Newly Diagnosed - Intro

Mez_BCNA

Moderator moved @OTISMYCAT post to dedicates post in 'Newly Diagnosed':

OTISMYCAT BRISBANE QUEENSLAND

June 10 

Hi my name is tanya. I was diagnosed last wed with invasive globular carcinoma.i have to have a mastectomy.im 62 yes ols. A mammogram picked up one lesion then an ultra sound found three more.my first visit with my oncologist is June 18rh.my whole world has been turned on its head.

arpie

Hi @OTISMYCAT Tanya

I am so sorry to see you join our select little group and hope you have good family & friends to help support you thru these early stages in particular.  It is a real emotional roller coast ride - with lots of highs & lows xx. If you feel overly anxious, ask your GP if you can see a counsellor, or give our Helpline a bell on 1800 500 258 (Mon-Fri, Office Hours).  Talking to someone about your concerns always helps.

You might also like to join the Choosing Mastectomy Reconstruction group if you are thinking of having a reconstruction (https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/1-choosing-breast-reconstruction)  or the Flat Chat No Construction group, if you think you'll 'go flat'. xx (https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/29-flat-chat-no-breast-reconstruction). Just click on one or both & hit Join.

All the best with your visit to your surgeons & Oncs .... see if you can take a trusted friend or family member with you, as both physical & moral support ... and consider recording your meetings on your phone, as it is easy to miss bits, whilst you ponder something that has already been said.  You can go back over it again, later

Also maybe check out this thread that has a lot of info on the forum & what to take to hospital with you .... and some off topic threads (pets, gardens, art & craft & even a couple of funny threads too - we all need a laugh!). https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-new-online-network-members#latest

Wishing you all the best with your upcoming appointments - throw any questions you may have at us & we'll do our best to give you an honest answer, as we've 'been there, done that'! 

take care

OTISMYCAT

Hi all I have finished my radiation therapy 3 weeks ago. My skin is peeling and dry. I'm using zinc and castor oil cream on it. What have other ladies experienced from their skin healing. Did it dry out and peel especially where radiation was targeted. Mine is where nodes were and chest wall. How long did it take to heal. Thank you in advance

cranky_granny

@OTISMYCAT. zinc wood be too drying. I used Sorbelene  cream vitE. i used it by the bucket loads. The hospital provided me with several tubes. I had 25 rounds of radiation the rads keep working for a couple of weeks after you stop having it. I did have a major skin break down at the scar line. I still did the heaps of moisturising for a full month after under advice And still use it today for all over moisturiser. Stay away from harsh soaps as well. I also shower with a soap free sensitive skin body wash. Theres several brands out there. When the Dove one often comes on half price special I  stock up. Im 7 years since stopping original treatment. It became a habit during treatment and its easy to keep doing it. Shower pat dry and moisturise. If ive been in a pool or  the ocean i double up. 

I did peel but only where I had the full breakdown I started radiation 2 weeks after my surgery 
hope it all clears up for you 

Katie46

Hi @OTISMYCAT, I used sorbolene as well during radiation which I finished in July and I've continued using it since. I had some minor redness a bit like a mild sunburn, a small itchy patch on my chest, and a very small amount of peeling on my nipple a few weeks after I finished the sessions. None of it was painful, more of a tight feeling. I've tried a few different moisturisers since I finished radiation treatment, but keep going back to the sorbolene. My skin looks and feels normal now. 

arpie

Here's a recent discussion on radiation burns @OTISMYCAT.... 
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/comment/223014#Comment_223014

The radiated areas will continue to 'cook' for at least another 4 weeks after Rads stops, so very important to continue with the creams/lotions/potions ....  you can actually 'feel the heat' if you place your hand on those areas that were treated.

I was advised by the hospital pharmacist to use a cream like BOZ (Contains Boric Acid 0.25%, Zinc Oxide 7.5%, Olive Oil 25%.)  It is quite greasy - so I used a damp blue 'kitchen cloth' between the ointment & my clothes.

I only had minor peeling & 'sunburn' .... and my skin came back 100% good.

take care & all the best xx