Radiation treatment

Wow what a massive journey you have been on! You must have amazing resilience all the best! It makes my journey seem a little insignificant in comparison 😊

@ajs Sorry, I missed the questions. Basically my burns were considered "in the normal range" for those very fair skinned and with lots of allergies/reactive skin. All of it was doable, just very hot and bit uncomfortable (I also had a large area of radio, all lymph nodes above and below collarbone, all central lymph nodes, all armpit lymph nodes on affected side as well as chest wall) - so about 25% of my torso. When it was at it's worst I did have "proper" pain relief and it was taken with panadol as well as I did need it. 
I was VERY tired (in bed most nights by around 7pm for a 12 hour session.... but it was a bit broken as I had to sleep on my back only) - it reminded me of being post surgical basically (I had a double mastectomy March 2021).
I'm still quite tired (but I have done 6 rounds of surgery, 16 chemo cycles and a lot of radio - 25 fractions but as you can see a lots of gray units in that dosage) and I do have one set of surgery to go (just waiting for the covid wave to pass).

It's totally doable. I've been really blessed with an awesome and supportive team across the board. The nurses have kept patching me up and cheering me on and the team of specialists have encouraged me to tell them about my symptoms and side effects and we've treated them with all they can offer me to keep me comfortable, which has worked (and I've learnt to "not put up with" stuff - but to speak up!) And the radiological oncologist has a wicked sense of humour that helps too :) 

You've totally got this! 

@ajs Good luck with your treatment.  xx
I had 4 weeks back in 2018. I breezed through it & didnt suffer any side effects at all. No tiredness, redness, skin burning etc so i was very lucky. I used the Mepitel film throughout & it saved my skin. I didnt have to use any creams as the film protects you. You leave it on during the treatment & for a couple of weeks after. I got mine checked every day as it cant have any holes or bubbles in it. I believe not everyone can have it but I would recommend it for everyone who can!! Love & strength xx

I had 4 weeks of radiation earlier this year. I used strata cream and the sorbolene cream the nurse gave me, and just got a bit of skin breakdown (red brown patch)in the under boob crease. Not painful though. I found the treatment quite easy really.  If your cancer was on the left side you will need to learn the deep breathing technique - that took me a few days to get used to but it was fine once I got the hang of it. I did feel tired a few weeks after it stopped but not extreme. Really I didn’t find anything much to complain about, the experience was surprisingly pleasant! Best of luck with it.

Thank you 😊

hi @ajs
 I am up in Smithton so no help with knowing local hobart supports 
https://www.bcna.org.au/services-and-support-groups/services/31400/30980
https://www.bcna.org.au/services-and-support-groups/services/31400/31070
but you can search on bcna 
this is 2 groups I found on their support page.

Thanks for the advice it sounds like you had quite a time of it! When did you first notice the skin change and did you feel tired at all?

Hi there 
I finished my 25 fractions (5 weeks of 5 days a week) on 10 December - so I'm a recent "radio graduate". I've just finished my snake impersonation (of losing my skin).
I had mepitel film and still had significant burn but know it would have been much worse without it (the radiological oncologist and I tossed up Mepitel or Strata X, but because I have many contact/dermatitis allergies we went with mepitel as it was easier to do a test patch and to keep an eye on if/any reaction). 
The skin was wonderfully treated post mepitel (when it either had to be removed in sections as I did get pustule blisters in a couple of areas) and when the mepitel came off post treatment (about a week later) with Flamizen (on prescription) and flamigel (neither of which can be used for 2 hours before treatment but can be used ON treatment outside of those windows). 
I would Say  prepare for the "worst case of sunburn you've ever had" (that's basically what I ended up with) and anything less is fabulous :) and take the drugs they offer.
"may the odds ever be in your favour"

That’s good news about your skin being unaffected, I have heard many varying stories!
thank you for the info!