Summer 2013 Rads

I had #17 of 25 + 5 boosts today. So far my skin is just slightly "tanned". I am not having any issues - this is WAY easier than chemo! Do you think that if I made it this far, that my skin will be ok - or is it still too early for skin breakdown?

Feel so sorry for those of you who are having such terrible skin issues. I admire your fortitude in moving forward - soon all of this will be behind you!



I finished 14 out of 30 today and yesterday was the first time I noticed a bit of tanning in my underarm. My RO says if my skin looks as good as it does now, he doesn't think I will have major problems at the end - but like other posters, by no means do I feel out of the woods. Yesterday we discussed the option of preparing strong green tea and either dabbing or spraying on the radiated area - think I will start that tomorrow. I am still primarily using Aquaphor at night (will consider adding Mylanta) and Aloe Vera gel during the day. Looking forward to hitting the half-way point tomorrow!

Just finished my 13th rad and was out shopping yesterday at Lowe's.  They just got a new batch of Aloe vera plants in the garden center.  I decided to pick one up to go with the one I already have  -- just to make sure I will have enough if I start to get the dreaded burning and skin damage.  So far, just a tiny bit of painless tan.  Hoping it will remain that way.  Can I be that lucky?

Carol

sciencegal, you take off a "leaf" and split it open (side to side)  It's filled with aloe gel.  Just rub it on.

WOOHOOO Lin!

I have daily bolus too, but so far so good.  Only 8 done so far, 20 to go.  

GoWithTheFlow--You may do fine with daily bolus. Evryone is different. It is harder on your skin, though, so be sure and speak up if you start havng problems. 

Thanks Caitlin. The skin has an amazing ability to heal so we will all be whole again. Hope you are doing well. 

Yeah Linda and Idesim!!!! Congrats!



My turn tomorrow! Saw my nurse practitioner and also got a bag of bandages and ointment. I was laying on the table for treatment and noticed a nasty smell. Turns out some of my mypelex bandage had come lose and the sores had a smell to them. Way yucky! Saw my nurse and she doesn't think I have an infection, she just thinks it is the sores and dead skin. Enough already! As if having the sores isn't enough, now they have to smell bad too!! :-( I have not been keeping the mypelex on these last couple of days, since it doesn't stay on well without a bra and the sores under my arm prevent wearing a bra. The nurse told me I really need to keep the sores covered with the mypelex, so back to wearing a bra tomorrow. Guess my tramadol is going to have to get me through on this one. That and lots of lidocaine, because even sports bras hit the sores on my side. Sigh.... At least no more zaps after tomorrow.

Congrats to you too Idesim and Cmbernardi, and Heart for tomorrow! You are all inspirational to somebody is just half way through!

Lin - Idesim - cmbernardi - congrats on being finished!! Hope your skin heals quickly!

I got my cream yesterday -silvadene cream- some of the burny feeling is feeling a little soothed.. had my first boost today - and all day had sharp pains inside my breast.. like sharp jabs - anyone else have that? really hurts.

Heart - all the best to you tomorrow also ..

Idesim- thanks but tried the tight cami, it just won't hold the bandage under my breast, and can't wear the ones with the built in bra because the elastic hits the middle of the sore undr my arm. I had been using tramadol only at night and keeping to the lidocaine during the day. I think I will just start taking tramadol during the daytime and wear the bra. To be honest I went to work without a bra today and just felt awful, just not used to going out like that. So maybe it's for the best anyways.



I agree Linda. Not ready to celebrate yet, although.....all drugged up maybe I'm more fun.... I had heard the skin breakdown can keep happening 7-10 days after rads ends so maybe celebrate in a couple of weeks after you are healed and feeling better.



Congrats Cmbernardi! Good luck with your surgery. I had a partial hysterectomy about 6 years ago. Honestly my lumpectomy was way more painful. Looking back, compared to all this cancer stuff my hysterectomy was a cake walk.



IamNancy- that is happening to me too. During the whole breast radiation I wouldl feel sporadic sharp jabs for an hour or two after. Now that I am doing boosts I feel them during the boost and sporadically throughout the day. They are a very deep pain. It doesn't feel skin related. My nurse practitioner says it is normal and not to worry about it.



Gentle hugs to everyone! Good luck to all just starting! You are in the home stretch Caitlin61. Halfway there

Congrats to those of you who are just finishing up!



I am so sorry your treatment has been so rough, Lin and Heart. Wow. I sure wish those bad side effects hadnt happened to you. It amazes me that they would keep zapping you when it

was clearly hurting you so much. This whole process is terrifying.



Gowiththeflow thanks for telling me how to use the aloe vera. Much appreciated.

Today will be 23/33.   After today only 10 more to go.  I am trying to keep my eyes focused on the prize.  Today is measurement day for boosts.  I saw the dr. yesterday and she said that since my skin is bothering me so much that they can switch the schedule around and do the boosts sooner instead of at the end and then resume the whole breast treatment.  She said that this will give some of skin a rest and that they do this all the time.  My skin has gone from barely pink to very pink and stinging.  The dr. said that the nerve endings are close to the surface and being exposed.

The nurse gave me a couple of Mepilex pads to try.  Since I am allergic to bandaid adhesive I first have to cut a corner off of one of the pads and try it for 24 hours on the other breast.  Then if there's no reaction I can put it on the radiated side.

It seems like I suddenly went from doing fantastic to turning bright bright red and feeling fatigued.  I don't want to cook or clean but have to.  Yardwork needs doing too but is last on the list.  Focusing on getting to last day.  That will be a happy day and I will be one happy happy girl!

Going for rad #19 today and will finally see my long lost RO again. He went on vacation after he worked up my treatment plan after our initial consultation so other docs have been covering for him. Expect to find out for sure if I'll be doing boosts or not.

Hi All,

I had #14 today out of 28 + 8 boosts after that. My doctor said although my skin has held up  pretty well, now is when i would start to see anything go wrong. I do have a "dark mark" under my arm that i made him look at today. It's not breaking down or anything ...yet. He said if anything were to happen it would start to happen from now on. So I guess we are not out of the woods until we are done. I use aquaphor, aloe vera, emu oil and an aveeno cream. I try to lube up at least 3 times a day. From what I can see keeping it lubed will help but not necessarily prevent. I also have cornstarch powder for the creases for when i exercise. :-)  Halfway done with the regular treatments. I'll take it! :-)

I also have had those sharp stabbing pains. As Idesim said, the new normal isn't the old normal.



Heart is done today. Huge Yay for you! Closer to healing with each day that passes. Yes!!!



For those of you asking why they continue treatment when the skin is breaking down, my skin didn't cause too much pain until 2/3 of the way through, and the last five were boosts which mostly did not hit any breakdown area. My worst problems with breakdown were three days after the end of full radiation, and I am having further problems with that. One of the radiation techs was away for three days, came back, and was very surprised by what she saw. It can happen quickly, but my RO says the skin has an amazing capacity to heal so I am glad I finished instead of taking a rads vacation.



I hope those of you who need it can use the Mepilex. Nothing completely fixes rad skin problems except time to heal--all the ointments and pads and moisturizing etc can help you feel better, though. Oh, and don't forget the narcotics if you need them. Ha! I could have so many Percocet by now if I had that problem cuz my RO asked me yesterday if I needed more but I still have many left from surgery so I said no. Cancer changes the way doctors treat you!



Congratulations to those of you who are around the halfway point. It goes fast. Before you know it you will be doing the happy dance!



Annie Lane--It would really make my day if your RO says you do not need the boosts. You will be fine either way but wouldn't that be a nice gift?!!!



Gentle hugs

Linda