Radiation finished today!
Today I had my last radiation treatment! 25 done and just in time. My skin can't take any more. My Rad Oncologist was suggesting a break, but I only had 2 more to go. Now just to have dressings chan...
Forum Discussion
Thank you ladies, your encouragement helps.
It has been 11 long months! So far.
@LMK74 the redness and itching started on week 3 (from about session 11 onwards) Telfast really helped with the itching. I was told to use it by the nurse.
The real burns started mid week 4, mostly underarm and dotted over the mastectomy area the skin turned white. The lump under my arm where the lymphnodes were removed became very painful and swollen from the beginning of week 4 (session 16 and onwards) so it became necessary for the technicians to move me using the sheet not by touching my body.
Skin breakdown started over the weekend before session 21, just a little at first but by session 23 was quite marked and I was using Panadeine forte alternated with Panadol 4 times a day.
week 4 I started to have difficulty sleeping, and I would wake in a lot of pain.
I realise too that I am not keeping up with the amount of water I need to drink.
The nurses did say drink lots of water, but I really need litres, my mouth is constantly dry and I am getting headaches especially overnight, another reason I am waking up.
Apparently not everyone gets such a reaction though, sometimes it just stays red like sunburn.
Some suggestions for you, drink more water than you think you need.
sleep with the BCNA mastectomy pillow under your arm if you have one.
Have painkillers beside the bed to take before you get up if you are in pain.
Flamazine burn cream is soothing and really helps, it is antibacterial too, if you get broken skin.
The Rad Onc wrote me a script for 10 tubes (total cost $38.80) for me to use when doing my own dressings.
and tired! I can just sit in a chair anywhere and close my eyes.
Hopefully you will not get such a reaction.
Everyone is different for the amount of radiation they get each time, apparently, and the skin is different on everyone.
I am just resigned to having every jolly side effect there is going!
see, feeling sorry for myself!
Still I am going to see my 15 month old Granddaughter today, so today will be a good day!
It has been 11 long months! So far.
@LMK74 the redness and itching started on week 3 (from about session 11 onwards) Telfast really helped with the itching. I was told to use it by the nurse.
The real burns started mid week 4, mostly underarm and dotted over the mastectomy area the skin turned white. The lump under my arm where the lymphnodes were removed became very painful and swollen from the beginning of week 4 (session 16 and onwards) so it became necessary for the technicians to move me using the sheet not by touching my body.
Skin breakdown started over the weekend before session 21, just a little at first but by session 23 was quite marked and I was using Panadeine forte alternated with Panadol 4 times a day.
week 4 I started to have difficulty sleeping, and I would wake in a lot of pain.
I realise too that I am not keeping up with the amount of water I need to drink.
The nurses did say drink lots of water, but I really need litres, my mouth is constantly dry and I am getting headaches especially overnight, another reason I am waking up.
Apparently not everyone gets such a reaction though, sometimes it just stays red like sunburn.
Some suggestions for you, drink more water than you think you need.
sleep with the BCNA mastectomy pillow under your arm if you have one.
Have painkillers beside the bed to take before you get up if you are in pain.
Flamazine burn cream is soothing and really helps, it is antibacterial too, if you get broken skin.
The Rad Onc wrote me a script for 10 tubes (total cost $38.80) for me to use when doing my own dressings.
and tired! I can just sit in a chair anywhere and close my eyes.
Hopefully you will not get such a reaction.
Everyone is different for the amount of radiation they get each time, apparently, and the skin is different on everyone.
I am just resigned to having every jolly side effect there is going!
see, feeling sorry for myself!
Still I am going to see my 15 month old Granddaughter today, so today will be a good day!