Rads - Panic?

yes! my son used all of our dowloads so it wouldnt load before!

@ScorpionQueenYAY!!! you made the boots your profile pic!  LOVIT!

I am in the midst of radiotherapy.....had treatment number 12 (of 25) today......The procedure itself is PAINLESS.....Only now have I noticed a change in my skin....getting darker under my foob and pinker on top and on my side....my skin stings a little too....I religiously put MooGoo cream or sorbolene on AFTER treatment 3-4  times a day...I wasn't offered mepitel, so I am assuming it's not available at my clinic ( I will ask though) ......I was told of the possible burns, blisters etc, but by following the moisturising regime I am hoping......hoping it doesn't get any worse than a sunburn.....It's important to remember not to have any creams or perfume on when you get your dose.....i.e shower in the morning to remove residue and don't reapply until you've had your treatment....and you can't use deodorant with perfume or aluminium in it...I use QV deodorant......I also take a tube of sorbolene with me and apply before i get changed after treatment......At no point in radiotherapy have I had to use strong painkillers! I will say that I get extremely tired by the end of the week...but it's way easier to deal with than chemo! (don't get me started on that!) ...... take on board what the nurse said, but don't dwell on it....deal with it as it happens and maybe ask to see a different nurse if you have any questions!.....Best wishes ......You've got this!
Tracy Xx

Definitely ask for mepitel! I had 25 rounds of radiation and did not need any painkillers whatsoever. It was a breeze compared to surgery and chemo! Hang in there!

Why doesn't other radiology centres offer the Mepitel Film to prevent burns.  I had Mepitel and no burns at all without any creams or lotions needed.  That nurse sounds horrible too.  Ask them about Mepitel.

And I hope you stay problem free - I will keep my fingers crossed for you  :)
xo

Hi Anne.  Thanks for the helpful advice.  I have now had 7 treatments and do not have any sign of problems yet  - except psychological ones! :).  As you say - it doesn't happen to everyone and I suppose if I can do AC chemo and a port inserted incorrectly then I can do this too.  Cheers, Helen

Sorry I did post a lot more but it seems to have got lost when I posted via my mobile.
 
I did get some skin breakdown in areas over my breast and under my arm with open wet sores after about week 4 of treatment. I just want to reassure anyone that it isn't nice but in my opinion it is nothing compared to the bone aches, sickness, hairless and other nasties involved with chemo...... as long as you know how to manage and cope with the problem areas and yes medication does help in this scenario :)
During treatment I was advised to apply Dermeze ointment and bath the area in salt water (to prevent infection) twice a day.
Post treatment, I have self managed the areas affected after completing radiotherapy on 21/09. I was told it takes about a week after treatment for symptoms to settle (itching, further skin breakdown, redness) and about a further two weeks for the skin to heal. I am happy to say that in my case, my skin is behaving exactly as predicted and is well  into the healing process now.
I am more than happy to provide some personal tips and advice on how to keep comfortable and pain free for anyone unfortunate enough to go through the same symptoms. I  discovered a lot from trial and error whilst managing the dressings myself, going back occasionally for skin checks with the radiation oncology nurses and buying the correct supplies. 

Anne
xoxox

I've just finished 5 weeks of radiation.  Unfortunately I did get a bad reaction after about week 4. The good news is that it can be self managed once you know what supplies to get a what to do and also it doesn't happen to everyone thank goodness

Hope it went ok today WavingNotDrowing!

I had rads 2 years ago soon after bi lateral mastectomy, didn't hurt a bit. More of a nuisance than anything having to front up day after day! I was a bit tired towards the end but really overall absolutely no problems. Good luck xo