Beyond The Shock(R)

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  What changes in my breast can I expect during and after radiation therapy? I start on Monday and am kinda apprehensive.

  Asked by anonymous

  Learning About Breast Cancer

  about 6 years 10 answers •

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    anonymous

    Survivor since 2012

    Yep, it's me Jo. :) I won't go into deep details Jayme but I got 16 rads and the week after my last one, I had second degrees burns. I had three places under my arm that cracked open and my dr. Gave me some purple stuff in her office to put in the splits. I used Aquaphor all the time. It took...

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    Yep, it's me Jo. :) I won't go into deep details Jayme but I got 16 rads and the week after my last one, I had second degrees burns. I had three places under my arm that cracked open and my dr. Gave me some purple stuff in her office to put in the splits. I used Aquaphor all the time. It took awhile to heal but I made it thru it. I am still sore inside and have hard places...but it's all ok. I am alive and kicking. Lol. Now, if I can make it thru the hot flashes from the Tamoxifen I gotta it licked. Best of luck and don't let any of what I went thru scare you. Everyone is different and yours may be a breeze. I think it just helps to be aware of possibilities. God bless.

    3 comments 4
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    anonymous

    Survivor since 2012

    Hi Jayme, You won't feel anything on the table. By my 8th or 9th treatment, I began to feel little prickles and twinges. By the end of my 16 rads, I had a slightly tan box, a light measle-looking rash that would pop out, especially when I got hot, itching,tenderness, puffiness, and minor hardness...

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    Hi Jayme, You won't feel anything on the table. By my 8th or 9th treatment, I began to feel little prickles and twinges. By the end of my 16 rads, I had a slightly tan box, a light measle-looking rash that would pop out, especially when I got hot, itching,tenderness, puffiness, and minor hardness of the breast, small clear blisters. The underarm was already numb and the skin irritation here could be maddening. Many women suffer in the crease under the breast and have to put a cotton clothe in the crease to prevent skin on skin. NO skin on skin under my breast(mine was removed so that really wasn't my issue.) or skin on skin under arm and the arm against the breast. Wear a soft cotton t-shirt that will prevent that.You must do that all important stretching to keep the chest and arm mobile. Drink water, water and more water to aid the healing as the dead cells are disposed of and the sick cells have to work overtime to heal. Be sure to wash off all lotions and ointments before each treatment to prevent serious burning like a McDonald's fry.(I found that ritual even more tedious than the 2 and a Half hour round trip to the cancer center.) Fatigue will come depending on the individual. I came in from my trip, ate lunch and hit the couch for a snooze. Hope you can do the same thing. Since you have to wash off lotions everyday, avoid washing the breast during shower. Don't let the water hit the site directly, and NO hot water. Braless is good but I had to wear one at times because of the heaviness from surgery. Still had to sleep in a soft sports bra or lounging bra. My radiologist told me if I just had to wear one during the day, go to my drawers and pull out the old stretched out throw away and wear it.(No underwire or anything tight) Air is great but you're caught between a rock and a hard place. I wore a soft bra to treatment and came home braless. My last week, I would feel the sharp pains and prickles by the time I was leaving the city to head home. Nothing that hangs on (quick and fleeting pain, a slight dull throb sometimes). None of this was unbearable but more annoying for me and unnerving. I'm sure the girls that had twice the rads than me will have more to say. Finished mine two months ago. Still can't get hot and have minor discomfort from the surgery and rads, not sure which. My radiologist told me it could be up to a year before those painful little catches and prickles completely go away. I tell myself it's a reminder that I still have my breast and it doesn't look that bad. Don't use anything on your skin unless you get the ok from your doctor. No deoderant under that arm and no perfumed soaps. I used Dove soap for sensitive skin(hypoallergenic) Soft cotton helps wick away moisture and is a gentle caress on tender skin(keeps it dry except for your ointments you use) If it cracks, don't put ointments on the cracks. The doctor will prescibe something. You'll hear from Kaye, she really had a tough time. For me, radiation was the easiest of my treatment plan. If i had to do it again, I wouldn't hesitate. You girls that had chemo before and after rads are the real warriors. Ask your doctor all your smallest questions. Never hesitate. Tell your sweet techs every concern, they will shuttle you to the doctor if you need to have a quick peek by him. Good luck and be good to yourself during the treatment. Healing hugs. Jo :-D

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  Had a bilateral mastectomy with bilateral lymph node removal and immediate reconstruction 5/15/13. My pathology stated that 13 of 15 nodes removed have cancer.

  Asked by anonymous

  Stage 3C Patient

  over 5 years 11 answers •

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    anonymous

    Survivor since 2007

    Put on those big girl panties and fight like hell. Hang in there darlin', you can do this.

    Take care, Sharon

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    anonymous

    Learning About Breast Cancer

    Yep. Hang in there. Read and eat good stuff and don't add to your receptors. I think that's about all we can do. We do the best we can.

    Wishing you a good team

    Comment 2