time for healing-radiation burn

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EveningStar2
EveningStar2 Member Posts: 491 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
OK, so a couple of days after I finished all radiation the burn under my arm opens up and peels and is red and is generally hurting. I messed with it for a day or two and then called the doc and got silvadene for it. It feels better but clothes are something I'm not interested in right now and if it dries up and pulls it *hurts*. I clean it real good in the shower and start the process again.

For you ladies that have been through this: how long does this take to heal? I'm more than ready for this to be *over*!

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  • tatooedinpink
    tatooedinpink Member Posts: 95
    #2
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    your radiation burn
    ES, it should be much better in just a couple of days. I remember mine being pretty bad right after the last couple of treatments. I used aloe vera plant, straight from the plant. You open the leaf, and spread the gooey yellowish flesh onto your skin. I have always used it on a bad sunburn, right before bed, letting it dry, and leaving on, then reapplying next morn. I don't ever buy the gels, and only use the plant.

    I completed my radiation last August and you can still see the discoloration on my skin, but it is slowly fading.

    Take good care of your skin, wear as few clothes as possible :-), and you should be much better in just a few days.

    Hang in there. Hugs to you.

    Debbie
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #3
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    Healing begins...
    I didn't burn too badly, just within the last week of rads. Once the treatments stopped, the burn healed rather quickly. But, yours sounds worse than mine. I used Aquaphor products, as strictly instructed by my rad onc doctor & all the rad onc therapists.

    Understandably, you want "this to be over"... However, your entire body does not really get the chance to heal - including from whatever preceded your radiation treatments - untiL ALL such invasive treatments end. This healing takes time. Please be patient.

    Hope your skin is much better really soon.

    Kind regards, Susan

    P.S.: Pretty kitties in your photo! :-)
  • EveningStar2
    EveningStar2 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #4
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    Christmas Girl said:

    Healing begins...
    I didn't burn too badly, just within the last week of rads. Once the treatments stopped, the burn healed rather quickly. But, yours sounds worse than mine. I used Aquaphor products, as strictly instructed by my rad onc doctor & all the rad onc therapists.

    Understandably, you want "this to be over"... However, your entire body does not really get the chance to heal - including from whatever preceded your radiation treatments - untiL ALL such invasive treatments end. This healing takes time. Please be patient.

    Hope your skin is much better really soon.

    Kind regards, Susan

    P.S.: Pretty kitties in your photo! :-)

    kitties
    That picture was a miracle. They were all on my lap and my husband grabbed the camera and managed to get a picture with all of them looking at him!
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #5
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    EveningStar2 said:

    kitties
    That picture was a miracle. They were all on my lap and my husband grabbed the camera and managed to get a picture with all of them looking at him!

    They are precious!
    Yes, pets are very difficult to photograph. Kudos to your husband for acting so quickly!

    Kind regards, Susan
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #6
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    Radiation Booster's
    I am starting my "boosters" this week. How did you do on them Evening Star? Is that where you got the bad burn? I haven't burnt yet and I have had 24 treatments. I am a little pink in places but not all over where I am getting the radiation. The first time I had bc I only got burnt the last week, but, that was a million years ago and the machines/treatments were so different. I hope you get some relief soon!

    p.s. I wish I could find something to stop the itching. I am using hydrocortisone creme for it, but, it only helps so long. And, when I put it on, I just want to itchhhhhhhhhhhhh so bad. lol
  • EveningStar2
    EveningStar2 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #7
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    Jeanne D said:

    Radiation Booster's
    I am starting my "boosters" this week. How did you do on them Evening Star? Is that where you got the bad burn? I haven't burnt yet and I have had 24 treatments. I am a little pink in places but not all over where I am getting the radiation. The first time I had bc I only got burnt the last week, but, that was a million years ago and the machines/treatments were so different. I hope you get some relief soon!

    p.s. I wish I could find something to stop the itching. I am using hydrocortisone creme for it, but, it only helps so long. And, when I put it on, I just want to itchhhhhhhhhhhhh so bad. lol

    the burn
    I was red/pink even after all treatments were done. My underarm didn't open up until the next week. And my nipple is peeling--not bad but it's a little weird. The burn is getting better but the area on my back where I got some rads is still *very* red.

    Maureen
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #8
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    EveningStar2 said:

    the burn
    I was red/pink even after all treatments were done. My underarm didn't open up until the next week. And my nipple is peeling--not bad but it's a little weird. The burn is getting better but the area on my back where I got some rads is still *very* red.

    Maureen

    Rads on your back?
    I thought you had breast cancer Maureen. Why would they do rads on your back, if you don't mind me asking? I had my first "booster" today. Only 11 more to go! lol I am just worried my poor nipple will burn bad..YIKES! I have been putting all of the creme's on it and I am now putting aloe vera too. I hope it helps! I hope you are doing better Maureen!
  • EveningStar2
    EveningStar2 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #9
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    Jeanne D said:

    Rads on your back?
    I thought you had breast cancer Maureen. Why would they do rads on your back, if you don't mind me asking? I had my first "booster" today. Only 11 more to go! lol I am just worried my poor nipple will burn bad..YIKES! I have been putting all of the creme's on it and I am now putting aloe vera too. I hope it helps! I hope you are doing better Maureen!

    my back
    One of the "views" that they did the regular treatments was from below to my right. I didn't realize that my back was getting shot until my husband noticed my tan.

    And it;s getting better.
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #10
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    EveningStar2 said:

    my back
    One of the "views" that they did the regular treatments was from below to my right. I didn't realize that my back was getting shot until my husband noticed my tan.

    And it;s getting better.

    Evening Star
    How are you doing now? Are you any better? I guess I didn't realize that you would get worse after the radiation treatments are over. I never burned, just got pink in a couple of areas. I mainly just tanned. So, will I get worse AFTER the treatments are done? I had hoped that when I finish..I will just heal. :(
    p.s. my main problem is/was the itching, but, i finally got a prescription to get rid of that.
  • EveningStar2
    EveningStar2 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #11
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    Kristin N said:

    Evening Star
    How are you doing now? Are you any better? I guess I didn't realize that you would get worse after the radiation treatments are over. I never burned, just got pink in a couple of areas. I mainly just tanned. So, will I get worse AFTER the treatments are done? I had hoped that when I finish..I will just heal. :(
    p.s. my main problem is/was the itching, but, i finally got a prescription to get rid of that.

    yeppers
    It got worse after I finished. My last booster was the 10th and that weekend the burn opened up. Babe said it happened that way with her also. The fourteenth I got some Silvadene and I'm doing better, Just 2 small areas that are tender--like a bad sunburn but your armpit/boob is not where *I* usually get a sunburn! I'm to the point where I can *think* about a bra.

    Maureen
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #12
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    EveningStar2 said:

    yeppers
    It got worse after I finished. My last booster was the 10th and that weekend the burn opened up. Babe said it happened that way with her also. The fourteenth I got some Silvadene and I'm doing better, Just 2 small areas that are tender--like a bad sunburn but your armpit/boob is not where *I* usually get a sunburn! I'm to the point where I can *think* about a bra.

    Maureen

    Glad you're doing better now!
    Hello, Maureen. So glad you're healing up, with relief from the Silvadene.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #13
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    Kristin N said:

    Evening Star
    How are you doing now? Are you any better? I guess I didn't realize that you would get worse after the radiation treatments are over. I never burned, just got pink in a couple of areas. I mainly just tanned. So, will I get worse AFTER the treatments are done? I had hoped that when I finish..I will just heal. :(
    p.s. my main problem is/was the itching, but, i finally got a prescription to get rid of that.

    AHHHHHHHH a BRA lol
    I am so glad that you are feeling better. And, thinking of a bra, huh? lol I keep looking at my beautiful pushup, underwire bras and can't wait to put one of them on. I have almost always worn a bra and it just feels funny not to. My hubby likes it better this way..with none on. But, mennnnnnnnnnnn..what do they know!!! lol Once again..glad you are feeling better. You deserve to!

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