Did I make the right decision?

Hi Purple!

I just finished rads two weeks ago and I had 33 treatments. I used Aquaphor and Aveeno cream, which is what my RO recommended. The Aquaphor is a little sticky, and the nurse gave me an extremely soft gauze pads to put in my bra to keep it clean ( I didn't use it much-I just did a lot of laundry!) Soft bras also help! But I did overdose with the Aveeno, partly because it felt cool and soothing. I only had minor discoloration with the boosts, nothing painful. Everyone"s skin reacts differently, but for me, applying the cream 3-4 times daily did work well. Good luck with your treatments...the few weeks will fly by!!

I am small breasted so I can't speak to that, but personally, I hated Acquaphor. I used it for 2 weeks because they recommended it, but yes, it is really sticky, ugh. I kept having to peel my tank top off of me. Gross. I finally switched to plain organic coconut oil. Felt much better. Acquaphor also stained my dedicated tank tops which I tossed. It leaves a gross yellow stain on stuff, I didn't realize at first that it was getting on my white sheets. Had to toss them too. I have heard that larger breasted ladies do burn worse, maybe because you girls have so much more to burn! I'm a barely B, so nothing hangs or spills over. I do think that has a lot to do with it. If I were you, I'd talk to my dr about the length of the treatments again. The tech is probably right, they see you everyday during radiation, and they know the ins and outs. The tech could have been a little more compassionate. All this to say, I had the 20,16 with 4 boosts. I got good and red, a little peeling, but nothing unbearable. Be sure and use something 3-4 times a day, just make sure nothing is on your skin right before treatment.

Get some cheapo bras/tee shirts etc. and just toss them when you're done.

I bought men's cheapo sleeveless undershirts to wear during rads, under a bra in public and just under my shirt at home. I'm a larger gal and I barely got pink. There is no predictive factor. I used aloe (the 100% pure gel), let it dry a bit, then put on the Aquaphor. I guess it's a little sticky. Big effing deal. Isn't cancer worse? Also, boosts aren't stronger, just aimed at the tumor bed alone instead of the full or partial breast treatment. A lot of women start healing during boosts.

I've had both the hypofractionated schedule (20 sessions) and the longer 33 sessions and didn't notice much difference in how my skin reacted. I honestly don't think it matters too much what you use--just put some kind of cream on several times a day. I used calendula cream, Aquaphor, and Desitin--just kind of grabbed whatever was closest. I wore soft, old exercise-type bras. I definitely wouldn't buy anything new--they will likely get stained from the markings. Besides, it's fun to treat yourself to something new when you're finished!!

Purple -- I also just finished the hypofractionated treatment and I'm not having bad SE's. I have just done the first boost out of four. I'm a week out from the whole breast part and still fine --- just kind of dark pink - no itching. Remember the hypo fractionated regime is a larger daily dose, but a total less dose --- so less radiation overall than the 6 week program. Also, I can't imagine having to go 6 weeks - I'm sick of it at 3 weeks. I have large breast and just put the aquaphor on at night before bedtime and didn't even do that until the 3rd week. I do get tired, but that comes and goes - it's not overly severe. Also, I am fair skinned so that doesn't seem to make a difference. Good luck.