point).  Still rotating between maiderm, natural care gel and aloe vera.  Going braless since week 2 has been really helpful although I should have bought cornstarch for under breast and armpit, will get some today.

cbaird99, Tapanga, Janiner and everyone else finishing up -- congratulations -- you're almost there -- hang in there! 

And hang in there everyone as you keep moving forward, sorry for all the pain and discomfort but it won't last forever --  you can do this.  Best of luck to everyone. 

JJOntario

Seem my RO today to try and deal with the skin issues. My nipple is peeling, my chest is great shades of brown, red and hot pink. The itching has been replaced with an entire breast ache/throb. I really think I feel worse than I did after my LX. I'm now using cortisone, aloe, antibiotic gel and Glaxo cream as well as Advil. I feels like my skin is pulling especially under my arm. I'm also so bloody tired. I'm second guessing going away right after rads are done...that is my rant for today

Tobycc

anyone else skin look like this ?

JJOntario

Yes...you are not alone.

Janiner

Collarbone.  This is my best area. The chest wall area is brutal.

Janiner

That's it on photor s. To right and beyond is completely blistering and peeling.

Janiner

No make up.. breast cancer has made me so brave! Or I just don't give a crap anymore! Ha. 4 boost left

Tobycc

Thanks Janiner!  I still have my wig on, etc as I took mine at work.  Glad to know I am not alone.  Seeing PA tomorrow.  Gotta get something for itch and pain:  suggestions?

Janiner

Cortisone fir itch. Lidocaine for skin pain. Vicodin for internal aches pains and stabbing feeling. I couldn't get through this without the Vicodin and I''ve never been one for meds.

This definitely hurts worse than lumpectomy and mastectomy. And I've had both.

Milaandra

Hi all! I finished 17 sessions about 7 weeks ago. I'm another pale one, and I wasn't allowed to use anything but aqueous cream, not even cornstarch. I'm also big...like middle of the alphabet big. I wore an underwire bra the whole time. (Had to, as I had to work) I didn't even get red under the breast until the last couple of sessions, which worsened a little in the post-rad cooking week or two. Just a little single-layer peeling. My armpit was far worse. My theory was that avoiding bouncing, rubbing and folding HAD to be better, so I even wore my bra a little tighter than usual. I did have to wear a smooth cup, as the lacier ones irritated my sensitive nipple.

Things I wish I had been warned about (in case it helps someone going through it now)

1. My usually pale nipple almost immediately turned brown and looked bigger. While not quite the same as the other, that has been lightening dramatically since I finished.

2. The microscopic hairs on my skin loosened after the first or second session, which was very like pale blackheads. I rubbed 'em off

3. I think the crying thing might have a physiological component. I, too, had a little crying jag on the table in my third week. It felt like an emotional trigger was hit, like can sometimes happen with massage or yoga.

4. Watch your health after! I've had rads twice (earlier to the L4 and T7) and both times I got a raging infection in an unrelated area about 5 1/2 weeks out! Just when you feel you're getting over it. So annoying!

5. I got heartburn, probably from the clavical beam, but that resolved quickly after I was finished.

6. I got rib cramps!! That is also resolving, but I will mention it to my oncologist. I don't see her for another 3 weeks. ( I often feel quite neglected)

I also found the skin areas that were a bit damaged healed up really quickly once I stopped using cream. It was like I was waterlogged. Now that it all healed up, I'm back to using cream once a day, since I'm still a bit dry.

Hopefully my experiences will help someone else go through this without panic.

Tobycc

Thanks Milaandra!!!

BC2015

Yesterday I thought I couldn't take anymore. But since yesterday's 9am treatment I am only using Aloe Gel. The itching and burning is much easier to tolerate. I am going to continue using only Aloe and leave the gooey aquuafor and lidocaine and hydrocortisone in their containers. I also wore no bra to work today with a suit coat over a cotton Tshirt. Very freeing! 12 more to go. Best wishes to all of you

ElaineTherese

BC2015,

I've been going bra-free for weeks! It's amazing what you can do with layered looks..... It's going to be tough putting a bra on again.

florida2015

• I am 10 rads away from being done. No noticeable skin changes and I was told using Euricin at night was enough. We shall see. Can't wait until it's over. Fore the worst part is seeing all the people in the treatment center

kathy7

Toby and janier (sp?)

KUDO's for your bravery in showing your battle wounds.

A picture is worth a thousand words and that really helps others.

I am glad for everyone's selfless support!!!

Janiner

Kathy, agreed everyone is selfless here. I'm amazed at all these beautiful women. All the strength and compassion. It really makes me wonder how we can all be so wonderful with each other and we've never met each other and yet the rest of the world can't come together for so many other common threads. It blows me away. 

Tobycc

Great point Janier

Saw my radiologist today. Took a look at my chest and switched the course. I have done 19 out of 28--- like NurseShark

Instead did SMS for boosts and will take tomorrow off and start 5 boosts Friday to give my chest a break. Gave me a script for pain, and a lotion called Calmoseptine that has zinc oxide and menthol.

Itch is unreal: Jean do you have to scratch your head to fake out the chest?

Hope everyone had a great day

K