Did anyone make it through radiation with their skin okay?

ScienceGal - Thanks for your update.  I had implants in 2011 w/the original BMX.  The BS was able to avoid the capsule when I had a recurrence and ALND surgery in Sept 2013.  Just finished rads last week and hoping the implant won't be affected.  The RO said there will be internal changes that could cause implant problems (even capsular contracture) for up to two years.  So glad to see you're almost a year out w/no problems.  Great News!!

Karyn, I am one of the people that went through rads with no skin issues. I was so thankful that sciencegal had started this thread. It really helped to calm my nerves.

I dint have any issues, I kept the area well lubricated with Aquaphor.

I just wanted to say I finished my radiation with out any real skin issues except a small spot right at the node removal siteit just felt sunburned .. I did nothing but "cool" my breast after the treatments with a box of unscented sensitive skin baby wipes I bought a jug of aloe juice from Trader Joes and dumped it into the wipes ..(asked my doctor who said it was fine) it was wonderful when i felt like my boob was on fire …so cooling .. I put one on my face as well ..nothing else ..no soap no lotions no nothing just the wipes ..until the last week then nothing but tepid water on my breast …two weeks out some minor ashiness is all and no real tan..super white skin

I can NOT take a hot bath yet with out swelling and that is really sad to me I have missed it more than anything else long soaks with a book

tried to eat well do yoga several times a week and walked every day before radiation with stretching I think it helped as well who knows

hi - I just finished 4 weeks of the accelerated radiation regimen referred to as the Canadian Method. I have a light olive complexion that rarely sunburns. I had no burning at all. The skin would redden slightly after treatment and be tan by evening. My nipple is very dark brown- that's about it. My skin just got tan. I used calendula cream after radiation amd aquafor at night. Good luck!

I will start rads next month! This thread was very encouraging!

Congratulations Miscraw!! Good luck with your implants!!

I'm about 3 weeks into rads (17 treatments) and am pink/tanned, and a little itchy, but it's all very tolerable so far. Fingers crossed for the next 11 treatments and 7 boosts!

I had no problems with rads - and no fatigue either. I had the three week schedule; wore my usual bra, used aloe vera lotion twice a day. Scar area a bit brown but absolutely no discomfort. Am just one of the lucky ones - no rhyme or reason it seems for others who didn't have such an easy time. Best of luck.

I start rads tomorrow and am pretty worried about skin reactions, fatigue. So glad this thread caught my eye this morning. It makes me feel better about what's to come. Thanks!!

starting rads tomorrow -- is this cream ok?

I was told fragrance free and lanolin free

Thanks.

99% Aloe vera gel/gelly works nicely too. For the first couple of weeks, that's really all I needed. I would still use it but added the cream part for the final weeks as well. I used Miaderm. Kind of pricey over the counter stuff found in some pharmicies. Just need to ask for it. Or online on amazon. Calendula cream which is in this as well is great for burns. A little goes a long way and I have 1/2 a tube left that I gave to the rad center so they can give it to someone who can't afford it.

http://www.miaderm.com

I used Miaderm faithfully and although I had some redness and peeling, especially over the clavicle, I healed very quickly. I kept waiting for the fatigue to set in, but it never did! The worst part of the whole thing was the trip to and from the cancer center.