There are frying me

Tickety_boo

I'm about halfway thru radiation which is 21 times total. I had a lumpectomy so am happy to still have a breast. But just the last couple of days it has gotten very red, hot and starting to hurt. I feel like they are burning the &*#@ out of me.

I saw the radiation oncologist 2 days ago and it wasn't quite as bad. She told me to start putting some salve (recommended by the breast clinic and stocked at the pharmacy) twice a day rather than once.

So, should I just buck up about it or ask to speak to a nurse? I don't know what they would do differently if I did. They did tell me the last 6 treatments will focus on the area where the lump was removed, rather than the entire breast.

Artista928

Are they using a bolus on you? That intensifies the radiation. At 25 I was alarmed at how red it was, just like a lobster. Nothing peeling, no oozing, but yeah pain and tightness. My RO said he'll eliminate the bolus the last 3 times. I've had problems with infection and just recently, a tiny part of my suture opening to where I had lymph fluid leaking out a bit (not the implant). PS says rads. It's up to you if you want to go slower. Definitely get a second opinion. Some of us get redder than others is the problem, just like when you tan. Two people can be placed next to each other under the sun and one will tan and the other will burn.

Artista928

Are they using a bolus on you? That intensifies the radiation. At 25 I was alarmed at how red it was, just like a lobster. Nothing peeling, no oozing, but yeah pain and tightness. My RO said he'll eliminate the bolus the last 3 times. I've had problems with infection and just recently, a tiny part of my suture opening to where I had lymph fluid leaking out a bit (not the implant). PS says rads. It's up to you if you want to stop. Definitely get a second opinion. I didn't like my RO since he was a stuck up no manners kind of guy. I remember when I showed my ps my rad area not long after completion he was like wow. Now I have frequent visits with him with either infection or now add a little leakage to the list. Thankfully it's resolved and I won't lose my implant but man was it 5 weeks of nerves. I'm to be on the lookout for future signs of infection and pay closer attention to my rad side suture which is under the breast.. sigh. GL.

AmusingSoprano

Ticketyboo, my hospital pioneered some excellent treatments to prevent or minimise radiation issues and one thing we were told to do, is to 'cold cloth' the radiated area several times a day. Just soak a tea towel or large cloth in water, then pop it into a plastic bag and put the bag in the fridge. Every couple of hours, take it out and apply it to the affected area. Radiation heats up the area and continues to for some time after it's finished so this helps reduce the heat and pain. I found it really great.

Artista928

You don't want to leave cold anything on for too long or necrosis will happen. I think it's 10 min on 10 min off a certain # times a day. I'd ask. I learned this at biopsy when I was just keeping the ice pack on for too long.

gb2115

Yeah, I remember feeling fried and sort of microwaved, if that makes sense. You could ask the nurse to look at it again to give you peace of mind that everything looks par for the course. You can get pretty crispy, that's for sure. I was crispy, especially about a week before the bolus treatments started. My rad onc described it as "a really bad sunburn", but I think it can get worse than that, if it start to wet-peel. You can do the cloths soaked in cool water, but I think ice is a no-no.

It really does get better eventually. Sorry you are uncomfortable. :-(

Tickety_boo

I did speak to a nurse who took a look and suggested that it's best to put the salve on right after radation.

He also said that if it peels to let them know. I also asked that something be put in my file by the doc so that I can take time off

if I need to (right now the letter says that I will work full-time). It has gotten hard to just work radiation and other appointments into saschedule and is kind of stressing me out. THis is a medical center and I also work there so go to radiation right from work and go back afterwards. I have a history of depression and a day or half day off here or there is something I need, but hate to ask for.

MamaOz

artista hope you are doing well now..

I just started my rads today will be day 4 and they are using a bolus, i had double bmx and no recon..

As I am a small person the bolus covers my whole chest down to my navel! I voiced my concerns but they assure me me I am only being radiated on my right side. I am going to ask dr to alternate bolus day