Scarring from radiation

@Newbie3312

I did the six weeks as wasn't given a choice. I have weird touchy skin as well.
The whole area, boob, where the nodes were removed and supraclavicular chest bit (who knew there were lymph nodes there right?)The last week was the boost targetted to where the monster had been removed from. 
My skin held up really well until about number 22 ish just a bit pink . The chest bit did burn a bit earlier (no fat there I guess) but wasn't a major problem. Tons and tons of Moo goo worked very well. I had minor burns in the last week or so that needed a bit of solosite and soft gauze.  Once I was done I used Flamazene which cleared it up within about 10 to 12 days  Stays warm for a long time and feels a little hard to begin with but gets better over time.  The only real issue I had was working out in direct sunlight for a few months.  I just made sure I wore a long sleeve white cotton shirt and was in by midday for a few hours. That's all ok now too.

I had no fatigue and only those few minimal side effects.  I went camping  straight from radiation treatment once. Slept in the back of a horse float at a meet.  Rode my husbands campdraft horse chasing cattle to warm him up.  Just make sure they're wrapped and strapped luvvie. LOL You'll be good to go.

P.s
I gave up googling, as I find being told how long I am going to live by a computer very bad for your health. Blah

All the best sweets.

Newbie3312- I try to keep the blinds closed too and don’t ask too much because I know I can’t handle more than what’s directly in front of me. I googled one thing today and I have been totally ill ever since with information I wish I didn’t know. I am having my internal mammary chain radiated because one node is showing up enlarged after having my planning CT. It wasn’t there on my original scans 7 months ago. I knew it was an ominous sign but reading it made it so much worse. My oncologist didn’t make a big deal of it - another PET/ CT showed nothing else - but I know it is associated with a poor prognosis. 

Sorry to hear you had a hard time of it, @Caz1 - it is important to see both sides of the coin!  Shame your Rad nurses didn't pick up on it earlier.  Mine gave me a 'private inspection' about every 10 days.  

@Newbie3312 - it is very important that you keep the Rad Nurses up to date with any concerning changes to your skin condition.  Your radiated area WILL get warm & will remain warm during the treatment and for at least a month afterwards, for some, even longer.  It is essential to keep the lotions up well after the Rads finishes - as well as avoiding getting the sun onto those areas .... try not to overthink it all - just be aware of the need to keep the lotions going!! ;) 

@ddon hope you’re ok now. I’ve gone in to everything with the blinds closed I don’t ask questions I just do what needs to be done and deal with it as it happens. I think I just need to do that with this... I really wish I hadn’t googled!!! 🥴. 

It’s a reminder that what works for one doesn’t work for another. Most people find paclitaxel easier than A/C. I found it much worse. It’s just the weirdness of the disease and the treatment variables! 

Hi @ddon, prob started end of week4 then got steadily worse going into week5. 
You mightn’t have any probs, I think most don’t. :)   I just found it surprising and confusing when everyone said how easy it was going to be and it wasn’t and I wasn’t at all prepared for it.
Fingers crossed for you! xx

 Caz1 - when did your skin start to get bad from radiation - how many sessions in? I have had 6/25 so wondering how long till the problems may start?

Look I’ll be the devils advocate; I was the one who had a really bad reaction to radiation. Extreme pain from burning and awful ulceration that stuck to the dressing OUCH. Had to take panadeine forte for I while it was horrible. For me, worse than chemo. 
Everyone says it is easy, I didn’t find it so. My skin must be super sensitive. Peter MAC doesn’t give mepitel film, I asked for it. I had 25 sessions in February.

Hi @Newbie3312 I had 15 radiation sessions, finished them a month ago. The last day was the only time I had any problems, my shoulder felt stiff when I woke up that morning. The nurse told me just to do keep doing the exercises. Ten days later my underarm skin was very red looking so I started to put Bepanthen on the area as well as using moo goo udder cream. I didn’t realise that was getting treated, so wasn’t really moisturising there. I think it was just peeling. It was all clear a couple of days later when I saw the radiation nurse. The staff will keep an eye on you to make sure it looks okay. Xx

@Newbie3312 the love of and for your horses will get you through. At worst maybe a few days without bouncing, that won’t stop them loving you and giving you strength xx