Question and Suggestion please.....
Hi Everyone,
I have been off the grid for a while so I hope everyone is doing well.
I finally started my radiation after a 2 weeks delay due to a slow to heal area on breast. Tomorrow will be #20 of 35 so I am more than half way done. On Tuesday I will have a cat scan to plan for the boost sessions.. I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I meet with the RO every Thursday and so far my skin is holding up nicely just a little red but no blistering or major discomfort. I do suffer from tiredness and feel like the radiation saps all my energy.. I go everyday at noon and by 3PM I am ready to nap.. I guess overall I have tolerated it all and know that things could much worse.
Here is my questions: Is it normal for the radiated breast to be darker in color even around the areola? It is also slightly firmer than the non affected breast is that common?
I finish my treatment on July 29 and on July 30 I am leaving for a week in Aruba.. That is my husbands gift to me for completing this ordeal . Like I said I should have started 2 weeks ago so luckily I will still finish in time as long as I don't have to miss any days for skin complications.
I know that I have to keep my chest area covered when in the sun.. Any suggestions as to what products are best for maximum sun protection? Any other tips for the warm Aruba sun that you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Diane
PS I have been on Femara now for a little over 2 months and so far so good.. No side effects! YAY!
Comments
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SO-o-o-o- happy for you Nachout818. I finished about three weeks ago and can still feel the little burn when I'm in the sun so make sure you have some good cover-up and sunscreen on your trip. I am super fair-skinned and the treated breast did get considerably "pink" and darker than my other one. And, yes, the radiated breast felt almost hard to the touch some days. That changes pretty quick when you are finished and the skin starts to recover, but there is still some inconsistency in how they feel when you compare them. I will tell you that the nurses are experts where I received treatment and they recommended absolutely nothing else but Miaderm. I started it before radiation and as my skin began to get more and more pink, they told me to use it more than twice a day. Within about 10 days before the end of treatments, I was using it 4 times a day and it really did make a difference. It is expensive, and there is a version with if you have some pain or your skin is really getting irritated. I was a track coach and used Bull Frog sunscreen and there is a SPF50 that you can spray on which is pretty effective. I'm on Femara as well and I am trying to avoid looking for side effects. Oh, btw, the fatigue hangs on for a few more months, I am told. I will tell you that I am tired as well and it's not because of lack of sleep - just feel weary and deep down tired. Good luck the next couple of weeks and enjoy your trip!!
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You may want to ask your RO if you are allowed to use sunscreen at the end of treatment. I think most want you skin all healed before you use it. Amazon has rashguard 50 spf tshirts/swimshirts you can get for a very reasonable price. I would go that route, getting one that is not v neck so you get maximum coverage. Always ask you oncologist what you can/can't do. They may not want you swimming if your skin is itchy or irratated at all.
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I to had radiation just finished July 13 no major skin issues. My skin is darker but no burns. I was told to use spf 100 in sun. I will be starting femara in two weeks, scared of side effects but sounds like you are doing well on it. Hope I'm the same. Good luck girl!!
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