How did you react to the "booster" radiation to the tumor site?

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Noel
Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am getting close to where they stop giving radiation to the large area and start giving me 12 of what they call "booster" treatments to the tumor site. Has anyone had this? Did it burn you worse? I am not burnt yet, but, I am pink after 19 treatments. I would appreciate any answers. Thanks!
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  • EveningStar2
    EveningStar2 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #2
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    boost
    I had 28 overall treatments and then 5 boost treatments. The boost was actually easier. It doesn't affect the entire breast just the incision site and is quicker.

    Maureen
  • jakeca
    jakeca Member Posts: 92
    #3
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    I agree
    I agree with Maureen--my seven boost treatments affected me less than the previous treatments.
  • tami90650
    tami90650 Member Posts: 82
    #4
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    Its almost over
    Yay for you. Dont stress on the "booster treatments. Its a smaller circle of radiation and as long as the incision is not in the creases of your breast, it will be easier than the first radiations. Just remember to treat the radiated area daily and all will be well and over with in 2 weeks. Hang in there. Love ya tami
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #5
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    Thanks for the info! I was
    Thanks for the info! I was afraid that since they are stronger, it would really burn me bad and my tumor site is right next to my aerola. I am just scared...
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    #6
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    Noel said:

    Thanks for the info! I was
    Thanks for the info! I was afraid that since they are stronger, it would really burn me bad and my tumor site is right next to my aerola. I am just scared...

    Noel,
    I had 5 boosts after
    Noel,
    I had 5 boosts after 30 treatments to the whole area. My incision is just above my nipple so that area was in the field they were doing. It's funny that my nipple was the least sore of all. I am 3 weeks out from my radiation and my nipple is peeling. Just like a sunburn but it doesn't hurt. I have kept using the aloe and aquaphor and it keeps it soft so it is peeling without discomfort. It was weird when it started. I hadn't really noticed how dark my nipple was and then one day I was removing my bra and there was all this brown flaky stuff in it. It took me a moment to realize that it was the skin peeling. The funny thing was that the area that was most painful and gave me the most discomfort was under my arms. It may be that they do more intense radiation there but it was quite uncomfortable. My bra also rubbed that area so I only wore my bra while I was at work and it was a light weight all cotton bra that I cut a piece out of to keep it off the incision from the node removal.
    Hope this helps,
    Stef
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #7
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    Scared too :(
    I also will be taking the booster radiation soon and I am afraid too that it will burn me even worse. You all say that it won't? I thought it was suppose to be a stronger dose of radiation. And, did anyone just stop and not take anymore?
  • dbs1673
    dbs1673 Member Posts: 203
    #8
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    Kristin N said:

    Scared too :(
    I also will be taking the booster radiation soon and I am afraid too that it will burn me even worse. You all say that it won't? I thought it was suppose to be a stronger dose of radiation. And, did anyone just stop and not take anymore?

    it's ending!
    Getting to the point of the boosters is letting you know the end is near! I had one long session for the Dr and the tecs to do some new mapping of the booster site. They molded some lead pieces to frame out the area. They used different cones on the machine as well. Getting the new set up took about an hour but after that it was as quick as all the other treatments. Like the others have said I did not burn any more. I was sorest under my arms and that actually seemed to heal rather quickly. I'd encourage you to not quit now..look how far you've come. I know you have only a few more to go but I remember how those last 7 might as well have been 700 more. There are plenty of things to be scared of in this journey but I hope we can ease your worries on this one.
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #9
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    I do feel better, so, thanks!
    Thank you all for easing my mind. I have been so worried that the booster's would be so much worse and stronger and hurt more. Especially since my incision is right next to my aerola. I was afraid how bad it would burn my nipple etc. I am not burnt bad now, but, a little. I still have the itching which drives me nuts and little red bumps. Does anyone else have that? I am using hydrocortison creme, but, it doesn't stop all of the itching. Thanks again everyone!
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #10
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    Boosters!
    Mine are coming next week. I hope they are easier. I am so tired of the itching, slight burn and just plain radiation. This is so tiring!
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #11
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    So, the booster's are easier
    So, the booster's are easier and less painful than the regular radiation? I have them coming up too and worry that they will burn me to a crisp at the incision site. My nipple is already sore and they will be "boosting" close to it. HELP!
  • EveningStar2
    EveningStar2 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #12
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    Jeanne D said:

    So, the booster's are easier
    So, the booster's are easier and less painful than the regular radiation? I have them coming up too and worry that they will burn me to a crisp at the incision site. My nipple is already sore and they will be "boosting" close to it. HELP!

    Maybe
    *I* found it easier. My incision site is on the edge of the aureola but my nipple was not sore. Everywhere I applied goo generously has done OK, red somewhat itchy but OK. My armpit that I didn't think to slather is now raw and skin is coming off in sheets.

    Maureen
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #13
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    Thank you Maureen!
    Just seeing that it was easier on you and that your incision site was about where mine is makes me, at least, feel better and not quite so anxious. Radiation is hard and I don't think anyone realizes it unless they have been thru it. Ofcourse, I have to drive an hour both ways everyday just to get them, which is tiring enough. I have lots of volunteers, friends etc. that have offered, but, I normally drive myself. My husband takes me once or twice a week. I am just stubborn..trying to look so strong, which I am not. Thanks again!
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #14
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    Ok, it sounds like the
    Ok, it sounds like the boosters are easier than the regular radiation treatments? I hope so because I don't want to be burnt worse. I am not bad now, but, I thought the boosters would be more intense and really burn bad. Thanks all! :)
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #15
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    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #16
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    Noel, be prepared
    I think everyone is different, but I was warned by my techs because I am very pink now. I just finish #19 Friday (didn't realize we were on the same schedule). But I am having 28 regular treatments (whole breast) and 8-11 boosters. My nipple feels like someone has clamped a clothespin on it! Not sure why it started hurting so much. I was told that you recieve the maximum radiation to that area that your body can have in a lifetime spread out over however many treatments you get. The less regular whole breast, the booster are more intense. The more regular whole breast, the boosters are less intense (but still a higher dose). They said the boosters may cause me to burn a good bit since I am this pink half way through. Then again, although the dose is higher, it is not as concentrated as they have seen before, but will definitely be more intense. Everyone is different and receiving different amounts and number of doses. So just be prepared and treat your skin accordingly. Let's hope neither of us burn!! ♥ Pammy
  • lanie940
    lanie940 Member Posts: 490 Member
    #17
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    I had my lumpectomy on the
    I had my lumpectomy on the 30th of July, I was figuring on starting the RADS shortly after we get back from vacation the week of the 31st of August, but now I have to find out about this stupid hernia I have! the GI Dr. should have felt it way back in early June, then that would have been out of the way! Now I don't know if the surgeons that will do my hernia operation will want to wait until after 6 weeks of RADs, I'll have to see what they think. It is a hernia with a sm bowel loop, and they said something about immenient on the CT report. I don't remember if they used the term incarcerated or not.
    Anyway, my insision is on the side of my rt breast, can't even se it from the front, it's not in any crease. It looks like a blue marker is on the insision. Actually, the sm insision for the lymph node is more sore, but it is healed well.
  • lanie940
    lanie940 Member Posts: 490 Member
    #18
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    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    I have to say I can't
    I have to say I can't imagine the pain you must be in with that angry reddness on your breast. It is scaring me to have RADs. I hope it heals soon for you.
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #19
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    lanie940 said:

    I had my lumpectomy on the
    I had my lumpectomy on the 30th of July, I was figuring on starting the RADS shortly after we get back from vacation the week of the 31st of August, but now I have to find out about this stupid hernia I have! the GI Dr. should have felt it way back in early June, then that would have been out of the way! Now I don't know if the surgeons that will do my hernia operation will want to wait until after 6 weeks of RADs, I'll have to see what they think. It is a hernia with a sm bowel loop, and they said something about immenient on the CT report. I don't remember if they used the term incarcerated or not.
    Anyway, my insision is on the side of my rt breast, can't even se it from the front, it's not in any crease. It looks like a blue marker is on the insision. Actually, the sm insision for the lymph node is more sore, but it is healed well.

    That pic is awful. She
    That pic is awful. She should post it on her about me page. Scares me
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #20
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    5 boosts
    Hi Noel, you dancing kitty, you. The boosts were in a different room. As others have said, they were limited to a smaller area and I never burned badly from any of it. Each of us is different, though. Keep slathering on that Aquaphor! xoxoxoxo Lynn
  • mucjud13
    mucjud13 Member Posts: 4
    #21
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    Boosters
    I had an awful reaction to the Boosters! I had 3rd degree burns under my left breast and on my chest under breast. I ended up with Radiation Dermatitis.
    The burns were so bad underneath at the fold of my breast that the skin just fell off even while using the medication creams my Radiologist prescribed for me. It took 8 weeks for the area to grow new skin and the area looks like I had skin grafting.
    I had to change bandages at least 3x a day(it got expensive). The medicine my doc gave me did not work on the area and a friend's doc gave me free samples of Biafine and after a few days it began to heal. Medicare denied me using Biadine and had to pay cash!!!
    I go through the Veterans Medical Center due to no insurance and only gave me this anibiotic but it did nothing else.(It was like Lard).
    The area was 3 1/2"x 3 1/2." I took picktures with the assistance of a mirror but when I placed some of them on here they were removed.
    I was not aware that Boosters were being used until I stood outside my Radiologist office to try and catch him to show what has happened and he said ooh! I'm sorry, we were asked to use Boosters he said on me because I appearred to be a good canadate but I had never even heard the word "Boosters" before he said it at this encounter.
    Judi M.

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