Radiation February 2019

KBlank-I also have a swollen and firm breast on the rads side, but it isn’t that painful and red as yours sounds. I’m sorry you are going through this!

Hey everyone,

I will share a bit of information that has been helping me so far. Hopefully it can be useful to some of you who are experiencing issues during radiation.

1. I bought the recommended sports bra (100% cotton) but didn't find it as comfortable as my "formula": I wear a very old T-shirt (cotton) and an old comfortable bra (no wires) over it. On top of the bra I use a "regular shirt". In short: The only piece of clothing that has direct contact with my breast is any "ancient" 100% cotton t-shirt. :-)
2. My rads are in the morning, and as soon as I am done, I apply a THICK (really thick) layer of Aquaphor. I do this while I am at the radiation center, at the time I am changing from the gown to my regular clothes. After applying the lotion, it's the same routine: old cotton T-shirt, old comfortable bra, regular shirt, coat.
3. I am drinking at least 4 liters of water / tea during the day, specially just before and after rads. I prefer Perrier as it contains Calcium.
4. During the day I apply lotion (Eucerin) at least 3 x . As my radiation is early in the morning, I don't apply it before my appointment, but both my doctor and the technicians said it would be totally fine. There is no need to "wash the area" to take the lotion off before treatment. There are several articles supporting this, just Google it.
5. I hired a certified physiotherapist to come to my place in order to teach me "the best exercises to avoid lymphedema". Although lymphedema can happen to anyone (regardless if the person is exercising daily or not), I came to articles stating that daily diaphragm/arms/hands exercises can decrease the chances. It's still something not "totally proven" (as it happens with many other subjects related to cancer). My list has 25 different exercises, many of them are the same prescribed by the breast surgeon. You may want to follow the exercises prescribed by your doctor / hospital. I would suggest to repeat them at least twice a day (although the PT said 3 times a day would be "ideal"). I am doing the lymphatic exercises in the morning (after treatment) and in the evening. In case you don't have such a list from your surgery center, or don’t want to book a consultation with a PT,look on YouTube and you will find several. Accordingly to my PT, "shoulder blades squeeze" and "diaphragmatic breathing" are the most important.
6. I also learned from the PT that, regardless the side of surgery, the exercises should always start with the left arm, as the left side of our body contains 80% of the lymph nodes. The goal is to keep fluids moving easily, and this happens when we start exercising with the left arm / hand.
7. I am sleeping with a pillow under my arm (surgery side), in order to have hands and arms higher than heart. Hubby is "ok" with the new "intruder" between us.
8. I had a little swelling in the surgery site, just for one night, and that was the night I didn't do the breathing/ diaphragm exercises in the evening. The next day, after the lymphatic exercises, I was 100% fine.
9. Before diagnosis/surgery I was already active, spending at least 1 hour (daily) @ Gym. I increased it to 3 hours / day. Till this date there's no fatigue accompanying the radiation treatment. There's literature supporting the assumption that exercising (walking at least 3 miles a day) can help to reduce side effects, specially fatigue, during radiation.
10. My radiation treatment didn't finish yet but so far I feel great and that's the reason I'm sharing the "little big things" I have been doing. I hope they can help some of you.

Wishing everyone a smooth February! Can't wait to end this and return to my previous life.

Warm hugs to all!

I've taken a few days break from all things cancer related but wanted to check back in here because I knew so many of you were finished or close to finishing.

KerLyn, Mymomsgirl, Heather2018, OTMom, CHB87 and anyone else I may have missed (sorry); Congratulations! It's definitely an accomplishment

Today is day 5 that I have been radiation free.The biggest relief has been the freedom of not having my life revolve around those daily appointments. Getting back to some sense of normalcy has been uplifting.

My symptoms, burning, itching, skin tightening, etc., have definitely increased since my final session. However, my RO and all my techs warned me that that's normal so I was mentally prepared. Also, my skin has started to slough off in some areas and my whole breast is starting to tighten up quite a bit. Lymph node incision and nipple areas are the most sensitive. Haven't been able to tolerate a bra for quite a while. Luckily it's winter so it's not so noticeable in winter layers. I've used thin fleece strips of material against my skin. I just tuck one down the armhole of a soft T-shirt and let it fall a little down my treated side. Very comfortable plus helps keep the lotions/oils in place - especially at night.I have longer, wider fleece pieces and a couple of squares. Depending on what I'm wearing, I can place them strategically and they work like a charm.

My nurse advised me that yes, I want to stay as active as possible but since my skin has gotten so tight to NOT get carried away with forcing the stretching. She said do only what's comfortable but the last thing I needed to do was to open up my skin. She's seen several women who've made it thru the whole process and then over do things at the end. So, on her advice, I've given up vacuuming! 😆😆 Just kidding there but she did specifically mention over zealous stretching & vacuuming as frequent culprits. Some of my fellow radiation buddies at my cancer center had open skin areas and it was horrible for them. I'll have plenty of time to again start pushing the stretching once my new skin is a little stronger.

Sending healing thoughts to all of you. Go, Warriors!👍

Egregious, what a lovely message to read! I am so happy that you are moving back to being yourself. The thing has had it’s turn, now you can have your life back for the important things. We know some things have changed, but we also have learned so much in this season.

Every blessing to you

Hello ladies! I just wanted to add that now I am also having issues with reflux!

My rads are lymph node area, whole breast and inter mammary nodes, so I get “cooked" where my esophagus is. Earlier I think someone posted that docs say reflux is not a side effect and dammit, yes it is. I have no doubt that's why I have it again. So, I'm back on the Prilosec, hopefully not for too long.

Another side effect and another pill.

[edited to add: Sorry that was all negative.

Faceforward-Glad to hear you are finished and doing well!

Egregious-I love the literal putting the treatments away and moving on. What a great way to get closure.

HPFULL-I'll have to get some camis. Besides, what a great way to reclaim some femininity! I'm sorry you're rashy. I am rashy above my breast right below the collarbone.

Have a great week all!]

Hello ladies! Congrats to those of you that have finished since the last time I posted! I'm looking forward to joining you soon. I'm in the home stretch. I've completed my 16 whole breast treatments. I have 4 boost treatments left and then I am done - Friday is the day!! My breast looks like a lobster and I have the itchy rash. When I have to go out I wear a soft cami under a supportive bra (definitely no underwires) and that has helped me. At home I wear one of my husbands old soft, cotton t-shirts with no bra, or wear nothing waist up. Can't do that too often because I get cold, but it sure feels good! I know staying active helps as well. I've been walking my dog a couple of miles a day and going to stretch class at the Y. But I stayed in my jammies most of the day on Saturday and felt really well rested by yesterday.

FaceForward - it's good to read what you are experiencing post radiation. I know everyone is different but we can learn from each others journey. My husband and I fly to the West Coast late next week for a vacation with his family. I know I will still need to take my moisturizers with me. Just hoping fatigue isn't an issue! I am looking forward to life not being centered around cancer!!

egregious - Your words are always a breath of fresh air! Thanks for continuing to check in!

Gentle hugs to all of you!

This is an update on my post radiation for anyone who's curious about what to expect. Everyone is different but this is my experience so far. Today marks 1 full week since my last radiation session! 👏. Yes, the side effects do continue to increase but somehow just knowing I was done, made that seem not as daunting. During treatment, my breast, sternum, and underarm stayed swollen. Most days it was a lot. Some days it was slightly less but there was always some degree of swelling. During the last week, that has gradually decreased but it didn't happen in a straight line. More like 2 steps forward, 1.5 steps back, 1 step forward, etc. Sternum is still sore. The healing process has been pretty close to how a normal burn would heal. As I mentioned earlier, the nipple area (within the boost area) and underarm (no boosts) are still the most angry areas and are still painful. Even though I'm still hydrating & staying greased up, my skin is drier/rougher now as the top cells die off. The not so angry areas are sloughing & peeling in some areas and the new underlying skin is extremely tender, thin and bright pink. All of this combined with the severe itching still wakes me up off & on thru the night. Advil or Aleve helps a lot. Breast seems to be firming up and trying to find its new normal just like the rest of me. 😊Weird arm feelings are much better. Fatigue has gradually lifted and I feel much better overall. Just looking back at how far I've come, keeps me motivated to face what's still ahead. I also remind myself that fine wine is a process so I'm trying to be patient. The weather here is still crappy and has curtailed my outdoor time but I'm trying to do more inside exercises (not my fave). It's amazing how much better exercise makes me feel. I just prefer to do it in the form of outdoor activities.

The biggest improvement of all: Between the biopsy, MRI, surgery and radiation, my body has been subject to a lot of foreign substances. I'm sure stress has also played a part in this. Now, I feel like a heavyfog has lifted. It's a distinct feeling of having a clearer head. I didn't even realize how foggy I was until it lifted. Everything just feels clearer and easier now. I'm not sure if this is common or it's just me but I'm going to enjoy it while I can before I start my AI and bone meds. 😉

This is doable! Soldier On! 👍

Kkkk

There is a product available to you. discuss with your doctor. You will not be able to wear any normal or basic bra bought at retail. Cannot wear underwires or padded bras. You can wear the FDA approved Chabner XRT however. This bra is made to be worn during the actual radiation treatment. Google the product. Chabner Xrt. You cannot buy thru a retail method however. It is a medical device. But it is insurance covered.

Hi everyone. Congrats to those who have finished! I started my radiation yesterday. Had my H&P early in the morning, then down to radiation to get zapped. That room was freezing! Had one nano second of terror as the machine started, but calmed myself and slowed my breathing and everything went fine. Had my 2nd treatment today. I worked half a day. Did 3 miles on the treadmill, showered and off to the cancer center. It’s a 45 min drive. Got my 2nd treatment, came home and a letter came in the mail. My insurance is saying my radiation is not necessary for my diagnosis and has denied coverage for it. Obviously I’ll be calling my RO first thing in the morning to see what can be done. Trying not to let myself get in too much of a tizzy tonight about this, but someone did not do their job at my RO’s office in getting approval prior to my starting treatments. Frustrating! Hope my RO can fix this.

Rose

I got my markups for my boosts next week and I'm a little nervous...guess I'm so "protective" of those mastectomy scars...did you find the boosts "hurt" worse that whole breasts?

KerLyn, very fast! I am getting the “hypofractionated” treatment, so 16 then a 4 session boost to the tumor bed. I swear my breast hurts now though. Is that weird

Hello everyone and congrats to all who have finished! I just wanted to check in, I had a one month post rads skin check with my nurses at the center. Just a quick check and they said everything looked good! I had stopped using my creams and noticed this past week that I still had some dry flaky skin along my mastectomy scar so I decided to just keep using the "my girls" cream until the jar is gone. I can actually tolerate a bra now for short periods!!! I am still wearing my Ana Ono camisole at work just because it is so comfy and I figure I am not ready for a 12 hour shift with a bra yet My skin seems to have returned to normal as far color goes, except for one very small area of discoloration. My next appointment with the RO will be for a three month check. I wish everyone the best!

Just checking in... I had my 11/33 today. 1/3 of my rads is behind me now. My arm and underarm area still hurt a little. I can feel that there is some healing tissue under the healthy looking skin in my under arm area. It is sensitive and achy.. My arm, on the other hand, has a dull pain from the shoulder to the wrist. It feels like a tugging sensation or a mixture of swelled tissue and overworked muscles kind of pain. My boob looks and feels okay for now. The redness subsided mostly. Recently I have developed what feels like arthritis pain in my hands, mostly on the radiated side but RO says that cannot be from rads. Maybe it is a late side effect from chemo; I don't know; but the pain interrupts my sleep most nights. I requested a PT referral from my RO and he said yes. I hope it will help.

On a positive note my eyebrows look almost normal now.

It has been a long journey for me since August. I cannot wait to feel well again.

For people with pain: how long did the pain take to show up? I am at 9/28 and so far no pain. My pink happened fast but it dos not seem to be getting any worse.