Radiation skin changes: dimpling
Hi all, I finished radiation back in December (whole breast, 3 weeks, following lumpectomy). My skin has calmed down nicely, darker colour is fading, nipple almost matches the other. However 2 days ago I noticed a large dimple only visible when I lift my arm, in the lower part of my boob (my original scar is closer to top). I’m very aware that this can be a symptom of a tumour which is freaking me out but can also be just be skin changes following radio. Would love some reassurance from others who have perhaps had a similar dimple post radio that was just skin changes and nothing sinister. Thanks in advance, from a chronic worrier!Length of treatment 1 or 3 wks?
Hello, I had my initial appointment yesterday with my radiation oncologist and know I have to decide if I want my treatment to be over 1 week or 3 weeks? I had surgery 2 weeks ago -Early breast cancer, it was small 10mm and hasn’t spread to lymph nodes. From what I understood the 1 week treatment is higher dose and is equivalent to the 3 weeks, so am I crazy not to do that? Chance of stronger side effects, but at least it’s over with faster… this is all so overwhelming! I can’t really find much information about doing the 1 week. Thanks
Surgery and Radiotherapy
Hi guys So, my lumpectomy is scheduled for Tuesday 31 March. Just wondering what recovery time to expect and when do they usually start radiotherapy. Im the type of person who likes to be prepared and have a rough time frame so I can organise myself and my work commitments. My boss is very understanding and says not to worry about work and concentrate on getting better, but I need to be organised. Any insights would be appreciated.
Flu Vaccine
It’s that time of the year with flu season coming up. I had planned to have flu shot before starting radiotherapy . I made enquiries with breast care nurse if I should go ahead and get vaccine. My information was if I had a flu shot it could be a problem if my lymph nodes were swollen the radiotherapy may be delayed. I will now not get flu vaccine until after radiotherapy. Hope this info helps.
Radiation, driving and fatigue
I was hoping to hear about any experiences of driving and fatigue while undergoing radiation. I've been told to be aware of fatigue. The radiation oncologist and nurses have raised concerns and eyebrows when I've told them it's a one hour drive door to door, so two hour round trip x 15 sessions. I'm also maintaining hope that I can continue working part time in an outdoors job where lately I'm doing 14k+ steps a day. Ultimately I'm going to see how it goes. I'm not going to break myself. If I get too tired then I have backup people to help with the driving (public transport isn't an option around here), reduce my activity at work or take leave, or get accommodation near the hospital for some of the sessions. I'm wondering if some people have got through radiation without fatigue? Or if fatigue has occurred has it affected driving? And how fast the fatigue appears - might you have been okay one morning and zonked in the afternoon?Radiation Side Effects Broken Skin Tips?
Hi everyone. I am on day 8 of post radiation and the skin in my under breast and just below breast in the crease has peeled and is basically red raw. Is truly distressing and awful. I have large breasts so it's so hard to manage due to the weight. I am putting on StrataXRT and trying to let it dry by lifting the breast up but when working and walking around it's so painful and is so red and sore. I wanted to ask you all if you have any tips on this and how long it takes to stop weeping and breaking off? I got very upset about it as is so horrible and will be speaking with my nurse but wanted to reach out to the community to ask for any advice or similar situations. Hope I haven't over shared on the details of the horribleness.Radiotherapy and exercise
Hello everyone - After a DCIS diagnosis and lumpectomy with a re-excision I now have clear margins and, although I could have refused radiotherapy, I have opted in as it is still standard treatment. And I wasn’t prepared ‘to roll the dice’ as my surgeon put it. I will have about a three-quarter hour train commute and a 10 minute walk each way from the train station. So all up I reckon it’s going to be three and a half or so hours each day. I have heard that exercise helps combat the fatigue. My question is - yoga? I’ve found a fabulous YouTube yoga by Lisa Moore which is about thirty minutes, gentle stretches etc. Walking I could definitely do in fine weather. I also have a rowing machine at home that I enjoy. Have people kept up resistance training while going through radio? I work four days a week but I can be fairly flexible about hours. Any survival tips welcome!Radiotherapy (5 weeks)
If you haven't been through it yet and are worried, please don't. It sounds much worse than it is. The receptionists, nurses and radiographers are really lovely. It doesn't hurt. It doesn't take long. I was in and out within an hour or less. My boob was a bit itchy throughout the treatment and became redder as the treatment progressed. But it wasn't sore. I felt tired for about 30 minutes after the treatment. The first week after finishing radiotherapy, you could clearly see the area and a clear line where the radio was targeted, it was a bit bumpy but not blisters. From the beginning I put sorbelene on twice a day until my friend told me about Tallow cream, I alternated them at first but after a while just used tallow because I found the sorbelene made me more itchy. Second week after finishing; there where a few changes to my skin. It was the same as the after ejects of sun burn without feeling the burn. My skin turned a darker brown, then peeled back to a nice tan colour. I've had quite a few headaches since finishing radiotherapy but I get migraines anyway so it could just be normal for me. I wish you all the best throughout your journey with breast cancer. I hope I have helped to take some worry out of the whole experience. Think happy thoughts, love Becky
