Summer Rads 2014

my Playbook for the  next 6 1/2 weeks. BTW. Those are deflated from 800 to 250. 

Rosie I started noticing burning around the same time as you.  However the skin didn't bust open until rad 20. Once we had a treatment plan in place mine healed very quickly.  I used silvadene until we got to the boost.  After boost started I used miaplex on the open areas which is like a bandage and lidocaine gel for pain on the unopened areas. My boost were no where near the area that was so damaged.

My RO said that with my olive skin tone they would have never guessed my skin would react the way it did. So I guess maybe some of that could be genetics.  

The above is a picture of my skin at three different stages. I had what my RO classified as a "severe burn" it hurt like crap. The first picture was at rad 20, the second picture was rad 25 and the last picture was my last day of radiation so I actually left fully healed with the exception of skin that needs to sloth (if thats a word lol) off. By far, the first picture was during my most painful time. I started using the miaplex the day of the 2nd picture and I only wore it 4 days total which was two treatments. The day they put it on, I had almost immediate relief.

Anyhow, not meant to scare anyone but I think it's important to see what may be normal or not normal for some.

Lisa I just had 3/5 boost today and have not noticed any changes to the area. My collar bone area is very deep red, like raw meat but no en area,  I have gotten little red spots at every hair follicle on my breast. I feel like I have measles.  I am attaching a picture which looks worse then it really is, I have a lot of brown freckling at the base of my neck which has gotten darker with the scattered Rads I think.  My sternal area so pretty red from the IM node RT. Nipple is holding up remarkably well since it is the center of attraction with the boosts. Lovely little port sticking up on the other side. 

Sunshine, I only have 5 rads left so by the time I get it from ordering online, I will be finished. So will try the plant. 

Bravo Lisaj514 - As a former runner, I love seeing other people enjoying running. My hat is off to you for running during radiation. You look GREAT!! Keep up the good work.

sunshine...thankfully no open areas yet but I wanted to get ahead and know what their plan is if it does happen...my back area seems to be the most uncomfortable but thankfully it is not constant...I am sure by my 20th rad it would be open like yours!!  I am also olive complexion but it doesn't matter...nurse said it gets bad for 2 weeks after you end and then starts clearing up...glad you are on the mend and thanks for the pics...

Deb...I loved the plant...just cut a leaf open and lots of gel comes out and you can squeeze it out too...very soothing. Rosie

deb...RO said it is exit radiation..so I am thinking the "beam" goes out the back! My back has a large rectangle of dark red and it's as irritated as the front...it's just freaky. I out my radiaplex in the back as well.

Rosie, if you are getting RT to the supra clavicular node it goes out the back. I also got a short zap from the back toward the front to that area.  I have a similar light red rectangle on my back also. 

Rosie, So sorry! I hope they can work something out soon so you can get back on track and get this thing done. I never knew the radiation went all the way through.

Barbara and Sunshine. Those photos look painful . Sunshine, the improvement between day 20 and the end looks incredible. Its amazing how quickly skin can heal. 

JB, I looks like they have put an awful lot of marks and stickers on you. Do they expect that to stay on in the shower? 

Although I am getting pink the area around where the tumor was looks pretty much like its been missed so far which seems a bit odd but I guess it will be different when they do the boosts.

Sorry to ya'll that had the burning and irritation issues. I'm scared that is going to happen to me too, but I'm gonna just take it a day at a time. I am worried that I'm gonna have issues because of my port. My port is on the same side that is being radiated and each tiime the techs have noticed this they questioned it. My doctor says it won't be a problem, but I swear I already felt sore-ish after my first tx.

I'm so worried about having a complication it is likely that I'm noticing things that aren't really there. lol I've had alot of issues over these several months.

I hear you tangandchris, I am worried too about complications. I have had previous radiation on the other breast and on this one as well, and I've been told rads are cumulative, praying for the best, but hard not to worry. We are in this together, hang in there

The first is always the hardest. I was going through major hormonal crashing and cried through the whole thing. What bothered me most was the techs weren't even watching the monitors, and just told me to hold still, without realizing I was balling my eyes out. I was also upset as I was so opposed to rads to begin with. Barbaric. But the next one went much better. I wish I had asked for another team though. Once you start your routine it  goes pretty quick. You will be surprised how fast the time goes.

I had heard that Tom's wasn't that good, so I tried one that is called Crystal. It actually works pretty good. I found it at a health food store. I think you can get it on Amazon too. I actually am planning to keep using it, unless I'm going to do something Really strenuous.

Ddgm, my RO prescribed a steroid cream (triamcinilone) to use every day during treatments.  Once after radiation, once at night.  I started on the first day of radiation.  She said she has had very good success with it.   I did #11/31 today, and so far no changes at all.  

jbok, Thanks so much. I don't talk about it because I'm usually pretty easy going. Between the surgeries, Tamox kicking in, not wanting to do the rads, frustrated with my friends and family. Yeah I was pretty much a basket case. I was pretty upset that they didn't notice me. All I wanted was for someone to wipe my face. Wish I had asked for a new team. I had already complained about my setup to the head nurse, guess I didn't want to sound like a whiner.

deb, you sure can it's even better. Yep just cut it open put a few cuts in it to loosen it and rub it on.

I only used the steroid cream for the itching, once that was controlled I have not used it. I use the aquaphor at night and California Baby daytime. Noticed some fine skin sloughing on the very red area, not much and very superficial. Hope it doe not open up more.

I have two trays of baked goods ready to go in I morrow AM. One of almond pound cake and one of banana brea. Both plain and blueberry. I also made a plate of one piece each to drop off upstairs for my MO as a treat. 10 more hours to THE LAST RADS.