Fall Rads 2014

StongEnough- my skin looked like that in the beginning it felt like a rash and itched but it was only in the places that I have sunned for yrs. it was a little strangeit started out itching for about a week then the itching went away but the rash remained and didn't bother me as much. I'm red around my nipple area where they did the boost the rest looks like a tan. I'm 2 weeks out and still getting some reaction in the boost area My nipple is very tender and dark. I also used Tramcinolone it was great .Thinking of all who are going through this. Hugs Susu

Puffin, my nipple was extremely sensitive from my lumpy. Wish that would go away. Also wish that I would get complete sensation back under my arm. Some has returned but it is not "normal" yet. My RO said it can take up to a year for everything to return to what will be your new normal for color. You may stay gray or it may go away. I thought everything would go back to like it was prior to rads.

Blownaway - Congrats on finally finishing tomorrow! I am sure it will feel so good to be done. 3 more boosts for me!

Strongenough, My skin looked like yours as well. Boy did it itch! I also got the same rash in a square on my upper back from the rads going through. Hydrocortisone cream worked really well for the itch. I'm 3 weeks out and the itch was gone in about 7-10 days except for one spot that continues to itch but not too bad. Hugs and Happt Thanksgiving to you all!

Jeanelle, Susug, Willowreed & Generation3, thanks! It's good to know I'm not the only one with this itchy rash. I also have a lot of new brown spots like big freckles under the rad boob, along with some lesser itchiness, and my armpit SNB incision is gettig sore. But my RO keeps assuring me that none of this is unexpected, my rad boob looks great, and everything will heal and go back to normal when this is done. I'm all for that, but the most important thing is to KILL THE CANCER

My breast and arm pit are a brownish red and feels warm. I'm on my last four appointments (all boosts, yesterday was the first). So much easier then the full breast - I don't have to do the breathing thing and it only takes 3 to 4 min and I'm outta there!

Jeanelle my boost was less than 30 seconds and only in one spot.

kkay5525-  I have had 6 radiations so far and I have no side effects yet.  The breast is warm and pink, but that's it.  I will have 15 rads with 7 boosts.  Yes, I was nervous, but there is nothing to it.  It is just over whelming a little.

willowreed ,So happy for you what a great Thankgiving for you

Yippee, Blownaway! That's wonderful! One less thing on your schedule. it IS hard to determine what's causing your exhaustion. Normal works! Happy Thanksgiving!

Hooray to Blownaway!  Put a check in that box and move on.  We've traveled this road together for the last 5 months. Some of it has been pretty scary, and some of pretty miserable... but there is definitely a light at the end of this tunnel! I wish you well.  Have a great day.

Headed in for my first Rad treatment…I know it's not going to "hurt" but am very stressed about it. Just having trouble with feelings about putting radiation in my body on purpose! …"killing" my own body cells - good and bad….part of your lung gets hit and will not return….red itchy skin…possible burns…etc, etc. etc. I am usually (or should I say was) a very positive person and am trying hard to get back there…..Maybe when its all finished I can return to my self.

Noticed my own negativity when a young friend of mine said "WOW, I can't believe that came out of your mouth"…after I gave a boat in the flotilla parade a zero! Ha.

Have a great day!

KKay, guess I was lucky. I never stressed over having radiation, just very glad to have a treatment to kill those cancer cells. Had very few SEs. I was stressed over so many other things (not the BC), that I suspect I had no room in my mind to stress over this. DH was very bad and is now in a nursing home. So my rads were just another thing to do, while taking care of DH.

SKBrown, I sure know about hubby and rads. DH was in the hospital for 3 weeks and I was having radiation all that time. On the same campus but a different building. so I'd run over for my rads and come back to DH. Glad your DH is home. What a huge relief. It was so hard putting DH in a nursing home (after 6 weeks in rehab), but I could no longer manage his care, too exhausting. You're doing good! HUGS!!!

Pontiac, how long do you have to take hormones?  any side effects yet?  I think I have to take them for 5 years.  Does that sound about right?

Tough decision you had to make.  I am trying to talk mine into medically retiring and draw disability. (if he qualifies)  he should.  but he wants no part of it.  He is a stubborn old fart.  but he is my stubborn old fart.  42 years married this month.