Summer 2015 Rads

Thanks, pwilmarth. I have dry desquamation as you described. I'm still treating it with Miaderm and Aquaphor to reasonably good effect. I have done a heroic job of not picking at it!

Midgiemoon, thanks for your update!

This is a picture of my raw, denuded skin on Sunday. As you can see, it's quite red and inflamed. And painful.

The top picture is from last night after 48 hours of Silver wound gel and Tegaderm.

You poor thing!

The good news is that it is better.

Hi all!

Pwilmarth - that looks so painful! Thanks for the tip about silver wound gel and Tegaderm. I am at 17/28 and so far so good, no skin changes except maybe a tiny bit pinker in spots.

Midgie, glad things are going so well for you now! It gives the rest of us hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel!

I have been dealing with two different cancers (well, really three...each of my two breast tumours were different types) for nearly two years and I am sick of cancer disrupting my life. All I can say is...this had better be the end of it! I want my old life back!

Andre

Littleblueflowers: (perks up) Yes, noticing muscle pain on the surgified/radiated side, though not to the point of hurting when I breathe deeply. Yet. And sore throat, though that's probably in part due to my overwrought digestive system strictly abjuring me this morning to NOT get it up so early in future..

So no answers, but an alert interest answers in whatever suggestions others might have.

Again, we suffer as a group! Its kind of like boot camp..or cult initiation... Hmmm...I'm just guessing that muscles get as hashed up as our skin does. My RO just said that muscle fibers would stick together and it was important to stretch. I'm wondering how to lubricate the whole system, if that is even possible. For my throat, since ice cream makes me extremely sick since chemo- I tried a mix of honey, warm water, and coconut oil. Mostly I'd just like to avoid infection. My Eustachian tubes on the radiated side are swollen and my ear is crackly too, so I'm guessing rads are pissing off the whole system.

Queenmom, has anyone told you you have an excellent writing style here? I really enjoy it.

Congrats CAMommy! What a milestone, eh? Safe travels tomorrow & wishing you the best on the other end!

LBF, QMC, and KSusan: I also experienced pain with deep breathing. My RO said it was inflammation of the muscles and prescribed Norco. I resisted, as Norco is a migraine trigger for me. But eventually, I had to give in and take it for a few days. The inflammation decreased once I finished whole breast radiation and moved to boosts, so I switched to Advil, which was all I needed by then.

I've heard that if you're trying to tell whether muscle or lung problems are causing your pain with deep breathing, ask yourself whether it feels like you've got a bunch of rubber bands around your chest or whether you're wheezing. If it's rubber bands, it's probably muscular. Personally, I felt like some giant was squeezing me in its grip (perhaps that's how Fay Wray felt when King Kong was waving her around?).

For the throat, how about popsicles?

Congrats to CaMommy!

Again, so reassuring to be part of a group experiencing the same symptoms. Its King Kong squeezing me, although not too tight yet. I guess i should bring up the Eustachian tube irritation to my RO and see if he will give me anything, since its clearly related to rads. I also have always had trouble with my sinuses etc- chemo really irritated them and my throat in the same way. Ah the fun never ends!

So far, faux Mucinex for me--antitussive and phlegm-loosener, great for when my thoat and inner ears are on the warpath. But your mileage may vary.

I'll keep that in mind too! Or at least check with family if you're not sure.

Congratulations, CAMommy and Kniterly!

I've got a little ear trouble, too. I hadn't been thinking about that as potentially a radiation effect!

CAMommy and Kniterly, Congratulations!! It's been a long road, but we did it!! Today is my last day of rads super excited!! CAMommy, good luck on your move and a fresh start is always a good thing. I'm sorry Kniterly that you had so much irritation, I have been pretty lucky, just a spot under my boob that was really sore and raw for a day or two. I hope that it starts healing soon for you and good luck having your port removed, normal? what is that!!??

Congrats to CAMommy, Kniterly and 6doggies. You made it.

For me, 19 down and 9 to go. Everything is holding up ok. I can wear anything for an hour or two, but after that it gets to be uncomfortable. Yesterday I ditched my bra around midmorning at work. I was prepared and wore an undershirt under my blouse. Then topped it with sweater. It's really cold were I work. No one was the wiser. I shifted back to my bra before I left work. I think I'll shop for a silk scarf this weekend to put under the girls.