Radiation after lumpectomy

Oh my Gosh!  @Anne65   ..... how on earth did I miss your post of April 2nd???  I've just read it all & it was a truly wonderful post .... THANK YOU SO MUCH! xxxx You've had to go thru so much more than me - yet you are so supportive of me & others, you are just amazing!  

I am 2 weeks out from end of treatment today - still awaiting the phone call about the tablets tho!!  Everything is going well .... the peeling stopped when I started using the BOZ cream - and tho it is very greasy & 'sticky' .... it is doing the job!  I'll keep it up for at least another 2 weeks, maybe longer.  I see my rad specialist 2 weeks after that for a checkup!

After seeing the 3rd degree burns that some of our mastectomy members have had - I reckon Mepitel should be compulsory to ALL mastectomy patients - specially after reading YOUR report!   Gosh, I got off SO lightly compared to everyone else - and really feel for their suffering - both physical and mental - as I guess it would take quite a while to heal.  :(   

That sharp pain really 'grabs you' doesn't it!  Almost like a stab!  Quite weird!  Not everyone gets it apparently - luckily it happens spasmodically ... and not to often!  

I am still playing lots of uke - we had 4 gigs over Monday & Tuesday, playing for old folks & it was terrific!  One group was just amazing - they just responded so well to our songs, it was spine tingling!.... but sadly, I will miss out on the Relay for Life gig - it was supposed to be 2 weekends ago - but it was flooded out here in Forster - so it is now THIS Sunday - and I will be on my way to Norfolk!!!  :(   They are 'packing it' - worrying about doing it on their own!  LOL   They will be FINE!

I am yawning a lot during the day & going to bed early (usually at 10.30pm+ but more recently about 9pm!) - so not sure if that is the 'fatigue factor' or not ..... but feeling pretty good otherwise.

All the best for your surgery - on Fri?  Your family and friends will 
be SO proud of you - you've had some mountains to climb - and are  knocking off ALL THE PEAKS ..... how sad that you didn't get to remember your Mum due to her Ovarian cancer.  :(    I am wishing you all the best for a fast recovery!  Make haste slowly tho and remember to take your own advice re 'taking it slowly' xxx  BIG hugs coming your way! xx

@kmakm - all the best for your forthcoming surgery ...... I hope all your stresses fall away & that you have a wonderful recovery .... BIG hugs coming your way! xx

To everyone starting or continuing their treatment - I wish you strength & fortitude ..... it is a means to an end!  Take care xx

Hi @Anne65  So glad you're doing well!  Surgery is not fun but I'm sure you'll feel better knowing that you are in the clear for ovarian cancer.  Emotions can be hard - I have felt so many times as if I were walking in my sister's footsteps as I've been waiting in St Andrews or Calvary.  Hugs to you!

@Anne65 And now you've bought a tear to mine! Thank you sweets. Big bear hug. Kate xox

@kmakm You sweet gorgeous women!! What beautiful words you said that bought a tear to my eye. I was only 4 y.o. when she died so i can't even remember her but i know she was an amazing women & she must have been so strong. God bless you & I wish you strength as you count down the days til your operation which is SO much bigger than mine. You are such a strong women when I learn what you have been through so i know you will fight on & see the sunshine at the other side when all the treatment is over. Thanks for your good wishes & i am confident that this op will be a simple one & will tick another box so I don't have to suffer like my mum. Many, many hugs xxxx

Best of luck @Anne65, I'm sure you'll be fine! Bless the memory of your mum, that's a long time to battle that pernicious disease. K xox

@arpie @Sister Just checking in or you guys to see how you're travelling!
@Sister last time we "spoke" over Easter you were feeling good & looking forward to hitting the water & getting some sun. I hope you are still feeling good & your treatment is going smoothly. Tick off each day & stay strong as you have throughout. You are an inspiration to me with what you have gone through so I hope you are still feeling well & staying positive. When it is time for your rad, i hope you get to ask the question about using the Mepitel as I have had such a wonderful experience with it & you deserve to as well.
@arpie i hope you have had some luck with some cream to help with your peeling skin. i hope it isn't too bad & you have it under control as you don't want to have anything to worry about when you hit Norfolk island! I guess it must be around the time you are going so i hope you have an awesome time & get in plenty of uke playing! I hope you are feeling OK following rad & you aren't suffering too much with fatigue. Let yourself recover well & try to get some rest even though that is hard for you!! 

I am feeling really good & my skin is amazing thanks to the Mepitel. Still doesn't even look like I have had rad as no signs of pinkness & dry skin. Both sides of my chest look the same so i have been really lucky. Still putting on the calendula cream 2-3 times a day though just in case!! I have been walking 1-2 times a day to get a bit of fitness back as i am back to Adelaide tomorrow to prepare for my next operation on Friday to have my ovaries & tubes removed. Feeling a little emotional as i think about dear mum & what she went through suffering ovarian cancer for 6 1/2 years. This op will mean I don't have to suffer like she did & all my medical team said it is a no-brainer to have the op & my gyny onc says i will have no side effects & he can't get them out quick enough for me! All going well, i should be out of hospital Saturday & then i will come home to recover & plan to get back to work the following Thursday all going well. So, I'll touch base on my return but until then, take care of yourselves & stay strong. love & hugs xxxx

Wishing strength & hope to everyone out there who needs it...& i reckon we all do. We are a strong bunch & together our love & support for each other will get us through anything!! xxxx

Hi guys

I hope everyone has had a great Easter with lots of relaxation & (possibly) a break from treatments?  

Darn!! I've just noticed this morning that i am flaking/peeling on the inside lower curve of my boob!!  Nothing too dramatic - no blister or anything, just dry flaking skin.

I'm surprised - I thought if ANY area would peel, it would be the really red area with spots!!

I've whacked on some BOZ cream (gee that stuff is almost pure sticky oil!) 

Any other suggestions?

Hi @sandramj , no one told me to wear a rashie but I was told to be careful with uv. I took a rashie as I was going to Cairns and planning to swim a lot but discovered the pools weren’t heated and no way going in the sea with the salties. I just found quickly that prolonged uv exposure seemed to heat up my radiated breast so I chose to wear a rashie for outdoor activities. Happy Easter.

@arpie Congrats on finishing your treatment!! It sounds like your last day was very similar to mine but I was an emotional mess even driving to treatment!! It can catch you by surprise but I'm sure the RT's are used to it & their hugs do make you feel better. They described it like leaving the care of your medical team to be left to fend for yourself & while you are there you are being looked after by the pros. One of the nurses told me that she had a prem baby & when she left the hospital, she felt the same way like she was now on her own. BUT we are never alone as we all have each other on this forum to pep us up when we are feeling down & offer good advice. Give yourself time to take in all you have been through & process it all & even though you like to keep busy, take some time out to relax & play that uke! Sounds like you were spoilt at the lodge & having the Rotarians cook for you on the last night was a lovely way to celebrate & with bubbles!! It sounds like you have a lot of family support & lots of fun coming up.

Take care of your skin in the sun as 2 weeks after rad, your symptoms are still peaking so your skin will be sensitive. I must admit, I haven't had ANY heat or redness through the entire treatment. I haven't felt a thing thanks to the Mepitel & my skin looks the same all over. That plastic skin has MANY benefits & that is another. I couldn't feel anything during the treatment so it really is a barrier to all the nasties so i recommend it to anyone. I'm sure all the creams you have will ease your redness & heat. I am a little tender & sensitive to touch but i reckon that is just because my skin has been covered for so long & hasn't had anything touching it. I get an occasional slight itch & the calendula cream is very soothing. I am getting a bit of deep sharp pain now & then where my surgery was so it may be a combination of rad, scar tissue & wound healing. I see my rad onc before my next surgery so I'm sure he will give me the once over.

i haven't been told of any tablets I have to take now this is finished & as my results have been so positive & the rad was just precaution, I guess they reckon i don't need any! Well, enjoy Easter & time with your family & UKE PLAYING before heading off to Norfolk. You do make me laugh when I read your posts so you are good at lifting the spirits. I won't be doing too much over the weekend, probably make more buns today with dad smiling down at me & guiding me through. With only a couple of weeks before my next op, I guess i need to recover from rad treatment so I can be as strong as possible before going in again. Look after yourself & enjoy the Easter break. You deserve some down time & glad to hear your hubby is going well & your ankle has recovered. Good advice about the forum. if i have time i may send them something to read from me!! Take care & keeping strumming those strings. xxxx

@Romla re wearing rashie. No one told me to wear a rashie but I am wearing a compression sleeve and usually just a light cotton 3/4 sleeve, collared shirt.  Without seeming dumb should I wear a rashie even if I don’t expose the boob or radiated area?   Thanks for constantly sharing your knowledge.  Im very appreciative.  Of all the ladies on here who give back by sharing their experiences.  Happy Easter.