Spring 2014 Rads

I am 16 days PFR and my skin started to feel super tight and leathery as if I had a transparent film placed over it. It is still quite red and now feels lifeless. The area under my armpit has peeled off. 

I wonder at this point if that tightness and leathery feel gets better or it stays like that.

Well, here is a pic. 

count it all: I feel DAMAGED for LIFE the way I feel right NOW!

I wonder at this point if that tightness and leathery feel gets better or it stays like that.

The skin where bolus was NOT used looks almost normal other than a bit drier.

I feel a sense of betrayal from my RO since he didn't warn or explain to me the implications of using bolus. Mind you this DR has been great in every other regard.

Now I feel the damage is done , is permanent and severe. I feel angry, frustrated and helpless.

Count it all~Sent you a private message about a week ago .

Amazonwarrior, was the bolus used on the area that got gray?  I had a bolus the entire time on one area and then during boosts the whole boost area had a bolus on it.  Today was my last day WHOO HOO, I think I was the caboose of the spring rads.  I just really wonder what the boost area is going to look like in the end. Right now it is very red and I'm afraid if I pull the stickers off, it will pull my skin off.

Hang in there and I hope it continues to heal.  I'll continue checking here to see how you are doing, since I had one the entire time too.  Hope mine does not get too worse before it starts getting better.  My biggest complaint at the moment is fatigue.

Phebe I had tht fishnet stuff too---looks like a "tube top" until you play with the scissors.  I had something called ABD pads (looked like a cross between a cocktail napkin and a sanitary pad) that I tucked inside a ways so it could stick up under my armpit to cushion it.  Amazing stuff these nurses have...

have any of you noticed that the radiated side is raised higher than the other .  I am 6 weeks out from rads and I just noticed today that my non cancer side is really flat and the radiated side is raised a bit.  I should say I've had a BMX with no reconstruction so this is really noticeable.  It could perhaps be some lymphedema in the area, but I am just  wondering if any of you had this too.

yes redhead the fishnet look like a long tube and it is great to use so bandages don't get stick on radiated area.

I’ve been reading the post on this board since early May. It seems most on this board are finished with rads or will be soon. Hope all are doing well.

I started treatment on May 1 and did well until after treatment #26 (June 7). I started having intense burning, stinging, itching under my breast as well as in my underarm area.  Saw the Radiologist and he said it was a flare…keep area as dry as possible. No bra when possible, treat area with ½ water and ½ hydrogen peroxide solution and rinse thoroughly with water, pat dry and apply aloe and panty liner under breast to absorb moisture, and prescribed Loratab for pain. He also said it would peel some but hopefully I’d feel better in a few days.  

Started the 1^st of 5 boosts on June 11.  The irritated area isn’t in the boost area so it should be getting a break.  It got worse so I saw radiologist again. He seemed surprised at how bad it had gotten since earlier in the week. He says I’m having a bad radiation skin reaction and that it may not peak until 10 days after the last full breast treatment.  I’m praying it will peak before then!

He had the nurse dress it with Mepilex transfer dressing and sent me home with more so I could do dressing changes at home. I’m wearing a very soft leisure bra to help hold it in place. The Mepilex has helped but under breast area is so sore!  The under arm is sore too. Sentinel node biopsy scar is crusty.  It didn't look like that after surgery.

I keep telling myself I can do this! Only 2 more boost left!

I don’t know how those of you who have had to do chemo and radiation manage. Radiation alone has been bad enough.  

Had my last treatment yesterday 6-17-14. Yeah!

click chick ... The radiation tech told me that the boost area could also get worse before it gets better.   Much like what you said. Hope it will behave!  Giving it lots of TLC.

Was prescribed Silvadene cream on Mon. for area under breast.  I apply it first and then cover with the Mepilex dressing.  It seems to be helping.  Hoping fatigue will begin to go away.  Doing everything I can to feel better.  We have a special day on Sunday... our God daughter's Christening.  So looking forward to seeing her and kissing those sweet cheeks.   Also have business trip to Nashville planned in early July.  Even though it's work, it's been my goal to make that trip.

yes, fatigue is still an issue for me. I am  17 days out. 

another issue is peeling. but mepilex helps. 

Now that treatments are over, everybody expects you to be back to normal but your body does not let you. 

Will start working in July and worried about it. 

mind and body both tired in last 6 months ordeal.

Fatigue seems to be my biggest radiation issue at this point too, also, my underarm area doesn't have much sensitivity to touch. Had my post rads check up with the MO yesterday and she did a very thorough breast exam and said nodes and tissue indicated no evidence of disease.  Nurse said underam area  i is nerve damage from rads, and should return, but doesn't always......

Started taking my Anastrazole June 9th (generic Arimidex).  Some side effects like mild nausea feeling (no hurling) some joint pain, maybe a hot flash or two, but nothing like my surgical menopause ones in 2006.  Am walking 2miles every day and back on Weight Watchers---have lost 15 lbs since diagnosed, but at 5.6 and 190 lbs, still have a significant amount to lose---gotta cut down on the places to store the dreaded estrogen reserves. 

Debic, I was not treated above my clavicle, and I clung to my stickers and black marks until the last week.  I started out with 7 stickers- which they reduced to three after about a week. (My tumor was upper outer quadrant).  My MO had told me to expect 3 tattoos.  The last week, they convinced me that I shoud have the one in the middle between my two breasts to mark edge of radiation field just in case of a re-occurrence.  Surprised me at how painless it was. They were so very tiny, and I have so many freckles (even on non-exposed skin) that you can't really see them at all.  I didn't have to do boosts because of a pre-existing condition, I think that is another set of marks when the  time comes.

aussielover...   From your posts it looks like you and I have been almost on the same schedule.   I finished on 6-17-14.    I know you'll be glad to finish.   It is odd how we react differently to treatment.  My coworker went through similar diagnosis and treatment last year.   Said she only got a little tan and slight peel ... no real redness or pain but did say she had some fatigue. Only time she missed from work was to go for daily treatment.So happy for her but I'm jealous!   

On last full treatment, my skin started breaking down under my breast.  They thought since not in boost area it wouldn't continue to worsen.  Unfortunately that wasn't the case.  It's been rough.  RO prescribed Silvadene and Mepilex dressing.  Also a prescription for pain meds so I can sleep.   I've been off 2 weeks since skin break down.  My boss is very understanding. Her husband is a retired breast cancer surgeon.  Coworkers have texted to check on me. I've told them about my situation but I'm not sure they really understand.  Especially since our other coworker was blessed with not having SE.

Will be praying your last treatments go well.  One thing I've learned through this, is to not hesitate to ask for something if you have SE.   

Lovestosew. Are you planning to take tamoxifen? 

aussielover....   Yes, I'll be starting tamoxifen soon.  A bit nervous about possible side effects.  But trying to stay positive and take 1 day at a time.   How about you...will you take tamoxifen?  I hope you were able to complete radiation and that your skin is holding up.  

My MO said I can wait and start the tamoxifen when my skin is healed.  It got really bad. Ended up with a big area under my breast that looked like a raw steak and was seeping clear fluid.   I'm thankful the RO started me on Silvadene,  Mepilex transfer dressing, and pain meds.  New skin started appearing on 6-20-14.  As of today, the entire area has a thin layer of new, very pink, sensitive skin. Still using Mepilex to cushion and protect the area. I'll see the nurse this week for a skin check.  I'll never take healthy skin for granted again!

At last MO visit, I asked about a report I had read about vitamin D deficiency.  According to it, low Vitamin D level can make a person more susceptible to developing cancer, as well as other illness.  She agreed and did a blood test to check.  Mine was very low 9.9, she said normal is 30 to 100.   Now she has me on a prescription strength vitamin D supplement.   I'm curious, is anyone else taking vitamin D?  

Lovestosew---my Vitimin d level was at 18, I have beentaking 4000 units daily for past 3 years.  Its around to 50 last check, but I want to get it up above 60

everything seemed to be at a standstill not many posts. Hope everyone is doing better