Starting Radiation in May 2017

Congratulations Rose!!!

It's been 3 days since I finished and I'm pinking up quite a bit. I can now see the perfect rectangle that was my radiation field, where I could never see that before. I'm not too uncomfortable, but I did use some Miaderm on it this morning and still using cornstarch. What throws me the most though is that the breast is noticeably smaller and the nipple is at least an inch higher than the other. It looks really odd in some clothes. Does that stay that way???

Peetie: Thanks for recommending the Cortisone 10, it's working! I tried some other generic ones I had and it didn't really help. It's still a little itchy, but the bumps are almost gone.

Starting radiation in July. Just had CT with mapping. I will be having 25 treatments. No boost since I had complete pathological response with chemo. Is this normal? My BSO had told me 6 weeks. Also, have been told swimming was fine, but then today I was told only water waist deep. Just wondering what others were told. It is summer and my kids and I love to swim!

Thanks in advance!!

ML1209: You explained it perfectly. Yes, everyone thinks I'm DONE! But as long as I have to keep seeing the MO, the RO and the BS, I'm not really done. And there is always the niggling thought...they didn't see the DCIS on mammogram or MRI, just the IDC. So, how do I know I don't really have DCIS in the left one too? I try not to think about that! And I try to suck up the AI side effects because that's supposed to keep it in check if it is there.

I was told no swimming if the skin was peeling or open. My BS and MO "guessed" at 4-6 weeks. I had 4 weeks. I think it's up to the RO after they look at all the information and the pictures they take.

MJ: I am SO itchy!!! It's 6 days since the final rad and I'm going crazy. Nothing is helping the itching. Cortisone 10 does for a little while, but not for long and I don't want to put it on more than twice a day. And my breast is a bit pink, but the area above where it meets the chest is a funny brown color, the breast and the area under my armpit feels like a sunburn, and my incisions are an ugly dark reddish brown. Do the incisions ever lose that color? I would be very self conscious wearing a sleeveless blouse or dress.

Chloe: I have no experience with what you describe,but I sure can see why you would be concerned. Just off the top of my head I am guessing that this is a reaction from the radiation. Please don't get ahead of yourself until you see the doctors tomorrow!

Leaving on Thursday for 3 weeks at our cottage where there is little or no cellphone coverage and no internet or wifi unless I can use my phone as a hotspot. So, if you don't see me around, you'll know why.

Hang in there!!!

Nancy618- I'm using Mepitel film. I'm on 21 of 30 rads and I'm getting red and super itchy. The reason I decided to tell you about my Mepitel use is that I feel good that my skin is covered. I do scratch thru the film but it is keeping my skin safe from infection from my scratch impulses. The film is very comforting. You can buy 4x4 squares at cvs.

I have worn it since day 1 of rads and only have to change it once a week or less. some pieces just stay and stay. It's a patchwork on my areas I'm getting rads on my breast armpit and superclavical. It stays on wonderfully. No creams needed. It doesn't stop the itch but it's supposed to protect from moist desquamation? Spelling?

Anyhow you could try it if you are going crazy

I wear it through radiation treatments basically a week at a time. It is being done in NZ and in trials

Nancy618 - Don't worry about the brown skin it will start to fade to a light tan then back to normal. It might take til 2 weeks out before you see it happening. I'm 3 1/2 weeks from my final boost and my skin back to normal. You can barely see my scar at all.

bravepoint: That is VERY reassuring. The incision scars are really ugly right now. I'm at one week out today.

Tappermom: I've used 3 different brands of the 1% hydrocortison, supposedly all the same, but nothing helped except the Cortisone 10. So glad that you feel more like you!!! My bone crushing fatigue from last weekend has abated quite a bit. BUT now my sleeping problems have begun again. It's got to be the anastrozole. It's been 8 days since I started it and this is the exact point where I started having issues with the letrozole. I wake during the night and my mind is racing and I feel really hyper and anxious. I'm awake a couple hours before falling asleep again and having really strange, lucid dreams. I know I can't go on like this for 5 years, so I hope things even out after awhile.

Finished rads yesterday - 20 including 4 boosts. Traveled 2,100 miles to do so - had to take a ferry and a car every day. Besides the infection I got - due to an aspiration from BS 2 weeks in, I didn't have much of a problem. Did get fatigued, hoping It goes away soon and I got a rash under my arm.

Volunteers at the hospital make lap quilts and you get to choose one on your last day, also got a certificate and got to ring the bell.

I'm going to focus on getting my strength back. I found it too difficult to work out the last couple of weeks.

Hoping we all get back to feeling like ourselves again.

Congratulations Tappermom! You are almost there!! I am sorry to hear about the fatigue! I find that my fatigue and skin are getting better every day, so it won't be long for you...

Hi Peetie: I was also told that radiation awakens nerve pain. It's making me feel as if there is a breast there -- phantom breast. So I am taking Aleve. If I do not do my stretches, the skin feels very tight and I can't sleep.I had my first booster today.

Yeah MexicoHeather, you are almost done!! I am now taking Aleve every 12 hours, and I am also taking Tylenol at night when trying to fall asleep. It is helping with the nerve pain, and I have been able to sleep the last two nights. Maybe this will help if you are also having problems with nerve pain, I hope so!

Hi,

It's been six days since I finished my 20 radiation sessions. I've noticed "freckles" on my breast and have had a bit of itching. My biggest problem is muscle weakness. The fatigue is getting better but today I had trouble climbing stairs. Not out of breath, actual difficulty getting up the stairs. I had to partly pull myself up using the railing. I didn't work out much during the four weeks of radiation due to fatigue and time available. But I don't think I should be this weak. Anyone else have anything like this.

SJI, I finished about 10 days ago. My muscles are very sore, but I think it's from not walking a lot. I'm still very tired. Heard that could last 2 months. The skin on my areola is very dark and peeling. I was having 'zingers' in my breast and nipple last week, but is is better. It is uncomfortable wearing a bra. My skin in general on my boob looks pretty good though. Hopefully next week will start back at the gym.

Goincrazy8, the boost was easier on my breast, so not as bad, but keep applying lotion and drink a lot