Radiation April 2019

@cassiecanada

What I meant was.....I had an MRI with contrast of the breast and nodes. I was told there wasn't any signs of a cancer in that area. I had a nipple sparring double mastectomy with permanent reconstruction.

The pathology came back with the expected 11mm tumor in my left breast and a 7mm tumor in my sentinel node. The MRI was closely re-examined by the radiologist, pathologist, BS and plastic surgeon at the weekly cancer board with the same results.

The plastic surgeon had to exchange the silicone implant with a tissue expander before I could start chemo therapy. Now that I have completed radiation I can have the expander removed and permanent reconstruction completed.

The breast surgeon says the MRI is rarely wrong but it happens.

Hope everyone had a happy Mothers Day!

Starting week two this afternoon and I've already started to burn. Has anyone else had it start so soon? It makes me worried they're giving me too much radiation.

I was in countdown mode, 9 left of 33. Just as I was leaving they called to cancel because of machine breakdown. Very upset

@Rosie lol!!! My therapist did the same thing!

I emailed my RO today about the pain. Omg this is bad. Hurts more than surgery and she said it takes 2 to 3 weeks to heal. I was feeling better and this morning I had major pain again. It's due to a new piece of skin coming off. This is intense. She said the majority of people dont experience this. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones! It hurts so bad I cant walk straight because if I do, it feels as though my skin is tearing. Very gross indeed!!!

@benji so sorry that happened! Hope they fix the machine soon!!

@fritz. Fingers crossed your expander stays in. Think positive!!! It will!!! Darn comments RO makes drive is mad.

Cin17 - my burn started showing after session 3. By #4, I was very red but skin intact up until #16. And then the boosts. My skin started to blister. Horrible.

Freebee -- that is just horrible. What did your breast look like before the boosts? I am done with the hypo fractionated treatment --- took a 6 day break from radiation and had my first boost today --- 3 more to go. The RO told me the rest of my breast should be done getting worse since it's been a week, but now we'll see what happens to the boost area. The rest of my breast is OK I guess - it's not great, but it doesn't look anything like yours or SunO's. One thing about the hypo fractionated radiation is that we get higher daily doses, but less total dose -- so that's good. I'm kind of scared now of what's to come in the next 3 days. Of course, I get scared about every single thing that has been happening with treatment.

Jess - My boob was very red/tanned after 16 hypo sessions. I felt ok, which is why I went ahead with the boosts. (That and I was getting a lot of pressure from my family). Skin started to break after the second boost. I am afraid for my aerola. It is completely raw. I can’t imagine it getting worse, but it might. I was told it takes 14 days for the cells to renew. And then the real healing begins.

On the positive side, I am back at work and moving forward. I am glad not to have to return to the basement anymore - god forbi. I absolutely hated treatment. But then, who doesn’t.

Jess - Darn it indeed! But you’re doing well. When is your last session?

One of my margins was right up against the chest wall and thus only 1 mm. Plus I am very close to 50 at 52. And thus protocol dictates extra crispy.

I just saw the nurse. She said I was doing well. On a scale of 1 - 10, 10 being the worst, I’m a 4! I suspect we may need to change our machines up here in Canada.

I just started Tamoxifen today - for10 years. I expect this to be a cakewalk by comparison. I was prescribed 20 mg daily. Is that standard?

Carpediem56

I'm not on Tamoxifen but on Letrozole and my MO says it should be taken every night because it only stays in your system 24 hours. Many drugs you have to build up a thereputic level apparently Letrozole isn't one of them.

People tolerate the drug in different ways, a positive attitude and keeping busy can help. Also my MO gave me Venlafaxine to help with my hot flashes and mood swings. You might find it helpful. Best of luck.

I’m DONE!!!!! 28/28. Good thing too because my armpit is starting to peel and I am very purple under my TE. Got a prescription for Silvadene and the nurse gave me instructions for Domeboro soaks. Will do whatever I can to care for my poor skin.

yay Rosie!!!! So happy you are done !!!

I too have the silvadene cream and use it on the open areas. I have also used the domeboro soaks and those have been great. I'm so happy Santab recommended them. They have helped my skin peel faster and get rid of that tight skin feeling. Hang in there!! It does get better.

Wereflyn, yes i know be positive....but realistic....Thank you for mentioning Venlafaxin. I will ask about that if needed.

Yay! Rosie best wishes for a speedie recovery and thank you for telling me your experience with Tamoxifen. Did I mention I am an anxious person anyway?

@Fritzmylove ((((((HUG))))) Prayers, one day at a time. What lotion are you using?

I’m at 16/33 its getting red but just itchy not painful yet. I use Miaderm and it works pretty good

Fritz - my RO said only aloe too, but when I mentioned Miaderm, he was good with me using that as well. I know it’s a little pricey, but I think it helped me get all the way to the finish line with only my armpit peeling and that just started today. Hang in there!!