Radiotherapy... couple of questions

I burnt pretty bad but not until I had actually finished treatment. I just kept moisturizing my skin throughout the whole process and after until my skin healed. 6 years later I still have a tan line where I had my boosts.

@Molly001 I had repatching almost every session and it was well worth it. I had redness within a few sessions but it was all ok. I used a bag of peas in a tea towel to draw out some heat. If you notice any skin breakdowns or it doesn't feel right get onto the nurses immediately. 

@Tennille I'll be having 1 week of intense also. Hopefully my skin will hold up til the end too. Thanks @Gerryb. I've had mepitel patched twice this week & one of the nurses has treated me like I have 3 heads or something. Today I was asked if I'm doing a lot of excercise, to which I explained I have 2 little kids, so, yeah, I'm pretty active all day. These kind of things upset me more now. This disease has certainly messed with my resilience. 

@Molly001 I had reddness on breast and armpit too... early in treatment.  I travelled okay and it was only maybe last week or so that I had skin burns and for a week or two after. It was unpleasant . but not constantly in pain. Stung  more when I went to have a shower. 
 My radiologist oncologist told me that when people have radiation burns it is variable. Everyone is an individual and some with fair skin do really well(no burns) and others you expect to  be fine(darker skin) are not depends on the person. 

As to whether  you excercise or not has confused me.  If your skin reacts to radiation then no amount of excercise will prevent it. Moisturizing constantly with sorbolene was the only advice I was given. Then later burn cream but only for a short time. Overall compared to chemo it was okay. Fatigue was another issue that built up over time.

Just thought I'd let you know the centre where I went for radiation has stopped providing sorbolene for application straight after treatment and instead is providing Cetaphil. I didn't like sorbolene much and switched early to Dermaveen which I found readily absorbed and not sticky like sorbolene. Dermaveen is based on colloidal oatmeal I didn't have a skin reaction until a couple of weeks after radiation (basically red and hot breast )but tiredness came in quickly after radiation ended -enveloped me for a few days.I used a tube of QV cream recently whilst travelling and it worked ok.

Oh, I wasn't very clear @ fairydust. Instead of using creams my rad onc has recommended mepitel film for me. It's one or the other, no creams if you use the film. It stays on for all of treatment. Apparently it gives really good results.  As you can immagine, movement, bathing etc loosens the film & it needs patching throughout treatment. A couple of the nurses have been less than subtle in expressing their annoyance in how often mine is needing patching, thus the question about exercising. Now I feel like an annoying patient & don't want to go in for patching, but It's that or burn, so no choice. Thanks for your tips on creams @romla. Will come in handy down the track.

Hey @Molly001, don't let anyone make you feel bad even if they have to patch you every hour - most nurses are fantastic but there are some that forget they are actually being paid to work!!  Don't give up on the mepitel film,  it's great that you are able to use it and it shouldn't be jeopardised by crap attitudes and even if you were exercising 23 hours a day they need to keep their opinions to themselves and their mouths closed tightly!!!   Xx

Thanks @socoda. Most of the staff have been absolutely lovely. It still surprises me how sensetive I've become. I know i shouldn't worry about rude jerks. Before diagnosis I was a fiercely independant woman, now I find myself completely dependant on these medical staff for my health & well-being. I'm just not used to feeling so vulnerable, I guess. I have some other personal & relationship worries atm too, so a little kindness & sensetivity from my nurses would be nice. Thank goodness for the forum. Plenty of that here!! xx

Hi @Molly001   so sorry some of your nurses have been .... "difficult".  I wish I'd been able to use the film you're talking about but it was not to be. You know what? You should keep exercising as much and for as long as you want/are able.  I was horribly unfit before my diagnosis and regret not doing something about it. I've just started at a very understanding gym with a gentle programme.  If/when you start using creams try keeping a tube in the shower to use as a body wash. Sometimes another in the fridge helps with the heat that might be generated.  Really, the grumpy nurses sound like they need to go to another job elsewhere.  If they keep complaining remember their names and talk to your breast care nurse about it.  Or consider a complaint.  I know it's 'just a job' to some of them but it's no excuse.