Hi all,I’ve done 18/20 radiation sessions and am pleased to report the side effects have been minimal so far. I have had a few waves of tiredness and slow brain recently but pretty minor. Skin wise, I used strata xrt and moogoo at home. and straight after treatment I used the sorbolene the hospital gave me. I didn’t realise the beam field was so large beyond the breast so I didn’t apply all the way towards my neck, but there isn’t too much difference in the skin reaction to be honest. The skin has darkened all over - like a light tan, and my nipple is now very dark compared to the other side. I have some tiny red spots over the whole area but they don’t hurt or itch. The only area of concern is the under boob skin fold which has gone very dark brown and the skin is a little bit broken. I was very careful to apply the strata cream there but maybe I should have put a cloth in the fold. I’m wondering what I should put on the broken skin? Savlon?Interested to know what others experienced a week or two after treatment stopped?a.

@Halla, I did keep the mepilex on for almost another 2 weeks after radium. I did wear a bra for part of that time as I am a larger bust but at end the fold under boob was too sore so I wore camisoles. I used a soft medical pad that the nurses at radium gave me and I did purchase a few more myself. I also used dermeze as well. I had moogoo and while it is excellent the dermeze gave far more moisture and protection on the sore areas. The only other thing is swelling. I did have that and saw a physio who specifically did lymphatic drainage. She taught me how to massage my breast to reduce the radium swelling. My radium oncologist suggested it. No referral needed. I only went twice because she just taught me how to do it.

Hi @Halla, I found it hard under the boob and where my lymph glands were removed. That area the skin broke. I had to put a soft pad there to separate the skin. I did talk to my breast nurse too. I also had a little soreness/red spots but I can't say it was too bad for me. I considered myself lucky. I had 20 rounds and used mepilex dressing. It continued to get a bit red after treatment ended but within 3 weeks to a month I was really ok. I did get fatigued but walked to help that feeling.

I used dermeze and covered the site with glad wrap, as advised by the radiation nurse. All the best, you are now on the home run! I didn't wear a bra throughout the 6 weeks of radiation treatment, but I wasn't out and about and comfortable to just go braless at home. Take care.

I finished my 19 sessions 2 weeks ago. I used MooGoo and strata xrt that I got from lady from this forum. My skin turned a bit brown and small broken skin under my breast. I just applied strata to the area and heal up very quickly and also my nibble very itchy at for a week. I am due back to work this week. Good luck Halla.

Jaijing said: I finished my 19 sessions 2 weeks ago. I used MooGoo and strata xrt that I got from lady from this forum. My skin turned a bit brown and small broken skin under my breast. I just applied strata to the area and heal up very quickly and also my nibble very itchy at for a week. I am due back to work this week. Good luck Halla. Thanks @jaijing! I got the strata from the same lady and sounds like you and I are on almost the same timeline, and very similar result. Good luck to you too. What’s the next step for you?

Nearly finished radiation!

Mez_BCNA
Community Manager
4 years ago
Hi @cathMor, its wonderful to see the supportive responses you have received already in this thread. As suggested by @arpie, I have created your own discussion to continue the conversation :) https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/24071/tiredness-no-energy-after-radiation-therapy/p1?new=1
arpie
Member
4 years ago
As the girls say, @cathmor ... make haste slowly - the fatigue can be a culmination of the whole shebang, from discovery, diagnosis, surgery & rads ..... almost like 'dropping the bundle' but in a good way! It is virtually the end of your 'active treatment' .... but you are doing SO WELL ... just be kind to yourself & if you have others around you, accept all help offers that come your way - whether it is cooking, cleaning, driving you around .....

As you are 'able to' - try & get back to doing those things that you normally love doing .... that will add some normalcy back to your routine ..... mine was fishing & playing ukulele!! ;) It just takes your mind right off 'the current situation' ..... and gives full concentration to your hobbies .... blocking out all the other stuff that is going on.

Where abouts are you? You can add your town/city to your Profile - and other members may be able to advise you on services that are available in your area! And maybe catch up for a coffee & a chat, covid willing! xx

Check out this thread that includes lots of stuff on the Forum that you may like to check out .... from art & craft to funny stuff (to give you a laugh) to questions to put to your Team on your next appointment .....
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest

Maybe if @Mez_BCNA could move your post to it's own spot in 'Now what, the Highs & lows of Survivorship" , so it doesn't get lost in this one - and then feel free to tell us a bit more of your story. xx

take care xx
cathMor
Member
4 years ago
Thanks For your reply. I feel hopeful that I will eventually regain my previous energy and pleasure in
life
cathMor
Member
4 years ago
Thanks. You are a spring chicken compared to me! 28 sessions sounds horrific -I only had five daily treatments but both breasts had cancer and lumpectomies so it has been a bit of a journey (diagnosis straight out of left field-looking for something else😂
I guess another couple of weeks and I will start to feel less fatigued
Julez1958
Member
4 years ago
Hi yes I was very fatigued towards the end of my radiotherapy (28 sessions) and for a good few weeks after .
Age is certainly a factor, I am 63 and never really thought about that as old but realistically I’m not the spring chicken 🐓 I once was!
Be kind to yourself and learn to say “no” if you need to.
Halla
Member
4 years ago
Hi @cathMor yes I felt low after radiation for a while, maybe a month or two. It gradually got better though. Im totally fine now 4 months later and my rads tan has gone :-)
Afraser
Member
4 years ago
Sorry, I didn’t have radiation (mastectomy for me) but less than three weeks doesn’t sound too unusual to me. Bear in mind that sometimes your body and brain have a bit of a well earned slump - after surgery, not just radiation, and the whole emotional impact of the thing, even for those who have got through everything remarkably well. Perhaps try pushing through for just one day next week, and see how it goes. Just some general, round the house activity, perhaps a phone chat to someone, just to feel back in the swing a little bit. Best wishes.
cathMor
Member
4 years ago
i'm a newbie here. I finished daily bilateral radiotherapy about 2 and a-bit weeks ago after bilateral lumpectomies. i have a fair bit
of breast pain still but
its the tiredness that gets me- no energy to even get dressed! Lolling around in pj's making
me depressed but dont want to do anything anyway. Has this been others experience after radiation therapy? im 80 years old so suppose I heal slowly! Welcome advice or comments
Halla
Member
4 years ago
Thanks @noosa_blue150 that’s good to be aware of 👍
noosa_blue150
Member
4 years ago
I had fatigue as well but it passed after a few weeks. The breast tissue post radiation was very hard , and after initially being able to,lift my arm easily over my head before radiation, it then deteriorated and became painful,about 3 months post radiation. Breast tissue was quite hard and painful . I’ve checked in with a physio who,specialises in breast cancer patients and am now massaging the breast / armpit tissue daily in order to,break down the fibrosis/scar tissue .(i was a lumpectomy patient ). I have a few exercises too to do to,strengthen arm .Not all will develop post radiation issues but be aware of it and seek help if it occurs