April 2018- Starting Radiation

Thank you, DearLife. I will keep on using my lotion and aloe! Good idea for the saline compress.

Kate- I still have recurring nausea that feels chemo-related, even though everyone tells me that it can't possibly be. But I have that burning esophagus feeling now and then. I try to stay away from spicy foods, and I take Tums as needed. Hope you feel better soon.

Congratulations, April Rads Ladies who have finished! It goes by fast, doesn't it? Some of you have wondered about the continuation of redness, swelling, blistering, skin color changing, etc. Just wanted to chime in and say that this was all normal for me. I had all of the above until about three weeks out from the last boost. While I never had any open sores or bad blistering, the other traditional radiation symptoms applied. After week three everything began to return to normal. Beyond some tightness and residual lumpiness, my breast has returned to normal. Maybe a new normal, but normal. Massaging to break up seromas and/or scar tissue has been beneficial. Highly recommended when your RO gives the OK.

Congrats! to all who have finished and hang on for the April crew who have a few to go. I finished boosts on the 31st and already the rashes in the lymph treatment areas (finished 2 weeks earlier) are subsiding. Now the red areas are turning tan color. Continuing the green tea, calendula and A&D ointment to hurry the healing. 

I had right side treatment and my right ear canal is plugged. I asked the RO at my last visit and he dismissed it as no way any scatter reached that area. Has anyone else had an inner ear disturbed by their treatment?   Just curious. Completely manageable, but I don't like the 'dismissed' attitude.

Hats2, I have had ear problems for months! My chemo was over in April, and radiation ended on May 24. But since the first taxotere treatment, my ears have been plugged/ringing and my hearing has been muffled. Another strange symptom was that my ear canals felt rigid and I had no ear wax for months. My ears are still not quite normal, but slowly getting there.

Hello xcao, I am happy to share my experience with you. I just happened to log in tonight and found your post. I hope I'm not too late and that you see this.

I was so anxious before surgery and at the beginning of every stage, so I know what you are going through. I got through it okay, though. Who is your surgeon? When is your surgery scheduled?

I thought the Perlmutter center was very organized. On the day of surgery, I had to get there early for wire placement and a dye injection for tracing lymph nodes. The staff helped me find each place where I needed to be (on different floors), and they called a car to take me over to the hospital. They said they are required to drive patients over to the hospital, so you will probably have that as well. The hospital was a bit confusing and busy - you have to find your way up to the outpatient surgery area by yourself. But once there, the nurses are helpful.

My surgeon was Dr. Amber Guth. She was very reassuring. After surgery, she recommended other doctors in her team. There are a few radiation oncologists at Perlmutter. I had Dr. Gerber. Also, Dr. Guth recommended my medical oncologist, Dr. Marlene Meyers. All my doctors are women, though there are men doctors there as well.

I felt pretty good after I got home from surgery, probably still had painkillers in by system. The pain was worse on the third day, though, and I had some swelling. Advil helped more than the Tylenol/codeine they prescribed. I used an ice pack to bring down the swelling and it also helped me feel better. They didn't give me that instruction to use ice, I don't know why.

I started radiation treatments 3 weeks after surgery. I had a very short course, just 5 treatments of 3D external partial breast radiation. A week before radiation started, they gave me three tiny tattoos on my back and one on the side of my breast for guiding the radiation technicians. The one on my breast hurt more than the others, but was not unbearable. It didn't take long, though. I didn't have any lines drawn on me. They used stickers to set up for the tattoos, but all was removed before I left that day.

The first day of radiation was the most uncomfortable. I had to hold a position for maybe 20 minutes while they scanned me and got all the data they needed for the imaging. The platform I was laying on pressed on my rib cage and after awhile, it really bothered me. I didn't know that I'd be there that long and wished I had adjusted my position before they started. The other 4 sessions were shorter - about 10 minutes long - and not as uncomfortable. The radiation itself didn't hurt at all while it was happening. I didn't have many side effects, but by the fifth day, it seemed like I was developing a few little blisters. That lasted for a few days, but never did become burning or blistering.

I didn't get a second opinion for radiation. Maybe I should have, but I decided to trust them and just move through the stages. So far, I feel good.

Please feel free to ask me other questions, xcao. Hope all goes well for you.

Hello Perimutter,

Thank you very much for your detailed information. It is very helpful. I was so glad to see your response, specially right before my surgery. I read you response several times, and passed it to my family members. I felt comfortable and knew the steps from your response. I really appreciated you !!!

I have same surgeon Dr. Amber Guth as you. I will have lumpectomy this Friday. My procedure is little different from you. I did SAVI SCOUT yesterday. I will go to 550 on Friday. Hope everything will go well, and have limited Radiation.

How long it take to back work after surgery ?

Can you work during the radiation ? How to protect skin from radiation. My skin is very sensitive.

This is totally new and I didn't know what I should to do. This website give me lot of help. I learned lots from you, and everyone.

( BTW, sorry for my limited English. )

Thanks again !

XC

Hi Poliwogli,

Thank you for your quick response. Your response always made me comfortable , give me confidence to fight with BC. Hope not spread to lymph nodes ! I will talk to you after surgery.

Thank you !

XC

Hi Perlmutter,

I had surgery last Friday. It went pretty well. Not spread to sentinel lymph . It is a such great news to me!!! Not very pain and no need med so far. Dr. Guth is great and very nice. They told I will visit her in one week and review pathology report. I hope that my pathology report is good.

I walked half hours today. My left hand can't lift, but can do simple thing, I feel uncomfortable on my wound but it ok, I guess.

Thank you very much for your support !

Thank you everyone on this site!

XC

Hi Perimutter,

I am doing well these days. No pain, and walked every day. I am going to see BS tomorrow, however I did not get a call from nurse about my pathology report yet. I am kind of nervous about it. Did you get a call about pathology ? What doctor will talk to me in post opt visit ? What questions I should ask ? Did you do oncotype test ( I didn't know what it is, just see people were talking about it on this site ). There are so many new words to me, and some I got it but some not.

BTW, I am trying meditation these days. I believe it will help your body.

Thanks you,

XC

Hi there.  I am no longer tired but I do have minor skin rash away from my treatment area.  My breast and underarm healed wonderfully but I keep getting a rash just away from armpit down my arm and upper chest treated side at my collarbone and over to my shoulder.  I fear it's from being outdoors.  I have been wearing sunscreen.  Not working.  Guess will be wearing T-shirts all summer!  I'm not worried really I'm sure this is a side effect of being radiated.  I am scheduled for a follow up in Sept so trust it will be gone for good by then.

Hope everyone is enjoying summer!