February 2010 radiation starts anyone?

I just found this site and am looking for more information than I'm getting from my radiologist.  I've just finished 4 weeks of daily radiation and have 3 more to go.  My armpit looks really dark and the fold under my breast has an almost grayish cast to it.  Also it seem like skin tags are going into overdrive and turning dark brown.  Yuck!  Is anybody else experiencing this?

Yikes!  That sounds very painful.  I have been pretty much in the dark without a support group so it is reassuring to hear some one else had the same thing.  What does skin breakdown look like?  Also, have you had to take time off work (if you work)?

My skin actually split along the line under my breast and started oozing fluid. The area around the split was very red, and the whole area was very painful. I did take 2 days off from work so that I could just sit around and do nothing but sit still and let the area heal. Now that the area is pretty much healed, I've been using a combination of hydrocortisone cream and Aquaphor on it.

Looking back on the whole thing, I don't know if there was anything I could have done about it except perhaps complain about it more and earlier to the rads nurse.  The gel pads are called Carradress. I got them at the treatment center. I don't think you can buy them over the counter. I looked them up online and they are over $90/box! I'm sure that will show up on my bill somewhere, but really, they were worth it. 

I have friends who have been through radiation and this has not happened to them. They are all rather small breasted, though. I think the fact that I am a DD cup had a lot to do with it. There was a lot of heat trapped under there!

Best of luck to you, sotired! Don't be afraid to ask for what you need. 

Mary

Did the area fade back to normal eventually?

I was doing great on rads until now and thought I would be spared any burning. I had #23 on Friday. Over the weekend, my left breast has turned rosy and itchy. I have two more full breast treatments, then will start the boosts (eight of them) on Wednesday. Those of you who are finished, does the rest of the breast start to go back to normal once you start the boosts?

Off now to apply more aloe vera. 

Hi everyone, I just finished 27 out of 33 today, woo hoo!! tomorrow will be my last full breast rad, then I start the boost! My skin is very red, hot and itchy. I have a peely part in my armpit that kills, also under my breast is peely as well. can't wait for this to be over. My rad therapists are not so warm and fuzzy, but my rad onc is great. Does anyone have any skin treatments that have worked? I have some different creams that are OK, and pure aloe from the plant seems to cool the area. 

Edenh - I've been using a cream developed specifically for radiation patients called Miaderm.    It has calendula, aloe and something else I can't remember...all found useful for preventing skin problems with radiation.  Problem is you have to order it online and they mail it to you...so you may be done before you get it.  I'm also using Emu Oil, which I found at the health food store (Whole Foods does not have it, however).   It is creamy and somewhat oily but not as gooey as Aquaphor.   The combination of these two has kept my skin in fine shape -- I've got a reddish tan but no peeling, no itching, no pain.  My last rad is tomorrow and although my rad Onc said my skin might blister and peel after I'm done, she doesn't think it will because it is doing so well.

Patty

Yay Michele on the mammo report. Try to  enjoy a beautiful Easter weekend. Is it the same in Canada? Anyway enjoy being out of treatment!!

I have to say as bad as my skin and armpit were burned, blistered and  peeling...it has almost all healed. No more pain and very little redness or even tanned skin. I can't believe how good it looks. So all you ladies still in treatment, there is a rainbow on the other side!!

Joni

Anybody else get a break in treatment?  I had my regular rad treatment on Monday and met with my Rad doctor.  Due to my skin issues I was given the rest of the week off and will have the sessions tacked on the end.  (I'll freely admit I was very excited to get a 6 day break to let me skin heal a little.)

sotired-I did not get a total break, but I was switched to my boosts for 7 treatments to give the rest of my breast a break. I'm sorry you're having breakdown...it really, really hurts, I know. Rest and heal during your break.

I will be done next Monday! Yay!

Mary

Happy Easter everyone!

Tomorrow is my last treatment!!!!!

Mary

Happy Easter.

Oh Mary...sorry to hear of the death of your husband's friend. We lost a friend on Good Friday. It is sad.

And congrats on your LAST treatment....you did it!!! You will heal very quickly. I was amazed. Hoping Disneyland provides the R&R you need. Enjoy this time.

Mary - Hooray,  Hooray,  Hooray!!!!! 

Patty

Congrats Mary! Are you doing Tamoxifen next?

One Mary down and one to go. I will have my final treatment on Friday. Just wondering for those of you having final treatments soon, do you plan to bring anything in to the techs, nurses or oncologist to thank them. I would like too but don't know what. Maybe I'll just take the easy way out and follow up with a thank you card.