Radiation Burns

2nu2tnbc
2nu2tnbc Member Posts: 69 Member
in Breast Cancer #1

I'm at the last stage of my treatment, Radiotherapy.....And then.....1 day before mI begin the 1st of my final 5 treatments there is skin peeling underneath my arm.  It looks horrible (worse than it feels). There some soreness & burning, but my concern is the peeling.  The doctor will let me know today whether or not I continue treatment or take a break.  I really want to be done with all of this.  Just feeling a little down & needed to vent a little! Continuing to fight TNBC!!!

Comments

  • tufi000
    tufi000 Member Posts: 745 Member
    #2
    Yeah Yeah Yeah

    The best thing they gave me was a Hawaian menthol gel. 

    BUT the peeling is necessary to get a handle on. I will spare you the horrific details of my medical journal Level happening, but the peeling can just get deeper and deeper and etc.  So ask what you can do NOW to stop the progression. Insist on it PLEASE.

  • 2nu2tnbc
    2nu2tnbc Member Posts: 69 Member
    #3
    Had to take a break!!!

    from Radiation.  There was too much underarm peeling and getting raw!  I will begin my last round of 5 boosters next week. I'm a little sad, but the doctor knows what's best!  Keep me in your prayers!

  • tufi000
    tufi000 Member Posts: 745 Member
    #4
    Great!

    Good idea. When I had to have radiation on my head recently, I thought of this and figured I could get a hole in my head this time instead of my chest!  hee hee

  • 2nu2tnbc
    2nu2tnbc Member Posts: 69 Member
    #5
    tufi000 said:

    Great!

    Good idea. When I had to have radiation on my head recently, I thought of this and figured I could get a hole in my head this time instead of my chest!  hee hee

    If you don't.ind me asking,

    Hehe!!!:)) If you don't mind me asking, did you have a recurrence & how long were you cancer free or NED.....& what type of BC?

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #6
    Sorry you are going through

    Sorry you are going through this-I never had any  reaction for radiation. I hope someone can give you soem helpful suggestions.

     

    Feel better,

    Denise

     

    PIXIE dust on your way

  • tufi000
    tufi000 Member Posts: 745 Member
    edited February 2017 #7
    2nu2tnbc said:

    If you don't.ind me asking,

    Hehe!!!:)) If you don't mind me asking, did you have a recurrence & how long were you cancer free or NED.....& what type of BC?

    Here goes

    DX BC stages IIB, IIIC. ER+ Her2-. Went through the whole deal.  That was 2003.

    A year ago I had a craniotomy for brain tumors. Not benign, not malignant.  What they call abnormal cell presence, it's in between.

    Onc says I am NED

  • 2nu2tnbc
    2nu2tnbc Member Posts: 69 Member
    edited February 2017 #8
    tufi000 said:

    Here goes

    DX BC stages IIB, IIIC. ER+ Her2-. Went through the whole deal.  That was 2003.

    A year ago I had a craniotomy for brain tumors. Not benign, not malignant.  What they call abnormal cell presence, it's in between.

    Onc says I am NED

    Wow......Amazing!!!!  I'm

    Wow......Amazing!!!!  I'm glad that you continue to visit this site to help us newbiess,  I/we really need the encouragement.  Are the brain tumors related to the breast cancer?

  • tufi000
    tufi000 Member Posts: 745 Member
    #9
    2nu2tnbc said:

    Wow......Amazing!!!!  I'm

    Wow......Amazing!!!!  I'm glad that you continue to visit this site to help us newbiess,  I/we really need the encouragement.  Are the brain tumors related to the breast cancer?

    Nope

    Not at all.  But I did sort of jokingly ask my Onc if he thought there was a possibility the Arimidex I take kept the cranial tumors from being malignent.  He said hmmm not a crazy idea.

  • Kiki2016
    Kiki2016 Member Posts: 31
    edited February 2017 #10
    Radiation burns

    i had 28 radiation treatments.  I put Eucerin cream on my chest and under my arm 2 times a day each day.  I did fine until the last week when my skin got very red, dry, and cracked.  The radiation nurse told me to keep using the cream for a few weeks after treatment.  The cream is very greasy but it did help.  The burns actually got worse after radiation for about 10 days but then started to heal quickly.

    good luck!

  • 2nu2tnbc
    2nu2tnbc Member Posts: 69 Member
    #11
    Radiation Burn

    This burn looks worse. Does it looks worse before getting better? I'm soaking and using the cream I see my arm & it looks yucky.  I don't think I'll be able to rresume Radiation tomorrow!!!  How do you get the area u see your arm to heal faster? I'm totally disgusted right now!  I get this far out, almost done......Then this!!  

     

  • 2nu2tnbc
    2nu2tnbc Member Posts: 69 Member
    edited February 2017 #12
    Radiation Burn

    This burn looks worse. Does it looks worse before getting better? I'm soaking and using the cream I see my arm & it looks yucky.  I don't think I'll be able to rresume Radiation tomorrow!!!  How do you get the area u see your arm to heal faster? I'm totally disgusted right now!  I get this far out, almost done......Then this!!  

     

  • tufi000
    tufi000 Member Posts: 745 Member
    #13
    You can't heal faster

    In fact it can take weeks depending on your skin type. I have very thin and fragile skin so it got very bad. My dad said when I was a baby he would hold me up to a light and he could see through me!  hee hee

    But take care please. You cannot be in a hurry and do not let the docs rush the rest of of your session because these reactions really take weeks or longer to recover from.Make the tell you the possible ramifications of restarting now. For instance, will grafting be possible, will you need a wound vac etc

  • 2nu2tnbc
    2nu2tnbc Member Posts: 69 Member
    #14
    Radiation burns Dr.'s Visit Today

    Doctor wants wound to heal a LOT more!  I have this entire week off. He advised me to continue with the domboro soaks and sulfadine.  My concern is that my skin will continue to peel while the new skin grows, this could take weeks.  How do they determine when to continue with treatment?  I'm only do for my 5 boosters!!! I just want it to be over!!! Please pray for me to have a little more patience......I usually have a lot of patience, but it seems to be running very thinn right now.

  • tufi000
    tufi000 Member Posts: 745 Member
    edited February 2017 #15
    I hear ya

    Patience is a virtue I never had so I get it.  If you can think it it can get done NOW!

    Okay. First, with peeling there is a much higher risk of infection. Also these have to heal from the inside out without benefit of a scab.

    Patience? You will need a lot more if you can't wait now. I also wore summer camisoles to have air exposure and lightweight cloth. Used a shawl if I got chilly. It seemed the more air exposure the quicker the heal.  Hear that?!?!?! QUICKER!  HAHAH

    Travel Well

    Sherry

  • Kymy
    Kymy Member Posts: 1
    edited February 2017 #16
    Don't worry, be patient. It will get better

    Hi!  Just joined, and saw your post.  I had TNBC as well, and had to do my 30 sessions of radiation.  Yes, I had my underarm all burnt crusty, and later when it started peeling, it was raw flesh underneath.  My doctor gave me Prontosan, to help ensure I do not get any infection.  I apply it twice a day using a gauze to "compress" all the areas affected by radiation, and it helps soothe the burning sensation and pain on the skin surface.

    I also use a loosely fitted gauze pad (because yes, air helps it dry up faster), but the gauze also helps so the skin in your underarms do not rub together, or against your dress.  

    Hope this helps:) Another thing that helped me -- I thank God everyday for all the healthy cells that I had.  Hope you feel better soon!

  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    edited February 2017 #17
    Ugh!

    I finished radiation las Friday and am burned, blistered and peeling. I have aquaphor and Silvadene, but what works best is "airing out". Going topless or open robed and keeping my breast , underboob and underarm to air dry. I was told I could use the 'wet to dry' method which is nothing more than gently laying a tepid washcloth on the burned areas - I have oozing. I am working full time, so as soon as I get home.....!

    I am not wearing a bra, but have a nice top that I wear daily and wash nightly, also a nice draping scarf. My coworkers have been informed that this is my 'uniforn' until further notice. I think I have another week before I am over the worst of it.

    This is my second time, I burned just as bad the first time (other breast). My cousin recently went thru rads and never burned at all. Some of us are just delicate flowers, I guess.

    Do tell the techs and Drs how you are doing and ask for meds,creams etc.

    Sue

     

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