December 2017 Radiation Group

PauletteK

Neanie, my RO told me I don't need to lotion my skin in advance, but I have been using Aquaphor since I was doing chemo so it helps. RO said I really take good care my skin, I have no itch for now. How many sessions are you going to do?

Finished my #19, met with my RO and I have some breaks on my nipple no wonder I felt pains there. He gave me pad to use so I hope it will heal soon. Still have six more whole breast to do then 5 more boosts. According to him, boosts is only target to my tumors so my breast will only get six more sessions. Praying skin hold up good.

Neanie, You can test out lotion on your hand before you put on your breast. I tested out Miaderm make sure I have no reaction before radiation.

SoniaL

Amy, I had just assumed I would have to wait until finishing Xeloda (because it would have chemo-like side effects) before the exchange surgery, but when I saw my PS today, he said he didn't see a problem with doing the surgery while I was on Xeloda...yay!!! But, he did say I have to discuss it with my MO, so I'll see her in a few weeks and ask her. I was concerned that Xeloda would lower my white blood cell count, meaning I wouldn't need to have surgery, but maybe not. I'll find out more at the end of the month. Good news is that my PS was not concerned about my expander - thought it still looked good. But, because of my RO's concern, he did prescribe me a preventative antibiotic. I do appreciate them being overly cautious! Tomorrow I have zap #15 and then I'll have 15 more to go, hope to finish up on January 26.

These expanders are the worst aren't they? They feel like rocks and look like hamburgers! I have not been wearing a bra - just a tank like cotton camisole under my shirts. They do look really wonky in certain shirts so I'm glad it's winter and I can wear sweaters, jackets, and scarves! Hoping we will both be more comfortable when we get the permanent implants.

lifechoices2017

Georgia1, ummm i have a very sensitive, sore nipple as well... my cycle stopped before Tamox (because of stopping BCP), but i was thinking the sore nipple was just 'my monthly' symptoms...guess it's just the healing process Praise God!

Neanie, i agree on the lotion and rashing and not being able to know which caused it, but as Georgia1 said, i took a chance and took the advice from the post. I hope whichever you decide that your SEs are minimal.

PauletteK

Lifechoices, I have the same track of mind, then my RO told me I have small breaks in my nipple that caused the little pains. Now I put telfa pad on top of my nipple so make sure nothing rubs on it. Question how many Miaderm tube did you used ? I got four now, just make sure I have enough,

lifechoices2017

PauletteK, i purchased the 4pk before my sessions started... i still have 2 left, that im using now... mainly because while there, they gave them out and i got one the first week and one the last day. Because i had the excess i was able to keep up my regimen of 3 Miaderm lotioning a day (morning, 2hrs before zaps and right after zaps), and Aquaphor at night... I finished on Dec 27th, but im still lotioning morning, noon and night (minus the after zap one). Thats just to make sure my skin stays good. I'll continue until Jan 10th (2wks after rads)... but will probably continue to aquaphor morning and night until my Jan 31st followups (just a thin layer)... 1, because its so cold here and i dont want my skin to dry put. And 2, because any dryness that may cause late cracks the thickness of the aquaphor i think is better.

PauletteK

Lifechoices, thanks for the info. I make sure I have enough miaderm since he only wants me to use miaderm on the radiation area. I load my lotion up also, usually I put on 4 times a day. Weekend will be 3 times. So I used up lotion fast.

lifechoices2017

PauletteK no problem! And yeah, i think the consistency of lotioning really helps! You got this...#teamwinning!!!

PauletteK

It is time to do my #20 treatment soon, now I just wonder since I have a small little break on my nipple would this treatment be painful??

lifechoices2017

PauletteK I'll be praying for no pain and that the zaps won't affect it any.

PVM

Hi ladies i am done rads for the week & super happy to have 2 days to relax my skin. Paulette like you i am having problems with my nipple its getting a bit sore. No cracks or anything just a tad tender. My skin around my nipple is getting a bit pink too. The rest of my skin is holding up okay except for under my arm its now darker not red just darker & yay the one positive thing no more hair or it has not been coming for a bit so one good thing. I have 2 regular rads left & then i have 5 boosts.

Paulette, Amy, Sonia, Gerogia, Tilfran, Neenie & Cindy hope all goes good with you ladies & rads. Hope that your skin is holding up & not getting any worse & minimal SE. Sending a big hug your way & wishing you all a great weekend, not sure if you ladies are experiencing the same weather we are but its frigid cold here so stay warm.

OCDAmy

#23 is over and now just 5 to go. My skin is a mess and it feels like a furnace is blowing hot air from my boob. It's peeling bad and still itchy. I thought this was going to be easier than chemo but now I'm not so sure.

Georgia1

Oh Amy I'm so sorry. I've heard keeping pure aloe vera in the frig to apply when you feel hot is helpful, and my RO also recommended using a hair dryer set on cool, especially to dry the area after a shower if it feels tender. Let us know how we can help but sending virtual, gentle, one-sided "Kardashian hugs" your way.

PauletteK

Amy I’m so sorry that you skin got so bad, have you try Miaderm with lidocaine? Perhaps your RO can give you a prescription? My skin got warm middle of the night also.

Finished #20/30, 5 whole breast and 5 boosts to go. Nipple got a crack not too painful so I’m loading up lotion now. Just glad to have two days off from zapping, I’m praying no more crack on my skin. Skin turned red but still holding up.

OCDAmy

I'm trying to do what my RO is telling me which is cortisone and aquaphor and covering with the telfa pads. I see him on Monday and will see what he thinks. I'm not in pain and no open sores so that is good. I can handle 5 more. Enjoy your rads break

gigibee

OCDAmy, sorry you are having pain and skin issues, you are so close, some good suggestions above that may help.

17/30 complete yesterday, one more week of whole breast, dreading 5 day week next week, spoiled by the holidays.

PauletteK

Gigibee, I don’t know my breast can handle 5 days zapping, four days was tough enough. 😭😭 but that will be my last week of whole breast, will take a deep breath......

20/30 ..... soon will be end!

Aine1970

I don't know if I'm posting in right area.

I just completed 16 treatments to whole breast and 5 boosts to targeted area for high - grade DCIS.

Had lumpectomy and re - excision before my radiation.

The 5 boosts have left my areola and nipple sore and sensitive. The color has changed to a deep pink in most of the areola area.

Dr said just keep doing what I'm doing with the proshield barrier cream, she said no need for saline soaks.

What has everyone else been doing and any idea how long this takes to heal and get better?

Thank you.

Georgia1

Hi Aine and you have come to the right place! I am three weeks post-RADS and my nipple is still a bit sore. My RO says it's perfectly normal and in general I should keep using a moisturizing lotion and doing gentle stretches. If you have a scar at your nipple that would possibly affect the color change you are seeing too. Congrats on being done!

Kiwi-in-Thailand

Hi Aine... I had the same thing and my scar goes around the top of the nipple... just keep on with the lotion and quite quickly (for me within a few days) he area will darken further and the top layer of skin will peel off.. it doesn't hurt... it's a bit like peeling after a bit of sunburn... I was told not to rub it, soak it or try to hasten things along... good luck!

PauletteK

Hi kiwi, good to see you.

How’s everyone doing, enjoying the no zapping day? I’m sure am and slept well last night. Loaded up my lotion and get ready for 5 days zapping.

Georgia1

Paulette, you are almost done. So excited for you and sending best wishes you finish with minimal SEs.

OCDAmy

Almost there Paulette. My skin is feeling better as a lot has peeled off now. The telfa pads over the aquaphor helps avoid rubbing and prevents the mess from getting in clothes. Back at it tomorrow.

PauletteK

Amy, I stopped using the telfa pad on my nipple I just let it air out and wear soft cotton t shirt, it seems work fine for me. Nipple feels better now, I need 5 Days whole breast before boosts.

PauletteK

Georgia thank you so much, your supports help so much!

Thanks for all the ladies’ supports, I still remember how scare I was at thebeginning of this treatment.

lifechoices2017

Good Morning Warriors! PauletteK i feel the same. I had a million and one questions, fears, and what ifs before the zaps and im soooooo thankful for you ladies. Its like the Drs know what they know, but having you all here to share your process, healing treatments and prayers made it sooooo much better.... and easier to endure.

Rhyfelwr

I learned a new term today: moist desquamation. I think that is what was happening around my nipple toward the worst of the burning reaction. It happened within a week or two after I was done mid-December. Things are SO much better now. I am back to some good calendula lotion and Aquaphor, and I can rub my skin all over and it doesn't feel so tender or hurt. The peelies are gone -- the after-sunburn type of skin peeling. The area under my arm which was most tender first was also the first to heal up. My back shoulder has been the last to resolve, even though I had boosts in front even after I had zaps from the back. So the worst part of it in any one skin area was only 5 or 6 days.

I can actually imagine, and visualize, getting my body back.

Hang in there, sisters. I was pretty fair skinned, so I am so pleased that most of you are likely just to be pink and peely! And there is a light at the end of a fairly short tunnel!

OCDAmy

Rhyfelwr, thanks for the update. Sucks that we can continue to have SE even after rads are over. I guess one thing I can be happy about is I have no nipple so no problems there! 😂

Neanie44

Happy Weekend Ladies and hope you are enjoy. Completed first 2 treatments of 33, with 9 being boost, so I am counting down with a long way to go. Thank you all for being my Shero's. :-)

Paulette K ,Lifechoices and Georgia1 - I have started using the Miaderm that my RO's nurse gave me on Thursday. Already had lots of swelling in left breast, so I am really trying to be hopeful that as I go into a week of 5 zaps it will not get worse immediately. I asked about using the Aquaphor and other products, but was told not to use because of the petroleum base. The nurse said that my RO was very particular about what products I used. She will meet with me once a week and look at my skin to determine if she needs to prescribe additional meds. I still think I am going to get the Aquaphor to use at least on the weekends. I don't want to be paranoid, but at the same time, do want to suffer worse consequences by not being proactive. OCDAmy - glad you are feeling better and will get the tefla pads just in case. Congrats to you PauletteK for being almost done!! I Thank you ladies so much for all the tips, support and advice- I'd be lost without it.

OCDAmy

Neanie, my RO didn't want me to use the aquaphor at first but once my skin started peeling he switched me to it. They gave me the pads at the RO office. He said it was to prevent the aquaphor from getting all over and it helps with friction. It is interesting how all these ROs have different protocols

Neanie44

OCDAmy - yes, it is very interesting, that is why I am more inclined to take the tips form you ladies that are in it with me. :-)