Did anyone make it through radiation with their skin okay?

Skin just got a little darker in the radiated area, like a tan, but I never had any pain there or irritation.  I used the aloe and other creams that they gave me religiously every day, so that could have helped to prevent problems.  I did have an itchy nipple afterward at times, but moisturizing it helps.

actually, I got itchie during rads, my RO office gave me samples of dif creams to use, so I picked the one that said on the side of package...good for radiation dermatitis!

it did well, better than the cortizone 10 cream really

I just joined last night, but I swear I cry for every post I read, every little tid-bit of info or story I hear. It's like I've been holding my breath since May 13th and I've finally been able to exhale 

In the 8 year period leading up to my diagnosis, I was extremely depressed with aches, pain and fatigue among other things. It turns out the culprit was my multivitamin. It had 5,000% the daily value of B6. To put that into perspective, you get your full recommended amount in about half a banana. To make a long story short, I am so freaked out about drugs and/or treatments altering my personality or making me fatigued again. So paranoid. 

I'm also in my early 30s and haven't had any children yet, so I'm really concerned about that too. Everyone is different, but I'm so glad to see that there's always hope. Always good days in with the bad, and now I have a place to go to help manage both.

And it sounds like I need to listen to my body but move as often as possible. Even on days where I'm feeling really tired, if that should be, I'm going to walk even if that means pacing. And I can't wait to share my experience 

Thanks so much Sciencegal for bringing our focus back on the positive, and thanks so much everyone for sharing your stories.

Hi All, I have 4 more radiation treatments left (boosts). I have to say I'm lucky I have no skin breakdown. I put my lotion(s) on 3 x a day.Drinks lots of water. And for those asking about exercising. I am a zumba instructor. I took six weeks off after my lumpectomy and then having my port put in. I slowly went back to teaching twice a week during CMF chemo. And now during radiation I teach 4+ times a week. I feel SOOO much better when I exercise. I swear it sweats out all the toxins. I make sure my breast is lubricated, then coat it with cornstarch baby powder so it doesn't stick to anything, and am good to go. My doctor is so proud of me for working through this. I DO get tired. But i rest after. The tiredness goes away once I get started. Exercise has truly saved me through this entire ordeal.

Naps have helped. Its been so important to me not to let the cancer/chemo/radiation win! I refuse to let this define me. :-) It's been one day at a time. That is all any of us can do! :-)

great for you!  now start to plan a vacation, or maybe you already have that done!

Congrats Nyama, Robin and Proudtospin  And thanks again Sciencegal!

I'm starting next week and am happier than a bird with a french fry! CT scan and all that and treatments will probably begin the Monday after that. I'm really happy because I get to get a lot more independence back ironically and will be closer to my friends. I love living in the high desert, but I miss being able to walk anywhere without dying from heat exhaustion, or just being able to sit outside during the day. There's also a Crossfit gym really, really close to the hospital, so I can walk from my room/apartment there. There's also a Michael's nearby so I can keep working on my Smash books (creative journals) that have really been helping me through this. It's nice to be able to now travel less than a mile (the Michael's is also really close to the hospital, it's like to Universe knew I'd be coming ) without having to drive 50 miles to Palm Springs. 

I've also decided to post here no matter what my experience is, but have honestly already decided it's going to be good. I've got my Lindi pad coming in the mail, my V-neck Ts, I've got an exercise program lined up and thanks to Robin3 I'm going to make sure and put some baby powder in my sports bra when I'm working out. Oh, and talk to your doctors about Astragalus! 

I am a little concerned about getting enough protein since I'm practically Vegan (I have one free day a week and tend to eat just one serving of lean chicken, turkey or...a BLT. Man do I love BLTs!) and no dairy at all. I can cheat all the time but the one thing I don't mess around with is dairy since there have been numerous studies that have found Casein to be like Miracle Grow for cancer. But man do I miss cheese, but not nearly as much as I miss not having cancer. I'll talk to my nutritionist but I've found it so hard to get enough protein from soy since changing my diet after diagnosis. 

Anyhow, I'm rambling because I've been up since 1 and now it's 5am  Congrats again, thank you, and stay strong!

I second what Ruth is saying.  It might be wise to look at the need to eat more protein as medication.  Often we don't want to take something but really have to to heal.  After you have healed from rads, at least 2-3 weeks afterwards, then you could go back to your regular diet.  

I'm on a medium dose of antibiotics after nipple reconstruction on a radiated breast.  This is preventative. I'm not one to take extra meds, but an infection could damage the reconstruction, cause cellulitus, and/or aggrevate LE, so an antibiotic is reasonable under this situation.  Don't like it, but must do it.

That's really sound advice. I've been having soy about 2-3 times a week and am even concerned about that because of the isoflavones, but I need the protein. When I first started it was no soy, dairy or meat, but I felt really weak. I started juicing and have a fairly balanced diet now, but it's actually gotten that I don't like the taste of meat and feel a bit ill after eating it. I guess I'll have to wait and see what the nutritionist says :-) 

A diet break sounds great because I didn't eat a lot of processed foods before and was fairly healthy. So to go from someone who stays away from HFCS, dyes and other additives, and only eating organic, to a super strict Vegan diet may have jolted my system since my already limited choices got even more so. 

And I'm heading over to check out the emu oil and miaderm 

 Ha ha ha ha ha. Ok, ok, ok I hear you guys. I was just trying to use discipline to get through this, but I will both talk to a nutritionist and listen to my body. They actually did a study on allowing toddlers to eat what they wanted and were surprised that the children had a better balanced diet than what their parents provided. They thought they would just want ice cream and cake, but were stunned when the kids would ask for those things in moderation, and asked for things like spinach more. So, I'll pretend I'm on vacation and will learn to eat meat like a Homo neanderthalensis 

sciencegal,  

Yes, probiotics are necessary.  My NP suggested it when I complained about gastro distress.  What a difference!  Worth every dollar.  Not cheap.

Sciencegal, I've been following this thread as I will be starting rads in a few weeks. Thank you for starting this thread as I've learned a lot. I wanted to ask you what brand of emu oil and miaderm did you use and where did you purchase them.

Yippee Ooo who Sciencegirl!



24/25! my Happy Dance shoes are on! Yeah emu oil and miaderm ...keep it up for a month after...skin is still changing and just feels good.

You did it laser tag warrior! Jump off that table and ring that bell! DONE

Graceforme:

Miaderm is the brand.  Developed by RO's.  Available from Amazon.  Nurse in my Ro office told me it used to be by prescription only.  $30 for 4 ounces on Amazon. Very good product.  I did not use Emu oil, so can't help you there.

I learned a lot on this thread.  Finished 28 treatments and 5 of 7 boosts.  Can't wait til Tuesday.  I wish you well on your radiation journey.