Having a tough time need advise on Radiation please.

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smalldoggroomer
smalldoggroomer Member Posts: 1,184
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I started Rads on Dec 16Th I have had 20 so far am scheduled to have 28 then 5 boosters. I am very burned Dr said second and third degree burns. I have allot of pain in skin and on the inside muscle. I get nauseated on and off. And I cant do much without getting out of breath like walk to the mail box or carry anything. I take care of my mother that is bedridden for the most part. ( gets up to use bathroom only ) It is getting to me to have all this to do with the pain and shortness of breath. I am thinking of asking the Dr if I can do the boosters now to give the rest of my skin a break for a week. Or possibly doing boosters and ending not doing the last 8. I will have to ask if this would increase my chances of recurrence by not doing the last 8. I just don't know if I can keep it up. My sister had to go back home. My husband has to work. What do you guys think. I have no skin left on my chest it is burned off and raw. I cant go into the hospital and don't want skin grafts. Gosh I think I may have to quite. My first Dr the idiot remember her she told me she was turning up the rads and was more aggressive then any other Dr. I am wondering if they have been to high and that is the reason I am so burned now. Has any body else had this much trouble? Has anybody else had to stop and not do the last few rads. How do they know you have to have this many or is it measured in strength of rads? I don't know what to do. Yesterday the pain was so bad in the morning I could hardly move or breath it hurt so bad. And I am not a baby I have a high tolerance for pain. I HATE CANCER. Any advise would be greatly appreciated Thanks Kay

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  • Lighthouse_7
    Lighthouse_7 Member Posts: 1,566 Member
    #2
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    Kay,
    This really s--ks . I
    Kay,
    This really s--ks . I am so sorry that this is happening to you. I don't know about the strength of the radiation but it doesn't sound like they should just continue if your skin is so raw. I can't imagine why they wouldn't let you take a break, but I really don't know. What does your new doctor say? Please ask or better yet, demand the answers that you seek.

    Maybe there are other women on these boards who can relate to your burns and help you more than I can, but I want you to know that I'm praying for you. No one should be in so much pain whether your going through rads or chemo. You deserve to have some comfort.

    Hugs and love,
    Wanda
  • Lighthouse_7
    Lighthouse_7 Member Posts: 1,566 Member
    #3
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    Kay,
    This really s--ks . I
    Kay,
    This really s--ks . I am so sorry that this is happening to you. I don't know about the strength of the radiation but it doesn't sound like they should just continue if your skin is so raw. I can't imagine why they wouldn't let you take a break, but I really don't know. What does your new doctor say? Please ask or better yet, demand the answers that you seek.

    Maybe there are other women on these boards who can relate to your burns and help you more than I can, but I want you to know that I'm praying for you. No one should be in so much pain whether your going through rads or chemo. You deserve to have some comfort.

    Hugs and love,
    Wanda
  • Sher43009
    Sher43009 Member Posts: 602 Member
    #4
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    Lighthouse_7 said:

    Kay,
    This really s--ks . I
    Kay,
    This really s--ks . I am so sorry that this is happening to you. I don't know about the strength of the radiation but it doesn't sound like they should just continue if your skin is so raw. I can't imagine why they wouldn't let you take a break, but I really don't know. What does your new doctor say? Please ask or better yet, demand the answers that you seek.

    Maybe there are other women on these boards who can relate to your burns and help you more than I can, but I want you to know that I'm praying for you. No one should be in so much pain whether your going through rads or chemo. You deserve to have some comfort.

    Hugs and love,
    Wanda

    Ask for a break.
    You need to heal a bit before you get hit again. I got 30 regulars with 5 boosters but because of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, snow storms and machine going down it took me an additional 1 1/2 weeks to get all the treatments in. I was told it wouldn't matter as long as I got all treatments. Do you have any friends, neighbors or other relatives that can come in and help with your mom? You can also try Social Services at your cancer center or in your town or the Visiting Nurses Assoc. for help. I know it's easier said than done, but you have to take care of yourself before you can help your mom.

    Hope this helps.
    Sher
  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    #5
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    Oh Kay, I'm sorry it's so
    Oh Kay, I'm sorry it's so difficult right now. I agree, you should ask about taking a break on the rads...a long weekend might be enough to help you feel better. (Keep in mind, I haven't done rads yet.) And, has your new doc reviewed the original treatment plan? Does he agree with 28 and 5 boosters?

    I also agree that you should look into options for help with your mother, meals on wheels might also be able to give you a little relief. I know they made a big difference in my grandmother's care and health a few years ago.

    Please continue to post, we want to know how you and your mother are doing.

    Hugs,

    Linda
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #6
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    I'm surprised at boosters
    I'm surprised at boosters with IBC. I was told by my Rads Dr that IBC doesn't lend itself to boosters as the area is too big and boosters are directed at small areas. That's just what he told me.

    If you're already into open oozing burns it's definately time to talk about that. I didn't show any burning (tanning and freckling yes) until the 23rd and it was just a very light pink, by the 25th (last) it was a bit tender like a mild sun burn but the next day the entire area was open and burned. Rad burns can keep 'cooking' after the last one. Mine definately did in some areas. It was 3 weeks til the mildest parts were haling and 6 weeks before the deepest were healed. Thankfully, even with vicodan and oxy, the worst of the burns were under arm where there is no feeling.

    If you have open burns and the Rads Dr won't talk to you talk to someone else - your PCP maybe.

    Prayers

    Susan
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #7
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    Ouch!
    I also vote for a break. I think you should have a long talk with your radiation oncologist about this and let her know how much this is affecting you. Then you can come to an informed decision. It sounds like your skin is at a breaking point. Maybe ask about a regimen to help repair your skin while you are on a break. Good luck and wishes for much less pain.

    Mimi
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    #8
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    mimivac said:

    Ouch!
    I also vote for a break. I think you should have a long talk with your radiation oncologist about this and let her know how much this is affecting you. Then you can come to an informed decision. It sounds like your skin is at a breaking point. Maybe ask about a regimen to help repair your skin while you are on a break. Good luck and wishes for much less pain.

    Mimi

    Kay,
    It is definitely time
    Kay,
    It is definitely time to take with the rad onc and see about taking a break. I am so sorry that you are having this burning. I hope that you can find some resolution for this. I know that some of the ladies used a siverdine ointment with the burned areas. Ask what you can use to help with the burns and the pain. I will keep you in my prayers.
    Stef
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #9
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    Sher43009 said:

    Ask for a break.
    You need to heal a bit before you get hit again. I got 30 regulars with 5 boosters but because of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, snow storms and machine going down it took me an additional 1 1/2 weeks to get all the treatments in. I was told it wouldn't matter as long as I got all treatments. Do you have any friends, neighbors or other relatives that can come in and help with your mom? You can also try Social Services at your cancer center or in your town or the Visiting Nurses Assoc. for help. I know it's easier said than done, but you have to take care of yourself before you can help your mom.

    Hope this helps.
    Sher

    Take a break.
    You HAVE to take a break. I know the rads oncologists don't like to do it, but, it is done. Many have to stop for awhile if they are burnt as bad as you are. You need to heal up.

    Hugs and prayers to you!
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #10
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    so so sorry you are going through this
    I dont' have any suggestions-I was very fortunate and only got dark box shape tan-no burning etc. I went to 8 wks daily...

    I hope others have some helpful words!
  • Boppy_of_6
    Boppy_of_6 Member Posts: 1,138
    #11
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    disneyfan2008 said:

    so so sorry you are going through this
    I dont' have any suggestions-I was very fortunate and only got dark box shape tan-no burning etc. I went to 8 wks daily...

    I hope others have some helpful words!

    So sorry Kay
    I am so sorry you have burned so badly. I agree it is time for a break. I am surprised they have not suggested it. I had 25 rads and 5 boosters and did ok till the last few. I did have some burning, and a little peeling but thankfully was not in a lot of pain. As someone else mentioned you do continue cooking for a while. God Bless
    (((Hugs))) Janice
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #12
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    Boppy_of_6 said:

    So sorry Kay
    I am so sorry you have burned so badly. I agree it is time for a break. I am surprised they have not suggested it. I had 25 rads and 5 boosters and did ok till the last few. I did have some burning, and a little peeling but thankfully was not in a lot of pain. As someone else mentioned you do continue cooking for a while. God Bless
    (((Hugs))) Janice

    Stop rads!
    You must take a break from rads and let your skin heal. There was a woman taking rads at the same time I did, and, she burnt bad too. Our rads oncologist gave her a 2 week break, and, it worked. She came back in 2 weeks and finished her treatments, and, her skin did fine, as, it had healed up so well by stopping.

    Any good rads oncologist, in my opinion, will want you to stop for awhile.


    So, please stop for awhile and heal some. Let us know.

    Sue :)
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #13
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    Kay
    I feel your pain. I wish I could offer advice but I don't know what you should do. When I went to rads this morning (I see my rads/onc every Monday) he checked my skin. I told him about your burns and he said it does happen some times. Today was my 11th of 28. So far my skin is just a bit tight. I just keep slathering the cream on. Have you talked to your rads dr? Has he/she offered any reassurance or advice on continuing or not? I hope you find comfort soon because you're suffering.....

    As for your mom's care, I don't know how you do it with all the pain you're already in. It's almost an impossible situation. My heart goes out to you.

    {{very gentle cyber hugs}}, Char
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #14
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    cahjah75 said:

    Kay
    I feel your pain. I wish I could offer advice but I don't know what you should do. When I went to rads this morning (I see my rads/onc every Monday) he checked my skin. I told him about your burns and he said it does happen some times. Today was my 11th of 28. So far my skin is just a bit tight. I just keep slathering the cream on. Have you talked to your rads dr? Has he/she offered any reassurance or advice on continuing or not? I hope you find comfort soon because you're suffering.....

    As for your mom's care, I don't know how you do it with all the pain you're already in. It's almost an impossible situation. My heart goes out to you.

    {{very gentle cyber hugs}}, Char

    Kaye I am so sorry, I did
    Kaye I am so sorry, I did well with rads, but the first time I had it my skin was black. I used aquaphor. some womwn have used silvadene which is a cream used for burns. this stinks! I hope you get a break. tell them asap, that you need help dealing withthis and you will not just suck it up!
  • BlownAway60
    BlownAway60 Member Posts: 851
    #15
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    Sher43009 said:

    Ask for a break.
    You need to heal a bit before you get hit again. I got 30 regulars with 5 boosters but because of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, snow storms and machine going down it took me an additional 1 1/2 weeks to get all the treatments in. I was told it wouldn't matter as long as I got all treatments. Do you have any friends, neighbors or other relatives that can come in and help with your mom? You can also try Social Services at your cancer center or in your town or the Visiting Nurses Assoc. for help. I know it's easier said than done, but you have to take care of yourself before you can help your mom.

    Hope this helps.
    Sher

    So sorry
    I have heard of others taking a break during rads due to burns. Would be something worth checking in to.

    Hugs

    Donna
  • waffle8
    waffle8 Member Posts: 234
    #16
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    rads
    Kay Sorry to hear you are suffering with your rads.I had to quit with regular radiation and do the 5 boosters because my skin was burnt...I think I had 5 regular left when I told the nurse that I had enough..Did your doctor rec. anything for your skin? I used domeboro? soaks that was the only thing that made my skin feel better..Maybe ask the doc. if you could use that... Keeping you in my prayers..

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