January 2018 RADS group

Meg101, I’m not sure if it’s the boosts that cause the reaction ... the tech today told me the impact should be minimal. I’ve also read that most of the skin breakdown comes the last two weeks, as your insides are “cooking.” That timing coincides with the boosts, but it may not be causation.

I finished radiation Feb 07th on my left breast. Now the skin is peeling off. I also feela lot of itching in the peeled areas. Any home remedy I could use? Thanks in advance...

Bea, I used cortisone with aquaphor on top for itching and peeling. It's messy so wear and old tshirt

HersheyKiss- great job. I’ve got to admit I get a little teary eyed when I read that some one has finished their rads. 3 more boosts and I’ll be done. I’m red, swollen and very sore, but we have a 3 day weekend to heal!

thanks Down and Out and congrats Katie. Whoo hooo, we made it to and past the finish line! I was wondering how i would feel about being done all active treatment and was worried that i may be depressed as some do....but...nope. Feel pretty darn excited.  I still have stage 2 of my diep to do. That makes me a bit nervous. Will see the PS next month to discuss it. I hear he is about 6 months out for surgery stage two.

Pretty red in the axilla area and feels swollen at night. better in am.  infection at scar site better but still putting polysporin on it. the Glaxol base feels so nice when i apply .

Cabbage leaves are a great idea , just be careful how cold they are  as they suggest no extremes in temperature on the radiated skin.

I rang the bell on Wednesday I am done! I'm amazed how much my skin is healing already. Under my arm was pretty sore and peeling. My collarbone area was very sore as well. But after just two days of rest and hydrogel pads, things are feeling better. So hang in there ladies. It will get better!

Now on to Tamoxifen!

Congrats to all those who finished! And to those soon finishing up with boosts, there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Enjoy the 3 day weekend with no rads.

I finish on Thursday. 3 boosts left to go. I see a MO on Tuesday to get set up for the estrogen blockers. I think I remember it won’t be tamoxifen because of my age, 63. Is it a regular procedure after rads and surgery to have a mri or mammo or something to check that I’m really clear? I see what some of you mean about apprehension at the end of rads. I’m feeling sort of petrified instead of the joy I thought I would feel at this stage of my treatment. How does anyone know the cancer is really gone?

Skookum, I was told that the treated breast will receive a mammogram in 6 months. This allows for healing from radiation. The untreated breast receives a mammogram on its regular schedule. Other than the mammograms, my RO said no additional tests or scans unless I'm experiencing a new issue.

DownNotOut, I also have little "dots" on my chest and left breast. The RO told me I had folliculitis, which is an inflammation of the hair follicles. Hyrdocortisone for it, as needed.

Hi everyone!

I'm so jealous of you who got a three day break! Not here, unfortunately. I had #15/30 today - halfway there.

DownNotOut - I have the itchy rash on my inner breast. My RO prescribed a special hydrocortisone cream, but she said OTC should work just as well. I've been putting some other natural healing agents as well hoping I can avoid using the hydrocortisone but it is persistent!

I have a nice seamless bra that doesn't irritate but when I take it off at night my boob hurts! It just feels heavy and sore. Also, my skin, which usually goes back to white over the weekend was still pink today when I headed into my visit. My nipple has that same problem some of you have mentioned. I guess weeks 4 and 5 are going to be challenging. I'm hoping the last week of boosts will be easier? In the meantime, I got some cold cabbage leaves stuffed in every which way! Haha.

I also saw my RO today about my shoulder - it's sore in the joint and surrounding muscles. I have RA in remission and have been worried about radiation activating my RA. She did think the radiation was hitting a nearby muscle and it is swollen, but she didn't think the beam was hitting the joint. She also didn't think it was lymphodema. So I will just add some extra natural anti-inflammatory for now.

Are any of you on week four this week?

Congrats Hersheykiss!!! Getting stuff done feels good!!!

Congrats Golfer! I’m starting Tamoxifen too next week. Here’s to tolerating it well!!

Has anyone had their nipple sink in a little bit towards the end or after Rads? Mine has a crusty bit all around the nipple especially in the sunken bit. It isn’t itchy or sore just looks gross. My scar is about 1/2 inch from areola. So that area got a hit from the boost I’m guessing. My areola has a dark ring around the outside edge but is lighter everywhere else. Anyone have similar?