OUCH - the end of radiation hurts!!!

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  • AsiaYM
    AsiaYM Member Posts: 2,216
    edited March 2010

    Jenn.

    Make sure you are taking multivitamin one a day, it will help you recover faster!

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  • jteach
    jteach Member Posts: 199
    edited April 2010

    Carol1949

    Thank you so much for the Alra suggestion.  I just ordered it and pray for relief.  I am not nearly as bad off as many of you, and I'm so sorry for your suffering.  But I really am in a great deal of pain in my armpit and I hope it works...the Aquafor is just not helping. By the way, I finished up last Friday and I have gotten progresssively worse day by day.  I hope this pattern reverses soon!  But this, too, shall pass! Smile

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited April 2010

    jteach - I feel your pain.  I found that by soaking the area with a room temp or cool water w/3%peroxide (1/3 peroxide 2/3 water) and gentle dabbing and cleaning actually felt better.  I did it 2-3 times per day.  I used a soft wash rag to soak, when I went in for cleaning they used gause.   And...... VERY loose shirts. I also avoided sweating (going outdoors) as this made it feel worse.  I was also given these pads called Mepilex to put on the open oozing areas and those really helped absorb the moisture and put a barrier between it and my shirt.  However, they could only be given to me by the center, it's not by prescription.    (((HUGS)))) hoping you feel better soon.

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  • markie1122
    markie1122 Member Posts: 3
    edited April 2010

    Thanks, Sisters!!  

    This discussion strand has really been so helpful for me!  I finished radiation a week ago.  Two days before my last boost, I was doing great.  Skin getting pink, but not uncomfortable at all.  In fact, my rad onc said he wished all his patients had done as well as I.  But-- 48 hours later it was another story!  Just like you have said-- the blistering, pain, oozing, blackened-looking skin in the armpit, etc.  I saw my onc. on Monday and she sent me right over to radiation.  The doc there prescribed Silvadine (which I already had left over from infection in my mastectomy incisions last August.)  It seemed to get worse for several days, but is finally looking much better (9 days post- radiation).  No fun hanging around the house in a baggy t-shirt covering the goopy cream, but am looking forward to complete healing soon-- and then FINALLY my reconstruction in a month or so (after I'm off the Coumadin caused by a blood clot caused by the chemo and a blood transfusion for anemia!  Quite an adventure we have all been on!!)

    A comment on another discussion board from a rad onc was very helpful -- lots of factual information and explanation of what is happening to our skin-- he's at the bottom of the page:

    http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,10245,0.htm 

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited April 2010

    markie - I am so sorry you suffered with the same discomfort as I did.  Strangely enough, as fast as it comes on it, it gets better.  Glad you're on the upswing!

    As of today my skin looks great is very soft and the radiation burn is hardly noticable.  Thanks for the link, I'm going to check it out.

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited April 2010

    Markie -  What a great article!   My rad Onc didn't explain anything like that.  Despite the fact the guy in the guy in the article is not a fan of many treatments, it does help to understand what is going on.   I've been lucky and haven't have much of a problem, but I have been curious as to why my breast is so much redder 10-days post radiation than it was during it.   Now I know.  Thanks!

    Patty

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  • jteach
    jteach Member Posts: 199
    edited April 2010

    LaughingCarol1949!!!!!!!!!!!

    The Alra was like a miracle for me!  I will never be without it in the house for sunburn or any kind of burn.  Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!  I'm going to the PS  on May 4 about MAYBE having DIEP in June (my only option, since I'm a teacher and will start in August.)  My skin was turning black the day I started slathering on the Alra.  What a difference!!!Laughing

    I thought the DIEP wouldn't happen before, but now I'm so hopeful!  Thanks again!

    Janice

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