Starting Radiation in May 2017

RoseRN1 - My skin was fine until about treatment #23 of 25 whole breast. Then, my nipple was really red and sore. I got prescribed flamazine and did saline soaks. Now, the nipple has healed but the skin is tarting to peel off of it! The skin under my arm and under my breast us super red and itchy. I have hydrocortisone cream for that. The 4 boosts were targeted to the tumor cavity between my nipple and collar bone so I suspect that area will start acting up soon too.

Law193

Congratulations on finishing rads!! Thank you for your response, it does help having an idea of what to expect. I am not red yet, but I do have nerve type pain like I did when healing from the lumpectomy (I was told that the ongoing pain that I experienced was because the tumor had invaded a main nerve, and the pain was occurring as the nerve was growing back). I hope this is not a symptom of something that I should be worried about. I will see my RO tomorrow, so I will ask her about it. Are you all done with treatment?

Peetie, yes I am all done with treatment! I dont even know what follow ups I am supposed to have. The RO set one up for me in November to follow up after 6 months but I'm wondering if I am supposed to have a follow up with the surgeon or if I am done with the surgeon forever - no one really said. I suppose I will call and ask. No chemo and I'm er/pr negative so I don't need to see an MO.

Nerve pain is normal - I still have nerve pain and some numb spots from the SNB so it might take a while for all the nerves to heal. I can't wait for everything to feel normal again! (I hope it actually will). I will let everyone know when the itchiness and redness goes away - I definitely still have it today.

Law 193: I am sure it's different for everyone but I am supposed to see my breast surgeon halfway through my radiation treatment. See the MO a month after I finish radiation.

I'm starting today and am incredibly apprehensive about it.

I did start to break out in a rash. I saw my RO today and she said if otc steroids don't work, she'll prescribe something stronger.

I have to see my MO 2 weeks after I finish rads. Will start Arimidex at that time since I'm ER/PR +.Have to have a mammo in November which is when I had mine last year. I then see BS after the mammo is done.

I have a slight rash now too. It's really not on the breast at all hardly but mostly just above it. It's also very slightly itchy. I really can hardly see the rash. Mine didn't start until treatment 21. Goincrzy8, my dr said if I was going to have anything, it prob. wouldn't be for 2 weeks. I think that side looks like it's a little more tan than the other but not pink.

Had my first radiation treatment today. Was really anxious about it. I have to hold my breath for part of the treatment. That ended up being easier than I expected.

Now that the first one is behind me I feel much more relaxed about the 19 more to go. I was surprised by how big the machine is.

Finished #5 of 20 today. I am having some discomfort on my incision, and a little bit underneath the breast where skin meets skin. I noticed that my nipple is inverted and the areola wrinkled. And the breast is warm to the touch. I was kind of surprised as I was told nothing would happen until at least #10 treatment if any would happen at all. I'm also extremely fatigued today. I had a morning appointment with my BS, (I'll see him in 6 months again, but I'm not sure why!), I did 3 loads of wash, went grocery shopping, and made dinner and it's like I have ZERO energy. It doesn't help that I haven't been sleeping more than 5-6 hours a a night again. I'm already taking letrozole and changed from an evening dose to a morning dose. It helps some with middle of the night waking,now I can go back to sleep, but once it gets light and toward morning, I'm done.

I have an appointment with my MO a month after radiation is finished.

Congratulations bravepoint and Law on your completion of radiation!

MJ: I hope we BOTH get some energy back!

I didn't know nausea was a side effect. I had some after my treatment today but thought it was because I didn't have much to eat.

Hang in there! I'm 3 days from my final boost and my nipple is feeling much better though the skin has peeled off..... My arm pit skin is tender and red but applying creams helps. I was told nausea wasn't a side effect of radiation as I'm the type of person who gets nauseous easily. Glad I didn't experience any.

Peetie1- I asked the tech today. She said I'm only receiving radiation during the breath holds.

Hi Ladies, I just found this forum. I am starting radiation in June and only started thinking about it today. My RO, who I have met twice, said I have to stay the same weight for the whole treatment. I actually don't know how long the treatment will be yet. Since surgery (5 weeks ago) I have started changing my diet, low-fat, less sugar, no processed foods, no red meat, some chicken, nothing smoked, or BBQ'd. I'm am leaning to mostly vegetarian. The change is a process. I am also starting to exercise. I am only allowed to walk, but I'm going to get a treadmill and go to the gym 2 days a week to do some weight lifting (legs, stomach, belly, back only. And the more exercise is a process.

But my question is how can I stay the same weight as I change my diet and increase my exercise. I lost 30 lbs during chemo and I wasn't even exercising. A lot of that weight lost is because I didn't have an interest in food or couldn't smell anything. I haven't lost any since surgery, but I'm just now feeling less pain. I'm not willing to go back to a fattier diet and stop all exercise.

Does anyone have any tips on remaining the same weight while changing to a healthier diet and increasing exercise?

Thanks, now I'm going to read the whole forum, as soon as I do my cording arm exercises.

Hanging in there, I would keep to the healthier diet/exercise program. I am making the same kinds of changes, and I have been steadily losing weight throughout this whole process. I am weighed once a week when I meet with my RO, and she has not mentioned that I should stop losing weight.