Did anyone make it through radiation with their skin okay?

I just finished 28 rounds to 4 fields. My skin is a little pink, but otherwise fine. My r.o. Instructed me to brew strong green tea every night and spray it on my skin 4 times per day.

Hi all,

Funny about the green tea....I was a short order cook one summer during college and learned a trick about treating burns. Wet a tea bag (regular tea, not herbal) and lay it on the burn - amazing how quickly it takes the pain away! Have been using tea bags for burns ever since. I've been told it's the tannin in the tea that does the trick.

Annie

I took a 2 week (I think) break at the midway point of radiation and it was beneficial  for my skin. I never had any problems with my skin although I have a long chronic history of ezcema. I think the break was a good thing because my skin was starting to burn and it had time to heal.

yeap, just be alert to burns and YELL loud if you think you are burning!  docs are good at giving you stuff, best of luck and may the 35 or so sessions, go fast

Today is my last day of rads (Yea!) and I haven't had much discomfort. I agree with Pamela, no shaving, no deodorant. I washed off with dove before treatments and only used Calendula cream. I turned a bit red, but no open sores, blisters or anything. Skin does feel tight and rough. I have some swelling which the RO says will be there for awhile. She recommended massage lightly to try to move the fluid around. My follicles are more prominent due to swelling. I looked like I've been walked over with cleats...

Best of luck to those just starting. Hope it treats you gently!

sciencegal, I'm so glad you started this thread. I have my simulation on Friday and I admit I'm really nervous about this whole process. I've been reading about such bad side effects, it's nice to hear about good outcomes. Thank you!

Oh I remember being nervous.  I had no idea what to expect other than that I had only heard horror stories from people I knew who had been through radiation (they were treated at a different same health system than I was). 

I went through radiation in Spring 2013.  For the most part I did fine - some itching and definite tenderness / mild sunburn-y feeling..  Nipple was *very* unhappy the last week and a week or so after.  (To my radiation onc's credit - she did warn me about this.)  I used RadX (given to me at the radiation center), aquaphor and a WholeFoods 365 lotion that I had approved by my radiation onc.  I tried lanolin on the nipple but it didn't seem to make a difference.  Only time seemed to help that.  I wore a lot of 100% cotton tank tops once I got home from work. 

I was treated on my left side and did the gated breathing technique.  I only had problems when I started to think about *why* I was there and what they were doing.  If I visualized myself in a pool or at the beach snorkeling (I know!) - I was able to hold my breath just fines.  My techs were great and helped me through the one or two sessions when I had a hard time.   

My skin has healed nicely and my scar did great (not sure if I should credit the surgeon, the radiation onc, the lotions or just good fortune).  I get the itchies every once in a random while. 

The one thing I was unprepared for was sore pec muscles from repetitive motion months afterwards - think gardening, repainting a room kind of repetition.  Take it easy once you do feel well and remember to stretch, stretch stretch even though you are feeling fine. 

I send positive energy and healing thoughts to those of you who are going through radiation now or who are getting ready to start.  Good luck!

I had my 7th of 21 treatments today.  I am getting a little more pinky-red as time goes by.  I had read somewhere on here about using pure aloe vera gel immediately after treatment (when getting dressed) and it really does help .  

My appointments are at 1:30 everyday so i put the aloe vera on right away then slather some Aquaphor around bed time.  I may have to adjust as time goes by but so far so good.  I am noticing little bumps (like heat rash pimples) but i usually get little bumps in the summer too so not overly concerned.  One thing the techs advised was to be sure to apply cream under the breast and i did notice that area can be a little more sensitive for me.

It's still early in the game for me but I am hopeful things won't change too drastically.   My next hurdle is my Tamoxifen "do" or "don't" - so trying to read up on that now.

In the meantime, I just keep focussing on my last day of rads and counting the days till then.

Oddly enough I ditched the Aquaphor today.  I think that was causing the bumps.  I put some on last night before bed and it itched like heck !!

Today I stuck with the aloe vera gel.  No itchies .  

Proudtospin - for sure I will get your advice if the aloe decides to fail me.  

....i used aloe straight from my plant several times a day, and miaderm an hour before rads and immediately after! no problem at all, except for a little bit of redness, that just turned into a tan. i was encouraged by another older woman who had told me, never stop moisturising, and i try to remember. but then, i was always more concerned about what it did internally, cause i have always been a tomboy,aand not that concerned with external appearances. that has changed somewhat though, as post treatment, i will take all the help i can get to look good! good luck to all going through this, you will do fine. i was the biggest baby of em all, and i did ok. ;0

Met with my RO today and she said all looked good minus a bit of swelling. She said if the aloe works to continue. I had another CT scan for the last part of my rads (boosts) and that should be it for awhile.  2 weeks to go and then I am done

MsPharoah, thank you for all of the information! It's so encouraging to hear about good results. I have my simulation tomorrow.

Junipergirl, I bet you can't wait to be finished. It sounds like you are having minimal side effects as well.

Thanks for sharing all of the positive stories. It makes me less nervous.