Recovery from Radiation?

chicagoetc · 03-31-2008, 06:07 PM

I'm on week four (of six and a half) of radiation. So far I'm a bit tired. My skin is starting to turn red (under my arm where lymph nodes were removed) but is not painful. There is some tightness. I'm trying to exercise and do stretching so that everything doesn't get stiff.

I've tried to find threads here on recovery from radiation but can't find one (I've tried the search various ways and keep getting everything but).

What I'm basically wondering is what is in front of me (in the next two-three weeks and after). I know more reconstructive surgery can't happen until six months after radiation. But I don't know why. (Does the radiated skin/area keeping getting worse and worse?) Any info would be appreciated. [My work is scheduling an out of town trip in May assuming it will fit my treatment schedule...though they don't know the specifics of the treatment nor even what kind of cancer I've had.]

Thanks in advance,
Melanie

Becky · 03-31-2008, 06:25 PM

Just make sure you get your rest and use the cream they told you to use. My mom also had radiation and she used Fruit of the Earth 100% Aloe Vera gel instead of the Biofine cream I was told to use. They usually tell the women who had chemo to use a heavier duty cream than the women who only get radiation (my mother only had a lumpectomy with radiation). However, I really started to burn and get sore and the aloe vera gel brand above worked wonders. I put it on and let it completely dry. If you do start to burn, ask your rad onc for Silvadene cream - it is great for that (prescription).

You will be done in mid April. When I had rads, I was done April 8 and went to Pittsburgh Chemical day the beginning of May. It was a business trip and I had to fly. It was my first out of town flight trip and it went fine. I just made sure I didn't overdo and I was nervous to be away from home (even though normally before and now, I am a road warrior). You will be fine by then. It is amazing how quickly the skin heals up (think about any bad sunburn you might have had in your life. Its painful but only for a few days and then you're better). Once rads are over, you just heal up well within a week so by May - you'll be good to go.

Baby yourself alittle longer and then this will be over and Herceptin alone is just fine. Make sure to plan traveling around Herceptin. You can be a couple of days late and still be ok but its always best to be on time unless your onc delays you for a good reason.

I hope this helped.

goops · 04-01-2008, 05:16 AM

I will finish 33 treatments of radiation next Monday, I have fair skin and I am burned pretty badly.

I did not realize until this weekend that some of the radiation is reaching my neck area. I had been feeling strange pain in the collar bone area but thought it was my imagination.

Be sure you use your cream all the way up to the neck and into the armpit area.

I have been lucky because the fatigue is just really hitting me now.

DonnaD · 04-01-2008, 01:53 PM

Hi Melanie,
Just a few thoughts about radiation and recovery from it. I am by far no expert but was told radiation does cause tissue changes in the radiated breast. I would assume that is why surgery is done later giving the internal tissue time to heal. I do not believe the skin area gets worse once you are done with radiation. But I did have a delayed reaction to the boost. About a week after the boost I had the exact outline of the boost area appear red and very sensitive. I was still applying the cream (they gave me 3 different creams throughout radiaition) they gave me to the area and beyond as they prescribed. My radiation onc. nurse was a wound specialist and recommended Vigilon. It looks like a thin gel pack and is moist and cool. I applied that right onto the irritated area several times a day, storing it in the refrig. Within days it was gone and never returned. That was the only problem I had with radiation!

I had to tweek my Herceptin a few times to meet traveling schedules. I never delayed it but got it a few days early. Like Becky said you have a few days to play with.

I do hope your work trip is somewhere fun and WARM!

Good luck.
Donna

chicagoetc · 04-01-2008, 05:34 PM

Thanks. That helps. I'm going to use the cream whether it looks/feels like I need it or not. This morning when I got up to get ready for radiation and then work, I felt quite a bit more tired that I have to this point. My boss and I had anticipated this. I plan to start working closer to half to two thirds time for the next three weeks. [I think getting some rest and having some extra free time at this stage may actually help.]

Melanie

Catherine · 04-01-2008, 08:54 PM

Glad you are getting through your radiation. I actually got more tired after the final weeks of my radiation. Maybe it was also an accumulation from chemo,then surgery then radiation and the start of Herceptin. Anyway, do make sure you honor your body and get your rest. They told me to use creams up to 6-12 months after radiation. My scar from my modified radical side is still fairly tight. My PT said to be gentle with the radiated skin for a long time. (6 months?). Nothing really specific, just my expierence.

Take care, Catherine

MJo · 04-02-2008, 10:27 AM

People put it to me kind of crudely, but I got the picture -- they said I'd keep "cooking" for a few weeks after radiation is done!! So real recovery starts a few weeks after your last treatment, I suppose. I was tired, and had painful blisters. Later had needle sharp pain in breast, which scared me, but it eventually went away. Take care of yourself. I hope you will allow yourself to move slowly on that out of town trip. It sounds like you have an understanding boss. So did I, and that makes a world of difference. I worked through radiation and so did my boss!! and another co-worker. Three of us at one social services agency in a two-year period. Congrats on finishing another phase of your treatment. There is recovery from this.

juanita · 04-02-2008, 06:29 PM

The three most important words right now are rest, rest and rest!

Joanne S · 04-03-2008, 12:32 AM

My doctor prescribed only 25 Rad treatments. Perhaps it was because I had chemo first, then my mastectomies and reconstruction surgeries. It seems like most others had 33-36 treatments.

I was advised never to use powder, deodorant or anti-persperant during the the entire treamtent period; also no antibacterial or harsh soaps for bathing---Dove was suggested.

The radiation therapists provided me with Aquaphor ointment to put on after each radiation treatment. It was suggested to apply it twice a day after radiation. They also insisted no application of any other creams, ointments or lotions. Nothing should be applied three hours before radiation.

I started radiation immediately after my last tissue expander saline expansion. All of my treatments alone were a piece of cake, although I was very tired and fatigued afterward. Unfortunately I suffered from severe pain from post mastectomy pain syndrome and capsular contracture surrounding my tissue expanders. During the last five treatments I had a sore throat, and it lasted 3 weeks. They advised that was a normal with radiation. At the same time, my skin started burning in three areas. I didn't have any blisters, only redness and very slight peeling. The skin color in those areas never returned to normal---it remains darker. I have pain with touch to the bones of entire area that was radiated; my clavicle, breast bones, ribs and sternum. I was told the radiation continues to work for up to six months after treatment. Prior to every other radiation treatment a wet towel was placed over the area. I believe this resulted in more radiation to the skin.

I had capsulectomy surgery four months after radiation. The incision on the radiated side did not heal as quick or as nicely as the non-radiated side. Since then, capsular contracture has occurred again and I will need another capsulectomy surgery and will sadly probably have to give up my implant/s.

Melanie, Best to you as your progress though your treatments and prayers for improved health.
Joanne

kcherub · 04-03-2008, 01:56 PM

Hi! It sounds like you have gotten a lot of good responses, but I am going to give you mine, too! Sorry if I repeat anything above...

I had a rash from about the second treatment, but it went away. I didn't notice any redness until about the second week (say, treatment #10). It kept getting progressively redder, but I was never terribly uncomfortable. The boosts caused some irritation and make that area even more red, but it was all bearable.

I wasn't able to use the Radiaplex cream, as I am very fair and have very sensitive skin. They said pure aloe would be fine, but aloe just feels icky! I found out that Cetaphil cream in the pot (not in the bottle or tube) has the same chemical makeup as the alternate prescription they recommended. It was a dream--it was cooling, no perfumes, and dried on the skin without feeling tacky. Plus, it was in stock!!! My RAD ONC. was pleasantly surprised at my "discovery" and with how my skin did overall.

I did notice that I was a bit tired and just "blah" for the last two weeks and for about two weeks aftewards. Although, I must say that I think most of that was residual from chemo, being bummed about BC in the first place, and going back and forth to radiation every day (about 1.5 hours total). But, if you do feel more tired than usual, take it easy. I worked every day during radiation, because I own it and I pretty much had to, but I did rest more in the evenings.

Good luck--you will do FINE!

Take care,

chicagoetc · 04-04-2008, 10:04 AM

Thanks for all the info. I suspect it will be helpful for others as well. [It's probably helpful for others to post even...where else can you talk about your experiences down this path...difficult or not? And find them helpful to others...]

I have ordered Cetaphil cream "in a pot" to help with redness/dryness and whatever else comes along. Am using Aquaphor ointment which hopefully helps (definitely is not hurting anything). In the morning I feel like I'm walking through Molasses...so half to two-third days work right now feels good. Other good news is that there will only be 28 radiations and not 33 (probably because surgery removed virtually everything except my chestwall and the third layer of underarm lymph nodes?). The news about 28 sessions made me happy.

One thing I value highly about this website is the ability to search for information and to post questions regarding small things (or not so small). At treatments/appointments I feel like I walk in with good information and questions...or walk out and am able to find information about other questions not asked.

Thanks again,
Melanie

Sheila · 04-04-2008, 01:34 PM

Melanie
So glad to see things are easing along for you, you'll be done before you know it. If all else fails, Lindi Skin Care Products are great for radiation and for chemo patienst they make some for both.
You can get it online at

www.lindiskin.com

A friend of mine used their products for Radiation and said they were the best she found. I just saw them advertised in a cancer magazine yesterday at RUSH...I've used their creams and lotions for over a year...the best!

Take Care Melanie, hope to get out together soon!

rinaina · 04-05-2008, 08:15 PM

I used aquaphor and it worked great. I was told to use it prior to starting radiation and continue for several weeks post radiation. I had very little burning as a result and I am pretty fair skinned. Hang in their Melanie, you will be done before you know it. The tiredness is completely normal and expected, just make sure you get enough rest and sleep.

05-11-2011, 09:30 PM

Hello,

I need some advice.

I had radiation about 9 years ago on my right breast which had silicone implant in it. The implant now has a capsule around it.

I do not want the latissimus dorsi flap surgery.

I want the capsulectomy surgery but was told by one doctor that I can't because of the radiation I received. I also want to go back to my regular smaller size.

Has anyone had this type of surgery after radiation. If so, what were the results? How are you now?

thanks,
Rachel