Forum Discussion
Radiation after lumpectomy
wondering what's the normal time after lumpectomy does radiation start? I had the small cancer and one node with cancer removed on 1st April. ( one node had changing cells - pre cancer). Oncologist radiologist has set start date at 26 May, but I've been reading they usually start radiation 3-4 weeks after surgery. I should have asked WHY 8 weeks as my scar is great but wondered what other BC people THINK.
224 Replies
- @SoldierCrab Many thanks for that recipe - I will make some up! For some reason my 'node' underarm seems particularly 'dry' which may be making it rub/ache! :neutral:
@steplightly Thanks for that info .... I do have some Moo Goo somewhere too. I didn't know they had such a huge range!! - Hi everyone. Cant remember who started the post but been reading all the comments. When I had radiation I used moo goo udder cream 2 x per day. 1 in the morning and straight after my treatment in the afternoon. I also used their deodorant. I am a huge fan of their products. I now use their shampoo, conditioner, body wash and sunscreen. Also their "fly swat" for personal insect repellent. I had 3 week of radiation and had no side effects and very thankful for this. I still use the goo. Hope all goes well with treatment for everyone in the beginning stages and those in the midst. xo
- @SoldierCrab that mix for deodorant sounds gr8. Thanks for sharing.
@primek @Anne65 @arpie @Sister and the people in this link and on the previous pages. Just reading all the info in just this one post and feeling very grateful. Thanks for being online and giving such wonderful support and sharing your story with us all. Keep at it "team" - Ladies I use coconut oil with bi carb soda.... equal parts mixed in a paste in a small container I have a tiny teaspoon plastic which I use to lift some out of my container I keep it in onto finger tips only need very small amount NO chemical based deodorants for me.
I just shower dry and then put a few dabs under each armpit and gently rub in. - During radiation no deodorant on affected side. There are some that are approved but they smell worse than wearing nothing! The radiation nurses are best to ask for advice there :)
- @Sister Many Thanks for that.
One of my buddies who had a full mastectomy (and is a nurse of my age - 64) had also never heard of it! She can't abide deodorants with scent, so uses Mitchum I think. Apparently you can't use any thru the rad tho! Could be tricky! :blush: My local pharmacy didn't carry the Crystal ones. xx - When I had the partial, I got told by the nurses in hospital not to use deodorant so I didn't. When I saw the surgeon 2 weeks later he said that was ridiculous and to use it. So, when I went back for the mastectomy I used it carefully from day 2 (but only rollon). The nurse I spoke to that time was fine with it as long as it wasn't a spray. I know also, that lot's of people use "special" deodorants as they're worried about the aluminium but that was disproven years ago.
- @Anne65 Many thanks for that, Anne. You sound really 'on top of it'! Well done. Onwards & upwards! I go to Sydney (from Forster) on Sun to see my surgeon & team on Monday. He is also an Assoc Prof with a lovely manner & explains everything clearly - tho taking my sister in law along as well, as extra 'ears'. At our initial appointment he said I would be doing rad for 4 weeks once 'healed' .... so am assuming there will be no change there. I was also told a 20% chance of recurring as it was one 'with legs' ... so rad needed to catch the randoms that may have broken off. DEFINITELY worth it for peace of mind, eh? I had a Sentinel Node Biopsy to see which one was closest to the tumour - so only had to test the one ... He said the removed node was 'soft' and that he was happy with that - so I can only hope it hasn't been detected there .... find out on Monday, I guess! Fingers & Toes crossed.
My under arm/node area is sorer than my boob!! Is that unusual? What does everyone do about deodorant? I've been advised to stay away from anti perspirants (I usually use a men's deodorant stick.) One guardian angel (5 year recovery anniversary was yesterday) has suggested Crystal brand. Will check it out today.
Bummer about losing your Mum so young. :( Fingers crossed you don't have the gene.
Great info on the creams, mepitel etc! I will print off your post & take it with me for my SIL to read as well ..... so she can ask questions too. I am lucky that my brother & his wife have been the most fantastic support for my & my husband (8 years recovery from most of his stomach removed!) He is 81 & not fully comprehending what is going on with me, methinks :no_mouth: I am ok with that.
Stay safe, get well - Both Melissa Bochner and James Kollias are the public breast surgeons at the RAH also. Extremely respected and talented Drs.
- @GA Jim Kollias did my partial and he did such a fantastic job it was so disappointing to have to go back in for the full (other reasons for it being upsetting, too, of course). You're in good hands.
